we introduce the notions of t-dual rickart and strongly t-dual rickart modules. we provide several characterizations and investigate properties of each of these concepts. it is shown that every free (resp. finitely generated free) $r$-module is t-dual rickart if and only if $overline{z}^2(r)$ is a  direct summand of $r$ and end$(overline{z}^2(r))$ is a semisimple (resp. regular) ring. it is sho...

We report on an electrically controlled liquid-crystal-based variable optical lens filled with a dual-frequency nematic material. The lens design employs a hole-patterned electrode structure in a flat nematic cell. In order to decrease the lens switching time we maximize the dielectric torque by using a dual-frequency nematic material that is aligned at an angle approximately 45 degrees with re...

To improve ultrasound contrast agents targeted to the adhesion molecules P-selectin and VCAM-1 for the purpose of molecular imaging of atherosclerotic plaques, perfluorocarbon-filled phospholipid microbubble contrast agents were coupled by a polyethylene glycol-biotin-streptavidin bridge with mAb MVCAM.A(429), a sialyl Lewis(x) polymer (PAA-sLe(x)), or both (dual). Approximately three hundred t...

 In order to investigate the effects of artificial substrates (vertical surface of polypropylene fabrics) on cultured shrimp, we reared 28-day old Litopenaeus vannamei post-larvae (PL28) intensively for 90 days at a density of 510 shrimp/m2 in each of 8 tanks. Two tanks containing no artificial substrate were a control group, and 1, 3 and 5 artificial substrates were present in other 6 tanks. T...

Much effort has been devoted to the design of effective biomaterials for nerve regeneration. Here, we report the novel use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as regenerative agents to promote neuronal growth. We grew neuroblastoma cells on surfaces coated with AgNPs and studied the effect on the development of the neurites during the initiation and the elongation growth phases. We find that the Ag...

The atypical dual-specificity phosphatases (aDUSPs) are a group of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) that have been increasingly studied recently, but little is known about their substrates or their roles and regulation. aDUSPs are typically low-molecular-weight enzymes that are distinct from the mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatases (MKPs) but that still function in the regulation o...

The dual specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) are a subfamily within the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) family, with the unique property of being able to hydrolyze phosphoserine or phospho-threonine residues and phospho-tyrosine residues [1]. All DUSPs share the characteristic Class I PTP consensus sequence, D...HC(X)5RS/T, with C representing the essential catalytic cysteine [1]. Unlike other ...