Abstract: Coronatine has been found to enhance binding of the JAZ1 degron to the Arabidopsis F-box protein COI1, and analysis of the JAZ1 degron sequence has resulted in the identification of specific peptide sequences that bind COI1 with high affinity in the presence of coronatine. Crystal structure analysis has determined that coronatine and JA-Ile enhance the interaction between COI1 and JAZ1 via binding to a specific binding pocket on COI1. Attachment of one or more JAZ1 peptide tags as disclosed herein to a target protein in a non-plant cell expressing Arabidopsis COI1 or a homolog thereof results in degradation of the target protein following addition of a molecule that binds the coronatine/JA-Ile binding pocket on COI1. Therefore, provided herein are compositions, methods, and kits for targeted protein degradation.

Abstract: Described are synthetic promoters capable of mediating gene expression in plants upon pathogen infection. Furthermore, recombinant genes and vectors comprising said chimeric promoters as well as host cells transformed with such chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, or vectors are provided. Additionally, diagnostic compositions and kits comprising such chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, vectors or cells are described. Provided are further methods for the identification of compounds being capable of activating or inhibiting genes that are specifically expressed in plants upon pathogen infection employing the above described means. Furthermore, transgenic plant cells, plant tissue, and plants containing the above-described chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, and vectors as well as the use of the aforementioned chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, vectors and/or compounds identified by the method of the invention in plant cell and tissue culture, plant breeding, and/or agriculture are described.

Abstract: Described are synthetic promoters capable of mediating gene expression in plants upon pathogen infection. Furthermore, recombinant genes and vectors comprising said chimeric promoters as well as host cells transformed with such chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, or vectors are provided. Additionally, diagnostic compositions and kits comprising such chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, vectors or cells are described. Provided are further methods for the identification of compounds being capable of activating or inhibiting genes that are specifically expressed in plants upon pathogen infection employing the above described means. Furthermore, transgenic plant cells, plant tissue, and plants containing the above-described chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, and vectors as well as the use of the aforementioned chimeric promoters, recombinant genes, vectors and/or compounds identified by the method of the invention in plant cell and tissue culture, plant breeding, and/or agriculture are described.

Abstract: A technique by which the production of plant biomass can be significantly increased is provided. The AT3G05660 gene encoding a receptor-like protein having a leucine-rich repeat structure or a gene functionally equivalent to such a gene is introduced, or an expression control region of an endogenous gene corresponding to the gene is modified.

Abstract: A composition and method for producing plants with increased biomass and growth characteristics, and plants which flower early relative to wild-type plants. The MtNIP gene is over-expressed in plants to increase biomass, growth, and early flowering. Other genes in the NRT1/PTR family may also be over-expressed to increase biomass, growth, and early flowering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for controlling nematode infestation of plants or animals. In particular, the present invention provides vectors comprising sequences designed to control nematodes by RNA interference (RNAi) and transgenic plants transformed with such vectors.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods for introducing, into cells, nucleic acids whose expression results in chromosomal silencing. The nucleic acids are targeted to specific chromosomal regions where they subsequently reduce the expression of deleterious genes, or cause the death of deleterious cells. Where the nucleic acid sequence is a silencing sequence, it may encode an Xist RNA or other non-coding, silencing RNA. Accordingly, the present invention features, inter alia, nucleic acid constructs that include a transgene (e.g., a silencing sequence encoding an Xist RNA or other non-coding RNA that silences a segment of a chromosome); first and second sequences that direct insertion of the silencing sequence into a targeted chromosome; and, optionally, a selectable marker.

Abstract: The invention provides expression vectors and host cells for high-level expression of recombinant proteins. The expression vectors comprise Chinese hamster ovary elongation factor 1-? (CHEF1) transcriptional regulatory DNA elements and a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter and/or a human adenovirus tripartite leader (AdTPL) sequence. The invention achieves increased protein expression and better productivity of host cells compared to previously described expression systems.

