Abstract: Disclosed is a method of measuring tacrolimus levels in a subject. In exemplary embodiments, the method comprises the steps of: collecting oral fluid from the subject; homogenizing the oral fluid; combining the homogenized oral fluid with a precipitating solvent; separating oral fluid components on a liquid chromatography column by gradient elution with a mixture of a solvent A and a solvent B, wherein the solvent A is about 2 mM ammonium acetate/0.1% (v/v) formic acid in water and solvent B is about 2 mM ammonium acetate/0.1% (v/v) formic acid in MeOH and wherein the amount of solvent B is increased from about 50% (v/v) to about 98% (v/v); and quantifying the amount of tacrolimus in the oral fluid by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: An environmentally sensitive membrane binding polypeptide, pH (low)-sensitive membrane peptide (pHLIP) has improved insertion kinetics balanced with solubility to selectively target acidic tissues.

Abstract: The present application relates to compositions comprising and methods of using a liposome comprising a pHLIP polypeptide, wherein a lipid bilayer of the liposome is substantially free of the pHLIP polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fatty acid and fatty alcohol substituted nucleoside derivatives and nucleoside and nucleoside derivatives substituted on multivalent scaffolds (e.g., polymers, peptides, polycarboxylic acid substituted compounds, compounds containing polycycloSaligenyl groups) that display potent anti-HIV activity. Furthermore, they show enhanced activity against multi-drug resistant, R5, and cell-associated virus. Some of them also display activity against other sexually transmitted pathogens and sperm. The present invention provides their methods of synthesis, composition of matter, and methods of use. Emphasis is placed on their application as topical microbicides to treat or prevent sexual transmission of disease, especially HIV/AIDS.

Abstract: A polypeptide with a predominantly hydrophobic sequence long enough to span a membrane lipid bilayer as a transmembrane helix (TM) and comprising one or more dissociable groups inserts across a membrane spontaneously in a pH-dependant fashion placing one terminus inside cell. The polypeptide conjugated with various functional moieties delivers and accumulates them at cell membrane with low extracellular pH. The functional moiety conjugated with polypeptide terminus placed inside cell are translocated through the cell membrane in cytosol. The peptide and its variants or non-peptide analogs can be used to deliver therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic, imaging, gene regulation, cell regulation, or immunologic agents to or inside of cells in vitro or in vivo in tissue at low extracellular pH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fatty acid and fatty alcohol substituted nucleoside derivatives and nucleoside and nucleoside derivatives substituted on multivalent scaffolds (e.g., polymers, peptides, polycarboxylic acid substituted compounds, compounds containing polycycloSaligenyl groups) that display potent anti-HIV activity. Furthermore, they show enhanced activity against multi-drug resistant, R5, and cell-associated virus. Some of them also display activity against other sexually transmitted pathogens and sperm. The present invention provides their methods of synthesis, composition of matter, and methods of use. Emphasis is placed on their application as topical microbicides to treat or prevent sexual transmission of disease, especially HIV/AIDS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fatty acid and fatty alcohol substituted nucleoside derivatives and nucleoside and nucleoside derivatives substituted on multivalent scaffolds (e.g., polymers, peptides, polycarboxylic acid substituted compounds, compounds containing polycycloSaligenyl groups) that display potent anti-HIV activity. Furthermore, they show enhanced activity against multi-drug resistant, R5, and cell-associated virus. Some of them also display activity against other sexually transmitted pathogens and sperm. The present invention provides their methods of synthesis, composition of matter, and methods of use. Emphasis is placed on their application as topical microbicides to treat or prevent sexual transmission of disease, especially HIV/AIDS.

Abstract: A microfluidic valve system is disclosed that includes a matrix, a hydrophilic acceptor region a hydrophilic transfer region, and a hydrophobic gap between the acceptor region and the transfer region.

Abstract: The invention provides a micro-fluidic device that includes a pre-loaded sample that begins to flow only when a sample is provided in the device. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a micro-fluidic device including at least two paper flow path layers providing fluid flow in substantially parallel planar directions, and at least one valve positioned between the at least two paper flow paths, wherein the at least one valve for providing flow in a direction that is orthogonal to the substantially planar directions.

