Abstract: A method of treating or reducing at least one inflammatory condition or the susceptibility to at least one inflammatory condition is provided involving administering at least one CD69 antagonist to a subject, wherein the subject has been diagnosed with at least one inflammatory condition, or a susceptibility to the same. CD69 antagonists can include one or more of an anti-CD69 antibody, an anti-CD69 aptamer, a CD69 mRNA antagonist, and a small molecule pharmaceutical.

Abstract: Provided is an integrated optical current sensor for measuring the magnitude of current. The integrated optical current sensor is fabricated by integrating optical elements, such as a thermo-optic phase modulator, a waveguide polarizer and an optical coupler, on a single substrate. As compared to the known current sensors using optical fibers, the integrated optical current sensor is more compact and enables measurement of current with higher reliability. Provided also is a method for producing current sensor chips in a large scale by using a process for fabricating integrated optical elements.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for eliciting an immune response to an antigen are disclosed. In certain aspects, these methods concern eliciting an immune response in a subject by administering to the mucosa of the subject a composition comprising a virus-like particle (“VLP”) and Murabutide.

Abstract: A user interlace component for an electronic device having a display. The user interface component, when instantiated is arranged to provide a representation of a hierarchical structure of interlinked objects arranged in a plurality of levels. The representation is displayed as a plurality of concentric rings, each corresponding to a given one of the plurality of levels. The instance of the user interface component is responsive to user interaction therewith to rotate one of the rings, whereby at least one of the objects is rotated out of view, and the instance of the user interface component is responsive to the user selecting an object in a ring to display a limited number of interlinked objects in a connected ring.

Abstract: Provided is a metal colloid having higher visibility and higher sensitivity than a gold colloid and a Au-core Pt-shell composite colloid and suitable as a labeling agent for use in a test such as an immunoassay. An alloyed Au/Pt composite colloid formed by mixing a gold salt and a platinum salt with at least one reducing agent selected from the group consisting of an amino acid and a derivative thereof, an oligopeptide and a derivative thereof, and an amino sugar in the presence of an alkali, thereby reducing the gold salt and platinum salt.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses compositions comprising a surfactant, and an acid such as, but not limited to, levulinic acid, that together have a synergistic effect in reducing the viability of a virus population compared to the efficacy of the individual compounds. This synergy allows the formulation of compositions where the active agents (including an acid and a surfactant) are present at concentrations effective to inactivate viruses on surfaces, including human skin. The viricidal compositions disclosed herein are efficacious without damaging the surface to which they may be applied, or even altering the organoleptic properties of a treated food substance. The viricidal compositions and wipes containing such compositions are suitable for sanitizing any surface suspected of having a viral load thereon, or where it is desirable to ensure that a viral load is as low as possible.

Abstract: System and method that is directed to medical treatments of organs having anatomical spaces, such as (but not limited to) the heart and the pericardial space. Specifically, an apparatus and method is provided for safely accessing anatomical spaces with surfaces to deliver medical devices or media into such spaces, or to remove fluids from such spaces. The methods and apparatus may include a first elongated member with a sharp tip used to penetrate the surface surrounding the anatomical space with a second elongated member with a helical tine used to engage the surface and lift the surface away from the underlying anatomical space. Once the first elongated member has incised the surface, it is removed, and the incision may be used as a point of entry for delivering media or medical devices into the anatomical space, or for carrying out further medical procedures.

Abstract: Depth-of-focus (DoF) is extended in a presbyopic patient by inducing different higher order aberrations, e.g. spherical aberration, to each of the two eyes. That method will result in improving binocular through-focus visual performance and outperform traditional monovision. The aberration can be induced in any suitable way, such as by an intraocular lens or a contact lens.

Abstract: Provided is a method of increasing a yield of a staple food crop which comprises bringing a compound represented by the following Formula (I) into contact with a plant body, excluding seeds, of a staple food crop to be cultured. The staple food crop is preferably a cereal crop, a tuber crop or the like. In the following Formula (I), R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent, or R1 and R2 are bound together to form an azo group; and R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent.

