Abstract: It is an objective of the present invention to provide a process for efficiently producing poly-?-glutamic acid having a high L-glutamic acid content and excellent quality. The process for producing poly-?-glutamic acid according to the present invention is characterized in using a bacterium belonging to species Bacillus megaterium.

Abstract: A method of transferring an electronic material and a method of manufacturing an electronic device using the method of transferring the electronic material. The method of transferring the electronic material includes dipping a template, on which an electronic material layer is formed, into a liquid medium, separating the electronic material layer from the template, and floating the electronic material layer on a surface of the liquid medium; raising up the electronic material layer floated on the surface of the liquid medium by using a target substrate and transferring the electronic material layer on the target substrate; and fixing the electronic material layer to the target substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides cell lines that are useful for the rapid detection and production of influenza and parainfluenza viruses. In particular, the invention relates to transgenic cells with increased sensitivity to infection by influenza A, influenza B, or parainfluenza 3 viruses, or which are capable of enhanced productivity of infectious virions. The invention is suitable for use in culturing clinical influenza and parainfluenza virus isolates and for the production of influenza and parainfluenza virus for vaccine formulations, as antigen preparations for diagnostic applications, and for screening antiviral drugs.

Abstract: A thin-film single crystal growing method includes preparing a substrate, irradiating an excitation beam on a metallic target made of a pure metal or an alloy in a predetermined atmosphere, and combining chemical species including any of atoms, molecules, and ions released from the metallic target by irradiation of the excitation beam with atoms contained in the predetermined atmosphere to form a thin film on the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for journal peer review particularly for managing online peer review transactions over a network or communications medium such as via the Internet. In specific embodiments, that system minimizes or eliminates the need for most participants to remember and/or enter any login or password information. In specific embodiments, a majority of user interactions are prompted by email or text messages that allow for easier user access and acceptance. In specific embodiments, active links are distributed with each message for easy user access. In specific embodiments, automatic conflict checking is performed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methylated proteins that control protein phosphorylation, particularly phosphoesterases, such as PP2A. It relates to screening methods for determining agents that affect methylation of these proteins and thus also modulate the level of phosphorylation of phosphoproteins. It relates as well to the agents and to compositions comprising the agents. In a particular aspect in this regard the invention relates to agents that alter PP2A methylation and that thereby affect phosphorylation of phosphoproteins that play an important role in health or disease, such as the tau protein which is implicated in the etiology of Alzheimer's Disease. The invention further relates to diagnostic methods based on protein methylation levels, to compositions comprising agents for affecting methylation of proteins and for controlling the phosphate complement of phosphoproteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel plasmid constructs useful for the delivery of DNA vaccines. The present invention provides novel plasmids having a transcription cassette capable of directing the expression of a vaccine nucleic acid insert encoding immunogens derived from any pathogen, including fungi, bacteria and viruses. The present invention, however, is particularly useful for inducing in a patient an immune response against pathogenic viruses such as HIV, measles or influenza. Immunodeficiency virus vaccine inserts of the present invention express non-infectious HIV virus-like particles (VLP) bearing multiple viral epitopes. VLPs allow presentation of the epitopes to multiple histocompatability types, thereby reducing the possibility of the targeted virus escaping the immune response. Also described are methods for immunizing a patient by delivery of a novel plasmid of the present invention to the patient for expression of the vaccine insert therein.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus by which power is controlled in a hybrid electric vehicle such that high levels of performance and efficiency are realized. The present invention includes a method and apparatus developed to optimize the use of energy in a hybrid vehicle application from the hybrid energy storage device. The method and apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful with energy storage devices there the energy state, such as the state of charge, is readily determined by an easily measured attribute. Ultracapacitors and hydraulic storage cylinders are examples of the types of energy storage devices to which the present invention may be applied.

Abstract: The process of the present invention is directed toward conducting highly selective, high yield post polymerization reactions on polymers to prepare functionalized polymers. An embodiment of the present invention comprises conducting click chemistry reactions on polymers. Preferably, the polymers were prepared by controlled polymerization processes. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention comprise processes for the preparation of polymers comprising conducting a click chemistry reaction on a functional group attached to a polymer, wherein the polymer has a molecular weight distribution of less than 2.0. The functional polymers may be prepared by converting an attached functional unit on the polymer thereby providing site specific functional materials, site specific functional materials comprising additional functionality, or chain extended functional materials.

Abstract: A hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber polarizer may include a core, an inner cladding surrounding the core, the inner cladding including a plurality of capillaries, and an outer cladding at least partially surrounding the inner cladding. A section of the capillaries distal to the core is asymmetric relative to a section of the capillaries proximal to the core.

Abstract: Anti-cancer agents and/or transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta or TGF?) antagonists are disclosed, where the agents and/or antagonists include a therapeutically effective amount of a combination of therapeutically active portions of sRII and therapeutically active portions of sRIII or a fusion polypeptide or protein comprising therapeutically active portions of sRII and therapeutically active portions of sRIII. Methods for preventing, treating and/or ameliorating the symptoms of cancer are also disclosed based on administering an effective amount of a composition of this invention.

