Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an immunogenic composition comprising OspC polypeptides from Lyme Disease causing Borrelia. In one embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present invention comprises at least one OspC polypeptide or immunogenic fragment thereof from each of Borrelia burgdorferi OspC families A, B, I and K. In another embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present invention comprises at least one OspC polypeptide or immunogenic fragment thereof from each of Borrelia afzelii OspC families A and B.

Abstract: A high brightness excimer light source has an elongated tube containing an excimer-forming gas and electrodes for exciting the gas to form a plasma, and thus create excimers such as a rare gas halogen excimer or a rare gas excimer. Light emitted from the excimer propagating axially along the tube passes out of the tube through an exit device such as a lens or optical fiber at one or both ends of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel virus vaccines with augmented, e.g., enhanced and/or extended immunogenicity. The virus vaccines of the invention comprise an envelope-bound immunomodulatory protein, e.g., a cytokine, chemokine or costimulatory molecule. The immunomodulatory protein serves as an adjuvant to augment, e.g., enhance or extend the immunogenicity of the virus vaccine, thereby augmenting, e.g., enhancing or extending immune response to the virus when administered to a subject.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery having an anode including an array of nanowires electrochemically coated with a polymer electrolyte, and surrounded by a cathode matrix, forming thereby interpenetrating electrodes, wherein the diffusion length of the Li+ ions is significantly decreased, leading to faster charging/discharging, greater reversibility, and longer battery lifetime, is described. The battery design is applicable to a variety of battery materials. Methods for directly electrodepositing Cu2Sb from aqueous solutions at room temperature using citric acid as a complexing agent to form an array of nanowires for the anode, are also described. Conformal coating of poly-[Zn(4-vinyl-4?methyl-2,2?-bipyridine)3](PF6)2 by electroreductive polymerization onto films and high-aspect ratio nanowire arrays for a solid-state electrolyte is also described, as is reductive electropolymerization of a variety of vinyl monomers, such as those containing the acrylate functional group.

Abstract: A low-level laser therapy radiation system is provided. In a further aspect of the present invention, the system includes a laser source and an optical device. In another aspect of the present invention, a low-level laser therapy chamber is employed. The chamber produces an even distribution of laser radiation to a surface of a human body.

Abstract: A method for improving animal body weight uniformity or for increasing animal carcass yield is disclosed. The method involves administering an agent to one or a group of animals wherein the agent can reduce bioavailability of a prostaglandin or leukotriene lipid precursor. In a preferred embodiment, the agent employed is an anti-PLA2 antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode a BEL transcription factor from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and the amino acid sequences encoded by such nucleic acid molecules. The present invention also relates to a method of screening a biomolecule for its ability to assist in mediating long-distance movement of a mobile RNA in a plant.

Abstract: A process for combined ozone degradation and filtration using a multi-layered, nanocrystalline, sintered ceramic, metal oxide catalyst and ceramic membrane filter is described. The process reduces fouling of the membrane and degrades ozone remaining in the water from ozonation of water to kill microorganisms.

Abstract: 1H-Pyrrolo-1,4-thiazines and a process for the preparation thereof are described. These compounds are useful as enzyme inhibitors in cells, particularly for medical uses.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the production of gametes in a transgenic non-human animal is carried out by: (a) providing a transgenic non-human animal comprising cells that contain: (i) a response element; (ii) a nucleic acid encoding FSH? operatively associated with the response element; (iii) an FSH? promoter; (iv) an FSH? locus control region operatively associated with the FSH? promoter; and (v) a nucleic acid encoding a ligand-controllable receptor operatively associated with the FSH? promoter, wherein the receptor binds to the response element in the presence of the ligand when expressed in a host cell; and (b) administering the ligand to the animal in an amount effective to (i) stimulate the production of FSH? in the animal above that found in a corresponding untransformed type animal; and (ii) stimulate the production of gametes in the animal to a level greater than that found in the corresponding untransformed animal.

