Abstract: Vesicular Stomatitis Viruses expressing foreign nucleic acid sequences were highly attenuated but were lytic for abnormal cells, such as cancers, infected cells. Methods of treatment include the administration of these viruses.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic device operable to isolate target cells from a biological fluid comprises: an inlet operable to receive the biological fluid, the biological fluid comprising target cells and other components; a waste outlet operable to receive at least the other components of the biological fluid; a plurality of parallel arrays of cell isolation wells coupling the inlet with the waste outlet, each parallel array of cell isolation wells supporting a flow of the biological fluid from the inlet to the waste outlet in response to a pressure differential thereacross, each array of cell isolation wells comprising a plurality isolation wells, each isolation well being dimensioned to mechanically trap the target cells therein whilst permitting flow of other components of the biological fluid; and at least one pressure maintenance structure operable to assist in maintaining a predetermined pressure differential across each of the plurality of parallel arrays of cell isolation wells.

Abstract: Provided is a power converter 3 that directly converts polyphase AC power to AC power. A converter circuit has a plurality of first switching elements 311, 313 and 315 and a plurality of second switching elements 312, 314 and 316, both of which are connected to each phase R, S or T of the polyphase AC power to enable switching for turning on current-carrying bidirectionally. Condensers 821 to 826 are provided between phases. Input terminals of the first switching elements and those of the second switching elements are arranged to form respective lines. Some of the plurality of condensers 821 and 822 are arranged to be angled relative to the arrangement direction of the terminals. The wiring distance between the condensers and the switching elements can be shortened.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sample for matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry imaging analysis by a two-step process. Firstly, a MALDI matrix is dusted on to the sample followed by a spray of a suitable solvent onto the dusted sample. The present method has been successfully applied to the detection and mapping of several analyte classes in latent fingermarks. Using the present two-step method, fingermark enhancement, recovery and analysis from different substrate surfaces is now possible enabling visual and chemical information to be obtained simultaneously via remote testing.

Abstract: ‘Green’ composites are fabricated using resins, such as soy-based resins, and reinforced with crystalline high strength bacterial cellulose (BC) fibers. Bacterial cellulose is produced by providing a bacterial cellulose-producing bacterium such as Acetobacter xylinum; providing an inexpensive bacteria nutritional medium; culturing the bacterium in the bacteria nutritional medium under conditions to produce bacterial cellulose; and isolating bacterial cellulose produced by cultured bacteria from the bacteria nutritional medium. The bacteria nutritional medium comprises an inexpensive carbon source that is a plant-based seed extract. The seed extract is derived from a plant-based seed comprising soluble sugars.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods, devices, and systems for fluid delivery to a subject using pumps, for example, non-gassing, direct current (DC), electro-osmotic pumps. In some embodiments, delivery of an aqueous fluid may be achieved by contacting the aqueous liquid with an electro-osmotic pump comprising (i) a cathode (e.g., a cathode comprising porous carbon coated with a cerium oxide-comprising coating), (ii) an anode (e.g., an anode comprising porous carbon coated with a cerium oxide-comprising coating), and (iii) a ceramic membrane (e.g., a ceramic membrane formed by fusing uncoated silica spheres, phosphosilicic-acid-coated fused silica spheres, or borosilicic-acid-coated fused silica spheres, wherein the fused spheres are randomly packed between the cathode and the anode) and/or optionally applying (a) a constant potential difference or constant voltage between the anode and the cathode of from about 0.

Abstract: A game is executed in a normal round, in a first-type free round, and in a second-type free round. The normal round is executed with a first symbol set including a plurality of symbols. The first-type free round is executed with a second symbol set that includes at least one first symbol in addition to the symbols in the first symbol set. The second-type free round is executed with a third symbol set that includes at least one second symbol in addition to the symbols in the first symbol set, the at least one second symbol being different from the at least one first symbol.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating HSP70 function, particularly for the targeted killing of cancer cells, are disclosed.

Abstract: A step climbing attachment suitable for attachment to a wheeled chair is described. The step climbing attachment includes a chassis for mounting one or more ground engaging units, a first and a second ground engaging unit mounted to the chassis, at least one of the first and second ground engaging units adapted to move relative to the other of the first or second ground engaging units and the chassis, the relative movement being between a ground engaging position and a step-engaging support position so that in use at least one of the first and/or second ground engaging units engages a step.

