Abstract: The p62 protein has been analyzed and identified as the significant contributor to several metabolic pathways that lead to metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease, and other related diseases. The absence of the p62 protein has a profound effect on the accumulation of tau protein, amyloid beta protein and an increase in blood insulin levels. The accumulation of tau protein and amyloid beta protein in neurological tissues is a hallmark of neurological metabolic diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias. Moreover, increase blood insulin levels is an indicator of insulin resistance in mammals. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for screening a mammal for metabolic disease comprising the step of detecting the absence of the p62 protein.

Abstract: Methods of moving or vibrating cantilevered optical fibers of scanning fiber devices are disclosed. In one aspect, a method may include vibrating the cantilevered optical fiber at an initial frequency that is substantially displaced from a resonant frequency of the cantilevered optical fiber. Then, the frequency of vibration of the cantilevered optical fiber may be changed over a period of time toward the resonant frequency. Light may be directed through an end of the cantilevered optical fiber while the cantilevered optical fiber is vibrated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a quilt packaging system for microchip, a method for making such a quilt packaging system, microchips that may be used in a such a quilt packaging system, and methods for making such microchips.

Abstract: An electromagnet having at least one access port oriented perpendicularly to the electromagnet's central axis. The magnet has a conventional helical winding along its central axis. However, at some point along the length of the axis, the pitch of the helical winding is greatly increased in order to create a region with a comparatively low turn density. One or more ports are provided in this region. These ports provide access from the magnet's central bore to the magnet's exterior. A sample can be placed in the central bore near the ports. A beam traveling down the central bore, or through one of the radial ports, will strike the sample and be scattered in all directions. The ports allow access for instrumentation which is used to evaluate the scattered beam.

Abstract: Novel analogues and derivatives of novobiocin are provided, including compounds having modifications to the amide side chain, coumarin ring, and sugar moieties. The compounds of the present invention are useful as heat shock protein 90 inhibitors, and may be used as anticancer and neuroprotective agents.

Abstract: A friction stir welding anvil and method of producing a friction stir welding anvil that precludes diffusion or mechanical bonding of the anvil to the work pieces are provided. The alternatives for producing such an anvil comprise coating the anvil with diffusion barriers such as oxides, nitrides, intermetallics, and/or refractory metals; manufacturing an anvil either completely or partially from the same; or placing a coating of such materials in the form of a thin sheet or a powder between the anvil and the work pieces. The anvil disclosed herein exhibits high strength and hardness even at elevated temperatures, such as those greater than 800° C., so as to prevent the anvil from mechanically or diffusion bonding to the work pieces and so as to minimize, or eliminate altogether, anvil deformation.

Abstract: A chip for igniting nanoenergetic materials, includes a substrate, an igniter positioned on the substrate and the nanoenergetic material arranged in a linear pattern positioned on said substrate. A method of making a chip for igniting nanoenergetic materials includes providing a substrate, forming an igniter on the substrate and coating the substrate with a polymer layer. A pattern of nanoenergetic material comprising a fuel and an oxidizer is formed on the substrate. The nanoenergetic material is ignited by the igniter by supplying power to the leads attached to the heater film.

Abstract: Electroactive P(VDF-CTFE) copolymers comprising CTFE in ranges between 5 mol % to 20 mol % are disclosed. The electroactive P(VDF-CTFE) copolymers are formed into films that exhibit strain values of 2% or more in response to one or more electromagnetic fields. The electroactive P(VDF-CTFE) copolymer films are deposited using ink-jet printing, slide coating, spin-coating, extrusion coating, meniscus coating, dip coating, spray coating or a combination thereof. Patterned P(VDF-CTFE) copolymer films are formed using lithographic techniques, nanoimprint techniques, nanolithography techniques or a combination thereof. The electroactive P(VDF-CTFE) copolymer films are used in the activation and/or operation of micro-mechanical devices and/or electrical devices.

