Abstract: A composition comprising PAA nanoparticles containing a post loaded tetrapyrollic photosensitizer and an imaging agent and methods for making and using same.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for storing data in a disk storage system is presented. A dictionary data structure is defined and stored on the disk storage system. Key-value pairs can be inserted and deleted into the dictionary data structure, with full transactional semantics, at a rate that is faster than one insertion per disk-head movement. Keys can be looked up with only a logarithmic number of transfers, even for keys that have been recently inserted or deleted. Queries can be performed on ranges of key-value pairs, including recently inserted or deleted pairs, at a constant fraction of the bandwidth of the disk. The dictionary employs indirect logging for physical block logging.

Abstract: A nanoparticle including a polysiloxane base having an exterior surface and having a photosensitizer at least partly exposed at its exterior surface, said photosensitizer being secured to the exterior surface by loading the photosensitizer onto the surface after formation of the polysiloxane base of the nanoparticle. The nanoparticle may have tumor targeting moieties and may be post loaded with cyanine dye. The nanoparticle preferably includes post loaded moieties providing at least two of tumor specificity, photodynamic properties and imaging capabilities and the photosensitizer is tagged with a radioisotope. A method for preparation of the nanoparticle is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing memory in animals, including humans by the administration of an effective amount of an atypical form of protein kinase C such as protein kinase M zeta (PKM?) or protein kinase C iota/lambda.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for securing biometric data using multiple biometrics. The method includes the steps of: a) converting a first biometric to an irreversibly altered biometric using a parameterized transform function and b) prior to said conversion parameterizing a non-invertible transform function using at least one additional biometric. The apparatus is an apparatus for converting a first biometric to an irreversibly altered biometric using a parameterized non-invertible transform function comprising a computer containing a program for calculating the irreversibly altered biometric based upon input of a first biometric into the parameterized non-invertible transform function.

Abstract: A computer based method of biometric analysis which compares a first vector from a first biometric sample with a second vector from a second biometric sample. The vectors have at least one biometric feature. A method which compares two biometric samples. The samples form at least one cluster of at least one vector based on feature similarities between the samples. An apparatus incorporating a means for performing the method taught herein. A computer-readable medium and a propagated computer data signal transmitted via a propagation medium, with instructions which when executed by a processor, carry out the method of the present invention. A method of handwriting analysis which calculates a first metric from a first vector having at least one feature from a sample, calculates a second metric from a second vector having at least one feature from a second sample, and calculates the distance in two-dimensional feature space between metrics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a walker having a main supporting frame, a superstructure frame and a body support means. The superstructure frame is operatively arranged for vertical adjustment relative to the main supporting frame and includes an adjustable interior opening for accommodating a user and an entrance gate operatively arranged to provide access to the adjustable interior opening. The body support means is secured to the superstructure frame and operatively arranged to support the user. Furthermore, the walker may include four wheels, each of which may include a directional locking apparatus and/or braking system, and the walker may include at least one arm support operatively arranged for supporting the user. The walker may also include at least one handle operatively arranged for transmission of the walker.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating a three-dimensional visualization image of an object such as an organ using volume visualization techniques and exploring the image using a guided navigation system that allows the operator to travel along a flight path and to adjust the view to a particular portion of the image of interest in order, for example, to identify polyps, cysts or other abnormal features in the visualized organ; where imaging data sets are acquired using conventional two-dimensional scans of the object in both a supine and prone orientation, and correspondence between the respective data sets is determined to permit jumping from one visualization orientation to the other while remaining at the same virtual location within the organ.

Abstract: This invention provides tumor metastasis-inhibiting monoclonal antibodies, mAb 41-2, mAb 50-6 and mAb 1A-5. The antigen recognized by mAb 50-6 and mAb 1A-5 has been identified as the PETA-3 antigen. The antigen recognized by mAb 41-2 has been identified as a novel tumor metastasis-associated antigen. Compositions and methods are provided that are useful for treating and diagnosing metastatic tumors.

Abstract: A novel meiosis-specific gene sequence from Arabidopsis thaliana including the promoter region is described. When operably linked to a heterologous gene or to the antisense of the MEI1 gene, the normal meiotic events which give rise to viable pollen can be altered. Transgenic male sterile plants can thereby be produced by the manipulation of gene expression using a genetic regulatory element such as the one described herein.

Abstract: A novel three dimensional surface contouring method has been developed based on the fall-field fringe projection technique. A digital video projection system is used to project digitally created fringe patterns onto the object. The fringe pattern distorted by the geometry of the object surface is then captured by a high resolution CCD camera. To increase contouring resolution, purely software-based digital phase shifting technique is used, which eliminates the need for accurate positioning systems in the traditional phase shifting methods. The surface is reconstructed by applying the phase wrapping and unwrapping algorithms.