Abstract: Early dental caries detection is carried out by a method that combines optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Raman spectroscopy to provide morphological information and biochemical specificity for detecting and characterizing incipient carious lesions found in extracted human teeth. OCT imaging of tooth samples demonstrated increased light back-scattering intensity at sites of carious lesions as compared to the sound enamel. Raman microspectroscopy and fibre-optic based Raman spectroscopy are used to characterize the caries further by detecting demineralization-induced alterations of enamel crystallite morphology and/or orientation. OCT imaging is useful for screening carious sites and determining lesion depth, with Raman spectroscopy providing biochemical confirmation of caries. The combination is incorporated into a common probe operable without movement to scan the tooth surface and to provide an output for the dentist.

Abstract: A physics-based statistical model and simulation/modeling method and system of electromagnetic wave propagation (wireless communication) in urban environments. In particular, the model is a computationally efficient close-formed parametric model of RF propagation in an urban environment which is extracted from a physics-based statistical wireless channel simulation method and system. The simulation divides the complex urban environment into a network of interconnected urban canyon waveguides which can be analyzed individually; calculates spectral coefficients of modal fields in the waveguides excited by the propagation using a database of statistical impedance boundary conditions which incorporates the complexity of building walls in the propagation model; determines statistical parameters of the calculated modal fields; and determines a parametric propagation model based on the statistical parameters of the calculated modal fields from which predictions of communications capability may be made.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a carbon nanotube composite, comprising the steps of:(a) preparing a solution of a polymer precursor; (b) immersing carbon nanotubes in the solution and ultrasonically cleaning the solution; (c) polymerizing the polymer precursor in order to obtain a polymer matrix having carbon nanotubes uniformly dispersed therein; (d) forming the polymer matrix into a composite having carbon nanotubes distributed therein by way of extrusion; and (e) elongating the composite so as to cause the carbon nanotubes to be orderly distributed therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for searching for a genetic polymorphism for identifying a gene whose expression level is different between alleles and to a method for searching for a phenotype-associated genetic polymorphism. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for effectively identifying a gene whose expression level is different between alleles by utilizing a genetic polymorphism present in intranuclear RNA.

Abstract: This application relates to the production and characterization of a mutant strain of Aspergillus fumigatus. The application also relates to a method for inhibiting siderophore biosynthesis in Aspergillus fumigatus and an assay for identifying drug candidates or other agents having potential inhibitory activity. The method may comprise, for example, the step of inhibiting an enzyme catalyzing siderophore biosynthesis, such as L-ornithine N5-oxygenase. In one embodiment the siderophore is a hydroxamate siderophore, such as N?N?N??-triacetylfusarinine C (TAF) or ferricrocin. A method of preventing or treating fungal infections in a patient is also described comprising administering to the patient an agent suitable for inhibiting fungal secretion of siderophores. The method is particularly useful for immunocompromised patients susceptible to fungal infections caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, such as pulmonary aspergillosis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pharmaceutical composition for the prophylaxis and treatment of restenosis, comprising a peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx II) protein as an active ingredient. Optionally, the composition may contain other active ingredients suppressive of restenosis at the carotid artery, the coronary artery, the peripheral artery, and the renal artery. Also, a composition and a method are provided for screening therapeutics for restenosis. This screening composition comprises a peroxiredoxin 2 gene or protein. Together with the method, the composition is useful for searching and developing therapeutics for restenosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides biomarkers of chronic pelvic pain syndrome for use in diagnosis, drug screening, therapy monitoring, research and therapeutic applications. In particular, the present invention provides MCP-1 and MIP-1? as biomarkers of chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a GaN-based material having high thermal conductivity. A gallium nitride-based material is grown by HVPE (Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxial Growth) by supplying a carrier gas (G1) containing H2 gas, GaCl gas (G2), and NH3 gas (G3) to a reaction chamber (10), and setting the growth temperature at 900 (° C.) (inclusive) to 1,200 (° C.) (inclusive), the growth pressure at 8.08×104 (Pa) (inclusive) to 1.21×105 (Pa) (inclusive), the partial pressure of the GaCl gas (G2) at 1.0×104 (Pa) (inclusive) to 1.0×104 (Pa) (inclusive), and the partial pressure of the NH3 gas (G3) at 9.1×102 (Pa) (inclusive) to 2.0×104 (Pa) (inclusive).

Abstract: A method of identifying epigenetically silenced genes, e.g., methylation silenced genes, in cancer cells is provided. In addition, methods of identifying a cancer by detecting epigenetic silencing of gene expression are provided, as are methods of treating a subject having such a cancer, for example, a colorectal cancer and/or gastric cancer. Reagents for practicing such methods also are provided.