Abstract: A general, computational-mathematical modeling method for the solution of large, boundary-coupled transport problems involving the flow of mass, momentum, energy or subatomic particles is disclosed. The method employs a modeling processor that extracts a matrix operator equation (or set of equations) from a numerical transport code (NTC). The outputs of software codes, available for modeling physical problems governed by conservation laws in the form of differential equations, can be processed into closed-form operator equations with the method. Included is a numerical transport code functionalization (NTCF) model which can be determined numerically, based on a system of solutions of an NTC, evaluating outputs for a given set of inputs. The NTCF model is a linear or nonlinear, multi-variable operator equation or set of such equations. The NTCF model defines relationships between general, time-variable inputs and outputs, some known and some unknown, considered as boundary values.

Abstract: A method of growing nitride semiconductor material and particularly a method of growing Indium nitride is disclosed can increase surface flatness of a nitride semiconductor material and decrease density of V-defects therein. Further, the method can increase light emission efficiency of a quantum well or quantum dots of the produced LED as well as greatly increase yield. The method is also applicable to the fabrications of electronic devices made of nitride semiconductor material and diodes of high breakdown voltage for rectification. The method can greatly increase surface flatness of semiconductor material for HBT, thereby increasing quality of the produced semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Novel HIV vaccines comprising an avirulent and non-cytolytic recombinant HIVs are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for identification of carriers of Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA) in equine species. In particular, this invention identifies a single nucleotide polymorphorism (SNP) in cyclophlin B that can be used to identify carriers of HERDA and individuals affected by HERDA.

Abstract: 2? and/or 3? prodrugs of 1?, 2?, 3? or 4?-branched nucleosides, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives are described. These prodrugs are useful in the prevention and treatment of Flaviviridae infections, including HCV infection, and other related conditions. Compounds and compositions of the prodrugs of the present invention are described. Methods and uses are also provided that include the administration of an effective amount of the prodrugs of the present invention, or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts or derivatives. These drugs may optionally be administered in combination or alteration with further anti-viral agents to prevent or treat Flaviviridae infections and other related conditions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a heterogeneity-projection hard-decision interpolation method for color reproduction, which utilizes a heterogeneity-projection method to determine the optimal edge direction and then utilizes a hard-decision rule to determine the optimal interpolation direction and obtain the information of the green color elements. The high-frequency information of the plane of the green color elements is incorporated into the processing of the planes of the red color elements and the blue color elements to reduce the restoration errors of the red and blue color elements. Therefore, the present invention can decrease the interpolation-direction errors and achieve a higher PSNR and a better visual effect.

Abstract: A broadband antenna is capable of generating an upper resonant mode (at about 700 MHz) from a first radiating arm and a lower resonant mode (at about 500 MHz) from a second radiating arm. The first and second radiating arms are bent at least one time. An open end of the second radiating arm is extended toward an open end of the first radiating arm with a predefined distance there between. The predefined distance can be adjusted to improve the impedance matching of lower resonant mode, which can be further combined with the upper resonant mode to achieve a broad bandwidth covering the complete spectrum of digital TV channels (470-862 MHz).

Abstract: A mask used for a Lithographie, Galvanofomung, and Abformung (LIGA) process, a method for manufacturing the mask, and a method for manufacturing a microstructure using a LIGA process.

Abstract: A method of forming an image of a sample, comprising: forming an image of a mixture, by exposing the mixture to electromagnetic radiation; wherein the mixture comprises the sample and plasmon-resonant nanoparticles, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation is in the frequency range of infra-red to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of CNS damage are described, and include inducing in a subject in need of such treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of functional electronic stimulation (FES) sufficient to evoke patterned movement in the subject's muscles, the control of which has been affected by the CNS damage. The induction of FES-evoked patterned movement at least partially restores lost motor and sensory function, and stimulates regeneration of neural progenitor cells in the subject patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the treatment and/or prevention of bacterial infection in central nervous system and/or peripheral blood circulation in a mammal by administering effective amount of outer membrane protein A (OmpA) or its derivatives to a mammal. Also provided is an antibody binding to OmpA that can assay OmpA levels in a biological sample and detect or diagnose bacterial infection in central nervous system and/or peripheral blood circulation.

Abstract: A human gene termed APC is disclosed. Methods and kits are provided for assessing mutations of the APC gene in human tissues and body samples. APC mutations are found in familial adenomatous polyposis patients as well as in sporadic colorectal cancer patients. APC is expressed in most normal tissues. These results suggest that APC is a tumor suppressor.