Abstract: This invention relates to a body fluids identification method and kit. A parallel, multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for the definitive identification of body fluids commonly encountered in forensic casework analysis, namely blood, saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions. The methodology is based on gene expression profiling analysis in which the body fluid-specific genes are identified by detecting the presence of appropriate messenger RNA species. Gene-specific primers are labeled with fluorescent dyes, separated and subjected to laser induced fluorescence for identification of body fluid-specific genes present in a sample stain.

Abstract: Chemically-modified surfaces on unoxidized carbon, silicon, and germanium substrates are disclosed. Ultraviolet radiation mediates the reaction of protected ?-modified, ?-unsaturated aminoalkenes (preferred) with hydrogen-terminated carbon, silicon, or germanium surfaces. Removal of the protecting group yields an aminoalkane-modified silicon surface These amino groups can be coupled to terminal-modified oligonucleotides using a bifunctional crosslinker, thereby permitting the preparation of modified surfaces and arrays. Methods for controlling the surface density of molecules attached to the substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes vectors and methods for high throughput co-expression.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a polarization converter comprising a polarization beam splitter for receiving an input light beam and allows a transverse magnetic to pass through the polarization beam splitter and reflects a transverse electric wave and a diffraction grating having a reflectivity and polarization convertible grating for receiving the transverse electric wave reflects back a reflected transverse electric wave having a polarization rotation. The broadband wide-angle polarization beam splitter can be alternative optical elements such as a prism or an optical device having multi-layered films.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image in a tomographic imaging system is described. The method includes improving a spatial resolution of the image by iteratively reconstructing the image.

Abstract: Methods of treating an injured vertebrate spinal cord are described. In one aspect of the invention, a method of treating an injured vertebrate spinal cord includes contacting the spinal cord with a biomembrane fusion agent such as a polyalkylene glycol, especially polyethylene glycol. In alternative embodiments of the invention, methods of treating an injured vertebrate spinal cord include contacting the cord with a biomembrane fusion agent and a potassium channel blocker. Other aspects of the invention include compositions for treating a vertebrate nervous system. A preferred composition includes a biomembrane fusion agent, such as a polyalkylene glycol, and a potassium channel blocker, such as an amino-substituted pyridine.

Abstract: Methods of imaging a portion of a body of a patient are provided. In the methods, a contrast agent including an iso-osmotic contrast agent is administered to the patient. In a preferred embodiment, the iso-osmotic contrast agent comprises polyethylene glycol (PEG) and electrolytes, which make the PEG iso-osmotic. In a preferred embodiment, a positive contrast agent, such as an iodine-based contrast agent, is added to the PEG. The iso-osmotic contrast agent can be administered in volumes that are lower than previous contrast agents. The iso-osmotic contrast agent can be administered in combination with a positive intravenous contrast agent. At least one image of the portion of the patient's body is obtained, such as by computed tomography, after the contrast agent is administered. The methods can be used to image a pelvis, GI tract, and/or appendix of the patient. Iso-osmotic contrast agents are also provided.

Abstract: Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) systems and methods for detecting biomolecules of interest, such as a virus, bacterium, or other infectious agent, are provided. A spectroscopic assay based on surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) using a silver nanorod array substrate fabricated by oblique angle deposition has been developed that allows for rapid detection of trace levels of viruses or bacteria with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. This novel and improved SERS assay can detect minor spectral differences within strains of a single virus type such as respiratory syncytial virus or influenza virus in the presence of biological media. The method provides rapid diagnostics for direct molecular and structural characterization of virus strains and virus gene deletion mutants generating reproducible viral spectra without viral manipulation.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods to provide stable pose determinations of various three dimensional shapes. Methods are also disclosed for determining multiple, unique drawing descriptors for two dimensional drawings, and for obtaining intermediate three dimensional representations of two dimensional drawings as one way to determine the descriptor. Methods are also disclosed to provide for searching of two dimensional drawings and three dimensional shapes using user-defined input, which may be a drawing or sketch. User interactivity is provided to further refine search results.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for a controller for fast transient response, the controller including a linear compensation circuit for controlling output voltage during steady state operation and a non-linear control circuit to generate a non-linear signal during transient periods, only a first pulse of the non-linear signal is injected during each transient period. The combination linear and non-linear control provides stability and reduces delay times for fast transient response. The non-linear control circuit includes a step up and a step down non-linear control circuit for producing the non-linear signal with a short delay time when the load voltage is less or greater than the reference voltage. An embodiment includes an adaptive circuit or generating a current signal dependent on the load current, the current signal is combined with the output voltage to reduce the difference between the reference and output voltages.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an immunogenic composition comprising OspC polypeptides from Lyme Disease causing Borrelia. In one embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present invention comprises at least one OspC polypeptide or immunogenic fragment thereof from each of Borrelia burgdorferi OspC families A, B, I and K. In another embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present invention comprises at least one OspC polypeptide or immunogenic fragment thereof from each of Borrelia afzelii OspC families A and B.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chimeric peptides and templates containing a combination of antagonist and agonist endogenous ligand residues. In particular, the present invention relates to novel chimeric peptides and templates thereof based upon melanocortin agonist peptides and agouti related protein (AGRP). The present invention provides multifunctional chimeric peptides having specific bioactivity at melanocortin receptors and their use as drugs to treat various diseases and conditions.

