Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for treating neuropathic pain or focal epilepsy. Further provided are AAV capsid polypeptides and/or nucleic acids suitable for transducing neurons related to neuropathic pain or focal epilepsy. The disclosure relates to AAV vectors comprising specific capsid polypeptides that provides desirable transduction efficiency and/or tropism for neurons responsible for neuropathic pain or focal epilepsy management.

Abstract: A composite filter membrane cartridge, including a housing with a raw water inlet and a filtered water outlet is disclosed. The housing may be equipped with one or more filter layers, including a prefilter assembly and a second filter portion, wherein the prefilter is connected to the membrane filer either via a water line or by direct stacking. The prefilter assembly may include multiple layers comprising a carbon filter and polypropylene cotton filter, wherein the locations of the filters are interchangeable. The prefilter may include granular activated carbon situated between two portions of polypropylene cotton filter cloth. The perimeter of the activated carbon filter and polypropylene cotton filter may be substantially sealed around the inner wall of the housing providing a snug fit. The second filter portion of the composite filter membrane cartridge may include nanomembrane spiral wound filter.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a water filter device comprised of a housing, a first cap, a membrane element, a permeate tube, a quartz sleeve and a UV lamp. The permeate tube may be designed with a plurality of uniformly-distributed permeate openings. The membrane element is disposed outside of the permeate tube. The membrane element, the permeate tube, the quartz sleeve and the UV lamp may be disposed in one housing. The quartz sleeve is disposed along the central axis of the permeate tube while the UV lamp is disposed inside or within the quartz sleeve.

Abstract: Power controllers, control methods and related integrated circuits for power supplies are disclosed. A power supply has a power switch and an inductive device. An exemplifying power controller comprises a first current source, a discharge time sensor, a representative current generator, and a pulse width modulator. The first current source generates a target current pouring to a compensation node. The discharge time sensor determines a discharge time of the inductive device. The representative current generator generates a representative current representing an inductor current of the inductive device. The pulse width modulator determines an output power of the power supply according to the compensation voltage at the compensation node. The representative current drains from the compensation node during the discharge time.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring operation of a ratchet-based locking mechanism. The apparatus includes a ratchet and a pawl with a protrusion for engaging the ratchet during contact between the pawl and the ratchet teeth. The apparatus includes an elongated member or amplification arm extending from the pawl. The elongated member includes a base linked to the pawl and a tip spaced apart from the base. The elongated member is linked to the pawl to move when the pawl is displaced relative to the ratchet. The apparatus includes a sensor sensing displacement of the tip of the elongated member, which is greater than the pawl displacement, and the apparatus includes a processor monitoring displacement of the elongated member to indirectly monitor movement of the pawl protrusion during forward motion of the ratchet to verify the locking mechanism is working properly and the pawl will engage the ratchet to block reverse motion.

Abstract: A safety restraint for use with a towing assembly. The towing assembly is attached at a first end to a towing vehicle and at a second end to a towed vehicle. The restraint includes an elongate, hollow body that receives the towing assembly. The body is formed from at least two fibers that are woven into a multi-axis braid pattern. The cylindrical body at least partially encapsulates the towing assembly. For example, the body may include a first set of fibers arranged into a first ribbon of a particular width and a second set of fibers arranged into a second ribbon of a particular width, and the two ribbons are woven into a biaxial braid to provide the hollow body. The restraint also includes coupling mechanisms that retain the ends of the body and attach these ends to the towing vehicle and to the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A safety restraint for use with a towing assembly. The towing assembly is attached at a first end to a towing vehicle and at a second end to a towed vehicle. The restraint includes an elongate, hollow body that receives the towing assembly. The body is formed from at least two fibers that are woven into a multi-axis braid pattern. The cylindrical body at least partially encapsulates the towing assembly. For example, the body may include a first set of fibers arranged into a first ribbon of a particular width and a second set of fibers arranged into a second ribbon of a particular width, and the two ribbons are woven into a biaxial braid to provide the hollow body. The restraint also includes coupling mechanisms that retain the ends of the body and attach these ends to the towing vehicle and to the towed vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel protease, called SENP1, which is active against sentrin-modified proteins in vivo. The invention more specifically relates to the genomic and amino acid sequences for SENP1, compositions related to and based on these sequences, and methods of using these sequences and compositions.

