Abstract: A gas sensor includes an in-fiber resonant wavelength device provided in a fiber core at a first location. The fiber propagates a sensing light and a power light. A layer of a material is attached to the fiber at the first location. The material is able to absorb the gas at a temperature dependent gas absorption rate. The power light is used to heat the material and increases the gas absorption rate, thereby increasing sensor performance, especially at low temperatures. Further, a method is described of flash heating the gas sensor to absorb more of the gas, allowing the sensor to cool, thereby locking in the gas content of the sensor material, and taking the difference between the starting and ending resonant wavelengths as an indication of the concentration of the gas in the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to inhibitors of thioredoxin. Certain embodiments relate to palmarumycin based compounds and methods of using the same. Such compounds may be useful in inhibiting the overexpression of thioredoxin, inhibiting tumor growth and treating cancer.

Abstract: Nuclear matrix proteins (NMP) which are characterized by a defined expression in tissue are provided. These NMPs are useful markers in diagnosing and monitoring the stage of malignancy of a cell and treating cell proliferative disorders associated with the NMP. Also provided are substantially purified polypeptides and polynucleotide sequences encoding the NMPs, and particularly, those of BLCA-1, and antibodies thereto.

Abstract: The invention provides a herpes simplex virus vector comprising deletions in ICP4, ICP27, and UL55.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy, and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) are provided. A unified heteronuclear coil system includes a volume coil tuned to detect a first nuclei and a butterfly coil tuned to detect a second nuclei for simultaneous detection of both the first nuclei and the second nuclei signals from human breast tissue and perform MRIS. First nuclei and second nuclei each include 1H, 13C, 31P, 23Na, and 19F. The heteronuclear coil system affords detection of NMR-detectable chemicals specific to cancerous breast tissue to improve breast cancer diagnostic specificity. Adjustment of the heteronuclear coil system to detect various nuclei, combined with a specific pulse excitation sequence, facilitates chemical analysis that provides for chemical discrimination and characterization of compounds present in cancerous and other breast tissue as well as healthy breast physiology.

Abstract: A method of generating a normalized matrix for use in determining one or more read accuracies of an RFID tag at selected points in space relative to a transmitter associated with the RFID tag. The method may further include using the normalized matrix to determine a particular read accuracy of the RFID tag at a particular point in space relative to the transmitter. Also, a method of generating a power scaling factor for determining the read accuracy of an RFID tag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for functionally occluding the lumen of the left atrial appendage (LAA) is provided. Access to the LAA is through an epicardial approach. The devices function to capture the LAA through various non-invasive means. After capturing the LAA with the devices and methods provided, a clamping device is preferably disposed about the base of the appendage. In certain embodiments, the appendage remains viable subsequent to the functional occlusion of the lumen.

Abstract: Energy harvesting circuits and associated methods are provided that employ multiple antennas to optimize the amount of energy that is harvested while at the same time making efficient use of tag space. In some embodiments, matching networks are chosen in a manner that optimizes the DC energy that is created from the harvesting process. In other embodiments, phase shifts are introduced into the received signals to allow the signals to be more efficiently combined after they are rectified.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for treating an illness that is caused or associated with cellular damage or dysfunction which is caused by excessive mitochondrial production of reaction oxygen species (ROS). Compositions which act as mitochondria-selective targeting agents using specific structural signaling features recognizable by cells as mitochondrial targeting sequences are discussed. A method for delivering these agents effectively into cells and mitochondria where they act as electron scavengers by way of certain targeting sequences is also disclosed. Mitochondria dysfunction and cell death by way of apoptosis is inhibited as a result of the ROS-scavenging activity, thereby increasing the survival rate of the patient. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions and methods may be administered therapeutically in the field to patients with profound hemorrhagic shock so that survival could be prolonged until it is feasible to obtain surgical control of the bleeding vessels.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a random or semirandom siRNA (encoding) library. Another aspect of the invention pertains to methods for construction of random or semirandom siRNA (encoding) libraries. Another aspect of the invention is vector systems for use in constructing siRNA libraries and/or that can express single siRNAs and siRNA libraries both constitutively and in an inducible fashion. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of using an siRNA library. The siRNA library is introduced into a population of cells. The population of cells then is subjected to a selection process to select a subpopulation of cells exhibiting a different behavioral, biochemical, chemical, functional, molecular, morphological, phenotypic, or physical property from the remainder of population. Following the selection process, the subpopulation of cells can be isolated, analyzed, and/or cloned as desired.

