Abstract: A microfluidic method is provided that comprises: taking a microfluidic device comprising a plurality of microvolumes; and causing movement of material in a same manner within the plurality of microvolumes by applying centrifugal forces to the material.

Abstract: A microfluidic method comprising: taking a microfluidic device comprising a substrate, and a plurality of microvolumes at least partially defined by the substrate, each microvolume comprising a first submicrovolume and a second submicrovolume in fluid communication with the first submicrovolume; adding fluids to the first submicrovolumes; and applying a centrifugal force to the device to cause a same volume of fluid to be transported to the second microvolumes from the first submicrovolumes.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining crystallization conditions for a material, the method comprising: taking a plurality of different crystallization samples in an enclosed microvolume, the plurality of crystallization samples comprising a material to be crystallized and crystallization conditions which vary among the plurality of crystallization samples; allowing crystals of the material to form in plurality of crystallization samples; and identifying which of the plurality of crystallization samples form crystals.

Abstract: A method for treating diseases associated with abnormal cell proliferation comprises delivering to a patient in need of treatment a compound selected from the group consisting of 20(S)-camptothecin, analog of 20(S)-camptothecin, derivative of 20(S)-camptothecin, prodrug of 20(S)-camptothecin, and pharmaceutically active metabolite of 20(S)-camptothecin, in combination with an effective amount of one or more agents selected from the group consisting of alkylating agent, antibiotic agent, an alkylating agent, antibiotic agent, antimetabolic agent, hormonal agent, plant-derived agent, anti-angiogenesis agent and biologic agent. The method can be used to treat benign tumors, malignant or metastatic tumors, leukemia and diseases associated with abnormal angiogenesis.

Abstract: Substituted derivatives of 1,2,5-thiadiazolidin-3-one 1,1-dioxides, oligomers containing them, and methods of using them.

Abstract: A kinematic coupling includes a male connector (94) and first and second opposed jaws (122, 124.) Each of the jaws is pivotable from a retracted position in which the male connector can be inserted between the jaws and an engaging position in which the jaws prevent withdrawal of the male connector from between the jaws. The male connector is movable between an extended and a retracted position, and is biased towards the retracted position. This provides a positive clamping force when the kinematic coupling is engaged.

Abstract: A highly diverse library of yeast expression vectors encoding a library of fusion proteins such as antibodies is provided. The yeast expression vector formed in the library comprises: a first nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide subunit; a second nucleotide sequence encoding a second polypeptide subunit; and a linker sequence encoding a linker peptide that links the first nucleotide sequence and the second nucleotide sequence. The first polypeptide subunit, the second polypeptide subunit, and the linker polypeptide are expressed as a single fusion protein within the library of fusion proteins. The first and second nucleotide sequences each independently varies within the library of expression vectors. The library of fusion proteins expressed by the library expression vectors can be used for screening against target molecules such as proteins, peptides, DNAs and small molecules in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Methods are provided for generating highly diverse libraries of expression vectors encoding fusion proteins such as single-chain antibodies via homologous recombination in yeast. The method comprises: transforming into yeast cells a linearized yeast expression vector having a 5′- and 3′-terminus sequence at the site of linearization and a library of insert nucleotide sequences that are linear and double-stranded; and having homologous recombination occur between the vector and the insert sequence such that the insert sequence is included in the vector in the transformed yeast cells.

Abstract: Recombinant expression vectors and methods are provided for detecting HIV and monitoring HIV drug resistance.

Abstract: Compostions, kits and methods are provided for generating highly diverse libraries of proteins such as antibodies via homologous recombination in vivo, and screening these libraries against protein, peptide and nucleic acid targets using a two-hybrid method in yeast.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a presence of HIV virus in a sample comprising: taking a culture of recombinant cells which (a) are capable of cell division, (b) express CD4 receptor and one or more additional cell surface receptors necessary to allow the HIV virus to infect, (c) enable the HIV virus to replicate and infect the noninfected cells in the cell culture, and (d) comprise a reporter sequence introduced into the recombinant cells comprising a reporter gene whose expression is regulated by a protein specific to HIV viruses which is expressed from a genome of an HIV virus upon infection of the recombinant cell by the HIV virus; contacting the cell culture with a sample to be analyzed for the presence of HIV virus in the sample; and detecting a change in a level of expression of the reporter gene in cells in the recombinant cell culture.

