Abstract: Circular nucleic acid vectors that provide for persistently high levels of protein expression are provided. The circular vectors of the subject invention are characterized by being devoid of expression-silencing bacterial sequences, where in many embodiments the subject vectors include a unidirectional site-specific recombination product hybrid sequence in addition to an expression cassette. Also provided are methods of using the subject vectors for introduction of a nucleic acid, e.g., an expression cassette, into a target cell, as well as preparations for use in practicing such methods. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of different applications, including both research and therapeutic applications. Also provided is a highly efficient and readily scalable method for producing the vectors employed in the subject methods, as well as reagents and kits/systems for practicing the same.

Abstract: Protease-like nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, protease-like fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-protease-like antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and cells into which the vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for receiving multiple streams. A group session structure is defined and streams are decoded according to the defined group session structure so that a single decoder can sequentially process demultiplexed streams allocated to multiple decoding buffers when multiple logical media streams are multiplexed into one physical stream in a mobile broadcast communication system based on Lightweight Application Scene Representation (LASeR).

Abstract: A tunable optical component includes comprises a plurality of individual tunable liquid cells regularly arranged and integrated to at least one cell structure forming an array on the supporting substrate. A single liquid cell comprises several integrated cell walls, the cell walls projecting away from the supporting substrate and having a closed base area and an open cell surface at the cell wall edges. The liquid cell is filled with at least two liquids or fluids to provide at least one tunable interface area for varying the optical characteristic of the liquid cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of inhibiting proliferation or growth of tumor cells and/or inducing cell death in cancer cells. This invention relates to the use of antibodies, hybridomas and pharmaceutical compositions containing same, for inhibiting growth or proliferation and inducing death in epithelial, colon, lung, breast and ovarian tumor cells or other cells which express MUC1 proteins.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing extended optical traps for commercial use. The method and system employs a diffractive optical element (DOE) to process a light beam wherein the DOE includes phase information and amplitude information to create the extended optical trap. Such extended traps can be line traps and can be further expanded to two and three dimensional configurations.

Abstract: A method for producing a single stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecule of a defined length and sequence is disclosed. This method enables the preparation of, inter alia, probes of greater length than can be chemically synthesized. The method starts with a double stranded molecule, such as genomic, double stranded DNA (dsDNA) from any organism. A fragment of the starting molecule (dsDNA) is amplified by specific primers engineered to introduce cleavage sites on either side of the desired sequence. Cleavage steps on the amplified, engineered fragment are combined with a phosphate removal step, thereby creating a construct that can be digested with an exonuclease without damage to the desired ssDNA. Probes, which hybridize with large gaps between the ends of the probes, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adaptively estimating the specific differential phase (Kdp) from dual-polarization radar data in the complex domain. Some embodiments adapt for wrapped differential propagation phases by estimating the specific differential phase in the complex domain. Some embodiments adapt for measurement fluctuations and/or spatial scale in making such estimations. Some embodiments also provide for determining the presence of storms cells using the dispersion of the differential propagation phase shift over a subset of bins.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method, using pure niobium as a transient liquid reactive braze material, for fabrication of cellular or honeycomb structures, wire space-frames or other sparse builtup structures or discrete articles using Nitinol (near equiatomic titanium-nickel alloy) and related shape-memory and superelastic alloys. Nitinol shape memory alloys (SMAs), acquired in a form such as corrugated sheet, discrete tubes or wires, may be joined together using the newly discovered technique. Pure niobium when brought into contact with Nitinol at elevated temperature, liquefies at temperatures below the melting point and flows readily into capillary spaces between the elements to be joined, thus forming a strong joint. A series of diagrams of the interface at various stages of brazing is illustrated by FIG. 10.

Abstract: Disclosure is provided for imidazole-triazole derivative compounds such as those given in Formulas (I)-(VI) that prevent, remove and/or inhibit the formation of biofilms, compositions comprising these compounds, devices comprising these compounds, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A method measures chromaticity values using a colorimeter to solve the drawbacks of conventional technologies, such as an inaccurate illuminant, the filter of color-matching function being difficult to be deposited and manufactured within a filter mod colorimeter, and using an expensive spectrometer within a spectrum mode colorimeter. The spectrometer and the filter of color-matching function is not needed, and an accurate chromaticity value of an object by using a multi-band illuminant illuminating the object and a power meter. Further, the multi-band illuminant can adjust the illumination condition of a standard illuminator under different color temperatures, and the chromaticity values of the object can be measured under different color temperatures. The accuracy of the measured chromaticity values is up to the level of the spectrum mode colorimeter, and the price is less than the spectrum mode colorimeter.