Abstract: A nasally inserted airway opening device with inflatable cuff is provided to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The airway opening device includes a hollow flexible tube extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and an inflatable cuff attached to the tube at or near the distal end. The inflatable cuff may be inflated and deflated via the tube. The inflatable cuff defines an interior through hole extending along the length thereof. When deflated, the inflatable cuff may be packed closely to the tube and may be inserted or removed through a nostril of a user. When inserted through the user's nostril and positioned in the user's oropharynx or naso-oropharynx and inflated, the inflatable cuff prevents soft tissue in the user's naso-oropharynx from collapsing toward the posterior pharyngeal wall while simultaneously allowing airflow through the through hole. A method for utilizing the airway opening device to prevent/treat sleep apnea is also provided.

Abstract: Cyclic peptide compounds and derivatives thereof having antitumor activity as shown by treatment of human melanoma, pancreatic, breast, prostate cancer cells.

Abstract: An artificial or modified natural blood flow tubing has a helical-flow inducer to induce helical flow in such a fashion as to eliminate or reduce turbulence. One inducer is a tubular stent of expansible mesh having a helical vane.

Abstract: Formic acid manufacturing system and method of manufacturing formic acid. The formic acid manufacturing system includes a reactor, a first separation device, a second separation device, a reactive distillation device and a third separation device. Methyl formate is produced in the reactor by processing a conbonylation reaction of external carbon monoxide and methanol. Water is added into the reactive distillation device externally, and formic acid and methanol is produced in the reactive distillation device by hydrolyzing methyl formate with water. A formic acid solution is obtained from an output of the third separation device.

Abstract: The present disclosed embodiments relate 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 membrane water vapor rejection 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 expelled through a membrane vapor rejection unit to ambient conditions.

Abstract: Phenyliodonium ylide derivatives substituted with electron donating as well as electron withdrawing groups on the aromatic ring are shown for use as precursors in aromatic nucleophilic substitution reactions. The iodonium ylide group is substituted by nucleophiles such as halide ions to provide the corresponding haloaryl derivatives. No-carrier-added [F-18]fluoride ion exclusively substitutes the iodonium ylide moiety in these derivatives and provides high specific activity F-18 labeled fluoro derivatives. Protected L-dopa-6-iodonium ylide derivative have been synthesized as a precursors for the preparation of no-carrier-added 6-[F-18]fluoro-L-dopa. The iodonium ylide group in this L-dopa.derivative is nucleophilically substituted by no-carrier-added [F-18]fluoride ion to provide a [F-18]fluoro intermediates which upon acid hydrolysis yielded 6-[F-18]fluoro-L-dopa.

Abstract: A method of producing a di-substituted pyridinium polymer by microwave-assisted polymerisation of a 2, 3, or 4-substituted pyridine monomer of the formula NC5R4—R?—X, wherein R is selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, and substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, and alkenyl groups, R? is a linking group, and X is a leaving group. Using this method, di-substituted pyridinium polymer compositions may be obtained wherein at least 50% of the di- substituted pyridinium polymer chains in the composition have the same degree of polymerisation.

Abstract: The invention provides high affinity antibodies suitable for forming Immunotoxins that inhibit the growth of cells expressing human glycoprotein NMB, including glioblastoma multiform cells, anaplastic astrocytoma cells, anaplastic oligodendroglioma cells, oligodendroglioma cells, and melanoma cells.

Abstract: A substantially spherical rotor can be controlled with accuracy even in a relatively low speed rotation. In controlling rotational motions of a rotor 3 of a spherical ultrasonic motor 1, phases of voltages to be applied to three stators 9a, 9b, 9c are determined to set the direction of a rotation axis of the rotor 3. Frequencies of voltages to be applied to the three stators 9a, 9b, 9c are adjusted to control the rotation speed of the rotor 3. Thereby, control with high accuracy is enabled in a relatively low speed rotation.

Abstract: To provide a compact and low-power-consumption artificial respirator and an operation method therefore including a controller which alternately switches between a first state for feeding inspiratory air stored in the reservoir tank to a patient and a second state for releasing expired air of the patient. A pressurizing pump has a discharge function for reversing a reduction of pressure within the reservoir tank, which is caused due to the inspiration, within an expiration period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring the concentration of a peroxide using a CNT sensor. The CNT sensor comprises a working electrode that is arranged on an insulating substrate, a monolayered carbon nano-tube that is contacted with the working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode. A sample is provided on the monolayered carbon nano-tube, and a potential difference is made between the working electrode and the counter electrode. In this manner, the concentration of the peroxide in the sample can be measured. The measurement method can be applied to clinical tests or the like.