Abstract: An arrangement for performing chromatography with a mobile phase and a chromatographic bed having a stationary phase is provided. The arrangement includes a support assembly configured to support the stationary phase. The support assembly has a sealed cavity configured so that when the support assembly is supporting the stationary phase a portion of the chromatographic bed and the stationary phase extends into the sealed cavity. The arrangement further includes a bladder having a void defined therein. The bladder is positioned within the sealed cavity. The arrangement also includes a fluid positioned within the void of the bladder so that the bladder is urged toward the stationary phase within the sealed cavity. The arrangement further includes an anode positioned in contact with the mobile phase.

Abstract: The present invention includes purified and isolated quassinoids and synthetically derived quassinoid analogs based on a picrasane carbon skeleton. Novel sidechains at C-15 incorporating water solubilizing agents such as glycine are discussed. Therapeutic methods taking advantage of anticancer, antiviral, and herbistatic properties of these quassinoids are disclosed, including use against solid tumors and human immunodeficiency virus infected cells.

Abstract: Evaluative shopping assistant system and method to provide the consumer with information about a product the consumer is interested in. The system includes a hand-held device having a bar code reader or other unique means of entering a product identifier, and a display mechanism. The hand-held device is connected via wired or wireless connection to a computer that is connected to a database of information. In use, the hand-held device reads the bar code, sends the bar code information to the computer, and the computer retrieves the appropriate information about the product from the database. The computer then sends the retrieved information to the hand-held device for display of the retrieved information. The information stored on the database may include information provided by the manufacturer, the retailer (or, more generally, seller), or consumers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a multicolor quantum dot-tagged bead, a multicolor quantum dot-tagged bead, a conjugate thereof, and a composition comprising such a bead or conjugate. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of making a conjugate thereof and methods of using a conjugate for multiplexed analysis of target molecules.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for providing prolonged-release of therapeutic agents by way of in situ stereotaxic implantation in specific loci, including pathways, to treat known disorders. One or more microstructures comprising therapeutic agents and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are implanted, for example, through a cannula. The microstructures are of a sufficient size and shape to prevent dispersion from the implant site.

Abstract: The present invention includes purified and isolated quassinoids and synthetically derived quassinoid analogs based on a picrasane carbon skeleton. Novel sidechains at C-15 incorporating water solubilizing agents such as glycine are discussed. Therapeutic methods taking advantage of anticancer, antiviral, and herbistatic properties of these quassinoids are disclosed, including use against solid tumors and human immunodeficiency virus infected cells.

Abstract: The present invention includes the receptor protein 4-1BB and the cDNA gene encoding for receptor protein 4-1BB. The nucleotide sequence of the isolated cDNA is disclosed herein along with the deduced amino acid sequence. The 4-1BB protein and fragments and derivatives can be used: 1) as a probe to isolate ligands to receptor protein 4-1BB, 2) to stimulate proliferation of B-cell's expressing 4-1BB, or 3) to block 4-1BB ligand binding. A monoclonal antibody against 4-1BB was developed which specifically recognizes an epitope on the extracellular domain of receptor protein 4-1BB. The monoclonal antibody can be used enhance T-cell proliferation and activation by treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein 4-1BB with the monoclonal antibody. The effectiveness of the treatment was enhanced when conducted in the presence of protein tyrosinase kinase. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to receptor protein 4-1BB was developed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are the methods of using the H4-1BB protein, ligands to this protein, and various mAbs either directed against H4-1BB or other molecules that can be used therapeutically. The nature and importance of the H4-1BB molecule provides the ligands and related co-stimulatory molecules the ability to enhance or suppress T-cell activation and proliferation. By treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB with one of the four anti-H4-1BB monoclonal antibodies disclosed herein activation or inhibition of the immune response is seen. Also disclosed herein is cDNA for the human receptor H4-1BB. The cDNA of the human receptor H4-1BB is about 65% homologous to the mouse cDNA 4-1BB and was isolated by using probes derived from murine cDNA 4-1BB. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to human receptor protein H4-1BB was developed.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing patients suspected of having a neurological disorder is disclosed and includes monitoring movement of a patient in order to obtain movement data that is representative of the movement of the patient. Another step of the method includes processing the movement data in order to obtain an input pattern that is representative of the movement data. The method also includes the step of processing the input pattern with a computational intelligence system that has been trained to classify movement based upon a predetermined group of neurological disorder classifications. Furthermore, the method includes generating with the computational intelligence system an output that is indicative of an appropriate neurological disorder classification for the patient. An analysis system for diagnosing patients suspected of having a neurological disorder is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for voxelizing geometric and volumetric models of objects in 3D space, i.e. converting these 3D models into a voxel-based volume representation. Based on an unconventional way of using the 3D graphics hardware in modern graphics workstations, the present invention generates slices of the model as frame buffer images, and then stores the slices in a 3D texture memory for interactive volume rendering. Since most of the computation is carried out directly by hardware, the voxelization algorithms of the present invention are much faster than existing algorithms, and are able to achieve interactive volume rendering and manipulation of complex 3D scenes consisting of intermixed geometric models and sampled volume data sets (e.g. CT and MRI scans).

