Abstract: Methods and compositions for rendering nucleic acids directly responsive to an external signal utilizing modulators that themselves respond to the external signal and are associated with the nucleic acid. In response to the external signal, the modulator alters physical properties of the specific nucleic acid molecule(s) with which it is associated, thereby altering the structural and functional properties thereof. The modulator may, for example, transfer applied energy to a nucleic acid, or to a portion of the nucleic acid, thereby changing the nucleic acid structure.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for rendering proteins directly responsive to an external signal utilizing modulators that themselves respond to the external signal and are associated with the proteins. In response to the external signal, the modulator alters physical properties of the specific protein molecule(s) with which it is associated, thereby altering the structural and functional properties thereof. The modulator may, for example, transfer applied energy to a protein, or to a portion of the protein, thereby changing the protein structure and function.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an array, comprising a plurality of spots on a solid support, wherein each spot independently comprises a substrate attached to said solid support, wherein each substrate attached to said solid support is independently a carbohydrate-containing molecule. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preparing such an array of carbohydrate-containing molecules. A third aspect of the present invention relates to a method to detect the interaction of a carbohydrate with a binding molecule.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for physically exchanging a force with a user in an environment local to the user. A connection element connects to a user's body member and a linkage between the connection element and ground. The linkage includes means for powering at least three independent freedoms of the connection element relative to ground and means for maintaining at least one independent freedom of the connection element relative to ground free of power. Up to three independent freedoms of the connection element may be maintained free of power, and up to five independent freedoms may be powered. Other aspects of the invention include a two actuator counter-balance for controlling a point on a link. The invention also includes apparatus for establishing a virtual, switch, which presents to the user the force and displacement relationship of a spring switch.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of measuring three-dimensional position information of a point on the surface of an object. The invention also relates to an apparatus for projecting fringes onto a surface of an object including two sources of radiation separated by a distance, each source having a spectral distribution, and being coherent with respect to the other of the sources, a control system moving each of the sources relative to the other of the sources, and a detector positioned to receive radiation scattered from the point on the surface of the object. In another embodiment, the two sources of radiation include, an initial source of a beam of radiation having a spectral width, a beam separator in optical communication with the initial source of a beam of radiation generating a first optical beam and a second optical beam, and an imaging system optically connected to the beam separator.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to nucleic acids molecules that are useful for specifically destroying selected cells, tissues, or organs. Aspects of the invention are useful for treating diseases (e.g., cancer) that affect specific cells, tissues, or organs.

Abstract: Methods for making porous articles are described, along with articles and structures which can be made by these methods. The methods typically involve polymerization of a carbon-containing precursor in the presence of an amphiphilic molecular structure, followed by carbonization to make a final product. Articles of the invention are generally porous, carbon-containing, and can have one or any number of features including crystallinity, electrical conductivity, and porosity of a specific and advantageous nature.

Abstract: Agents which modulate a bcl family member to control axonal growth and regeneration are described. These bcl modulating agents promote axonal growth and regeneration in the neural cells of a subject. Compositions for promoting axonal cell growth in a subject also are described. The compositions of the present invention include an effective amount of an agent which modulates a bcl family member and in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Other described aspects include packaged drugs for treating a state characterized by diminished potential for axonal growth. The packaged compounds and agents also include instructions for using the agent to promote axonal growth in a subject.

Abstract: A device for controlling or altering the temperature of a liquid at the point of dispensing. A temperature-altering device is thermally coupled to a dispensing device to compensate for heat dissipated into the liquid as it passes through the dispensing device during dispensing. The dispensing device may be for example, a miniature solenoid valve (microvalve), a piezoelectric printhead, or the like. According to aspects of the invention, a temperature-altering device provides or reduces heat at the point of dispensing in order to alter, control or maintain a constant temperature of the dispensed liquid. As a result, improvement is obtained in the consistency of the fluid regime of the dispensed droplet stream. The temperature-altering device may be a thermoelectric device capable of moving heat either from or to the dispensing structure, or may be a heater.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for distinguishing concentrations of blood constituents among distinct vascular components in situ. The method has steps of inducing periodic vibration, characterized by a frequency, in a limb of a person in such as manner as to selectively excite a resonant response in a specified blood vessel of the person, an artery or a vein, illuminating the limb of the person with a light source, and synchronously detecting a plethysmographic signal for discriminating response attributable to the specified blood vessel.