Abstract: This application relates to a method for converting somatic cells to Neural Stem Cells (NSCs). Moreover this application relates to a method for converting human fibroblasts, keratinocytes or adipocytes to neural stem cells based on linked steps of genes transduction and chemically defined medium induction.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the production of chemical compounds, particularly but not exclusively ethanol, by microbial fermentation. Also described are genetically modified micro-organisms capable of using carbon monoxide to produce one or more products, particularly but not exclusively ethanol as a main product, and producing a reduced amount or substantially no 2,3-butanediol and/or a precursor thereof.

Abstract: Several mutated strains of Scheffersomyces stipitis are generated by repetitive culturing of the parent strain on two types of concentrated hydrolyzates and with ethanol-challenged xylose-fed continuous culture. Isolates collected from various enriched populations are screened and ranked based on relative xylose uptake rate and ethanol yield. Ranking on hydrolyzates with and without nutritional supplementation is used to identify those isolates with best performance across diverse conditions.

Abstract: Methods for the fermentive production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably 1-butanol is produced by the fermentive growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing a 1-butanol biosynthetic pathway.

Abstract: Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of nicotinic acid, which includes the step of obtaining a culture solution containing quinolinic acid by incubating a microorganism having an ability to produce quinolinic acid, and the step of adding an acid to the culture solution and conducting a decarboxylation reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems for producing engineered oleaginous yeast or fungi that express retinolic compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for increasing the recoverability of taggants from an object. The methods include the steps of incorporating a taggant into a solution; mixing the solution including the taggant with a perturbant to form a first perturbant taggant solution; mixing the first perturbant taggant solution with a polymer to form a second perturbant taggant polymer solution; and applying the second perturbant taggant polymer solution to at least a portion of the object to form a taggant-coated object. Methods for authentication of a taggant marked object are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of a SNP in a target nucleic acid in a sample are described. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step utilizing a SNP specific hydrolysis probe including a hairpin structure toward the 3? end, and a detecting step. Furthermore, SNP specific hydrolysis probe including a hairpin structure toward the 3? end, along with kits are provided that are designed for the detection of a SNP in a target nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the detection and/or quantification of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a Gram-positive bacteria that is an important human pathogen, in an isolated biological sample, through magneto-amperometric biosensors, comprising detecting fragments of lytA gene of the microorganism, amplified through PCR, preferably asymmetric PCR or direct asymmetric PCR, by hybridization thereof to a specific probe fully complementary to a region of the amplified fragment. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to the use of primers SEQ ID NO: 3 and 4 together with probes SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 2 to perform the detection. The biosensor developed to detect S. pneumoniae can be applied to different types of clinical samples from patients infected with this bacterium or other related bacteria. Preferably the clinical sample is an isolated biological fluid such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva or urine.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the detection of nucleic acid sequences associated with chromosomal aberrations. The invention may, for example, eliminate the use of or reduce the dependence on formamide in hybridization. Compositions for use in the invention include an aqueous composition comprising at least one nucleic acid sequence and at least one polar aprotic solvent in an amount effective to denature double-stranded nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic acid probe for detecting a polynucleotide. The probe contains a region that base-pairs with a polynucleotide to form a duplex and a Tm enhancement domain that increases the stability of the duplex. The Tm enhancement domain may contain a nucleotide clamp and/or a hairpin structure, for example. Also provided is an array of subject nucleic acid probes bound to a surface of the solid support. Methods of using a subject probe to assess polynucleotides, e.g., small RNAs in a sample are provided, as are kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composition comprising TCEP, biotin and dextran suitable for liquefying a viscous biological sample. The composition according to the invention can be used in diagnostic methods, preferably for use in diagnosis of an infection with a micro-organism, more preferably for use in diagnosis of HCAP.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a kit for the quantification of nucleic acids, especially a trace amount of nucleic acid, such as host cell nucleic acid impurities, using real-time PCR with a random primer.

