Abstract: This invention provides a system for modeling neurodegenerative and other diseases through somatic gene transfer. In addition, methods of multiple gene transfer, disease analysis and drug testing are provided for.

Abstract: A method of remote surveillance and assisted care using a mobile communication device can include determining a location of a user. The method can also include adjusting at least one camera according to the location, and capturing an image of an area around the location. Further, the method can include transmitting the image to a remote information processing system.

Abstract: A system for disinfecting a fluid containing microorganisms or chemical contaminants includes a plurality of photocatalyst surfaces secured to a solid surface upon which a fluid to be disinfected contacts. A structure for removing a portion of the photogenerated electrons is in electrical contact with the photocatalyst layer, wherein an electron-hole recombination rate involving the photogenerated electrons and holes is reduced, thus increasing the removal rate of microorganisms or chemical contaminants from the fluid. The system can include a source of photons having a wavelength corresponding to a band gap energy of the photocatalyst to illuminate the photocatalyst layer. The invention can be used in air supply registers of a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system, or in air ducts, or used to disinfect wall coverings, floor coverings, envelopes, packages, and clothing articles.

Abstract: A system for disinfecting a fluid containing microorganisms or chemical contaminants includes a plurality of photocatalyst surfaces secured to a solid surface upon which a fluid to be disinfected contacts. A structure for removing a portion of the photogenerated electrons is in electrical contact with the photocatalyst layer, wherein an electron-hole recombination rate involving the photogenerated electrons and holes is reduced, thus increasing the removal rate of microorganisms or chemical contaminants from the fluid. The system can include a source of photons having a wavelength corresponding to a band gap energy of the photocatalyst to illuminate the photocatalyst layer. The invention can be used in air supply registers of a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system, or in air ducts, or used to disinfect wall coverings, floor coverings, envelopes, packages, and clothing articles.

Abstract: Polyamines having the formula: or a salt thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid wherein: R1-R6 may be the same or different and are alkyl, aryl, aryl alkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally having an alkyl chain interrupted by at least one etheric oxygen atom, or hydrogen; N1, N2, N3 and N4 are nitrogen atoms capable of protonation at physiological pH's; a and b may be the same or different and are integers from 1 to 4; A, B and C may be the same or different and are bridging groups which effectively maintain the distance between the nitrogen atoms such that the polyamines: (i) are capable of uptake by a target cell upon administration thereof to a human or non-human animal; and (ii) upon uptake by the target cell, competitively bind via an electrostatic interaction between the positively charged nitrogen atoms to substantially the same biological counter-anions as the intracellular natural polyamines in the target cell; the polyamines, upon binding to the biological counter-anion in the cell, functio

Abstract: A dynamically configurable logic gate can include a controller configured to provide a first threshold reference signal; an adder configured to sum the first threshold reference signal and at least one input signal to generate a summed signal; a chaotic updater configured to apply a nonlinear function to the summed signal; and a subtractor configured to determine an output signal by taking a difference between a second threshold reference signal and the processed summed signal from the chaotic updater. The logic gate can operate as one of a plurality of different logic gates responsive to adjusting at least one of the threshold reference signals.

Abstract: Vectors that encode Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Rep and Cap proteins of different serotypes and Adenovirus transcription products that provide helper functions were used to produce pseudotyped recombinant AAV (rAAV) virions. Purification methods generated pseudotyped rAAV virion stocks that were 99% pure with titers of 1×1012–1×1013 vector genomes/ml.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the specification and drawings include a combination responsive to an acoustic wave that can be utilized as a dynamic pressure sensor. In one embodiment of the present invention, the combination has a substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, a microphone positioned on the first surface of the substrate and having an input and a first output and a second output, wherein the input receives a biased voltage, and the microphone generates an output signal responsive to the acoustic wave between the first output and the second output. The combination further has an amplifier positioned on the first surface of the substrate and having a first input and a second input and an output, wherein the first input of the amplifier is electrically coupled to the first output of the microphone and the second input of the amplifier is electrically coupled to the second output of the microphone for receiving the output signal from the microphone.

Abstract: A true single-chip radio for bidirectional wireless communications includes a bulk substrate, at least one integrated antenna, at least one transceiver, baseband circuitry and at least one filter all integrally formed in or on the substrate. The radio preferably includes a low-loss dielectric propagating layer disposed beneath the substrate to improve antenna gain. The integrated antenna can be an adaptive array for beamforming.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chimeric peptides and templates containing a combination of antagonist and agonist endogenous ligand residues. In particular, the present invention relates to novel chimeric peptides and templates thereof based upon melanocortin agonist peptides and agouti related protein (AGRP). The present invention provides multifunctional chimeric peptides having specific bioactivity at melanocortin receptors and their use as drugs to treat various diseases and conditions.

