Abstract: Although it can be farnesylated, the mutant lamin A protein expressed in Hutchinson Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) cannot be defarnesylated because the characteristic mutation causes deletion of a cleavage site necessary for binding the protease ZMPSTE24 and effecting defarnesylation. The result is an aberrant farnesylated protein (called “progerin”) that alters normal lamin A function as a dominant negative, as well as assuming its own aberrant function through its association with the nuclear membrane. The retention of farnesylation, and potentially other abnormal properties of progerin and other abnormal lamin gene protein products, produces disease. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) (both direct effectors and indirect inhibitors) will inhibit the formation of progerin, cause a decrease in lamin A protein, and/or an increase prelamin A protein. Decreasing the amount of aberrant protein improves cellular effects caused by and progerin expression.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a metal oxide surface treatment with a fluoroalkyl silanizing agent.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting moving targets comprises transmitting electromagnetic waves rays from a plurality of transmitters at sequential; receiving reflected waves into a plurality of receivers after each transmission; the compilation of the reflected waves from the plurality of receivers for each transmission representing a data frame; forming a signal that monitors changes between the two sets of frames; at least one processor operating to process and compare frames; forming a difference image using a back-projection algorithm; scanning the difference image using a constant false alarm rate (CFAR) window; the CFAR window scanning the entire difference image and identifying a list of points of interest and eliminating the sidelobe artifacts present in the difference image thereby creating CFAR images; processing the CFAR images using morphological processing to create a morphological image; determining the number of clusters present in the morphological image; using K-means clustering to indicate the

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to oligodeoxynucleotides that suppress an immune response. Methods are disclosed for inhibiting or treating inflammatory lung disease by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a suppressive oligodeoxynucleotide.

Abstract: Methods of forming a graphene material on a surface are presented. A metal material is disposed on a material substrate or material layer and is infused with carbon, for example, by exposing the metal to a carbon-containing vapor. The carbon-containing metal material is annealed to cause graphene to precipitate onto the bottom of the metal material to form a graphene layer between the metal material and the material substrate/material layer and also onto the top and/or sides of the metal material. Graphene material is removed from the top and sides of the metal material and then the metal material is removed, leaving only the graphene layer that was formed on the bottom of the metal material. In some cases graphene material that formed on one or more side of the sides of the metal material is not removed so that a vertical graphene material layer is formed.

Abstract: A device and system is provided for amplifying vibrations resulting from underwater acoustic signals. In operation, a laser interrogation beam is directed along an axis at the retro-reflector device and is responsive to reflections directed along the axis of the interrogation beam. The retro-reflector device reflects a signal back to a source and a tracking signal superimposed on an interrogation beam enables continuous sensing of the reflected signal to reduce signal dropout. A glint tracker is provided for tracking the tracking beam on the surface. A tracker system superimposes the tracking and interrogation beams and is responsive to reflected glints in order to establish a directional location. An interferometer responsive to the reflected interrogation beam produces an interference signal for enabling continuous measurement of surface vibrations.

Abstract: A method of implementing a high-power coherent laser beam combining system in which the output of a master oscillator laser having a linewidth broader than the Stimulated Brillouin Scattering linewidth of the laser signal is split into N signals and fed into an array of N optical fibers. This is a modification of the self-synchronous LOCSET and self-referenced LOCSET phase matching systems in which the optical path length of each optical fiber is matched to less than the signal coherence length of the master oscillator by using a path length matching signal processor to modulate temperature controlled segments of each optical fiber.

Abstract: Methods for remote detection of humans can include the step of transmitting vertically polarized electromagnetic signals into an area of interest (AOI) when no humans are present. A first time domain measurement of return response signal energy from the AOI can be accomplished to establish a background signal. A second time domain measurement of response signal energy from the AOI can be made when at least one human is present, to establish a background-plus-human signal. The two signals can be subtracted to yield a reference time domain human signal. The electromagnetic signal is periodically re-transmitted. The background subtracted from subsequent response energy, and the result compared to the reference time domain human signal. A visual or audible indication occurs when the resulting signal matches the reference signal. Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT) of the time domain signals can be used to yield frequency responses, which can be monitored.

