Abstract: A dental instrument for shaping a dental restoration. The instrument includes an end with at least one undulating edge which eases the placement, manipulation, and sculpting of dental restoration.

Abstract: Single crystals of the new semiconducting oxychalcogenide phase were synthesized using a novel crystal growth method. The crystals had low defects and homogeneous composition as characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Heat capacity and resistivity measurements were in agreement with the calculated band structure calculations indicating semiconductivity, with a band gap of about 3 eV.

Abstract: Receptor protein kinases (RPTKs) transmit extracellular signals across the plasma membrane to cytosolic proteins, stimulating formation of complexes that regulate key cellular functions. Over half of the known tyrosine kinases are implicated in human cancers and are therefore highly promising drug targets. A large-scale loss-of-function analysis of tyrosine kinases using RNA interference in the clinically relevant Erb-B2 positive, BT474 breast cancer cell line showed that Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), a cytosolic, non-receptor tyrosine kinase that has been extensively studied for its role in B cell development, is required, in altered form, for BT474 breast cancer survival. This alternative form contains an amino-terminal extension that is also present in tumorigenic breast cells at significantly higher levels than in normal breast cells. Thus, embodiments of the invention find application in the field of cancer therapy.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for perfusing a cell with perfusion fluid are provided herein, wherein the gravitational forces acting on the cell to keep the cell at or near a retainer or a retaining position exceed the hydrodynamic forces acting on the cell to move it toward an outlet. Also provided, are methods for assaying cell products within the microfluidic device.

Abstract: The method for coating a substrate with silver nanoparticles includes reducing a silver nitrate solution with an ethanol extract of the traditional Indian medicinal plant (Curcuma Longa L.), a naturally abundant antioxidant, to form a final solution, and contacting the final solution with the substrate to provide the silver nanoparticle coating. Formation of the silver nanoparticle coating on the substrate can be determined when a mirror in the final solution is observed. The thickness of the coating layer can be less than 125 nm. The coated substrates can be highly conductive.

Abstract: A ladder for use with heavy machinery such as farm equipment, the ladder having platform steps, the ladder being convertible between a deployed position for supporting a person or other load, to a storage, scaffold, or ramp position in which the steps lie in a generally planar arrangement. When deployed, the ladder steps remain parallel to each other. The ladder includes two frames, the frames pivotably connected by a plurality of platform steps, one of the frames being pivotably attached to a piece of heavy machinery. The frame nest within one another in the storage configuration. The pivotable attachment to the heavy equipment may be wheels on the ladder frame that engage horizontal tracks on the heavy equipment, allowing the ladder to be lifted up, the frames nested, and the ladder in the storage configuration slid along the tracks and stored.

Abstract: The three-dimensional standard vibrator based on the aerostatic gas-floating decoupling device contains a base. The base is installed with a X axis vibrator, a X axis return mechanism, a Y axis vibrator, a Y axis return mechanism, a Z axis vibrator, and a three-dimensional vibration platform. The X axis vibrator and the X axis return mechanism are both installed along X axis but separated by the three-dimensional vibration platform. The Y axis vibrator and the Y axis return mechanism are both installed along Y axis but also separated by the three-dimensional vibration platform. There are two aerostatic gas-floating plates corresponding to the vibrator and connecting to the X axis and Y axis vibrators, respectively. Two intervals used to generate gas films are formed between the two aerostatic gas-floating plates and the three-dimensional vibrator, respectively. The X axis and Y axis return mechanisms both consist of a reset spring and an aerostatic gas-floating plate corresponding to the spring.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for informatics systems are disclosed. Such informatics systems may utilize a unifying format to represent text to facilitate linking between data from the text and one or more ontologies, and the commensurate ability to mine such data.

Abstract: A method of treating a sphincter deficiency disorder (e.g., incontinence; gastrointestinal disorders) is carried out by administering stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) to a sphincter or sphincter complex, such as a urethral or gastrointestinal sphincter (e.g., a rectal sphincter) of the subject in a treatment-effective amount.

Abstract: A method is provided for deep tissue imaging using multi-photon excitation of a fluorescent agent. The fluorescent agent is irradiated with an ultrafast laser to produce an excited singlet state (Sn) which subsequently undergoes non-radiative relaxation to a first singlet state (S1). The S1 state undergoes fluorescence to the ground state S0 to produce an emission wavelength. Both the excitation and emission wavelengths are within the near infrared optical window, thereby permitting deep tissue penetration for both the incoming and outgoing signals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). In certain embodiments, compounds are provided that increase full-length survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein production by an SMN2 gene.

