Abstract: A shared vehicle system includes a central facility, at least one vehicle distribution port facility and a plurality or fleet of vehicles, each having a vehicle subsystem. In general, the central station and port facility and the vehicle subsystems communicate in a manner to allow a user to enter information at a port facility. That information is then communicated to the central facility, where the information is processed to select a vehicle from the fleet to allocate to the user at the port facility. Selection of a vehicle for allocation to a user may be based on selecting an available or soon to be available vehicle according to various algorithms that take into account the vehicles state of charge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to purine analogs that inhibit, inter alia, protein kinases, G-proteins and polymerases. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of using such purine analogs to inhibit protein kinases, G-proteins, polymerases and other cellular processes and to treat cellular proliferative diseases.

Abstract: Methods of treating or preventing neuronal loss associated with stroke, ischemia, CNS trauma, hypoglycemia, and surgery, as well as treating neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and Down's syndrome, treating or preventing the adverse consequences of the hyperactivity of the excitatory amino acids, as well as treating anxiety, chronic pain, convulsions, and inducing anesthesia are disclosed by administering to an animal in need of such treatment an alkyl or azido-substituted 1,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2,3-dione or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which have high binding to the glycine receptor.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for monitoring and control of underground contamination, which involve the application of ferrofluids. Two broad uses of ferrofluids are described: (1) to control liquid movement by the application of strong external magnetic fields; and (2) to image liquids by standard geophysical methods.

Abstract: A compound of formula (IV): wherein R′ and R9 are each independently (C1-C4)alkyl.

Abstract: A lamp system with a very soft high-intensity output is provided over a large area by water cooling a long-arc lamp inside a diffuse reflector of polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) white pigment. The water is kept clean and pure by a one micron particulate filter and an activated charcoal/ultraviolet irradiation system that circulates and de-ionizes and biologically sterilizes the coolant water at all times, even when the long-arc lamp is off.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for reducing inductive coupling between levitation and drive coils within a magnetic levitation system. A pole array has a magnetic field. A levitation coil is positioned so that in response to motion of the magnetic field of the pole array a current is induced in the levitation coil. A first drive coil having a magnetic field coupled to drive the pole array also has a magnetic flux which induces a parasitic current in the levitation coil. A second drive coil having a magnetic field is positioned to attenuate the parasitic current in the levitation coil by canceling the magnetic flux of the first drive coil which induces the parasitic current.

Abstract: The present invention includes the use of N-isomers as a source of energy and of neutrons, and the use of K-isomers as a source of energy when associated with a source of neutrons. Although there is strong indirect evidence for the existence of shape isomers in nuclei lighter than actinides, super-deformed (SD) isomeric states have not yet been directly observed. However, rotational bands from such SD states have been observed through &ggr;-ray transitions within high-energy rotational states of this band, as populated by HI reactions. The lifetimes for the shape isomers are likely to be small, but may be increased by effects like the odd-even effects already observed for fission isomers. By contrast, K-isomers have been observed and investigated. If N-isomers are found with the required properties (especially with sufficiently long lifetimes) and produced in sufficient quantities, portable neutron sources more intense than existing neutron sources could be obtained.

Abstract: A microfabricated gyroscopic sensor for measuring rotation about a Z-axis. The sensor includes a substrate, a first mass, a second mass, a coupling system connecting the first mass and the second mass, and a suspension system connecting the first mass and the second mass to the substrate. The sensor further includes a drive system to cause the first mass and the second mass to vibrate in an antiphase mode along a drive axis, and a position sensor to measure a displacement of the first mass and the second mass along a sense axis perpendicular to the drive axis and generally parallel to the surface of the substrate, wherein rotation of the first mass and the second mass about the Z-axis perpendicular to the surface of the substrate and vibration of the first mass and the second mass along the drive axis generates a Coriolis force to vibrate the first mass and the second mass along the sense axis in antiphase to each other.

Abstract: The measurement of the wavelength shifts in the reflectometric interference spectra of a porous semiconductor substrate such as silicon, make possible the highly sensitive detection, identification and quantification of small analyte molecules. The sensor of the subject invention is effective in detecting multiple layers of biomolecular interactions, termed “cascade sensing”, including sensitive detection of small molecule recognition events that take place relatively far from the semiconductor surface.

Abstract: Application of capsaicin (or a capsaicin analog) in a concentration from about 5% to about 10% by weight has been discovered to be an extremely effective therapy for treating neuropathic pain. In the practice of the present invention, a regional anesthetic, preferably by means of a somatic or neuraxial block, is administered to the affected area to minimize the expected side effects from them subsequent capsaicin application. Using the protocols described, patients with previously resistant neuropathic pain have experienced pain relief for periods of two to seven weeks.

