Abstract: A method is provided for the preparation of nanomaterials, which involves the dissolution and/or suspension of a combination of (a) one or more resin substrate materials and (b) one or more magnetic nanoparticulate substances, in a medium made from one or more ionic liquids, to provide a mixture, and recovering the solid nanomaterial by combining the mixture with a non-solvent (solvent for the ionic liquids but not the other components), while also applying an electromagnetic field to the mixture during the recovering step to align the magnetic nanoparticulate substances, along with the use of the resulting nanomaterials to provide unique information storage media, particularly in the form of sheets or films.

Abstract: A multi-phase voltage-control oscillator including a first voltage-control oscillator circuit and a second voltage-control oscillator circuit is provided. The first voltage-control oscillator circuit includes a first LC tank and a first inductor assembly unit. The second voltage-control oscillator circuit includes a second LC tank and a second inductor assembly unit. A mutual inductance effect is generated between the inductors of the first voltage-control oscillator and the inductors of the second voltage-control oscillator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a pulse length (?0) of an ultra-short light pulse (P0) based on processing a number of substantially similar light pulses. The system includes an autocorrelation optical system adapted to receive the light pulses P0 and create from each light pulse two beams having an associated optical path length difference ?OPL. Providing a different ?OPL for each light pulse creates an autocorrelation interference pattern representative of an autocorrelation of the light pulse P0. An LED detector detects the autocorrelation interference pattern and generates therefrom an autocorrelation signal. A signal-processing unit forms from the autocorrelation signal a digital count signal representative of a number of counted peaks in the autocorrelation signal above the full-width half maximum. Control electronics unit causes the varying ?OPL and provides a difference signal (S?) representative of the ?OPL to the signal-processing unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new process for producing biodiesel from renewable oil under lipase catalysis in an organic medium reaction system. In this process, a short chain alcohol ROH is used as an acyl acceptor, a relatively hydrophilic organic solvent having no negative effect on the reactivity of lipase is used as the reaction medium, and a renewable oil raw material is catalyzed by a lipase to synthesize biodiesel through a transesterification reaction. In the process of the present invention, the renewable oil raw material can be almost completely converted into biodiesel and a byproduct glycerin, and the yield of the biodiesel is 94% or more. This new type organic medium reaction system promotes the solubility of the short chain alcohol in the renewable oil raw material, and dissolves part of the byproduct glycerin.

Abstract: A composition for treating cancer cells and a preparation method therefor are provided. The novel flavonoid compounds are obtained from natural plants, and more particularly the compounds have a cytotoxicity on cancer cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a bistable twisted nematic liquid crystal display, comprising a first substrate having thereon a first conductive layer and a first alignment layer; a second substrate having thereon a second conductive layer and a second alignment layer; a liquid crystal layer in the first and second alignment layers; an alignment layer on each of the substrates, the alignment layer imparting a preferred direction for liquid crystal molecules near the alignment layer, and possessing different azimuthal and polar anchoring energies when used to align a liquid crystal layer: the alignment layers being rubbed in such a way to give a stable twist angle of the liquid crystal of ? where ? can be any value in between ?45° to +45°; and wherein the d/p ratio of the liquid crystal layer is between the values of 0.15+0.5?/? and 0.35+0.5?/?.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of new Plasmodium mutants which are defective in the expression of the protein P36p. These mutants are unable to cause malaria, yet they can be used as vaccine, giving long lasting protection against infections with wild-type Plasmodium.

Abstract: A method and system to create and acoustically manipulate without destroying a microbubble which, in biological applications, can manipulate structures such as cells and subcellular structures at a nanoscopic scale.