Abstract: Isotachophoresis (ITP) is exploited to control various aspects of chemical reactions. In a first aspect, at least one of the reactants of a chemical reaction is confined to an ITP zone, but the resulting product of the chemical reaction is separated from this ITP zone by the ITP process. In a second aspect, one or more reactants of a chemical reaction are confined to an ITP zone, and one or more other reactants of the chemical reaction are not confined to this ITP zone. In a third aspect, ITP is employed to confine at least one reactant of a chemical reaction to an ITP zone, and at least one reactant of the chemical reaction is delivered to the ITP zone in two or more discrete doses. These aspects are especially relevant to performing polymerase chain reactions using chemical denaturants as opposed to thermal cycling.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a PCR device including two heating blocks which is used for nucleic acid amplification reactions is disclosed. Using the PCR device of the present invention, nucleic acid amplification reactions can be efficiently performed.

Abstract: This invention provides processes to assemble many (greater than 20) partially overlapping single stranded DNA molecules (fragments) having preselected sequences, followed by extension of those strands that hybridize at terminal overlap regions, and ligation of the extend products, creating a double-stranded DNA assembly. These processes use non-standard nucleotides carrying heterocyclic nucleobase analogs that implement non-standard hydrogen bonding patterns; these allow controlled annealing of the single stranded fragments via Watson-Crick rules, with less or no interference from a range of non-Watson Crick interactions, hairpin formations, or off-target hybridization displayed by standard nucleobases. This process includes an optional conversion step that replaces non-standard nucleobase pairs with standard nucleobase pairs, generating large synthetic DNA (LS-DNA) molecules containing only natural nucleotides.

Abstract: This invention provides a nucleotide analog comprising (i) a base selected from the group consisting of adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil, (ii) a deoxyribose, (iii) an allyl moiety bound to the 3?-oxygen of the deoxyribose and (iv) a fluorophore bound to the base via an allyl linker, and methods of nucleic acid sequencing employing the nucleotide analog.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for pairwise sequencing of a double-stranded polynucleotide template, which permit the sequential determination of nucleotide sequences in two distinct and separate regions on complementary strands of the double-stranded polynucleotide template. The two regions for sequence determination may or may not be complementary to each other.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the identification of a fibrosis susceptibility gene locus, the CTGF gene locus, which can be used for detecting predisposition to, diagnosis and prognosis of fibrosis as well as for the screening of therapeutically active drugs. The invention resides, in particular, in a method which comprises detecting in a sample from the subject the presence of an alteration in the CTGF gene locus, the presence of said alteration being indicative of the presence or predisposition to fibrosis.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who will have an unfavorable prognosis for the recurrence of lung cancer after surgical resection. The methods are based in part on the discovery that chromosomal copy number gains at Chr19, 34.7 Mb-35.6 Mb can be used for prognostic classification. The methods preferably use fluorescence in situ hybridization with fluorescently labeled nucleic acid probes to hybridize to patient samples to quantify the chromosomal copy number of this genetic locus.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an in vitro method for diagnosing a myeloid tumor or a lymphoid tumor in a subject, which comprises the step of analyzing a biological sample from said subject by (i) detecting the presence of a mutation in the Ten Eleven Translocation protein family member 2 gene (TET2) coding for the polypeptide having the sequence SEQ ID NO:2, and/or (ii) analyzing the expression of the TET2 gene; wherein the detection of such a TET2 mutation, of the absence of expression of TET2 or of the expression of a truncated TET2 is indicative of a subject developing or predisposed to develop a myeloid tumor or a lymphoid tumor.

