Abstract: We have developed DNA and viral vectors that can be used, alone or in combination, as a vaccine against one HIV clade, subtype, or recombinant form of HIV or against multiple HIV clades, subtypes, or recombinant forms. Moreover, the vectors can encode a variety of antigens, which may be obtained from one clade or from two or more different clades, and the antigens selected and/or the manner in which the vectors are formulated (e.g., mixed) can be manipulated to generate a protective immune response against a variety of clades (e.g., the clades to which a patient is most likely to be exposed; with the proportions of the components of the vaccine tailored to the extent of the patient's risk to a particular clade or clades).

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of a monolithic implant for use in tissue engineering, the process comprising the steps of plasticizing at least one biocompatible material into a paste, extruding the paste through a die, and drying the extruded material to eliminate an aqueous and/or non-aqueous component. The invention also relates to a monolithic implant as thereby manufactured, and the use of such an implant as a scaffold for tissue-engineering and as a transplant tissue in reconstructive or replacement surgery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polarized xenon gas manufacturing supply device that is provided with a polarization cell 6 that produces a polarized xenon gas by polarizing a mixture of xenon gas and a diluent gas that consists primarily of a high-boiling-point gas that has a boiling point higher than that of the xenon gas, and a condenser (9) that cools the mixed gas discharged from the polarization cell (6) and condenses and separates the high-boiling-point gas by using the difference in boiling points between the xenon gas and the high-boiling-point gas, wherein the supply device is constructed so as to re-vaporize the condensed liquid of the high-boiling-point gas produced by the condenser (9) and introduce it to the polarization cell (6). This polarized xenon gas manufacturing supply device makes it possible to continuously manufacture and supply highly polarized and highly concentrated xenon gas.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device is disclosed. The device comprises one or more modified photocatalytic units, and a semiconductor surface. The modified photocatalytic unit is attached to the semiconductor surface such that when light is absorbed by the photocatalytic unit, an electric field is generated at sufficient amount to induce charge carrier locomotion within the semiconductor. In some embodiments a plurality of photocatalytic unit is attached to the semiconductor surface in oriented manner. The optoelectronic device can be operative in dry environment.

Abstract: Among other things, methods, systems, apparatus for performing on-the-fly apportionment are described. In particular, spectrum data associated with a particle is acquired in real-time. The acquired real-time spectrum data is analyzing in real-time to classify the particle. Analyzing the data in real-time includes comparing the acquired spectrum data with a library of known mass spectral fingerprints to obtain a match.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate safety-oriented navigation through a local environment that presents emergency dynamics. The architecture can facilitate monitoring of deployed sensors constituting a sensor network, even for cases in which sensor locations are not known in advance such as for rapid or random deployment.

Abstract: Described herein are composite semiconductor substrates for use in semiconductor device fabrication and related devices and methods. In one embodiment, a composite substrate includes: (1) a bulk silicon layer; (2) a porous silicon layer adjacent to the bulk silicon layer, wherein the porous silicon layer has a Young's modulus value that is no greater than 110.5 GPa; (3) an epitaxial template layer, wherein the epitaxial template layer has a root-mean-square surface roughness value in the range of 0.2 nm to 1 nm; and (4) a set of silicon nitride layers disposed between the porous silicon layer and the epitaxial template layer.

Abstract: There is provided a composition for controlling formation and/or stabilization of a blood vessel comprising a first isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes a FGF-9 polypeptide and optionally one or more isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes another angiogenic polypeptide. There is provided a composition for controlling formation and/or stabilization of a blood vessel comprising administering an effective amount of a composition comprising an isolated FGF-9 polypeptide and one or more other angiogenic polypeptides. The compositions provided herein may be useful for controlling angiogenesis and/or vasculogenesis.

Abstract: An OFDM beamformer of a signal receiving system receives multiple frequency-domain sample signal vectors each transformed from arrival signals received by a corresponding antenna element of an antenna array, and includes: multiple signal splitters each splitting a corresponding frequency-domain sample signal vector into a data signal subvector and a pilot signal subvector based on predetermined position information; a weight generator generating an estimated auto-correlation matrix and an estimated cross-correlation vector based on the data signal subvectors, the pilot signal subvectors, and a reference pilot signal vector associated with a desired user, and generating an optimal weight vector based on the estimated auto-correlation matrix and the estimated cross-correlation vector; and a combining unit combining, based on the optimal weight vector, serial data signals converted from each data signal vector by a corresponding parallel-to-serial converter to generate an estimated data symbol output correspondi

Abstract: The sliding mode AGC controller and method includes Genetic Algorithms (GA) to find the optimal feedback gains and switching vector values of the controller. In order to provide enhancement of the system dynamical performance and a reduction in the SMC chattering, two objective functions are provided in the optimization process. The tested two-area interconnected AGC model incorporates nonlinearities in terms of Generation Rate Constraint (GRC) and a limiter on the integral control value. Comparison with previous AGC methods reported in the literature validates the significance of the sliding mode AGC controller.