Abstract: A power management method for a transponder having a plurality of circuits including at least a first circuit having a first active state requiring at least a first power level, and a second circuit having a second active state requiring at least a second power level greater than the first power level includes receiving a reader device signal in the first circuit, determining in the first circuit, based on information included in the reader signal, whether the reader signal requires a circuit other than the first circuit to operate, and causing the first circuit to provide a wake-up signal and the reader signal to the second circuit if it is determined that the reader signal requires a circuit other than the first circuit to operate. The wake-up signal causes the second circuit to move from an inactive state to the second active state.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of determining a diagnosis or prognosis of motor neuron disease in a mammal comprising determining the expression level of one or more proteins or polypeptides of the renin-angiotensin system in a sample taken from a subject. Similarly, aberrant post-translational modification of the proteins or polypeptides as compared to a negative control indicates a diagnosis of disease.

Abstract: A method of irreversibly immobilizing an enzyme in a polyurethane and an enzyme-containing polyurethane having a degree of immobilization of the enzyme of approximately 100%. The synthesis of waterborne polyurethanes in the presence of enzyme has enabled the irreversible attachment of the enzyme to the polymeric matrix. The distribution of immobilized enzyme as well as activity retention are homogeneous within the polyurethane. Decreasing ECC hydrophobicity, via the use of a less hydrophobic polyisocyanate prepolymer during polymerization, significantly enhanced the intrinsic activity of the ECC.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and an associated method for remotely energizing power storage devices. Energization may preferably be effected through the use of RF energy from a base station, ambient energy or ultra-wide band energy. The remote station preferably has at least one antenna having an effective area greater than its physical area. The system may have an antenna and associated circuitry provided on an electronic chip such as a monolithic chip or on a printed circuit with a suitable substrate.

Abstract: Novel wortmannin analogs and their use in inhibiting PI-3-kinase activity in mammals and the treatment or prevention of cancer and tumor formation in a subject are described herein. Preferably, the wortmannin analogs may be administered with other chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a receptor, other than an immunoglobulin, wherein the receptor binds to a MUC1 tumor antigen independently of an major histocompatibility complex (MHC).

Abstract: The invention provides anticancer methods. In one embodiment, the inventive method involves the co-administration to cancerous cells of (a) a chemotherapeutic agent, radiation, or a combination of a chemotherapeutic agent and radiation and (b) an inhibitor of DNA polymerase beta. In another embodiment, the invention provides anticancer methods involving the co-administration to cancerous cells of (a) a chemotherapeutic agent, radiation, or a combination of a chemotherapeutic agent and radiation and (b) an siRNA or shRNA in an amount sufficient to attenuate base excision repair within the cell. Another aspect of the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising an siRNA or shRNA that attenuates base excision repair.

Abstract: A high-speed biplane radiography system for in-vivo assessment of joint function is provided. The system can acquire stereo-pair radiographic images at rates from 30-4000 frames per second of nearly any motion or joint. The radiographic equipment can be mounted in a gantry system that provides sufficient positioning flexibility for imaging different joints of a subject's body, along with an imaging area large enough for a variety of dynamic activities (e.g., walking, running, jumping, throwing, etc.). Three-dimensional (3D) bone positions can be determined using software for matching the bones in each X-ray image with 3D models developed from subject-specific CT (computed tomography) scans. This system can provide accurate (e.g., ±0.1 mm) assessment and direct 3D visualization of dynamic joint function, and can overcome limitations of conventional gate or motion analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for (a) reducing mortality associated with heart failure; (b) improving oxygen consumption; (c) treating heart failure; (d) treating hypertension; (e) improving the quality of life in a heart failure patient; (f) inhibiting left ventricular remodeling; (g) reducing hospitalizations related to heart failure; (h) improving exercise tolerance; (j) increasing left ventricular ejection fraction; (k) decreasing levels of B-type natriuretic protein; (l) treating renovascular diseases; (m) treating end-stage renal diseases; (n) reducing cardiomegaly; (o) treating diseases resulting from oxidative stress; (p) treating endothelial dysfunctions; (q) treating diseases caused by endothelial dysfunctions; (r) treating cardiovascular diseases; in a patient in need thereof, wherein the patient has at least one polymorphism in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) gene, comprising administering to the patient (i) at least one antioxidant compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt ther

Abstract: A method of designing an integrated circuit for use in an application having standards having a plurality of primitives, wherein each of the primitives has a corresponding response. The method includes generating a macros description of each of the primitives and the response corresponding to each of the primitives, generating a template relating to the response corresponding to each of the primitives, receiving information specifying a behavior of the integrated circuit in response to the primitives based on the template, and generating a hardware description language representation for the integrated circuit based on the macros description and the information.