Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery that pleiotrophin binds to and activates a pleiotrophin-receptor which is responsible for the events associated with pleiotrophin activity including tumorigenesis, cell proliferation, and cell invasion. By interfering with that association, the cascade of events associated with pleiotrophin activity can be prevented or reversed. Further, by evaluating the effect of different compounds and conditions on the interaction, new drugs and treatments can be identified for use in preventing certain cancers and growth and developmental disorders.

Abstract: Pigs challenged with hypoglycosylated variants of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) major surface protein GP5 exhibited increased production of PRRSV-neutralizing antibodies relative to the levels of neutralizing antibodies produced by pigs immunized with wild type (wt) or glycosylated GP5. This invention provides for methods of obtaining improved immune responses in pigs to PRRSV, compositions useful for obtaining the improved immune responses as well as isolated polynucleotides that encode hypoglycosylated variants of PRRSV major surface protein GP5.

Abstract: A solar tracking device for overcoming the disadvantages of a conventional solar energy system utilizing motors and to lower electricity consumption and decrease cost is provided. The device includes a solar module or solar collector supported by two springs under both ends and two water tanks on both ends. The solar module or solar collector, similar to a heliostat, is adapted to slowly revolve in response to the imbalanced water tanks filled with different amount of water.

Abstract: A log-periodic antenna coupled to a channelizer is described in which matched scale constants for the antenna and the channelizer are used to achieve substantially identical coupling over each fractional bandwidth channel. Embodiments for simultaneous dual polarization operation are described as well as embodiments suited for planar lithographic fabrication.

Abstract: A volume Bragg laser including a resonator comprising photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) volume diffractive elements that can be used in a laser emitting window of transparency of PTR glass to provide control of the lasers spectral and angular parameters, and methods, devices, apparatus and systems related thereto. The high efficiency volume Bragg gratings recorded in photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass preferably has an absolute diffraction efficiency exceeding approximately 95% in transmitting and reflecting modes is used for selection of a transverse and longitudinal mode for thermal, optical and mechanical stabilization of the volume Bragg lasers and coherent coupling of different lasers. Robustness, compactness, thermal and laser stability along with the ability to place several elements in the same space allows the use of sophisticated optical system according to the invention in fields of military lasers, optical communications, data storage and processing, and the like.

Abstract: Ternary optical data storage method and apparatus for Write Once Read Many Times (WORM) optical data storage with two-photon fluorescent writing and readout. The data storage capacity is limited by the optical resolution of a system. In CD/DVD systems, an increase in the aerial data density has been primarily achieved by decreasing the bit dimension. However, the size of the optical spot (bit) is restricted by limitations imposed by the diffraction of light (Rayleigh criterion). Therefore, technologies that can effectively create and detect spot sizes beyond the diffraction limit (sub-Rayleigh) hold promise to achieving high-density optical storage.

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

Abstract: Provided are HLA pan DR-binding peptides and methods of using such peptides to modulate, block, or inhibit immune responses to effect treatment of immune-mediated diseases and conditions, such as inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, cancer, and microbial infections. These peptides and methods are also useful diagnostically to screen peptide or peptide analogs that can inhibit the pathogenic immune response or up-regulate an immune response against aberrant or invading cells, to monitor efficacy for therapeutic treatments, and to identify other agents that may be effective to inhibit or otherwise modulate an immune response such as by altering T cell functional phenotype, and even more particularly by modulating the regulatory phenotype of regulatory T cells and/or inducing emergence of T cells with a different functional phenotype.

Abstract: A laser system using ultrashort laser pulses is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, the system includes a laser, pulse shaper and detection device. A further aspect of the present invention employs a femtosecond laser and binary pulse shaping (BPS). Still another aspect of the present invention uses a laser beam pulse, a pulse shaper and a SHG crystal.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical or dietetic dosage form comprising of effective quantity of an active substance chemically or physically bound to a support comprising sporopollenin, or other similar exine coating of spores, of a plant or fungus, optionally with further excipients.

Abstract: Techniques for controllably directing beamlets to a target substrate are disclosed. The beamlets may be either positive ions or electrons. It has been shown that beamlets may be produced with a diameter of 1 ?m, with inter-aperture spacings of 12 ?m. An array of such beamlets, may be used for maskless lithography. By step-wise movement of the beamlets relative to the target substrate, individual devices may be directly e-beam written. Ion beams may be directly written as well. Due to the high brightness of the beamlets from extraction from a multicusp source, exposure times for lithographic exposure are thought to be minimized. Alternatively, the beamlets may be electrons striking a high Z material for X-ray production, thereafter collimated to provide patterned X-ray exposures such as those used in CAT scans. Such a device may be used for remote detection of explosives.

