Abstract: Multi-level structures are formed in a semiconductor substrate by first forming a pattern of lines or structures of different widths. Width information on the pattern is decoded by processing steps into level information to form a MEMS structure. The pattern is etched to form structures having a first floor. The structures are oxidized until structures of thinner width are substantially fully oxidized. A portion of the oxide is then etched to expose the first floor. The first floor is then etched to form a second floor. The oxide is then optionally removed, leaving a multi-level structure. In one embodiment, high aspect ratio comb actuators are formed using the multi-level structure process.

Abstract: A reduced glare imaging system for motor vehicles which includes at least one light source capable of modulation. The system also includes a synchronization system which has structure for obtaining a time reference, and a trigger for modulating emissions from the light source. The trigger initiates emission of periodic light pulses from the light source at fixed times relative to the time reference. The fixed times can be randomly selected. The light pulses can have a wavelength in the range of 0.19 ?m to 5 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an a isolated DNA molecule from Pseudomonas syringae that encodes a protein or polypeptide which elicits a hypersensitive response in plants. This isolated DNA molecule can used to impart disease resistance to plants, to enhance plant growth, and/or to control insects on plants. Plants or plant seeds transformed with a DNA molecule encoding a hypersensitive response elicitor protein or polypeptide can be provided, and the transgenic plants or plants resulting from the transgenic plant seeds are grown under conditions effective to impart disease resistance, to enhance plant growth, and/or to control insects on plants or plants grown from the plant seeds.

Abstract: A method to improve the health and growth of suckling dairy calves on dairy farms includes supplementing calves' diets with a ruminal fluid preparation obtained from the rumen of a cow. This supplement provides the calves with the protection needed to develop faster and healthier. It also leads to a decreased incidence of scours in the treated calves.

Abstract: Absorbent dressings, including highly-absorbent dressings having antimicrobial polymer attached thereto via non-siloxane bonds are disclosed. Bandages (i.e. wound dressing), sanitary napkins and the like are useful applications for the intrinsically bactericidal absorbent dressings whose method of manufacture and use are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Modified antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, to the extracellular domain of human prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) are provided. The modified anti-PSMA antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, have been rendered less immunogenic compared to their unmodified counterparts to a given species, e.g., a human. Pharmaceutical compositions including the aforesaid antibodies, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors and host cells for making such antibodies and fragments are also disclosed. Methods of using the antibodies of the invention to detect human PSMA, or to ablate or kill a PSMA-expressing cell, e.g., a PSMA-expressing cancer or prostatic cell, either in vitro or in vivo, are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are genetic markers for animal litter size, methods for identifying such markers, and methods of screening animals to determine those more likely to produce larger litters and preferably selecting those animals for future breeding purposes. The markers are based upon the presence or absence of certain polymorphisms in the prolactin receptor gene.

Abstract: The invention relates to target-associative tags incorporating cysteamine as the target-associative moiety. The invention further relates to a method for producing a target-associative tag by addition of cysteamine as the target-associative moiety to another molecule or entity having a property or properties useful in discriminating or selecting between members of a set, where such properties could include, for example, fluorescence, mass, affinity, reactivity, size, absorbance, magnetism, subatomic spin characteristics, or an ability to associate specifically or preferentially with certain structures. The invention further relates to a method for analyzing, identifying, or purifying phosphorylated proteins or phosphorylated protein fragments using a tag having the properties of both fluorescence and affinity.

Abstract: Selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 are used to treat liver disease and in combination with anti-viral drugs to treat virus-caused liver disorders. Selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 which also inhibit the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2 improve over the efficacy of conventional selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, Alzheimer's disease and cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric gene that includes a first DNA molecule encoding a hypersensitive response elicitor protein or polypeptide, a promoter operably linked 5? to the first DNA molecule to induce transcription of the first DNA molecule in response to activation of the promoter by an oomycete, and a 3? regulatory region operably linked to the first DNA molecule. Also disclosed are an expression system and a host cell containing the chimeric gene. The present invention also relates to a transgenic plant resistant to disease resulting from oomycete infection, the transgenic plant including the chimeric gene, wherein the promoter induces transcription of the first DNA molecule in response to infection of the plant by an oomycete. Transgenic seeds and transgenic cultivars obtained from the transgenic plant are also disclosed. Additional aspects of the present invention include methods of making a recombinant plant cell and a transgenic plant.