Abstract: Novel growth peptides derived from protein factors having molecular weights of about 22 and 45 kDa stimulate mitogenic activity of epithelial, but not fibroblastic cells, in particular, kidney epithelial cells. A source of the factors is scrape-wounded kidney epithelial cells in culture. Synthetic peptides having sixteen amino acids or less, in particular a hexapeptide, YPQGNH (SEQ ID NO: 2) maintain the mitogenic activity. The peptide AQPYPQGNHEASYG (14-Ser) (SEQ ID NO: 15) is effective in reversing acute renal failure in animals. The growth-promoting characteristics of the 22 and 45 kDa proteins and the peptides are useful in treating and diagnosing patients with kidney disease. Nucleotide sequences that encode the factor are useful to develop probes to locate similar factors, to identify genetic disorders involving the factor, and to produce the factor by genetic recombinant methods. The nucleotide sequences and fragments thereof, are also useful for diagnosis and treatment of kidney disorders.

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 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: A system, apparatus and method are useful for lifting water in a gas-producing wellbore through the application of a differential between pressure of the gas in the wellbore's gas-production conduit and pressure of the wellbore annulus. The apparatus comprises a module disposed in the gas-producing wellbore for collecting by condensation water that has been lifted as water vapor with produced gas in a gas-production conduit disposed in the wellbore, and one or more lift modules for applying the pressure differential to lift the collected water within the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for predicting onset or risk of atrial fibrillation in a subject includes determining the presence of an oxidative stress marker, such as glutathione, cysteine, and/or a derivative of a reactive oxidative metabolite (DROM).

Abstract: The present invention is an improved illumination system which achieves enhanced spatial resolution and contrast in the observation of small objects. The enhanced performance is achieved by using a metal-halide light source, a power conservative pre-condenser optics train, an annular diaphragm, a cardioid annular condenser, and an adjustable light-filtering iris. These features are also intended to be used with a direct-view light optical microscope. A method of manufacturing and using the improved illumination system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for reducing or eliminating water block around a well bore of a well bore region in a reservoir is provided. The method comprises removing the water from around the well bore, injecting crude oil around the well bore, and injecting precipitants causing surface precipitation of asphaltenes thereby altering formation wettability in the well bore and decreasing capillary forces of retention for water and/or gas condensates and increasing the flow of hydrocarbon fluids from the reservoir.

Abstract: A Magneto-Optoelectronic Device MOD (10) includes a magnetic sensing device (12), such as a magnetoresistive device or a magnetic tunnel junction device, that is combined with a semiconductor light emitter (14), such as a LED or a laser diode, to create a compact integrated device where changes in an ambient magnetic field are expressed as changes in an optical beam intensity emanating from the MOD. Using the MOD (10) the magnetic field related information can be transmitted by a light wave over very large distances through some medium (34), for example, through free space and/or through an optical fiber.

Abstract: There is provided a sample deposition device for depositing samples on a target surface such as MALDI target surfaces for use in mass spectrometry analysis. The device comprises a vacuum chamber, a sealable opening communicating with the vacuum chamber, a sample inlet and a sample outlet. The sample outlet is located in the vacuum chamber which is sealed by contact with the target surface. The sample is drawn through the sample inlet and deposited on the surface by the action of the vacuum.

Abstract: A system and method for retraining the visual system of a subject with damage to the striate and/or extrastriate visual cortex includes displaying a visual stimulus within a first location of an impaired visual field of the subject; and detecting the subject's perception of an attribute of the visual stimulus. The system and method are believed to effectively recruit undamaged higher level structures in the visual system to assume the functions of the damaged structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to engineered Herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles that are targeted to one or more specific binding pair members, such as receptors. Also, recombinant vectors for producing such HSV particles are provided. By reducing the affinity of HSV for its natural receptor(s) and increasing the affinity for a selected receptor, the HSV particles of the invention are useful for targeting cells that express the selected receptor, which itself may be a product of genetic engineering. The ability to selectively target cells renders the HSV particles particularly useful in selectively diagnosing, treating, and imaging cells bearing the selected binding pair member, such as a receptor. The invention also provides for polynucleotide-based therapy to cells bearing the selected binding pair member such as a receptor.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel homotropane compounds with CNS activity. These compounds can be used for alleviating symptoms of CNS disorders.