Abstract: A method for fabricating interconnecting lines inside via holes of a semiconductor device comprises steps of providing a template having a receiving trench and a connection surface both on the same side of the template; filling an electric-conduction material into the receiving trench; connecting a substrate having at least one via hole with the connection surface to interconnect the via hole with the receiving trench; heating the electric-conduction material to a working temperature to liquefy a portion of the electric-conduction material and make it flows from the receiving trench into the via hole; and cooling the electric-conduction material to form an interconnecting line inside the via hole. The present invention fabricates interconnecting lines by a heat-forming method, which features simple steps and has advantages of shorter fabrication time, lower fabrication complexity, higher fabrication efficiency, higher yield and lower fabrication cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of an effective treatment for a variety of gain-of-function diseases, in particular, Huntington's disease (HD). The present invention utilizes RNA Interference technology (RNAi) against polymorphic regions in the genes encoding various gain-of-function mutant proteins resulting in an effective treatment for the gain-of-function disease.

Abstract: Novel synthetic bis(benzylidene-benzenamine)disulfides and the preparation method are disclosed in the present invention. These compounds are afforded with the oxidizing reagent at low temperature and short time period via intra-molecular coupling reaction. In vitro experiments have been revealed that bis-disulfides are cytotoxic to cancer cells, especially human breast cancer cells MCF-7. Additionally, bis-disulfides arrest the cell cycle at sub-G1 phase and increase p38 phosphorylation to result in apoptosis. Bis-disulfides also inhibit growth of murine melanoma B16 cells but have no cytotoxicity to human fibroblasts. Bis-disulfides also can reduce murine melanoma size in the mouse model. The prepared compounds of the invention would be applicable in anticancer and anti-tumor therapies.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a system for determining top spreaders in high speed network. The method may comprise: sampling a plurality of packets from the plurality of hosts during an interval of time; determining a difference between a count and a count error for each host based on the sampled packets; ranking the hosts based on the determined difference to identify a first set of hosts that are top in the ranked hosts; and selecting a second set of hosts from the first set of hosts as the top spreaders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing a particular type of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), HBx/8p11-positive HCC, in a subject by detecting the presence of a specific, non-naturally occurring polynucleotide sequence that indicates integration of a portion of the human hepatitis B virus (HBV) sequence into the human genome on chromosome 8 in the 8p11 integration region. A kit and device useful for such a method are also provided. In addition, the present invention provides a method for treating an HBx/8p11-positive HCC.

Abstract: Methods of treating a lysosomal storage disorder and methods of increasing cellular uptake of a lysosomal enzyme using ?2 agonists or therapeutic agents that increase expression of receptors for a lysosomal enzyme.

Abstract: A method for producing an alumina template of nanorods, the alumina template, and the nanorods are provided for overcoming the problems of the conventional alumina template having anodic aluminum oxide that may be peeled off from a substrate or forming a non-conductive oxide easily, and the alumina template includes a conductive substrate composed of an active metal and an inert metal, so that the alumina template can be attached onto the active metal and inert metal at the same time, and the active metal can be used for securing the alumina template and supporting the alumina template on the inert metal, and the anodic aluminum oxide attached onto the inert metal can be used for providing a better conductivity, such that a stable and highly conductive alumina template can be produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing silicon thin-film solar cells, including: providing a substrate; forming a first electrode on the substrate; forming a first doped semiconductor layer on the first electrode by chemical vapor deposition; forming an intrinsic layer on the first doped semiconductor layer by chemical vapor deposition, where the intrinsic layer includes a plurality of amorphous/nanocrystalline silicon layers, and the intrinsic layer has various energy bandgaps formed by varying average grain sizes of the amorphous/nanocrystalline silicon layers; forming a second doped semiconductor layer on the intrinsic layer by chemical vapor deposition, where one of the first doped semiconductor layer and the second doped semiconductor layer is a p-type amorphous silicon layer and the other is an n-type amorphous/nano-microcrystalline silicon layer; and forming a second electrode on the second doped semiconductor layer.