Abstract: The invention encompasses molecular beacon (MB) probes for monitoring the presence of human breast cancer biomarkers and for the analysis of breast cancer metastasis. The molecular beacon is an oligonucleotide probe which sensitively and specifically identifies biomarker mRNA in samples, in the presence of serum, in minimal time using fluorescence detection. The molecular beacons may be comprised in kits for the detection/quantitation of cancer biomarkers in clinical samples. The invention provides improvements in simplicity, accuracy, and speed over current methods, which could allow for improved patient treatment and prognoses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibiotic resistance profile for Neisseria gonorrhoeae by assessing the presence of mutations (e.g., SNP) in antibiotic resistant genes that confer bacterial resistance against antibiotics such as penicillin, tetracycline, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporin, macrolides and spectinomycin. There is provided a method and a kit for generating an antibiotic resistance profile for Neisseria gonorrhoeae by utilizing a multiplex PCR to amplify segments of antibiotic-resistant genes, allele-specific primer extension to detect gene mutation, and detection of such gene mutations with gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, or DNA microarray. The present method provides useful information to physicians relating the antibiotic susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae against different classes of antibiotics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new strain of Lactobacillus mucosae which is able to decrease intestinal barrier permeability. This strain is useful in particular for alleviating intestinal barrier dysfunctions.

Abstract: Provided is a process for removing impurities from a solution (S1), wherein said solution (S1) comprises one or more sugar dissolved in an aqueous solvent, wherein said solution (S1) has conductivity at 25° C. of 500 ?S/cm or higher, and wherein said process comprises (a) contacting said solution (S1) with a cation exchange resin (R1) to produce a solution (S2) in which 80% or more of the cations are all of the same element (E); and (b) then contacting said solution (S2) with a cation exchange resin (R2) in which, prior to said contacting, 90% or more of acid groups are in the salt form with said element (E). Also provided is a process for producing glycols comprising providing an extract solution by the process of claim 1, and then contacting said solution (S3) with hydrogen and a metal catalyst.

Abstract: A case hardening steel, which has excellent cold forgeability and excellent crystal grain coarsening prevention characteristics after carburization, contains, in mass %, 0.05-0.20% of C, 0.01-0.1% of Si, 0.3-0.6% of Mn, 0.03% or less of P (excluding 0%), 0.001-0.02% of S, 1.2-2.0% of Cr, 0.01-0.1% of Al, 0.010-0.10% of Ti, 0.010% or less of N (excluding 0%), and 0.0005-0.005% of B, with the balance consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities. The density of Ti-based precipitates having circle-equivalent diameters less than 20 nm in the case hardening steel is 10-100 pieces/?m2; the density of Ti-based precipitates having diameters of 20 nm or more in the case hardening steel is 1.5-10 pieces/?m2; and the case hardening steel has a Vickers hardness of 130 HV or less.

Abstract: A high strength cold rolled steel sheet includes a chemical composition containing, by mass %, C: 0.010% or more and 0.060% or less, Si: more than 0.5% and 1.5% or less, Mn: 1.0% or more and 3.0% or less, P: 0.005% or more and 0.100% or less, S: 0.010% or less, sol.Al: 0.005% or more and 0.500% or less, N: 0.0100% or less, Nb: 0.010% or more and 0.100% or less, Ti: 0.015% or more and 0.150% or less and the balance comprising Fe and inevitable impurities. The microstructure includes, in area fraction, 70% or more of a ferrite phase and 3% or more of a martensite phase. The tensile strength is 440 MPa or more and an average r value is 1.20 or more.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cemented carbide article comprising a core of metal carbide grains and a binder selected from cobalt, nickel, iron and alloys containing one or more of these metals and a surface layer defining an outer surface for the article, the surface layer comprising 5 to 25 weight percent of tungsten and 0.1 to 5 weight percent carbon, the balance of the surface layer comprising a metal or alloy selected from the binder metals and alloys and the surface layer being substantially free of carbide grains as determined by optical microscopy or SEM. A method for the production of a cemented carbide article is also provided.

Abstract: Iron-based powder metallurgical compositions including both iron-copper prealloy and copper powder are described. These compositions, when compacted and sintered, result in compacts having good dimensional consistency.

