Abstract: An anaerobic to aerobic sequence enhances biological degradation of many organic pollutants. Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for effective treatment of storm-water runoff pollutants such as hydrocarbons, nitrates, phosphorus, and heavy metals using sediment filtration and adsorption, and biochemical processes under bi-phasic bioretention conditions. By integrating these pollution cleanup pro-usages into a single unit, this apparatus optimizes retention time of the runoff through the system and maximizes removal rates of runoff pollutants, resulting in more reliable and efficient treatment mechanism than previous systems.

Abstract: A miniature microphone, comprising a diaphragm, supported for displacement in response to acoustic waves, from which a plurality of projections extend; a plurality of projections extending from a surface; a body, supporting the surface to maintain the plurality of projections from the diaphragm and the plurality of projections from the surface in close proximity; and an electromagnetic sensor adapted to sense an electromagnetic interaction between the plurality of projections from the diaphragm and the plurality of projections from the surface and produce an electrical signal in response thereto. The interaction may be detected substantially without inducing a force which tends to substantially displace the diaphragm, since the electrostatic force is substantially parallel to the diaphragm surface.

Abstract: DNA encoding a plant quinolate phosphoribosyl transferase (QPRTase) enzyme, and constructs comprising such DNA are provided. Methods of altering quinolate phosphoribosyl transferase expression are provided.

Abstract: Novel chimeric nucleic acids, encoding chimeric Borrelia proteins comprising OspC or an antigenic fragment thereof and OspA or an antigenic fragment thereof, are disclosed. Chimeric proteins encoded by the nucleic acid sequences are also disclosed. The chimeric proteins are useful as vaccine immunogens against Lyme borreliosis, as well as for immunodiagnostic reagents.

Abstract: A process of detection of the causative agent of Johne's disease (Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis) (MAP) by detecting shedding of surface protein of MAP. A preferred way is use of surface enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. The system of detecting MAP shedding of protein provides early detection and diagnosis, and therefore allows early treatment for Johne's disease in ruminant animals.

Abstract: An electro-optical device including a biaxial liquid crystal having a primary and secondary director is provided. A change in orientation of at least one of the directors due to an applied electric field produces a change in the optical state of the device. Response times are increased dramatically over uniaxial nematic based liquid crystal devices, offering improved performance and efficiency.

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: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing a subject suffering a pathological condition characterized by parvovirus infection by detecting the presence of IgE anti-Parvovirus B 19 antibodies.

Abstract: Wood particles or fibers and a maleated polyolefin are used to produce a composite in absence of a non-maleated polyolefin. The composite has properties enabling use in homes and avoiding the risk of formaldehyde based adhesives or other hazardous air pollutants.

Abstract: A control system and apparatus for use with an ultra-fast laser is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a laser, pulse shaper, detection device and control system. A multiphoton intrapulse interference method is used to characterize the spectral phase of laser pulses and to compensate any distortions in an additional aspect of the present invention. In another aspect of the present invention, a system employs multiphoton intrapulse interference phase scan. Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention locates a pulse shaper and/or MIIPS unit between a laser oscillator and an output of a laser amplifier.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula I or formula II: wherein: the bond represented by is a single bond or a double bond, and R1-R5, X, and Y have any of the meanings defined in the specification and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I or II, processes for preparing compounds of formula I or II, intermediates useful for preparing compounds of formula I or II, and therapeutic methods for treating cancer and other topoisomerase related conditions using compounds of formula I or II.

Abstract: A system and method for cardiovascular exercise stress magnetic resonance using a MRI-compatible treadmill and real-time imaging. The treadmill comprises non-ferromagnetic components so that it may be used in proximity to a MRI scanner. The treadmill is positioned adjacent to the MRI scan table. A treadmill control system is used to control the speed and grade of the treadmill to allow it to perform a wide range of exercise protocols. Patients complete an exercise protocol on the treadmill and are then moved to the MRI scan table. Images are acquired as quickly as possible post-exercise to more accurately diagnose cardiovascular disease in patients.

