Abstract: This invention provides methods employing prefoldin-4 (PFDN-4) nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences to detect cancer or a propensity to develop cancer, to monitor the efficacy of a cancer treatment, and/or for prognostic applications. Further, the invention provides methods of identifying inhibitors of PfDN-4 and methods of treating cancer by inhibiting the expression and/or activity of PFDN-4.

Abstract: A novel rice cultivar, designated ‘CL131,’ is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of rice cultivar ‘CL131,’ to the plants of rice ‘CL131,’ and to methods for producing a rice plant produced by crossing the cultivar ‘CL131’ with itself or another rice variety, and to single gene conversions of such plants. The invention further relates to hybrid rice seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar ‘CL131’ with another rice cultivar. The invention further relates to other derivatives of the cultivar ‘CL131.

Abstract: A method of magnetic resonance imaging based on rapid acquisition by sequential excitation and refocusing is provided. The method comprises turning on a first time-encoding gradient and applying an excitation pulse in the presence of the first time-encoding gradient. The excitation pulse excites magnetization sequentially along one spatial axis. Thereafter, a first refocusing pulse is applied. A second time-encoding gradient is turned on followed by a second refocusing pulse. A third time-encoding gradient is turned on and a signal is acquired in the presence of the third time-encoding gradient. The third time-encoding gradient sums to zero with the first time-encoding gradient and the second time-encoding gradient for sequential points in space.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a protein chip substrate and a method for manufacturing the protein chip substrate. The method includes deposition of plasma polymerized ethylenediamine (PPEDA) having an amine group on plasma polymerized cyclohexnane (PPCHex) by inductively coupled plasma-chemical vapor deposition (ICP-CVD), thereby preventing non-specific adsorption of proteins on a slide surface.

Abstract: This application provides a process for preparing enantiomerically pure ?-D-dioxolane nucleosides. In particular, a new synthesis of (?)-DAPD, suitable for large scale development, is described. In one embodiment the invention provides a process for preparing a substantially pure ?-D- or ?-L-1,3-dioxolane nucleosides comprising a) preparing or obtaining an esterified 2,2-dialkoxy ethanol; b) cyclizing the esterified 2,2-dialkoxy ethanol with glycolic acid to obtain a 1,3-dioxolane lactone; c) resolving the 1,3-dioxolane lactone to obtain a substantially pure D- or L-lactone; d) selectively reducing and activating the D- or L-chiral lactone to obtain a substantially pure D- or L-1,3-dioxolane; e) coupling the D- or L-1,3-dioxolane to an activated and/or protected purine or pyrimidine base; and f) optionally purifying the nucleoside to obtain a substantially pure protected ?-D- or ?-L-1,3-dioxolane nucleoside.

Abstract: Lantibiotics are synthesized on ribosomes as prepeptides and post-translationally modified to a mature form. These modifications include dehydrations and cyclizations. Compounds and related methods of generating compounds, modified by dehydration, cyclization, or dehydration and cyclization, are disclosed. The disclosure includes in vitro approaches to effecting dehydration and cyclization leading to production of biologically active compounds such as lantibiotics and variants thereof. Synthetic variants and methods including combinatorial approaches for generating diverse lantibiotics and other compounds are disclosed. The invention has broad potential for applications including food, agricultural, and medical industries.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a field emission electron source includes the following steps: (a) providing a pair of conductive bases (32, 42) each having a top (322, 422), the tops being spaced apart from and opposite to each other, the tops being immersed in a solution (50) having carbon nanotubes dispersed therein; (b) applying an alternating voltage (60) between the two conductive bases thereby causing at least one carbon nanotube to become assembled between the tops of the conductive bases; (c) shutting off the alternating voltage between the conductive bases and removing the solution between the tops of the two conductive bases; (d) detaching one of the two conductive bases in a matter such that the carbon nanotube remains connected with one of the tops of the conductive bases; and (e) modifying the carbon nanotube to create a low work function coating on a least a tip/free end thereof.

Abstract: A method of making dielectric ceramics containing mixed metal oxides is provided. The method comprises the steps of at least partially coating a metal oxide powder with a metal hydroxide or metal oxide, compacting the coated powder with one or more additional metal compounds or metal compound precursors, and directly sintering the compact in a single step. The method of the invention may be used to avoid occurrence of significant quantities of one or more undesired but thermodynamically or kinetically favored side products. The method of the invention may also be used to synthesize perovskites, in particular lead-magnesium-niobium (PMN), lead-magnesium-niobium-lead-titanium (PMN-PT) perovskites, or lead zirconate titanate (PZT).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method that increase the concentration of recycled hydrogen in the hydrogenation unit are disclosed having a hydration separation unit included between the high-pressure separator and hydrocracking reactor. A part of the recycled hydrogen contacts with the water-in-oil microemulsion to form hydrates from which the light hydrocarbon components are removed. The gas flow entering into the hydration separation unit is present in amount of 20%˜100% of the total gas flow coming from the high-pressure separator; the water-in-oil microemulsion, in which the volume ratio of oil and water is 1:1 to 5:1 may increase hydrogen partial pressure in the reactor and thus upgrade the performance of hydrogenation.

