Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved sperm stimulating additive comprising a certain amount of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi). Addition of PPi in the media for human/animal in vitro fertilization (IVF) improves fertilization rate; addition of PPi in the semen extender for farm animal artificial insemination (AI) may improve pregnancy rates; furthermore, mammalian oocytes matured in vitro in a medium including PPi attain improved fertilization and developmental potential, while embryos cultured in medium supplemented with PPi have improved development to blastocyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates, e.g., to a method for pre-processing a sample for mass spectral analysis, comprising cleaving proteins in the sample to peptides and immunodepleting highly abundant and/or well-ionizing and/or proteotypic peptides from the sample. Also described are methods for identifying well-ionizing peptides for use in this and other methods; analytic (diagnostic) methods using antibodies against highly ionizable peptides from a protein target of interest; and compositions, kits and devices comprising antibodies of the invention.

Abstract: The inventive concept relates to a user system including a solid state disk. The user system may include a main memory for storing data processed by a central processing unit; and a solid state disk for storing the selected data among data stored in the main memory. The main memory and the solid state disk form a single memory hierarchy. Thus, the user system of the inventive concept can rapidly process data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for capturing CO2 and/or SO2, comprising: (a) a CO2 and/or SO2 absorber comprising an amine and/or amino acid salt capable of absorbing the CO2 and/or SO2 to produce a CO2- and/or SO2-containing solution; (b) an amine regenerator to regenerate the amine and/or amino acid salt; and, when the system captures CO2, (c) an alkali metal carbonate regenerator comprising an ammonium catalyst capable catalyzing the aqueous alkali metal bicarbonate into the alkali metal carbonate and CO2 gas. The present invention also provides for a system for capturing SO2, comprising: (a) a SO2 absorber comprising aqueous alkali metal carbonate, wherein the alkali metal carbonate is capable of absorbing the SO2 to produce an alkali metal sulfite/sulfate precipitate and CO2.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of biomass to render structural carbohydrates more accessible and/or digestible using concentrated ammonium hydroxide with or without anhydrous ammonia addition, is described. The process preferably uses steam to strip ammonia from the biomass for recycling. The process yields of monosaccharides from the structural carbohydrates are good, particularly as measured by the enzymatic hydrolysis of the structural carbohydrates. The monosaccharides are used as animal feeds and energy sources for ethanol production.

Abstract: A method of reversing the formation of an oxidized off-flavor in milk that includes providing milk, and heating the milk to a temperature between approximately 70° C. and approximately 90° C. for a period of between approximately 25 seconds and approximately 60 seconds.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for releasing the transcriptional regulation caused by a repeated sequence in a gene, a kit therefor and so on to thereby establish a system capable of producing a protein in a large amount.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for reprogramming somatic cells to generate embryonic stem cell-like cells, comprising: a) a Bmi1 (B cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1) protein or a nucleic acid molecule coding for Bmi1; and b) an Oct4 protein or a nucleic acid molecule coding for Oct4. Also, a method is provided for reprogramming somatic cells to generate embryonic stem cell-like cells using the composition. In addition to reducing the number of the genetic factors conventionally needed, the composition and method allow the generation of pluripotent embryonic stem cell-like cells which have high potential in the cell therapy of various diseases.

Abstract: Provided is siRNA effective for the treatment of fibrosis and a pharmaceutical containing the siRNA. An siRNA having a full length of 30 or fewer nucleotides and targeting a sequence consisting of 17 to 23 consecutive bases selected from the group consisting of bases at positions 1285 to 1318, bases at positions 1398 to 1418, bases at positions 1434 to 1463, bases at positions 1548 to 1579, bases at positions 1608 to 1628, bases at positions 1700 to 1726, bases at positions 1778 to 1798, bases at positions 1806 to 1826, and bases at positions 1887 to 1907 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: The invention provides a new method for DNA sequencing called “natural sequencing by synthesis” (nSBS). According to the method, DNA that includes a desired sequence is synthesized using a dNTP mix with a small percentage of fluorescently-labeled nucleotides. The fluorescent label is cleavable. In contrast to previous methods that utilize 100% labeled nucleic acids, use of a small percentage of labeled nucleic acids minimizes the distortion of the natural structure of the extending DNA strand and the DNA polymerase. Using the disclosed methods with less than 10,000 copies of template DNA and 10% of the nucleotides labeled, long homopolymer stretches up to 20 bases can be sequenced with high accuracy and Q20 (with 99% accuracy) read lengths of up to 1,000 bases can be achieved. A Q20 read length of greater than 100 bases can potentially be achieved, even if the sequencing is performed with 1,000 copies of a template and 10% of the nucleotides labeled.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for predicting properties of a target object comprise application of a search manager for analyzing parameters of a plurality of databases for a plurality of objects, the databases comprising an electrical, electromagnetic, acoustic and thermal spectral database (ESD), a micro-body assemblage database (MAD) and a database of image data whereby the databases store data objects containing identifying features, source information and information on site properties and context including time and frequency varying data. The method comprises application of multivariate statistical analysis and principal component analysis in combination with content-based image retrieval for providing two-dimensional attributes of three dimensional objects, for example, via preferential image segmentation using a tree of shapes and to predict further properties of objects by means of k-means clustering and related methods.

