Abstract: The present invention is directed to generating regulatory T cells by treating a cell culture that includes non-regulatory T cells with a regulatory composition. The invention encompasses methods utilizing a regulatory composition that includes agents that prevent methylation of the locus for the FOXP3 transcription factor, agents that accelerate differentiation of T cells into suppressor cells, and agents that are histone deacetylase inhibitors. The invention also encompasses compositions of regulatory T cells generated by culturing non-regulatory T cells with a regulatory composition as well as the use of such regulatory T cells in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and aberrant immune responses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of a wide array of diseases and physiologic conditions based on modulating the level of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the body by at least partially eradicating small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in the gut. An H2S or lactulose breath test and/or detection of H2S or thiosulfate in the blood or urine may be used as a diagnostic and/or prognostic for assessing a systemic H2S load that exceeds a mammal's natural detoxification capacity. These tests may similarly be used to monitor the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention for SIBO and/or the diseases or physiologic conditions whose pathology is linked thereto. Because SIBO is related to hyperhomocysteinemia, diseases and physiologic conditions that relate to hyperhomocysteinemia may further be monitored and treated in connection with the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved high-throughput and quantitative process for determining methylation patterns in genomic DNA samples based on amplifying modified nucleic acid, and detecting methylated nucleic acid based on amplification-dependent displacement of specifically annealed hybridization probes. Specifically, the inventive process provides for treating genomic DNA samples with sodium bisulfite to create methylation-dependent sequence differences, followed by detection with fluorescence-based quantitative PCR techniques. The process is particularly well suited for the rapid analysis of a large number of nucleic acid samples, such as those from collections of tumor tissues.

Abstract: A generating device to supply electricity to a monitoring device of abnormal state of tire at a lower cost for a long time. The generating device includes a single pendulum 4, a hammer 6 supported at a point S? on the circumference of a wheel 2, a spring 7 joining the single pendulum 4 and the hammer 6 by soft join, piezoceramics 8a and 8b converting distortion generated by the vibration adding force from the hammer 6 into a form of electricity, and cushion members 9a and 9b holding the positions of the piezoceramics 8a and 8b. A single pendulum 2 has vibrational frequency as same as or of integral multiplication of the rotational frequency of a tire 1.

Abstract: An oscillating-type generator is provided in which an impact member impacts piezoelectric elements to generate electricity and which can efficiently increase the number of impacts and generate a large amount of electricity. This oscillating-type generator includes: a generator member 2 having an impact member 22 impacting piezoelectric elements 21 to generate electricity; and an elastic member 4 having elasticity, attached to the generator member 2 and, when applied an external force, adapted to oscillate the generator member 2 to cause the impact member 22 to repeat impacting the piezoelectric elements 21.

Abstract: In order to provide a piezoelectric generating apparatus which ensures by one-time beating an electricity generation of more than dozens of times an output current that a piezoelectric generating apparatus with a conventional steel ball produces, a piezoelectric generating apparatus 1 comprises a piezoelectric ceramic boy 10; a cushion member 3 which supports the piezoelectric ceramic body 10 in a soft condition of hardly transmitting a characteristic vibration of the piezoelectric ceramic body 10 to other structure; and a beating means 20 which has an impact on the piezoelectric ceramic body 10, the beating means 20 further comprising a hammer body 21, an elastic body 24 boosting the hammer body 21 in a direction of separating from the piezoelectric ceramic body 10 in the ordinary state and a switch member 27 changing a boosting direction of the elastic body 24.

