Abstract: The invention features substantially pure nucleic acid sequences encoding wild-type or mutant serotonin retake transporter (SERT) polypeptides, as well as the polypeptides themselves. The invention also features methods for identifying modulators of the biological activity of a SERT and for identifying if such a modulator has a secondary target. In addition, the invention features methods for treating a condition in a subject.

Abstract: Connective tissue, including neo-tendons and ligaments, has been constructed using biodegradable synthetic scaffolds seeded with tenocytes. The scaffolds are preferably formed from biodegradable fibers formed of a polymer such as polyglycolic acid-polylactic acid copolymers, and seeded with cells isolated from autologous tendon or ligament by means of enzymatic digestion or direct seeding into tissue culture dishes from explants. The cell polymer constructs are then surgically transplanted to replace missing segments of functioning tendon or ligament.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for passive stabilization of a wheeled object by employing secondary wheels rotating about secondary axes offset from a common axis of a primary set of wheels, where the secondary wheels are positioned such that tilting of the object during rolling causes one of the secondary wheels to contact the surface and counteract tilting tendencies. The offset of the secondary axes can include angular, vertical, and/or horizontal components.

Abstract: Surface-enhanced spectroscopy, such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy employs aggregates that are of a size that allows easy handling. The aggregates are generally at least about 500 nm in dimension. The aggregates can be made of metal particles of size less than 100 nm, allowing enhanced spectroscopic techniques that operate at high sensitivity. This allows the use of larger, easily-handleable aggregates. Signals are determined that are caused by single analytes adsorbed to single aggregates, or single analytes adsorbed on a surface. The single analytes can be DNA or RNA fragments comprising at least one base.

Abstract: HF vapor processes are provided for etching oxide on a semiconductor substrate, cleaning a substrate, or cleaning a metal structure on a substrate. In the processes, a semiconductor substrate to be cleaned or having oxide to be etched is exposed to anhydrous hydrofluoric acid vapor and water vapor at a substrate temperature greater than about 40° C. Control of substrate temperature, hydrofluoric acid vapor pressure and water vapor pressure inhibits formation of liquid on the substrate and forms on the substrate a sub-monolayer of etch reactant and product molecules by adsorption of etch reactant and product molecules at less than about 95% of oxide adsorption sites.

Abstract: The invention provides fusion protein reporter molecules that can be used to monitor protein modifications (e.g., histone modifications) in living cells, and methods of using the fusion reporter molecules for diagnosing protein-modification-associated disorders (e.g. histone-modification-associated disorders). The invention also provides methods of using the fusion protein reporters to identify candidate pharmaceutical agents that effect protein modification in cells and tissues, thus permitting identification of candidate pharmaceutical agents for treatment of protein-modification-associated disorders.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate, at least one first crystalline epitaxial layer on the substrate, the first layer having a surface which is planarized, and at least one second crystalline epitaxial layer on the at least one first layer. In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a semiconductor structure including a silicon substrate, and a GeSi graded region grown on the silicon substrate, compressive strain being incorporated in the graded region to offset the tensile strain that is incorporated during thermal processing. In yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate, a first layer having a graded region grown on the substrate, compressive strain being incorporated in the graded region to offset the tensile strain that is incorporated during thermal processing, the first layer having a surface which is planarized, and a second layer provided on the first layer.

Abstract: A solid-state battery including at least one thin film layer, and method for making same.

Abstract: Micron scale dielectric items are manipulated by methods and apparatus taking advantage of spatially non-uniform field. Such fields give rise to a force on dielectric items, directing them generally toward regions of more concentrated field. The electrode may be elongated, either unitary, with a generally planar counter electrode, or dual, such as parallel pins, loops or plates. If dual, particles are generally attracted to regions of high field concentration, including tips, edges and spaces between electrode conductors. Items can be granular, threadlike, or sheets, and microelectronic parts and other shapes. Items can also be collected directly into a recess of a pharmaceutical material delivery microchip, with a conductive membrane of the microchip acting as a manipulating electrode. Items are attracted without regard to their surface charge, or the polarity of the field, which can be AC or DC. Charging, or knowing the charge of items to be manipulated is not necessary.

Abstract: Layers of slurry of dielectric powder are deposited one after another on a substrate through jet print technology to constitute a shaped article of dielectric layers. A predetermined region of the shaped article is bound with a binder to construct a photonic crystal having a three-dimensional structure. The jet print technology is free from limitation on the materials to be used therein, and broadens the configuration latitude in the photonic crystal produced. Photonic crystals having a controlled dielectric constant are easy to obtain through the technology.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for performing automated auscultation and diagnosis of conditions of the cardiovascular system. The invention acquires an acoustic signal emanating from the cardiovascular system via an sensor. In addition, in certain embodiments of the invention an electrical signal, e.g., an electrocardiogram (EKG) is simultaneously acquired. The signals are digitized, and, optionally, filtered to remove noise. The invention then processes and analyses the signal(s) so as to provide a clinically relevant conclusion or recommendation such as a diagnosis or suggested additional tests or therapy.

