Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.

Abstract: A method for preparing a tolbutamide particle is provided. The method comprises steps of mixing a bulk drug of tolbutamide with a supercritical fluid to form a supercritical mixture; and expanding the supercritical mixture to obtain the tolbutamide particle.

Abstract: Methods for preventing activation of hardware backdoors installed in a digital circuit, the digital circuit comprising one or more hardware units to be protected. A timer is repeatedly initiated for a period less than a validation epoch, and the hardware units are reset upon expiration of the timer to prevent activation of a time-based backdoor. Data being sent to the hardware unit is encrypted in an encryption element to render it unrecognizable to a single-shot cheat code hardware backdoor present in the hardware unit. The instructions being sent to the hardware unit are reordered randomly or pseudo-randomly, with determined sequential restraints, using an reordering element, to render an activation instruction sequence embedded in the instructions unrecognizable to a sequence cheat code hardware backdoor present in the hardware unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for protecting network resources from denial of service attacks. In one exemplary embodiment, a responder stores an access filter value used to determine whether an incoming message frame has been transmitted from an authorized user. In this regard, a user communication device includes logic for determining the access filter value stored at the responder and, includes the access filter value in a message frame transmitted from the computer to the responder. The responder compares the received access filter value to the stored access filter value. If such values match or otherwise correspond, the responder authenticates the message frame. However, if such values do not match or otherwise correspond, the responder discards the message frame. Thus, the responder processes authenticated message frames and discards unauthenticated message frames thereby preventing denial of service attacks from malicious users.

Abstract: A gas-phase detection system based on detecting optochemical and optoelectrochemical signals. The sensing platform is particularly powerful for detection of nitrogen oxides at low ppbV concentrations. The optochemical analysis is based on the color development due to a chemical reaction taking place in an optimized material. The electrochemical analysis can be based on the doping level or redox potential changes of an electrochemical sensor; and optoelectrochemical detection can be based on a combination of the electrochemical and optoelectrochemical methodologies. Each independent signal can be simultaneously detected, increasing the reliability of detection.

Abstract: A method for processing a frequency division multiplexing signal transmitted in a channel is provided. The method includes the steps of a) receiving the frequency division multiplexing signal having a residual intercarrier interference (ICI) and a channel noise and transmitted by plural subcarriers; b) performing a cyclic prefix removal and a discrete Fourier transform for the frequency division multiplexing signal to obtain a frequency-domain signal; c) analyzing the frequency-domain signal to obtain a plurality of correlation values for the residual ICI and the channel noise; and d) performing a communication signal processing for the frequency division multiplexing signal based on at least one of the plural correlation values.

Abstract: C-4 substituted retinoic acid analogs, synthesis methods of C-4 substituted retinoic acid analogs and methods of using C-4 substituted retinoic acid analogs to treat various cancers and dermatological diseases and conditions. The C-4 substituted retinoic acid analogs include C-4 all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and 13-cis retinoic acid (13-CRA) analogs. The C-4 substituted retinoic acid analogs inhibit all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) 4-hydroxylase activity, thereby inhibiting the catabolism of ATRA. The C-4 substituted retinoic acid analogs also have ATRA-mimetic activity. The preferred substitutions at C-4 are an azole group, a sulfur, oxygen, or nitrogen containing group, a pyridyl group, an ethinyl group, a cyclopropyl-amine group, an ester group, or a cyano group, or forms, together with the C-4 carbon atom, an oxime, an oxirane or aziridine group.

Abstract: Compounds that stimulate fibroblast growth factor production, and thus cell growth are provided. Also provided are compositions comprising the compounds and methods of using the compounds. The compounds can be used to treat wounds, to expand cell populations, such as hematopoietic cells, or to grow tissue in vitro, among other uses.