Abstract: In a piezoelectric power generation device and a piezoelectric ceramics member used in the device excellent in its power generation efficiency in which the polarization of piezoelectric ceramics elements is set to the same direction and an extremely thin metallic electrode is sandwiched in between the piezoelectric ceramics elements so that a current output obtained in the piezoelectric power generation device can be improved substantially to about two times as high as a current output obtained by a usual piezoelectric power generation device and the parasitic resonance of the electrode can be prevented, the piezoelectric power generation device generates power by applying a distortion deformation to piezoelectric ceramics members formed in plate shapes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-power source type monitor device installed in a place where a non-power source system needs to be used or a place preferably suitable for the non-power source system, in which a quantity generated energy not lower than several ten times as much as an output of electric current obtained by usual piezoelectric power generating device using steel balls can be assuredly obtained by striking a piezoelectric ceramics element once. A piezoelectric power generating device is formed commonly with capable of automatically repeatedly striking the piezoelectric ceramics element so that a quantity of generated energy of a practical level can be assuredly ensured as a power source of such type monitor device.

Abstract: A system utilizing a rotary atomizer for applying a liquid based substance to particles. In one example, a motor provides an in-line, direct drive force on a cage atomizer. With some systems, the cage atomizer has a vertical axis of rotation. With some systems, the motor is mounted external to the particle path and supported by a housing structure that provides an angled particle path. With some systems, other types of rotary atomizers may be used such as disk, bowl, or hollow disk rotary atomizers. With some examples of cage atomizers, a first portion of the cage atomizer may include a thread set that screws to a thread set of a second portion to hold a perforated structure in place. With some systems, the thread sets surround the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A system utilizing a rotary atomizer for applying a liquid based substance to particles. In one example, a motor provides an in-line, direct drive force on a cage atomizer. With some systems, the cage atomizer has a vertical axis of rotation. With some systems, the motor is mounted external to the particle path and supported by a housing structure that provides an angled particle path. With some systems, other types of rotary atomizers may be used such as disk, bowl, or hollow disk rotary atomizers. With some examples of cage atomizers, a first portion of the cage atomizer may include a thread set that screws to a thread set of a second portion to hold a perforated structure in place. With some systems, the thread sets surround the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A structure comprises a piezoelectric ceramics plate formed by two plate-shaped piezoelectric ceramics elements which are layered and joined to each other with inverse polarization, in which electricity is generated by beating one or both surface of the piezoelectric ceramics plate. Therefore, an excellent generating efficiency is obtained.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cancer diagnostic method based upon DNA methylation differences at specific CpG sites. Specifically, the inventive method provides for a bisulfite treatment of DNA, followed by methylation-sensitive single nucleotide primer extension (Ms-SNuPE), for determination of strand-specific methylation status at cytosine residues.

Abstract: A cold cream cosmetic composition is provided that includes a wax, mineral oil, and a C.sub.18 -C.sub.30 acyl lactylate salt. These compositions feel drier on the skin and are more water-rinsable than traditional cold cream.

Abstract: A new class of asymmetrical diphenyl-diacetylene liquid crystal compounds exhibit ideal properties for formulating eutectic mixtures suitable for infrared and microwave applications. The new class of liquid crystal compounds comprise asymmetrical nonpolar end groups. These compounds exhibit low melting points, wide nematic temperature range and low heat fusion enthalpy. Eutectic mixtures containing entirely diphenyl-diacetylene homologs using the new compounds have high birefringence, low viscosity and wide nematic range. These unique properties are especially advantageous when these mixtures are used in infrared spatial light modulators, high speed liquid crystal modulators and polymer dispersed liquid crystals shutters. The new asymmetrical diphenyl-diacetylene liquid crystal compounds comprise the following basic structure:R.sub.1 --C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --R.sub.2wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are nonpolar end groups and R.sub.1 does not equal R.sub.2. R.sub.

Abstract: A system for X-ray fluorescence analysis utilizes a plurality of parfocal diffractors to selectively monochromatize X-rays and focus them on a sample to be analyzed. In a preferred embodiment, each diffractor comprises a toroidally shaped crystal structure which, in the operative position of the diffractor, satisfies Johannson geometric conditions within a plurality of planes containing both a source of X-rays and a focused X-ray image.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for mapping an existing electric field involve exposing a field responsive element to the electric field to produce movement of the element in the path of a light beam, and detecting modulation of the light beam by the element. In a preferred embodiment the light beam is passed to and from the field responsive element by optical waveguides.