Abstract: The present invention is a mutant retroviral protease which confers an increase in retroviral stability. Retroviruses expressing the instant mutant retroviral protease exhibit at least a 2-fold increase in infectivity half-life as compared to wild-type retrovirus. Unexpectedly, a Gly119Glu mutation in the protease enhances retroviral stability in the presence of various wild-type envelope proteins including wild-type amphotropic, ecotropic and 10A1 murine leukemia viruses. The improved stability of the mutant retrovirus leads to more facile virus production and enhanced infection efficiency.

Abstract: A sensor system for detecting an effector or cofactor comprises (a) a nucleic acid enzyme; (b) a substrate for the nucleic acid enzyme, comprising a first polynucleotide; (c) a first set of particles comprising a second polynucleotide at least partially complementary to the substrate, where the polynucleotide is attached to the particles at its 3? terminus; and (d) a second set of particles comprising a third polynucleotide at least partially complementary to the substrate, where the polynucleotide is attached to the particles at its 5? terminus.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects of the encoding and decoding messages on noisy timing channels, a message is encoded, based at least in part on a cumulative distribution function, in inter-arrival timings of data packets. The data packets are output to a device with the message in the inter-arrival timings of the data packets. A the device, the inter-arrival timings of the data packets are identified. The message encoded in the inter-arrival timings is decoded based at least in part on a model representing noise between a source of the data packets and the device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for accurate determination of intraocular pressure (IOP) and characterization of mechanical properties of a cornea is provided that includes measuring a cornea with a probe tonometer to produce at least force versus displacement data over a range of applied forces; and forming a model of corneal constitutive parameters, with a computer having a processor, based on the data obtained by the probe tonometer to more accurately determine IOP and characterize mechanical properties of the cornea, wherein the computer is coupled with the probe tonometer.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides several electromagnetic radiation reflectors within a volume that contains solid portions subject to movement relative to one another. At least a portion of the reflectors are positioned beneath one or more of the solid portions and move in response to movement of at least some of the solid portions. The volume is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation having one or more frequencies in a range from one kHz through one THz, and a reflection is detected of at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from each of the reflectors in response to this irradiation. Movement among the solid objects is evaluated from the reflection of each of the reflectors, which includes determining a spatial orientation of each one of the reflectors as a function of at least one of polarization selectivity and frequency selectivity.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment plasma extraction microcavity plasma device generates a spatially-confined plasma in a gas or vapor, or gas and vapor mixture, including, for example, atmospheric pressure air. A microcavity plasma device is excited by a potential applied between excitation electrodes of the microcavity plasma device, and a probe electrode proximate the microcavity is maintained at the potential of one of the electrodes, extracts plasma from the microcavity plasma device. In preferred embodiments, the excitation electrodes of the microcavity plasma device are isolated from the plasma by dielectric, and time-varying (AC, RF, bipolar or pulsed DC, etc.) potential excites a plasma that is then extracted by the probe electrode. In alternate embodiments, the microcavity plasma device has an excitation electrode that contacts the plasma. A DC potential excites a plasma that is then extracted by the probe electrode.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing corn into one or more corn products including dextrose. In a preferred process, corn is processed and treated with solvent(s) to extract oil. The oil can be subsequently recovered using membrane technology. Zein may also be produced if the solvent is an alcohol. Starch in the deoiled meal is converted to dextrose by liquefaction and saccharification with enzymes. The reaction mixture containing the dextrose and other components is subjected to one or more unit operations such as screening, filtration, and/or membrane technology to produce one or more of corn gluten, soluble protein, dextrose, and fiber.

Abstract: Exogenous cDNA capable of expressing interferon? activity, exogenous interferon? protein, inducers of endogenous interferon? protein activity, inducers of endogenous interferon $ protein activity, inducers of endogenous interferon? activity, or inducers of other immune-enhancing activity can be combined with a vaccine to enhance an immune response. Specifically disclosed are adjuvant and vaccine combinations where the adjuvant comprises a cDNA capable of expressing interferon? activity, a complex comprising polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid, or a complex comprising polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid, poly-L-lysine, and carboxymethylcellulose and where the vaccine is a live vaccine virus derived from a virus causing porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome disease.

Abstract: The invention provides sensor compositions and method of making sensors.

Abstract: A method for fabricating microcavity discharge devices and arrays of devices. The devices are fabricated by layering a dielectric on a first conducting layer. A second conducting layer or structure is overlaid on the dielectric layer. In some devices, a microcavity is created that penetrates the second conducting layer or structure and the dielectric layer. In other devices, the microcavity penetrates to the first conducting layer. The second conducting layer or structure together with the inside face of the microcavity is overlaid with a second dielectric layer. The microcavities are then filled with a discharge gas. When a time-varying potential of the appropriate magnitude is applied between the conductors, a microplasma discharge is generated in the microcavity. These devices can exhibit extended lifetimes since the conductors are encapsulated, shielding the conductors from degradation due to exposure to the plasma. Some of the devices are flexible and the dielectric can be chosen to act as a mirror.

