Abstract: A system can comprise a screw and a nut, which are configured to move relative to each other. Each of the screw and the nut components can comprise one or more magnets configured to exert a repulsive force on one or more magnets of the other component as a result of the relative motion. Interactions between the one or more magnets of the screw and the one or more magnets of the nut can allow for conversion between linear motion and rotary motion. One or more tools can be used to aid in manufacturing the screw and/or the nut. In some embodiments additional components can aid in maintaining alignment of the screw and the nut.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising a functional IL-6 molecule and a functional DS-sIL-6R molecule. The present invention also relates to a nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein, methods of producing the fusion protein, and the use of the fusion protein in the treatment of infectious diseases and in inflammatory and immunological disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for (a) reducing mortality associated with heart failure; (b) improving oxygen consumption; (c) treating heart failure; (d) treating hypertension; (e) improving the quality of life in a heart failure patient; (f) inhibiting left ventricular remodeling; (g) reducing hospitalizations related to heart failure; (h) improving exercise tolerance; (j) increasing left ventricular ejection fraction; (Ic) decreasing levels of B-type natriuretic protein; (l) treating renovascular diseases; (m) treating end-stage renal diseases; (n) reducing cardiomegaly; (o) treating diseases resulting from oxidative stress; (p) treating endothelial dysfunctions; (q) treating diseases caused by endothelial dysfunctions; or (r) treating cardiovascular diseases; in a patient in need thereof, wherein the patient has a ?344 (T/T) polymorphism or a ?344 (C/C) polymorphism in an aldosterone synthase CYP11B2 gene, comprising administering to the patient (i) at least one antioxidant compound or a pharmaceutically

Abstract: A process for growth of boron-based nanostructures, such as nanotubes and nanowires, with a controlled diameter and with controlled chemical (such as composition, doping) as well as physical (such as electrical and superconducting) properties is described. The boron nanostructures are grown on a metal-substituted MCM-41 template with pores having a uniform pore diameter of less than approximately 4 nm, and can be doped with a Group Ia or Group IIa electron donor element during or after growth of the nanostructure. Preliminary data based on magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest that Mg-doped boron nanotubes have a superconducting transition temperature on the order of 100 K.

Abstract: This invention discloses a micro optical pickup apparatus for providing an incident light to an optical recording medium, receiving a reflected light from the optical recording medium, and thereby accessing data of the optical recording medium.

Abstract: A method for beamforming by a transmission device in a multiantenna multiuser communication system. The method includes grouping codebook indexes included in a codebook into codebook index combinations, and calculating a sum of transmission rate for each of the codebook index combinations; selecting a codebook index combination with a maximum sum of transmission rate as an optimal codebook index combination; and transmitting a codebook index corresponding to a particular reception device among codebook indexes included in the optimal codebook index combination, to the particular reception device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for cell separation. In particular, the invention relates to separation of a particular cell type from a mixture of different cell types based on the differential rolling property of the particular cell type on a substrate coated with molecules that exhibits adhesive property with the particular cell type. This technology is adaptable for use in implantable shunts and devices for cell trafficking or tumor neutralization.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant Mycobacterium bovis which expresses at least one Chlamydophila pneumoniae antigen.

Abstract: Activity-based probes, which are specific for certain active cysteine proteases (caspase, cathepsin and legumain) and carry radioactive labels, are disclosed. The present probes comprise an acyloxymethyketone (AOMK) “warhead” that binds only to active enzyme. The probes further comprise peptide-like structure that targets the probe to a specific cysteine protease or protease family, and a radiolabel on the probe, which is bound to the targeted enzyme. It has been found that the present probes are stable in vivo and give specific target images distinguishable over background. The preferred probes are labeled with a positron-emitting agent such as 64Cu, 125I (SPECT) and 99mTc (PET). The probes show in vivo half-life and stability well suited for imaging.

Abstract: An injection-locked frequency divider for dividing a frequency of an injection signal and obtaining a frequency divided signal is provided. The injection-locked frequency divider includes a signal injection unit and an oscillator. The signal injection unit includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal for receiving the injection signal. The received injection signal exhibits a phase difference of 180° between the first input terminal and the second input terminal. The oscillator includes an inductor unit and a variable capacitance unit. The injection-locked frequency divider is featured with a wide injection locking range, and can be realized with a low operation voltage, and therefore can be conveniently used in different kinds of hybrid ICs.

Abstract: There is disclosed a phase sensitive surface plasmon resonance sensing apparatus wherein a testing beam may be reflected from a sensing surface at a plurality of angles. There are also disclosed methods for surface plasmon resonance sensing.

