Abstract: This invention relates generally to non-steroidal estrogen-receptor (ER) antagonists that are useful as therapeutics in the treatment of advanced stage breast cancer. More particularly, this invention relates to the cloning and heterologous expression of genes encoding ER antagonists. This invention also relates to the use of such expression to overproduce the ER antagonist and analogs thereof.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the enhanced in vitro synthesis of biological molecules where ATP is required for synthesis. Of particular interest is the synthesis of polymers, e.g. nucleic acids, polypeptides, and complex carbohydrates. Glycolytic intermediates or glucose are used as an energy source, in combination with added NADH or NAD+.

Abstract: Vascular function and structure is maintained or improved by long term administration of physiologically acceptable compounds which enhance the level of endogenous nitric oxide or other intermediates in the NO induced relaxation pathway in the host.

Abstract: An insulated lattice is prepared with a plurality of lattice oriented atoms to create a substantially planar surface having a lattice arrangement. Any unsatisfied chemical bonds are terminated along the substantially planar surface by placing atoms at the site of the unsatisfied chemical bonds to terminate the unsatisfied chemical bonds and insulate the surface to form a platform. In one aspect of the invention, the insulator atoms are removed at predetermined locations. Atoms to form the atomic chain are placed at predetermined locations on the insulated lattice platform to form a first atomic chain which behaves as one of a conductor, a semiconductor and an insulator. A second atomic chain is also placed at predetermined locations on the insulated lattice platform so that the second chain behaves as another of a conductor, a semiconductor and an insulator.

Abstract: Each voxel is assumed to contain exactly two distinct materials, with the volume fraction of each material being iteratively calculated. According to the method, the spectrum of the X-ray beam must be known, and the attenuation spectra of the materials in the object must be known, and be monotonically decreasing with increasing X-ray photon energy. Then, a volume fraction is estimated for the voxel, and the spectrum is iteratively calculated.

Abstract: A Neurointerface is a trainable filter based on neural networks that serves as a coupler between a human operator and a nonlinear system or plant that is to be controlled or directed. The purpose of the coupler is to ease the task of the human controller.

Abstract: We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins and disclose methods and materials for using that procedure to regulatably initiate cell-specific apoptosis (programmed cell death) in genetically engineered cells.

Abstract: A two-stage, space-time digital receiver provides improved estimates of data symbols from a received signal comprising the data symbols, co-channel interference, and intersymbol interference. The first stage uses a space-time linear filter to process the received signal and provide an intermediate signal with substantially reduced co-channel interference content and substantially unaltered intersymbol interference content relative to that of the received signal. The second stage uses a Viterbi equalizer to estimate the data symbols from the intermediate signal. Because the receiver performs Viterbi equalization on the intermediate signal with reduced co-channel interference, its performance is superior to that of receivers that directly Viterbi equalize the received signal.

Abstract: The present inventions provide methods and systems for reducing the peak to average power ratio of a multi-carrier signal. Reducing the peak to average power ratio of a signal ensures that amplifiers and transmitters are not saturated, causing loss of data. Further, reducing peak to average power ratios reduces the consumption of power during transmission. Peak to average power ratios is reduced by clipping an original signal at transmission. A receiver receives the clipped signal and makes an estimate of the clipped portions of the signal. Using iterative estimations an approximation is made of the clipped portions of the signal. The approximation of the clipped portions of the signal is used to estimate the original signal. The clipped signal reduces the peak to average power ratio of the transmitted signal, and estimation avoids the need for sending side information in order to decode the clipped signal.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polypeptides which are associated with the transcription complex NF-AT, polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, antibodies which are reactive with such polypeptides, polynucleotide hybridization probes and PCR amplification probes for detecting polynucleotides which encode such polypeptides, transgenes which encode such polypeptides, homologous targeting constructs that encode such polypeptides and/or homologously integrate in or near endogenous genes encoding such polypeptides, nonhuman transgenic animals which comprise functionally disrupted endogenous genes that normally encode such polypeptides, and transgenic nonhuman animals which comprise transgenes encoding such polypeptides.

Abstract: A transducer suitable for ultrasonic applications, fluid drop ejection and scanning force microscopy. The transducer comprises a thin piezoelectric ring bonded to a thin fully supported clamped membrane. Voltages applied to said piezoelectric ring excite axisymmetric resonant modes in the clamped membrane.

Abstract: A method for the design and optimization of inductors for RF circuits. This method consists in the formulation of RF circuit designs as geometric programs. The designer can specify a wide variety of specifications such as gain, bandwidth, noise, etc. The method, which was implemented in simple code, determines inductor dimensions and component values in a few seconds real-time. The results was also a globally optimal design.

