Abstract: A cross-connect switch for fiber-optic communication networks employing a wavelength dispersive element, such as a grating, and a stack of regular (non-wavelength selective) cross bar switches using two-dimensional arrays of micromachined, electrically actuated, individually-tiltable, controlled deflection micro-mirrors for providing multiport switching capability for a plurality of wavelengths. Using a one-dimensional micromirror array, a fiber-optic based MEMS switched spectrometer that does not require mechanical motion of bulk components or large diode arrays can be constructed with readout capability for WDM network diagnosis or for general purpose spectroscopic applications.

Abstract: A content-based image retrieval (CBIR) system has a front-end that includes a pipeline of one or more dynamically-constructed filters for measuring perceptual similarities between a query image and one or more candidate images retrieved from a back-end comprised of a knowledge base accessed by an inference engine. The images include at least one color set having a set of properties including a number of pixels each having at least one color, a culture color associated with the color set, a mean and variance of the color set, a moment invariant, and a centroid. The filters analyze and compare the set of properties of the query image to the set of properties of the candidate images.

Abstract: An ion beam uniformity monitor for very low beam currents using a high-sensitivity charge amplifier with bias compensation. The ion beam monitor is used to assess the uniformity of a raster-scanned ion beam, such as used in an ion implanter, and utilizes four Faraday cups placed in the geometric corners of the target area. Current from each cup is integrated with respect to time, thus measuring accumulated dose, or charge, in Coulombs. By comparing the dose at each corner, a qualitative assessment of ion beam uniformity is made possible. With knowledge of the relative area of the Faraday cups, the ion flux and areal dose can also be obtained.

Abstract: The movement and mixing of microdroplets through microchannels is described employing silicon-based microscale devices, comprising microdroplet transport channels, reaction regions, electrophoresis modules, and radiation detectors. The discrete droplets are differentially heated and propelled through etched channels. Electronic components are fabricated on the same substrate material, allowing sensors and controlling circuitry to be incorporated in the same device.

Abstract: A Compton camera has two detectors which each sense the location, energy and time of photon collisions. Compton events are detected in which a photon emanating from the subject collides with one detector at energy (E1) and then the second detector at (E2), both energies E1 and E2 are measured and used in conjunction with an initial photon energy E0 to increase the resolution of the camera.

Abstract: By transducing cells with an HIV-1-MN molecular clone deleted in the major packaging sequence, a stable HIV-1 packaging cell line, &psgr;422 was produced. &psgr;422 cells form syncytia with CD4 positive cells, correctly express HIV-1 structural proteins, and produce large amount of mature particles with normal RT activity. These particles are not infectious. When stably transfected with an HIV-based retroviral vector, the &psgr;422 cell line produces hybrid virions capable of transducing CD4 positive cells with high efficiency (e.g., 105 cells/ml). The availability of this stable, noninfectious HIV-1 packaging cell line capable of generating high titer HIV vectors enables the use of HIV-1 based nucleic acids delivery systems, for example, in gene therapy. An HIV-2 based vector is packaged by the packaging cell lines, demonstrating that HIV-2 cell transformation vectors are packaged by the packaging cell line.

Abstract: The present invention provides illudin analogs of the general formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 have any of the values defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of formula I, intermediates and processes useful for preparing compounds of formula I, and methods comprising inhibiting tumor growth or treating cancer by administering one or more compounds of formula I.

Abstract: The present invention relates to permuted, chimeric nucleic acid libraries and methods of preparing such permuted, chimeric nucleic acid libraries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the mammalian rTS gene, a gene associated with bipolar affective disorder (BAD) in humans. The invention relates to methods for the identification of compounds that modulate the expression of rTS and to using such compounds as therapeutic agents in the treatment of rTS disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders. The invention also relates to methods for the diagnostic evaluation, genetic testing and prognosis of rTS neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, a schizoaffective disorder, a bipolar affective disorder or a unipolar affective disorder, and to methods and compositions for the treatment these disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single crystal scintillators and includes a transparent single crystal of cerium-activated lutetium yttrium oxyorthosilicate having the general formula Lu(2-x-z)YxCezSiO5, wherein 0.05≦x≦1.95 and 0.001≦z≦0.02. The crystal scintillator of the present invention is dense, bright, rugged, and non-hygroscopic and has a relatively short decay time for luminescence. The invention also includes a scintillation detector using the crystal scintillator, which produces an electrical signal in response to light received from the crystal scintillator upon exposure to gamma rays, x-rays, and the like.

