Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to microscopy cantilevers. Consistent with an example embodiment, aspects of the invention are directed to a cantilever having a body and a force sensor arrangement extending from an end of the body and including a tip near a free end of the force sensor arrangement. The force sensor arrangement exhibits a high temporal response to the tip's interaction with a sample, relative to the response of the cantilever. The force sensor arrangement's response is detected and used to characterize the sample.

Abstract: A method utilizes an optical image processing system. The method includes providing a measured magnitude of the Fourier transform of a complex transmission function of an object or optical image. The method further includes providing an estimated phase term of the Fourier transform of the complex transmission function. The method further includes multiplying the measured magnitude and the estimated phase term to generate an estimated Fourier transform of the complex transmission function. The method further includes calculating an inverse Fourier transform of the estimated Fourier transform, wherein the inverse Fourier transform is a spatial function. The method further includes calculating an estimated complex transmission function by applying at least one constraint to the inverse Fourier transform.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for dynamically controlling a digital communication system, such as a DSL system, collect information about digital communication lines in the system and adaptively and/or dynamically determine line and signal characteristics of the digital communication lines, including interference effects. Based on the determined characteristics and the desired performance parameters, operation of the digital communication lines is adjusted to improve or otherwise control the performance of the system. The collection and processing of information may be performed by a party that is not a user in the system. This independent party also may control operational characteristics and parameters of the system. The invention can be used to eliminated or reduce signal interference such as crosstalk that can be induced on communication lines in systems such as DSL systems. Specific iterative power allocation and vectored transmission techniques and apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for producing stable isotope-labeled recombinant protein are provided. The methods include isolating a stable isotope-labeled recombinant protein from a Trichoplusia ni larva expressing a recombinant protein, which Trichoplusia ni larva has ingested a food source comprising stable isotope-labeled algae, thereby resulting in incorporation of a stable isotope into the recombinant protein to produce the stable isotope-labeled recombinant protein.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include ligand-regulable transactivation systems, methods of producing ligand-regulable transactivation systems, methods of using ligand-regulable transactivation systems, reporter polynucleotides, method of producing reporter polynucleotides, activator fusion proteins, methods of producing activator fusion proteins, methods of regulating gene expression in vitro and in vivo for gene therapy, methods of screening estrogen receptor modulators with therapeutic treatments (e.g., anticancer, antiosteoporosis, and hormone replacement treatments), method of screening compounds (e.g., drugs and environmental pollutants) for the estrogenic effect, methods of evaluating the estrogen receptor pathway under different pathological conditions are provided, and the like.

Abstract: Systems and devices for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The systems include a superior component for attachment to a superior vertebra of a spinal motion segment and an inferior component for attachment to an inferior vertebral of a spinal motion segment. The interconnection between the two components enables the spinal motion segment to move in a manner that mimics the natural motion of the spinal motion segment. Methods are also provided for stabilizing the spine and for implanting the subject systems.

Abstract: Photonic band gap fibers are described having one or more defects suitable for the acceleration of electrons or other charged particles. Methods and devices are described for exciting special purpose modes in the defects including laser coupling schemes as well as various fiber designs and components for facilitating excitation of desired modes. Results are also presented showing effects on modes due to modes in other defects within the fiber and due to the proximity of defects to the fiber edge. Techniques and devices are described for controlling electrons within the defect(s). Various applications for electrons or other energetic charged particles produced by such photonic band gap fibers are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides strategies for treating and preventing airway hyperreactivity and non-allergic asthma comprising antagonizing IL-17 activity and/or production by iNKT cells. Provided herein is a method of diagnosing non-allergic asthma and airway hyperreactivity comprising neutrophils quantification in sputum.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improved brain imaging and decoding methods that test subjects under authentic, natural conditions that allow for regular patterns of free-flowing thought and perception, as they occur in everyday life, while taking into account brain activities that were measured over spatially diverse regions of the whole-brain (whole-brain connectivity signatures). From such whole-brain connectivity signatures, specific cognitive traits and states are decoded and classified in a whole-brain connectivity analysis which takes into account the full pattern of brain activity. Such methods find applications in clinical diagnosis and monitoring of neuropsychiatric diseases and in nonclinical areas such as neuromarketing and neuroeconomics.

Abstract: Extendable connectors are facilitated. According to an example embodiment, an integrated electrical circuit uses a connector that has first and second connected ends. The connector is unbundled from an initial state in which the first and second connected ends are separated by a first proximate distance and applied in an extended state in which the first and second connected ends are separated by a second distance that is greater than the first proximate distance.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method for crystallizing a GPCR. The method may employ a fusion protein comprising: a) a first portion of a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), where the first portion comprises the TM1, TM2, TM3, TM4 and TM5 regions of the GPCR; b) a stable, folded protein insertion; and c) a second portion of the GPCR, where the second portion comprises the TM6 and TM7 regions of the GPCR.

