Abstract: Single, acentric, hexagonal, beryllium borate crystals having the formula Sr2Be2B2O7 and of a size sufficient for use in a variety of laser and non-optical applications are formed by a hydrothermal method. Alternate structures are formed by partially substituting the strontium ion with at least one other divalent metal ion.

Abstract: A new xylose reductase encoding gene from Neurspora crassa was heterologously expressed in E. coli as a His-tag fusion protein and subsequently purified in high yield. This xylose reductase was shown to have a high turnover rate and catalytic efficiency, high stability at room temperature, broad pH profile, and a preference of NADPH over NADH. This enzyme is utilized in production of xylitol and other sugar alcohols such as sorbitol and also in the metabolic enhancement of organisms used for fermentation of plant biomass into ethanol.

Abstract: The membrane scaffold proteins (MSP) of the present invention assemble with hydrophobic or partially hydrophobic proteins to form soluble nanoscale particles which preserve native structure and function; they are improved over liposomes and detergent micelles, in terms of stability and preservation of biological activity and native conformation. In the presence of phospholipid, MSPs form nanoscopic phospholipid bilayer disks, with the MSP stabilizing the particle at the perimeter of the bilayer domain. The particle bilayer structure allows manipulation of incorporated proteins in solution or on solid supports, including for use with such surface-sensitive techniques as scanning probe microscopy or surface plasmon resonance. The nanoscale particles, which are robust in terms of integrity and maintenance of biological activity of incorporated proteins, facilitate pharmaceutical and biological research, structure/function correlations, structure determinations, bioseparations, and drug discovery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a structure of a flip-flop that is tolerant to the noise pulses occurring due to the presence of crosstalk faults by sampling the input data multiple times before and after the active clock edge. The final stored value at the flip-flop is determined by the resolution of a counter circuit residing in the flip-flop, which is activated at the change of the sampled input data. This counter based resolution mechanism allows for the detection and filtering of the noise pulse induced at the input of the flip-flop due to a crosstalk fault.

Abstract: A digital communication system based on the use of chaotic carriers is disclosed. For each symbol to be sent, the transmitter sends a reference chaotic signal followed by a transformed version of the reference chaotic signal. For different symbols, different transformations are performed. Also, the transformations are designed such that the transformed versions of the reference chaotic signal do not resemble the original reference chaotic signal. As a consequence, little information can be deduced by inspecting the frequency spectrum of the transmitted signal. Moreover, even if the communication could be detected, it is difficult to decode the messages because there are numerous transformations possible.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for constructing optimal cybernetic based systems. The method is based on a process of formalized rational inquiry, measurement and planned action. More particularly, the method relies upon the precise determination of alternatives through inquiry, a formal logical model of measurement, and the subsequent matching of information obtained through measurement to possible courses of action to arrive at a realizable and useful cybernetic system architecture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to producing a plant containing vitamin B12. Accordingly, the present invention provides a seed and a plant containing vitamin B12. The present invention is also directed to a method of producing a plant containing vitamin B12 comprising soaking a seed, spore or hypha of a plant in a soaking solution containing vitamin B12, and cultivating the seed, spore or hypha of the plant thus soaked. Furthermore, the present invention provides a soaking solution containing vitamin B12 for introducing vitamin B12 into a plant.

Abstract: The light emitting surface of an image display light box is formed of multi-layer optical film having a reflectance greater than 95% and preferably about 99% or greater. This more efficiently utilizes light rays emitted by the light box's internal light source, since the multi-layer optical film reflects the light rays many times before the rays are absorbed and lost. Consequently, the light emitting surface can have a light transmissivity characteristic which is macroscopically invariant as a function of position on the light emitting surface. Light boxes utilizing prior art reflective materials require cumbersome, time-consuming, iterative trial and error techniques which must be customized for each light box in order to compensate for light absorption losses by imparting a variable transmissivity characteristic to the reflective material.