Abstract: The present application relates to compositions comprising and methods of using a liposome comprising a pHLIP polypeptide, wherein a lipid bilayer of the liposome is substantially free of the pHLIP polypeptide.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for predicting a pulse periodicity in a signal. The method includes the steps of receiving a signal that includes a component that is periodic having an unknown periodicity and a noise component; comparing the signal to an adjustable reference signal, and varying at least one of the phase and the periodicity of the reference signal until a best fit match is obtained between the signal and the reference signal.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing continuous file protection in a computer processing system. In accordance with an embodiment, the system includes a configuration module, a filter driver, and a storage module. The configuration module permits a user to elect certain files or folders for protection. The configuration module runs at an application layer without involving the computer processing system's operating system. The filter driver intercepts and splits write input and outputs addressed at protected files or folders. The storage module is also run without involving the computer processing system's operating system. The storage module is for performing functions including data logging, version managements, and data recovery.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of reducing the level of tau protein in a subject's brain for the treatment of tau tangles. The method includes administrating an effective dose of drug that reduced Sp1 levels to the subject to lower tau mRNA and protein levels, CDK5 mRNA and protein levels, as well phosphorylated tau in the brain.

Abstract: A method of catalytic oxidative coupling for the formation of hetero-coupled bis-arenes. The method includes placing a solvent, an arene compound, and a catalyst in a reactor having a oxidant atmosphere such that hetero-coupled bis-arenes are formed.

Abstract: A micro melting process to melt surface irregularities or features on a surface of a substrate. The method includes providing a laser and a control mechanism associated with the laser. The control mechanism is used to melt the surface irregularities on the substrate. The control mechanism varies the laser intensity and direction by varying and monitoring the power of the laser. The approach direction of the laser is used to control the manner in which irregularities or surface features are melted, ambient atmospheric conditions, induced motion between the laser and the surface being processed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering data associated with a damaged file stored in a NAND gate array memory. The method includes the steps of: identifying all meta data associated with the damaged file; identifying each logical block address of all identified meta data; collecting all physical block addresses associated with one of the identified logical block addresses or the identified meta data; counting in a replace table (ReplTable) a number of matches to a physical block address of the damaged file for each physical block address of the damaged file; choosing a block in a linked list that corresponds to the physical block address of the block in the linked list; and linking all chosen blocks to form a replicated file.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for an electronic neuron emulator for representing both passive and active electrical properties of a live neuron. The currents used to generate action potentials are derived from a pre-charged capacitor. The present invention provides for a more physiological state for testing neuroscience instruments such as the single-electrode voltage clamp and the patch clamp. The device can also include multiple pre-charged capacitors to represent ionic channels with more accurate physiologically parameters.

Abstract: A biomedical sensor is disclosed that provides at least first and second electrical nodes for connection to medical equipment. The biomedical sensor includes a plurality of protruding electrodes that extend from a common base. At least one of the protruding electrodes is coupled to the first electrical node, and at least two of the protruding electrodes are coupled to the second electrical node. At least one of the plurality of protruding electrodes is adjustable in length such that each of the plurality of protruding electrodes is adapted to contact a non-planar surface of a subject.

Abstract: A biomedical electrode is disclosed that includes at least first and second electrical nodes for connection to medical equipment. The biomedical electrode includes a first electrical node including a disc of conductive material having a diameter d1, and a second electrical node including a ring of conductive material. The ring is concentric with the disc and has a diameter d2 that is larger than d1 and having a ring thickness t2 such that (4?d1/t2?6).

Abstract: A distance estimation system is disclosed for estimating a distance between two electronic devices. The system includes a power adjustable transmitter that is capable of having its power level adjusted between successive transmissions of packets of data, a remote device that is remote from the power adjustable transmitter for receiving the packets of data, and a distance estimation unit. The distance estimation unit is for generating a distance estimation signal responsive to the packets of data received at the remote device such that the distance estimation signal is associated with a power level at which the power level adjustable transmitter is not able to sufficiently transmit the packets of data to the remote device.