Abstract: A method for producing an optically active compound includes reacting a nucleophile with a mixture of R- and S-stereoisomers of an azolide substrate by enzyme-catalyzed kinetic resolution so as to produce the optically active compound, wherein the azolide substrate contains an azole group used as a leaving group and an acyl group directly bonded to a nitrogen atom of the azole group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forcingly culturing a piece of human periosteum tissue in a shorter culture period, the method including the steps of: (1) placing a periosteum piece dissected from a patient on a culture dish containing no culture solution; (2) dropping platelet-rich plasma collected from the patient onto the surface of the periosteum piece on the culture dish and coagulating the platelet-rich plasma so as to cover the surface of the periosteum piece; (3) adding a first culture medium to the culture dish and growing the culture; and (4) growing the culture in a second culture medium containing a basic fibroblast growth factor and no platelet-rich plasma, after the step (3).

Abstract: In an interleaving power factor corrector, a control device interleavingly drives first and second converting circuits such that the power factor corrector generates a voltage output (Vo), and includes first and second control modules generating respectively first and second driving signals (Q_master, Q_slave) that correspond respectively to first and second control signals for controlling operations of power switches of the first and second converting circuits. A phase modulating module generates a reset signal (S_PTCL) based on an inverted first driving signal (Qn_master) and a feedback compensation signal (Vcomp) outputted by the first control module, and a reset signal (S_syn) outputted by the second control module. When one of the reset signals (S_syn, S_PTCL) has a predetermined level, the second driving signal (Q_slave) has a level for switching the power switch of the second converting circuit to an OFF-mode.

Abstract: Provided are fatty acid amides of amino acids, uses thereof and pharmaceutical compositions including them.

Abstract: The field of this invention relates to supramolecular functional materials, particularly to coordination networks, more particularly to coordination polymers, more particularly to metal based one-dimensional coordination polymers. The metal based one-dimensional coordination polymers comprises a repeat unit [L1-M-L2]n where L1 and L2 are one of a plurality of carboxylate ligands and L1 can be the same as L2, M is a metal, particularly a transition metal, and n is an integer from 1 to infinity. The metal based one-dimensional coordination polymers display one or more physico-chemical properties giving at least one functionality to the supramolecular material.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for effectuating the localized expression of anti-CTLA-4 antibody proximal to a target tissue in a patient.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide DNA encoding novel NADH oxidase from a microorganism belonging to the genus Brevibacterium having excellent pH stability and thermostability. The present invention relates to DNA encoding NADH oxidase from a microorganism belonging to the genus Brevibacterium that is the following (a) or (b): (a) NADH oxidase comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18; or (b) NADH oxidase comprising an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18 by deletion, substitution, or addition of 1 or more amino acid(s) and having NADH oxidase activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to the production of stem cells, derived from dedifferentiated fibroblasts, and the use of such stem cells for treatment of a variety of different disorders and conditions. The invention is based on the surprising discovery that a population of stem cells, capable of differentiating into a variety of different cell types, can be generated by culturing fibroblasts under selective culture conditions.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides systems and methods for etching and/or metal plating of substrate materials. An exemplary method in accordance with the disclosed subject matter for metal-plating or etching a substrate includes submerging portions of the substrate in a first bath of chemical solution, performing in-situ laser ablation of the substrate to achieve an immersion plated pattern with a first cation, plating-up the immersion plated pattern with the first cation in the first bath, and plating-up the immersion plated pattern with a second cation in a second bath. The same or another exemplary method can utilize a reel-to-reel system. The plating-up can begin after patterning by immersion plating is complete. Further, a single plating pattern can be used to define a pattern and the same bath can be used to plate the immersion pattern, thereby achieving a uniform thickness of the pattern.

