Abstract: A method for identifying a functional area of a brain. The functional area is associated with a neurological function. The method includes applying a plurality of electrodes to a surface of the brain. A slow cortical potential is determined based on one or more electrical signals produced by the plurality of electrodes. A covariance pattern is computed based on the slow cortical potential, and the configuration of co-varying electrodes is used to identify one or more areas of the brain associated with the neurological function. These co-varying patterns may be used in conjunction with other electrical and/or physiological stimulation paradigms.

Abstract: A six degree-of-freedom trajectory linearization controller (TLC) architecture (30) for a fixed-wing aircraft (46) is set forth. The TLC architecture (30) calculates nominal force and moment commands by dynamic inversion of the nonlinear equations of motion. A linear time-varying (LTV) tracking error regulator provides exponential stability of the tracking error dynamics and robustness to model uncertainty and error. The basic control loop includes a closed-loop, LTV stabilizing controller (12), a pseudo-inverse plant model (14), and a nonlinear plant model(16). Four of the basic control loops (34, 36, 40, 42) are nested to form the TLC architecture (30).

Abstract: Generating of the initial temperature value for a simulated annealing process in the placement of circuit components in the physical design of integrated circuit (IC) is based on previous partitioning, if any, of the IC components into bins. An iteration limit value is then assigned equal to the initial temperature value. The simulated annealing process is then performed on a current partitioning of the IC components into bins according to the iteration limit value. The IC components are partitioned further into an exponentially larger total number of smaller bins compared to a previous number of bins. The process is then repeated starting with the operation of generating an initial temperature value for the simulated annealing process until the number of circuit components in each bin is below a specified number.

Abstract: Time-course data with an underlying causal structure may appear in a variety of domains, including, e.g., neural spike trains, stock price movements, and gene expression levels. Provided and described herein are methods, procedures, systems, and computer-accessible medium for inferring and/or determining causation in time course data based on temporal logic and algorithms for model checking. For example, according to one exemplary embodiment, the exemplary method can include receiving data associated with particular causal relationships, for each causal relationship, determining average characteristics associated with cause and effects of the causal relationships, and identifying the causal relationships that meet predetermined requirement(s) as a function of the average characteristics so as to generate a causal relationship.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microfluidic chip and method using the same. The microfluidic chip comprises a substrate having a surface, and at least a tissue culture area formed on the surface of the substrate. The tissue culture area has a microfluidic channel formed by a plurality of connected geometrical structures (nozzle-type channels) having a predetermined depth. The microfluidic channel has an inlet and an outlet, which are at two ends of the microfluidic channel, for medium inputting and outputting, respectively. Additionally, at least an air-exchange hole is formed on the bottom of the microfluidic channel. By using the microfluidic chip for tissue culture, lateral flow speed and stress can be decreased, so as to prolong survival time of tissues (e.g. liver tissues).

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for reducing cell proliferation and/or promoting cell death by inhibiting Drp1. It is based, at least in part, on the discoveries that (i) Drp1 disruption-induced mitochondrial hyperfusion is functionally linked to the cell cycle regulation apparatus, so that Drp1 inhibition results in a disruption of the cell cycle and DNA aberrancies; (ii) inhibition of both Drp1 and ATR are synthetic lethal causing increased DNA damage and apoptotic cell death; and (iii) even in resistant cell lines, Drp1 inhibitor (e.g., mdivi-1) together with a second antiproliferative agent (e.g., cisplatin or carboplatin) act synergistically to promote apoptosis. Accordingly, the present invention provides for novel anticancer strategies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gasbag type pavement testing apparatus, comprising a main frame (7), roller wheels (1) and a pneumatic suspension frame system which consists of gasbags (2), ventilated bolts (5), spokes (6), an inflating valve (10), a communicating shaft (11) and rockers (3). The gasbags (2), ventilated bolts (5), spokes (6), inflating valve (10), and communicating shaft (11) constitute an air storing space interconnecting each gasbag, the air storing space is inflated or deflated through the inflating valve (10), and the rockers (3) are hinge-jointed with the spokes (6). The spokes (6), rockers (3) and the communicating shaft (11) constitute a spoke assembly. The roller wheels (1) are driven by the spoke assembly to rotate round the communicating shaft (11), the roller wheels (1) contact the pavement in turn under the joint action of the gasbags (2) and the spoke assembly to simulate the practical situation and hence conduct the rolling test for the pavement.