Abstract: A fast, spectrally-selective steady-state free precession (SSFP) imaging method is presented. Combining k-space data from SSFP sequences with certain phase schedules of radiofrequency excitation pulses permits manipulation of the spectral selectivity of the image. For example, lipid and water can be rapidly resolved. The contrast of each image depends on both T1 and T2, and the relative contribution of the two relaxation mechanisms to image contrast can be controlled by adjusting the flip angle. Several applications of the technique are presented, including fast musculoskeletal imaging, brain imaging, and angiography. The technique is referred to herein as linear combination steady-state free precession (LCSSFP) and fluctuating equilibrium magnetic resonance (FEMR).

Abstract: Nucleophilic oxygen species, such as primary alcohols, carboxylates, and water, are added to vinyl epoxides in a highly regioselective and enantioselective manner, providing a convenient route to enantiomerically enriched 1,2-diols and oxygen-containing heterocycles. The reaction employs a chiral Pd(0) complex and a borane or borate as co-catalysts Also described are similar additions of nitrogen nucleophiles, and the addition of carbonates to vinyl epoxides using a chiral Pd(0) catalyst.

Abstract: A bimorph spiral which exhibits a shape-altering response to thermal radiation and is dimensioned to have a focussing effect on light, such as a visible light, by acting as a quasi-Fresnel element. The focussing effect varies as the shape of the bimorph spiral changes due to absorption of thermal radiation. An array of such bimorph spirals can be used for efficient, high-resolution and rapid uncooled photothermal spectroscopy.

Abstract: In vitro methods for making a recombinant adenoviral genome, as well as kits for practicing the same and the recombinant adenovirus vectors produced thereby, are provided. In the subject methods, the subject genomes are prepared from first and second vectors. The first vector includes an adenoviral genome having an E region deletion and three different, non-adenoviral restriction endonuclease sites located in the E region. The second vector is a shuttle vector and includes an insertion nucleic acid flanked by two of the three different non-adenoviral restriction endonucleases sites present in the first vector. Cleavage products are prepared from the first and second vectors using the appropriate restriction endonucleases. The resultant cleavage products are then ligated to produce the subject recombinant adenovirus genome. The subject adenoviral genomes find use in a variety of application, including as vectors for use in a variety of applications, including gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention uses spectral-spatial 180° refocusing pulses in the point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) localization sequence. The PRESS sequence uses a series of three pulses having a tilt angle pattern of 90°-180°-180°. The first excitation pulses in the present invention is a spatially selective 90° tilt angle pulse. The following two pulses are spectral-spatial refocusing pulses which provide multi-dimensional selectivity. This feature allows for enhanced solvent suppression, reduced chemical shift induced spatial displacement and an ability to refocus weakly coupled spins. In a preferred embodiment, the spectral-spatial pulses are time-asymmetric and identical, providing for a linear phase profile by means of phase compensation between the two refocusing pulses. Alternatively, a linear phase profile can be provided by using time-symmetric refocusing pulses. The time-asymmetric feature is preferred because it results in lower applied RF power and shorter echo times.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system has a computer with a memory and display connected to a surgical instrument or pointer and position tracking system, so that the location and orientation of the pointer are tracked in real time and conveyed to the computer. The computer memory is loaded with data from an MRI, CT, or other volumetric scan of a patient, and this data is utilized to dynamically display 3-dimensional perspective images in real time of the patient's anatomy from the viewpoint of the pointer. The images are segmented and displayed in color to highlight selected anatomical features and to allow the viewer to see beyond obscuring surfaces and structures. The displayed image tracks the movement of the instrument during surgical procedures. The instrument may include an imaging device such as an endoscope or ultrasound transducer, and the system displays also the image for this device from the same viewpoint, and enables the two images to be fused so that a combined image is displayed.

Abstract: An ion beam supplied from a source is modulated so that ions at a constant flux is passed during on periods or portions thereof and are deflected or stopped during off periods according to a binary sequence in order to encode the ion beam with phase information of the sequence. The binary sequence is such that ions released during two consecutive on periods overlap before reaching a detector, thereby increasing the duty-cycle. The detector output signal is demodulated using the phase information of the binary sequence to recover an ion mass spectrum.

Abstract: Combinations of diterpenoid triepoxides and anti-proliferative agents are used in a combination therapy to treat hyperproliferative disorders. Anti-proliferative agents of interest include agents active in killing tumor cells, as well as immunosuppressants, and a variety of other agents that reduce cellular proliferation in targeted tissues. Synergistic combinations provide for comparable or improved therapeutic effects, while lowering adverse side effects.