Abstract: The invention presents methods of identifying small molecule compounds that are activators of tumor suppressor protein p53 pathway, and its associated family members p63 and p73, function. The invention is further drawn to methods of killing tumor cells and treating cancers or other conditions requiring activation of the p53 family member pathways and DNA damage response pathways with the small molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to achieve digital quantification of DNA (i.e., counting differences between identical sequences) using direct shotgun sequencing followed by mapping to the chromosome of origin and enumeration of fragments per chromosome. The preferred method uses massively parallel sequencing, which can produce tens of millions of short sequence tags in a single run and enabling a sampling that can be statistically evaluated. By counting the number of sequence tags mapped to a predefined window in each chromosome, the over- or under-representation of any chromosome in maternal plasma DNA contributed by an aneuploid fetus can be detected. This method does not require the differentiation of fetal versus maternal DNA. The median count of autosomal values is used as a normalization constant to account for differences in total number of sequence tags is used for comparison between samples and between chromosomes.

Abstract: A novel antiproliferative factor comprising a glycopeptide is disclosed. In specific embodiments, the novel antiproliferative factor is associated with the bladder. Compositions, diagnostic kits and reagents, and methods of using the compounds for identifying and/or treating interstitial cystitis and cancer are disclosed.

Abstract: Aphis glycines resistance (RAG) genes are provided by this invention, along with methods for identifying their presence using marker-assisted selection. Varieties of G. max and G. soja having resistance to A. glycines have been identified. The RAG genes, as well as the methods, aphid-resistant varieties, and markers disclosed herein may be used to breed new elite lines expressing soybean aphid resistance.

Abstract: A method for making an epitaxial structure includes: (a) providing a sacrificial layer on a temporary substrate, the sacrificial layer being made of gallium oxide; and (b) growing epitaxially an epitaxial layer unit over the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: An arthroplasty device is provided having an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel that is strain-hardened by swelling and adapted to be held in place in a joint by conforming to a bone geometry. The strain-hardened IPN hydrogel is based on two different networks: (1) a non-silicone network of preformed hydrophilic non-ionic telechelic macromonomers chemically cross-linked by polymerization of its end-groups, and (2) a non-silicone network of ionizable monomers. The second network was polymerized and chemically cross-linked in the presence of the first network and has formed physical cross-links with the first network. Within the IPN, the degree of chemical cross-linking in the second network is less than in the first network. An aqueous salt solution (neutral pH) is used to ionize and swell the second network. The swelling of the second network is constrained by the first network resulting in an increase in effective physical cross-links within the IPN.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the treatment of a disease or condition associated with lipid imbalance, comprising (a) decreasing arachidonic acid (AA) levels, (b) increasing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels, (c) increasing DHA/AA ratio or (d) any combination of (a)-(c) in a subject using fenretinide. The invention also relates to diagnostic and screening methods based on the determination of lipid levels.

Abstract: IVIG replacement compounds are derived from recombinant and/or biochemical creation of immunologically active biomimetic(s). These replacement compounds are then screened in vitro to assess each replacements compound's efficiency at modulating immune function. Particular replacement compounds are selected for further in vivo validation and dosage/administration optimization. Finally, the replacement compounds are used to treat a wide range of diseases, including inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing nitride nanomaterials, including: providing a first precursor and a second precursor, in which the first precursor is a transition metal precursor, a group IIIA precursor, a group IVA precursor or a mixture thereof, and a second precursor is a nitrogen-containing aromatic compound; and heating the first precursor with the second precursor to form a nitride nanomaterial. Accordingly, the present invention provides a simpler, nontoxic, more widely applied and low-cost method for preparing nitride nanomaterials.

Abstract: Mutant Listeria bacteria that modulate interferon-B production are provided. The subject bacteria are characterized by having a mutation in a gene chosen from a TetR gene, a LadR gene, a VirR gene, a MarR gene a MdrL gene, a MdrT gene and a MdrM gene. The subject bacteria find use in a variety of applications, where representative applications of interest include, but are not limited to: (a) use of the subject bacteria as adjuvants; (b) use of the subject bacteria as delivery vectors for introducing macromolecules into a cell; (c) use of the subject bacteria as vaccines for eliciting or boosting a cellular immune response; etc.

Abstract: Stable, bent allenes, organometallic complexes of bent allenes are provided along with methods of conducting chemical processes such as olefin metathesis, comprising contacting an olefin substrate with an organometallic complex as described herein, under suitable conditions.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to treatments involving glutaredoxins. In one aspect, systems and methods of the invention can be used to treat a subject having an oxidative stress condition, for example, airway inflammation or asthma. In some embodiments, a glutaredoxin may be used to treat a subject. Also provided in certain aspects of the present invention are kits for therapies involving glutaredoxins, methods for promoting such therapies, and the like.