Abstract: A photodetector device includes a plurality of Ge epilayers that are grown on a substrate and annealed in a defined temperature range. The Ge epilayers form a tensile strained Ge layer that allows the photodetector device to operate efficiently in the C-band and L-band.

Abstract: The present invention relates to granulocyte colony stimulating factor (“G-CSF”) analog polypeptide compositions, related nucleic acids, expression constructs, host cells, and processes for recombinant production of the present G-CSF analogs. The concept detailed herein involves novel mutants of G-CSF, using single substitutions to amino acids, which were rationally chosen to affect the cellular trafficking of G-CSF and/or G-CSFR. In addition, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of identifying and characterizing properties of polymers to provide information about the polymer such as the charge of the polymer, the number and types or characteristics of units of the polymer and the sequence of the polymers. The invention also relates to methods of sequencing polymers such as nucleic acids, polypeptides and polysaccharides and methods for identifying a polysaccharide-protein interaction.

Abstract: Provided is a process for lithographically patterning a material on a substrate comprising the steps of (a) depositing a radiation sensitive material on the substrate by chemical vapor deposition; (b) selectively exposing the radiation sensitive material to radiation to form a pattern; and (c) developing the pattern using a supercritical fluid (SCF) as a developer. Also disclosed is a microstructure formed by the foregoing process. Also disclosed is a process for lithographically patterning a material on a substrate wherein after steps (a) and (b) above, the pattern is developed using a dry plasma etch. Also disclosed is a microstructure comprising a substrate; and a patterned dielectric layer, wherein the patterned dielectric layer comprises at least one two-dimensional feature having a dimensional tolerance more precise than 7%.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to novel ligands for transition metals. A second aspect of the present invention relates to the use of catalysts comprising these ligands in transition metal-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom and carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. The subject methods provide improvements in many features of the transition metal-catalyzed reactions, including the range of suitable substrates, reaction conditions, and efficiency.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding chimeric proteins, and methods for their production and use are disclosed. The chimeric proteins comprise a flexible linker between two zinc finger DNA-binding domains, wherein the linker contains eight or more amino acids between the second conserved histidine residue of the carboxy-terminal zinc finger of the first domain and the first conserved cysteine residue of the amino-terminal zinc finger of the second domain.

Abstract: An adjustable lens is disclosed for use in an optical profilometer system. The adjustable lens includes a plurality of elements that are mutually spaced from another in a first position and provides a first focal point for an incident electromagnetic field having a first frequency incident at a first angle with respect to the plurality of elements. The adjustable lens also includes an actuation unit for changing the focal point of the plurality of elements to provide a second focal point for the incident electromagnetic field having the first frequency incident at the first angle with respect to the plurality of elements.

Abstract: Improved aerodynamically light particles for drug delivery to the pulmonary system, and methods for their synthesis and administration are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the aerodynamically light particles are made of biodegradable material and have a tap density of less than 0.4 g/cm3 and a mass mean diameter between 5 ?m and 30 ?m. The particles may be formed of biodegradable materials such as biodegradable polymers. For example, the particles may be formed of a functionalized polyester graft copolymer consisting of a linear ?-hydroxy-acid polyester backbone having at least one amino acid group incorporated therein and at least one poly(amino acid) side chain extending from an amino acid group in the polyester backbone. In one embodiment, aerodynamically light particles having a large mean diameter, for example greater than 5 ?m, can be used for enhanced delivery of a therapeutic agent to the alveolar region of the lung.

Abstract: A waveguide-semiconductor coupling device includes a waveguide structure that includes a multimode interferometer (MMI) structure so as to minimize the reflections of TE modes in the coupling device. A mesa structure is coupled to the waveguide structure so as to minimize the reflections of TM modes in the coupling device.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image of an object scanned with a plurality of cone-beam projections from a number of source positions is reconstructed using a method wherein intermediate transform functions are obtained from two-dimensional images of radiation attenuation in the scanned object. The intermediate transform functions are then filtered over the two-dimensional attenuation images using a moving-frame technique. The second-order radial derivative of the Radon transform can then be backprojected to generate an intermediate, locally-reconstructed, three-dimensional image. After repetition of this process, the plurality of intermediate, locally reconstructed, three-dimensional images are summed to obtain an ultimate, reconstructed, three-dimensional image of the object.