Abstract: A panoramic image is generated from a sequence of input frames captured by a camera that translates relative to a scene having at least two points at different distances from the camera. A processor (13) is responsive to optical flow between corresponding points in temporally different input frames for computing flow statistics for at least portions of some of the input frames and for computing respective stitching costs between some of the portions and respective neighboring portions thereof. A selection unit (18) selects a sequence of portions and respective neighboring portions that minimizes a cost function that is a function of the flow statistics and stitching costs. A stitching unit (21) stitches the selected portions and respective neighboring portions so as to form a panoramic image of the scene, which may then be displayed or post-processed.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an activator for blood coagulation factor VII. Ribavirin or its derivative is used as an activator for blood coagulation factor VII promoter.

Abstract: A microprobe, measurement system and method are disclosed. The microprobe includes a probe tip mounted at a meeting point of a plurality of flexures. The probe tip is moveable upon flexing of one or more of the flexures, each flexure further comprising one or more actuators controllable to flex the flexure and one or more sensors arranged to sense flexin of the flexure.

Abstract: The invention provides a molecular affinity clamp. The architecture of the affinity clamp is modular with two biorecognition modules, each capable of binding a target motif. The first biorecognition module has a recognition domain that possesses inherent or natural specificity for the target motif. The second biorecognition module also has a recognition domain that binds the motif. The two biorecognition modules are tethered together either directly, e.g., via a peptide bond between the two modules, or indirectly, e.g., via a linker moiety or linker. The invention further provides a novel affinity ligand which is specifically bound by the molecular affinity clamps of the invention.

Abstract: A method of sealing a leak of fluid from a container comprises introducing a solute to a body of fluid within the container. The solute is selected so as to be soluble in the fluid at the expected conditions prevailing inside the container, and insoluble when the pressure experienced by the fluid is reduced at the site of a leak.

Abstract: There is provided a mesh system (2) comprising a mesh sheet (4) and a reinforcing member in the form of a cable (6) coupled to one side of the sheet (4). The cable (6) is coupled to the mesh by wire ties (7). Two lengths (6a) and (6b) of the cable (6) may overlap or be disposed in a mutually adjacent manner. The lengths (6a) and (6b) may be coupled together by U-bolts or crimped bands (9), which may also engage the underlying sheet (4).

Abstract: A switching regulator is provided herein comprising a voltage source, a plurality of switching elements, an inductive element, and a controller. The controller coordinates the plurality of switching elements as to sequentially and periodically switching the inductive element to generate a plurality of regulated DC voltages. The controller adjusts a switching frequency of the regulator in accordance with at least one characteristic of a load current.

Abstract: A surveillance system including a tracking module, a controller and a detection module is provided. The tracking module processes at least one first image frame that is acquired via a first camera to track an object in the at least one first image frame, and generate location information of the object being tracked. The controller generates a control signal based on the location information and transmits the control signal to a second camera to control the movement of the second camera. The detection module processes at least one second image frame that is acquired via the second camera to detect a feature part of the object being tracked.

Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to plasma dissociation of fluidic hydrogen sulfide to hydrogen and sulfur. A reactor is configured to have a plasma discharge and a vortex flow pattern. The plasma discharge provides energy to the hydrogen sulfide disassociation reaction and the vortex flow pattern helps to cause the condensation of sulfur molecules. The condensation of sulfur molecules helps to reduce the amount of energy input required to disassociate a certain amount of hydrogen sulfide. Additionally, the reactor may be configured to have a vortex flow pattern that provides for a recirculation zone in which relatively warm reaction products may exchange their heat energy with relatively cool input fluids.

Abstract: A tiered communications architecture for managing network traffic in a distributed system. Communication between client or control computers and a plurality of hardware devices is administered by agent and monitor devices whose activities are coordinated to reduce the number of open channels or sockets. The communications architecture also improves the transparency and scalability of the distributed system by reducing network mapping dependence. The architecture is desirably implemented in a proton beam therapy system to provide flexible security policies which improve patent safety and facilitate system maintenance and development.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the preparation of gas-filled microbubbles, and methods of using for therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications. In particular, the methods of the invention allow for the preparation of gas-filled microbubbles having narrow size distributions and defined ultrasonic properties.