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining mu opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention relates as well to polynucleotides encoding mu opioid receptor polypeptides, the recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, and recombinant opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention includes as well, methods for using the isolated, recombinant receptor polypeptide in assays designed to select and improve substances capable of interacting with mu opioid receptor polypeptides for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The invention includes an isolated bacterium and a consortium of microorganisms including an isolated bacterium of the invention, which is capable of utilizing as a sole carbon source a polychlorinated biphenyl. The invention also includes a recombinant microorganism, such as a bacterium, a yeast or a bacteriophage, transfected with nucleic acid from an isolated bacterium of the invention, which is capable of utilizing as a sole carbon source a polychlorinated biphenyl. The invention also includes an isolated bacterium, which is capable of utilizing as a sole carbon source a chlorobenzoate. In addition, the invention includes an isolated nucleic acid and recombinant enzymes useful in the degradation of a polychlorinated biphenyl. The invention also includes methods for the bioremediation or enhancement of the bioremediation of a PCB-contaminated environment using the bacteria or microorganisms of the invention.

Abstract: A multi-channel combustion device is provided. The device includes an inlet port, at least one radially partitioned inlet zone within the inlet port, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced combustion chambers in which deflagrative or detonative combustion occurs. The inlet port may have a plurality of separate, circumferentially partitioned inlet zones for supplying fuel and air mixtures to the inlet end of the combustion chambers. Each inlet zone is capable of introducing a different combustible mixture sequentially to a given combustion chamber as the chamber communicates with the inlet zones. The inlet of at least one combustion chamber is radially partitioned. At least one inlet zone is radially partitioned to permit radial stratification within the combustion chambers. The multi-channel combustion device may be a combustion wave rotor or a valved combustor.

Abstract: A polymer-micelle complex is disclosed. The polymer-micelle complex includes a micelle having a negative charge. The negatively charged micelle is bound electrostatically to a polymer bearing a positive charge. The complex can be in turn electrostatically bound to a siliceous material so that the complex is immobilized on the siliceous material. In addition, a composition comprising a negatively charged micelle, a positively charged polymer, and an aqueous carrier is disclosed. The aqueous carrier can exhibit salinity. In the composition, the micelle and polymer can electrostatically interact so as to form a polymer-micelle complex (which can either be soluble in the aqueous carrier or in the form of a precipitate or coacervate), or, alternatively, the polymer and micelle can remain separate such that a complex is not formed therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a recombinant adenovirus vector comprising two inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) each of which comprises a D-sequence having (i) from 5 to 15 native nucleotides and (ii) one or more deletions or substitutions therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mammalian Lhx3 nucleic acids and proteins encoded thereby. More specifically, the invention discloses novel porcine and human Lhx3 genes and isoforms thereof. The invention further relates to genomic mapping of the human Lhx3 coding region to the subtelomeric region of Chromosome 9. The invention also relates to methods and kits relating to the nucleic and amino acids encoding Lhx3 and uses therefor.

Abstract: The invention provides novel tetradentate enediyne ligands that are themselves thermally stable, yet react at about room temperature or slightly higher upon addition of metal ions or under photothermal conditions. In another aspect of the invention, a method of treating a disorder in a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or composition is provided. In addition, the free ligand can be delivered to the mammal prior to complexation to metals, such that the ligand is exposed to a metal in the body and forms a metal complex in vivo. Furthermore, a metal complex of the invention can be administered to the mammal such that the complex exchanges the first metal center with another endogenous metal in order to form a second metal complex in vivo. The second metal complex is capable of forming a benzenoid diradical under physiological conditions and/or under photothermal conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for case study instruction, comprising a host server, a database associated with the host server, at least one client computer, and a network operably connecting the host server and the client computer(s). Client computers are operated by learners or facilitators. Case studies according to the present invention comprise episodes. Each episode comprises events on timelines, character profiles, and, optionally, resources. Each event optionally comprises activities. Information about a case study is retrievably stored on the host server and in the database. Case studies are executed by one or more learners using a client computer to retrieve case study information through the network. Learners may be organized into teams. Where the network comprises a global computer network, learners may execute a case study from substantially any place in the world, at substantially any time of the day. Facilitators assist learners during execution of a case study.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-soluble luminescent quantum dot, a biomolecular conjugate thereof and a composition comprising such a quantum dot or conjugate. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of obtaining a luminescent quantum dot, a method of making a biomolecular conjugate thereof, and methods of using a biomolecular conjugate for ultrasensitive nonisotopic detection in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: The invention provides antiviral compounds and compositions comprising a viral specific oligonucleotide. Also provided are methods to inhibit or treat viral infections with the compounds or compositions of the invention.