Abstract: A forged steel for components for nuclear power plants meets a specific chemical composition. The grain size number of a metal structure thereof is 4.5 to 7.0 in terms of ASTM grain size number. It is preferred that the content of N is 0.0100 mass % or more when the mass ratio (Al/N) of the content of Al to the content of N is 1.93 or more, and that the content of Al is 0.022 mass % or more when the mass ratio (Al/N) of the content of Al to the content of N is less than 1.93. The forged steel for components for nuclear power plants exhibits excellent strength, toughness and hydrogen cracking resistance even after being subjected to a stress relief heat treatment subsequent to welding.

Abstract: A cold rolled steel sheet, and a method of manufacturing the same, designed to have aging resistance and excellent formability suitable for use in automobile bodies, electronic appliances, and the like. The cold rolled steel sheet comprises in weight %: 0.003% or less of C, 0.003˜0.03% of S, 0.01˜0.1% of Al, 0.02% or less of N, 0.2% or less of P, at least one of 0.03˜0.2% of Mn and 0.005˜0.2% of Cu, and a balance of Fe and other unavoidable impurities. When the steel sheet comprises one of Mn and Cu, the composition of Mn, Cu, and S satisfies at least one relationship: 0.58*Mn/S?10 and 1?0.5*Cu/S?10, and when the steel sheet comprises both Mn and Cu, the composition of Mn, Cu, and S satisfies the relationship: Mn+Cu?0.3 and 2?0.5*(Mn+Cu)/S?20. Participates of MnS, CuS, and (Mn, Cu)S in the steel sheet have an average size of 0.2 ?m or less.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of uniformly heating, softening, and thermoplastically forming magnetic metallic glasses rapidly into a net shape using a rapid capacitor discharge forming (RCDF) tool are provided. The RCDF method utilizes the discharge of electrical energy stored in a capacitor to uniformly and rapidly heat a sample or charge of metallic glass alloy to a predetermined “process temperature” between the glass transition temperature of the amorphous material and the equilibrium melting point of the alloy in a time scale of several milliseconds or less. Once the sample is uniformly heated such that the entire sample block has a sufficiently low process viscosity it may be shaped into high quality amorphous bulk articles via any number of techniques including, for example, injection molding, dynamic forging, stamp forging, sheet forming, and blow molding in a time frame of less than 1 second.

Abstract: This invention relates to nonferrous thermomechanical treatment of titanium alloys and can be used for manufacture of structural parts and components of high-strength near-beta titanium alloys for the aerospace application, mainly landing gear and airframe application. Multiple heating operations above or below beta transus temperature (BTT), hot working with the specified strain and cooling makes near-net shape forgings with stable properties having sections with thickness 100 mm and over and length over 6 m with the guaranteed level of mechanical properties, including ultimate tensile strength over 1200 MPa with fracture toughness, K1C, not less than 35 MPa?m and fracture toughness, K1C, over 70 MPa?m with ultimate tensile strength not less than 1100 MPa.

Abstract: The high strength galvanized steel sheet contains C: more than 0.015% and lower than 0.100%, Si: 0.3% or lower, Mn: lower than 1.90%, P: 0.015% or more and 0.05% or lower, S: 0.03% or lower, sol.Al: 0.01% or more and 0.5% or lower, N: 0.005% or lower, Cr: lower than 0.30%, B: 0.0003% or more and 0.005% or lower, and Ti: lower than 0.014% in terms of mass %, and satisfies 2.2?[Mneq]?3.1 and 0.42?8[% P]+150B*?0.73. The steel microstructure contains ferrite and a second phase, in which the second phase area ratio is 3 to 15%, the ratio of the area ratio of martensite and retained ? to the second phase area ratio is more than 70%, and 50% or more of the area ratio of the second phase exists in the grain boundary triple point.