Abstract: Novel, heterocyclic compounds having at least one ring nitrogen, disclosed side chains and, in some embodiments, an oxygen ortho to the ring nitrogen inhibit inflammatory responses associated with TNF-&agr; and fibroblast proliferation in vivo and in vitro. The compounds of the invention neither appreciably inhibit the activity of cAMP phosphodiesterase nor the hydrolysis of phosphatidic acid, and are neither cytotoxic nor cytostatic. Preferred compounds of the invention are esters. Methods for the use of the novel compounds to inhibit ceramide-mediated intracellular responses in stimuli in vivo (particularly TN-&agr;) are also described. The methods are expected to be of use in reducing inflammatory responses (for example, after angioplasty), in limiting fibrosis (for example, of the liver in cirrhosis), in inhibiting cell senescence, cell apoptosis and UV induced cutaneous immune suppression. Compounds having enhanced water solubility are also described.

Abstract: COX-2 selective inhibitors are disclosed as useful in treating or preventing heart disease, and in particular, congestive heart failure.

Abstract: A heterostructure thermionic cooler and a method for making thermionic coolers, employing a barrier layer of varying conduction bandedge for n-type material, or varying valence bandedge for p-type material, that is placed between two layers of material. The barrier layer has a high enough barrier for the cold side to only allow “hot” electrons, or electrons of high enough energy, across the barrier. The barrier layer is constructed to have an internal electric field such that the electrons that make it over the initial barrier are assisted in travel to the anode. Once electrons drop to the energy level of the anode, they lose energy to the lattice, thus heating the lattice at the anode. The barrier height of the barrier layer is high enough to prevent the electrons from traveling in the reverse direction.

Abstract: Characterization of organic contaminants in subsurface formation is performed by methods for detecting the presence of nonaqueous phase liquid in a subsurface formation, and for determining the composition and for determining the volume of nonaqueous phase liquids. Generally the methods comprise introducing one or more partitioning tracers and one or more non-partitioning tracers at one or more injection points located in the subsurface formation and measuring separation between the one or more partitioning tracers and the one or more non-partitioning tracers from one or more sampling points located in the subsurface formation to determine presence, composition and/or volume of nonaqueous phase liquid in the subsurface formation. In addition, the methods can be used to assess the performance of an attempted remediation.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the use of attenuated Coxsackievirus cardiotropic virus vectors as efficient gene transfer vectors to deliver immunomodulatory or other biologically active proteins and/or antigenic epitopes in transient infections to aid in preventing, ameliorating, and/or ablating infectious viral heart disease and reducing, or ablating entirely, heart transplant rejection. Additionally, other organs or tissues may be targeted with specific picornaviruses. In particular, an attenuated CVB3 viral vector able to express a cytokine is provided. This cytokine-expressing viral vector is able to deliver the cytokine to a target tissue and reduce disease symptoms.

Abstract: The invention provides assays for the identification of modulators of Site-1 protease. Further provided by the invention are expression constructs and the transgenic cells useful for the development of such assays for Site-1 specific protease. The cells allow the implementation of in vitro assays for potential modulators of Site-specific proteases. Still further provided by the invention are in vitro assays employing Site-1 protease which has been isolated from cells.

Abstract: This invention provides novel high density memory devices that are electrically addressable permitting effective reading and writing, that provide a high memory density (e.g., 1015 bits/cm3), that provide a high degree of fault tolerance, and that are amenable to efficient chemical synthesis and chip fabrication. The devices are intrinsically latchable, defect tolerant, and support destructive or non-destructive read cycles. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a fixed electrode electrically coupled to a storage medium comprising a storage molecule comprising a first subunit and a second subunit wherein the first and second subunits are tightly coupled such that oxidation of the first subunit alters the oxidation potential(s) of the second subunit rendering the oxidation potential(s) of the second unit different and distinguishable from the oxidation potentials of the first subunit.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing objects as well as the sterilized objects obtained from the method are disclosed. The method involves contacting an object such as a medical device to be reused with polycationic dendrimer under conditions which result in rendering a conformationally altered protein (e.g. a prion) non-infectious. A disinfecting agent or surgical scrub composition which comprises the dendrimers is also disclosed as are gelatin capsules treated with polycationic dendrimers.

Abstract: New icosahedral borohydrates Cs2[closo-B12(OH)12]; Cs[closo-1-H-1-CB11(OH)11]; and closo-1,12-H2-1,12-C2B10(OH)10 are disclosed. Also set forth are their preparation by refluxing the icosahedral boranes [closo-B12H12]2−, [closo-1-CB11H12]− and closo-1,12-(CH2OH)2-1,12-C2B10H10 with a hydroxylating agent, preferably 30%w hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of prune tree (i.e., Prunus domestica) is provided that resulted from a controlled breeding program. The new cultivar exhibits extreme precocity and a vigorous growth habit. Flowers are formed in abundance. Very large early-maturing fruit also is formed in abundance on a regular basis that is dark purple under a greyish and waxy epidermal bloom. The fruit is particularly well suited for the fresh prune market.