Abstract: Enhancers which preferentially increase the transcription of cis-linked coding sequences in prostate cells are provided. Methods of using DNA constructs comprising the enhancers to control transcription of heterologous polynucleotides are also provided. Delivery vehicles comprising the enhancers and methods of using the vehicles are also provided. Adenovirus vectors in which one or more genes are under transcriptional control of the enhancers of the invention are also provided. Further provided are methods of using the adenovirus vectors of the invention to confer selective cytotoxicity in mammalian cells.

Abstract: The invention provides new urothelial cell specific transcriptional regulatory sequences derived from human uroplakin II (hUPII), as well as polynucleotide constructs such as adenoviral vectors and methods of using hUPII-derived TREs. Additionally, the invention provides adenoviral vectors comprising a gene, preferably an adenovirus gene, under transcriptional control of a urothelial cell-specific transcriptional regulatory element (TRE). These vectors display urothelial cell-specific cytotoxicity, which is especially useful in the context of bladder cancer, in which destruction of these cells is desirable. The invention further provides compositions and host cells comprising the vectors, as well as method of using the adenoviral vectors.

Abstract: A radio frequency cable connector assembly comprises a first connector (1) and a second connector (2). The first connector includes a metallic first housing (10), a first insulator (11) fixed in the first housing, a conductive first contact (12) fixed in the first insulator and an elastic metallic sleeve (13) secured between the first housing and the first insulator. The sleeve forms a ridge (133) on a periphery thereof and the ridge is located at a distance from a free end of the sleeve. The first contact extends forwardly within the sleeve. The second connector includes a metallic second housing (20), a second insulator (21) fixed in the second housing, a second contact (22) fixed in the second insulator and located within the second housing, the second housing defining a groove (204) therein.

Abstract: Replication-competent adenovirus vectors specific for cells which allow a probasin transcriptional response element (PB-TRE) to function, such as cells which express the androgen receptor (AR), and methods of use of such viruses are provided. These viruses comprise and adenoviral gene under control of a transcription regulatory portion of a PB-TRE, which is in turn dependent upon AR expression. The gene can be, for example, a gene required for viral replication or the adenovirus death protein gene (ADP). The viruses can also comprise at least one additional adenoviral gene under control of at least one additional prostate-specific transcriptional response element, such as that controlling prostate-specific antigen expression (PSA-TRE). Thus, virus replication can be restricted to target cells exhibiting prostate-specific gene expression, particularly prostate carcinoma cells.

Abstract: Replication-competent adenovirus vectors specific for target cells and methods of use of such viruses are provided. These adenoviruses comprise a first adenoviral gene under control of a cell specific heterologous (i.e., non-adenoviral) transcriptional regulatory element (TRE) and at least a second gene under control of a second heterologous TRE, where the heterologous TREs are different from each other in polynucleotide sequence but functional in the same cell. The adenoviral gene can be, for example, a gene required for adenoviral replication. The second gene can be, for example, a second adenoviral gene or a transgene, such as a gene which can contribute to cytotoxicity in the target cell. Adenoviral replication can be restricted to target cells in which the heterologous TREs are functional and thus, the adenovirus vectors can provide selective cytotoxicity to the target cells, particularly neoplastic cells.

Abstract: A dipole antenna for selecting an antenna polarization plane of the strongest polarization energy includes at least two dipole antenna elements (1, 2) arranged perpendicularly to each other to form a single antenna, a PCB (3), and two feeding lines (4). Each dipole antenna element includes two T-shaped dipole arms (11, 12). This structure makes use of two planes of the XZ-plane, XY-plane and YZ-plane, and also makes the dipole antenna more compact. The antenna obtains optimum polarization energy by selecting the strongest energy plane. This achieves maximized radiation efficiency under any particular orientation of the dipole antenna. The strongest energy plane is selected by controlled switching, by means of dual-fed signal mode. The dipole arms of each dipole antenna element are disposed on opposite surfaces (31, 32) of the PCB, to minimize interference.

Abstract: A dipole antenna for selecting an antenna polarization plane of the strongest polarization energy includes at least two dipole antenna elements (1, 2) arranged perpendicularly to each other to form a single antenna, a PCB (3), and two feeding lines (4). Each dipole antenna element includes two T-shaped dipole arms (11, 12). This structure makes use of two planes of the XZ-plane, XY-plane and YZ-plane, and also makes the dipole antenna more compact. The antenna obtains optimum polarization energy by selecting the strongest energy plane. This achieves maximized radiation efficiency under any particular orientation of the dipole antenna. The strongest energy plane is selected by controlled switching, by means of dual-fed signal mode. The dipole arms of each dipole antenna element are disposed on opposite surfaces (31, 32) of the PCB, to minimize interference.

Abstract: A PCB dipole antenna (1) for placing in an electronic device includes a first dipole antenna element (2), a second dipole antenna element (3), a printed circuit board (4), a first feeder apparatus (71) and a second feeder apparatus (72). The first dipole antenna element is perpendicular to the second dipole antenna element. Each first and second dipole antenna element includes two dipole cells respectively disposed on opposite surfaces of the printed circuit board. Each first and second dipole antenna element is fed through the first and second feeder apparatuses respectively. Switching of dual polarized radiation of the PCB dipole antenna is carried out under the control of an external device. This makes full use of two of the three radiation planes, and provides maximum diversity radiation efficiency.

Abstract: Methods of reducing pre-existing humoral immunity to a viral immunogenic therapeutic agent such as adenovirus, using immunoapheresis are disclosed. Antibodies specific for the viral immunogenic therapeutic agent are selectively removed from the blood of an individual prior to administration of the viral immunogenic therapeutic agent by reaction extracorporeally with an immunosorbent which specifically binds the antibody. After the antibody is selectively removed from the blood, the blood is reinfused into the patient and the viral immunogenic therapeutic agent is administered. The invention also provides kits and compositions for selective removal of anti-viral antibody.

