Abstract: A blast reducing structure having a first web and a second web. Each of the webs having a first section defining a first plane, a second section defining a second plane, the second plane being generally parallel to the first plane, an interconnecting section interconnecting the first section to the second section. The first web is disposed in mirrored relationship to the second web to define a volume. An energy absorbing liquid is disposed in the volume, such that the first section, the second section, and the interconnecting section cooperate to collapse in response to an impact pulse, thereby dissipating force associated with the impact pulse. Alternate volumes may be air-filled so as to accept the expelled liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to identification, isolation, characterization and use of a novel gene OSISAP1 obtained from rice and its corresponding novel protein sequence; also relates to a method of over-expressing the novel gene OSISAP1 encoding a zinc-finger stress associated protein from rice conferring salt, cold and drought stress tolerance in transgenic plant systems, further this invention also relates to transgenic plants, plant tissues and plant seeds having a genome containing the novel gene OSISAP1 and a method of producing such plants and plant seeds.

Abstract: A nutritional supplement, prepared food product, or direct food additive for ingestion by mammals, and methods for preparing such products, are provided. Products of the invention comprise an oxidation-resistant fat-based composition substantially free of exogenous solubilizing and dispersing agents for phytosterols. The fat-based composition includes greater than 25% and less than 75% by weight of one or more triglyceride-based edible oil or fat, and greater than 25% and less than 75% by weight of one or more non-esterified phytosterols. The fat-based composition, when exposed to air, contains a reduced amount of oxidative by-products compared to a similar fat-based composition lacking non-esterified phytosterols. Also provided are methods for reducing plasma cholesterol in mammals, and methods for protecting plasma lipoproteins and cholesterol from oxidation by ingestion of products of the invention.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing coeliac disease in a patient comprising (a) providing an antibody sample from the patient to be tested, (b) contacting said antibody sample with cross-linked extracellular matrix (ECM) material immobilized on a surface and (c) detecting binding of antibodies present in the sample to the ECM-coated surface, wherein the binding of antibodies present in the sample to the ECM-coated surface being indicative of a positive diagnosis. Preferably, step (c) comprises an ELISA. The invention further provides a kit of parts for use in diagnosing coeliac disease in a patient.

Abstract: A method for growing a semi-polar nitride semiconductor thin film via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on a substrate, wherein a nitride nucleation or buffer layer is grown on the substrate prior to the growth of the semi-polar nitride semiconductor thin film.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosing neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and dementia with Lewy body disease by detecting a pattern of gene product expression in a cerebrospinal fluid sample and comparing the pattern of gene product expression from the sample to a library of gene product expression pattern known to be indicative of the presence or absence of a neurodegenerative disease. The methods also provide for monitoring neurodegenerative disease progression and assessing the effects of therapeutic treatment. Also provided are kits, systems and devices for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: A new class of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) inhibitors of formula I: wherein X is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and haloalkyl; Ar is an aryl radical selected from the group consisting of phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, anthryl, phenanthryl, and fluorenyl; and wherein Ar is optionally substituted with one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halo, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, azido, C1-C4 azidoalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, haloaryl, haloalkylaryl, and combinations thereof, and R is selected from the group consisting of nitrile, acetonitrile, ethylnitrile, propylnitrile, carboxamide, amidine, tetrazole, oxime, hydrazone, acetamidine, aminoacetamide, guanidine, and urea. Also provided are methods of using the compounds for the treatment and prevention of cancer in humans.

Abstract: An adjustable-volume liquid dispenser is disclosed. In one embodiment, an adjustable-volume liquid dispenser includes a spout and a plunger secured to the spout. The dispenser further includes a plunger lock moveable lengthwise along the plunger. The plunger lock is securable to the plunger at a plurality of positions on the plunger to adjust a volume of liquid to be dispensed. The dispenser also includes a spring in contact with the plunger. In addition, the dispenser includes a chamber comprising an interior for containing liquid. The plunger is slidably arranged with the chamber. A portion of the plunger is disposed within the chamber. Moreover, the dispenser includes a chamber cap secured to the chamber, and a valve disposed within the chamber. The dispenser also includes a shaft secured to the chamber.

Abstract: Isolation and purification of stem cells from within a bulk sarcoma tumor. These cells express the marker genes of pluripotent embryonic stem cells, Stat 3, Oct 3/4, and Nanog. A subset of these cells show the surface marker of mesenchymal stem cells Stro-1, as well as express attributes of mesodermal, ectodermal, and endodermal differentiation. The isolation, purification and characterization of these stem cells now provides the ideal target for the development of highly effective therapies against tumors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for the treatment of cancer. A novel drug combination comprising a ribonuclease compound and a thiazolidinedione compound has been identified as producing a synergistic cytotoxicity effect in cancer cells. Methods and kits pertaining to the co-administration of these compounds are discussed herein.

