Abstract: A method for discovering association rules in a distributed database that includes a plurality of partitions associated with respective computing nodes includes generating a candidate association rule defining an association relationship between itemsets in the distributed database. At each node among at least a subset of the nodes, an asynchronous fully-distributed majority voting process is applied to assess a correctness of the candidate association rule.

Abstract: A simplified and inexpensive method for the in-vitro identification, isolation and culture of human vasculogenic progenitor cells is provided. The method and the progenitor cells provided herein can be used for in-vitro vascular engineering, treatment of congenital and acquired vascular and hematological abnormalities, for evaluation and development of drugs affecting vasculo- and angiogenic processes, and for further investigation into tissue differentiation and development.

Abstract: A twisted wire actuator, whereby the shortening of the length of a wire or a bundle of wires, as it is twisted, is used to control the motion of an actuated element, achieving sub-micron motion resolution. The control can be performed robotically. The high resolution can be achieved without the use of gears, sliders, or high precision lead screws, thus enabling a simplified actuation system and eliminating sources of friction. The use of wires operating in opposing directions and having oppositely directed rotations significantly reduces the non-linearity effect inherent in twisted wire actuation, resulting in a system having a good level of motion linearity as a function of control input impulse. The use of multiple twisted wires attached to the actuated element at different angles, enables the implementation of robotic systems with multiple degrees of freedom. Several experimental actuators verify these results.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of treating primary lung cancer or metastatic cancer to the lung in an individual by delivering at least once to the respiratory tract of the individual via inhalation a nebulized liposomal aerosol comprising a dilauroylphosphatidylcholine liposome containing camptothecin or a derivative thereof in an amount sufficient to deliver a pharmacologically effective dose of the camptothecin or its derivative to treat the cancer. Also provided is a nebulized liposomal aerosol comprising the DLPC containing the camptothecin or its derivative and a method of making the liposome-drug comprising the aerosol.

Abstract: A complementary logic circuit contains a first logic input, a second logic input, a first dedicated logic terminal, a second dedicated logic terminal, a first logic block, and a second logic block. The first logic block consists of a network of p-type transistors for implementing a predetermined logic function. The p-type transistor network has an outer diffusion connection, a first network gate connection, and an inner diffusion connection. The outer diffusion connection of the p-type transistor network is connected to the first dedicated logic terminal, and the first network gate connection of the p-type transistor network is connected to the first logic input. The second logic block consists of a network of n-type transistors which implements a logic function complementary to the logic function implemented by the first logic block. The n-type transistor network has an outer diffusion connection, a first network gate connection, and an inner diffusion connection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the cloning, sequencing and expression of homologous immunoreactive 28-kDa protein genes, p28-1, -2, -3, -5, -6, -7, -9, from a polymorphic multiple gene family of Ehrlichia canis. Further disclosed is a multigene locus encoding all nine homologous 28-kDa protein genes of Ehrlichia canis. Recombinant Ehrlichia canis 28-kDa proteins react with convalescent phase antiserum from an E. canis-infected dog, and may be useful in the development of vaccines and serodiagnostics that are particularly effective for disease prevention and serodiagnosis.

Abstract: The small particle liposome aerosol compounds and methods of treatment of the present invention involve lipid- or water soluble anti-cancer drugs incorporated into liposomes. The liposomes are administered in aqueous dispersions from a jet nebulizer to the respiratory tract of an individual. Various anti-cancer drugs may be used, including 20-S-Camptothecin, 9-Nitro-camptothecin, 9-Amino-camptothecin, 10, 11-methylenedioxy-camptothecin and taxol or its derivatives. Administration of these drugs by inhalation provides faster and more efficient absorption of the anticancer drug than does intramuscular administration or oral administration.

Abstract: A logic circuit consists of a first transistor network and a complementary second transistor network connected at a central node. The central node serves as a first logic output. Each of the transistor networks is also connected to a respective root. A third transistor network is connected between an intermediate node of one of the transistor networks and the network's respective root. For a homogeneous graft, the third transistor network has a complementary structure to the transistors between the intermediate node and the central node, is of the same transistor type as the given transistor network, and has inverted inputs relative to the transistors between the intermediate node and the central node. The third transistor network (the graft network) provides a second logic output to the logic circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to genetically engineered, membrane-enveloped viruses with deletion mutations in the protein transmembrane domains. Also provided are viral vaccines based on the engineered viruses, methods of producing and using such vaccines.

Abstract: A method of designing a transmissive optical element for converting a profile of a light beam from a predetermined input profile to a predetermined output profile is disclosed. The method comprises: calculating a stationary function of a predetermined cost functional selected such that the stationary function satisfies a mapping condition for mapping the predetermined input profile into the predetermined output profile, thereby providing a mapping function. The method further comprises utilizing the mapping function for calculating surface properties of at least a first surface and a second surface of the transmissive optical element.

