Abstract: Parallel uses of microfluidic methods and devices for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid are described. In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to flow-focusing-type technology, and also to microfluidics, and more particularly parallel use of microfluidic systems arranged to control a dispersed phase within a dispersant, and the size, and size distribution, of a dispersed phase in a multi-phase fluid system, and systems for delivery of fluid components to multiple such devices.

Abstract: The invention provides a linear burst mode receiver comprising a first amplifier connected to a photodiode adapted to detect an optical input burst signal, a second amplifier connected to said photodiode; and means for deriving the peak input current of the detected burst signal using said second amplifier. The invention further provides means for using the derived peak input current to adjust the gain of the first amplifier during the preamble of each burst, such that the output voltage swing of the first amplifier equals a given reference, independent of the strength of the optical input burst signal. The usage of the fast feed-forward automatic gain control mechanism solves the problems with gain switching and non-linearity prevalent in today's burst-mode receivers.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, cells and constructs for optical measurement of membrane potential. These methods can be used in cells that are not accessible to presently available methods using electrodes. The methods can be directed to, for example, high-throughput drug screening assays to determine agents that can affect membrane potential of a target cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the increased expression of RPW8 proteins causing an increased level of the RPW8 proteins at extrahaustorial membrane with subsequent induction of pathogen inhibition reactions against haustorium forming pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention is based, at least in part, on the isolation of intact pigment granules from the brown chromatophores in the skin of the cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis and the characterization of the optical properties of the isolated pigment granules. In particular, it has been discovered that the isolated pigment granules not only fluoresce in the far red wavelength of light when excited with blue/green light, but they also absorb and transmit or scatter light in the visible light range and are stable and optically active under ambient conditions.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for treating certain oxidative stress conditions. In one aspect, compositions and methods of the invention can be used to treat a subject having an oxidative stress condition, for example, a subject having pulmonary fibrosis. In some embodiments, an inhibitor of ERp57 (for example, thiomuscimol) and/or an inhibitor of GSTP (for example, TLK-199) may be used to treat the subject. Also provided in certain aspects of the present invention are kits for such therapies, methods for promoting such therapies, and the like.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for calculating a health quality measure are disclosed. For example, a method receives characteristics of motion information, wherein the characteristics of motion information is based upon gait information, monitors the characteristics of motion information over a time period to determine a plurality of different modes of motion within the time period, and calculates the health quality measure based upon the plurality of different modes of motion.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions regarding one or more microRNAs or variants thereof that are provided to an individual for a variety of medical treatments, including sensitization to cancer therapy or prevention of a cancer to become sensitized to a cancer therapy. In specific embodiments, the microRNAs include miR-520a (including at least miR-520a-3p and miR-520-5p), miR-520g, miR-520h, and functional variants thereof. In some embodiments, the cancer is ovarian cancer, and in particular embodiments, the cancer therapy is platinum-based chemotherapy.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for determining a regression of a medical condition are disclosed. For example, a method receives characteristics of motion information, wherein the characteristics of motion information is based upon gait information, compares the characteristics of motion information over a time period to a profile of the medical condition, wherein the profile of the medical condition comprises a plurality of signatures associated with different stages of the medical condition, determines a potential presence of the regression of the medical condition when the characteristics of motion information matches one of the plurality of signatures, and transmits a notification of the potential presence of the regression of the medical condition.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for determining a mode of motion are disclosed. For example, a method receives training data comprising gait information associated with a plurality of different modes of motion. The method performs principal component analysis on the training data to extract principal components from the training data and generates a hidden markov model for each of a plurality of different modes of motion based upon the training data. The method receives testing data comprising gait information, transforms the testing data based upon the principal components and calculates a likelihood of the testing data based upon each hidden markov model for each of the plurality of different modes of motion. The method determines the mode of motion of the testing data, where the mode of motion is one of the plurality of different modes of motion for which a highest likelihood is calculated.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable storage device, and an apparatus for processing an alert are disclosed. For example, the method receives the alert reporting a physiological condition for a individual, analyzes the physiological condition of the individual in view of ambient information in a vicinity of the individual, generates a report in accordance with the analyzing, and sends the report to a recipient.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a transformation of ultrasound data in an imaging system from a first coordinate system into a second coordinate system, the method including applying a transformation having parameters. The parameters are calibrated by imaging a planar object, extracting points corresponding to ultrasound rays intersecting the planar object, and fitting the parameters such that the points when transformed by the transformation describe a planar surface in the second coordinate system.

Abstract: Replicable libraries having discrete members in defined locations for screening for antigens to a pathogenic organism are provided. Also provided are methods for using such libraries as well as a specific antigen, CT788, which induces T-cell activation during a Chlamydia infection.

Abstract: Two-dimensional coupled resonator optical waveguide arrangements and systems, devices, and methods thereof. Networks of coupled resonator optical waveguides are arranged so as to exploit topological properties of these optical networks. Such arrangement affords topological protection against disorders or perturbations in the network that may hinder or block photon flow. As a result of a disorder, photons traversing along edge states of the array are rerouted based on the disorder or perturbation. Photon routing in the network is accordingly protected against disorder or defects.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a recombinant prokaryotic host cell containing nucleic acids encoding an eukaryotic UDP-GaINAc:UDP-GaINAc polypeptide transferase and expressing an UDP-GIcNAc C-4 epimerase and methods for using the same to produce an O-glycosylated protein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is enantioselective synthetic method comprising reacting an enolisable C4-C50 organic anhydride with a second compound selected from the group consisting of an aldehyde, a ketone, an aldimine, a ketimine or a Michael Acceptor in the presence of a bifunctional organocatalyst. The reaction may find particular utility in the enantioselective synthesis of medicinally relevant heterocycles, such as dihydroisocoumarins and dihydroisoquinolinones.

Abstract: This invention pertains to methods for producing homogeneous recombinant proteins that contain polymer initiators at defined sites. The unnatural amino acid, 4-(2?-bromoisobutyramido)phenylalanine of formula 1, was designed and synthesized as a molecule comprising a functional group further comprising an initiator for an atom-transfer radical polymerization (‘ATRP”) that additionally would provide a stable linkage between the protein and growing polymer. We evolved a Methanococcus jannaschii (Mj) tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNACUA pair to genetically encode this unnatural amino acid in response to an amber codon. To demonstrate the utility of this functional amino acid, we produced Green Fluorescent Protein with the unnatural amino acid initiator of formula 1 site-specifically incorporated on its surface (GFP-1).

Abstract: A method for the simultaneous concentration of multiple toxins from large volumes of water. The method includes the steps of providing a disposable separation centrifuge bowl, the centrifuge bowl including a positively charged material at it's inner core. A large water sample contaminated with toxins from a group consisting of protozoa, bacteria, bacterial spores, and toxins is delivered to the centrifuge bowl. A centrifugal force is applied to the separation bowl. The water sample is concentrated to remove large particles of the toxins in the bowl due to the centrifugal forces. The concentrated water sample is passes through the positively charged inner core to capture any remaining concentrated targets by electrostatic forces and the concentrated targets are eluted.

Abstract: Provided herein are primers and primer systems having improved specificity and kinetics over existing primers, and methods of use thereof.