Abstract: Sustained-release drug-delivery devices employing a mesoporous oxide coating that functions as a drug reservoir, and the use of mesoporous oxide coatings for improved adhesion of organic polymers to inorganic substrates.

Abstract: Fluorophore compounds and methods for their use are disclosed. The fluorophores contain a 2-dicyanomethylen-3-cyano-2,5-dihydrofuran (DCDHF) moiety and one or more donor groups conjugated to the 2-dicyanomethylen-3-cyano-2,5-dihydrofuran group. The donor groups can contain atoms with free electron pairs such as oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, or phosphorous. The fluorophore compounds can be used to label and detect biological molecules and biological structures either in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: A microwave imaging microscope and associated probe, or a read head. The probe or the read head includes a sensor unit with three fixed electrodes, preferably a stimulating electrode surrounding a sensing electrode and isolated by a grounded electrode. Circuitry couples the stimulating electrode to the probe signal variably selected in the range of 100 MHz to 100 GHz and couples the sensing electrode to a signal processor detecting in-phase and out-of-phase components of the current or voltage across the sensing electrode and the grounded electrode. A mechanical positioner moves the probe vertically towards the sample and scans it across the sample. The probe may be formed by semiconductor processing methods on a silicon chip.

Abstract: A method, known as bud, automatically generates hyperlinks and new hyperlinked pages to form a tree of linked pages from a single parent page. User-selected text is cut from the parent page and inserted into a newly-created child context (e.g., file). The cut text is replaced in the parent page by an expandable hyperlink to the child page, and a back-link to the parent page is inserted into the child page. The file of the new page is preferably named by a function of the timestamp of its creation. Also provided is a method, view4edit, by which a file is presented to a user for viewing and editing in response to the user's selection of a hyperlink to the file. The user views the file in a buffer named by linked text associated with the selected hyperlink. When the methods are combined, a user can view a newly created context without knowing its filename, which was generated during budding.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for culturing normal and malignant human bladder epithelial cells for many generations, and compositions of matter to be used in the methods.

Abstract: In a fuel cell comprising a tubular casing, an electrolyte layer received in the tubular casing, and a pair of gas diffusion electrodes interposing the electrolyte layer and defining a fuel gas passage and an oxidizing gas passage, respectively, each gas diffusion electrode is formed by stacking a plurality of layers of material therefor, for instance in the axial direction of the casing. Because the gas diffusion layers are formed layer by layer, components can be formed in highly fine patterns so that a highly compact tubular fuel cell can be achieved. Similarly, the dimensions of the various elements of the fuel cell can be controlled in a highly accurate manner. Also, the geometric arrangement can be changed at will in intermediate parts of each gas passage.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for administering a fluid to a neuronal site. The device comprises a reservoir, an aperture in fluid connection to the reservoir, and electrical means for moving to the fluid to or through the aperture. The electrical means may take the form of electroosmotic force, piezoelectric movement of a diaphragm or electrolysis of a solution. The electrical means may be external to the host, implanted in the host or may be photodiodes activated by light, particularly where the neuronal site is associated with the retina.

Abstract: A method and system for encrypting a first piece of information M to be sent by a sender [100] to a receiver [110] allows both sender and receiver to compute a secret message key using identity-based information and a bilinear map. In a one embodiment, the sender [100] computes an identity-based encryption key from an identifier ID associated with the receiver [110]. The identifier ID may include various types of information such as the receiver's e-mail address, a receiver credential, a message identifier, or a date. The sender uses a bilinear map and the encryption key to compute a secret message key gIDr, which is then used to encrypt a message M, producing ciphertext V to be sent from the sender [100] to the receiver [110] together with an element rP. An identity-based decryption key dID is computed by a private key generator [120] based on the ID associated with the receiver and a secret master key s.

Abstract: Modular polyketide synthases modified so as not to incorporate natural starter units can be used for clean synthesis of novel polyketides.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of promoters for ribonucleic acid amplification and other genetic manipulations. Processes are provided wherein complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) is synthesized from a ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence using a complementary primer linked to an RNA polymerase promoter region complement and then anti-sense RNA (aRNA) is transcribed from the cDNA by introducing an RNA polymerase capable of binding to the promoter region. Additional processes using the resulting aRNA are also described.

