Abstract: Analogs of combretastatin have been discovered which demonstrate impressive cytotoxicity as well as a remarkable ability to inhibit tubulin polymerization. Such compounds are excellent clinical candidates for the treatment of cancer in humans. In addition, certain of these ligands, as pro-drugs, may well prove to be tumor selective vascular targeting chemotherapeutic agents or to have vascular targeting activity resulting in the selective prevention and/or destruction of nonmalignant proliferating vasculature.

Abstract: A platform is provided, which platform is adapted to engage a base through a multiplicity of pulley engaging cables. A first end of each cable is attached to a cam follower assembly located on the base and a second portion of the cable is attached to the platform. A motor driving the multiplicity of cams, cam followers, and cables will move the platform, the platform typically being suspended above the base on the cables or the cables and compression springs.

Abstract: A series of viral vectors derived from foxtail mosaic virus, sunn hemp mosaic virus and white clover mosaic virus sequences, and which are capable of expressing heterologous proteins in plants, including the tobacco, Nicotiana benthamiana, and cowpea, bean, and other legumes with the properties of unusually limited expression in the absence of gene silencing suppressors and high level expression in their presence. In a preferred embodiment, these viral vectors may be introduced via agroinoculation, and expression of the heterologous gene may be inducible with little or no leakiness in the absence of induction.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an electromagnetic (EM) sensor system and method that permits rapid and non-invasive measurement of blood glucose or other biological characteristics that exhibits a unique spectral signature, such as its complex electrical permittivity within the frequency range from near DC to microwave frequencies. Low-level EM signals are coupled through the skin and modified by electrical properties of the sub dermal tissues. These tissues essentially integrate with the sensor circuit as they interact with the transmitted EM energy. The guided-wave signal can be sampled and converted to a digital representation. The digital information can be processed and analyzed to determine the frequency-sensitive permittivity of the tissues and a determination of blood glucose level is made based upon the sensor output. The sensor design and method has wide-ranging applicability to a number of important measurement problems in industry, biology, medicine, and chemistry, among others.

Abstract: Novel quinone and catechol compositions, compositions containing prodrugs of quinone and catechol compositions, and methods of use for the treatment of solid tumor cancers and other vascular proliferative disorders. The disclosure particularly relates to the discovery of dual activity agents capable of generating both a vascular targeting effect and direct tumor cell cytotoxicity in order to achieve an enhanced anti-tumor response in a patient.

Abstract: A new strategy for the quantitative determination of enantiomeric purity that combines guest-host complexation, spectroscopy, and chemometric modeling. Spectral data for samples of known enantiomeric composition is subjected to a type of multivariate regression modeling known as partial least squares (“PLS-1”) regression. The PLS-1 regression produces a mathematical model that can be used to predict the enantiomeric composition of a set of samples of unknown enantiomeric purity. In this strategy, the concentration of the chiral compound does not have to be fixed or known.

Abstract: A method for classifying textile samples and unknown fabrics into known categories using spectroscopy, chemometric modeling, and soft independent modeling of class analogies (“SIMCA”). The method involves collecting spectral data, preferably diffuse near infrared reflectance data, for a library of known fabric samples, creating a database of principal component analyses for each type of fabric, and using SIMCA to classify an unknown fabric sample according to the database.

Abstract: The present invention relates to semicarbazone or thiosemicarbazone inhibitors of cysteine proteases and methods of using such compounds to prevent and treat protozoan infections such as trypanosomiasis, malaria and leishmaniasis. The compounds also find use in inhibiting cysteine proteases associated with carcinogenesis, including cathepsins B and L.

Abstract: A serotonin reuptake inhibitor which can be used in the treatment of depression and which has a decreased occurrence of unwanted side effects. The serotonin reuptake inhibitors are bi-functional organic molecules which combine serotonin transporter reuptake inhibition with serotonin (5-HT, such as 5-HT2A) receptor antagonism in one molecular entity. The serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) homologue portion of the molecule shows an affinity to the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) and has antidepressant properties. The piperazine or piperidine portion of the molecule demonstrates an affinity to 5-HT receptors and restores the undesired side effects of SSRIs.

Abstract: Methods for modification of tissue using covalent chemistry. Tissue can be modified through direct alkylation, reduction followed by alkylation, or oxidation followed by condensation to covalently attach small organic molecules or appropriately modified proteins. The modification can be spatially limited to desired regions of the tissue surface.