Abstract: A PCB dipole antenna (1) for placing in an electronic device includes a first dipole antenna element (2), a second dipole antenna element (3), a printed circuit board (4), a first feeder apparatus (71) and a second feeder apparatus (72). The first dipole antenna element is perpendicular to the second dipole antenna element. Each first and second dipole antenna element includes two dipole cells respectively disposed on opposite surfaces of the printed circuit board. Each first and second dipole antenna element is fed through the first and second feeder apparatuses respectively. Switching of dual polarized radiation of the PCB dipole antenna is carried out under the control of an external device. This makes full use of two of the three radiation planes, and provides maximum diversity radiation efficiency.

Abstract: A method of self-assembling silicon quantum dots comprises the steps of providing a substrate, forming a thin amorphous Si film, and forming a plurality of Si quantum dots by controlling the energy and the shooting numbers of an excimer laser during an annealing process, wherein the excimer laser emits light on the thin amorphous Si film.

Abstract: A stripline PCB dipole antenna for use in an electronic device includes a substrate (3), a first dipole antenna (1), a second dipole antenna (2), a first feeder apparatus (41), and a second feeder apparatus (42). The first and second dipole antennas are generally T-shaped, are disposed on opposite surfaces of the substrate, are perpendicular to each other, and are fed through the first and second feeder apparatuses respectively. The first and second feeder apparatuses feed the antennas near respective edges of the substrate, to reduce any adverse influences that their wiring paths may have on the stripline PCB dipole antenna. The stripline PCB dipole antenna utilizes a switch mechanism of dual polarized radiation to switch between two of the three radiation planes, namely the XY-plane, the XZ-plane and the YZ-plane. The stripline PCB dipole antenna thus achieves optimum diversity reception efficiency under the control of an external device.

Abstract: The present invention provides adenoviral vectors comprising cell status-specific transcriptional regulatory elements which confer cell status-specific transcriptional regulation on an adenoviral gene. A “cell status” is generally a reversible physiological and/or environmental state. The invention further provides compositions and host cells comprising the vectors, as well as methods of using the vectors.

Abstract: A method of self-assembling silicon quantum dots comprises the steps of providing a substrate, forming a thin amorphous Si film, and forming a plurality of Si quantum dots by controlling the energy and the shooting numbers of an excimer laser during an annealing process, wherein the excimer laser emits light on the thin amorphous Si film.

Abstract: A modular partition is composed of a plurality of posts, panels and shelves detachably interconnected therebetween. Disposing different specifications and varied amounts of the panels between the posts according to specific requirement can form partition walls with varied arrangements. The shelves disposed between any two of the walls can be mounted on any one of the panels to obtain desired heights.

Abstract: Replication-competent adenovirus vectors specific for cells which allows a probasin transcriptional response element (PB-TRE) to function, such as cells which express the androgen receptor (AR), and methods of use of such viruses are provided. These viruses comprise an adenoviral gene under control of a transcriptional regulatory portion of a PB-TRE, which is in turn dependent upon AR expression. The gene can be, for example, a gene required for viral replication or the adenovirus death protein gene (ADP). The viruses can also comprise at least one additional adenoviral gene under control of at least one additional prostate-specific transcriptional response element, such as that controlling prostate-specific antigen expression (PSA-TRE). Thus, virus replication can be restricted to target cells exhibiting prostate-specific gene expression, particularly prostate carcinoma cells.

Abstract: Screening of compounds for activity toward inhibition of prostate cancer cell proliferation is provided. A cell line containing an expression construct comprising a transciptional initiation region of a prostate specific enhancer from a human glandular kallikrein (hKLK2) gene is employed which can be used in conventional equipment for determining activity of compounds, where the cell line uses a marker whose expression is responsive to therapeutically active compounds.

Abstract: An exerciser bike includes a frame having a front wheel and a handle for steering the front wheel, and includes two rear wheel axles. Two rear wheels are rotatably secured to the rear wheel axles by two ratchet sprocket wheels. Two foot supports each has a middle portion pivotally coupled to the frame. Two chains are engaged on the ratchet sprocket wheels and each has one end secured to the frame and the other end secured to the foot support, for allowing the rear wheels and the ratchet sprocket wheels to be driven by the foot supports via the chains. The exerciser bike may be turned with the rear wheels when the rear wheels are actuated with different speeds.

Abstract: It is disclosed hereby that a switch system comprises a N:M switch circuit, a plurality of layer 2 switches, each comprising a plurality of packet processing channels, and a plurality of network interfaces, each comprising a fixed number of pairs of ports to be directly connected to the same number of devices. The N:M switch is coupled with the N number of the packet processing channels of the layer 2 switches at the N-side and with the M number of the ports of the network interfaces at the M-side. When a packet containing a destination to a receiving device sent by a sending device arrives at the network interface, the N:M switch establishes an electronic connection between an available packet processing channel and a port to which the sending device is connected, the packet passes through to the packet processing channel in which the packet is processed and stored.

Abstract: A physical switch system employing a N:M switch circuit, coupled with a layer 2 switch at one end and with a network interface at the other end, for data network system is disclosed. The N:M switch comprises N number of ports on one side and M number of ports on the other side, wherein N and M are not necessarily the same. Based on the addresses describing each of the ports, the N:M switch is capable of establishing electronic links between the ports on both sides and further disengaging the links therebetween upon detecting the completion of data transmission. The disclosed switch system provides an efficient switching mechanism of rescalabitity and modularity in network switch systems.