Abstract: A catheter is used for medical treatments within an organism. The catheter comprises at least one lumen. Within the at least one lumen are at least two microcatheters, with at least one of the at least two microcatheters being connected to a source of liquid material to be delivered to the organism and another of the at least two microcatheters being connected to a system capable of effecting a medical treatment other than delivery of the liquid.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the enhanced in vitro synthesis of polypeptides. In order to improve the performance of in vitro protein synthesis reactions, metabolic inhibitors, or manipulation of a source organism, is used to diminish or avoid the action of enzymes responsible for undesirable amino acids production or depletion. A homeostatic system may be used for production of ATP, where the required high energy phosphate bonds are generated in situ, e.g. through coupling with an oxidation reaction. The homeostatic energy source will typically lack high energy phosphate bonds itself, and will therefore utilize free phosphate in the reaction mix during generation of ATP. The homeostatic energy source is provided in combination with an enzyme that catalyzes the creation of high energy phosphate bonds and with an enzyme that can use that high energy phosphate bond to regenerate ATP.

Abstract: A method for fast design of an equalizer to compensate for some undesired frequency response of an existing system. It can incorporate frequency response data directly. It allows for the performance tradeoff between a plurality of input-output channels. One embodiment of the invention comprises: defining a system block diagram including a equalizer, an existing system, and one or more weighting filters for the performance tradeoff between a plurality of input-output channels; defining a set of performance tradeoff equalities, each on one of a selected set of discrete frequencies; providing the frequency response data for the equalities; solving independently the magnitude of the equalizer frequency response of each of the discrete frequencies; generating the phases of the equalizer such that the magnitudes and the phases correspond to the frequency response of a stable system; implementing the equalizer with parameters derived from the magnitudes and the phases.

Abstract: The disclosure provides, inter alia, methods for enhancing the contribution of circulating stem cells to a target tissue. Such methods may be useful for treating a variety of disorders. In a preferred embodiments, circulating stem cell contribution is enhanced by causing damage to the target tissue, or by administering an agent that mimics an aspect of a damage response. The disclosure also provides methods for monitoring the contribution of circulating stem cells to a target tissue, and for developing agents that modulate such contribution.

Abstract: Screening methods and methods of treatment taking advantage of the mode of action of apoptolidin and its analogs are described.

Abstract: Novel polyketides and novel methods of efficiently producing both new and known polyketides, using recombinant technology, are disclosed. In particular, a novel host-vector system is described which is used to produce polyketide synthases which in turn catalyze the production of a variety of polyketides.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for treating or preventing disease comprising the administration of immune modulatory nucleic acids having one or more immune modulatory sequences (IMSs). The invention further relates to the means and methods for the identification of the IMSs for preventing or treating disease, more particularly the treatment and prevention of autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. The invention also relates to the treatment or prevention of disease comprising the administration of the immune modulatory nucleic acids alone or in combination with a polynucleotide encoding self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s) or -peptide(s). The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for treating diseases in a subject associated with one or more self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s) or -peptide(s) that are present in the subject and involved in a non-physiological state.

Abstract: This invention provides materials and methods for the site specific attachment of virtually any moiety to a layered silicate surface. The methods involve covalently attaching the moiety to an arginine tag; and contacting the arginine tag with the layered silicate (e.g., mica) surface.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting and localizing light originating from a mammal are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for targeting light emission to selected regions, as well as for tracking entities within the mammal. In addition, animal models for disease states are disclosed, as are methods for localizing and tracking the progression of disease or a pathogen within the animal, and for screening putative therapeutic compounds effective to inhibit the disease or pathogen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting an optimal set of antennas from a plurality of antennas for use by a transmitter and/or receiver having a plurality of RF chains to transmit and/or receive a wireless signal on a wireless link. According to the invention information concerning transmission of wireless signals on the wireless link is determined and an optimal set of antennas from the plurality of antennas is selected based on the information. Thereafter, the RF chains are connected to the optimal set of antennas to permit transmission and/or reception of the wireless signal from the RF chains on the wireless link via the optimal set of antennas. The RF chains correspond in number to the number of antennas in the optimal set of antennas, and the number of antennas included in the plurality of antennas is greater than the number of RF chains.