Abstract: Friction stir methods are disclosed for processing at least one workpiece using a rotary tool with rotating member for contacting and processing the workpiece. The methods include oscillating the rotary tool laterally with respect to a selected propagation path for the rotating member with respect to the workpiece to define an oscillation path for the rotating member. The methods further include obtaining force signals or parameters related to the force experienced by the rotary tool at least while the rotating member is disposed at the extremes of the oscillation. The force signals or parameters associated with the extremes can then be analyzed to determine a lateral position of the selected path with respect to a target path and a lateral offset value can be determined based on the lateral position. The lateral distance between the selected path and the target path can be decreased based on the lateral offset value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital to analog converter, to a return-to-zero digital to analog converter with improved wideband characteristics by enabling a return-to-zero output without separate clock and controller, and a converting method thereof. Since the return-to-zero digital to analog converter and the converting method thereof are capable of outputting an RZ output without directly providing a clock signal to an analog circuit by configuring a switch for generating a zero point signal and a differential pipeline for providing a differential signal to control the switch according to input digital data using a differential structure, the converter can provide wideband characteristics and high dynamic performance.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor includes at least one structure including at least one photonic crystal slab and an optical fiber optically coupled to the at least one photonic crystal slab, and having at least one optical resonance with a resonance frequency and a resonance lineshape. The acoustic sensor further includes a housing mechanically coupled to the at least one structure. At least one of the resonance frequency and the resonance lineshape is responsive to acoustic waves incident upon the housing.

Abstract: A branched compound including a core part, at least one side chain part bonded to the core part, and an end, wherein one repeating unit or two or more repeating units expressed by the following formula (1) repeat in the or each side chain part, with the proviso that in a repeating unit bonded to the core part, T is bonded to the core part, and in two or more contiguous repeating units, each L is bonded to the T, each L is formed of a plurality of conjugation-forming units linked together; each L includes at least one thienylene unit as the conjugation-forming unit; and at least two of the groups existing at the ends of Ls (the ends of the L in sides which are not bonded to T) are acceptor groups. (In the formula, each L represents a divalent organic group which may have a substituent and the T represents a trivalent organic group which may have a substituent.

Abstract: A method for the decomposition of one or more metal oxide precursor compounds, at least one of which is a metal carboxylate salt, to a metal oxide or mixed metal oxide by contacting the metal oxide precursor compound or compounds with an aqueous reaction mixture at a pH, pressure and temperature effective to decompose all metal oxide precursor compounds, wherein the temperature is between about room temperature and about 350° C. and the contact duration is effective to decompose all metal oxide precursor compounds to form an essentially pure metal oxide or mixed metal oxide.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a parallel processing of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation.

Abstract: ‘NCORNSP-012EMLC’ is a new and distinct variety of ornamental sweetpotato having a compact, semi-upright, mounding and spreading habit; produces many short shoots; has foliage that is very deeply-lobed and light green to chartreuse colored; is highly branched and has good vigor; has distinctive twisting and outwardly curved petioles, causing the leaves to be presented on a horizontal plane; flower production is rare even under short day conditions; and is suitable for use as a landscape or containerized plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct lily plant substantially as shown and described, characterized by (1) stem thickness supported by flower crown without bending (9 mm in diameter); (2) straight stems with even leaf distribution from bottom to top (102 leaves per plant); (3) flower crown compact (around 12×12 cm); (4) flower sizes large (11-14 cm long 11-14 cm wide at open stage); (5) continuous blooms for two to four weeks; (6) coloration of leaves uniform from bottom to top; (7) height of plant around 30 cm; and (8) red flowers.

Abstract: Two, three dimensional color displays having uniform dispersion of red, green and blue visible light emitting micron particles. Pumping at approximately 976 nm can generate green and red colors having an approximately 4% limit efficiency. One source can generate three colors with approximately limit efficiency. Modulators, scanners and lens can move and focus laser beams to different pixels forming two dimensional color images. Displays can be formed from near infrared source beams that are simultaneously split and modulated with micro electro mechanical systems, spatial light modulators, liquid crystal displays, digital micromirrors, digital light projectors, grating light valves, liquid crystal silicon devices, polysilicon LCDs, electron beam written SLMs, and electrically switchable bragg gratings. Pixels containing: Yb,Tm:YLF can emit blue light, Yb,Er(NYF) can emit green light, and Yb,Er:KYF and Yb,Ef:YF3 can emit red light.