Abstract: Method for measuring lead concentrations in blood. The present invention includes the use of resonant laser ablation to analyze ≦1 &mgr;L (or equivalent mass) samples of blood for lead content. A typical finger prick, for example, yields about 10 &mgr;L. Solid samples may also readily be analyzed by resonant laser ablation. The sample is placed on a lead-free, electrically conducting substrate and irradiated with a single, focused laser beam which simultaneously vaporizes, atomizes, and resonantly ionizes an analyte of interest in a sample. The ions are then sorted, collected and detected using a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An switching converter (APF) is a device that is connected in parallel to and cancels the reactive and harmonic currents from a group of nonlinear loads so that the resulting total current drawn from the ac source is sinusoidal. What is provided is an unified constant-frequency integration (UCI) APF control method based on one-cycle control. This method employs an integrator to control the pulse width of an ac-dc converter so that its current draw is precisely opposite to the reactive and harmonic current draw of the nonlinear loads. In contrast to previously proposed methods, there is no need to generate a current reference for the control of the converter current, thus no need for a multiplier, and no need to sense the ac line voltage, the APF current, or the nonlinear load current. Only one current sensor and one voltage sensor are used to sense the ac source current and the dc capacitor voltage.

Abstract: Identification, cloning and sequencing of the Arabidopsis ABI4 gene involved in seed response to abscisic acid (ABA) that regulates production of seed nutrient reserves and desiccation protectants. A method for regulating seed development, viability, stress-tolerance and nutrient reserves.

Abstract: A general synthetic method has been developed for the rapid and efficient production of a variety of boron-rich macromolecules suitable for conjugation with inclusion in receptor-mediated delivery systems as well as other delivery systems. Preparation techniques have been developed to yield precisely ordered oligophosphates which are soluble, hydrophilic, may be homogeneous, and may be prepared with a variety of functional groups.

Abstract: A method for performing laser treatment of biological tissues is performed by cooling a selected portion of the biological tissue for a predetermined first time period to establish a predetermined nonequilibrium dynamic temperature gradient through the tissue so that substantially only the selected portion of the biological tissue is cooled by a predetermined minimum temperature drop. The temperature gradient is established by providing a spurt of a predetermined amount of cryogenic liquid in direct contact with the biological tissue. A superficial and deeper part of the selected portion of the biological tissue is immediately irradiated for a time period which is approximately equal to or in excess of one millisecond. The irradiation is effective to thermally treat the deeper part of the biological tissue while leaving the superficial part of the biological tissue substantially undamaged.

Abstract: A bipolar separator plate for fuel cells consists of a molded mixture of a vinyl ester resin and graphite powder. The plate serves as a current collector and may contain fluid flow fields for the distribution of reactant gases. The material is inexpensive, electrically conductive, lightweight, strong, corrosion resistant, easily mass produced, and relatively impermeable to hydrogen gas. The addition of certain fiber reinforcements and other additives can improve the properties of the composite material without significantly increasing its overall cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the mammalian Hcen-2 gene. The invention relates to methods for the identification of compounds that modulate the expression of Hcen-2 and to using such compounds as therapeutic agents in the treatment of Hcen-2 disorders. The invention also relates to methods for the diagnostic evaluation, genetic testing and prognosis of Hcen-2 mediated disorders, and to methods and compositions for the treatment these disorders. The invention also relates to use of the Hcen-2 gene and/or gene products as markers for fine structure mapping of a region of human chromosome 18, including a region of the chromosome involved in mediating neuropsychiatric disorders.

Abstract: This invention provides assays for protein kinase activity using fluorescent proteins engineered to include sequences that can be phosphorylated by protein kinases. The proteins exhibit different fluorescent properties in the non-phosphorylated and phosphorylated states.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for expressing targeted gene products in vertebrate neurons. The compositions include gene trap vectors comprising a polynucleotide comprising promoterless selectable marker and axon reporter encoding sequences, which may be operatively joined to an internal ribosome-entry site, and may comprise a splice acceptor site located 5′ to the selectable marker and axon reporter encoding sequences. The methods include methods of expressing an axon reporter in a cell by transferring the subject vectors into an embryonic stem cell and incubating the cell under conditions whereby the cell or a progeny of the cell differentiates into a neuron comprising an axon or dendrites, and the neuron expresses the axon reporter under the transcriptional control of the gene; and specifically detecting the axon reporter in the axon or dendrites. Neuronal specific expression may also be effected in disclosed binary systems.