Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for optically sorting and/or manipulating carbon nanotubes by creating an optical dipole trap with a focused light source (e.g., a laser) are described in detail herein. In one representative embodiment, light from the light source may be directed onto a mixture of carbon nanotubes, the mixture including a target class of carbon nanotubes having dimensions (e.g., length and diameter) corresponding to particular electronic properties suitable for an application. By identifying a resonant condition corresponding to the target class of carbon nanotubes, and tuning the light source substantially to the resonant condition, an optical dipole trap may be created to attract carbon nanotubes of the target class to allow manipulation and/or sorting of the target class of carbon nanotubes from the mixture, or rotation of the nanotubes via rotation of a plane of polarization of the light, in an embodiment.

Abstract: Methods of reducing the risk of transmission of a sexually transmitted pathogen by contacting the pathogen or cells susceptible to infection by the pathogen with a &bgr;-cyclodextrin are provided. Methods for reducing the risk of transmission of a sexually transmitted pathogen to or from a subject by contacting the pathogen or cells susceptible to the pathogen in the subject with a pharmaceutical composition containing a &bgr;-cyclodextrin also are provided. Accordingly, pharmaceutical compositions, which include 1) a &bgr;-cyclodextrin, which is in an amount that blocks passage of the pathogen through lipid rafts in the membrane of a cell susceptible to the pathogen, and 2) a contraceptive, an agent for treating a sexually transmitted disease, a lubricant, or a combination thereof, are provided, as are composition formulated from a solid substrate that contains an amount of &bgr;-cyclodextrin useful for reducing the risk of transmission of a sexually transmitted pathogen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of diagnosing a cell proliferative disorder of breast tissue by determining the methylation status of nucleic acids obtained from a subject. Aberrant methylation of several genes including TWIST, HOXA5, NES-1, retinoic acid receptor beta (RAR&bgr;), estrogen receptor (ER), cyclin D2, WT-1, 14.3.3 sigma, HIN-1, RASSF1A, and combinations of such genes serve as markers of breast malignancy.

Abstract: Provided are reagents and methods useful for the synthesis of guanidinylated compounds. Also provided are methods for assaying molecules, including guanidinylated molecules that modulate viral infection and replication.

Abstract: A wireless network access system and method that provides a multiplicity of access point devices, each being capable of relaying information. The upstream network access may include an omni-directional antenna for downstream communications. The wireless network is provided as a tree structure wherein each access point feeds back to a higher access point of the multiplicity of access point devices. The described system does not employ routers, and thereby speeds processing time and reduces network latency and costs associated with a mesh network employing routers. A multiplicity of customer premise wireless network devices are provided with a wireless modem for communication from the customer premise limited to a path all the way back to a main gateway upstream to the wired side of the network where the gateway provides a T3 or other high speed Internet connection.

Abstract: A hesperitin pro-form is provided. The invention provides both a hydrophilic and lipophilic hesperetin pro-form. A pharmaceutical composition is provided which is suitable for topical or oral administration in an individual, the composition comprising a hydrophilic hesperetin pro-form and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A pharmaceutical composition is also provided which is suitable for topical or oral administration in an individual, the composition including a lipophilic hesperetin pro-form and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A method is provided for treating a subject having or at risk of having a cell proliferative disorder, including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a hesperetin pro-form.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for purifying polypeptides of interest using a modified Fluorescein arsenical helix binder (FlAsH) compound immobilized on a solid support. An exemplary FlAsH target sequence motif is also presented. Examples of modification of the FlAsH compound which allow immobilization to a solid support are also provided. The present invention also provides DNA constructs for producing a dual affinity tagged polypeptide and methods for purification thereof.

Abstract: A system for managing computer resource usage quotas includes a distributed gateway service, a plurality of clients, an internal network, a distributed storage service a system management service, a configuration database, and a distributed metadata service. A method for managing computer resource usage quotas applied to a plurality of users of data includes the steps of defining one or more resource classes, defining at least one usage policy for the resource classes, tracking quota usage for the usage quotas in accordance with the usage policy, and enforcing quota usage for the usage quotas, and storing the data in accord with the resource class definitions. Optionally, the quota usage may be aggregated.

Abstract: Client-server software partitions Windows applications into multi-media and other less-observable instructions such that client may run audio/visual-related commands remotely, thereby appearing to client-user as when application were run solely by central server. Clients may access application through web-sites or remote access servers. Client requests may be atomized such that instruction set sub-sets are partitioned correspondingly. Operating system parameters on which application is run may be accessed selectably. Server may centralize client administration and provide metering of application usage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a linear actuator, controllable as a spring, having a field assembly and a coil assembly positioned for interaction with and movement relative to the field assembly. The field assembly has a soft magnetic housing having an axis, axially magnetized cylindrical magnets and soft magnetic pole pieces which form a stack of alternating cylindrical magnets and pole pieces positioned along the axis. The coil assembly includes a coil base having coil cavities, coils supported in the coil cavity, and an axially magnetized permanent magnet positioned on the coil base so that the axially magnetized permanent magnet is positioned to travel along the axis of the soft magnetic housing. A repulsion force is generated between the coil assembly and the field assembly when the coil assembly is de-energized, and the repulsion force is modified when the coil assembly is energized.

Abstract: A method for authenticating internet billing using a third party account server. Internet users maintain authentication information such as user PIN codes with a third party account server. An internet user seeking to purchase from and an internet vendor is linked to a third party account server and transmits the appropriate authentication information to the account server for approval. The account server then approves or disapproves the transaction based on the validity of the authentication information that it receives from the user.

Abstract: An optical coupler comprises first and second mirrors. The first mirror is positioned with respect to the second mirror so that a resonant cavity is defined between them. A waveguide structure is positioned in the resonant cavity and includes a surface-normal grating structure. A thickness of the resonant cavity is selected so that a phase matching condition is satisfied for resonance in the resonant cavity. At least one of the first and second mirrors may be formed from a structure in an optoelectronic device. Alternatively, at least one of the first and second mirrors is formed from a semiconductor layer. At least one of the first and second mirrors may be formed as a semiconductor distributed bragg reflector, or as a dielectric distributed bragg reflector. At least one of the first and second mirrors may be a mirror in a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) structure.

Abstract: A system and method have been provided for classifying electronic signatures, obtained through the detection of a vehicle with a single loop inductive sensor, into one of a plurality of vehicle classification groups. A neural networking process is able to learn the plurality of vehicle classifications. In response to an electronic signature stimulus, the neural networking process is able to recall the classification group corresponding to the signature.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes a vehicle body, and a grass-cutting unit for cutting grass into long grass strips that move into a grass-shredding device, within which the long grass strips are shredded. Shredded grass drops from the grass-shredding device onto the lawn so as to serve as humus.

Abstract: An electronic device simulator includes a three-dimensional lumped device model, a three-dimensional visco-elastic process simulation model and a material design model that are interlinked with each other. The three-dimensional lumped device element model comprises a Poisson's equation model, an electron continuity equation model, a hole continuity equation model, a Maxwell's equations model, an eddy current equation model, and an Ohm's law equation model. The simulator accounts for the three dimensional characteristics of the circuit to determine circuit performance.

Abstract: A microplate lid having a substantially flat, generally rectangular top with first and second pairs of opposite sides. A flange depends from the top of the first and second pairs of sides, the flange bearings at least one recess area along each side of the first pair of sides, the recessed area extended into the top.

Abstract: A power supply and control equipment for a resistance welding machine including a battery, battery charger, transistor or mechanical switches, pulse width modulation controller, a unit for generating either constant or time varying power, voltage, or current references.