Abstract: The present invention provides a strategy that allows for selective switching off of both transgene and viral gene expression in tissues where such expression is undesirable. The present invention employs a vector containing a tissue specific promoter that drives expression of Cre recombinase gene in tissue where transgene expression is undesirable. As a result of Cre recombinase expression, the same or another vector that expresses the transgene in that tissue will be cut by the action of the Cre recombinase into several pieces due to LoxP sites that are strategically placed within the vector backbone. Consequently, unwanted transgene as well as viral gene expression are prevented.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering and managing location information in mobile communication networks using a fast recovery protocol and load balanced query and update processes. According to the fast recovery protocol, if a location update processor does not receive a message from a global database server acknowledging receipt by the global database server of a location update message after a predetermined retry interval has elapsed since the location update message was sent by the location update processor, the location update processor sends a location update retry message after each predetermined retry interval elapses until the location update processor receives an acknowledgement message from the global database server. The global database server can use the location update retry messages and the predetermined retry interval to recover from a database or link failure. The recovery period using the fast recovery protocol is bounded by the predetermined retry interval.

Abstract: The method comprises establishing the number of subsets of a dataset that have a range of the difference between any two datapoints within the dataset, and computing a control chart for the range based thereon. In another aspect, a software program for accomplishing the method of the present invention is provided. The method of the invention allows monitoring variability of a product being produced by a particular piece of machinery, of a process conducted by the machinery, or of a product stream generated thereby, accurately detecting changes in variability in real time. The true distribution of the data is reflected, and the desired result is achieved without requiring an inordinate number of computations.

Abstract: A low resolution data acquisition system is presented. The data acquisition system has a plurality of readout modules serially connected to a controller. Each readout module has a FPGA in communication with analog to digital (A/D) converters, which are connected to sensors. The A/D converter has eight bit or lower resolution. The FPGA detects when a command is addressed to it and commands the A/D converters to convert analog sensor data into digital data. The digital data is sent on a high speed serial communication bus to the controller. A graphical display is used in one embodiment to indicate if a sensor reading is outside of a predetermined range.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are methods of non-invasive genetic immunization in an animal and/or methods of inducing a systemic immune or therapeutic response in an animal, products therefrom and uses for the methods and products therefrom. The methods can include contacting skin of the animal with a vector in an amount effective to induce the systemic immune or therapeutic response in the animal. The vector can include and express an exogenous nucleic acid molecule encoding an epitope or gene product of interest. The systemic immune response can be to or from the epitope or gene product. The nucleic acid molecule can encode an epitope of interest and/or an antigen of interest and/or a nucleic acid molecule that stimulates and/or modulates an immunological response and/or stimulates and/or modulates expression, e.g., transcription and/or translation, such as transcription and/or translation of an endogenous and/or exogenous nucleic acid molecule; e.g.

Abstract: Endogenous protein hormones, fragments thereof including epitopes, and synthetic peptides mimicking epitope regions of hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin can be conjugated to a foreign carrier or otherwise modified so as to produce antibodies in humans against the endogenous protein hormone. Synthetic analogs to the 38 to 57 sequence of the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin have been found which upon conjugation to a suitable foreign carrier can be employed to raise a high level of antibodies to human chorionic gonadotropin with a significant decrease in antibodies reactive to human pituitary luteinizing hormones. Upon conjugation to a foreign carrier such analogs may be administered to humans to treat hormone-associated carcinomas and for purposes of contraception.

Abstract: A method for killing infectious microbial cells by exposing the microbial cells to endogenous antimicrobial compounds. Activation of the antimicrobials is achieved by addition of low permeability, non-ionic osmolytes to lower ionic strength in body fluids where the antimicrobials have been previously suppressed by alteration of ionic transport (increase in salt concentration). The method can be used to treat cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis causes elevated salt concentrations in the airway surface liquid (ASL) occur due to the impaired chloride transport across the epithelia. Xylitol has been found to be an effective low permeability, non-ionic osmolyte for use in the present invention.

Abstract: A surface aeration impeller for use in a liquid filled tank. The impeller is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the static liquid surface. The impeller has a plurality of blades mounted on the underside of a disc or disc-like surface. Each blade has a multi-faceted or curved geometry ranging from vertical at the point of attachment to the disc to partially inclined at the bottom. The blades are spaced circumferentially about the axis and are disposed at acute angles to radial lines from the axis of rotation of the impeller. The lower portions of the blades, which are inclined but non-vertical, are positioned at or below the static liquid surface. When the impeller is rotated, the lower portion pumps the liquid up onto the vertical portion of the blades where the liquid is discharged into a spray umbrella in a direction upwardly and outwardly away from the impeller.

