Abstract: Compounds having immunomodulatory activity which are peptide-type compounds, or variants or fragments thereof, including the N-terminal acylated and C-terminal amidated or esterified forms of up to 30 amino acids wherein the peptide-type compound comprises the formula: (a) R aa76-77 L aa79-84 or (b) aa84-79 L aa77-76 R 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 small or hydrophobic amino acid aa82 is R or L; aa83 is G or R; aa84 is a small or hydrophobic amino acid; wherein, in said compounds, at least one of the amino acids is the D isomer are used by themselves or in combination with immunosuppressant drugs, to reduce CTL activation, particularly in association with transplantation.

Abstract: An optical amplifier has a gain profile which is substantially flat and independent, over a wide range, of the pump power, power of the input signals, and the number of input signals. The amplifier utilizes an optical resonator having a gain medium whose gain broadening behaves inhomogeneously by pumping the gain medium at at least one wavelength in at least one absorption tail of the gain medium. The resonator is a ring resonator that preferably includes an erbium-doped fiber. Codopants may be added to the fiber to enhance the inhomogeneous broadening effect. A method of gain flattening introduces a pump signal into a gain medium. The pump signal has a wavelength in the tail of the absorption profile of the gain medium. A plurality of optical signals at different wavelengths are introduced into the gain medium. Stimulated emission within the gain medium clamps the gain of the gain medium.

Abstract: In some dynamic applications of MRI, only a part of the field-of-view (FOV) actually undergoes dynamic changes. A class of methods, called reduced-FOV (rFOV) methods, convert the knowledge that some part of the FOV is static or not very dynamic into an increase in temporal resolution for the dynamic part, or into a reduction in the scan time. Although cardiac imaging is an important example of an imaging situation where changes are concentrated into a fraction of the FOV, the rFOV methods developed up to now are not compatible with one of the most common cardiac sequences, the so-called retrospective cine method. The present work is a rFOV method designed to be compatible with cine imaging. An increase by a factor n in temporal resolution or a decrease by n in scan time is obtained in the case where only one nth of the FOV is dynamic (the rest being considered static). Results are presented for both Cartesian and spiral imaging.

Abstract: A structural monitoring system comprises a plurality of modular, battery powered data acquisition devices which transmit structural information to a central data collection and analysis device over a wireless data link. The data acquisition devices each comprise mechanical vibration sensors, data acquisition circuitry, a digital wireless transmitter, and a battery for providing electrical power to the device. The central data collection device comprises a digital wireless receiver that receives data sent from the data acquisition devices, and a microprocessor for processing the data. A more powerful computer may be interfaced with the central device to provide more sophisticated analysis after a natural hazard or other extreme event. A methodology for operating the monitoring system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Skin cells are genetically altered to express a gene product encoded by an introduced polynucleotide. Specifically, the invention involves introduction of a nucleotide of interest into a skin cell by topical application of a polynucleotide that is substantially free of liposomes or charged lipids, where the skin can be either treated or untreated prior to application. Similarly, the invention involves introduction of a nucleotide of interest into a skin cell by topical application of a polynucleotide formulation comprising a liposome or charged lipid, wherein the skin is not treated by removal of hair prior to application. The method of the invention serves as a platform for delivering polynucleotides to skin cells for expression therein for any of a variety uses including, but not limited to genetic immunization.

Abstract: Amplitudes of drive pulses received by a horizontally-placed dropper determine the horizontal displacements of droplets relative to an ejection aperture of the dropper. The drive pulses are varied such that the dropper generates a two-dimensional array of vertically-falling droplets. Vertical and horizontal interdroplet spacings may be varied in real time. Applications include droplet analysis experiments such as Millikan fractional charge searches and aerosol characterization, as well as material deposition applications.

Abstract: In the capillary electrophoretic system, the components of a sample to be separated and detected are labelled by a radioactive material which emits gamma rays or beta particles with energy high enough to penetrate the electrolyte and the capillary tube. A semiconductor detector outside the tube and placed adjacent to the tube detects the gamma rays or beta particles in order to detect the presence of the components of the sample. A weaker radio-label may also be used in conjunction with scintillating material which is introduced together with the sample into the tube or through a different tube. Alternatively, the scintillating material may be placed inside the tube or made a part of the tube. The scintillating material emits light in response to radiation from the radio labels on the components of the sample to enable detection of the component.

Abstract: An optical fiber laser includes a single-mode optical fiber doped with a lasing material such as Neodymium. The optical fiber is pumped with a pump optical signal having a pump wavelength selected to cause spontaneous emission of an optical signal at a second wavelength different from the pump wavelength. The optical fiber is formed into a laser cavity such as by including a suitable reflector at each of the two ends of a suitable length of the optical fiber so that the emitted optical signal oscillates therein. One of the reflectors has a reflectivity at the wavelength of the emitted light so that most (e.g., approximately 95%) of the emitted light is reflected back into the laser cavity and a smaller portion (e.g, approximately 5%) is transmitted through the mirror as a laser output signal. Alternatively, the optical fiber can be formed into a ring laser structure using an optical coupler that couples a substantial portion (e.g.

Abstract: In a multiple-measurement system, a weighted sum of the measurements is used to provide a selective image. An additional weighted sum is used to provide an increased signal-to-noise ratio of some desired parameter of the image. The high frequency components of the increased signal-to-noise ratio image are combined with the low frequency components of the selective image to provide a selective image with improved signal-to-noise ratio. The combining operation can utilize the ratios of the derivatives in each signal to provide the correct amount of high frequency signal at each transition.