Abstract: Disclosed is a less expensive, more efficient process for enhanced oil recovery, particularly useful in high cost environments such as offshore. This process is known as single well gas assisted gravity drainage (SW-GAGD). The process comprises the steps of drilling from a single wellbore one or more horizontal laterals near the bottom of a payzone and injecting a fluid displacer such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide through injection points. The injectant sweeps the oil and other produced fluids in the reservoir towards other producing perforations in the single well.

Abstract: CXCR4 and ROBO-1 are biomarkers associated with type 1 diabetes. Expression of CXCR4 and ROBO-1 in peripheral CD3 T cells is substantially higher in patients with autoimmune diabetes (type 1 diabetes) than in non-diabetic patients. Therapies are disclosed for reducing the progression of type 1 diabetes, and to reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes in patients who are at risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

Abstract: Catalysts are disclosed having metal oxide support structures and acidic reaction sites. Those reaction sites may have multiple bromine atoms bound to an aluminum atom with that aluminum-bromine group having an associated hydrogen ion. Additional structural features of the reaction sites are dictated by the aluminum oxide based catalysts and a silicon oxide based catalyst selected.

Abstract: Nanoparticles with entrapped, nonpolar compounds are disclosed, and a method for their synthesis. The nanoparticles are readily dissolved or dispersed in water. For example, the entrapped nonpolar compounds may include pharmaceutically-active compounds, or natural colorants. The nanoparticles have a nonpolar compound core, an intermediate surfactant layer, and an outer crosslinked polymeric protective layer. In a prototype example, alginic acid nanoparticles were prepared with beta-carotene entrapped in the core, with lecithin as the intermediate surfactant layer. In an alternative embodiment, a layer-by-layer assembly technique may be used to entrap the colorant within nanoparticles.

Abstract: Methods for efficient job scheduling in a heterogeneous chip multiprocessor that include logic comparisons of performance metrics to determine if programs should be moved from an advanced core to a simple core or vice versa.

Abstract: Compositions comprising terpene compounds for the treatment of negative sensory phenomena (NSP). Negative sensory phenomena is characterized by a decreased ability to sense light touch, pin prick, vibration, temperature, pain and/or reduced proprioception. The terpene compounds are preferably aromatic terpene compounds such as geraniol and citronellol and analogs thereof. The terpenes may also be used in combination. The terpenes are derived form plant essential oils or are manufactured synthetically.

Abstract: The invention relates to fusion constructs, methods of using fusion constructs and methods of treating undesirable or aberrant cell proliferation or hyperproliferative disorders, such as tumors, cancers, neoplasia and malignancies.

Abstract: The invention relates to hardware decoders that efficiently expand a small number of input bits to a large number of output bits, while providing considerable flexibility in selecting the output instances. One main area of application of the invention is in pin-limited environments, such as field programmable gates array (FPGA) used with dynamic reconfiguration. The invention includes a mapping unit that is a circuit, possibly in combination with a reconfigurable memory device. The circuit has as input a z-bit source word having a value at each bit position and it outputs an n-bit output word, where n>z, where the value of each bit position of the n-bit output word is based upon the value of a pre-selected hardwired one of the bit positions in the x-bit word, where the said pre-selected hardwired bit positions is selected by a selector address.

Abstract: Amphipathic lytic peptides are ideally suited to use in a ligand/cytotoxin combination to specifically inhibit cells that are driven by or are dependent upon a specific ligand interaction; for example, to induce sterility or long-term contraception, or to attack tumor cells, or to selectively lyse virally-infected cells, or to attack lymphocytes responsible for autoimmune diseases. The peptides act directly on cell membranes, and need not be internalized. Administering a combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (or a GnRH agonist) and a membrane-active lytic peptide produces long-term contraception or sterilization in animals in vivo. Administering in vivo a combination of a ligand and a membrane-active lytic peptide kills cells with a receptor for the ligand. The compounds are relatively small, and are not antigenic. Lysis of gonadotropes has been observed to be very rapid (on the order of ten minutes.) Lysis of tumor cells is rapid.

Abstract: A synthetic device for cornea augmentation and replacement that increases corneal epithelium cell adhesion and migration. Using tethered extracellular matrix proteins (ECMPs), corneal growth factors, and other ligand-specific corneal enhancer species (e.g., laminin, fibronectin, substance P, fibronectin adhesion-promoting peptide sequence, FAP, and insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1]) on the polymeric surface of an artificial cornea, the epithelial cell response can be significantly enhanced. Other proteins of interest include, but are not limited to, k-laminin, talin, integrin, kalinin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and TGF-&bgr;. By tethering a combination of corneal enhancer molecules, a more natural environment can be created.

Abstract: A power switching device is disclosed that achieves a complete, mechanical “on” and “off” electrical circuit. The device is a rapid micro-relay that comprises two separate systems: a control driving signal system and a voltage delivery system. Its electrostatic actuator and switching connectors are electrically separated, inhibiting interference between the two systems. The micro-relay can optionally be adapted to support multiple voltage delivery systems for separate circuits.

Abstract: Water-soluble quaternary ammonium cellulosic derivatives of controlled charge density are disclosed. These derivatives are useful in cosmetic preparations, such as hair and skin formulations, for example hair conditioners. These quaternized cellulosic derivatives are useful as thickeners, conditioners, film formers, fixatives, emulsifiers, or additives in hair or skin formulations to improve combing, manageability, body, curl retention, moisture resistance, and binding of ingredients to keratin. Compared to existing agents, these compounds have improved temperature stability, improved interactions with surfactants (such as in shampoos), improved binding to keratin, improved mechanical properties, and can mend split ends on hair. A major advantage of these compounds is that they may be applied to hair directly from an aqueous solution, and do not require a volatile organic compound solvent as carrier.

Abstract: Attaching certain ligands to antisense probes will hyperstabilize sense-antisense duplexes. Such a hyperstabilized duplex is resistant to melting of the strands from one another, to unwinding of the strands, and to the action of nucleases. Applications include antiretroviral action, antireverse-transcriptase action, antiviral action, antiparasitical action, antibacterial action, antifungal action, anticancer action, anti-oncogene action, and other applications where it is desired to inhibit gene expression at the genomic or messenger RNA level. The preferred ligands are certain minor-groove-binding agents, exemplified by CC-1065 and synthetic CC-1065 analogs.