Abstract: A method of preparing nanoparticles includes using low-temperature plasma and a pulsed second process gas. Nanoparticles having uniform sizes and nanoparticles having a core-shell structure may be formed. A lithium battery includes an electrode that includes the nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention attempts to establish a method for surface-fixing single-walled carbon nanotubes having a desired chirality highly selected from among the single-walled carbon nanotubes having various chiralities, and utilizes the method to provide an array of the carbon nanotubes for electronic devices. The present invention attempts also to provide a carbon nanotube composition including carbon nanotubes having a single chiral vector (n, m) at a purity of more than 50% based on the unit of number wherein n and m are integers, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Abstract: Provided is a method of predicting pig litter size by evaluating semen, and more particularly, a method of predicting pig litter size using an in-vitro sperm penetration assay (SPA). This is a novel method of predicting in vivo fertilization using a sperm penetration assay in vitro after optimizing each step of the procedure. Thus, it can more accurately predict excellent individuals for producing smaller or larger litters.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods and compositions for predicting a tendency of a subject infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) to develop steatosis. In some embodiments, the disclosed methods include the steps of (a) isolating from the subject a biological sample comprising an HCV Core polypeptide or a nucleic acid molecule encoding an HCV Core polypeptide; and (b) identifying the amino acids in the HCV Core polypeptide or encoded by the nucleic acid molecule in the biological sample corresponding to positions 182/186 of an HCV Core polypeptide amino acid sequence, whereby a tendency to develop steatosis in the subject is predicted when the amino acids corresponding to positions 182/186 of the HCV Core polypeptide amino acid sequence in the biological sample are either phenylalanine/valine or leucine/isoleucine. Also provided are compositions and methods for screening for candidate modulators of lipid accumulation in a subject as well as uses for the candidate modulators.

Abstract: A method for making iron silicide nano-wires comprises the following steps. Firstly, providing a growing substrate and a growing device, the growing device comprising a heating apparatus and a reacting room. Secondly, placing the growing substrate and a quantity of iron powder into the reacting room. Thirdly, introducing a silicon-containing gas into the reacting room. Finally, heating the reacting room to a temperature of 600-1200° C.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel peptide which can exert higher antifungal effect also on a patient whose organ function is impaired with no side effect problems. The peptide comprises the following amino acid sequence: (1) SEQ ID NO:1: Lys-Arg-Leu-Phe-Arg-Arg-Trp-Gln-Trp-Arg-Tyr, (2) SEQ ID NO:2: Arg-Arg-Trp-Gln-Trp-Arg-Met-Lys-Lys-Tyr, (3) SEQ ID NO:3: Lys-Arg-Trp-Gln-TTp-Arg-Leu-Tyr, or (4) SEQ ID NO:4: Lys-Arg-Leu-Phe-Lys-Tyr, an antifungal agent comprising the peptide, a composition having a fungicidal and/or growth inhibitory action against fungus containing an effective amount of the peptide as an active ingredient, a medical apparatus/device which contains the peptide, whereby a fungicidal action is conferred, and a fungicidal and/or growth inhibiting method against fungus comprising administering the peptide and the like.

Abstract: A wireless-linked remote ecological environment monitoring system is proposed, which is characterized by the use of a sensor network such as WSN (wireless sensor network) installed at the remote site for collecting ecological data, and the use of a public wireless communication system such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) for transferring all the collected ecological data to a back-end host server unit where the ecological data are compiled into webpages for posting on a website. This feature allows the research/management personnel to browse the ecological data simply by linking a network workstation via a network system such as the Internet to the website, without having to travel to the remote site and collect ecological data by human labor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible multi-functional logic circuit which switches a current direction to a serial or parallel direction using at least two single electron transistors (SETs) having the same pattern and as many field effect transistors (FETs) as the number of the single electron transistors and performs operations on multi-valued signals using Coulomb oscillation that is the unique characteristic of SET to enable conversion of a single logic circuit to four basic logic circuits of NAND, OR, NOR and AND gates and a device using the same.

Abstract: A method for making silicon nano-structure, the method includes the following steps. Firstly, providing a growing substrate and a growing device, the growing device comprising a heating apparatus and a reacting room. Secondly, placing the growing substrate and a quantity of catalyst separately into the reacting room. Thirdly, introducing a silicon-containing gas and hydrogen gas into the reacting room. Lastly, heating the reacting room to a temperature of 500˜1100° C.