Abstract: In a transparent electroconductive film including a transparent substrate and a transparent electroconductive oxide layer disposed on the transparent substrate, when the transparent electroconductive oxide layer is composed of zinc oxide, the surface resistivity of the transparent electroconductive oxide layer increases with time and thus it has been difficult to obtain a transparent electroconductive film stable against an environmental variation. Consequently, hard carbon films are provided on the surfaces of a transparent electroconductive oxide layer including at least one layer and containing zinc oxide as a main component in “the order of transparent substrate-hard carbon film-transparent electroconductive oxide layer-hard carbon film” or “the order of hard carbon film-transparent substrate-transparent electroconductive oxide layer-hard carbon film”. Alternatively, an organosilicon compound covering layer is provided on a surface of the transparent electroconductive oxide layer.

Abstract: A method for making a single molecule receptor in a nanopore structure includes depositing a material by a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique onto a selected interior surface of a nanochannel and functionalizing a surface of the material with a chemical compound having at least two functional groups. The material forms a patch having a diameter of about 3 to about 10,000 nanometers (nm). Also disclosed are embodiments of a nanopore structure including a single molecule receptor.

Abstract: An ion implantation system including a plasma source, a mask-slit, and a plasma chamber. The plasma source is configured to generate a plasma within the plasma chamber in response to the introduction of a gas therein. The mask-slit is electrically isolated from the plasma chamber. A positive voltage bias is applied to the plasma chamber above a bias potential used to generate the plasma. The positive voltage bias drives the plasma potential to accelerate the ions to a desired implant energy. The accelerated ions pass through an aperture in the mask-slit and are directed toward a substrate for implantation. The mask-slit is electrically isolated from the plasma chamber and is maintained at ground potential with respect to the plasma.

Abstract: In-line metallizer assemblies can include an external rotating actuator exchange that can be operable to exchange one or more parts between a conveyor system and a vacuum chamber, and an internal rotating actuator exchange within the vacuum chamber that can be operable to receive the one or more parts from the external rotating actuator exchange, transition the one or more parts to a sputter coater integrated with the vacuum chamber for metallizing, and return metallized one or more parts to the external rotating actuator exchange such that the external rotating actuator exchange can return the metallized one or more parts to the conveyor system.

Abstract: A treatment installation for vacuum treatment of a front side of strip substrates includes first and second process chambers, each process chamber including a process roller and at least one process source. A transfer chamber arranged between the process chambers is coupled with both process chambers and can be separated in terms of pressure from at least one of the process chambers. The transfer chamber further includes an unwinding device with a removable unwinding reel and a winding-up device with a removable winding-up reel for the substrate and an outside air lock for loading and unloading the unwinding reel and/or winding-up reel. The rear side of the substrate faces the two process rollers and can be guided through the transfer chamber from the unwinding device to the first process roller, from the first process roller to the second process roller and from the second process roller to the winding-up device.

Abstract: The film formation method comprises the steps of: unrolling and feeding an elongated substrate wound in a roll form from a first roll chamber in a direction from the first roll chamber toward a second roll chamber, using a first surface as a surface for film formation; degassing the fed substrate; forming a first material film on the first surface of the degassed substrate in a first film formation chamber; forming a second material film on the first material film in a second film formation chamber; taking up the substrate in a roll form in the second roll chamber, the substrate having the material films formed thereon; unrolling and feeding the taken up substrate from the first roll chamber in the direction, using a second surface opposite the first surface of the substrate as a surface for film formation; and repeating all the above treatments.

Abstract: An amorphous silicon (a-Si) dielectric for superconducting electronics is fabricated with reduced loss tangent by fluorine passivation throughout the bulk of the layer. Complete layers or thinner sub-layers of a-Si are formed by physical vapor deposition at low temperatures (<350 C, e.g. ˜200 C) to prevent reaction with superconducting materials, then exposed to fluorine. The fluorine may be a component of a gas or plasma, or it may be a component of an interface layer. The fluorine is driven into the a-Si by heat (e.g., <350 C) or impact to passivate defects such as dangling bonds.