Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery of methods for purification of an acid active hyaluronidase found in human plasma (hpHAse), including both biochemical and immunoaffinity purification methods. The method of immunoaffinity purification of the invention is based on the discovery of a method for identifying antibodies that specifically bind native hpHAse (anti-native hpHAse antibodies), and anti-native hpHAse antibodies identified by this screening method. The invention also features an assay for sensitive detection of HAse activity using biotinylated hyaluronic acid (bHA). Purification and characterization of hpHAse lead to the inventors' additional discovery that hpHAse is encoded by the LuCa-1 gene, which gene is present in the human chromosome at 3p21.3, a region associated with tumor suppression. The invention additionally features methods of treating tumor-bearing patients by administration of hpHAse and/or transformation of cells with hpHAse-encoding DNA.

Abstract: Contemplated whole blood separators tubes include a curable composition with a density intermediate to the density of serum and the cell-containing fraction. After centrifugation, the curable composition is located between the serum and the cell-containing fraction and preferably irradiated with UV light to initiate a curing reaction in which the curable composition solidifies to a barrier that is immobilized and resistant to breakdown at freezing temperatures and extended storage.

Abstract: A device for forming a self-assembled film on a substrate containing a film precursor includes a first heating member and a second heating member disposed adjacent to the first heating member, the second heating member being separated from the first heating member by a gap. The device includes a movable pusher member configured for advancing the substrate from the first heating member to the second heating member.

Abstract: Direct communication between wireless nodes, which may be mobile or fixed or a mixture of mobile and fixed nodes, is permitted under a limitation that each node, for any given transmission period, is permitted to act in half-duplex mode, meaning that in that period it can act as one of a transmitter or receiver, but it cannot both transmit and receive in the same communication period. The nodes communicate according to a schedule provided to them, for example by a broadcast after a poll of nodes is conducted. The scheduling of transmissions in preferred embodiments is conducted by contention resolution.

Abstract: An (Al, Ga, In)N light emitting diode (LED) in which multi-directional light can be extracted from one or more surfaces of the LED before entering a shaped optical element and subsequently being extracted to air. In particular, the (Al, Ga, In)N and transparent contact layers (such as ITO or ZnO) are embedded in or combined with a shaped optical element, which may be an epoxy, glass, silicon or other material molded into a sphere or inverted cone shape, wherein most of the light entering the inverted cone shape lies within a critical angle and is extracted. The present invention also minimizes internal reflections within the LED by eliminating mirrors and/or mirrored surfaces, in order to minimize re-absorption of the LED's light by the emitting layer (or the active layer) of the LED. To assist in minimizing internal reflections, transparent electrodes, such as ITO or ZnO, may be used. Surface roughening by patterning or anisotropically etching (i.e.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for calibrating a lighting control system. The lighting control system is a daylight-harvesting system that controls the output of the lighting system based on available daylight and/or other light sources to reduce energy usage while providing lighting for an area. The lighting system includes multi-level lighting capabilities for one or more light sources. First, the system measures the light levels for the area when the lighting system: is turned on at a high energy-level; is turned on at an intermediate energy-level; and is turned off. The system determines from these measured light levels the light output of the lighting system in the different states. Then, during operation, the system measures a present light level for the area. The system then adjusts the light output of the lighting system for the area based on a lighting control parameter (e.

Abstract: Provided herein are metabolically-modified microorganisms useful for producing biofuels. More specifically, provided herein are methods of producing high alcohols including isobutanol, 1-butanol, 1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol and 2-phenylethanol from a suitable substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a homogeneous composition comprising a hemostatically effective amount of a charged oxide, wherein the composition has an isoelectric point, as measured in calcium chloride, below 7.3 or above 7.4. Typically, the charged oxide is selected from the group consisting of silaceous oxides, titanium oxides, aluminum oxides, calcium oxides, zinc oxides, nickel oxides and iron oxides. In some embodiments, the composition further comprises a second oxide selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, sodium oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, phosphorus oxide and alumina. In a typical embodiment of the invention, the charged oxide is silaceous oxide, the second oxide comprises calcium oxide and the ratio, by molar ratio, of silaceous oxide to calcium oxide is 0.25 to 15. Optionally, the composition further comprises phosphorous oxide. Also described are methods of making and using such compositions.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed for performing mechanical ablation of blood clots using low-intensity ultrasound. A system includes a computed tomography (CT) scanner to acquire axial scans of a target subject containing at least one intravascular blood clot, and generate volumetric CT data of the target subject based on the acquired axial scans. A data processing device is in communication with the CT scanner to process the generated volumetric CT data, and identify at least one parameter of an ultrasound beam to ablate the at least one intravascular blood clot based on the processed volumetric CT data. Also, an ultrasound ablation device is in communication with the data processing device to generate the ultrasound beam based on the identified at least one parameter, and apply the generated ultrasound beam with the identified at least one parameter to ablate the at least one intravascular blood clot.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method for producing a 5-carbon alcohol in a genetically modified host cell. In one embodiment, the method comprises culturing a genetically modified host cell which expresses a first enzyme capable of catalyzing the dephosphorylation of an isopentenyl disphosphate (IPP) or dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), such as a Bacillus subtilis phosphatase (YhfR), under a suitable condition so that 5-carbon alcohol is 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol and/or 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol is produced. Optionally, the host cell may further comprise a second enzyme capable of reducing a 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol to 3-methyl-butan-1-ol, such as a reductase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diarylhydantoin compounds, including diarylthiohydantoins, and methods for synthesizing them and using them in the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer.