Abstract: A method for depositing one or more materials on a substrate, such as for example, a semiconductor substrate that includes providing the substrate; applying a polymer film to at least a portion of a surface of the substrate; and exposing the semiconductor substrate to a supercritical fluid containing at least one reactant for a time sufficient for the supercritical fluid to swell the polymer and for the at least one reactant to penetrate the polymer film. The reactant is reacted to cause the deposition of the material on at least a portion of the substrate. The substrate is removed from the supercritical fluid, and the polymer film is removed. The process permits the precise deposition of materials without the need for removal of excess material using chemical, physical, or a combination of chemical and physical removal techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a biodegradable and bioactive glass-ceramic fabricated by mixing a slowly biodegradable glass-ceramic and a highly biodegradable glass-ceramic in a predetermined mixing ratio wherein the bioactivity is maintained to be constant, and the biodegradation rate is controlled by the mixing ratio. The biodegradable and bioactive glass-ceramic is fabricated from a composition consisting of calcium oxide (CaO), silica (SiO2), boron oxide (B2O3), magnesium oxide (MgO), calcium fluoride (CaF2) and phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5).

Abstract: In a first step of image formation by MRI or the like, a gridding convolution is performed for each coil using a Kaiser-Bessel kernel, so that each coil channel now contains data on grid points. In the second step, another 2D convolution is performed on each of the gridded coil data sets in either k-space or image space, and all the convolutions are summed up to produce the composite k-space data set for the target coil. In the third step, the composite data set is then transformed to form an un-aliased image for that coil. In the fourth step, the un-aliased images for all the coils are combined using square-root-of-sum-of-squares to form the final reconstructed image.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) is acquired using a contrast enhancement method in which a series of NMR images are rapidly acquired during a time resolved phase of the examination in which the contrast bolus makes a first pass through the arteries and veins. Arterial and venous voxels are automatically identified in the images using either of two disclosed methods. The signals from identified arterial voxels are used to produce an arterial contrast enhancement reference curve that is used to segment arterial voxels by a correlation process. Venous voxels are segmented in the same manner using a calculated venous contrast enhancement reference curve.

Abstract: A purified preparation of primate embryonic stem cells is disclosed. This preparation is characterized by the following cell surface markers: SSEA-1 (?); SSEA-4 (+); TRA-1-60 (+); TRA-1-81 (+); and alkaline phosphatase (+). In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cells of the preparation are human embryonic stem cells, have normal karyotypes, and continue to proliferate in an undifferentiated state after continuous culture for eleven months. The embryonic stem cell lines also retain the ability, throughout the culture, to form trophoblast and to differentiate into all tissues derived from all three embryonic germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm). A method for isolating a primate embryonic stem cell line is also disclosed.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system includes an optical device having at least one point-focusing, curved monochromating optic for directing x-rays from an x-ray source towards a focal point. The at least one point-focusing, curved monochromating optic provides a focused monochromatic x-ray beam directed towards the focal point, and a detector is aligned with the focused monochromatic x-ray beam. The optical device facilitates x-ray imaging of an object when the object is located between the optical device and the detector within the focused monochromatic x-ray beam. In various embodiments: each point-focusing, curved monochromatic optic has an optical surface that is doubly-curved; the optical device facilitates passive image demagnification or magnification depending upon placement of the object and detector relative to the focal point; and at least one second point-focusing, curved monochromatic optic can be employed to facilitate refractive index or polarized beam imaging of the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for enhancing Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF) activity in a cell by contacting the cell with any one of the following compounds: 3,6-bis[2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy]-9h-xanthen-9-onedihydrochloride, 2,8-bis[dimethylaminoacetyl]dibenzofurin dihydrochloride hydrate, tilorone analogue R-9536-DA, indoprofen, ciclopiroxolamine, tryptophan, ansindione, nabumetone, oxybendazole, albendazole, tropicamide, pramoxine hydrochloride, atenolol, mebendazole, carbetapentane citrate, monensin sodium, methoxyvone, hydroxyzine, phenazopyridine, clofoctol, ipraflavone, zomepirac, biochanin A, xylometazoline hydrochloride, fenbendazole, pirenzepine, triprolidine hydrochloride, daidzein, tripelennamine citrate, colchicines, aminopyridine, trimethoprim, helenine, hydroxyurea, amiodarone hydrochloride, clindamycin hydrochloride, sulfachlorpyridazine, mephenesin, semustine, clofivric acid, clofibrate, ibuprofen, hyoscyamime, nafcillin sodium, piperin, clidinium bromide, trioxsalen, hydralazine a

Abstract: Disclosed is a metal waveguide device, and nano plasmonic integrated circuits and an optical integrated circuit module using the same. The nano plasmonic integrated circuit module includes an input coupling unit, an input focusing unit, a surface plasmon polariton waveguide for guiding surface plasmon polaritons, a signal sensing/processing unit, an output defocusing unit, and an output coupling unit for converting surface plasmon polariton signals into optical signals. The optical integrated circuit module includes the nano plasmonic integrated circuit module, thus realizing highly integrated photonic circuits having a micro structure, low power consumption and low price.