Abstract: Methods of and kits for quantitatively determining the concentrations of Bcl10 in a biological sample were developed that provide an accurate means of identifying therapeutic molecules with a plurality of therapeutic effects. A solid-phase sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for human Bcl10 that provides reproducible, precise measurements was developed and characterized. The sensitivity of the assay is 0.25 ng/ml, enabling accurate detection of small quantities of Bcl10. The sensitive and specific, solid-phase, sandwich ELISA for Bcl10 is well-suited for the accurate determination of Bcl10 values in different experimental conditions, in immune and non-immune cells, and may find use in a clinical context. An ELISA as described herein may have particular clinical utility, since increased Bcl10 is associated with inflammation, infection and malignancy.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to pharmacological methods for the prevention of amelioration of sleep-related breathing disorders via administration of agents or combinations of agents that possess serotonin-related pharmacological activity.

Abstract: Solutions and suspensions comprising polymerized hemoglobin derived from human blood are disclosed. The solutions and suspensions may comprise cell culture medium, an enzyme (such as a protease), and/or a buffer. Processes of preparing the solutions and suspensions are also disclosed. The solutions and suspensions may be employed in methods of isolating mammalian cells, such as pancreatic islets, methods of preserving mammalian tissue and organs, methods of aiding the recovery of mammalian cells following their isolation, methods of maintaining mammalian cells, methods of propagating mammalian cells, and methods of treating a mammal with diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assay for determining the biochemical fitness of a biochemical species in a mutant replicating biological entity relative to its predecessor. The present invention further provides a continuous fluorogenic assay for measuring the anti-HIV protease activity of protease inhibitor. The present invention also provides a method of administering a therapeutic compound that reduces the chances of the emergence of drug resistance in therapy.

Abstract: A film contains a first polymer having a plurality of hydrogen bond donating moieties, and a second polymer having a plurality of hydrogen bond accepting moieties. The second polymer is hydrogen bonded to the first polymer.

Abstract: Bisphosphonate compounds and related methods of making and using are disclosed, including pyridinium-1-yl, quinolinium-1-yl, and related compounds. The activity of compounds is disclosed in the context of functional assays such as Leishmania major farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS) inhibition, Dictyostelium discoideum growth inhibition, human gamma delta T cell activation, and bone resorption. The applicability of bisphosphonate compounds in the context of parasitic infections, for example against trypanosomes, is disclosed. Further potential applications of the invention are disclosed regarding the treatment of one or more conditions such as bone resorption disorders, cancer, bone pain, infectious diseases, and in immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a genetic method for tethering polypeptides to the yeast cell wall in a form accessible for binding to macromolecules. Combining this method with fluorescence-activated cell sorting provides a means of selecting proteins with increased or decreased affinity for another molecule, altered specificity, or conditional binding. Also provided is a method for genetic fusion of the N terminus of a polypeptide of interest to the C-terminus of the yeast Aga2p cell wall protein. The outer wall of each yeast cell can display approximately 10 protein agglutinins. The native agglutinins serve as specific adhesion contacts to fuse yeast cells of opposite mating type during mating. In effect, yeast has evolved a platform for protein-protein binding without steric hindrance from cell wall components.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for designing RF pulses for multi-channel and/or multi-dimensional spatially-selective applications using a linear approximation. Embodiments of the system and method may use a generalized linear-class large tip angle approximation to design RF pulses for multi-channel and parallel transmission. Further, some of these approximations allow for the design of arbitrarily large flip angles, irregularly-shaped flip angle profiles, or arbitrary initial magnetization values. Embodiments of the system and method may also provide for the design of k-space trajectories which aid in maintaining assumptions of the various linear class approximations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved semi-allogeneic immunogenic cells which act to stimulate and induce an immunological response when administered to an individual. In particular, it relates to cells which express both allogeneic and syngeneic MHC determinants and which also express at least one antigen recognized by T lymphocytes. The invention is also directed to methods of inducing an immune response and methods of treating tumors by administering the semi-allogeneic immunogenic cells to an individual.

Abstract: Amorphous and polycrystalline III-V semiconductor including (Ga,As), (Al,As), (In,As), (Ga,N), and (Ga,P) materials were grown at low temperatures on semiconductor substrates. After growth, different substrates containing the low temperature grown material were pressed together in a pressure jig before being annealed. The annealing temperatures ranged from about 300° C. to 800° C. for annealing times between 30 minutes and 10 hours, depending on the bonding materials. The structures remained pressed together throughout the course of the annealing. Strong bonds were obtained for bonding layers between different substrates that were as thin as 3 nm and as thick as 600 nm. The bonds were ohmic with a relatively small resistance, optically transparent, and independent of the orientation of the underlying structures.