Abstract: Conductimetric assay devices that have both low end and high end sensitivity are described. The geometric shape and/or arrangement of the capture zones make it possible for the assay devices to have both low end and high end sensitivity. Also described is a conductimetric assay device having a pre-capture zone to capture unbound analyte. The assay device overcomes the problem of flooding by the analyte.

Abstract: Stable genetically engineered bacterial strains that overproduce coronatine are provided. The stable strains can be successfully cultivated to overproduce coronatine at temperatures that are suitable for large scale, commercial preparations of coronatine. The overproducing strains are also non-pathogenic. An exemplary strain is Pseudomonas syringae APV1, which successfully overproduces coronatine at 26° C. Methods of optimizing culture conditions for coronatine production from the novel stable overproducing strains are provided, as are methods for using the overproducing strains to induce abscission and increase taxane production.

Abstract: Compositions of biodegradable polymers and hyperbranched dendritic polymer (HBP) are described. The compositions can also include anhydride modified HBP. The resulting compositions have superior elongation at break and can be as cast or blown films for packaging, for example.

Abstract: Cyclic alkyl, particularly cyclohexyl, substituted glycolides and polylactides are described. The polylactides have a high glass transition temperature and improved clarity.

Abstract: The method and system for vehicular guidance comprises an imaging device for collecting color image data. A definer defines a series of scan line segments generally perpendicular to a transverse axis of the vehicle or of the imaging device. An image parameter evaluator determines scan line image parameter data for each of the scan line segments. An alignment detector (e.g., search engine) identifies a preferential heading of the vehicle that is generally aligned with respect to a crop feature, associated with the image data, based on the determined scan line image parameter meeting or exceeding a maximum value or minimum threshold value.

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 present inventions relate to compositions and methods for providing drought resistant grass plants comprising Festuca mairei plant germplasm. Specifically, the inventions relate to providing compositions and methods for introgressing Festuca mairei germplasm and/or specific Festuca mairei genes into grass plants, such as Lolium perenne plants. Further, the invention relates to methods of grass plant breeding comprising genetic markers for identifying the preferred Festuca mairei germplasm introgressed into grass plants, and providing commercially desirable drought resistant cultivars of grass plants.

Abstract: A method for detecting gold or other nanoparticles conjugated to preferential locators commences by contacting tissue suspected of being neoplastic with gold nanoparticle/preferential locator conjugates for a time adequate for the conjugates to bind with the tissue. A beam of gamma photons (such as from, 99mTc) is directed at the conjugate bound tissue to remove electrons from the K-shell or L-shell, for example, of the gold nanoparticles. The removed electrons can be detected for locating neoplastic tissue or X-ray fluorescence corresponding to an electron transitioning from one shell to another shell can be detected, or by detecting resulting X-ray fluorescence corresponding to an electron transitioning from one shell to another shell, such as X-ray fluorescence arising from K-alpha emission corresponding to an electron transitioning from the L shell to the K shell. Additional X-ray fluorescing detecting molecules include Ag, I, Fe, Tc, Zn, Mn, Cr (trivalent).

Abstract: Provided is a method of scheduling timing for communication between sensor nodes in a wireless sensor network, the method including categorizing a plurality of sensor nodes in a cluster into several groups, respectively assigning time slots to the groups, and establishing data communication according to the assigned time slots.

Abstract: A method for detecting a gas phase constituent such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen, or hydrocarbons in a gas comprising oxygen such as air, includes providing a sensing material or film having a metal embedded in a catalytically active matrix such as gold embedded in a yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) matrix. The method may include annealing the sensing material at about 900° C., exposing the sensing material and gas to a temperature above 400° C., projecting light onto the sensing material, and detecting a change in the absorption spectrum of the sensing material due to the exposure of the sensing material to the gas in air at the temperature which causes a chemical reaction in the sensing material compared to the absorption spectrum of the sensing material in the absence of the gas. Systems employing such a method are also disclosed.