Abstract: A method of preparing a conjugated polymer which includes: determining a first intermolecular repeat distance and a first tilt angle relative to the translation axis for a guest molecule having a first atom and a second atom; selecting a host molecule having a second intermolecular repeat distance and a second tilt angle relative to the translation axis; synthesizing the host molecule and the guest molecule to form a co-crystal, wherein the first and the second repeat distances and the first and the second tilt angles are about equal so that when said host molecule and said guest molecule are synthesized the first atom and the second atom of adjacent guest molecules are in near van der Waals contact; and polymerizing the co-crystals to form the conjugated polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the guest molecule is a polytriacetylene and the host molecule has an intermolecular repeat distance of from about 6.0 Å to about 8.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and test kits for diagnosis of periodontal disease activity in mammals, especially in human. The methods of the invention provide for rapid chair-side diagnosis of periodontitis, peri-implantitis and HIV (+)-infection/AIDS-disease related periodontal diseases. Especially, the methods of the invention provide for rapid chair-side diagnosis of the loss of bone density associated with periodontal diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated I&kgr;B kinase binding protein designated Y2H35 and functional equivalents therof. The amino acid sequence of Y2H35, the nucleotide sequence encoding Y2H35, and other related protein and nucleic acid molecules are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for identifying antimicrobial agents which inhibit bacterial toxin membrane pore formation and for treating diseases where bacterial protein toxins that form pores in membranes are virulence agents. The invention involves screening for small molecule agents which inhibit membrane pore formation by bacterial protein toxins. The invention is also a method for treating bacterial infection by inhibiting membrane pore formation by bacterial toxin using agents that inhibit membrane pore formation by bacterial toxins. The methods of the invention are also applicable for developing antiviral agents that treat viral infection where exposure of hydrophobic sites of proteins is associated with infection.

Abstract: The invention provides for the use of synaptic strengths to reflect the connectivity of local space to give a topological representation. Synaptic strengths are zeroed and the mobile entity's position is initialized. A probability of firing (P) is calculated from the spatial firing pattern of each cell. A cell fires if P is higher than a random number. The mobile entity's position is updated from a record of real motions and firing is again determined. Synapses between cells that both fire within 250 msec are strengthened. Synapses between cells with overlapping fields increase in strength whereas synapses between cells with distant fields will stay weak.

Abstract: Compounds of formula II ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbon, halogenated hydrocarbon, polyether, substituted phenyl, substituted benzyl or alkylamine; and R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are hydrogen, lower alkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy and similar substituents are disclosed. The compounds are useful in the treatment of M. avium. Methods and compositions utilizing novel as well as known compounds are disclosed.

Abstract: A ceramic glass composition comprises: between about 35 and 55% by weight SiO.sub.2 ; between about 18 and 28% by weight Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; between about 1 and 5% by weight CaO; between about 7 and 14% by weight MgO; between about 0.5 and 5% by weight TiO.sub.2 ; between about 0.4 and 3% by weight B.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; and greater than 0 and up to about 1% by weight P.sub.2 O.sub.5. A convenient source of raw materials is a mixture of coal ash waste, borax (or boric acid) manufacturing plant waste, and titanium pigment waste. The ceramic glass is formed from an intermediate ceramic mixture which is subjected to a heat treatment. The intermediate ceramic mixture is formed by heating a mixture containing SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, CaO, MgO, TiO.sub.2, B.sub.2 O.sub.3, and Na.sub.4 P.sub.2 O.sub.7 to a temperature between about 1400.degree. and 1600.degree. C.; cooling the mixture to solidify it; annealing the mixture at 600.degree. to 670.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for the beneficiation of coal by selective agglomeration and the beneficiated coal product thereof is disclosed wherein coal, comprising impurities, is comminuted to a particle size sufficient to allow impurities contained therein to disperse in water, an aqueous slurry is formed with the comminuted coal particles, treated with a compound, such as a polysaccharide and/or disaccharide, to increase the relative hydrophilicity of hydrophilic components, and thereafter the slurry is treated with sufficient liquid agglomerant to form a coagulum comprising reduced impurity coal.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture thereof is provided for reducing brightness reversion in bleached lignin-containing pulps or newsprint by the treatment of the bleached lignin-containing pulp or newsprint with a compound which donates a hydrogen atom to a photo-excited group or free radical more easily than does the lignin contained in the treated pulp. The hydrogen donating compounds include compounds with certain formyl functionality, including formate salts such as sodium, magnesium and calcium formate, formamides, formic acid esters, and formylurea. In one embodiment, calcium carbonate is added to enhance the activity of the formyl compound. The further addition of a trace amount of superoxide anion quencher such as copper sulfate or ascorbic acid is also provided to still further enhance the activity of the formyl compound, especially formate salts.