Abstract: A waveguide including: a first section including a first surface, a second surface, an upper wall, and a lower wall facing the upper wall; and a second section extending from the second surface; wherein the first section includes an upper ridge on the upper wall of the first section and a lower ridge on the lower wall of the first section, wherein the second section includes an upper conductor extending from a top portion of the second surface and a lower conductor extending from a lower portion of the second surface with a gap between the upper and lower conductors, wherein the upper conductor is electrically connected to the upper ridge, wherein the lower conductor is electrically connected to the lower ridge, and wherein the upper and lower conductors are adapted to propagate a wave and reduce discontinuity of the wave a connection between the first and second sections.

Abstract: A method for reducing the explosive potential of a nitrogen-based fertilizer product includes coating the product with a composition including a coal combustion by-product. The coal combustion by-product may be oxidized prior to coating the product, and further may be one or more of Class C fly ash, Class F fly ash, and flue gas desulfurization waste. A primary binder and one or more secondary binders may be included. The primary binder may be water. The secondary binder may be one or more of an organic and an inorganic binder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metalloprotein inhibitors comprising: a. an organic substituent and at least one zinc binding group (ZBG) covalently attached thereto; or b. a ZBG substituted by a side chain wherein the ZBG is of formula (I): wherein X is O or S and each R1, R2, R3, and R4 is individually hydrogen or an organic radical. The metalloprotein inhibitors are useful for preventing or treating a pathological disease, condition, or symptom that is associated with pathological metalloprotein activity and/or that is alleviated by inhibition of said activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a systematic relationship between a plurality of points include determining an estimated systematic relationship representative of the plurality of points according to an estimation function and based on a given set of measured points. The estimated systematic relationship having coordinate data and normal vector data associated with the given set of points and corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of points. Further, an adaptive sampling mechanism may automatically determine whether further measurements are required based on the estimated systematic relationship and based on predetermined measurement criteria. Additionally, a data verification device may remove inaccurate data from the estimation process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a path in a wireless network are provided where the method includes receiving location information about a first neighbor node and a second neighbor node, the first neighbor node being located within a range of a first hop from a source node, the second neighbor node being located within a range of a second hop from the source node, determining a direction of a point where the second neighbor node is located, based on the source node, by using the received location information; detecting a particular second neighbor node having a same direction of a point where a destination node is located, based on the source node, and limitedly establishing a path via the detected second neighbor node, when the source node establishes a path for transmitting predetermined data to the destination node.

Abstract: A method of analyzing tissue includes inserting a radiation source into tissue, impinging radiation upon the tissue, obtaining a sample signal of the radiation that impinges upon the tissue, and determining a refractive index of the tissue from the sample signal. The method may also include determining at least one other optical property of the tissue. The method may provide for identifying tissue as part of a biopsy method. A device for analyzing tissue may include a low-coherence interferometer and a probe optically coupled to the interferometer, where the probe includes a radiation source.

Abstract: A personalized audio system for an amusement ride includes an audio selection system, a guest identification system and a ride vehicle enabled to reproduce audio selections made using the selection system in a specific seat of the ride vehicle corresponding to the seat occupied by the guest who selected the audio during that guest's ride on the amusement ride.

Abstract: Identification of a pig as resistant or non-resistant to enterotoxigenic E. Coli (ETEC). Particularly, there is provided methods, probes and DNA molecules involved in identifying a pig as resistant or non-resistant to ETEC. There is also provided methods for breeding pigs using the information of resistance/non-resistance, mixed boar semen, and methods for developing drugs to compensate for non-resistance to ETEC.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel analogs of choline and methods of use or treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and/or conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington disease, Alzheimer's disease and related disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, Friedrich's ataxia, Pick's disease, Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome, Refsom's disease, retinal degeneration, Cruetzfelt-Jacob syndrome or prion disease (mad cow disease), dementia with Lewy bodies, schizophrenia, paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration and neurodegenerative conditions caused by stroke. The present compounds are effective to treat any neurological condition where acetylcholine transmission neurons and their target cells are affected.

Abstract: An adherent bioactive calcium phosphate coating is formed on a titanium or titanium alloy substrate by immersing the substrate in an acidic calcium phosphate solution to form a non-apatitic calcium phosphate coating on the substrate. In a second step the coated substrate can be converted to a less reactive coating by being immersed into a basic or neutral solution to convert the coating into an apatite. However if a relatively reactive coating is desired, the second step can be dispensed with.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining the antibody specificity profile in an individual. This specificity profile reveals the individual's immune response to multiple antigens and/or epitopes of autoantigens, allergens, graft antigens, etc. The antibody specificity profile is determined through the binding of patient samples comprising antibodies to the arrays. The array can comprises antigens and epitopes. The invention also provides the means and methods for determining antigen or epitope specificity profiles that can be used in the development of either generic and individualized diagnosis and treatment for immune related diseases, including autoimmune disease, allergy and graft rejection.