Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting RNA binding proteins (e.g., MEX-3, MEX-5 and POS-1), as well as methods for treating and preventing disorders associated with parasitic infections and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine executing the processing of (A) displaying on the display at least one playing card in a display mode that displays each playing card face down; and (B) changing the display mode of one of the at least one playing card displayed in the processing (A) to a display mode enabling a part of the front of the playing card to be viewable, upon contact on any position within an area of the touch panel corresponding to an area of the display where the one of the at least one playing card is displayed.

Abstract: Innovative graft polymers designed for the efficient delivery of antisense molecules into biological cells and for maintaining the biological activity of these molecules while in serum and other aqueous environments are provided. Such polymers may comprise an anionic graft polymer comprising an anionic polymer backbone with pendant carboxylic acid groups and pendant chains comprising amphipathic or hydrophilic polymers covalently bonded to a portion of said pendant carboxylic acid groups. Antisense molecule delivery vectors comprising such polymers in combination with cationic agents for delivery of antisense molecules are also disclosed.

Abstract: Neisseria meningitidis PorA constructs are provided which have one or more disrupted variable regions created by insertion of entire conserved regions or conserved region amino acids. The highly immunogenic variable regions of PorA are responsible for eliciting strain-specific immune responses that are not broadly protective, so disruption of the variable regions directs the immune response against conserved region epitopes to effectively immunize against a broader spectrum of N. meningitidis strains. Also provided are encoding nucleic acids, genetic constructs, host cells expressing the PorA constructs and compositions, kits and methods for detection and treatment of Neisseria meningitidis infections.

Abstract: A method is provided for extraction of chemical compounds from an organism having a cell wall that includes adding nanomaterials, which may be metallic nanofibers such as silver nanofibers, to the organism.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed for measuring arterial transit delay using pseudo- continuous arterial spin labeling (ASL) with variable TR and interleaved post-labeling delays. In one aspect, a magnetic resonance imaging method for measure arterial blood flow and transit delay using arterial spin labeling (ASL) includes applying an ASL pulse sequence. The ASL pulse sequence includes a pre- saturation pulse, and a labeling pulse. The method includes performing data acquisition to measure a transit delay, which represents a time needed for labeled blood to arrive in an imaging slice.

Abstract: An assay system designed to detect a protein biomarker in urine that is diagnostic for interstitial cystitis (IC). The presence of a 9 amino acid glycopeptide, antiproliferative factor (APF), in urine is unique to patients with IC. Urine samples from patients who exhibit symptoms consistent with IC are added to the assay system. Binding of APF to the cytoskeletal associated protein 4 (CKAP4) is positive for the presence of APF in urine and diagnostic for IC. The diagnostic system is a significant and surprising advance in diagnosis of IC and has commercial applications relevant to women and men who suffer from symptoms consistent with IC.

Abstract: Provided herein is tumor suppression composition and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: Compositions of and methods for using synthetic retinoids as retinoid replacements and opsin agonists are provided.

Abstract: A gaming machine with more gaming excitement is provided. The gaming machine includes: a cabinet; an upper image display panel which is provided on the cabinet and is a display o which an effect image is displayed as an effect; a sensor configured to detect a touch operation by a player; a lamp body which is a three-dimensional formed object, and a formed object unit which is detachable to the cabinet.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure with beryllium oxide is provided. The semiconductor structure comprises: a semiconductor substrate (100); and a plurality of insulation oxide layers (201, 202 . . . 20x) and a plurality of single crystal semiconductor layers (301, 302 . . . 30x) alternately stacked on the semiconductor substrate (100). A material of the insulation oxide layer (201) contacted with the semiconductor substrate (100) is any one of beryllium oxide, SiO2, SiOxNy and a combination thereof, a material of other insulation oxide layers (202 . . . 20x) is single crystal beryllium oxide.

Abstract: A photonically assisted analog to digital conversion (ADC) system is presented. The system comprises: an optical sampling signal generator configured and operable for generating an optical sampling signal comprising a predetermined sampling pulse sequence in the form of a time separated pulse train of spectral components dispersed in a periodic fashion, where each pulse is distinguishable by a central wavelength thereof different from its neighboring pulses. The generation of the pulse sampling sequence is achieved by combining broadband dispersion and compensation with a periodic dispersion compensator having a free spectral range smaller than the broad bandwidth of the ultrashort pulse. The second innovative element is the introduction of coherent detection with oversampling of the interference terms of the phase modulated pulse sampling sequence and a reference pulse.

