Abstract: A corrupted packet toleration and correction system includes a receiver adapted to employ a cross layer protocol that distinguishes between corrupted packets and error-free packets, and tolerates corrupted packets by making side information about corrupted packets available to an application layer. A decoder of the application layer provides hybrid decoding that simultaneously handles errors and erasures and takes advantage of the side information, including employing LDPC (HEEL) based codes over short packet blocks in the cross layer protocol.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, medicaments, methods for treating individuals with high plasma lipid levels, and methods for screening drug candidates useful in, for example, the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Specifically, the invention relates to the discovery that MTP inhibition leads to increased accumulation in cellular free-cholesterol and is useful in the development of compositions, medicaments, methods of treatment and drug screening methods to treat high plasma lipid levels.

Abstract: The use of chemically modified dicarboxy polysaccharides for the topical treatment of the eyeball are described. The modified polysaccharides provide a carrier in solutions for the treatment of the eyeball to obtain a timed release.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic plants which after harvest degrade the lignin and cellulose therein to fermentable sugars which can further be fermented to ethanol or other products. In particular, the transgenic plants comprise ligninase and cellulase genes from microbes operably linked to a DNA encoding a signal peptide which targets the fusion polypeptide produced therefrom to an organelle of the plant, in particular the chloroplasts. When the transgenic plants are harvested, the plants are ground to release the ligninase and cellulase which then degrade the lignin and cellulose of the transgenic plants to produce the fermentable sugars.

Abstract: Small, polybasic peptides are disclosed that are effective as furin inhibitors, e.g. hexa- to nona-peptides having L-Arg or L-Lys in most positions. Removing the peptide terminating groups can improve inhibition of furin. High inhibition was seen in a series of non-amidated and non-acetylated polyarginines. The most potent inhibitor identified to date, nona-L-arginine, had a Ki against furin of 40 nM. Non-acetylated, poly-D-arginine-derived molecules are preferred furin inhibitors for therapeutic uses, such as inhibiting certain bacterial infections, viral infections, and cancers. Due to their relatively small size, these peptides should be non-immunogenic. These peptides are efficiently transported across cell membranes.

Abstract: This invention relates to detection of specific extracellular nucleic acid in plasma or serum fractions of human or animal blood associated with neoplastic or proliferative disease. Specifically, the invention relates to detection of nucleic acid derived from mutant oncogenes or other tumor-associated DNA, and to those methods of detecting and monitoring extracellular mutant oncogenes or tumor-associated DNA found in the plasma or serum fraction of blood by using rapid DNA extraction followed by nucleic acid amplification with or without enrichment for mutant DNA. In particular, the invention relates to the detection, identification, or monitoring of the existence, progression or clinical status of benign, premalignant, or malignant neoplasms in humans or other animals that contain a mutation that is associated with the neoplasm through detection of the mutated nucleic acid of the neoplasm in plasma or serum fractions.

Abstract: The mechanism of the UV light-induced reaction between the indole moiety of tryptophan and chloroform, and the structure of the modified tryptophan and polypeptides including such modified tryptophan residues. The excited indole moiety, which is formed upon UV light irradiation, emits a solvated electron which initiates a series of events that yield fluorescent derivatives that have CHO group covalently bound to the indole moiety. These derivatives are herein referred to as formyltryptophan, and are relatively stable. Similar reactions are observed when 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-fluorotryptophan, or N-methylindolacetate are used in place of tryptophan, or when other haloalkanes, such as trichloracetic acid, trichlorethanol, trichlorethane, bromoform, and iodoactetate are used in place of chloroform. The derivatives can be used in a variety of applications in fluorescence spectroscopy, and for nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray crystallography, infra-red spectroscopy, circular dicroism and mass spectroscopy.

Abstract: The method and system for vehicular guidance comprises an imaging device for collecting color image data to facilitate distinguishing crop image data (e.g., crop rows) from background 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 crop image data, based on the determined scan line image parameter meeting or exceeding a maximum value or minimum threshold value. A reliability estimator estimates a reliability of the vehicle heading based on compliance with a criteria for scan line image parameter data associated with one or more crop rows.

Abstract: A nanostructure is used to generate a highly localized nanoscale optical field. The field is excited using surface plasmon amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (SPASER). The SPASER radiation consists of surface plasmons that undergo stimulated emission, but in contrast to photons can be localized within a nanoscale region. A SPASER can incorporate an active medium formed by two-level emitters, excited by an energy source, such as an optical, electrical, or chemical energy source. The active medium may be quantum dots, which transfer excitation energy by radiationless transitions to a resonant nanosystem that can play the same role as a laser cavity in a conventional laser. The transitions are stimulated by the surface plasmons in the nanostructure, causing the buildup of a macroscopic number of surface plasmons in a single mode.

