Abstract: The present disclosure provides for methods and compositions useful for imaging inflammation and inflammatory disease markers with an affinity for TREM-1 antibodies. The methods and compositions can include a labeled probe having a TREM-1 antibody and a radiolabel.

Abstract: The disclosure provides NIR-II imaging probes and methods of using the NIR-II imaging probes for dynamic in vivo tracking of cells, such as stem cells, or other substances. NIR-II imaging probes can include a biocompatible NIR-II dye molecule coupled to an organic, biocompatible protein carrier complex, including a carrier protein coupled to a cell-penetrating peptide.

Abstract: Embodiments of the synthesis, radiolabeling and biological applications of an activatable tracer that undergoes intramolecular cyclization and aggregation upon activation by cleavage of a blocking moiety are provided. The probes of the disclosure allow for target-controlled self-assembly of small molecules in living subjects for imaging and drug delivery. The aggregated nanoprobes of the disclosure may be detectable optically, by PET detection, magnetic resonance imaging, and the like depending on the detectable reporter attached to the nanoprobe.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of generating a high resolution image of a cellular sample, the method including i) labeling a cellular sample with at least one mass tag, thereby producing a labeled sample in which a biological feature of interest is associated with the at least one mass tag, ii) scanning the sample with a continuous or near-continuous primary ion beam to generate sputtered secondary ions and sputtered neutral species, iii) photoionizing the sputtered neutrals to generate ionized neutral species, wherein the sputtered neutrals are photoionized at a site that is proximal to their source on the sample, iv) detecting the ionized neutral species by mass spectrometry, thereby obtaining spatially addressed measurements of the abundance of the at least one mass tag across an area of the sample, and v) producing an image of the sample using the measurements. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A microwave microscope including a probe tip electrode vertically positionable over a sample and projecting downwardly from the end of a cantilever. A transmission line connecting the tip electrode to the electronic control system extends along the cantilever and is separated from a ground plane at the bottom of the cantilever by a dielectric layer. The probe tip may be vertically tapped near or at the sample surface at a low frequency and the microwave signal reflected from the tip/sample interaction is demodulated at the low frequency. Alternatively, a low-frequency electrical signal is also a non-linear electrical element associated with the probe tip to non-linearly interact with the applied microwave signal and the reflected non-linear microwave signal is detected at the low frequency. The non-linear element may be semiconductor junction formed near the apex of the probe tip or be an FET formed at the base of a semiconducting tip.

Abstract: The present invention provides an approach for the simultaneous determination of the activation states of a plurality of proteins in single cells. This approach permits the rapid detection of heterogeneity in a complex cell population based on activation states, and the identification of cellular subsets that exhibit correlated changes in activation within the cell population. Moreover, this approach allows the correlation of cellular activities or properties. In addition, the use of potentiators of cellular activation allows for characterization of such pathways and cell populations.

Abstract: The present invention provides computer program products, systems, and related methods of coordinating a knowledge base.

Abstract: Peptide-like compounds and their variants having immunomodulating activity including the N-terminal acylated and/or C-terminal amidated or esterified forms thereof of up to 60 amino acids wherein the peptide-type compound comprises the formula: ??? wherein: ? and ? are the same or different and are of the formula: {R aa76-77 L}(aa79-84)(SEQ ID NO:1) ??(a) or (aa84-79){L aa77-76 R}(SEQ ID NO:2) ??(b) wherein: aa76 is E or V; aa77 is D, S or N; aa79 is R or G; aa80 is I or N; aa81 is a hydrophobic or small amino acid; aa82 is R or L; aa83 is G or R; aa84 is a hydrophobic or small amino acid; wherein the sequence in the brackets may optionally be absent or truncated at any peptide type bond within the brackets may be used by themselves or in combination with immunosuppressant drugs, to reduce CTL activation, particularly in association with transplantation.

Abstract: Methods and devices for adaptively changing a parameter (such as sub-carrier bit allocation and/or gain) in a multi-carrier communication signal are described. In a method aspect, a unit that determines a need for a change sends an express change request to a second unit. The change request identifies one or more specific sub-carrier carrier to be altered and a desired value for the parameter to be changed for each identified sub-carrier. The requesting unit then monitors the communication signal it receives to determine whether the requested change has been implemented. The determination of whether the requested change has been implemented is based at least in part upon an analysis of a portion of the received communication signal that was intended to be changed. In another aspect of the invention, the change request command includes a header, a control field, at least one sub-carrier identifier, at least one desired parameter value indicator, and an error field.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of using human dendritic cells to present antigens for the induction of antigen-specific T cell-mediated immune responses. In particular, it relates to the isolation of dendritic cells from human blood, exposing the cells to antigens, co-culturing the antigen-pulsed dendritic cells with &ggr;&dgr;-T cell receptor-positive-T cells (&ggr;&dgr;-TCR+ T cells) obtained from unprimed or weakly primed individuals for the stimulation of antigen-specific T cell proliferative and cytotoxic activities. The dendritic cell antigen presentation system described herein has a wide range of applications, including but not limited to, activation and expansion of large numbers of antigen-specific major histocompatibility complex-unrestricted T cells for use in adoptive cellular immunotherapy against infectious diseases and cancer.

