Abstract: The present invention generally relates to processes and methods of peptide and protein synthesis. The present invention also relates to specific compounds for use in such processes and methods. It is shown herein that peptides with a C-terminal tertiary N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-amide (BMEA) undergo N-to-S acyl transfer at weakly acidic pH to form a transient thioester which can be captured for direct ligation with a cysteinyl peptide. These C-terminal BMEA peptides are easily prepared with standard Fmoc solid-phase synthesis protocols, thus giving a very convenient access to the thioester components for native chemical ligation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and process for generating a relationship network is disclosed. The system provides a set of data items to be related and generates variable length data vectors to represent the relationships between the terms within each data item. The system can be used to generate a relationship network for documents, images, or any other type of file. This relationship network can then be queried to discover the relationships between terms within the set of data items.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter for generating a DC output voltage includes: a digitally controlled pulse width modulator (DPWM) for controlling a switching power stage to supply a varying voltage to an inductor; and a digital voltage feedback circuit for controlling the DPWM in accordance with a feedback voltage corresponding to the DC output voltage, the digital voltage feedback circuit including: a first voltage controlled oscillator for converting the feedback voltage into a first frequency signal and to supply the first frequency signal to a first frequency discriminator; a second voltage controlled oscillator for converting a reference voltage into a second frequency signal and to supply the second frequency signal to a second frequency discriminator; a digital comparator for comparing digital outputs of the first and second frequency discriminators and for outputting a digital feedback signal; and a controller for controlling the DPWM in accordance with the digital feedback signal.

Abstract: A novel means for accelerating the flowering time in Rosaceae fruit trees such as apples and pears is provided, by inoculating a viral RNA into a cotyledon of a Rosaceae fruit tree seedling immediately after rooting with a particle gun technique, wherein the viral RNA is concentrated from a proliferating host infected with a recombinant apple latent spherical virus (FT-ALSV) expressing an Arabidopsis FT gene.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of ameliorating a blood-brain barrier disorder, as well as a method of treating a disease accompanied by a blood-brain barrier disorder and a method of treating a cerebral ischemic disease, by administering a prothymosin ?, or a protein or polypeptide possessing the same function as the prothymosin ?. The invention also provides polypeptides useful in the context of the aforesaid methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preparation method for organic solar cells having conductive nanorods. In the process of solar cells, the present invention etches the indium-tin-oxide layer, which used as the anode, using etching fluid and forms the structure of the conductive nanorods thereon. Thereby, the distance of the holes in the active layer conducted to the anode is shorted. Besides, the light scattering or the transmittivity of the indium-tin-oxide layer is increased, which improves the efficiency of photoelectric conversion in organic solar cells.

Abstract: A method of decreasing NFATc2 activity in a lymphocyte includes administering to the lymphocyte an amount of an NFATc2 mRNA antagonist that binds to a binding site on the 3?UTR of NFATc2 mRNA effective to decrease the activity of NFATc2 mRNA in the lymphocyte.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel, modified pokeweed antiviral proteins, nucleic acids that encode the proteins, conjugates that incorporate the proteins, and methods to make and use the proteins. The present invention also provides methods to administer the conjugates to animals, for the purpose of directing toxin to particular cells.

Abstract: A total knee replacement prosthesis comprising condylar and intercondylar bearing surfaces configured to manage anterior/posterior displacement between the articulating femoral and tibial components.

Abstract: Aspects relate to methods, devices and manufacturing relating to routing networks including a method for routing data units. The data units are individually routable through a routing network. A reservation request data unit is received over the routing network and from a sender. At least one speculative data unit associated with the reservation request data unit from the sender is received. The at least one speculative data unit is dropped in response to the at least one speculative data unit being blocked within the routing network. The sender is provided, over the routing network, a negative acknowledgement data unit that indicates the dropping of the at least one speculative data unit. The sender is provided a grant data unit indicating a start time. After the start time, at least one non-speculative data unit corresponding to the reservation request from the sender is received.