Abstract: Amino acid-based poly(ester amide) (PEA) macromers (e.g., functional PEA macromers) and methods for preparing amino acid-based poly(ester amide) (PEA) macromers. The functional PEA macromers can comprise functional groups such as hydroxyl, amine, sulfonic acids, carboxyl, thiol and acryloyl at the two terminuses of the PEA macromers. The content of the terminal functional groups on the macromers can be precisely controlled by adjusting the molar ratio of reactive monomers. The resulting versatility of these new functional PEA macromers can be used to fabricate a wide range of PEAs and PEA hybrid derivatives with very different chemical, physical, mechanical, thermal and biological properties. The functional PEA macromers can also be polycondensed into forming block PEA polymers.

Abstract: A method for determining an optimal laying arrangement of a new infrastructure link for connection from a new site to an existing infrastructure network includes modeling a terrain of a region around and at the new site and the existing infrastructure network near the new site; modeling each factor affecting the laying arrangement as a respective cost function; applying a respective weighting to each of the cost function to determine a life-cycle cost function; and determining, based on the determined life-cycle cost function, an optimized laying arrangement with minimal life-cycle cost from the new site to a connection point in the existing infrastructure network.

Abstract: A method of making a thin film transistor, the method including: providing an insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a semiconductor layer on the insulating layer; locating a first photoresist layer, a nanowire structure, a second photoresist layer on the semiconductor layer, wherein the nanowire structure comprises a nanowire; forming an opening in the first photoresist layer and the second photoresist layer to form an exposed surface, wherein a part of the nanowire is exposed in the opening; depositing a conductive film layer on the exposed surface of the semiconductor layer, wherein the conductive film layer defines a nano-scaled channel corresponding to the nanowire, and the conductive film layer is divided into two regions by the nano-scaled channel, one region is used as a source electrode, and the other region is used as a drain electrode; forming a gate electrode on the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating corticosteroid-resistant asthma in a patient, comprising decreasing Interferon Regulatory Factor 5 (IRF5) activity in the patient. Antisense or RNA interference reagents and methods can be used to decrease IRF5 activity in the patient.

Abstract: An antisense molecule capable of binding to a selected target site to induce exon skipping in the dystrophin gene, as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 to 214.

Abstract: A composition is provided that comprises a therapeutic agent encapsulated by a milk-derived microvesicle. The compositions can include therapeutic agents such as phytochemical agents or chemotherapeutic agents, while the milk-derived microvesicle can be derived from raw milk or colostrum. Further provided are methods for isolating a microvesicle that includes the steps of obtaining an amount of milk, and subjecting the milk to a series of sequential centrifugations configured to yield greater than about 300 mg of microvesicle protein per 100 ml of milk. Methods of modifying an immune response and treating a cancer in which a milk-derived microvesicle composition is administered are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for modulating the immune function through targeting of CLIP molecules. The result is wide range of new therapeutic regimens for treating, inhibiting the development of, or otherwise dealing with, a multitude of illnesses and conditions, including autoimmune disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, allergic disease, transplant and cell graft rejection, HIV infection and other viral, bacterial, and parasitic infection, and AIDS. Methods are also provided for preparing a peptide having the property of being able to displace CLIP by feeding one or more peptide sequences into software that predicts MHC Class II binding regions in an antigen sequence and related products.

Abstract: A piezoelectric dipole transmitter is provided that includes a piezoelectric element, an insulating support disposed at a midpoint of said piezoelectric element, or along the piezoelectric element, an external capacitance driver, and an external modulation capacitance disposed proximal to a first end of the piezoelectric element, where the driver capacitance is driven by a signal appropriate to excite a length-extensional acoustic mode of the piezoelectric element, where the piezoelectric element resonates at a piezoelectric element resonance frequency to radiate energy as an electric dipole.

Abstract: A target is sensed by an antenna array having a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna, both of which are caused to be electromagnetically coupled to the target. The antenna array is rotated, and as the array rotates, a change in at least one of the coupling between the transmitter antenna and the target and the coupling between the receiver antenna and the target is detected at multiple rotational orientations of the antenna array.