Abstract: The claimed invention provides a fusion polypeptide comprising a fibrous protein domain and a mineralization domain. The fusion is used to form an organic-inorganic composite. These organic-inorganic composites can be constructed from the nano- to the macro-scale depending on the size of the fibrous protein fusion domain used. In one embodiment, the composites can also be loaded with other compounds (e.g., dyes, drugs, enzymes) depending on the goal for the materials, to further enhance function. This can be achieved during assembly of the material or during the mineralization step in materials formation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to methods of using the secretory protein SCGB3A2 for promoting lung development and treating lung disease. Some embodiments are, for example, methods for treating and inhibiting the development of neonatal respiratory distress. Other embodiments are methods of promoting lung development in damaged or diseased lungs. Also disclosed are methods for inhibiting lung damage due to anti-cancer agents.

Abstract: A composite material having: particles of a first lithium-metal oxide compound, particles of a conductive second lithium-metal oxide compound, a conductive matrix, and a polymeric binder.

Abstract: A flechette has a forward body (20) containing its center of gravity which is connected to a tail section (24). The tail section has a pair of fins (24A, 24B) each having a preselected longitudinal angle and radial angle. When the two fins are viewed from the aft of the flechette, the pair of fins demonstrate a S-shaped orientation. The size, shape and orientation of the pair of fins provide aerodynamic stability to the flechette while allowing the flechette to be stacked with like-shaped flechettes. The two-piece assembly of the flechette easily accommodates the use of different density materials for the respective pieces.

Abstract: A method and system of data transmission; the method comprising: converting data into qubits; transmitting a first qubit; measuring the first qubit at receiver location; determining whether or not to transmit portions of data from a sequential successive qubit based upon the value of the first qubit measured at the receiver location.

Abstract: The present invention features immunogenic compositions based on pre-fertilization or post-fertilization antigens expressed in the circulating gametocytes in the peripheral blood of infected persons or on the malaria parastes' stages of development in the mosquito midgut including extracellular male and female gametes, fertilized zygote and ookinete. The invention also features methods to prevent the transmission of malaria using the immunogenic compositions of the invention.

Abstract: System and method to partition littoral regions by profiles of specific parameters using fuzzy c-mean clustering. Fuzzy cluster partitions assign each datum to a set of data clusters such that the sum cluster membership probability of the point is equal to unity. Partial memberships can supply information about transition areas from one cluster to another.

Abstract: A device for the positioning of fiber optic output including a base having a hole disposed at a midpoint thereof, a collar having an opening at a midpoint, a plurality of bimorph actuators, each actuator connected to an outer side surface of the base and located at opposite ends, a plurality of flexible beams, each having a first end connected to the collar and a second end connected to a bimorph actuator, a flexible tube inserted in the hole, where a bottom end of the tube is cantilevered at a bottom of the base and a top end of the tube is inserted in the opening of the collar, and a fiber optic embedded in the flexible tube.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus is presented, having a Lambertian or quasi-Lambertian light source with an emitter side, as well as a reflector structure having an output side and a reflective surface with a concave parabolic contour that reflects light from the emitter side of the light source to provide Lambertian or quasi-Lambertian output light from the output side.

Abstract: A purified DOC1 polypeptide comprising a fragment of SEQ ID NO: 1 is provided, wherein the DOC1 polypeptide is not the full-length DOC1 polypeptide sequence. A method of inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject is provided comprising administering to a subject a nucleic acid encoding a DOC1 polypeptide, whereby a cell in the subject produces the DOC1 polypeptide, thus inhibiting angiogenesis. A method of inhibiting tumor growth in a subject is provided comprising administering to a subject a nucleic acid encoding a DOC1 polypeptide, whereby a cell in the subject produces the DOC1 polypeptide, thus inhibiting tumor growth.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind poly-?-D-glutamic acid (?DPGA), which is present on the surface of Bacillus anthracis. The disclosure also provides chimeric forms of the monoclonal antibodies, humanized forms of the monoclonal antibodies, and fragments thereof, as well as nucleic acids encoding the antibodies and fragments thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies are also disclosed herein. The disclosure further provides prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods of using the disclosed antibodies.

Abstract: Described herein are nucleic acid modules for cloning, expression and tagging of eukaryotic membrane proteins. The nucleic acid modules include a receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) signal sequence, a nucleic acid sequence encoding a tag and a multiple cloning sequence (MCS). Any membrane protein of interest can be cloned into the MCS for expression in cells. The nucleic acid modules can encode any type of tag, such as an epitope tag or affinity tag. The nucleic acid modules disclosed herein can be used to express any type of membrane protein and are particularly suited to the expression and tagging of Type I and Type III membrane proteins.