Abstract: A surgical instrument can be introduced to the abdominal cavity through a current trocar puncture to place a suture in the deep facia and peritoneum of the anterior abdominal wall. The instrument is lightweight and easy to use, and can be operated quickly and efficiently to close the trocar puncture wound in a simple and economical manner. The instrument is used to suture the deep facia and peritoneum of the anterior abdominal wall on opposite sides of the trocar puncture wound inside the abdomen to close the trocar puncture wound.

Abstract: Hybrid adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector systems able to efficiently express therapeutic target genes larger than may be carried in a single AAV vector are provided, wherein a highly recombinogenic foreign DNA sequence is incorporated into two or more ITR-mediated AAV vectors. In one aspect of one embodiment, the novel hybrid AAV vector system is a hybrid dual AAV (hdAAV) vector system. In another aspect of one embodiment, the novel hybrid AAV vector system is a hybrid tri AAV (htAAV) vector system. A method of treating a clinical disease caused at least in part by a defective gene is provided, and comprises (1) providing a hybrid AAV vector system capable of expressing a therapeutic target gene, wherein the therapeutic target gene is capable of replacing, restoring or counteracting the effects of the defective gene; and (2) administering a therapeutic amount of said vector system to a subject wherein said therapeutic target gene is expressed at levels having a therapeutic effect.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel dystrophin mini/micro-genes that retain the essential biological functions of a full-length dystrophin gene. More particularly, the present invention provides to a series of synthetic mini/micro-dystrophin genes capable of restoring neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) to the sarcolemma. A method as well as a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD), and X-linked Dilated Cardiomyopathy (XLDC) are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for converting a vegetable oil to a polymer. In particular, the processing steps comprise bodying, epoxidation, hydrolysis, and oligomerization. These processes provide new processing paths for the formation of polyols for use in rigid foam and other applications.

Abstract: An adsorbent for HC in an exhaust gas is an agglomerate of double-structure particles, each of which includes an HC-adsorbing zeolite core, and a ceramic coat wrapping the zeolite core and having a plurality of through-pores communicating with a plurality of pores in the zeolite core. Each of the double-structure particles is at least one of a double-structure particle including the zeolite core comprising a single zeolite particle, and a double-structure particle including the zeolite core comprising a plurality of zeolite particles. Each of the through-pores in the ceramic coat has such a shape that the HC is easy to flow into the through-pore and difficult to flow out of the through-pore.

Abstract: An adsorbent for HC in an exhaust gas is an agglomerate of double-structure particles, each of which includes an HC-adsorbing zeolite core, and a ceramic coat wrapping the zeolite core and having a plurality of through-pores communicating with a plurality of pores in the zeolite core. Each of the double-structure particles is at least one of a double-structure particle including the zeolite core comprising a single zeolite particle, and a double-structure particle including the zeolite core comprising a plurality of zeolite particles. Each of the through-pores in the ceramic coat has such a shape that the HC is easy to flow into the through-pore and difficult to flow out of the through-pore.

Abstract: A radiation detection system determines the type of nuclear radiation received in a detector by producing a correlation value representative of the statistical cross correlation between the shape of the detector signal and pulse shape data previously stored in memory and characteristic of respective types of radiation. The correlation value is indicative of the type of radiation. The energy of the radiation is determined from the detector signal and is used to produce a spectrum of radiation energies according to radiation type for indicating the nature of the material producing the radiation.

Abstract: A device for providing a signal emulating the wetness of plant leaves, includes a first generally horizontal surface; a second, generally upwardly facing sloped surface having an edge spaced above the first surface by a gap, so that drops of moisture can accumulate on the second surface, and run off the edge, bridging the gap, and first and second leads extending from the first and second surfaces, respectively, to measure the conductivity/resistivity across the gap. Also disclosed is a method of providing a signal emulating the wetness of plant leaves including the steps of: providing a first generally horizontal surface; providing a second, generally upwardly facing sloped surface having an edge spaced above the first surface by a gap, so that drops of moisture can accumulate on the second surface, and run off the edge, bridging the gap between the first and second surfaces; and measuring the conductivity/resistivity across the gap between the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions containing metal cations, that may include cations of both desired metal and impurity or secondary metal, are treated with an organic liquid extractant suitable for the extraction of cations of the desired metal, cations of at least one secondary metal being co-extracted. After phase disengagement, the loaded organic phase containing cations of either a desired metal or desired metal together with at least one secondary metal is contacted with a solid metal or solid metal alloy capable of reducing in the organic phase cations of either a desired metal or a secondary metal from a higher to a lower state of oxidation. Depending on the extracted metal(s) and the added solid metal or alloy, cations of the at least one extracted metal are reduced to the lower state of oxidation and either are deposited (cemented) in the metallic state onto the solid metal or alloy, or are partially reduced in the organic phase to a lower oxidation state with the solid metal or alloy being oxidized in part.