Abstract: A nonlinear optical chromophore having the formula D-?-A, wherein ? is a ? bridge including a thiophene ring having oxygen atoms bonded directly to the 3 and 4 positions of the thiophene ring, D is a donor, and A is an acceptor.

Abstract: A composition comprising bacteria and an inert carrier is disclosed. The carrier can be porous, ceramic particles. The composition can also include a growth medium. Bacteria in such a composition can comprise a novel strain designated APM-1. APM-1 is a Gram-positive, aerobic, motile rod, and appears to be most closely related to Bacillus spp. Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed compositions for controlling plant fungal diseases, for controlling mammalian fungal diseases, or for bioremediation.

Abstract: Peptides and peptide-targeted multimeric contrast agents are described, as well as methods of making and using the contrast agents.

Abstract: A blood pump may be adapted to sense the onset of left ventricular collapse by monitoring a pulsatility index, and may adjust the pump speed to maintain the index at a setpoint. The pulsatility index may be measured by the amount of difference between the maximum and the minimum volume of flow through the pump during a particular time period. The setpoint may be increased when the onset of ventricular collapse is detected, for example, when the pulsatility index falls suddenly. The setpoint may be decreased incrementally when the onset of ventricular collapse has not been detected for a period of time, such as for a particular period of time since the last detection of the onset of ventricular collapse.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing cryo therapy, cryo ablation or cryoplasty. A cryo therapy apparatus may comprise an elongate shaft, a cooling member disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and a pressure gauge coupled to the cooling member.

Abstract: The invention involves methods and materials for extracellularly administering PNA oligomers to living cells. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials of treating living cells with PNA oligomers such that the oligomers cross biological barriers and engender a biological response in a sequence specific manner. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for orally administering PNA oligomers to animals such that the oligomers cross biological barriers and engender a biological response in a sequence specific manner. The invention also provides sense and antisense PNA oligomers that modulate transcription and translation, respectively. The invention also provides mismatch PNA oligomers that modulate the degree of an engendered biological response. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for detecting PNA oligomers within a biological sample collected from an animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel, polynucleotides isolated from dwarf plants. The dwf4 polynucleotides that encode all, or a portion of, a DWF4 polypeptide, a cytochrome P450 enzyme that mediates multiple steps in synthesis of brassinosteroids. The present invention also relates to isolated polynucleotides that encode regulatory regions of dwf4. Uses of the dwf4 polypeptides and polynucleotides are also disclosed.

Abstract: A soil aeration tine having a nose or apex end for soil penetration with a set of soil fracture faces carried thereon to fracture a portion of the soil in engagement with the soil aeration tine and a cutting tube positioned on the soil aeration tine with the soil cutting tube cutting a soil plug free of a further portion of the soil with the soil penetration tine having a lateral face for scooping out soil as the soil aeration tine is removed from the soil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating the temporomandibular joint. The device includes pads (5) for placing on the occlusal surfaces of the posterior teeth (Z) of the left-hand and right-hand sides of the mouth, wherein the pads are filled with fluid (F), and are connected to each other by means of a tube (7) for fluid exchange. To improve the wearing comfort, it is proposed according to the invention that each pad (5) has on one side of it a means (1, 3, 4, 8) for clamping on the posterior tooth (Z).

Abstract: A new class of chimeric polypeptides is disclosed that includes a transmembrane segment, an intracellular reporting segment, and an extracellular sorting segment. The novel polypeptides can be used to detect gene expression at the cellular level, and to isolate precisely those cells that are detected from organisms, organs, tissues, and mixtures of cells.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for ameliorating the clinical signs of an avian pneumovirus (APV) infection in a bird are disclosed. The compositions include immunologically effective amounts of an avirulent APV isolated from Canada geese. Methods for preparing avirulent Canada goose APV compositions and vaccines are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for contrast-enhanced imaging of sexual response. In particular, the present invention relates to methods of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized X-ray tomography (CT), ultrasound, and optical imaging using contrast agents to measure blood flow during sexual response, especially female sexual response. The invention relates to methods of analyzing normal sexual function and sexual dysfunction and provides a means for evaluating and screening potential therapeutic compounds for enhancing sexual function or treating sexual dysfunction.

Abstract: Seeds, plants and oils are provided having high oleic acid; low linoleic acid; and low linoleic acid plus linolenic acid; and advantageous functional or nutritional properties. Plants are disclosed that contain a mutation in a delta-12 or delta-15 fatty acid desaturase gene. Preferred plants are rapeseed and sunflower plants. Plants carrying such mutant genes have altered fatty acid composition in seeds. In one embodiment, a plant contains a mutation in a region having the conserved motif His-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-His, found in delta-12 and delta-15 fatty acid desaturases. A preferred motif has the sequence His-Glu-Cys-Gly-His. A preferred mutation in this motif has the amino acid sequence His-Lys-Cys-Gly-His. Nucleic acid fragments are disclosed that comprise a mutant delta-12 or delta-15 fatty acid desaturase gene sequence.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for evaluating cardiovascular conditions (e.g., angina conditions). Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials related to determining whether or not a mammal has at least one unstable plaque. The invention also provides kits for assessing cardiovascular conditions, substantially pure populations of cells, and methods of identifying compounds to treat life-threatening cardiovascular conditions (e.g., unstable angina).

Abstract: The invention provides methods to detect herpes simplex virus (HSV) in biological samples and further to distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2. Primers and probes for the differential detection of HSV-1 and HSV-2 are provided by the invention. Articles of manufacture containing such primers and probes for detecting HSV are further provided by the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for diagnosing a rheumatoid arthritis condition in a patient. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for classifying a rheumatoid arthritis condition as diffuse, follicular, or granulomatous. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for determining if an individual suffering from a rheumatoid arthritis condition will develop severe disease.

Abstract: The invention provides magazines for radioactive brachytherapy seeds. The seed magazines provided herein include housing, seed holder, and pusher components, and optionally have a slidable shield to protect a user from radiation.

Abstract: Novel vaccines for use against ?-hemolytic Streptococcus colonization or infection are disclosed. The vaccines contain an immunogenic amount of a variant of streptococcal C5a peptidase (SCP). Also disclosed is a method of protecting a susceptible mammal against ?-hemolytic Streptococcus colonization or infection by administering such a vaccine. Enzymatically inactive SCP, and polynucleotides encoding these SCP proteins are further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides plant retroelements useful as molecular tools. In one embodiment, the present invention provides nucleic acids encoding gag, pol and/or env genes of plant retroelements. The elements can be used, among other uses, as building blocks of other constructs, tools to find other nucleic acid sequences and tools to transfer nucleic acid into cells.