Abstract: An information search device capable of selecting topic search engines (i.e., search engines that focus on specific topics) that are appropriate to a user's search keywords when searching the Web on the Internet. Terms having relevance to each topic search engine are collected from, for example, the Web, and a DB selection index for selecting search engines is produced in advance by an index generator. When a search keyword is supplied from a user, terms having relevance to the search keyword are acquired from a general-purpose Web search engine by means of a query expansion unit. The thus-acquired terms are matched with terms stored in the DB selection index, and topic search engines having a high incidence of matching are presented to the user.

Abstract: A computer-based diagnostic system is provided to detect and analyze ground reaction forces produced by an animal passing through the diagnostic system, and includes, in one aspect, a first plate and a second plate disposed adjacent the first plate, a first plurality of load cells, and a second plurality of load cells. Each of the first and second plurality of load cells are configured to detect, respectively, a force applied to the first plate and the second plate along at least one axis and output signals representative of the detected force. A processor is provided to execute at least one force analysis instruction set, whereby the force analysis instruction set receives the signals output from the first and second plurality of load cells and calculates, a magnitude and location of a force applied to either of the first plate and the second plate.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are formed on a substrate by providing a coiled filament in a chemical vapor deposition chamber, supporting a substrate having a catalytic coating provided thereon inside the coiled filament, evacuating air, if present, from the chamber, heating the filament and applying a bias voltage between the filament and the substrate, introducing a reactant gas into the chamber, and pyrolyzing the reactant gas to deposit the carbon nanotubes on the catalytic coating. The substrate can be in the form of a rod or fiber and the carbon nanotubes can be deposited in a radially extending cluster on the substrate. The present invention also contemplates an apparatus for carrying out the inventive method.

Abstract: A driving shaft includes yokes at both its ends and an intermediate slidable portion composed of a male shaft member and a female shaft member fitted with each other by means of splines. The male shaft member includes a hollow shaft member having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of one end of the female shaft member on the side of the male shaft member, and a splined male member having a splined slidable portion to be fitted in the splined hole of the female shaft member and a fixing portion fitted in the hollow shaft member. An elastic body interposed between the inner surface of the hollow shaft member and the outer surface of the fixing portion to fix the splined male member to the hollow shaft member. In producing such a driving shaft, before fitting the splined male member in the hollow shaft member, a resin coating is applied to either the inner surface of the hollow shaft member or the fixing portion of the splined male member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ionic electrodes, particularly microelectrodes and electrode arrays, and also relates to fabrication methods for such electrodes. In particular, the present invention relates to planar polymer electrodes for making patch clamp measurements of ionic currents through biological membranes, such as the plasma membranes of living cells. The electrodes of the present invention are useful for measuring individual and multisite cell membrane currents and voltages, as well as in high-throughput screening procedures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data conversion method for providing efficient conversion between data of different unit lengths, a method for obtaining waveform information from a square wave using the same, and a method for generating the square wave from the waveform information using the same. According to the data conversion method of the present invention, there is an advantage in that data compression and data decompression can be readily and efficiently performed. Further, according to the method of obtaining the waveform information and the method of generating the square wave using the data conversion method of the present invention, there are advantages in that the waveform information can be efficiently generated from the square wave signal and the square wave signal can be efficiently generated from data on the waveform information of the square wave.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding human platelet F11 receptors. Expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules are also provided, as well as methods for increasing or decreasing the expression of the human platelet F11 receptor in host cells. The invention further provides a method of screening a substance for the ability of the substance to modify human platelet F11 receptor function, and a method for isolating other human platelet F11 receptor molecules. DNA oligomers capable of hybridizing to the nucleic acid molecule encoding the human platelet F11 receptor are provided, which can be used to detect human platelet F11 receptor in a sample.

Abstract: Novel compounds derived from traditional semi- drying and non-drying oils featuring internally plasticizing and crosslinkable properties are disclosed and claimed. Preferred embodiments include acrylate or methacrylate esters of hydroxy long-chain olefinic compounds derived from castor oil or lesquerella oil. A process for the preparation of the novel compounds is also disclosed, which involves esterification reaction of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or its derivatives with substituted hydroxy long-chain olefinic compounds. These compounds are suitable for forming latices, which form films at low minimum film forming temperatures (MFT) ranging from −5 to 10° C. and cure to above ambient glass transition (Tg) polymers without the use of traditional organic cosolvents which contribute to environmental pollution via volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions. These latices are therefore useful in waterborne coatings, contact and pressure sensitive adhesives, and inks.