Abstract: A method of delivering radiation treatment using multi-leaf collimation includes the step of providing a radiation fluence map which includes an intensity profile. The fluence map is converted into a preliminary leaf sequence, wherein the preliminary leaf sequence minimizes machine on-time and is generated without leaf movement constraints. The leaf movement constraint is imposed on the preliminary leaf sequence. At least one constraint elimination algorithm is then applied, the algorithm adjusting the preliminary leaf sequence to minimize violations of the constraint while providing the desired fluence map and minimized radiation on-time. The method can be applied to SMLC and DLMC systems, and can include adjustment for the tongue-and-groove effect.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for titrating the oxygen content delivered to a patient via an open delivery system and reduce fire risk. The apparatus may include a nasal cannula or face mask and an anesthesia machine having an air flowmeter. The cannula may be in fluid connection with one or more gas outlets on the anesthesia machine. The cannula may provide a user-adjustable reduced O2 content gas flow to the patient. By providing an O2 gas mixture having a lower concentration of O2, the present invention significantly mitigates the risk of surgical fires. The apparatus may also include an anesthesia machine having an electronic flowmeter, either alone or in conjunction with the cannula, for maintaining oxygen saturation at a selected level. The apparatus may also include an anesthesia machine having an additional operating mode for use with an open delivery system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the specification and drawings include a system and method for monitoring the ventilation support provided by a ventilator and automatically supplying a breathing gas to a patient via a breathing circuit that is in fluid communication with the lungs of the patient.

Abstract: Processes, methods, materials and compositions for phytoremediating contaminated waters, which have been contaminated with pollutants such as arsenic. Fern plants that include Pteris and non-Pteris fern plants can be used to accumulate pollutants from contaminated water, including aqueous solution, waste water, ground water, surface water, combinations thereof. Pollutants and contaminants can be removed from the water, soil and wetland type environment via phytoremediation through roots and fronds as well as by applying excised portions of plants such as leaflets (cut-off fronds). The biomass can be harvested and readily disposed of, or can be treated to recover the pollutants and contaminants.

Abstract: A system for disinfecting a fluid containing microorganisms or chemical contaminants includes a plurality of photocatalyst surfaces secured to a solid surface upon which a fluid to be disinfected contacts. A structure for removing a portion of the photogenerated electrons is in electrical contact with the photocatalyst layer, wherein an electron-hole recombination rate involving the photogenerated electrons and holes is reduced, thus increasing the removal rate of microorganisms or chemical contaminants from the fluid. The system can include a source of photons having a wavelength corresponding to a band gap energy of the photocatalyst to illuminate the photocatalyst layer. The invention can be used in air supply registers of a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system, or in air ducts, or used to disinfect wall coverings, floor coverings, envelopes, packages, and clothing articles.

Abstract: A method of integrating physiologic data including receiving physiologic treatment data from at least two bedside machines and converting the physiologic treatment data into a machine independent format. The physiologic treatment data can be presented in perceptual real-time. For example, physiologic treatment data from multiple sources can be simultaneously presented within a single graphical user interface. The graphical user interface can be interactive so that displayed graphs can be replotted and timelines revised responsive to user input, such as a point-and-drag motion.

Abstract: A device for determining physical properties of aerated particulate materials. The device may be formed from an inner container positioned in an outer container, wherein the inner container is adapted to hold a particulate material. An air source is in fluid communication with the inner container for passing air through the inner container. A load application device may extend into the inner container for applying an axial load to a particulate material while air is flowing through the particulate material. The device may include an environmental chamber for controlling humidity and temperature of the air being passed through the particulate material. The device may also include numerous sensors for measuring temperature, pressure, changes in volume, humidity, and other parameters. The sensors may be monitored by a storage device, such as a computer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the ex vivo diagnostic analysis of samples of bodily fluids, including exhaled breath and blood. The present invention uses nanostructure-based assemblies in combination with sensor technology to provide an efficient and accurate means for identifying the presence of a target analyte/biomarker in a sample of bodily fluid. In a preferred embodiment, the nanostructure-based assemblies of the present invention include detecting means such as RNA oligonucleotide chains or “apparatus” and releasable surrogate markers such as DMSO.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for detecting exposure to environmental tobacco smoke by analyzing a sample of breath using electronic sensor technology, including surface acoustic-wave gas sensor technology. The method determines the presence and concentration of substance(s) (or a class of substances) indicative of environmental smoke exposure. Diagnostic software is used to identify substances where a stored library of signatures is compared to the signature obtained from the system. Signal processing and neural networks are preferably utilized in the analysis.

Abstract: Phenyl- and pyridyl-substituted thiazoline acid derivatives useful in diagnosing and treating pathological conditions associated with an excess of trivalent metals in humans and animals.