Abstract: The present invention provides a novel mycovirus that suppresses phytopathogenic fungi and a novel method for controlling plant diseases. A novel mycovirus that is present endogenously in a predetermined rice blast fungus, has four types of double-stranded RNAs of 2.8 to 3.6 kb, and suppresses a phytopathogenic fungus has been found. This virus suppresses phytopathogenic fungi such as rice blast fungus.

Abstract: In a collective control of plural game machines placed in the same parlor, it is detected whether there is a player change with each game machine and, based on the detection result, the cumulative credit consumption with each game machine is controlled per player. When the cumulative credit consumption of a certain player reaches a predetermined upper limit, return is executed to this player. The upper limit value is changed properly. Therefore, the player can perform a game without anxiety while enjoying amusement of the game. As the result, it may be avoided losing customers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and materials for delivering a cargo compound into a brain cancer cell and/or across the blood-brain barrier. Delivery of the cargo compound is accomplished by the use of protein transport peptides derived from Neisseria outer membrane proteins, such as Laz. The invention also provides synthetic transit peptides comprised of the pentapeptide AAEAP (SEQ ID NO: 25). The invention further discloses methods for treating cancer, and specifically brain cancer, as well as other brain-related conditions. Further, the invention provides methods of imaging and diagnosing cancer, particularly brain cancer.

Abstract: The method of performing cipher block chaining using elliptic polynomial cryptography allows for the encryption of messages through elliptic polynomial cryptography and, particularly, with the utilization of cipher block chaining based upon both the elliptic polynomial and its twist, regardless of whether the elliptic polynomial and its twist are isomorphic with respect to one another. The method of performing cipher block chaining is based on the elliptic polynomial discrete logarithm problem. It is well known that an elliptic polynomial discrete logarithm problem is a computationally “difficult” or “hard” problem.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a parameter setting unit which sets a noise reduction processing parameter for use in noise reduction processing for applying onto an original image signal including a plurality of color components; a correlation arithmetic processing unit which calculates coefficients of correlation between each of the color components in the original image signal; a parameter correcting unit which corrects the noise reduction processing parameter based on the coefficient of correlation; and a noise reducing unit which reduces noise in the original image signal using the corrected noise reduction processing parameter.

Abstract: The hash functions with elliptic polynomial hopping are based upon an elliptic polynomial discrete logarithm problem. Security using hash functions is dependent upon the implementation of a computationally hard problem, and the elliptic polynomial discrete logarithm problem provides enough relative difficulty in computation to ensure that the produced hash functions, as applied to message bit strings, are optimally secure. The hash functions are produced as functions of both the elliptic polynomial as well as the twist of the elliptic polynomial, particularly using a method of polynomial hopping.

Abstract: The invention discloses particulate complexes composed of chitosan, poly-glutamic acid, and at least one bioactive agent, wherein equal moles of the positively charged chitosan and the negatively charged poly-glutamic acid substrate form an electrostatic network enabling improved loading the bioactive agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides ?V?3 integrin cysteine loop domain agonists and antagonists (including peptide agonists and antagonists and analogs thereof), along with methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a purified peptide comprising at least one of the sequences LKQKSSNSRKKRSTS (SEQ ID NO:1), or VKNKRTFLSPWISNI (SEQ ID NO:2) as well as a vaccine, a method to protect or treat an animal from anthrax toxin, a method of making a vaccine and the use of the peptide. The present invention also provides a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to a peptide sequence comprising at least one of the following peptide sequences: LKQKSSNSRKKRSTS (SEQ ID NO:1), or VKNKRTFLSPWISNI (SEQ ID NO:2) as well as a method to protect or treat an animal from anthrax toxin, a method of making a vaccine, a pharmaceutical composition, a method of making a pharmaceutical composition, and the use of the monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The message authentication code with blind factorization and randomization is a computational method for improving the security of existing Message Authentication Code (MAC) methods through the use of blind integer factorization. Further, blind randomization is used as a countermeasure to minimize collision attacks where different plaintexts produce the same MAC.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system includes: an energy harvesting unit for converting energy from a natural energy source into an electrical power signal; a power point tracking unit including a current tracing module capable of detecting a current of the electrical power signal, and a boundary control module; a microcontroller including a voltage detecting module capable of detecting a voltage of the electrical power signal, and a computing module for determining a maximum power point with reference to the voltage and the current of the electrical power signal, the boundary control module generating a switch control voltage signal with reference to the maximum power point; a storage unit capable of storing energy; and a pulse frequency modulation regulator for converting the electrical power signal into an intermediate signal with reference to the switch control voltage signal for subsequent storage of energy of the intermediate signal in the storage unit.