Abstract: Detecting a defect in the sample is accomplished by photoacousticly exciting acoustic longitudinal, surface Rayleigh, and shear waves at a first point on a near surface of a sample; photoacoustically detecting acoustic waves at a second point spaced from the excitation first point for intercepting shear waves reflected from the far surface of the sample at approximately the angle of maximum shear wave propagation; and detecting the energy level of the intercepted reflected shear waves representative of the flaw in the sample.

Abstract: Methods for the preparation of multilayered resists are described. To efficiently pattern large contiguous areas rapidly, a procedure has been developed using spot-size modulation of the focused laser beam to more efficiently pattern interior portions. Critical portions at the perimeter are patterned at high resolutions. The spot-size is progressively increased towards the interior allowing a controlled transition to coarser spot-sizes without impacting the exposure dose in critical portions. Patterning times are significantly reduced since in effect shells are patterned. An algorithm is defined to subdivide a layer into different zones, determine the appropriate focused spot-sizes used for each zone, and define the laser scan trace within a zone to enable efficient patterning of broad areas in positive tone resists.

Abstract: A wafer having heterostructure therein is formed using a substrate with recesses formed within a dielectric layer. A magnetized magnetic layer or a polarized electret material is formed at the bottom of each recess. The magnetized magnetic layer or a polarized electret material provides a predetermined magnetic or electrical field pattern. A plurality of heterostructures is formed from on an epitaxial wafer wherein each heterostructure has formed thereon a non-magnetized magnetic layer that is attracted to the magnetized magnetic layer formed at the bottom of each recess or dielectric layer that is attracted to the polarized electret material formed at the bottom of each recess. The plurality of heterostructures is etched from the epitaxial wafer to form a plurality of heterostructure pills.

Abstract: A touch panel in which two or more light sensors emit light into a transparent panel at an angle to sustain transmission through the panel by total internal reflection. The transmitted light is detected at an array of light detection positions around the periphery of the panel opposite to each light source. When an object contact the surface of the panel, light transmitted along the pathway from a given source past the contact point to one of the detection points is attenuated by the frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) effect. Each contact causes two or more intersecting light beams having known end points to be attenuated, enabling a connected processor to determine the position and size of the contact area.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of AWGs, wherein one of the AWGs receives an input signal. The AWGS are divided amongst a first selective group of the AWGs providing even-numbered channel outputs associated with an even-numbered selection of the input signal, and a second selective group of the AWGs providing odd-numbered channel outputs associated with an odd-numbered selection of the input signal. An interleaver arrangement includes a plurality of ring structures so as to provide appropriate filtering characteristics for the even-numbered channel outputs and odd-numbered channel outputs.

Abstract: A high-gain, saturated output, double-pass, fault-tolerant optical amplifier has an extended range of stability, output power, and efficiency and fall back modes of operation. The optical amplifier is typically configured in a two-stage polarization maintaining configuration, employing erbium-doped fibers as the gain media in both of the stages. At least one optical element in a loss-insensitive region of the amplifier can have a loss substantially higher than optical elements in the gain paths outside of the loss-insensitive region without substantially reducing the overall output power and efficiency of the amplifier. These elements can influence the amplified signal waveform, spectrum, signal-to-noise ratio, or subsequent performance in an optical network, as well as amplifier characteristics, such as output power, stability, efficiency, and reliability. The optical amplifier is suitable for both free-space and fiber optic network applications.

Abstract: A high speed optical communication and data transfer network comprises fiber optic links interconnecting a plurality of hybrid electronic-optical switch devices, each hybrid switch circuit including an electronic switch, electronic switch controller and optical switch. The hybrid switch circuits and nodes on the periphery of the core network communicate amongst each other over a first dedicated wavelength. Optical signals on the first dedicated wavelength are converted to electronic signals which are monitored by the electronic controller in each hybrid switch circuit. Routing in the network is optimized by transmitting lower volume data traffic on the first dedicated wavelength which is typically slower due to optical/electronic signal conversions and which uses more resources. Higher capacity data transfers are achieved by transmitting data on an assigned carrier wavelength over an established flow path among the optical switches of multiple hybrid switch circuits.

Abstract: A system for exhibiting Cherenkov radiation is provided. The system includes a beam of charged particles. A photonic crystal structure receives said beam of charged particles. The charged particles moves in said photonic crystal structure so that Cherenkov radiation is produced at all velocities without requiring resonances in the effective material constants of said photonic crystal structure.

Abstract: An optical switch device includes a rolling shutter or membrane attached at one of its edges to a substrate near an optical port in the substrate. The rolling shutter can assume one of two states. In a first closed state, the membrane is uncoiled onto the substrate over the port such that light directed at the port impinges on the shutter. In a second open state, the membrane is rolled up away from the port such that light directed at the port impinges on the port. In one embodiment, a mirror is formed on the membrane such that when the membrane is in the closed state over the substrate, light directed at the port is reflected by the mirror. In one configuration, the optical port includes a hole or aperture such light passed through the port without interference. The device can include a latch electrode the far end of the membrane such that when it is rolled out, it can be held in position by a latching voltage applied across the latch electrode and the substrate.