Abstract: The present invention provides immunogenic synthetic fusion polypeptide which stimulates an immune response against a selected pathogen, comprising at least two immunogenic polypeptides from a Group A streptococci of at least 10 amino acids in length which are capable of stimulating an immune response against Group A strepococci, and a peptide C terminal to the immunogenic polypeptide which protects the immunogenicity of the immunogenic portion, wherein the C-terminal peptide is not required to stimulate an immune response against Group A streptococci.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices, kits, and methods for eliminating termite colonies. The kits, devices, and methods employ a termiticidal bait matrix containing a) a termiticide selected such that the termiticide causes death to about 50 to about 100% of termites within about 24 to about 84 days after the termites begin to ingest the termiticide or the bait matrix comprising the termiticide, b) a cellulose containing material, and c) water. The termiticidal bait matrix can be used in a bait station installed in the ground. The kits are suitable to be used by consumers in their homes.

Abstract: A microscale biosensor for use in the detection of target biological substances including molecules and cells is a microfluidic system with integrated electronics, inlet-outlet ports and interface schemes, high sensitivity detection of pathogen specificity, and processing of biological materials at semiconductor interfaces. A fabrication process includes an all top-side processing for the formation of fluidic channels, planar fluidic interface ports, integrated metal electrodes for impedance measurements, and a glass cover sealing the non-planar topography of the chip using spin-on-glass as an intermediate bonding layer. Detection sensitivity is enhanced by small fluid volumes, use of a low-conductivity buffer, and electrical magnitude or phase measurements over a range of frequencies.

Abstract: This invention relates to purified monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to a Rupestris stem pitting associated virus coat protein or coat protein polypeptide, and methods of detecting a Rupestris stem pitting associated virus.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof in association with a charged lipid, wherein the charged lipid has an overall net charge which is opposite to that of the agent upon association with the agent. Release of the agent from the administered particles occurs in a sustained fashion.

Abstract: Fluoroalkanes such as fluoromethane labeled with 17F are produced by contacting 17F labeled F2 with alkanes, preferably methane, substituted or unsubstituted alkenes, or substituted or unsubstituted alkynes in the presence of a metal oxide catalyst, preferably a silver oxide catalyst, to produce the 17F labeled fluoroalkane. The 17F may be produced by irradiating 20Ne with protons, preferably having an energy of about 11 MeV and produced by a cyclotron. The 17F labeled fluoromethane or fluoroalkanes may be produced continuously. A method for determining the location of an 17F labeled tracer includes generating an 17F labeled fluoroalkane, administering the 17F labeled fluoroalkane to a test subject, and scanning the test subject with a radiosensitive detector such as a positron emission tomography scanner.

Abstract: A method for observing and determining the size of individual molecules and for determining the weight distribution of a sample containing molecules of varying size, which involves placing a deformable or nondeformable molecule in a medium, subjecting the molecule to an external force, thereby causing conformational and/or positional changes, and then measuring these changes. Preferred ways to measure conformational and positional changes include: (1) determining the rate at which a deformable molecule returns to a relaxed state after termination of the external force, (2) determining the rate at which a molecule becomes oriented in a new direction when the direction of the perturbing force is changed, (3) determining the rate at which a molecule rotates, (4) measuring the length of a molecule, particularly when it is at least partially stretched, or (5) measuring at least one diameter of a spherical or ellipsoidal molecule.

Abstract: Various articles of manufacture, such as electrosurgical scalpels, razor blades, electronic components and mechanical components having a quasicrystalline AlCuFe alloy film less than about 10,000 Å thick. Such articles of manufacture may be formed by depositing (in sequence) on a substrate through radio frequency sputtering a stoichiometric amount of each respective alloy material and then annealing those layers to form the film through solid state diffusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for preparing a nanocomposite comprising: a. preparing an organoclay material by reacting a swellable layered clay with an onium ion represented by Formula (I): wherein i) M is nitrogen or phosphorus, ii) R1 is a straight or branched alkyl group having at least 8 carbon atoms, iii) R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from organic or oligomeric ligands or hydrogen, and iv) at least one of R2, R3, and R4 comprises an alkylene oxide group having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms or a polyalkylene oxide group, and b. melt mixing the organoclay material with an expanding agent, and c. melt extruding the expanded organoclay and a polymer to provide a nanocomposite.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of an ATP binding cassette transporter and mutated sequences thereof associated with macular degeneration. Methods of detecting agents that modify ATP-binding cassette transporter comprising combining purified ATP binding cassette transporter and at least one agent suspected of modifying the ATP binding cassette transporter an observing a change in at least one characteristic associated with ATP binding cassette transporter. Methods of detecting macular degeneration is also embodied by the present invention.

Abstract: A device is provided for measuring the mechanical impedance of its surroundings. The device includes a force generator, a force sensor (32), an accelerometer unit (34), an electronic unit capable of calculating the impedance of the basis of outputs received from a device component and suitable power and control signal sources.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting leukocyte O2− production and attracting luekocytes using specific peptides are disclosed. Theses peptides include the proline-arginine (PR)-rich antimicrobial peptide known as PR-39 and truncated analogs thereof. These peptides can be used as medicaments that fight infection by attracting leukocytes to a wound site, yet restrict tissue damage at the wound site caused by excessive oxygen radicals produced by these leukocytes.