Abstract: The present invention details the use of oxytocin or oxytocin analogs as a novel therapeutic regimen for the treatment of various bone diseases and for assisting in bone remodeling. Oxytocin and oxytocin analogs can be administered alone or in combination with other agents used to treat bone diseases or aid in bone remodeling. In addition, agents which induce endogenous oxytocin release are also contemplated in the present invention for treatment of bone diseases and for assisting in bone remodeling. Diseases and conditions that are contemplated to benefit from the present invention include osteoporosis, osteopenias, bone fractures and bone remodeling surgery.

Abstract: Fluid-forming compositions in a container attached to enclosed adjacent sheets are heated to relatively high temperatures to generate fluids (gases) that effect inflation of the sheets. Fluid rates to the enclosed space between the sheets can be regulated by the canal from the container. Inflated articles can be produced by a continuous, rather than batch-type, process.

Abstract: A method of immunotherapy stimulates the T cell CD28 surface molecule to enhance T cell proliferation and increase overall lymphokine levels or to increase cellular production of human TH1 lymphokines or both. Thee method is selective for the induction of activated T cell mediated immune responses and enhances immune function even in the presence of immunosuppresants.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting the production of specific vasoconstrictive prostanoids, such as thromboxane and prostaglandin F2&agr;, through the addition of insulin like growth factor, particularly IGF-I or IGF-II, to human placental cells are disclosed. IGF-I is demonstrated to avoid affecting material and placental production of prostaglandin E, human chorionic gonadotropin, PGFM, and 6 -keto-PGF1-alpha by placental cells. Improved methods for vasoregulation of vasoconstrictive diseases of pregnancy are also disclosed. Methods for treating hypertension with IGF-I are also described. Improved methods for inhibiting pre-term labor are also provided. Methods for inducing labor with agents that specifically inhibit insulin like growth factor are also disclosed. Such inhibitors of IGF-I include antibodies, antagonists of IGF-I, and metabolizing enzymes of IGF-I.

Abstract: Assays employing fibronectin-depleted substrates are described to identify invasion inducing agents. Such agents are usefull for in vivo wound healing, including but not limited to deep wounds and chronic wounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the fields of cancer therapy and gene therapy. More particularly, the invention demonstrates methods for repressing or preventing transformation and proliferation of tumor cells. The method comprises contacting a cell with a p202 polypeptide in an amount effective to inhibit a transformed phenotype or cell proliferation. Inhibition of transformation may be indicated by a reduction in a transforming, tumorigenic or metastatic potential of a cell.

Abstract: The apparatus and method provide a technique for more simply measuring alpha and/or beta emissions arising from items or locations. The technique uses indirect monitoring of the emissions by detecting ions generated by the emissions, the ions being attracted electrostatically to electrodes for discharge of collection. The apparatus and method employ a chamber which is sealed around the item or location during monitoring with no air being drawn into or expelled from the chamber during the monitoring process. A simplified structure and operations arises as a result, but without impairing the efficiency and accuracy of the detection technique.

Abstract: In the present invention, the structure, principle and framework of chaotic digital code-division multiple access ((CD)2MA) communication systems are presented. Unlike the existing CDMA systems, (CD)2MA systems use continuous pseudo-random time series to spread the spectrum of message signal and the spread signal is then directly sent through channel to the receiver. In this sense, the carrier used in (CD)2MA is a continuous pseudo-random signal instead of a single tone as used in CDMA. The statistical properties of the noise-like carriers are given. In a (CD)2MA system, every mobile station has the same structure and parameters, only different initial conditions are assigned to different mobile stations. Instead of synchronizing two binary pseudo-random sequences as in CDMA systems, an impulsive control scheme is used to synchronize two chaotic systems in (CD)2MA. Simulation results show that the channel capacity of (CD)2MA is at least twice as large than that of CDMA.

Abstract: A method for digital watermarking and, in particular, for digital data hiding of significant amounts of data in images and video. The method employs a discrete wavelet transform for embedding gray scale images which can be as great as 25% of the host image data. A simple control parameter is used that can be tailored to either hiding or watermarking purposes, and is robust to operations such as JPEG compression. The method also uses noise-resilient channel codes based on multidimensional lattices which can provide for embedding signature data such as gray-scale or color images. Furthermore, embedded image data can be recovered in the absence of the original host image by inserting the data into the host image in the DCT domain by encoding the signature DCT coefficients using a lattice coding scheme before embedding, checking each block of host DCT coefficients for its texture content, and appropriately inserting the signatured codes depending on a local texture measure.