Abstract: This invention relates to detection of specific extracellular nucleic acid in plasma or serum fractions of human or animal blood associated with neoplastic or proliferative disease. Specifically, the invention relates to detection of nucleic acid derived from mutant oncogenes or other tumor-associated DNA, and to those methods of detecting and monitoring extracellular mutant oncogenes or tumor-associated DNA found in the plasma or serum fraction of blood by using rapid DNA extraction followed by nucleic acid amplification with or without enrichment for mutant DNA. In particular, the invention relates to the detection, identification, or monitoring of the existence, progression or clinical status of benign, premalignant, or malignant neoplasms in humans or other animals that contain a mutation that is associated with the neoplasm through detection of the mutated nucleic acid of the neoplasm in plasma or serum fractions.

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: Provided are novel methods for making cellulose nanocomposites, comprising biosynthesis of cellulose fibrils in situ using a growth medium comprising a polymer matrix material, under conditions suitable to provide for dispersion of the fibril throughout the growth medium as the fibrils are being formed to provide a cellulose nanocomposite material or film wherein the cellulose fibrils are highly or uniformly dispersed in the cellulose nanocomposite material, and wherein fibril structure and/or nanocomposite composition is customizable. Certain method aspects further comprise removing or separating the cellulose nanocomposite material or film from the medium, and may further comprise washing the cellulose nanocomposite material or film to remove residual medium. Particular aspects further comprise freeze-drying the cellulose nanocomposite material or film, and/or further comprise forming a molded product using the cellulose nanocomposite material or film. Compositions made by the methods are provided.

Abstract: A micropump device including a first wafer and a second wafer attached to the first wafer. The first and second wafers are configured to define a chamber therebetween having a predetermined volume. A third wafer is attached to the second wafer to define an inlet section and an outlet section in fluid communication with the chamber. At least one of the second and third wafers are formed to define a moveable diaphragm configured to change the predetermined volume of the chamber for pumping a fluid between the inlet section and the outlet section.

Abstract: Amphipathic lytic peptides are ideally suited to use in a ligand/cytotoxin combination to specifically inhibit cells that are driven by or are dependent upon a specific ligand interaction; for example, to induce sterility or long-term contraception, or to attack tumor cells, or to selectively lyse virally-infected cells, or to attack lymphocytes responsible for autoimmune diseases. The peptides act directly on cell membranes, and need not be internalized. Administering a combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (or a GnRH agonist) and a membrane-active lytic peptide produces long-term contraception or sterilization in animals in vivo. Administering in vivo a combination of a ligand and a membrane-active lytic peptide kills cells with a receptor for the ligand. The compounds are relatively small, and are not antigenic. Lysis of gonadotropes has been observed to be very rapid (on the order of ten minutes.) Lysis of tumor cells is rapid.

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 for 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 spectral dispersion point in a laser oscillator and an output of a laser amplifier.

Abstract: Two programs measure upper airway resistance using Resistance=Pressure/Flow. Raw flow and pressure data is divided into breaths and time adjusted so each breath starts with the value zero. Each breath is graphed as flow in the y-axis and time in the x-axis. The slope between points Flow=0 and Flow=0.20 is calculated. The resistance is the inverse of the slope. The second program determines whether a breath is flow limited or not. It also uses the flow and time data to perform a curve fitting to describe the flow-time in meaningful polynomial function F (P)=A t3+B t2+Ct+D. The derivative of this function is F?=3At2+2Bt+C. If the value of the derivative F? at maximum flow is less than or equal zero, then it is a flow limited breath, otherwise, it is non flow limited breath. Also, the need for a pressure-monitoring catheter is obviated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the diagnosis of chronic rejection in allografts. The method comprises identification of tertiary lymphoid organs (TLO) in the transplanted organs as a marker of chronic rejection by immunohistochemical detection for the presence of specific TLO antigens in biopsy samples or by radiographic imaging of radiolabeled antibodies to specific TLO antigens. In one embodiment, the presence of TLO is detected by the intravenous administration of a radiolabeled antibody to PNAd followed by radiographic imaging to determine the presence or absence of PNAd in the transplanted organ. The presence of PNAd in the transplanted organ is taken as an indication of chronic rejection.

Abstract: Cyclin D1 ablative agents and methods of using these agents in the treatment of cancers, and particularly breast cancer. Also provided are methods of treating cancer, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of one of the cyclin D1 ablative agents described herein to a subject in need of such treatment. Also provided are methods of treating cancers comprising using the cyclin D1 ablative agents described herein in combination therapies with existing chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions relating to novopeptides identified by the presence of frameshift mutations in tumor genes previously not identified as being oncogenic. The disclosed peptides can be used in the disclosed methods for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant vectors including adenovirus/adeno-associated virus (Ad/AAV) vectors and mini-adenovirus (mAd) vectors. Further, the invention provides cells containing these vectors, and methods for making and using the vectors and cells. The compositions and methods of the invention are useful in transferring nucleotide sequences of interest into a cell, including, but not limited to, in gene therapy applications.