Abstract: A dysfunctional sphincter muscle may be treated by shortening the muscle to plicate it and restore its functionality. Plicating the sphincter muscle as described effectively shortens the muscle and permits the muscle to perform its function of closing off the body passage or opening with which it is associated without conventional surgery to expose the sphincter muscle and shorten it. Thus, treatment for incontinence can be achieved by shortening the associated sphincter muscle without surgery that exposes the muscle itself and requires the surgeon to manually grab hold of the muscle and shorten it.

Abstract: A method for forming a Ge-on-insulator structure is provided, comprising steps of: forming a Ge layer (1200) on a substrate (2000); treating a first surface of the Ge layer (1200) to form a first semiconducting metal-germanide passivation layer (1300); bonding the first semiconducting metal-germanide passivation layer (1300) with a silicon substrate (1100), wherein on a surface of the silicon substrate (1100) an oxide insulating layer is formed; and removing the substrate (2000). Further, a Ge-on-insulator structure formed by the method is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a process for production of composite fine particles with heterogeneous surfaces. The process ensures a high productivity and enables a voluntary control of particle diameters. Further, the process imposes no restrictions on heterogeneous substances added for functional expression, and allows a heterogeneous substance to be encapsulated in central portions of composite fine particle spheres. A composite film obtained by laminating two or more kinds of films is cut into minute pieces, followed by melting the same to obtain spherical minute pieces. Particularly, liquid films are separately formed with two or more kinds of liquids containing polymerizable monomers. Further, two or more kinds of films can thereby be obtained through polymerization. The two or more kinds of films thus obtained are then laminated to further allow polymerization to take place, thus obtaining the composite film.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and systems for reinitiating meiosis in cells in meiotic arrest and oocyte activation in fertilized, but un-activated, oocytes. In certain embodiments, Zn-binding moieties (e.g., zinc chelators) are used for reinitiating meiosis or oocyte activation.

Abstract: A magnetometer which includes an elongate reactor in which a sample can be secured in a sample support zone and which is located within a magnetic field space of a magnetic field generator and one or more signal pickup coils. Movement generating means is provided for generating relative movement in a generally linear direction between the reactor and at least one of the magnetic field and pickup coil, preferably by moving the reactor in its length. The magnetometer is characterised in that the reactor is a metal tube having a length which permits its ends to remain external of the signal pickup device during the relative movement.

Abstract: A down-mixing device is provided. 5.1-channel sounds are down-mixed into 4-channel sounds with high-quality multi-channel surrounding sound effect reappeared. A common-acoustic-pole and zero (CAPZ) model is used to rebuild frequency responses of original head-related transfer functions (HRTF). Direct sounds, reflection sounds and late reverberation in a spatial sound field are gathered. Thus, varieties of sounds become rich and 3-dimensional hearing experiences are enhanced with low cost for a 4-channel earphones system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for predicting properties of a target object comprise application of a search manager for analyzing parameters of a plurality of databases for a plurality of objects, the databases comprising an electrical, electromagnetic, acoustic spectral database (ESD), a micro-body assemblage database (MAD) and a database of image data whereby the databases store data objects containing identifying features, source information and information on site properties and context including time and frequency varying data. The method comprises application of multivariate statistical analysis and principal component analysis in combination with content-based image retrieval for providing two-dimensional attributes of three dimensional objects, for example, via preferential image segmentation using a tree of shapes and to predict further properties of objects by means of k-means clustering and related methods.

Abstract: The recirculating dryer includes a housing having an operator control panel and a locking door mounted to a side of the housing. A rotating tumbler for holding the laundry to be dried is mounted inside the housing. Heated air is introduced through an inlet of the tumbler, and the outlet is kept closed by a flap. The heated air is recirculated and recycled through the tumbler. The air is reheated back to a predetermined temperature if the temperature falls below a level suitable for drying. A layer of moisture-absorbent material surrounds the tumbler to absorb the moisture gathered in the air from the drying process. At drying completion, the flap is opened to vent the used air. A control system controls various features with data from a thermostat and a moisture detector.

Abstract: Novel three dimensional OLEDs are provided. The OLEDs have two configurations, and are self supporting in the three dimensional configuration without the need for any external supports.