Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument includes a cryoprobe operative to form an ice ball in tissue of a patient targeted for cryosurgery upon activation, a sheath disposed over the cryoprobe and at least one measuring device supported by the sheath for measuring a parameter of the tissue of the patient. The instrument includes a processor for predicting formation of the ice ball by the cryoprobe over time and a display for displaying the prediction of ice ball formation. The processor is responsive to an output signal provided by the measuring device and a model of the effective thermal conductivity of the tissue of the patient targeted for surgery. In one embodiment, the measuring device is embedded in the sheath and measures temperature, thermal conductivity, blood perfusion rate and/or thermal diffusivity. The processor may be further responsive to an impedance measurement circuit for verifying the prediction.

Abstract: Conductive links are provided between conductive materials, e.g., metals, separated by a non-conductive material, e.g., a silicon based glass material. In a preferred embodiment a single pulse of laser energy is applied to at least one of the conductive materials to produce mechanical strain therein which strain initiates a fracturing of the non-conductive material so as to provide at least one fissure therein extending between the conductive materials. The laser energy pulse further causes at least one of the conductive materials to flow in such fissure to provide a conductive link between the conductive materials. Preferably, the non-conductive material is formed in layers such that an interface between the layers controls the fissures.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the stimulation of &bgr;-adrenergic receptors, which activate cAMP formation, give rise to increased APP and GFAP synthesis in astrocytes. Hence, the in vitro or in vivo exposure of neuronal cells to certain compositions comprising &bgr;-adrenergic receptor ligands or agonists, including, e.g., norepinephrine, isoproterenol and the like, increases APP mRNA transcription and consequent APP overproduction. These increases are blocked by &bgr;-adrenergic receptor antagonists, such as propranolol. The in vitro or in vivo treatment of these cells with 8Br-cAMP, prostaglandin E2 (PG E2), forskolin, and nicotine ditartrate also increased APP synthesis, including an increase in mRNA and holoprotein levels, as well as an increase in the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Compositions and methods are disclosed of regulating APP overexpression and mediating reactive astrogliosis through cAMP signaling or the activation of &bgr;-adrenergic receptors.

Abstract: A chlorine based dry-cleaning system appropriate for removing metal contaminants from the surface of substrate is described in which the metal contaminant is chlorinated and reduced to a volatile metal chloride by UV irradiation. The process parameters of chlorine gas partial pressure, temperature, ultraviolet bandwidth, and/or the sequence of exposure of the substrate to the chlorine containing gas and to the ultraviolet radiation are selected so as to effect substantial removal of the metal without excessive substrate roughening.

Abstract: A navigation receiver system provides real-time precise relative positioning in cooperation with an associated carrier phase receiver. The navigation receiver system and the associated carrier phase receiver both sample signals during a single epoch, and the associated carrier phase receiver processes the received signals to provide and transmit first carrier phase measurement data. The navigation receiver system comprises a data link receiver that receives the first carrier phase measurement data from the associated carrier phase receiver, and a carrier phase receiver that receives carrier phase signals during the sampling epoch, and processes the carrier phase signals to provide a second carrier phase measurement data. The navigation system receiver also includes a processing unit that receives the first carrier phase measurement data and the second carrier phase measurement data and computes carrier phase difference measurements.

Abstract: Variable-rate encoding of a signal by processing the signal to determine the data rate demand over a time period for multiple values of an encoding parameter, such as a quantization parameter which affects the encoded data rate, and selecting a value for the encoding parameter with which to encode a segment of the time period. Determining the data rate demands of a set of image sequences and selecting a subset of the sequences based on the data rate demands, for example, to satisfy a storage volume constraint, and then encoding each of the selected subset of sequences for transmission or storage.

Abstract: An apposition sensing system including a stent; a catheter assembly to which the stent is coupled for deployment into a lumen; and a sensor positioned on the catheter assembly adjacent to an end of the stent. The sensor is adapted to provide an electrical parameter which is indicative of apposition of the end of the stent to the inner wall of the lumen. In one aspect of the invention, the sensor includes first and second pressure sensors positioned at proximal and distal portions of the catheter assembly adjacent to proximal and distal ends of the stent. A monitoring unit monitors pressure changes sensed by the sensors. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, there is provided an expansion sensing system including a stent having an electrically conductive region; an expandable insulating sleeve; a catheter assembly to which the stent is coupled for deployment into a lumen; and at least one electrode associated with the catheter assembly.

Abstract: Tracking a motion of a body by obtaining two types of measurements associated with the motion of the body, one of the types including acoustic measurement. An estimate of either an orientation or a position of the body is updated based on one of the two types of measurement, for example based on inertial measurement. The estimate is then updated based on the other of the two types of measurements, for example based on acoustic ranging. The invention also features determining range measurement to selected reference devices that are fixed in the environment of the body.

Abstract: An optical bit rate for communication systems. The optical bit rate converter converts an ultra-high speed optical data stream to a lower rate optical data stream. In one embodiment, the optical bit rate converter converts the ultra-high speed optical data stream to a lower rate optical data stream that can be detected and processed electronically. The optical rate converter includes a buffer presenting a repeating optical data bit pattern, an optical sampler presenting an optical sampling bit stream, and an optical correlator. The optical correlator has a first input in communication with the output of the buffer and a second input in communication with the output of the optical sampler. The optical correlator produces a rate-converted optical data bit stream at its output in response to the repeating optical data bit pattern produced by the buffer and the optical sampling bit stream produced by the optical sampler.

