Abstract: The present invention provides a novel compound that makes it possible to improve ionization efficiency of hydrophobic peptide. 5-alkoxy-2- or -3-hydroxybenzoic acid represented by the following formula (I): where R is an alkyl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms and the substituted carboxyl group and hydroxyl group are ortho or meta to each other. A matrix additive for mass spectrometry, which is represented by the above formula (I). The above additive which is added to a matrix for mass spectrometry selected from the group consisting of ?-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, sinapic acid, and 1,5-diaminonaphthalene. The above additive which is used for mass spectrometry of a hydrophobic peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment and prevention of cancers, particularly cancers whose growth is reduced or inhibited by immunostimulatory therapy, by the administration of interleukin-17D (IL-17D), compounds that can increase the production, half-life, or activity of IL-17D, or compositions that contain IL-17D.

Abstract: Provided is a compound effective as a diagnostic imaging probe targeting amyloid and an agent for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis including the compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ferromagnetic particles capable of exhibiting a high purity and excellent magnetic properties from the industrial viewpoints and a process for producing the ferromagnetic particles, and also provides an anisotropic magnet, a bonded magnet and a compacted magnet which are obtained by using the ferromagnetic particles. The ferromagnetic particles comprising an Fe16N2 compound phase in an amount of not less than 80% as measured by Mössbauer spectrum and each having an outer shell in which FeO is present in the form of a layer having a thickness of not more than 5 nm according to the present invention can be produced by subjecting aggregated particles of an iron compound as a starting material whose primary particles have a ratio of [(average deviation of major axis lengths of particles)/(average major axis length of particles)] of not more than 50%, Uc of not more than 1.55, Cg of not less than 0.95, Cg2 of not less than 0.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing, in a substrate, an enclosed channel or enclosed cavity comprising at least one functional nanofiber, the method comprising the steps of providing a first substrate and a second substrate; forming a channel or cavity on the first substrate or the second substrate; electrospinning at least one functional nanofiber on the first substrate; assembling the first and second substrates, wherein the first substrate is placed over the second substrate, or the second substrate is placed over the first substrate; and bonding the first substrate and the second substrate to form the substrate, thereby forming an enclosed channel or enclosed cavity comprising the at least one functional nanofiber in the substrate. An enclosed channel or cavity comprising at least one functional electrospun nanofiber is also provided. A microfluidic device is also provided comprising an enclosed channel or cavity comprising at least one functional electrospun nanofiber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the synthesis of novel stable open metal clusters by selective oxidation of bound ligands. The synthesis comprises, for example, using an amine based oxidant for decarbonylation of specific carbonyl ligands. The synthesis can also comprise further removal of a bound amine group by an acid. The resulting metal cluster contains a coordinatively unsaturated site comprising a carbonyl vacancy. The resulting metal cluster can be used as a catalyst in a variety of chemical transformations.

Abstract: The claimed invention is directed to integrated energy-harvesting piezoelectric cantilevers. The cantilevers are fabricated using sol-gel processing using a sacrificial poly-Si seeding layer. Improvements in film microstructure and electrical properties are realized by introducing a poly-Si seeding layer and by optimizing the poling process.

Abstract: A polymer is characterized by a repeat unit represented by Structural Formula (I): or a copolymer thereof. A crosslinked polymer characterized by a repeat unit represented by Structural Formula (II), (III), (IV) or (V): or a copolymer thereof, wherein at least one such repeat unit of a first polymer strand is crosslinked with at least one repeat unit of a second polymer strand by at least one bridging unit, the first and second polymer strands and the repeat unit being components of the crosslinked polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that, in human cancer, an 11q deletion of ATM together with an increase in ATR and CHEK1 expression correlates with resistance to ionizing radiation which could be overcome by inhibition of the ATR/CHEK1 pathway. It provides for methods of identifying patients unlikely to exhibit an adequate response to radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy who may benefit from ATR/CHEK1 pathway inhibition, as well as methods of treating said patients.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of acute renal failure, multi-organ failure, early dysfunction of kidney transplant, chronic renal failure, organ dysfunction, and wound healing are provided. The methods include delivering a therapeutic amount of hematopoietic stem cells, non-hematopoietic, mesenchymal stem cells, hemangioblasts, and pre-differentiated cells to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sample for matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry imaging analysis by a two-step process. Firstly, a MALDI matrix is dusted on to the sample followed by a spray of a suitable solvent onto the dusted sample. The present method has been successfully applied to the detection and mapping of several analyte classes in latent fingermarks. Using the present two-step method, fingermark enhancement, recovery and analysis from different substrate surfaces is now possible enabling visual and chemical information to be obtained simultaneously via remote testing.

