Abstract: An invention is provided for a dual mode hybrid electric thruster propulsion system. The dual mode hybrid electric thruster provides low thrust using ion/plasma exhaust only, and high thrust by mixing a neutral molecular gas with the ion/plasma exhaust. The dual mode hybrid electric thruster includes a main propellant duct defining a main propellant intake. Coupled to the main propellant duct is an accelerating element, which includes an ionization chamber and an exhaust output. In addition, a momentum exchange zone is located at the exhaust output of the accelerating element. The momentum exchange zone includes a secondary propellant duct defining a secondary propellant intake, which provides a secondary propellant into the momentum exchange zone. In high-thrust mode, the momentum exchange zone exchanges momentum between high velocity ions from the accelerating element with atoms of the secondary propellant.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a stress protein complex and related molecules encoding or cells presenting such a complex are provided. The stress protein complex comprises an hsp110 or grp170 polypeptide complexed with an immunogenic polypeptide. The immunogenic polypeptide of the stress protein complex can be associated with a cancer or an infectious disease. Preferred immunogenic polypeptides include gp100, her2/neu ECD-PD, ICD and M. tuberculosis antigens. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be used for the treatment or prevention of cancer or infectious disease.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for detecting electrochemical oxidoreduction activity mediated by a redox enzyme at a site remote from the enzyme. In one embodiment, the method comprises immobilizing the redox enzyme on a first region of a conductive surface and contacting a substrate capable of producing a detectable signal upon oxidation or reduction with a second region of the conductive surface. The second region is electrically coupled with the first region and the redox enzyme is not present in the second region. The method further comprises exposing the immobilized redox enzyme to conditions that effect oxidation or reduction of the enzyme, and detecting oxidation or reduction of the substrate at the second region. The invention can be adapted for detecting a plurality of analytes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an inertial sensor having an integral resonator. A typical sensor comprises a planar mechanical resonator for sensing motion of the inertial sensor and a case for housing the resonator. The resonator and a wall of the case are defined through an etching process. A typical method of producing the resonator includes etching a baseplate, bonding a wafer to the etched baseplate, through etching the wafer to form a planar mechanical resonator and the wall of the case and bonding an end cap wafer to the wall to complete the case.

Abstract: An invention is provided for generating a shaped reflector. The invention includes receiving required performance data that defines a desired RF performance of a shaped reflector. A mathematical model of the shaped reflector is manipulated to generate a new geometry for the shaped reflector, which is capable of generating the desired RF performance. To ensure the new geometry can be physically duplicated with high precision, the mathematical model is manipulated in a manner that can be duplicated using a plurality of tuners associated with the shaped reflector. Once the new geometry is created, data is outputted that defines alterations to the plurality of tuners needed to generate the new geometry for the shaped reflector.

Abstract: A remote auxiliary switch for activating an automotive window washer of a window without activating a window wiper for the window is disclosed. An operator may conveniently dispense washer fluid from the on board reservoir of the existing wiper system to use when cleaning the window manually. The remote auxiliary switch is operable external to a vehicle cabin and may function as a wireless remote. Optionally, a servo valve may also be operated through the auxiliary switch to selectively control delivery of the washer fluid to a specific nozzle when a plurality of nozzles are provided.

Abstract: A Multiple Internal Seal Ring (MISR) Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) vacuum package that hermetically seals MEMS devices using MISR. The method bonds a capping plate having metal seal rings to a base plate having metal seal rings by wafer bonding the capping plate wafer to the base plate wafer. Bulk electrodes may be used to provide conductive paths between the seal rings on the base plate and the capping plate. All seals are made using only metal-to-metal seal rings deposited on the polished surfaces of the base plate and capping plate wafers. However, multiple electrical feed-through metal traces are provided by fabricating via holes through the capping plate for electrical connection from the outside of the package through the via-holes to the inside of the package. Each metal seal ring serves the dual purposes of hermetic sealing and providing the electrical feed-through metal trace.

Abstract: A digital data processing system with improved access to information stored on a peripheral device is provided. A bypass mechanism, which executes on at least a first node (e.g., a client node), intercedes in the response to at least selected input/output, or access, requests generated by that node. The bypass transfers data designated by such requests between the first node and a peripheral device (e.g., a disk drive) over a third communications pathway, in lieu of transferring that data via a second node (e.g., a server node) and a first communications pathway (e.g., a network) between the first and second node and a second communications pathway between the second node and peripheral device. Such transfers by the bypass, however, are made using the administrative information maintained by the file system relating to storage of such data on the peripheral device.

Abstract: The invention provides a family of proteins named PIAS which function as specific inhibitors of STAT proteins. Methods of using PIAS molecules are also provided to regulate STAT proteins.