Abstract: A clay-polyurethane nanocomposite comprising a clay and a polyurethane covalently bonded to the surface of the clay wherein the polyurethane is formed by reacting a clay-containing diisocyanate compound with a polyol, the clay-containing diisocyanate compound contains a diisocyanate compound covalently bonded to surface silanol groups of the clay and 0.5˜5% by weight of the clay based on the diisocyanate compound, and the clay is exfoliated by the polyurethane such that no wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) peak is detected between 2° and 10° by XRD measurement. The clay-polyurethane nanocomposite structure has clay layers are completely exfoliated. In addition, the clay-polyurethane nanocomposite can be foamed to prepare a foamed clay-polyurethane nanocomposite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound having the formula where Z is an amine, phenoxy, or thiol-containing group, and Y is an alkyl-containing amine. Methods of producing such compounds and using them to treat patients with diabetes and obesity are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to treating such conditions with GADPH inhibitors and screening compounds useful for treating such conditions by using GADPH inhibitors. Compounds can also be screened for their effectiveness in modulating diabetes and obesity with a C. elegans strain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel nucleic acid molecule encoding an amino acid sequence, which is capable of forming a cyclic structure. Cyclization may occur within a cell or cell membrane, or linear forms of the molecules may be circularised or partially circularised, in vitro using isolated enzyme systems or chemical means. The cyclised amino acid sequence is generally in the form of a stabilized folded structure such as a cyclic knotted peptide, polypeptide or protein or functional equivalent. The nucleic acid molecules and cyclic and linear peptides are useful inter alia in the generation of molecules having animal or plant therapeutic properties, as well as in a range of diagnostic, industrial and agricultural, including horticultural, applications. Of particular importance is the use of these molecules in the protection of plants, such as crop plants, from pest and/or pathogen infestation.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining antisense oligonucleotides with activity against a desired target are provided. Methods of identifying oligonucleotide sequence motifs which are predictive of antisense oligonucleotide activity are provided, as are motifs identified according to this method. Methods of selecting effective antisense oligonucleotide sequences and effective antisense target sequences are provided, as are sequences selected according to these methods. In other methods of the invention, oligonucleotides are designed to hybridize to target sequences containing one or more activity-enhancing motifs. Antisense oligonucleotides designed according to these methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides selenium derivatives of nucleosides, nucleoside phosphoramidites, nucleotides, nucleotide triphosphates, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, and larger nucleic acids and methods for their synthesis. Selenium derivatives of both ribonucleic acids and deoxyribonulcleic acids, as well as methods for their synthesis, crystallization and uses in structural determinations, particularly by X-ray crystallographic techniques are disclosed. The selenium derivatives of the present invention are also useful as food supplements.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for monitoring tissue regions. In particular, the present invention provides systems and methods for detecting changes in tissue regions over a period of time. In some embodiments, the systems and methods of the present invention are used to evaluate the effectiveness of a particular treatment of a tissue region. In some embodiments, the systems and methods of the present invention provide a parametric response map approach for detecting and analyzing changes in tissue regions over a period of time to detect and monitor disease or tissue health and to monitor the impact of therapeutic interventions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to analgesic compounds having a mu opioid receptor agonist linked to a delta opioid receptor antagonist, and to methods for producing analgesia using such compounds. As compared to opioids such as morphine, these compounds can cause less tolerance, physical dependence, and/or constipation. These compounds are also more potent than morphine and are able to cross the blood brain barrier, thereby allowing for peripheral (e.g., IV) administration.

Abstract: The subject invention provides polynucleotide sequences, designated BIVM, and transcriptional/translational products obtained from the polynucleotide sequences of the invention. The subject invention also provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences provided by SEQ ID NOs: 1-28. Also provided are methods of detecting the presence of BIVM nucleic acids or polypeptides in samples suspected of containing BIVM genes, BIVM transcriptional products, or BIVM translational products. These methods are also useful for the detection of BIVM orthologs. Other embodiments provide polypeptide and/or nucleic acid vaccines for the induction of an immune response to in an individual. Kits for detecting the presence of BIVM genes, orthologs thereof, BIVM polypeptides, or BIVM transcriptional products are also provided.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte structure containing a porous solid electrolyte is prepared. At least the porous solid electrolyte of the solid electrolyte structure is immersed in a first sol solution containing at least a precursor of an electrode active material as a solute. Then, the first sol solution, in which the porous solid electrolyte is immersed, is heated. A solvent of the first sol solution is evaporated by the heating, whereby a pore of the porous solid electrolyte is filled with a high concentration (a large amount) of the electrode active material precursor.

Abstract: Blood flow restrictors are discussed. In some examples, a restrictor apparatus includes a converging entry portion, a diverging exit portion, and optionally a narrowed portion therebetween to restrict the flow of blood through an arteriovenous graft from a subject's artery to a vein. The structure of the restrictor apparatus decreases the pressure and volume of blood flow between the artery and vein to reduce or prevent hyperplasia or stenosis on the venous side, an increased load on the heart, or blood steal, among other things. The restrictor apparatus can be separate from, but couplable to, the arteriovenous graft. The restrictor apparatus can be integral with the arteriovenous graft. In some examples, the restrictor apparatus can be inserted into the arteriovenous graft in a compressed size and shape, and subsequently be allowed to expand to an uncompressed size and shape. Methods of forming and using the restrictor apparatus are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sampler for gas hydrates by hole bottom freezing, the sampler comprises a fisher, a wire-line coring mechanism and an outer barrel, and it further comprises a refrigeration portion, a low temperature control portion and a frozen insulation sample portion, which constitute an inner barrel assembly located inside the outer barrel together, wherein a refrigerant in the refrigeration portion is injected into the frozen insulation sample portion under a control of the low temperature control portion, so that a cooling medium in the frozen insulation sample portion is always kept under a predetermined temperature, and a core sample of gas hydrates is frozen at the bottom of a drill hole. The invention also relates to a sampling method using the sampler as mentioned above.