Abstract: Methods and devices of stimulating nerves are disclosed. In one embodiment adapted for stimulating excitable tissue, the invention includes drive circuitry (12), an acoustic transducer (14) and a pair of electrodes (28).

Abstract: The present invention provides novel transduction domains, compositions comprising such transduction domains, and their use for in vivo molecular delivery.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel immuno-stimulatory polypeptides, and methods for their use and identification.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for highly sensitive nucleic acid detection, down to the single nucleic acid molecule level.

Abstract: A device for connecting optical components of a fiber optic probe and a jumper in a Surface Plasmon Resonator (SPR) has two high-pressure-liquid-chromatography (HPLC) polyetheretherketone (PEEK) connectors, one containing the optical fibers from a probe and the other containing optical fibers which link to a detector and a light source. A method of joining a probe's distal end to a jumper, with at least two fibers or a multimode fiber connected to a light source and to a detection apparatus, has the steps of covering the distal end of the probe with a plastic sleeve, placing the sleeved distal end into a PEEK connector, trimming the distal end of the probe to be even with the edge of the PEEK connection, and connecting the PEEK connector with the jumper.

Abstract: A low-power pulse generator is provided for use in ultra-wideband (UWB) systems. In one embodiment, the UWB pulse generator includes four pulse generators, such as digital triangular pulse generators, that generate Gaussian-like pulses of alternating polarity at different time offsets. The resulting four Gaussian-like pulses are combined to generate a UWB pulse that approximates the fifth derivative of a Gaussian pulse. In other embodiments, different-order derivatives of a Gaussian pulse may be approximated by combining different numbers of Gaussian-like pulses. The UWB pulse generator is preferably implemented with CMOS circuitry to limit power consumption.

Abstract: A method of coating an SPR biosensor specific for an analyte to reduce protein fouling, the method has the steps of providing an SPR biosensor, providing a solution of 11-mercaptoundecanol; incubating the SPR biosensor in the 11-mercaptoundecanol solution to form a self-assembling monolayer (SAM); incubating the SPR with SAM in a solution of epichlorohydrin and diglyme; next incubating the SPR in ethanolamine; preparing a solution of EDCNHS and a biocompatible polymer; incubating the SPR from ethanolamine in the EDC/NHS/polymer solution; providing a ligand specific for the analyte in a solution; incubating the polymer-coated SPR in the ligand solution to permit the ligand to react with the polymer-coated SPR; washing the ligand-coated SPR to remove unreacted ligand, thereby providing an SPR capable of reacting with the analyte. Another method replaces the solution for the SAM layer with a solution of MHA or NHS-MHA with HT, and attaches the ligand to the resulting SAM layer.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of antifungal agents and a pharmaceutical preparation containing those agents which appear to be potentially useful in the field of antifungal therapy. More particularly, this invention relates to the discovery of remarkably unexpected properties for a series of macrocyclic lactone polyethers (spongistatins) which are derived from the marine sponges Spongia sp. and Spirastrella spinispirulifera and which inhibited growth of yeasts and filamentous fungi in disk diffusion and broth macrodilution (for spongistatin 1) assays. Spongistatins 2-7 likewise demonstrated antifungal activity in disk diffusion methods.

Abstract: A liquid, predominantly lithium-conducting, ionic electrolyte having exceptionally high conductivity at temperatures of 100.degree. C. or lower, including room temperature, and comprising the lithium salts selected from the group consisting of the thiocyanate, iodide, bromide, chloride, perchlorate, acetate, tetrafluoroborate, perfluoromethane sulfonate, perfluoromethane sulfonamide, tetrahaloaluminate, and heptahaloaluminate salts of lithium, with or without a magnesium-salt selected from the group consisting of the perchlorate and acetate salts of magnesium. Certain of the latter embodiments may also contain molecular additives from the group of acetonitrile (CH.sub.3 CN) succinnonitrile (CH.sub.2 CN).sub.2, and tetraglyme (CH.sub.3 --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O--).sub.2 (or like solvents) solvated to a Mg.sup.+2 cation to lower the freezing point of the electrolyte below room temperature.

Abstract: The cytostatic cycloheptapeptide stylostatin 2 was isolated respectively, from the South and Western Pacific Ocean sponges Stylotella sp. and Phakellia costata. Structural determination was accomplished by utilizing high-field (500 MHz) 2D-NMR experiments and confirmed by an X-ray crystal structure determination to provide the assignment cyclo(Pro-Leu-Ile-Phe-Ser-Pro-Ile). The absolute configuration was established by chiral gas chromatographic analytical technique. The cyclic heptapeptide backbone was found to include a .beta.-turn, type VIa, incorporating a cis peptide bond, at -Ser-Pro.

Abstract: An intensive long-term investigation of marine organisms as sources of new anticancer drugs has led to the isolation and structural elucidation (primarily by high field NMR and mass spectrometry) of halistatin 1, a new polyether macrolide of the halipyran-type, from the Western Indian Ocean sponge Phakellia carteri. Halistatin 1 (8.8.times.10.sup.-7 % yield) caused the accumulation of cells arrested in mitosis, inhibited tubulin polymerization, and inhibited the binding of radiolabeled vinblastine and GTP to tubulin.

Abstract: An intensive long-term investigation of marine organisms as sources of new anticancer drugs has led to the isolation and structural elucidation (primarily by high field NMR and mass spectrometry) of halistatin 2, a new polyether macrolide of the halipyran-type, from the Western Indian Ocean sponge Axinella cf. carteri (Dendy). Halistatin 2 (1.4.times.10.sup.-6 % yield) caused the accumulation of cells arrested in mitosis, inhibited tubulin polymerization, and inhibited the binding of radiolabeled vinblastine and GTP to tubulino. Further, Halistatin 2 displayed significant activity against selected human tumor cell lines.

Abstract: A process of tumor identification comprising administering a carotenoporphyrin to a tumor-bearing mammalian host and irradiating the mammalian host with light whereupon the carotenoporphyrin, which has been preferentially taken up by the tumor tissue, fluoresces and permits precise identification of the location, size and shape of the tumor tissue. An improved process of synthesizing carotenoporphyrins 1-5 is also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing molecular adsorbates for scanning probe microscopy by potentiostatic methods. Negatively charged molecules are deposited upon and held to a substrate with an electrochemical cell having a gold substrate, a platinum wire counter electrode and a silver wire reference electrode. The polymer to be observed is dissolved into a buffer solution which is non-reactive with the substrate which is gold (111).

Abstract: Means and methods employing gas-solid heterogenous photocatalysis ("GSHP") to counteract the widespread occurrence of groundwater and air polluted by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as trichloroethylene (TCE) and non-volatile organic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and the like without creating other environmentally hostile agents. Common treatment methods such as spray tower aeration and activated carbon adsorption, both of which merely convert pollutants into alternate but equally obnoxious forms, can be augmented by the means and methods hereof to create ecologically innocuous byproducts. Heterogeneous photocatalysis allows the complete destruction of those organic water pollutants normally contained in the effluents of existing water treatment facilities. Ambient temperature ultraviolet-illuminated catalyst, such as, titanium dioxide, in the presence of moist air substantially completely destroys trichloroethylene (TCE) type-materials in a gaseous phase.

Abstract: A multilayer-multiconductor microstrip circuit having reduced dimensions and minimal pulse distortion and crosstalk for high-speed, high-density digital application is created utilizing a microstrip having a plurality of substrates, each having a preselected dielectric constant of a magnitude which, combined with the height of each substrate, produces effective dielectric constants of the independent propagating nodes which are substantially equal.