Abstract: A system and method utilizing a radiation source with a wavelength near 2 &mgr;m (preferably 1993 nm) to measure the presence of ammonia, carbon dioxide and water vapor using spectroscopic techniques and a reduced measurement pressure is provided. Using radiation substantially near 2 &mgr;m enables one to interrogate the PP3(3)s ammonia transition at a frequency of 5016.977 cm−1, which is isolated from water and carbon dioxide interference; the P(32) carbon dioxide transition at 5017.030 cm−1, which is isolated from both ammonia and water interference, and a water transition at 5017.100 cm−1. Moreover, a tunable radiation source that can sweep over the aforementioned ammonia and carbon dioxide and water features can measure the concentrations of all three species simultaneously.

Abstract: An atomic force microscope (AFM) tipped with a single-wall conductive nanotube is operated to write bits onto a metal substrate by oxidizing the surface. The oxidized microregions project above an otherwise flat surface, and can therefore be detected—that is, the written bits can be read—using the same AFM arrangement.

Abstract: The instability of the mean wavelength of a superfluorescent fiber source (SFS) is reduced by randomizing the polarization of light from a pump source or by using polarization maintaining components. In one embodiment, the polarization of a pump source is made more random, leading to greater stability of the mean wavelength of the SFS, with an output mean wavelength that is stable to better than 3 ppm for full rotation of the pump polarization state. In another embodiment, the polarization of optical radiation throughout the device is kept substantially constant by using polarization maintaining fiber and components, thereby leading to enhanced mean wavelength stability of the SFS.

Abstract: The invention provides purified ACT-4 receptor polypeptides, antibodies against these polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding ACT-4 receptor polypeptides. Also provided are methods of diagnosis and treatment using the same. ACT-4 receptors are preferentially expressed on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. ACT-4 receptors are usually expressed at low levels on the surface of activated CD8+ cells, and are usually substantially absent on resting T-cells, and on monocytes and B-cells (resting or activated). An exemplary ACT-4 receptor, termed ACT-4-h-1, has a signal sequence, an extracellular domain comprising three disulfide-bonded intrachain loops, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating mammalian cancer tumors, preferably solid tumors, comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a 1,2,4-benzotriazine oxide as defined in Formula I or pharmacologically acceptable salts of said compound; and administering to the mammal from about one half hour to about twenty-four hours after administering the 1,2,4-benzotriazine oxide an effective amount of a chemotherapy agent to which the tumor is susceptible. The invention also provides kits for treatment of such tumors which comprise a chemotherapy agent and a cytotoxicity-enhancing amount of a 1,2,4-benzotriazine oxide as defined in Formula I.

Abstract: The present invention significantly improves the signal to noise ratio (SNR) in a passive optical array comprising sensors located in rungs between a distribution bus and a return bus. Erbium-doped optical fiber amplifiers are included in the buses proximate to each rung coupling to offset the coupler splitting losses. The gains of the amplifiers are selected to offset losses due to the couplings. The overall SNR can be maintained without significant degradation even for large numbers of sensors. In one aspect of the present invention, the amplifiers are located along the distribution and return buses directly after the couplers, except for the last coupler. In a second aspect, the amplifiers are located directly before each coupler. The optical amplifiers preferably are made of short lengths of erbium-doped fiber spliced into the distribution and return buses. Improvements can be made to the SNR when the distribution bus coupling ratios are set at optimal values.

Abstract: The invented method and devices address signal regeneration and all-optical switching in optical fiber transmission lines. In modern optical networks, after several stages of optical amplification, the noise accumulation requires regeneration e.g. translation to electronic domain. A new type of optical repeater and optical switch are suggested to perform regeneration and switching on the optical level. The main component of the devices is an optical cavity implanted into a section of the optical fiber and bounded by fiber gratings. In the optical repeater, the fiber cavity is nonlinear; at resonant frequency, the cavity almost totally rejects the noise and transmits the signal. In the optical switch, the fiber cavity is linear; depending on the cavity tuning, the signal may be transmitted through the cavity or reflected and redirected to an appropriate switch port.

Abstract: A dosimeter for use in mixed radiation fields is disclosed. The dosimeter consisting of a single element may be used in a photon-neutron field if the energies of the photons and neutrons are known. In a mixed photon-neutron-beta radiation field of unknown energies, a detector having four elements is sufficient to provide an estimate of the exposure. The dosimeter makes use of the high temperature readout from a 6Li doped LiF thermoluminescent detector to provide an estimate of both the neutron and photon exposures.

Abstract: An improved method of removing contaminants from gas or liquids is disclosed. The contaminated fluid is brought into contact with a zeolite. The zeolite is then transferred to a vessel containing a bacterial culture which is used to regenerate the zeolite.

Abstract: A method for enhancing a chemical reaction is provided by forming a plasma that includes at least one multiatomic reactant, flowing the plasma into a reaction zone, and then elevating an electron temperature of the plasma by at least about 1,000.degree. Kelvin. The elevated electron temperature increases the dissociation of the multiatomic reactant in the plasma and/or inhibits recombination of the multiatomic reactant when dissociated. The method may be practiced to enhance the chemical vapor deposition of materials such as silicon and diamond.