Abstract: A virtual image display system is provided which comprises a non-emissive, reflective microdisplay which forms a source object; an optical system which forms a magnified, virtual image of the source object from light reflected off the microdisplay; a light source system which produces light to illuminate the display system; and an illumination system which forms at least two virtual light sources to illuminate the display system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening containers and reducing waste from containers are described. The apparatus includes an opener device and a puncture device. The opener device facilitates the removal of a lid from a container without damaging the lid or the containers. The puncture device is capable of creating one or more holes in the container channel of the container to allow liquid trapped in the container channel to drain back into the container.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating rheumatoid arthritis by coadministering synergistic effective amounts of pentostatin and methotrexate to a host in need thereof, and kits and compositions that include pentostatin and methotrexate.

Abstract: Novel energy transfer dyes which can be used with shorter wavelength light sources are provided. These dyes include a donor dye with an absorption maxima at a wavelength between about 250 to 450 nm and an acceptor dye which is capable of absorbing energy emitted from the donor dye. One of the energy transfer dyes has a donor dye which is a member of a class of dyes having a coumarin or pyrene ring structure and an acceptor dye which is capable of absorbing energy emitted from the donor dye, wherein the donor dye has an absorption maxima between about 250 and 450 nm and the acceptor dye has an emission maxima at a wavelength greater than about 500 nm.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for treating tissue with thermal energy while minimizing the amount of thermal energy to which adjacent tissue is exposed. A surgical instrument for delivering thermal energy to a section of tissue during percutaneous surgery, includes: an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and a split tip electrode coupled to said distal end, said split tip electrode i) including a first component and a second component coupled to said first component, and ii) defining a principle axis. The thermal energy is delivered to said section of tissue so as to heat said section of tissue asymmetrically with regard to said principle axis of said split tip electrode. The systems and methods provide advantages in that thermal energy can be directed to one side of the split tip so that a first of two juxtaposed areas of a surgical site can be heated while a second of the two juxtaposed layers is substantially not heated.

Abstract: A cartridge (10) includes a chuck plate (12) for receiving a wafer (74) and a probe plate (14) for establishing electrical contact with the wafer. In use, a mechanical connecting device (90) locks the chuck plate and the probe plate fixed relative to one another to maintain alignment of the wafer and the probe plate. Preferably, electrical contact with the wafer is established using a probe card (50) that is movably mounted to the probe plate by means of a plurality of leaf springs (52.) The mechanical connecting device is preferably a kinematic coupling including a male connector (94) and first and second opposed jaws (122, 124.) Each of the jaws is pivotable from a retracted position in which the male connector can be inserted between the jaws and an engaging position in which the jaws prevent withdrawal of the male connector from between the jaws. The male connector is movable between an extended and a retracted position, and is biased towards the retracted position.

Abstract: A display matrix is provided for forming a composite image from a series of sub-images. The display matrix includes a plurality of display elements, each display element including a pixel, and a display circuit electrically connected to the pixel. Each display circuit includes a plurality of memory cells, and a selector for outputting to the pixel data from one memory cell at a time where the plurality of memory cells are non-addressably connected to the selector.

Abstract: Novel linkers for linking a donor dye to an acceptor dye in an energy transfer fluorescent dye are provided. These linkers faciliate the efficient transfer of energy between a donor and acceptor dye in an energy transfer dye. One of these linkers for linking a donor dye to an acceptor dye in an energy transfer fluorescent dye has the general structure R21Z1C(O)R22R26 where R21 is a C1-5 alkyl attached to the donor dye, C(O) is a carbonyl group, Z1 is either NH, sulfur or oxygen, R22 is a substituent which includes an alkene, diene, alkyne, a five and six membered ring having at least one unsaturated bond or a fused ring structure which is attached to the carbonyl carbon, and R28 includes a functional group which attaches the linker to the acceptor dye.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a library of mutagenized polynucleotides from a target sequence comprising (a) taking a sample comprising: (i) a target sequence including a section to be mutagenized, (ii) a library of first primers where the first primers include a first fixed sequence and a first unknown sequence 3′ to the first fixed sequence, the first unknown sequence varying within the library of first primers, and (iii) a library of second primers where the second primer include a second fixed sequence that differs from the first fixed sequence, and a second unknown sequence 3′ to the second fixed sequence, the second unknown sequence varying within the library of second primers; (b) performing one or more cycles of primer extension amplification on the sample in the presence of at least one polymerase such that a member of the library of the first primers is extended relative to the target sequence; and (c) performing one or more additional cycles of primer extension amplification on the