Abstract: The 28-kDa outer membrane proteins (P28) of Ehrlichia chaffeensis are encoded by a multigene family consisting of 21 members located in a 23-kb DNA fragment in the genome of E. chaffeensis. Fifteen of these proteins are claimed herein as novel sequences. The amino acid sequence identity of the various P28 proteins was 20-83%. Six of 10 tested p28 genes were actively transcribed in cell culture grown E. chaffeensis. RT-PCR also indicated that each of the p28 genes was monocistronic. These results suggest that the p28 genes are active genes and encode polymorphic forms of the P28 proteins. The P28s were also divergent among different isolates of E. chaffeensis. The large repertoire of the p28 genes in a single ehrlichial organism and antigenic diversity of the P28 among the isolates of E. chaffeensis suggest that the P28s may be involved in immune avoidance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of screening individuals at risk for developing diseases caused by trinucleotide repeat sequence instability. Specifically, the present invention is drawn to screening individuals at risk for developing autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 by determining the length of a CAG trinucleotide repeat in the ?1A calcium channel gene of the individual. In addition, there is provided a method of identifying genes which are disease-causing due to trinucleotide repeat sequence instability by large scale genotyping.

Abstract: Novel differential-phase shift keying optical receivers are taught based on multi-symbol differential phase shift keying detection (DPSK) aided by decision feedback (DF) from the decision bits in earlier symbol intervals. In accordance with the invention, the DF is directed to an optical front-end comprising multiple Delay Interferometers (DIs) with multiple delays T, 2T, . . . , where T is the DPSK symbol duration. In one embodiment, the DF bitstream is applied to electronically switch the polarity of DI outputs prior to additive combination and hard detection. In other embodiments the DF is applied to active phase-shifting electrodes incorporated in the DIs. In additional embodiments the DF is applied to modified DI devices which not of the conventional Mach-Zehnder asymmetric two-arms type, but rather comprise either three or more arms with appropriate couplings, or two arms, one of which comprises a recirculating delay line with delay T.

Abstract: A method for protecting a communication network against failure, comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a primary network, represented by a graph of nodes and links, wherein each link has an associated capacity; b) computing a backup network, that includes nodes of the primary network and links that are not in the primary network; c) when a link of the primary network fails, rerouting communication traffic, through one or more links of the backup network, in order to bypass the failed link. Methods are suggested to determine the backup network, one method relates to expressing the objective and constraints on the backup network as linear or integer expressions, and a linear or integer programming tool is used to solve the equation system and provide optimal backup network. Another method relates to an algorithm that traverses the links of the primary network, and adds a link having an equal capacity to the backup network as long as no cycle is created.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antiproliferative compound having the structural formula wherein X is oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur; Y is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur wherein when Y is oxygen or nitrogen, n is 1 and when Y is sulfur, n is 0. Also provided is a method for inducing apoptosis in a cell comprising administering a composition comprising a compound having said structural formula.

Abstract: A system and method for categorizing documents with the aid of an external knowledge database. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an external knowledge database is used to provide concepts related to the documents of a categorized database and an input document in order to improve the ability of correctly categorizing input documents. Additionally, the above system and method can be implemented to search for documents related to an input document.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the cloning, sequencing and expression of homologous immunoreactive 28-kDa protein genes, p28-1, -2, -3, -5, -6, -7, -9, from a polymorphic multiple gene family of Ehrlichia canis. Further disclosed is a multigene locus encoding all nine homologous 28-kDa protein genes of Ehrlichia canis. Recombinant Ehrlichia canis 28-kDa proteins react with convalescent phase antiserum from an E. canis-infected dog, and may be useful in the development of vaccines and serodiagnostics that are particularly effective for disease prevention and serodiagnosis.

Abstract: A method of repairing a long bone having a defect is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) mechanically fixating the long bone or portions thereof; and (b) filling the defect with a biodegradable scaffold impregnated with growth factors and/or osteoprogenitor cells and awaiting for osteointegration to take place.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antiproliferative compound having a structural formula where X and Y independently are oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur; R1 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, carboxylic acid, carboxylate, carboxamide, ester, thioamide, thiolacid, thiolester, saccharide, alkoxy-linked saccharide, amine, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, alcohol, ethers or nitrites; R2 and R3 are hydrogen or R4; R4 is methyl, benzyl carboxylic acid, benzyl carboxylate, benzyl carboxamide, benzylester, saccharide or amine; and R5 is alkenyl; where when Y is nitrogen, said nitrogen is substituted with R6, wherein R6 is hydrogen or methyl. Also provided are methods for treating a cell proliferative disease and for inducing apoptosis in a cell comprising administering this compound is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel immunotoxins and methods of treating neoplastic diseases. These immunotoxins are comprised of a conjugation of an antigen binding region exhibiting binding specificity for the CD33 protein and a cell growth modulator. The immunotoxins of the present invention specifically and selectively kill tumor cells that are characterized by the expression of CD33 antigen. Thus, the novel immunotoxins would be useful in treating human leukemias, both acute and chronic, and other myelodysplastic syndromes.