Abstract: Diindolylmethane analogs such as 1,1-bis(3?-indolyl)-1-(p-substituted phenyl)methanes can be used to treat atherosclerosis and other vascular disease states. The analogs have been shown to display antiinflammatory effects in endothelial cells, suggesting their clinical applicability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the use of SENP1 as a marker for cancer diagnosis, specifically prostate cancer. Still further, it relates to the use of inhibitors of SENP1 to inhibit cell proliferation of a neoplasm or tumor cell and to treat a hyperproliferative disease.

Abstract: A tool-changing system for a press utilizes a rotary turret on which different tools are rigidly fixed. The turret includes a circular table base which is rotatably mounted on top of the press anvil. As the turret is turned, a different tool is moved into the work zone in vertical alignment with the upper tool on the press ram. The turret table can either be manually or motor driven in either direction between indexed operative positions. The indexing system which senses the position of the turret and indexes the turret to its next operating position uses only two simple sensors which are located beneath the turret table. Each sensor reads a different circular track on the underside of the turret table.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of improving cardiac function in cardiac tissues of a recipient host by delivery of peripheral blood derived stem cells. The present invention also describes methods of stimulating cardiac tissue regeneration in a recipient host. Methods of treating a diseased cardiac tissue in a recipient host, as well as methods of obtaining a differentiated cardiac cell. Cardiac tissues subjected to these methods may be diseased or damaged, for example, by infarction, ischemia, chemotherapy, or infection. Peripheral blood derived stem cells used in the invention form new cardiomyocytes and also may form smooth muscle and endothelial cells.

Abstract: The selective etch shallow trench isolation barrier integrated circuit fabrication system and method of the present invention minimizes the layers required to implement a shallow trench isolation barrier in an integrated circuit. A selective etch shallow trench isolation barrier integrated circuit in which a selective etch shallow trench isolation barrier is adjacent to an intermetal dielectric layer. Etching space in the intermetal dielectric layer for a contact plug is performed in a single film layer etch step. The selective etch shallow trench isolation barrier includes selective etch isolation material able to both withstand etching processes directed toward the insulation layer (e.g., to create a space for a contact plug) and facilitate isolation of devices from outside electrical influences. A present invention selective etch shallow trench isolation barrier integrated circuit does not require a shallow trench isolation barrier etch stop layer.

Abstract: A backup power supply apparatus. The apparatus includes a light absorbing device which consists of at least one light absorbing element. The light absorbing elements are pivotally engaged with each other and are foldable for being housed inside a casing for portability. The light absorbing elements may be unfolded to absorb light from a light source to generate electric power output required by a load.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming a transistor gate structure. A gate oxide layer is formed. Gate material is deposited on the gate oxide layer. A layer of silicon oxynitride is deposited on the gate material. The layer of silicon oxynitride, the gate material and the gate oxide layer are etched to form a gate structure. A silicon oxynitride region remains on top of the gate structure. A wet chemical process is performed to remove the silicon oxynitride region from the top of the gate structure. After performing the wet chemical process, spacers are formed around the gate structure.

Abstract: A wireless mouse carrier that provides support to a user when a wireless mouse mounted in the wireless mouse carrier is used as a desk mouse on a tabletop. The wireless mouse carrier comprises a recess into which the wireless mouse fits, and a supporting member that surrounds the recess. When the wireless mouse is placed in the recess, the user's hand rests on the supporting member to conveniently operate the wireless mouse on the tabletop.

Abstract: A backup power supply apparatus includes at a light source absorbing device which consists of at least one light source absorbing element. The light source absorbing element is pivotally engaged with each other and is foldable for housing inside a casing to facilitate carrying outdoors for use. The light source absorbing element may be unfolded to absorb light source to generate electric power output required by a load.

Abstract: A hand-writing input and recording device is housed in a case and may be hand-held by a user when in use. The device includes a contact element, an amplifying element, a sense element, an X-Y axes matrix element, a recording and storing element, a transmitting element and a receiving element. When the contact element generates a displacement variation in the X-Y axes, the X-Y axes displacement variation value will be emitted from the transmitting element to the receiving element and input into a computer for display on a computer screen to show the characters or patterns generated from the X-Y axes displacement variation value.

Abstract: A CF.sub.4 /H.sub.2 O.sub.2 plasma is used to remove residues remaining after an ashing step. On a substrate, a layer of photoresist is formed over an underlying layer. The layer of photoresist is developed to form a photoresist pattern. The underlying layer is etched using the photoresist pattern. The substrate, including exposed areas of the underlying layer, are subjected to a plasma comprising H.sub.2 O.sub.2 vapor and a gaseous fluorocarbon to remove residual polymers.