Abstract: Lentiviral vectors modified at the 5? LTR or both the 5? and 3? LTR are useful in the production of recombinant lentivirus vectors (See the Figure). Such vectors can be produced in the absence of a functional tat gene. Multiple transformation of the host cell with the vector carrying the transgene enhances virus production. The vectors can contain inducible or conditional promoters.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for inhibiting proliferation of cancer cells, as well as methods for detecting and treating various cancers, including cancer of the brain, lung, breast, prostate and colon. The method comprises contacting a cancer cell with a molecule that disrupts the biological activity of a GDOX molecule. In one embodiment, the molecule is an antibody directed against a GDOX peptide. In other embodiments, the molecule is an antisense nucleotide directed against a GDOX nucleic acid molecule, or a vaccine comprising a GDOX peptide or a polynucleotide encoding a GDOX peptide. The invention additionally provides methods for detecting and treating cancer using GDOX-related molecules.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for inhibiting proliferation of neural cells. The neural cells can be tumor cells, glial cells, neuronal cells, and cells of the central or peripheral nervous systems. The method comprises contacting a neural cell with a molecule that disrupts the biological activity of a granulin molecule. In one embodiment, the molecule is an antibody directed against a granulin peptide. In other embodiments, the molecule is an antisense nucleotide directed against a granulin nucleic acid molecule, or a vaccine comprising a granulin peptide or a polynucleotide encoding a granulin peptide. The invention additionally provides methods for detecting and treating cancer in a neural tissue using granulin-related molecules. Also provided is a method for indenting differentially expressed gene products that are translated from mRNA species, using antibody-based screening of a cDNA expression library.

Abstract: Recombinant lentiviruses and transfer vectors for transgene delivery as well as methods for gene therapy using such vectors are disclosed. The invention provides a third generation lentiviral packaging system and a set of vectors for producing recombinant lentiviruses, as well as novel tissue specific enhancer and promoter elements useful for optimizing liver specific transgene delivery. The transgene is preferably a blood clotting factor such as human factor IX (hFIX) or human factor VIII (hFVIII) and can be used for treatment of hemophilia.

Abstract: An inertial sensor includes a mesoscaled disc resonator comprised of micro-machined substantially thermally non-conductive wafer with low coefficient of thermal expansion for sensing substantially in-plane vibration, a rigid support coupled to the resonator at a central mounting point of the resonator, at least one excitation electrode within an interior of the resonator to excite internal in-plane vibration of the resonator, and at least one sensing electrode within the interior of the resonator for sensing the internal in-plane vibration of the resonator. The inertial sensor is fabricated by etching a baseplate, bonding the substantially thermally non-conductive wafer to the etched baseplate, through-etching the wafer using deep reactive ion etching to form the resonator, depositing a thin conductive film on the through-etched wafer.

Abstract: An apparatuses and methods for phase matching power combined signals are described. A typical apparatus includes at least a waveguide portion in at least a first branch conducting a first electromagnetic signal of a combiner, the waveguide portion having an effective size and a thermal control system effecting a temperature change in the waveguide portion to alter the effective size. Altering the effective size of the waveguide portion adjusts phase matching between the first electromagnetic signal of the first branch and at least a second electromagnetic signal of a second branch of the combiner. High thermal expansion coefficient materials including silver plated polyetherimide can be used. In addition, composite materials having anisotropic thermal expansion may be used.

Abstract: The invention discloses a semi-ring Fabry-Perot (SRFP) optical resonator structure comprising a medium including an edge forming a reflective facet and a waveguide within the medium, the waveguide having opposing ends formed by the reflective facet. The performance of the SRFP resonator can be further enhanced by including a Mach-Zehnder interferometer in the waveguide on one side of the gain medium. The optical resonator can be employed in a variety of optical devices. Laser structures using at least one SRFP resonator are disclosed where the resonators are disposed on opposite sides of a gain medium. Other laser structures employing one or more resonators on one side of a gain region are also disclosed.

Abstract: An invention is provided for determining the azimuth pointing angle of a moving monopulse antenna. Pulses of energy are broadcast at the surface of a planetary body. Reflected signals are received from the surface of the planetary body using a plurality of feeds. A monopulse ratio is then calculated based on a sum pattern and a difference pattern. The sum pattern is based on the sum of the reflected signals received using the feeds, and the difference pattern is based on a difference of the reflected signals received using the feeds. An azimuth pointing angle of a monopulse antenna is then calculated using the monopulse ratio.

Abstract: A system for providing safe, effective ear-piercing is provided. A hinged hoop earring is provided for use in a stud gun system. The hinged hoop earring can be used in an earring cartridge which fits in a cradle of a stud gun for piercing. A vertically stackable packing box maintains a sterile environment in which the earring cartridge with a hinged hoop earring may be transported and stored. The stud gun can be loaded and unloaded using the packing box in such a way that the operator need not touch the cartridge during either loading or unloading.