Abstract: Described here is an automated robotic device that isolates circulating tumor cells (CTCs) or other biological structures with extremely high purity. The device uses powerful magnetic rods covered in removable plastic sleeves. These rods sweep through blood samples, capturing, e.g., cancer cells labeled with antibodies linked to magnetically responsive particles such as superparamagnetic beads. Upon completion of the capturing protocol, the magnetic rods undergo several rounds of washing, thereby removing all contaminating blood cells. The captured target cells are released into a final capture solution by removing the magnetic rods from the sleeves. Additionally, cells captured by this device show no reduced viability when cultured after capture. Cells are captured in a state suitable for genetic analysis. Also disclosed are methods for single cell analysis. Being robotic allows the device to be operated with high throughput.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting changes in tryptophan concentrations in a cell and methods for identifying agents that modulate cellular tryptophan concentrations. In particular, the present invention provides methods for detecting cellular exchange between tryptophan and kynurenine, and methods for identifying agents that modulate this exchange. The present invention also provides methods for treating a disease associated with immunosuppression in a subject in need thereof. In particular, the present invention is directed toward a method of treating a disease associated with immunosuppression comprising contacting the disease with an agent that modulates cellular Trp/kynurenine exchange. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for identifying an agent that modulates an immunosuppression.

Abstract: Detection of toxic gluten oligopeptides refractory to digestion and antibodies and T cells responsive thereto can be used to diagnose Celiac Sprue.

Abstract: A long-range lightning detection and characterization system and method. Electromagnetic radiation produced by a lightning strike is sensed at a sensing location and a measured signal representative of the strike is produced that defines an amplitude versus time. A set of reference data containing waveforms comparable to the measured signal is established. The set of reference data defines a set of reference amplitudes versus time, representative of one or more predetermined reference lightning strikes at various predetermined distances, where for each of the distances, the reference lightning strikes have associated therewith various predetermined day/night percentages. The measured signal is compared with the reference data, the comparison including finding a correlation between the measured signal and a correlating waveform in the reference data.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptides which inhibit the enzymatic activity of tyrosinase as well as formulations and methods for their use in the reduction of skin pigmentation, and methods of administering the inhibitory peptides in a topical formulation. Methods of skin treatment are also provided, the methods further including use of a peptide characterized by the amino acid sequence SFLLRN (SEQ ID NO: 1).

Abstract: This invention concerns a process to convert a hydroxyl group (bold in R3C—OH) in a tigliane-type compound to a hydrogen (bold in R3C—H) to obtain deoxytigliane-type compounds or structural or functional analogs thereof. The process has wide application particularly to produce specific biologically active compounds in quantity for use as pharmaceuticals. In particular the process can be used to convert phorbol to a 12-deoxytigliane (prostrating which is a therapeutic lead for the treatment of AIDS. New compositions of matter are also disclosed.

Abstract: Recombinant adeno-associated viral (AAV) capsid proteins are provided. Methods for generating the recombinant adeno-associated viral capsid proteins and a library from which the capsids are selected are also provided.

Abstract: An optical waveguide gyroscope includes at least one optical coupler configured to receive a first optical signal at a first port, to transmit a second optical signal to a second port, and to transmit a third optical signal to a third port. The optical waveguide gyroscope further includes a plurality of resonant waveguides optically coupled to the second port and the third port. The resonant waveguides are generally adjacent to one another and optically coupled to one another. At least a portion of the second optical signal propagates from the second port to the third port by propagating through the plurality of resonant waveguides, and at least a portion of the third optical signal propagates from the third port to the second port by propagating through the plurality of resonant waveguides.

Abstract: Biological thick tissue such as skeletal and cardiac muscle is imaged by inserting a probe into the tissue and scanning the tissue at a sufficiently fast rate to mitigate motion artifacts due to physiological motion. According to one example embodiment, such a probe is part of a system that is capable of reverse-direction high-resolution imaging without staining or otherwise introducing a foreign element used to generate or otherwise increase the sensed light. The probe includes a light generator for generating light pulses that are directed towards structures located within the thick tissue. The light pulses interact with intrinsic characteristics of the structures to generate a signal such as SHG or intrinsic fluorescence. Reliance on intrinsic characteristics of the structures is particularly useful for applications in which the introduction of foreign substances to the thick tissue is undesirable.