Abstract: This invention provides assays for agents that modulate (e.g. upregulate, downregulate or completely inhibit) microtubule depolymerizing or microtubule severing proteins. Such agents will have profound effects on progression of the cell cycle and act as potent anti-mitotic agents. The microtubule severing protein or microtubule depolymerizing protein is preferably a katanin, a p60 subunit of a katanin, an XKCM 1, or an OP18 polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides of one or more portions of the human chorionic gonadotropin &bgr;-chain as well as methods for treatment of cancer, using human chorionic gonadotropin, employing the &bgr;-chain of human chorionic gonadotropin, peptides containing a sequence of one or more portions of the &bgr;-chain of human chorionic gonadotropin and derivatives and analogues thereof. The invention further relates to fractions of sources and or preparations of human chorionic gonadotropin, such as fractions of human early pregnancy urine, which fractions have anti-cancer activity. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions for treating cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a genetic method for tethering polypeptides to the yeast cell wall in a form accessible for binding to macromolecules. Combining this method with fluorescence-activated cell sorting provides a means of selecting proteins with increased or decreased affinity for another molecule, altered specificity, or conditional binding. Also provided is a method for genetic fusion of the N terminus of a polypeptide of interest to the C-terminus of the yeast Aga2p cell wall protein. The outer wall of each yeast cell can display approximately 104 protein agglutinins. The native agglutinins serve as specific adhesion contacts to fuse yeast cells of opposite mating type during mating. In effect, yeast has evolved a platform for protein-protein binding without steric hindrance, from cell wall components.

Abstract: A portable polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification and detection system includes one or more chamber modules. Each module supports a duplex assay of a biological sample. Each module has two parallel interrogation ports with a linear optical system. The system is capable of being handheld.

Abstract: A rare earth element doped composition having a dopant concentration of up to about 60 mole percent of one or more rare earth elements selected from Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, wherein the composition is optically transparent to wavelengths at which excitation, fluorescence or luminescence of the rare earth elements occur. Method for making the compositions, composite materials having dispersed therein the compositions and luminescent devices containing optical or acoustical elements formed from the composite materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating lung inflammation in a subject which includes administering butylated hydroxyanisol to the subject in an amount effective to treat lung inflammation. The invention also relates to methods of inhibiting interferon regulatory factor activation in a subject and in an alveolar cell. Another aspect of the invention relates to an assay.

Abstract: A ventilation and air-conditioning system uses a first variable-air-volume system to cool and dehumidify fresh outside air and deliver it through a first duct to a mixing box located downstream. The system also uses a second variable-air-volume system to further cool and dehumidify recycled air and deliver it through a second duct to the mixing box where the fresh and recycled air are able to mix prior to ventilation into a room or office. The system uses a carbon dioxide sensor and a temperature sensor to provide feedback signals to a control system, which in turn regulates fan speeds and damper openings in order to provide optimal cooling and ventilation and to conserve energy when cooling and ventilation requirements are low.

Abstract: A device for the delivery of a shape memory securing member into a confined space, the device having an exit for the securing member and means to move the securing member through the exit, the device further including a magazine having a plurality of channels each of which can store a securing member is described. Preferably, each securing member is restrained in the device in a first configuration, and upon passing through the exit adopts a second configuration. One form of the magazine is a barrel. The barrel may be rotatable around an axis, and the channels can be disposed parallel to said axis or may lie in a helical configuration. This arrangement can be likened to a “revolver barrel” on a firearm. One advantage of the present invention in surgery is that it can store several sutures or ligature multiple placements without the need to withdraw the instrument from the patient.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of improving kidney function, whereby a negative pressure is induced in the kidney. One embodiment useful in this regard comprises a balloon catheter having at least one lumen therethrough where the proximal end of the lumen is connected to a vacuum source.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanoshell particles (“nanoshells”) for use in biosensing applications, along with their manner of making and methods of using the nanoshells for in vitro and in vivo detection of chemical and biological analytes, preferably by surface enhanced Raman light scattering. The preferred particles have a non-conducting core and a metal shell surrounding the core. For given core and shell materials, the ratio of the thickness (i.e., radius) of the core to the thickness of the metal shell is determinative of the wavelength of maximum absorbance of the particle. By controlling the relative core and shell thicknesses, biosensing metal nanoshells are fabricated which absorb light at any desired wavelength across the ultraviolet to infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The surface of the particles are capable of inducing an enhanced SERS signal that is characteristic of an analyte of interest.

Abstract: Circuitry using infra-red (IR) diodes in remote control units. In one embodiment an IR LED is used both as a transmitter diode and also as a receiver diode responsive to light to thereby develop photocurrents and/or voltages for use by external circuitry. In a second embodiment an improved amplifier circuit is provided for an IR LED and IR photo detector diode which is mounted behind, and receives light through, the transmitter IR LED.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and optical fibers for periodically pinning an actual (random) accumulated chromatic dispersion of an optical fiber to a predicted accumulated dispersion of the fiber through relatively simple modifications of fiber-optic manufacturing methods or retrofitting of existing fibers. If the pinning occurs with sufficient frequency (at a distance less than or are equal to a correlation scale), pulse degradation resulting from random chromatic dispersion is minimized. Alternatively, pinning may occur quasi-periodically, i.e., the pinning distance is distributed between approximately zero and approximately two to three times the correlation scale.