Abstract: Droplets of polymerizable material may be patterned on a film sheet. The droplets of polymerizable material may be dispensed on the film sheet. A pre-determined force may be applied to an imprint lithography template such that localized trapping of the droplets of the polymerizable material on the film sheet is minimized and the droplets coalesce to form a continuous layer. The polymerizable material may be solidified to form a patterned layer having a residual layer and at least one feature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the ability of SAP to suppress fibrocytes. It also relates to the ability of IL-12, laminin-1, cross-linked IgG and IgG aggregates to suppress fibrocytes. Methods and compositions for suppressing fibrocytes using these proteins are provided. These methods are useful in a variety of applications including treatment and prevention of fibrosing diseases such as scleroderma, pulmonary fibrosis and asthma. Finally, the invention includes assays for detecting the ability of various agents to modulate differentiation into fibrocytes. Such assays may also be used to diagnose scleroderma, pulmonary fibrosis, or other fibrosing diseases.

Abstract: A tank for an immersion lithography apparatus provided. The tank has a container with a bottom plate and side plates connected to each, wherein the side plates surround and connect all edges of the bottom plate. The container is filled in at least a liquid having a refractive index thereof from about 1.4 to about 1.8. A platform is located in the container and immersed in the liquid. The platform has an axle fastened on a side thereof parallel to the bottom plate, wherein the axle passes through a bearing hole penetrated through one of the side plates. A roller disposed outside the container connects to the axle to rotate the axle, and furthermore, to incline the platform accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a droplet jetting apparatus using electrostatic force, a manufacturing method thereof and an ink providing method thereof. The droplet jetting apparatus using electrostatic force includes a lower electrode unit in which a nozzle and a lower electrode positioned in the nozzle equipped in the upper part of a first substrate, and an ink inflow channel equipped in the lower part of the first substrate are integrally formed; an upper electrode unit having an upper electrode formed on the top surface of a second substrate and an ink discharge hole formed by being penetrated to the upper electrode from the bottom surface of the second substrate; and a bonding layer for bonding the lower electrode unit and the upper electrode unit with each other so that the nozzle is vertically aligned with the ink discharge hole.

Abstract: The invention discloses bioactive nanoparticles composed of chitosan, poly-glutamic acid, and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid for use in radionuclide decorporation during radiological emergency. The chitosan-based nanoparticles are characterized with a positive surface charge and enhanced permeability for oral drug delivery.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of integrating carbon nanotubes into epoxy polymer composites via chemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes, and to the carbon nanotube-epoxy polymer composites produced by such methods. Integration is enhanced through improved dispersion and/or covalent bonding with the epoxy matrix during the curing process. In general, such methods involve the attachment of chemical moieties (i.e., functional groups) to the sidewall and/or end-cap of carbon nanotubes such that the chemical moieties react with either the epoxy precursor(s) or the curing agent(s) (or both) during the curing process. Additionally, in some embodiments, these or additional chemical moieties can function to facilitate dispersion of the carbon nanotubes by decreasing the van der Waals attractive forces between the nanotubes.

Abstract: A resistance variable element is provided, which is capable of performing bipolar operation by a specified mechanism and usable as a memory. The resistance variable element has a laminated structure including an electrode, another electrode, an oxide layer between the electrodes, and an oxide layer in contact with the oxide layer between the oxide layer and the electrode. The oxide layer is switchable from the low-resistance state to the high-resistance state by donating oxygen ions to the oxide layer, and from the high-resistance state to the low-resistance state by accepting oxygen ions from the oxide layer. The oxide layer is switchable from the low-resistance state to the high-resistance state by accepting oxygen ions from the oxide layer, and from the high-resistance state to the low-resistance state by donating oxygen ions to the oxide layer.

Abstract: A communication system includes encoding and decoding devices. The encoding device includes an encrypting module adapted for encrypting an original signal into an encrypted signal, and an error correction encoding module coupled to the encrypting module for receiving the encrypted signal therefrom, and generating an output signal by performing error correction encoding on the encrypted signal. The decoding device includes an error correction decoding module for receiving an input signal via a transmission channel, and a decrypting module. The input signal is a result of the output signal combined with noise. The error correction decoding module generates a recovery signal from the input signal by performing error correction decoding on the input signal. The decrypting module is coupled to the error correction decoding module for receiving the recovery signal therefrom, and generates a decrypted signal that corresponds to the original signal by decrypting a portion of the recovery signal.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for determining the differentiation state of cells. The methods include non-invasive, non-perturbing, automatable, and quantitative methods of analysis of cell colonies, individual cells, and/or cellular structures.