Abstract: A sensing device for the determination of ions in a thin layer sample (32) comprising: a first (12) and second (14) ion selective electrode, each having a first (16) and second layer (20); the first layer (16) of the first ion selective electrode (12) being a polymeric membrane layer in electrical contact with the second layer (20) of the first ion selective electrode (12), and the first layer (18) of the second ion selective electrode (14) being a polymeric membrane layer in electrical contact with the second layer (20) of the second ion selective electrode (14); the first and second ion selective electrodes being positioned in opposing arrangement such that, the respective polymeric membrane layers are in direct contact with a thin layer sample (32) containing ions, located between the first and second electrodes; and a detector (28) in electrical connection with the first (12) and second (14) ion selective electrodes.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel soluble PD-1 (sPD-1) proteins, nucleic acids, and fusion constructs thereof, for enhancing humoral and cell-mediated immunity of a subject. Also provided are therapeutic compositions comprising the sPD-1 proteins, nucleic acids, and fusion constructs of the subject invention. In a preferred embodiment, the therapeutic composition is formulated as a vaccine composition. Advantageously, the sPD-1 proteins, nucleic acids, and therapeutic compositions provide protective immunity against pathogenic infection including HIV infection. In additon, the subject invention can be used in the prevention and/or treatment of tumor or cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of methods and systems related to fractional order element based impedance matching. In one embodiment, a method includes aligning a traditional Smith chart (|?|=1) with a fractional order Smith chart (|?|?1). A load impedance is located on the traditional Smith chart and projected onto the fractional order Smith chart. A fractional order matching element is determined by transitioning along a matching circle of the fractional order Smith chart based at least in part upon characteristic line impedance. In another embodiment, a system includes a fractional order impedance matching application executed in a computing device. The fractional order impedance matching application includes logic that obtains a first set of Smith chart coordinates at a first order, determines a second set of Smith chart coordinates at a second order, and determines a fractional order matching element from the second set of Smith chart coordinates.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to methods for rapid and accurate determination of subtelomere DNA sequences. Also provided are kits for determination of subtelomere sequences and uses of chromosomal terminal sequences for studying pathogenesis and treatment of diseases.

Abstract: To provide an optical nanofiber resonator having an optical waveguide whose diameter is equal to or smaller than the wavelength of a propagation light, a light emitter disposed at a predetermined position of the optical waveguide, and a first reflector and a second reflector formed in the optical waveguide with the light emitter interposed therebetween, wherein at least one of the first reflector and the second reflector transmits a part of the propagation light. With such a configuration, the channeling efficiency of the light emitted from the light emitter and the propagation mode of the optical waveguide is dramatically improved.

Abstract: The present disclosure provide an external input device for an electrostatic capacitance-type touch panel, the external input device comprising at least one input unit; and at least one electrode unit connected to the at least one input unit and provided on an electrostatic capacitance-type touch panel.

Abstract: Provided is a handover apparatus and method for a terminal based on a received signal strength (RSS) and a radial velocity. The handover method may measure an RSS from a currently accessed base station and RSSs from candidate base stations for handover, may measure a radial velocity with respect to the currently accessed base station and radial velocities with respect to the candidate base stations for handover, and may perform a handover by determining a base station for handover based on the measured RSSs and the measured radial velocities when the RSS from the currently accessed base station is less than or equal to a reference RSS.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method for determining whether a to-be-analyzed software is a known malware or a variant of the known malware includes the steps of: (A) configuring a processor to execute the to-be-analyzed software, and obtain a to-be-analyzed system call sequence that corresponds to the to-be-analyzed software with reference to a plurality of system calls made in sequence as a result of executing the to-be-analyzed software; (B) configuring the processor to determine a degree of similarity between the to-be-analyzed system call sequence and a reference system call sequence that corresponds to the known malware; and (C) configuring the processor to determine that the to-be-analyzed software is neither the known malware nor a variant of the known malware when the degree of similarity determined in step (B) is not greater than a predefined similarity threshold value.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of apple tree rootstock Malus domestica×Malus robusta hybrid ‘G.214’ is described herein. The new variety is a dwarfing rootstock that is resistant to fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) and crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum). The ‘G.214’ rootstock is useful in that it can be propagated clonally and used as a rootstock or root system for apple trees as well as for interstems of apple trees.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wind profiling using a lighter than air tracer balloon moving under the influence of air currents. A retroreflective target is attached to the tracer balloon to improve the intensity of a return signal reflected back to the rangefinder. After the balloon is released, the rangefinder and attitude sensor are used to measure the range and direction angles of the retroreflective target on the tracer balloon at periodic time intervals.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.

Abstract: A nucleic acid cleavage complex is disclosed, which includes: a nanoparticle, a nucleic acid cleavage reagent, and a polynucleotide chain specifically recognizing a sequence of a target nucleic acid and having a first terminal and a second terminal opposite to the first terminal, wherein the first terminal is connected to the nanoparticle, the second terminal is connected to the nucleic acid cleavage reagent, and the first terminal sequence and the second terminal sequence are base-paired to make the polynucleotide chain form a hairpin. Also, a method for using the nucleic acid cleavage complex is also disclosed.