Abstract: Binary Offset Carrier (BOC) is the agreed modulation for signals of next generation Global Navigation satellite systems (GNSS). Compared to current phase shift keying (PSK) modulation by a code, there is a further modulation by a sub-carrier. There is a known major difficulty with BOC called ‘false lock’ where early/late gates settle on the wrong peak of the multi-peaked correlation function. This invention eliminates the problem by eliminating that correlation. Instead, a two dimensional correlation is tracked independently to realize a dual estimate. An unambiguous lower accuracy estimate derived from the code phase is used to make an integer correction to a higher accuracy but ambiguous independent estimate based on the sub-carrier phase. The actual receiver may adopt a triple loop, instead of the usual double loop, where carrier phase, sub-carrier phase and code phase are tracked independently but interactively.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a variable screen includes a generally flat sheet having a front surface, a back surface, and a plurality of elongated slits that extend through the sheet from the front surface to the back surface, wherein the sheet includes a shape memory material that enables the slits to open into openings through which light and fluid can pass when a tensile force is applied to the sheet in a direction generally perpendicular to the slits and further enables the slits and openings to automatically when the tensile force is removed.

Abstract: Pleckstrin homology domain binding compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including such compounds, and methods for their use are described herein.

Abstract: A method for optically examining a birefringent specimen, the method comprising the steps of: collecting a specimen using a substantially non-birefringent polymer film having an adhesive surface, such that the specimen is attached to the adhesive surface; and examining, between crossed polars, the specimen attached to the said film. Also provided is a substantially non-birefringent laminate film comprising: a first birefringent polymer layer and a second birefringent polymer layer, the first and second layers being mutually oriented such that the birefringent properties of the two layers cancel each other out; and an adhesive surface; wherein the adhesive surface is an outer surface of the film, and/or is an exposable surface between the first and second layers. A method of manufacturing such a film is also provided.

Abstract: Methods using solid-state shear pulverization and melt mixing and related polymer-carbon nanotube composites, as can be used to affect various mechanical and/or physical material properties.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of methods for medical treatment. It provides an improved method for repairing damaged cartilage and/or preventing cartilage degeneration in tissue, in particular in a joint by administering a pharmaceutically active agent directly into the fat pad of a joint. The pharmaceutically active agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of agents that stimulate chondrogenic differentiation and/or cartilage matrix synthesis; agents that inhibit osteogenesis and/or hypertrophy, anti-inflammatory agents, agents that inhibit apoptosis of chondrocytes, agents that inhibit senescence of chondrocytes and agents that enhance lubrication of a joint.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel compound that is structurally similar to curcumin and has a suppressive effect on A? aggregation, a degradative effect on A? aggregates, an inhibitory effect on ?-secretase, and a protective effect on neurons. The novel compound is a compound represented by the following general formula (Ia) or a salt thereof: wherein R1 represents a 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl group or the like, and R2 represents a 1H-indol-6-yl group or the like.

Abstract: Cloning and characterization of a TgIF2? kinase from Toxoplasma gondii designated TgIF2K-D illustrates that this protein is related to GCN2, an eIF2? kinase known to respond to nutrient starvation in other organisms. TgIF2K-D is present in the cytosol of both intra- and extracellular Toxoplasma and facilitates translational control through TgIF2? phosphorylation in extracellular parasites. Both a TgIF2K-D knockout parasite and a parasite harboring the TgIF2? mutant (S71A substitution) exhibited loss of eIF2? kinase activity which manifested itself as significant fitness defect. Accordingly, eIF2? phosphorylation and translational control are an important mechanism by which vulnerable extracellular parasites protect themselves which searching for a new host cell. TgIF2K-D is an excellent target for development of compounds and therapies that can be used to treat infections caused by Toxoplasma and other eukaryotic parasites, especially parasites that have high homology or identity to TgIF2K-D.