Abstract: A material and method for producing mesostructured materials with multiple functionalities that are independently adjustable and collectively optimizable is provided. The method uses a series of discrete synthesis steps under otherwise mutually incompatible conditions, e.g., from acidic, alkaline, and/or non-aqueous solutions, allows different functionalities to be introduced to the materials and optimized. To illustrate the method, cubic mesoporous silica films were prepared from strongly acidic solutions that were separately functionalized under highly alkaline conditions to incorporate hydrophilic aluminosilica moieties and under non-aqueous conditions to introduce perfluorosulfonic-acid surface groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and therapeutic agents for lowering or increasing serum serotonin levels in a patient in order to increase or decrease bone mass, respectively. In preferred embodiments, the patient is known to have, or to be at risk for, a low bone mass disease such as osteoporosis and the agents are TPH1 inhibitors or serotonin receptor antagonists.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane filter comprising a plurality of pores of substantially the same size. The membrane filter may be supported by at least one support (e.g. in the form of a support grid) and is able to handle a large flux and pressure in use. The invention also relates to a method of fabrication of such a filter membrane using a solvable mold.

Abstract: Nucleic acid and corresponding amino acid sequences of a cold adapted subtilisin-like activity protein, insolated from antarctic marine origin, preferably from an Antarctic bacteria (Polaribacter sp) that can be used in a variety of industrial contexts and commercial purposes including laundry detergents, food processing, leather processing and skin care products. Nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the cold adapted subtilisin-like protein are also described.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having a general structure: wherein the variables are defined herein, which are useful as allosteric potentiators/positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGluR4); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of using the compounds, for example, in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders or other disease state associated with glutamate dysfunction. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A light emitting diode including a substrate, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer is provided. A surface of the substrate away from the active layer is configured as the light emitting surface. The first semiconductor layer includes a first surface and a second surface, and the first surface is connected to the substrate. The active layer and the second semiconductor layer are stacked on the second surface in that order. A first electrode electrically is connected with the first semiconductor layer. A second electrode is electrically connected with and covers a surface of the second semiconductor layer. A number of three-dimensional nano-structures are located on the surface of the first surface of the first semiconductor layer and the light emitting surface, and a cross section of each of the three-dimensional nano-structure is M-shaped.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous process for the epoxidation of an olefinic compound with an oxidant, which process comprises reaction of an olefinic compound with an oxidant in the presence of a catalyst in an apparatus that comprises a reactive distillation column, which column comprises (i) a reactive section, which comprises the catalyst (ii) a rectifying section situated above the reactive section and adapted to allow separation of reagents and/or by-products from products (ix) a stripping section situated below the reactive section and adapted to allow separation of product from reagents and/or by-products (x) a vessel situated below the stripping section and adapted to provide a source of heat for the column and in which initial vaporization of one or more of the reagents can occur, wherein the temperature in the reactive section (i) is a temperature at which the reaction between the olefinic compound and the oxidant takes place and the temperature in the stripping section (iii) is higher

Abstract: A method of producing a lunasin polypeptide in a plant includes expressing a fusion protein including the lunasin polypeptide in the plant and cleaving the lunasin polypeptide from the fusion protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding isoprenoid modifying enzymes, as well as recombinant vectors comprising the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides genetically modified host cells comprising a subject nucleic acid or recombinant vector. The present invention further provides a transgenic plant comprising a subject nucleic acid. The present invention further provides methods of producing an isoprenoid compound, the method generally involving culturing a subject genetically modified host cell under conditions that permit synthesis of an isoprenoid compound modifying enzyme encoded by a subject nucleic acid.

Abstract: A gaming machine executes a process with new entertainability. The game executes a normal game accepting an input of selecting any of the plurality of the specific symbols stop-displayed, in response to a fact that a plurality of the specific symbols are stop-displayed, in the normal game executed. A benefit is awarded according to the specific symbols selected. Whether or not to generate a specific game state is determined, in response to the specific symbols selected. An input of selecting a specific symbol other than the specific symbol previously selected is accepted from among the plurality of specific symbols stop-displayed, in response to a fact that it is determined that the specific game state has been generated. A benefit is awarded according to the specific symbol selected in the last processing.

Abstract: The invention provides a manipulator which can carry out a treatment having a large moving amount in a manipulator leading end while being compact. The manipulator is provided with a manipulator shaft portion, a first rod supported so as to be capable of linearly moving with respect to the manipulator shaft portion and driven by a driving force of a driving source, a first gear rotatably supported to the first rod, a first rack supported to the manipulator shaft portion, a second rack supported so as to be capable of linearly moving in the same direction as the first rod with respect to the manipulator shaft portion, and a end-effecter driven by the driving force of the second rack. The first rack and the second rack are arranged in such a manner that respective cogged surfaces come face to face. The first gear is pinched between the first rack and the second rack, and is arranged in an engaged state.

Abstract: Methanofullerene derivatives having side chains with acid-labile protecting groups. The methanofullerene derivatives may find application as photoresist materials, and particularly as positive-tone photoresists.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of diagnosing a disease or a predisposition to contract a disease by assaying for mutations of uromodulin (UMOD) within a test subject or patient. The presence of a mutation in the UMOD supports a diagnosis of a disease or a predisposition to contract a disease within the patient.