Abstract: Diels-Alder crosslinkable dendritic nonlinear optical chromophore compounds, films and crosslinked polymer composites formed from the chromophore compounds, methods for making and using the chromophore compounds, films, and crosslinked polymer composites, and electro-optic devices that include films and crosslinked polymer composites formed from the chromophore compounds.

Abstract: A Cu—Ni—Mo alloy thin film, including Ni as a solution element and Mo as a diffusion barrier element. Ni and Mo are co-doped with Cu. The enthalpy of mixing between Mo and Cu is +19 kJ/mol, and the enthalpy of mixing between Mo and Ni is ?7 kJ/mol. The atomic fraction of Mo/Ni is within the range of 0.06-0.20 or the weight faction of Mo/Ni within the range of 0.10-0.33. The total amount of Ni and Mo additions is within the range of 0.14-1.02 at. % or wt. %. A method for manufacturing the alloy thin film is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for providing factor replacement therapy. In particular, the present invention provides replacement therapy for subjects suffering from cystinosis.

Abstract: The present invention concerns antibodies that react immunologically with an epitope comprising VDKSRWQQG (SEQ ID NO: 1), including those that bind to cancer cells, and methods relating thereto. In particular, the antibodies that react immunologically with a particular epitope found in anti-tumor antigen antibodies are not only indicative of favorable therapy using the anti-tumor antigen antibodies, but are therapeutic in and of themselves.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition includes at least one monomer, a photoinitiator capable of initiating polymerization of the monomer when exposed to light, and a phosphor capable of producing light when exposed to radiation (typically X-rays). The material is particularly suitable for bonding components at ambient temperature in situations where the bond joint is not accessible to an external light source. An associated method includes: placing a polymerizable adhesive composition, including a photoinitiator and energy converting material, such as a down-converting phosphor, in contact with at least two components to be bonded to form an assembly; and, irradiating the assembly with radiation at a first wavelength, capable of conversion (down-conversion by the phosphor) to a second wavelength capable of activating the photoinitiator, to prepare items such as inkjet cartridges, wafer-to-wafer assemblies, semiconductors, integrated circuits, and the like.

Abstract: Organic electronic devices comprising a covalently bonded organic/inorganic composite layer. The composite layer may be formed by the reaction of a metal alkoxide with a charge transport compound having one or more hydroxyl groups. Examples of metal alkoxides that can be used include vanadium alkoxides, molybdenum alkoxides, titanium alkoxides, or silicon alkoxides. This composite layer can be used for any of the various charge conducting layers in an organic electronic device, including the hole injection layer.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for improving the performance of a threshold-based detector or classifier, or a generic detector or classifier and increasing the probability of detecting at least one object in an image using novel algorithms and stochastic resonance noise is provided, where a suitable dose of noise is introduced to the image data such that the performance of the above-referenced detectors or classifiers is improved without altering the detector's or classifier's parameters. Several stochastic resonance (SR) noise-based detection and classification enhancement schemes are presented. The SR noise-enhanced detection and classification schemes can improve any algorithms and systems. To implement these schemes, the only knowledge that is needed is the original input data (no matter 1D, 2D, 3D or others) and the output (detection results) of the existing algorithms and systems.

Abstract: The present invention reveals a strong correlation between FGL-2 prothrombinase activity levels and the presence of a malignant proliferative disorder in a subject. Thus, the present invention provides FGL-2 prothrombinase activity as a diagnostic tool for malignancy.

Abstract: The new variety Pennisetum ‘Tift 15’ is provided. The new and distinct variety has high ornamental value, cold tolerance for short periods of time, and disease resistance. The asexually reproduced variety is reliably propagated vegetatively.

Abstract: The new variety Pennisetum ‘Tift 40’ is provided. The new and distinct variety has high ornamental value, cold tolerance for short periods of time, and disease resistance. The asexually reproduced variety is reliably propagated vegetatively.