Abstract: A user interface for displaying information to a user of a universal remote control. The user interface displays to the user a list having a plurality of items each being associated with one or more devices that can be controlled using the remote control and, in response to the user selecting one of the plurality of items from the list, the remote control is caused to access at least one command code for transmission to at least one device setup within the remote control as being associated with the user selected one of the plurality of items and, simultaneously, retrieve Web content which has also been associated within the remote control to the user selected one of the plurality of items from a Web content server which retrieved Web content is displayed in a display of the remote control.

Abstract: An efficient and environmentally beneficial method of recycling and producing methanol from varied sources of carbon dioxide including flue gases of fossil fuel burning powerplants, industrial exhaust gases or the atmosphere itself. Converting carbon dioxide by chemical or electrochemical reduction secondary treatment to produce essentially methanol, dimethyl ether and derived products.

Abstract: Techniques are described for space-time block coding for single-carrier block transmissions over frequency selective multipath fading channels. Techniques are described that achieve a maximum diversity of order NtNr (L+1) in rich scattering environments, where Nt (Nr) is the number of transmit (receive) antennas, and L is the order of the finite impulse response (FIR) channels. The techniques may include parsing a stream of information-bearing symbols to form blocks of K symbols, precoding the symbols to form blocks having J symbols, and collecting consecutive Ns blocks. The techniques may further include applying a permutation matrix to the Ns blocks, generating a space-time block coded matrix having Nt rows that are communicated through a wireless communication medium. The receiver complexity is comparable to single antenna transmissions, and the exact Viterbi's algorithm can be applied for maximum-likelihood (ML) optimal decoding.

Abstract: A method of controlling obesity by injecting bio-compatible bulking material into the pyloric sphincter area of the stomach. The injection of this material bulks the pyloric sphincter, retarding stomach emptying and producing a feeling of satiation in the patient. The method may be supplemental and augmented by inducing flaccid paralysis of the stomach by injecting botulinum toxin into the muscle tissue of the antrum or fundus of the stomach.

Abstract: The present invention provides an effective data structure in finding frequent itemsets over data streams and finds necessary information using the data structure. The data structure proposed in the present invention is defined as a compressed prefix tree structure, and the compressed prefix tree merges or splits nodes during the mining operation by comparing the prefix tree structure applied to the conventional data mining to manage a plurality of items in a single node, thus dynamically and flexibly adjusting the tree size. Such dynamic adjustment function dynamically merges and splits nodes in the prefix tree, if the variation of itemsets that are most likely to be frequent itemsets due to the variation of the data stream, thus maximizing the accuracy of the mining result in a restricted memory space, i.e., the accuracy of frequent itemsets found.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel peptides, nucleic acids, vectors, compounds, compositions and methods for regulating nuclear import. The present invention also relates to a lentiviral NLS, and methods of use thereof for inhibiting HIV pathogenesis and disease progression, and for gene delivery methods.

Abstract: A field emission device, including: a cathode substrate; a carbon nanotube array slice attached on the cathode substrate, the carbon nanotube array slice including a plurality of carbon nanotube segments arranged approximately parallel to each other, the carbon nanotube segments each having a first end and an opposite second end, the first ends thereof terminating at a common plane, and the second ends thereof being electrically connected to the cathode plant. A method for manufacturing the field emission devices based on carbon nanotube array is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the methods and compositions related to pseudotyped viral vectors. Embodiments of the invention include pseudotyping expression cassettes that include nucleic acid elements for enhancing the titer of pseudotyped viral particles. Embodiments of the invention include novel methods and compositions related to making high titer pseudotyped retroviral vector compositions. A heterologous envelope glycoprotein is typically incorporated into the virus during the budding or virus production process. Certain embodiments of the invention include pseudotyped retroviral vectors comprising a heterologous envelope glycoprotein derived from a Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV env). Pseudotyped viruses or viral particles may have a modified host range that is influenced by the properties of the heterologous envelope glycoprotein.

Abstract: A luminal coupling tube system for providing access to a lumen of a subject is disclosed. The system includes an internal magnet assembly, a snare assembly, an external magnet, a pull wire system and a feeding tube assembly. The internal magnet assembly includes an internal magnet having a first coupling surface and a tether for traversing an endoscope instrument channel. The snare assembly includes a snare, a snare operating device, and a cable. The external magnet includes a second coupling surface. The polar orientation of the external magnet is opposite the polar orientation of the internal magnet such that the first and second coupling surface are magnetically attracted. The pull wire system includes a needle, a cannula and a pull wire. The feeding tube assembly includes a tube, a snare, a connector, and a dome fixed to the tube. A method of use is disclosed.