Abstract: A wireless sensor system identifies a single event in a wireless link. In an embodiment, the wireless sensor system includes an interrogator comprising an oscillator, a power amplifier, an antenna, and a detection circuit. The wireless sensor system also includes a sensor tag. The interrogator and the sensor tag are adapted to inductively couple the antenna and the sensor tag. The detection circuit detects a signal across the antenna, and the single event changes the signal across the antenna. In addition, the detection circuit provides the identification of the single event by detecting the change in the signal across the antenna.

Abstract: A method to identify a high affinity nucleic acid ligand to inhibit the activity of a lactamase enzyme. The method comprises several steps that initially involve preparing a candidate mixture of nucleic acids. The candidate mixture of nucleic acids is then allowed to make contact with the lactamase enzyme under controlled conditions of temperature, ionic strength and pH; the combination forms a candidate-enzyme mixture. The target nucleic acids are partitioned from the remainder of the candidate mixture. The target nucleic acids that have been partitioned are amplified to yield a pool of nucleic acids enriched with target nucleic acid sequences. The enriched pool of target nucleic acids have a relatively higher affinity and specificity for binding to the lactamase, whereby nucleic acid ligand of the lactamase are identified. Nucleic acid ligands that inhibit an activity of lactamase. The lactamase includes class B, metallo-?-lactamase.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8, 67, 89, as well as peptides comprising the above-mentioned amino acid sequences in which 1, 2, or several amino acids are substituted, deleted, or added, and having cytotoxic T cell inducibility. The present invention also provides drugs for treating or preventing tumors comprising these peptides. The peptides of the present invention can also be used as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention discloses oxygenic oxygenic oxysterols. Also disclosed, agents and methods for protecting, blocking or rescuing marrow stromal cells from the inhibitory effects of oxidative stress on their osteoblastic cellular differentiation. Exemplary agents include oxysterols, rhBMP2, alone or in combination which are demonstrated to specifically combat oxidative stress caused by inflammatory oxidized lipids, such as xanthine/xanthine oxidase and minimally oxidized LDL. The synergistic effects of oxysterols and bone morphogenic proteins are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention NAC nucleic acids and proteins that modulate grain protein content and senescence in plants. The invention also provides methods of using the nucleic acids to produce transgenic plants with altered grain protein content or senescence.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated stem cells of non-embryonic origin that can be maintained in culture in the undifferentiated state or differentiated to form cells of multiple tissue types. Also provided are methods of isolation and culture, as well as therapeutic uses for the isolated cells.

Abstract: Cancer markers are developed to detect diseases characterized by increased expression of apoptosis-suppressing genes, such as aggressive cancers. Genome wide analyses of genome copy number and gene expression in breast cancer revealed 66 genes in the human chromosomal regions, 8p11, 11q13, 17q12, and 20q13 that were amplified. Diagnosis and assessment of amplification levels of genes shown to be amplified are useful in prediction of patient outcome of a of patient's response and drug resistance in breast cancer. Certain genes were found to be high priority therapeutic targets by the identification of recurrent aberrations involving genome sequence, copy number and/or gene expression are associated with reduced survival duration in certain diseases and cancers, specifically breast cancer. Inhibitors of these genes will be useful therapies for treatment of these non-responsive cancers.

Abstract: Cloning, expression, viral and delivery vectors and hosts which contain nucleic acid coding for at least one peripheral nervous system specific (PNS) sodium channel peptide (SCP), isolated PNS SCP, and compounds and compositions and methods, are provided, for isolating, crystallizing, x-ray analysing molecular modeling, rational drug designing, selecting, making and using therapeutic or diagnostic agents or ligands having at least one peripheral nervous system specific (PNS) sodium channel (SC) modulating activity.

Abstract: Plant proteins isolated from monocot plants from transformation of the monocot plant with DNA at least 80% homologous to the bglA gene encoding ?-glucosidase from a rumen bacterium which is Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens H17c and targeted to a subcellular compartment. The transformed plant is ground after the ?-glucosidase has been accumulated, and the protein is extracted or used directly with the ground plant material to degrade cellobiose, in particular, to produce sugars used in fermentations, particularly to produce ethanol. Also, a gene at least 80% homologous to DNA XYL1 gene encoding a xylanase is also provided in a transformed plant and used to produce sugars.

Abstract: A method of analysing a sample includes providing a first part of the sample and a second part of the sample. A first analysis is conducted on the first part of the sample and the results of the first analysis are considered. A second analysis is conducted on the second part of the sample, the second analysis being conducted according to a procedure using a value for each of one or more characteristics of the procedure. The consideration of the results of the first analysis is used to determine whether the value for one or more of the characteristics of the procedure is changed to a different value. The second analysis is started before the results of the first analysis are obtained.