Abstract: Radiopharmaceutical compounds are disclosed. A tropane compound is linked through the N atom at the 8-position to a chelating ligand capable of complexing technetium or rhenium to produce a neutral labeled complex that selectively binds to the dopamine transporter. These compounds can be prepared as separate diastereoisomers as well as a mixture of diastereoisomers. Also disclosed are radiopharmaceutical kits for preparing the labeled radiopharmaceutical compounds.

Abstract: The invention involves identification of a mechanism of &bgr;-amyloid peptide cytotoxicity, which enables treatment of conditions caused by &bgr;-amyloid peptide aggregates by administration of compounds which antagonize the mechanism of cytotoxicity. The invention includes the identification and isolation of compounds which can antagonize the aggregation of &bgr;-amyloid peptides and the neurotoxic effects of such aggregates. The compounds include isolated peptides which were selected for their ability to form a complex with a &bgr;-amyloid peptide, or are derived from peptides so selected. Methods for treating conditions resulting from neurotoxic &bgr;-amyloid peptide aggregates and pharmaceutical preparations are provided. Also provided are methods for selecting additional compounds which can antagonize the aggregation of &bgr;-amyloid peptides and the neurotoxic effects of such aggregates.

Abstract: High-damage-threshold output couplers with reflectivities suitable for use in high-power Q-switched lasers can be constructed from two pieces of high-damage-threshold bulk material. The output couplers are formed by a thin fluid-filled gap between parallel faces of bulk materials. This forms a reflective Fabry-Perot etalon with a large bandwidth. By avoiding the use of dielectric coatings to form the output coupler, a common source of damage—optical damage to the dielectric coating—can be avoided, making it possible to produce higher-performance lasers.

Abstract: An oxide superconductor article is provided having an oxide superconductor film having a thickness of greater than 0.5 microns disposed on a substrate, said article having a transport critical current density (Jc) of greater than or equal to about 105 A/cm2 at 77 K, zero field. The oxide superconductor film is characterized by high Jc and high volume percent of c-axis epitaxial oxide grains, even with thicknesses of up to 1 micron.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an anaplerotic enzyme from Corynebacterium glutamicum which replenishes oxaloacetate consumed during lysine and glutamic acid production in industrial fermentations. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the pyruvate carboxylase protein. Pyruvate carboxylase polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a silicon wafer having silicon regions, and at least one GexSi1−x region integrated within the silicon regions. The silicon and GexSi1−x regions can be substantially coplanar surfaces. The structure can include at least one electronic device configured in the silicon regions, and at least one electronic device of III-V materials configured in said at least one GexSi1−x region. The structure can be, for example, an integrated III-V/Si semiconductor microchip. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of fabricating a semiconductor structure, including providing a silicon wafer with a surface; forming a pattern of vias within the surface of the wafer; and depositing regions of GexSi1−x within the vias. The method can include the step of processing the wafer so that the wafer and GexSi1−x regions have substantially coplanar surfaces.

Abstract: A method for preparing an aryl ether compound is provided in which an alcohol is reacted with an aromatic compound in the presence of a base, and a transition metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum and nickel to form an aryl ether. The aromatic compound comprises an activated substituent, X, said activated substituent being a moiety such that its conjugate acid HX has a pKa of less than 5.0. The catalyst is preferably a soluble palladium complex in the presence of supporting ligands.

Abstract: A self contained sensor apparatus generates a signal that corresponds to at least two of the three orientational aspects of yaw, pitch and roll of a human-scale body, relative to an external reference frame. A sensor generates first sensor signals that correspond to rotational accelerations or rates of the body about certain body axes. The sensor may be mounted to the body. Coupled to the sensor is a signal processor for generating orientation signals relative to the external reference frame that correspond to the angular rate or acceleration signals. The first sensor signals are impervious to interference from electromagnetic, acoustic, optical and mechanical sources. The sensors may be rate sensors. An integrator may integrate the rate signal over time. A drift compensator is coupled to the rate sensors and the integrator. The drift compensator may include a gravitational tilt sensor or a magnetic field sensor or both.

Abstract: A method for the production of fullerenic nanostructures is described in which unsaturated hydrocarbon fuel and oxygen are combusted in a burner chamber at a sub-atmospheric pressure, thereby establishing a flame. The condensibles of the flame are collected at a post-flame location. The condensibles contain fullerenic nanostructures, such as single and nested nanotubes, single and nested nanoparticles and giant fullerenes. The method of producing fullerenic soot from flames is also described.

Abstract: Method of performing OFDR on a sample comprising steps of: providing an external-cavity frequency-tuned laser having an optical cavity of effective length; tuning the laser to generate a change in wavelength; changing the effective length of the optical cavity proportionally to the change in wavelength so as to tune the longitudinal cavity mode frequency at the same rate as the wavelength is changed; directing light from the laser onto the sample; receiving light reflected from the sample; combining light reflected from the sample with light from the external-cavity frequency-tuned laser; detecting the combined light and generating a beat signal in response thereto; and performing digital signal processing to extract spatial information about the sample in response to the detected beat signal.

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 a biodegradable material and have a tap density less than 0.4 g/cm3 and a mass mean diameter between 5 &mgr;m and 30 &mgr;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 &agr;-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 &mgr;m, can be used for enhanced delivery of a therapeutic agent to the alveolar region of the lung.