Abstract: A method for determining sugar concentration using spectropolarimetry and multivariate regression modeling A set of fixed polarizers are used in association with a spectrometer, which enables the measurement of optical rotation as absorbance values over a range of wavelengths. The adverse effects of color within the samples is corrected by measuring a background level of absorbance that is not due to optical rotation and using this as a baseline. A regression model is then developed for predicting sugar concentration in unknown samples. This method is effective even if the sample is colored.

Abstract: Methods for modification of tissue using covalent chemistry. Tissue can be modified through direct alkylation, reduction followed by alkylation, or oxidation followed by condensation to covalently attach small organic molecules or appropriately modified proteins. The modification can be spatially limited to desired regions of the tissue surface.

Abstract: A new method and strategy for the quantitative determination of enantiomeric purity that combines polarimetry, spectroscopy, and chemometric modeling. Spectral data is collected after a light beam is passed through a first polarimeter, a sample of a chiral compound, and a second polarimeter oriented at a 45 degree angle relative to the first polarimeter. The spectral data for samples of known enantiomeric composition is subjected to a type of multivariate regression modeling known as partial least squares (“PLS-1”) regression. The PLS-1 regression produces a mathematical model that can be used to predict the enantiomeric composition of a set of samples of unknown enantiomeric purity.

Abstract: A serotonin reuptake inhibitor which can be used in the treatment of depression and which has a decreased occurrence of unwanted side effects. The serotonin reuptake inhibitors are bi-functional organic molecules which combine serotonin transporter reuptake inhibition with serotonin (5-HT, such as 5-HT2A) receptor antagonism in one molecular entity. The serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) homologue portion of the molecule shows an affinity to the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) and has antidepressant properties. The piperazine or piperidine portion of the molecule demonstrates an affinity to 5-HT receptors and restores the undesired side effects of SSRIs.

Abstract: A series of viral vectors derived from foxtail mosaic virus, sunn hemp mosaic virus and white clover mosaic virus sequences, and which are capable of expressing heterologous proteins in plants, including the tobacco, Nicotiana benthamiana, and cowpea, bean, and other legumes with the properties of unusually limited expression in the absence of gene silencing suppressors and high level expression in their presence. In a preferred embodiment, these viral vectors may be introduced via agroinoculation, and expression of the heterologous gene may be inducible with little or no leakiness in the absence of induction.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric composite containing natural fibers and a method for producing such composites. The non-woven fabric composite is comprised of large diameter, lignin-rich natural fibers with a high viscous flow temperature and a high degradation temperature combined with fibers made of a thermoplastic polymer with a lower viscous flow temperature such as polypropylene, polyethylene or a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer fiber such as polylactic acid, or mixture thereof. A hot-pressed non-woven fabric composite material prepared from the non-woven fabric composite.

Abstract: The present invention is designed to efficiently calculate isotopic distribution in order to simulate mass spectra data for any chemical compound of interest. The simulated spectra considers the various isotopes of the compound based upon a probability calculation that takes into consideration the natural abundance of each isotope of individual elements of the compound. The probability calculation generates a relative probability associated with each isotope species of the subject compound. The simulated spectra are displayed on an x-y coordinate illustrating the calculated formula weight on the abscissa (x-axis) and the intensity of the specific species on the ordinate (y-axis). This theoretical data is then compared to experimental data taken from a mass spectrometer in order to identify the chemical compound at issue.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel tricyclic quinone and catechol compositions, compositions containing prodrugs of tricyclic quinone and catechol compositions, and methods of use for the treatment of solid tumor cancers and other vascular proliferative disorders. In certain aspects, the compositions of the invention are capable of generating both a vascular targeting effect and tumor cell cytotoxicity (e.g., by oxidative stress) in order to achieve an enhanced anti-tumor response in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to semicarbazone or thiosemicarbazone inhibitors of cysteine proteases and methods of using such compounds to prevent and treat protozoan infections such as trypanosomiasis, malaria and leishmaniasis. The compounds also find use in inhibiting cysteine proteases associated with carcinogenesis, including cathepsins B and L.

Abstract: An exercise machine, more specifically, an abdominal exercise machine. The abdominal exercise machine consists of a frame upon which the user sits, the frame having a support arm tilted backward from vertical with the lower lumbar region against a seat member. Pivotally attached to the frame is an upper seat rest assembly that has a pair of handles and a pad designed to lay against the upper back of the user. The seat back assembly moves with the upper body of the user, the hands of the user assisting in maintaining the upper seat back member against the upper back, while the user moves from a tilted back position to a crunch position, and simulating a traditional sit-up movement.