Abstract: Using inhomogeneous sized liquid crystal (LC) droplets for lens and prisms. For forming a positive lens, the LC droplet size can gradually increase from the center to the side edges. For forming a negative lens, the LC droplet size can gradually decrease from the center to the side edges. The lens can be created by Ultra Violet light exposure to patterns. The lens can be tuned by applying voltage to the droplets. The inhomogeneous droplets can also be used in Fresnel lens and prisms. Applications of the invention can be used for eyeglasses, arrays, camera type zoom lenses and beam steering applications.

Abstract: A wound-healing composition comprises a wound-treating component and vesicles. The vesicles comprise a phospholipid which is a stable vesicle former and ATP.

Abstract: Circuits for converting an input current to an output voltage that employs a uniquely biased common-gate or common-base stage as a current buffer and a direct drive of the current buffer output into an impedance to convert the current signal to a voltage signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes to inhibit or reduce the growth of bacteria and other pathogens in a liquid by adding carbon dioxide (CO2) to the liquid, and thermally inactivating the bacteria and other pathogens in the liquid, wherein the added CO2 cooperates with the thermal inactivation process so that the efficacy of the thermal inactivation process is enhanced.

Abstract: A logic gate array for implementing logical expressions is provided. The array includes a dynamically configurable logic gate having a chaotic updater for causing the logic gate to alternately operate as one of a several different logic gate types, the dynamically configurable logic gate alternating from operating as one logic gate type to a different logic gate type in response to one or more reference signals. The array also includes one or more additional logic gates.

Abstract: Processes and systems for generating hydrogen gas from resonant cavities are disclosed. A preferred version includes separating a resonant cavity into two compartments with a dielectric type diaphragm, injecting gases such as ammonia into one compartment and generating electromagnetic energy from an antenna, microwave generator or waveguide into the other compartment so that a plasma discharge is formed in the cavity, and hydrogen gas can be selectively released from an outport of the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inducing neuronal production in the brain, recruiting neurons to the brain, and treating a neurodegenerative condition by providing a nucleic acid construct encoding a neurotrophic factor, and injecting the nucleic acid construct intraventricularly into a subject's brain.

Abstract: A throat support device comprising a main throat support section having one or more lifting mechanisms, each with a tip, each tip adapted to fit into a location immediately adjacent to and behind a basihyoid bone, a thyroid cartilage and/or a cricoid cartilage of an animal to control upper airway dysfunction. In one embodiment, the throat support device further comprises a bridle. In one embodiment, the upper airway dysfunction is dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) and the animal is a horse. Unlike conventional treatments involving surgery, the throat support device provides a non-invasive and convenient means of diagnosing and treating upper airway dysfunctions.

Abstract: Soybean and Medicago truncatula CYP93C genes have been isolated which encode a cytochrome P450 that can catalyze the aryl migration of a flavanone to yield an isoflavanone intermediate or an isoflavone. Plants can now be genetically engineered to produce isoflavones that provide potential human health benefits and increase disease resistance in plants. Isoflavones can now be produced in transgenic plants species in which isoflavones do not naturally occur, i.e., in species other than legumes. Alternatively, introducing infection-inducible isoflavonoid biosynthesis into non-legumes qualitatively complements these plants phytoalexin defenses against microbial pathogens, whereas over-expression of the isoflavonoid pathway in legumes quantitatively increases this defense response. Finally, modifying the extend of production of isoflavonoids in legume roots positively impacts nodulation efficiency and therefore plant yield.

Abstract: The present invention provides a procaryotic host cell stably transformed or transfected by a vector including a DNA sequence encoding for mutant purine nucleoside phosphorylase or hydrolase. The transformed or transfected procaryotic host cell can be used in combination with a purine substrate to treat tumor cells and/or virally infected cells. The present invention provides nucleotide sequences encoding mutant E. coli derived purine nucleoside phosphorylase proteins which can be used in conjunction with an appropriate substrate to produce toxins which impair abnormal cell growth. The invention provides for delivery of the toxin by generation within target cells or by administration and delivery to the cells from without.