Abstract: The apparatus and method provide an improved technique for detecting ions as the area from which ions are attracted to a detector is increased, consequently increasing the number of ions detected. This is achieved by providing the outer electrodes of the detector connected to the electrical potential, together with alternate intermediate electrodes. The other intermediate electrodes and preferably the housing are grounded. The technique renders such detection techniques more sensitive and gives them a lower threshold at which they can function.

Abstract: Optical sensor, probe and array devices for detecting chemical biological, and physical analytes. The devices include an analyte-sensitive layer optically coupled to a thin film electroluminescent layer which activates the analyte-sensitive layer to provide an optical response. The optical response varies depending upon the presence of an analyte and is detected by a photodetector and analyzed to determine the properties of the analyte.

Abstract: Components with defects are identified from the response to strains applied at acoustic and ultrasound frequencies. The relative resonance frequency shift |&Dgr;ƒ/ƒ0|, is determined as a function of applied strain amplitude for an acceptable component, where ƒ0 is the frequency of the resonance peak at the lowest amplitude of applied strain and &Dgr;ƒ is the frequency shift of the resonance peak of a selected mode to determine a reference relationship. Then, the relative resonance frequency shift |&Dgr;ƒ/ƒ0 is determined as a function of applied strain for a component under test, where fo ƒ0 the frequency of the resonance peak at the lowest amplitude of applied strain and &Dgr;ƒ is the frequency shift of the resonance peak to determine a quality test relationship. The reference relationship is compared with the quality test relationship to determine the presence of defects in the component under test.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a manganese oxyiodide, including the steps of reducing sodium permanganate by lithium iodide at ambient temperature to obtain the manganese oxyiodide, and annealing the manganese oxyiodide at an elevated temperature. Such a manganese oxyiodide may be used for energy conversion and storage, particularly for battery and supercapacitor applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enabling easy characterization, storage and retrieval of multi-dimensional data structures involving use of a translation, rotation and scaling invariant index which results from concatenating a series of Eigenvalue calculation mediated index elements determined at a plurality of hierarchical data depth levels.

Abstract: A low-profile cavity-backed slot antenna is disclosed including a cavity substrate having a slot with a resonant frequency and a unilanar compact photonic band-gap (UC-PBG) substrate proximate to the cavity substrate and having a two-dimensional periodic metallic pattern on a dielectric slab and a ground plane, wherein the UC-PBG substrate behaves substantially as an open boundary at the resonant frequency of the slot. The slot antenna has reduced height while maintaining good performance.

Abstract: A method of processing a printed wiring board. Initial processing steps are implemented on the printed wiring board. Copper is plated on the printed wiring board from a bath containing nickel and copper. Nickel is plated on the printed wiring board from a bath containing nickel and copper and final processing steps are implemented on the printed wiring board.

Abstract: Methods of inactivating pathogens in biological materials, and biological materials that have been so treated, are provided. The inactivation methodology employs UV radiation, by devices such as lasers, to cause inactivation of pathogens, such as viruses.

Abstract: A flexible microwave applicator and method of use thereof. The applicator includes a flexible, dielectric-containing compartment (e.g. temperature regulated water or oil) having a variable contour, tissue-engaging surface and an opposite non-tissue-engaging surface and an antenna array adjacent to a non-tissue-engaging surface. The antenna array includes at least one flexible printed circuit board having a front metal surface, a dielectric substrate, a back metal surface, a connection structure for connecting the antenna array to at least one external microwave device, at least one dual concentric conductor aperture on the front surface, and at least one microstrip feedline in communication with the dual concentric conductor aperture and the connection structure.

Abstract: An additive to a flame reaction is provided which forms noncorrosive deposits on cooler metal surfaces which are more stable than Na2SO4 or K2SO4. The additive preferentially combines with the sodium or potassium, and sulfates of these will not be formed. By adding tungsten, tungsten salts or tungsten percursors to the flame, a complex sodium tungstate is produced on the surface of the cooler metal object in a dense form and corrosion is inhibited. The level of tungsten preferably present at an atomic concentration is equal to 1.5 to 2 times that of the sodium in the specific flame environment and possibly a little higher for potassium. The nature of the fuel and possible alkali reduction schemes will control the quantity and mixing method of the additive. The additive may be directly mixed into the fuel or injected into the burned gas regions of the combustion, Ta and Nb also appear as possible substitutes for W in the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of modulating seed mass and other traits in plants. The methods involve producing transgenic plants comprising a recombinant expression cassette containing an ADC nucleic acid linked to a plant promoter.