Abstract: An aptamer specifically binding to C-reactive protein (CRP) is provided. The aptamer includes a following nucleotide sequence: 5?-angngggngnntgnnt-3?, wherein n is a nucleotide selected from a, t, c and g.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to obtain a low temperature producing enzyme and more particularly, the enzyme provides a bifunctional purpose of varying its enzyme activity into activity of another enzyme. The present invention has overcome problems such as ability of obtaining an enzyme at low temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming system that can allow a game to be appropriately advanced even by an inexperienced dealer by way of navigating the dealer in game advancement, thereby allowing fraud to be avoided and cost to be reduced. An image input device, which captures images for displaying to players playing the game at a plurality of stations, captures an image of a side of a game portion on which the dealer is positioned to include card placement areas. Then, a controller performs image recognition processing of comparing image data of the card placement areas captured by the image input device with comparative image data stored in memory. Thereafter, in a case in which image recognition processing results in an image showing a card being included, the score of the card game is calculated based on recognition results of the images showing cards.

Abstract: A dental brush assembly includes an elongate handle having first and second coupling ends sized and shaped to couple with at least a first detachable dental brush. The first coupling end is at a first angle relative to a handle longitudinal axis and the second coupling end is at a second different angle relative to the handle longitudinal axis. The first coupling end includes first and second brush facing surfaces. The second coupling end includes third and fourth brush facing surfaces. The first detachable dental brush includes a directional brush surface and a brush end complementary to the first, second, third and fourth brush facing surfaces. The directional brush surface is directed in first, second, third or fourth non-identical orientations relative to the handle longitudinal axis depending on which brush facing surface the first detachable dental brush is oriented with.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal single switch driving system for power wheelchairs, which can be attached to any wheelchair joystick and remotely controlled, by any single switch available for persons with disabilities.

Abstract: Provided is a method of resecting a luminal structure, such as a colon. A first luminal structure and a second luminal structure are defined by severing the original luminal structure. The second luminal structure is secured to the distal end of an elongate body disposed within the second luminal structure. Refraction of the elongate body forms a circumferential fold in the second luminal structure and isolates a tissue mass between the circumferential fold and the distal end of the elongate body. The second luminal structure is then transected circumferentially at or adjacent the circumferential fold, thus severing the tissue mass. The tissue mass is then removed by retracting the distal end of the elongate body. The free end of the second luminal structure is approximated with the free end of the first luminal structure and secured by conventional surgical methods. Instrumentation for use with the inventive method is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for highly efficiently obtaining an optically active alcohol from a carbonyl compound highly enantioselectively. Also disclosed is a ligand used in such a method. Specifically, an optically active alcohol is obtained by reacting a carbonyl compound and an organozinc compound by using a ligand (L) shown below.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical dosage form for the release of at least one pharmaceutically active ingredient is claimed. The pharmaceutical dosage form includes a polymer matrix, polymer-lipid nanoparticles incorporated within the matrix and the pharmaceutically active ingredient(s). The polymer matrix is formed from at least two crosslinked cationic and anionic polymers, such as Eudragit® E100 and sodium carboxymethlycellulose. It can also include a neutral polymer, such as one derived from locust bean. The polymer-lipid nanoparticles are formed from at least one polymer, such as Eudragit® E100 and/or chitosan, and at least one phospholipid, such as lecithin. The polymer(s) and phospholipid are crosslinking with a chelating agent, such as sodium tripolyphosphate. The active ingredient or ingredients can be any pharmaceutically active compound(s), and in particular poorly absorbed compounds such as levodopa for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: A method of preparing a DNA copy of a target polynucleotide using template switching is described. The method includes mixing a double stranded template/primer substrate made up of a DNA primer oligonucleotide associated with a complementary oligonucleotide template strand with a target polynucleotide in a reaction medium and adding a suitable amount of a non-retroviral reverse transcriptase to the reaction medium to extend the DNA primer oligonucleotide from its 3? end to provide a DNA copy polynucleotide. The DNA copy polynucleotide includes a complementary target DNA polynucleotide that is synthesized using the target polynucleotide as a template. Methods of adding nucleotides to the double stranded template/primer substrate are also described. The method can be used to facilitate detection, PCR amplification, cloning, and determination of RNA and DNA sequences.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to nitric oxide-releasing particles for delivering nitric oxide, and their use in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.