Abstract: A laser and monitoring system is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, the system includes a laser, pulse shaper and detection device. A further aspect of the present invention employs a femtosecond laser and binary pulse shaping (BPS). Still another aspect of the present invention uses a laser beam pulse, a pulse shaper and a SHG crystal. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a multiphoton intrapulse interference phase scan (hereinafter “MIIPS”) method is used to characterize the spectral phase of femtosecond laser pulses and to correct them. A further aspect of the system of the present invention is employed to monitor environmental chemicals and biological agents, including toxins, explosives, and diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for enhancing plant defenses against pathogens. More particularly, the invention relates to enhancing plant immunity against bacterial pathogens, wherein HopM11-300 mediated protection is enhanced, such as increased protection to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 HopM1 and/or there is an increase in activity of an ATMIN associated plant protection protein, such as ATMIN7. Reagents of the present invention further provide a means of studying cellular trafficking while formulations of the present inventions provide increased pathogen resistance in plants.

Abstract: A radiation detection, localization, and identification system uses a searching algorithm to identify geometric correlation of hypothetical solutions to Compton Imaging. Geometric correlation of correct associations of gamma ray energies with each detected event yields the identity and location of radiation sources. The system's detector is an array of radiation detectors networked to act as a single detection system. This network has wide area of view and high sensitivity to radiation sources since no collimation is required.

Abstract: Analytical methods using hydrogen/deuterium exchange are provided which reduce or eliminate the back-exchange of deuterium for hydrogen. The methods, which are useful in protein and peptide mapping, include the steps of (a) providing a peptide or protein comprising a solvent accessible hydrogen; (b) exchanging the solvent accessible hydrogen for a deuterium; (c) separating the peptide or protein with supercritical fluid chromatography; and (d) analyzing by mass spectrometry the mass of the separated peptide or protein. Supercritical fluid chromatography enables the observation of fast exchanging hydrogen atoms missed using conventional liquid chromatography methods.

Abstract: Methods and systems for encoding, transmitting and decoding digital images by rate-distortion adaptive zerotree-based residual vector quantization are disclosed. A method of the invention includes receiving a digital image, transforming the digital image into the wavelet domain generating a pyramid hierarchy, losslessly encoding a top LL subband from the pyramid hierarchy, encoding other subbands by vector quantization based on a zerotree insignificance prediction, generating an encoded image from the lossless encoding and vector quantization encoding, transmitting the encoded image along a communications channel, receiving the encoded image transmitted along the communications channel, reconstructing a zerotree from the encoded image, vector quantization decoding subbands from the encoded image other than a top LL subband, losslessly decoding the top LL subband from the encoded image, reverse wavelet transforming the top LL subband and the vector quantization decoded subbands and outputting a decoded image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel nucleic acid ligands or aptamers that bind to and inhibit the activation of the ?-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors. Also disclosed is a novel combination of technologies, i.e., SELEX and laser pulse photolysis for the selection and screening of aptamers that inhibit receptor function and are useful therefore, in the treatment of diseases associated with excessive activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors.

Abstract: The molecular mechanisms of peroxisome biogenesis have begun to emerge: in contrast, relatively little is known about how the organelle functions as cells age. The present inventors characterized age-related changes in peroxisomes of human cells and showed that aging compromises peroxisomal targeting signal 1 (PTS 1) protein import, with the critical antioxidant enzyme, catalase, especially affected. The number and appearance of peroxisomes are altered in these cells, and the organelles accumulate the PTS1-import receptor, Pex5p, on their membranes. Concomitantly, cells produce increasing amounts of the toxic metabolite, H2O2, and this increased load of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may further reduce peroxisomal protein import and exacerbate the effects of aging.

Abstract: A new apple variety distinguished by the following unique combination of characteristics: It is field-immune to apple scab disease, has good resistance to the bacterial disease fire blight, and moderate resistance to the fungal disease powdery mildew. This new apple is relatively late ripening. It has medium-large fruit size, red colored fruit, with excellent flavor (full favored, fruity, sweet, mild-subacid). The fruit hangs well on the tree, even after ripening. The tree is highly productive on an annual basis.