Abstract: A tracing device for detecting whether a specific attribute datum has a possibility of being stolen is provided. The tracing device includes a label map and a first processing device, wherein the label map has a specific label attached on the specific attribute datum and a buffer region, and the first processing device is coupled to the label map and determines whether there is the specific label in the buffer region.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention pertains to carbon nanotube fibers that include one or more fiber threads. In some embodiments, the fiber threads include doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes, such as doped double-walled carbon nanotubes. In some embodiments, the carbon nanotubes are functionalized with one or more functional groups. In some embodiments, the carbon nanotube fibers are doped with various dopants, such as iodine and antimony pentafluoride. In various embodiments, the carbon nanotube fibers of the present invention can include a plurality of intertwined fiber threads that are twisted in a parallel configuration with one another. In some embodiments, the carbon nanotube fibers include a plurality of fiber threads that are tied to one another in a serial configuration. In some embodiments, the carbon nanotube fibers of the present invention are also coated with one or more polymers.

Abstract: A culture apparatus and method for growing cells and tissue in a three-dimensional configuration harnesses magnetic, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic and diamagnetic forces. The cells or tissue are grown with magnetized core particles and are suspended via magnetic forces in a native, non-restricted, three-dimensional configuration while being maintained in a normal gravity (1 g) growth environment in the absence of rotational alteration of the gravity vector.

Abstract: Detection of human growth hormone use is very challenging due to the short half-life of circulating human growth hormone and the fact that the recombinant human growth hormone used is identical in protein sequence as the native, naturally produced growth hormone. The chief objective of this invention is to discover a marker(s) that will identify use of recombinant human growth hormone use. In the case of this invention, we have discovered specific circulating micro RNA (miRNA) that can be detected and quantified in plasma of individuals taking recombinant human growth hormone.

Abstract: Provided is a data transmission rate control method in upward vertical handover in an overlay network environment, including: a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) sender checking whether or not a retransmission timeout event occurs while communicating with a TCP receiver through a dual interface in a TCP scheme; the TCP sender storing a sequence number of a packet having the largest sequence number among transmitting packets, and after that, performing congestion control if the retransmission timeout event occurs; the TCP sender checking whether or not ACK signal corresponding to a sequence number which is equal to or smaller than the stored sequence number is received after the TCP sender performs the congestion control; and the TCP sender determining to execute upward vertical handover if the ACK signal is received.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hepatic lobule-like bioreactor. The bioreactor includes a nanofiber scaffold enclosed within a housing. An intrahepatic fibrous vascular network, a bile capillary network, upper hepatic bile ducts, lower hepatic bile ducts, a common bile duct connecting the upper and the lower hepatic bile ducts, and collagen fibrous microchannels for hepatocytes surrounded by the bile capillary network are distributed throughout the nanofiber scaffold. Bile capillaries in the bile capillary network are provided with two or more inlet ports for biliary epithelial cells. The collagen fibrous microchannels for hepatocytes are provided with two or more inlet ports for hepatocytes. The intrahepatic vascular network is provided with a liquid inlet port and a liquid outlet port.

Abstract: Formulations of cross-linkable polymers, capable of forming non-toxic and biocompatible hydrogels in situ, containing at least one of doxycycline or minocycline. Methods of using the hydrogels for treating the skin or ocular tissues of mammals exposed to vesicant compounds such as sulfur mustard (SM), nitrogen mustard (NM) or half mustard (2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES)) are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an optical recognition system and a method thereof, and more particularly to an optical recognition system and a method that adopts a single-slope analog-to-digital converter to proceed a single-slope analog-to-digital conversion in order to have an image with a wide dynamic range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new therapy targeted at the restoration or improvement of tight junction function. Aberrant TJ function, is characteristic of many chronic skin diseases. The inventors demonstrated that plant polyphenols or flavonoids and Cis-urocanic acid modulates tight junction structure and function in mammalian keratinocytes and provided tight junction modulators, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for preventing or treating impaired tight junction function in stratified mammalian epithelia.