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: A method of extracting data from an identifiable monochromatic pattern. The method comprises separating a polychromatic optical signal, received from an object having identifiable monochromatic pattern, into a plurality of wavelength components, separately capturing each of the wavelength components, reconstructing a plurality of images each from a different wavelength component, detecting the identifiable monochromatic pattern in one or more of the images, and extracting data associated with or encoded by the detected identifiable monochromatic pattern. The images have different depths of field.

Abstract: A haptic actuator using a cellulose electro-active paper film is provided. The haptic actuator includes a cellulose electro-active paper film exhibiting a piezoelectric phenomenon and a metal electrode for applying electricity to the electro-active paper film, so that the haptic actuator can be provided in the form of a thin film, can manifest high transparency, and can produce displacement to the magnitude of sufficiently stimulating the sensor receptors of a user's skin in response to the applied electricity. Also, the haptic actuator is friendly to the environment and humans thanks to the use of cellulose which is an environmentally friendly material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making articles, and systems for providing wool article have self-cleaning properties. The self-cleaning properties are brought about coating the wool articles with a photocatalyst formulation. The formulation contains titanium compounds, stabilizers, catalysts, and water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of enantioselectively forming an aminoxy compound of Formula (3) In formula (3) R1 is one of an aliphatic group and an alicyclic group. R2 is one of hydrogen, an aliphatic group, an alicyclic group, an aromatic group, an arylaliphatic group and an arylalicyclic group. R3 is one of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, and an aliphatic group with a main chain having 1 to about 10 carbon atoms. The respective aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, arylaliphatic or arylalicyclic groups of R1, R2, and R3 comprise 0 to about 3 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, Se and Si. The process includes contacting a carbonyl compound of Formula (1) and a nitroso compound of Formula (2) in the presence of a chiral catalyst.

Abstract: A microplate apparatus having a bottom plate defining a plurality of very small microwells (for example, each having a volume of 0.02 or less) for containing sample material and a top plate defining a plurality of domes, each of which housing a sensors for measuring biological parameters, such as cellular oxygen consumption, pH changes, calcium uptake, and metabolic reduction of fluorescent dyes. The top and bottom plates may be composed of quartz. The microplate assembly may be fabricated using a method involving applying an etching solution to each of the top and bottom plates to create the domes and microwells. Additionally, etching solution may be applied to the bottom plate to create a raised lip region around each of the microwells. The etched-away areas surrounding the lip regions facilitate the changing of microwell solution without disrupting the samples.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of providing photocatalytic activity. Nanoparticulate matter comprising a strontium titanate ferrite of the general formula SrTi1-xFexO3- is provided, in which x is any value from 0 to 1. The nanoparticulate matter is exposed to electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength from about 380 nm to about 800 nm.

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: 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: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for generating a data set are provided. One method includes generating a data set based on input data using a plurality of brokers. The method further includes receiving a request from a user and determining whether the request can be fulfilled using data currently in the data set. When the request can be fulfilled using data currently in the data set, the data is accessed using broker(s) configured to provide access to data within the data set. When the request cannot be fulfilled using data currently in the data set, at least one new broker is spawned using existing broker(s) and additional data needed to fulfill the request is added to the data set using the new broker. The method further includes generating a response to the request using one or more of the plurality of brokers.

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: A system and method for leveraging physiological traits to control microprocessor frequency are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system and method may optimize, for example, a particular processor-based architecture based on, for example, end user satisfaction. In some embodiments, the system and method may determine, for example, whether their users are satisfied to provide higher efficiency, improved reliability, reduced power consumption, increased security, and a better user experience. The system and method may use, for example, biometric input devices to provide information about a user's physiological traits to a computer system. Biometric input devices may include, for example, one or more of the following: an eye tracker, a galvanic skin response sensor, and/or a force sensor.

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: A method of concentrating nanoparticles, having the steps of: adding and mixing an extraction solvent with a nanoparticles-dispersion liquid that nanoparticles are dispersed in a dispersion solvent, thereby concentrating and extracting the nanoparticles into a phase of the extraction solvent, and removing the dispersion solvent by filter-filtrating a liquid of concentrated extract, in which the extraction solvent is substantially incompatible with the dispersion solvent, and the extract solvent can form an interface after the extraction solvent is mixed with the dispersion solvent and left the mixture still; further a method of deaggregating aggregated nanoparticles, having the steps of: applying two or more ultrasonic waves different in frequency to a liquid containing aggregated nanoparticles, and thereby fining and dispersing the aggregated nanoparticles.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting fixation of at least one eye of a subject on a target includes an optical illumination system, an optical detection system, and a signal processing system adapted to communicate with the optical detection system. The signal processing system is configured to calculate at least one of a time-frequency distribution or an Auto-Regressive spectral estimation of the detection signal to provide a frequency distribution of the detection signal at a plurality of times for use in determining periods in which the subject's eye is fixed on the target based on the first and second frequency signatures.

Abstract: The present invention provides novels genes encoding methyl butenol (MBO) synthase, methy butenol synthases and their use in methyl butenol production.

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: A four-ring birdcage coil having at least one moveable tuning ring for double resonance MRI includes low-pass configuration in both channels so that the HF mode only requires a small capacitance for resonance, enabling easy modification of a single resonance coil into a double resonance coil by incorporation of non-contact coupling rings whose capacitive coupling with the rungs generates enough capacitance to introduce the high-frequency resonance mode. The coil also includes at least one moving ring for broad range tuning in the HF channel. The LF channel is adjusted by a variable capacitor that is not directly connected to the coil, thus the frequency adjustment on each channel is independent. The HF channel is connected to the input cable by coupling capacitor. The LF channel is connected to the input cable by coupling inductor. This alternating driving scheme provides sufficient channel isolation and obviates the need for an external isolation network.

Abstract: The invention provides molecular switches which couple external signals to functionality, and combinatorial methods of making and using the same involving circular permutation of nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. The switches according to the invention can be used, for example, to regulate gene transcription, target drug delivery to specific cells, transport drugs intracellularly, control drug release, provide conditionally active proteins, perform metabolic engineering, and modulate cell signaling pathways. Libraries comprising the switches, expression vectors and host cells for expressing the switches are also provided.

Abstract: Production of clinical grade gene therapy vectors for human trials remains a major hurdle in advancing cures for a number of otherwise incurable diseases. Disclosed herein are systems based on a stably trans formed insect cell lines harboring helper genes required for vector production. Specifically exemplified are system embodiments that take advantage of DNA regulatory elements from two unrelated viruses—AcMNPV and AA V2. System embodiments utilize rep and/or cap genes either stably transfected in cell lines or which are introduced into cells as an expression cassette in a vector. Rep and cap genes that are designed to remain silent until the cell is infected with a viral vector. Infection with viral initiates rescue/amplification of integrated AAV helper genes resulting in dramatic induction of the expression and assembly of rAAV. The arrangement of this specific embodiment provides high levels of Rep and Cap proteins in every cell thus improving rAAV yields by 10-fold.