Abstract: Antibodies (Abs) play roles in protection against influenza. Neutralizing Abs either inhibit the binding of hemagglutinin (HA) to cellular receptors or prevent the conformational change of HA induced by low pH. The former Ab binds to the regions near the sialic acid-binding pocket on the globular head formed by HA1 and generally shows narrow strain specificity. The latter Ab binds to the stem region formed mainly by HA2 and shows broad strain specificity. We isolated a broadly neutralizing Ab against H3N2 viruses. X-ray analysis of the HA/Ab complex indicated that the Ab binds to the valley formed by two neighboring HA monomers at the side of the globular head. The Ab shows neutralizing activity by preventing the conformational change of HA induced at low pH.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for detecting and resolving Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) comprising: requesting a server device by a client device for the APIs supported by the server; and responding by the server with a list containing the identifiers of the APIs supported by the server, wherein each of the identifiers contains the network address from which the corresponding API definition document can be obtained. The proposed mechanism provides a systematic way to establish the consensus on API definitions between a client and a server even if the client, the server, and the API definitions are each developed by a different party. Therefore, this invention allows independently developed devices to be easily integrated into a system, in which a client device can automatically and correctly determine the APIs for communicating with a server device at runtime.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to therapeutic compositions comprising recombinant bacteria. Further, the disclosure elaborates upon methods of utilizing the taught therapeutic compositions to treat autoimmune and inflammatory disease. The present teachings also relate to the disclosed recombinant bacteria and methods of producing the recombinant bacteria utilized in the compositions and methods. Further taught herein are dietary supplements and food additive compositions comprising the taught recombinant bacteria.

Abstract: A tracing device for detecting whether a specific attribute datum has a possibility of being stolen is provided. The tracing device includes a label map and a first processing device, wherein the label map has a specific label attached on the specific attribute datum and a buffer region, and the first processing device is coupled to the label map and determines whether there is the specific label in the buffer region.

Abstract: A method of treating pre-term labor in pregnant human patient expressing melatonin receptors in her myometrial cells comprises administering an inhibitor of MT2R, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, an inhibitor of phospholipase C, or a combination thereof to the patient.

Abstract: Provided herein are synthetic porous electron-rich covalent organonitridic frameworks (PECONFs). The PECONFs are useful as an adsorbent class of materials. In the PECONFs, inorganic nitridic building units are interconnected via electron-rich aromatic units to form porous covalent frameworks. The frameworks include tunable porous, electron-rich organonitridic frameworks, which are determined based upon synthetic methods as exemplified herein.

Abstract: Perception of chitin fragments (chitooligosaccharides) is an important first step in plant defense response against fungal pathogen. LysM receptor-like kinases (LysM RLKs) are instrumental in this perception process. LysM RLKs also play a role in activating transcription of chitin-responsive genes (CRGs) in plants. Mutations in the LysM kinase receptor genes or the downstream CRGs may affect the fungal susceptibility of a plant. Mutations in LysM RLKs or transgenes carrying the same may be beneficial in imparting resistance against fungal pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hepatic lobule-like bioreactor. The bioreactor includes a nanofiber scaffold enclosed within a housing. An intrahepatic fibrous vascular network, a bile capillary network, upper hepatic bile ducts, lower hepatic bile ducts, a common bile duct connecting the upper and the lower hepatic bile ducts, and collagen fibrous microchannels for hepatocytes surrounded by the bile capillary network are distributed throughout the nanofiber scaffold. Bile capillaries in the bile capillary network are provided with two or more inlet ports for biliary epithelial cells. The collagen fibrous microchannels for hepatocytes are provided with two or more inlet ports for hepatocytes. The intrahepatic vascular network is provided with a liquid inlet port and a liquid outlet port.

Abstract: Hollow conjugated polyelectrolyte (HCPE) microcapsules contain at least one conjugated polyelectrolyte and at least one other polyelectrolyte of complementary charge and the microcapsule has a hollow core. The conjugated polyelectrolyte is a polymer with a multiplicity of charged repeating units where a portion of the charged repeating units form a pi-conjugated sequence. The complementary polyelectrolyte is a polymer with a complementary charged repeating unit to the charged repeating units of the conjugated polyelectrolyte. The HCPE microcapsules can be formed by successively coating a sacrificial core with alternating layers of complementary polyelectrolytes, at least one of which is a conjugated polyelectrolyte. The sacrificial core can be removed to form the hollow center of a HCPE microcapsule.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling propagation of an electromagnetic wave includes a metamaterial having an array of cells, each cell containing a metallic structure having a resonant frequency; a plurality of devices integrated in the metamaterial, each of said devices being in electrical communication with a metallic structure in a cell in the array of cells; and a controller for electrically activating each of said plurality of devices to cause said resonant frequency to change, thereby causing at least one of a permeability and permittivity of the metamaterial to change.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for improving the productivity of recombinant vitamin K dependent protein expression in host cells.