Abstract: This invention provides a convenient method for converting imines and other electrophiles into heterocyclic ring systems. The process does not require the use of metallic reagents, and is catalyzed by an organic heterocyclic carbene catalyst. Accordingly, it produces the desired compounds without the concomitant production of a large volume of metallic waste. Chiral heterocyclic carbene catalysts of the invention and methods of using these catalysts produce chiral heterocycles in high enantiomeric and diastereomeric excess.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel oral cancer and periodontal disease salivary metabolome for use in the diagnosis or for providing a prognosis for oral cancer and periodontal disease in an individual. The present invention also provides novel methods of diagnosing or providing a prognosis for oral cancer or periodontal disease by detecting metabolites found in the saliva of an individual. Finally, the present invention provides kits for the detection of salivary metabolites useful in the diagnosis or prognosis of oral cancer and periodontal disease in an individual.

Abstract: Provided herein are small molecule conjugates that are agonists or antagonists of one or more toll-like receptors.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, e.g., small molecules, that disrupt the activity of protein kinases, including constitutively activated protein kinases, such as kinases constitutively activated through mutations, and kinases in their native inactivated state, and methods for making and using them. In one aspect, compositions of the invention bind a protein kinase in its inactive conformation involving the conserved asparagine-phenylalanine-glycine residue motif, or “Asp-Phe-Gly” or “DFG” motif, of the activation loop in the allosteric binding site. The small molecule protein kinase inhibitors of the invention comprise or are derivatives or analogs of oxadiazoles, thiadiazoles, oxazoles, thiazoles, arylamides, quinolones, pyrazoles, pyrazolones, imides, pyrolles, imidazoles and/or triazoles.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to jointly transmitting and processing analog-digital information using Inaudible Synchronous Online User-optimized Processing (iSOUP), wherein digital and analog information can be transmitted via one connection. iSOUP may be implemented in real-time MP3 anti-piracy, customized MP3 songs, Internet customized medical devices, Internet customized consumer electronics, Internet controlled psychoacoustic and physiological tests, tinnitus treatment devices, anti-piracy MP3 players, assistive listening MP3 players, healthcare sensor networks, Bluetooth sensors, audio-visual hearing aids (HAs) and cochlear implants (CIs), audio-touch HAs and CIs, Bluetooth HAs and CIs, automated fitting of HAs and CIs.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of generating a spatially and/or temporally localized electric field generated on the photoconductive surface, and selectively activating, guiding or porating targeted (excitable) cells at high throughput with high spatial resolution, applied for example to neurons, cardiac and muscle cells. The spatially and/or temporally localized electric field can be established using spatially and/or temporally patterning light with a diffractive element to generate the spatially localized electric field on the photoconductive surface which is sandwiched between two conductive surfaces and applying a selected voltage difference between the two conductive surfaces. The intensity of the light beam can be varied for different processes of activation, guidance or poration without causing cellular damage.

Abstract: Provided are methods, devices and systems that utilize free-surface fluidics and SERS for analyte detection with high sensitivity and specificity. The molecules can be airborne agents, including but not limited to explosives, narcotics, hazardous chemicals, or other chemical species. The free-surface fluidic architecture is created using an open microchannel, and exhibits a large surface to volume ratio. The free-surface fluidic interface can filter interferent molecules, while concentrating airborne analyte molecules. The microchannel flow enables controlled aggregation of SERS-active probe particles in the flow, thereby enhancing the detector's sensitivity.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and compositions useful in the treatment of dermatitis and viral infections. The compositions comprise cationic peptides of the cathelicidin family including LL-37, related homologues, and variants thereof.

Abstract: A discrete low-noise amplifier designed to operate in a mobile wireless environment uses two cascaded GaAs FETs to achieve 25 dB gain and 0.9 dB noise figure at 2.5 GHz. Active bias control circuitry responsive to monitored amplifier output power automatically and continuously adjusts the drain-source currents, and the load lines, of the cascaded FETs to (i) maintain power consumption at 33 milliwatts in nominal small-signal conditions, and to (ii) provide an elevated input third-order intermodulation intercept point (IP3) and a reduced noise figure during the presence of jamming. A 15 dB improvement in the input IP3 is achieved in large-signal operation. Amplifier operation is supported by an a.c. power detector of enhanced sensitivity and responsiveness because of un-grounded operation.