Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of genetic engineering to provide a treatment of autoimmune disease. This is achieved preferably through the introduction of one or more recombinant genes encoding self antigens which are the target of an autoimmune response. In particular the invention provides a method of designing and constructing a gene encoding an encephalogenic epitope of proteolipid protein, and to the in vivo expression of the gene product by a recombinant retroviral vector. The expression and secretion of the encephalogenic epitope ameliorates the histopathological and clinical characteristics of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the mouse model for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Abstract: Compositions capable of simultaneous two-photon absorption and higher order absorptivities are disclosed. Many of these compositions are compounds satisfying the formulae D-Π-D, A-Π-A, D-A-D and A-D-A, wherein D is an electron donor group, A is an electron acceptor group and Π comprises a bridge of &pgr;-conjugated bonds connecting the electron donor groups and electron acceptor groups. In A-D-A and D-A-D compounds, the &pgr; bridge is substituted with electron donor groups and electron acceptor groups, respectively. Also disclosed are methods that generate an electronically excited state of a compound, including those satisfying one of these formulae. The electronically excited state is achieved in a method that includes irradiating the compound with light. Then, the compound is converted to a multi-photon electronically excited state upon simultaneous absorption of at least two photons of light.

Abstract: A computationally efficient method and apparatus for motion estimation by producing accurate motion vectors with minimal computational effort. A preferred embodiment of the present invention first identifies an approximate match between a reference frame and a current frame of video data. Once an approximate match is found, the method performs at least two searches at a finer pixel level, until a motion estimate is reached.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for rapid, reliable and simple isolation of RNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples. RNA purified in this manner can be used to monitor gene expression levels. The tissue sample can be a tumor or other pathological tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the fluorescence, luminescence, or absorption of a sample is provided. The sample may either be contained within a cuvette or within one or more sample wells within a multi-assay plate. A combination of a broadband source, a monochromator, and a series of optical filters are used to tune the excitation wavelength to a predetermined value within a relatively wide wavelength band. A similar optical configuration is used to tune the detection wavelength. In one aspect, multiple optical fibers are coupled to the excitation source subassembly, thus allowing the system to be quickly converted from one optical configuration to another. For example, the source can be used to illuminate either the top or the bottom of a sample well within a multi-assay plate or to illuminate a single cuvette cell. Similarly, multiple optical fibers are coupled to the detector subassembly.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device for producing a circular, interlamellar channel within the corneal stroma. An intracorneal ring can be implanted into this channel at the corneal periphery modifying the corneal curvature while sparing the important central optical zone of the cornea. This channel is formed by the sequential use of two separate instruments. The first instrument, the channel-guide dissector, is a circular dissecting instrument which is a split ring dissector with the dissecting end having a blunt tip and the other end connected to a handle. The important aspect of this channel-guide dissector is that it has a relatively narrow width which results in production of a lamellar corneal channel that is typically too narrow for the insertion of a typical intracorneal ring for myopic adjustment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the fluorescence, luminescence, or absorption of a sample is provided. The sample may either be contained within a cuvette or within one or more sample wells within a multi-assay plate. A combination of a broadband source, monochromator, and a series of optical filters are used to tune the excitation wavelength to a predetermined value within a relatively wide wavelength band. A similar configuration is used to tune the detection wavelength. In one aspect, multiple optical filters are coupled to the excitation source subassembly, thus allowing the system to be quickly converted from one optical configuration to another. In another aspect, the excitation light and the detected sample emissions pass to and from an optical head assembly via a pair of optical fibers. In another aspect, an optical scanning head assembly is used that includes mirrored optics for coupling the excitation source to the sample and the emitted light to the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the corneal curvature of the eye comprising a corneal implant having an elongated, hollow tubular shell which is implantable into the cornea in encircling relation to the central optic zone of the cornea. The implant has hinged portions along its the inner and outer arcs, and the corneal implant is filled with a predetermined amount of a biocompatible material in various forms such as rings or strands. The biocompatible material is strategically located within the flexible shell to alter its dimensions in thickness or diameter and thereby adjust the corneal curvature to correct refractive error.

Abstract: Protocols and architecture for secure virtual private networks. Intraenterprise data communications are supported in a secure manner over the Internet or other public network space with the implementation of secure virtual private networks. Members of a virtual private network group exchange data that may be compressed, encrypted and authenticated, if the exchange is between members of the group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous crosslinked hydrophilic polymeric material having cavities joined by interconnecting pores wherein at least some of the cavities at the interior of the material communicate with the surface of the material. The present invention also relates to a process for producing the polymeric material. This process involves combining a hydrophilic monomer phase with an oil discontinuous phase to form an emulsion, and polymerizing the emulsion. The emulsion can be a high internal phase emulsion (i.e., a “HIPE”). The polymeric material can be produced in a variety of forms. In one embodiment the emulsion is suspended in an oil suspension medium, and emulsion droplets are polymerized to produce polymeric microbeads.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes both a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and a hard array (HA). The FPGA includes a first set of functional groups that each include an underlying logic structure and memory cells for programming the underlying logic structure, a first set of routing buses, and a first set of routing interconnect areas that provide interconnections between the first set of functional groups and the first set of routing buses. The first set of routing interconnect areas includes transistors and memory cells for programming the interconnections. The HA includes a second set of functional groups that is equal in number to the first set of functional groups and that are arranged like the first set of functional groups. Each functional group in the second set of functional groups includes an underlying logic structure that is like the underlying logic structure of the first set of functional groups but which does not include memory cells for programming the underlying logic structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining multiple wavelengths of varying temporal format from a single solid state laser are provided. Accordingly, the output from the solid state laser can either be sent through a series of non-linear crystals to obtain UV radiation or through an OPO cavity to obtain IR radiation. In order to provide the different wavelengths in the temporal formats commonly used for various medical procedures, the laser source may be operated in two different modes. When the laser system produces UV radiation a pulse of short duration is desired and the laser source is operated in the standard Q-switched mode or is mode locked. Conversely, when the laser system produces IR radiation, a pulse of long duration is desired and the laser source is operated in the free running mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting corneal curvature of the eye comprising an adjustable corneal arcuate segment or segments which is implantable into the cornea. The arcuate segment is a flexible hollow shell composed of a synthetic or a natural material, with an annular chamber that is filled with a predetermined amount of a biocompatible material. The corneal curvature is adjusted by removing or augmenting the predetermined amount of biocompatible material contained in the arcuate segment.

Abstract: A data signal compression technique for real-time voice and data processing where the digitized signal is first compressed to obtain a first compressed signal, and the first compressed signal is then compressed again to obtain a second compressed signal. Within a digital signal processor, digital signals first undergo time scale compression after which the compressed signals undergo audio compression to achieve multiple-compressed signals. Upon reception in a second digital signal processor, the multiple-compressed signals are correspondingly decompressed to achieve a high-quality estimation of the original digital signals.

Abstract: A device for fastening to equipment subject to theft and having an outer shell provided with a security slot. The device is inserted in the security slot located in the shell of the equipment. The device includes two similarly-shaped, mirror-imaged insert members having a hooked tang protruding therefrom. The tangs are inserted through the security slot so that the hooks grip the inside surface of the equipment shell proximate the security slot, and the insert members are mated in juxtaposition. The insert members further include a cylindrical portion, that, when juxtaposed, creates a channel through which a cable or padlock may be passed to hold the insert members together. The device may include a sleeve to slidably cover the insert members.