Abstract: Microfluidic channels utilizing magnetohydrodynamics are used to pump very small volumes of solution. The channels have electrodes along the walls of the channel and a current carrying species within the solution carries the current through the solution. The electric field generated by the use of the current carrying species is perpendicular to a magnetic field applied to the channel. The combination of the electric and magnetic fields causes the solution to flow through the channel.

Abstract: Microcavities and micropores that are microscopic (<1 mm) in width and depth and contain any number of individually-addressable electrodes, separated by insulators, along the walls of each cavity. The conducting materials, and the insulator materials can be deposited alternately onto a starting substrate, which is typically an oxidized silicon wafer or polyimide film, but may be any substrate that shows good adhesion to the materials layered on it. The cavities are etched through these layers, perpendicular to the plane of the substrate, exposing the layers at their edges. Pores may be carved entirely through the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing pericarp from a seed, such as a corn kernel. The method includes sonicating the kernel to loosen the pericarp and then separation of the pericarp. One example of separation is by frictional milling. An additional optional aspect of the invention is isolation of the pericarp from the remainder of the seed and/or further cleaning or purification of the pericarp.

Abstract: A rice cultivar designated ‘Banks’ is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of rice cultivar ‘Banks’, to the plants of rice ‘Banks’ and to methods for producing a rice plant produced by crossing the cultivar ‘Banks’ with itself or another rice variety. The invention further relates to hybrid rice seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar ‘Banks’ with another rice cultivar.

Abstract: The inventors have discovered that an ATPase-deficient dominant-negative mutant NS3 protein of hepatitis C virus inhibits activity of the wild-type NS3 protein and inhibits replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The solved crystal structure of a multi-enzyme NS3 complex on a DNA substrate is also provided. The inventors have tested a peptide matching the sequence of a portion of NS3 that interacts with another NS3 molecule for inhibiting HCV replication. The peptide inhibits HCV replication. Accordingly, the invention provides a method of inhibiting HCV replication in cells infected with HCV involving transforming the cells with a vector expressing a dominant-negative mutant NS3 gene. The invention also provides a method of inhibiting HCV replication in cells infected with HCV involving administering to the cells a dominant-negative mutant NS3 protein. The invention also provides peptides and agents that inhibit HCV replication and methods of identifying agents that inhibit HCV replication.

Abstract: The surface of a semiconductor material, e.g., gallium arsenide, is passivated by irradiating the surface with ultra-short laser pulses, until a stable passive surface is achieved. The passive surface so prepared is devoid of a superficial oxide layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially monodisperse colloidal nanocrystals and new preparative methods for the synthesis of substantially monodisperse colloidal nanocrystals. These synthetic methods afford the ability to tune nanocrystal size and size distribution. By using non-coordinating solvents in the synthetic process, these procedures constitute easier, less expensive, safer, and more environmentally “green” methods than those currently in use. This invention is generally applicable to any II–VI or III–V semiconductor material, and may be useful in generating metal-nonmetal compounds involving transition metals as well.

Abstract: A cowpea cultivar designated 95-104 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of cowpea cultivar 95-104, to the plants of cowpea cultivar 95-104, to plant parts of cowpea cultivar 95-104 and to methods for producing a cowpea plant produced by crossing cowpea cultivar 95-104 with itself or with another cowpea cultivar. The invention also relates to methods for producing a cowpea plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic cowpea plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to cowpea cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from cowpea cultivar 95-104, to methods for producing other cowpea cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from cowpea cultivar 95-104 and to the cowpea plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid cowpea seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cowpea cultivar 95-104 with another cowpea cultivar.

Abstract: A cowpea cultivar designated 92-674 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of cowpea cultivar 92-674, to the plants of cowpea cultivar 92-674, to plant parts of cowpea cultivar 92-674 and to methods for producing a cowpea plant produced by crossing cowpea cultivar 92-674 with itself or with another cowpea cultivar. The invention also relates to methods for producing a cowpea plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic cowpea plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to cowpea cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from cowpea cultivar 92-674, to methods for producing other cowpea cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from cowpea cultivar 92-674 and to the cowpea plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid cowpea seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cowpea cultivar 92-674 with another cowpea cultivar.

Abstract: The present invention describes the cloning and molecular and cellular characterization of a novel protein with homology to the IL-17 receptor. The gene was cloned by virtue of its proximity to a common site of retroviral integration in a murine acute myeloid leukemia. The gene described herein possibly codes for a novel interleukin receptor that binds an as yet unidentified cytokine ligand, and may be useful in cancer diagnostics and therapies that rely on immune system modulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA encoding a novel extracellular serine protease termed Tumor Antigen Derived Gene-14 (TADG-14) which is overexpressed in ovarian, breast and colon carcinoma samples. Also provided are vector and host cells capable of expressing the DNA of the present invention, as well as the uses of the DNA and protein of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosing mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) infections in patients comprising amplifying the internal transcribed spacer sequence (ITSS) of 16S-23S rDNA of MOTT with primers that amplify MOTT but not Mycobacteria Tuberculosis (MTB). The present invention also provides a method for differentiating between MOTT and MTB infections comprising amplifying MOTT with primers that amplify MOTT but not MTB; amplifying MTB with primers that amplify MTB but not MOTT; and detecting approximately 130 base pair product indicative of MOTT and approximately 180 base pair product indicative of MTB.

Abstract: The present invention provides a TADG-12 protein and a DNA fragment encoding such protein. Also provided is a vector/host cell capable of expressing the DNA. The present invention further provides various methods of early detection of associated ovarian and other malignancies, and of interactive therapies for cancer treatment by utilizing the DNA and/or protein disclosed herein.

Abstract: Hybridomally produced monoclonal antibodies specifically immunoreactive with the glycoprotein carrying the CA 125 epitope. Monoclonal antibodies recognize both high and low molecular weight subunits of the antigen, and identify the antigen in the cytoplasm and the extracellular matrix of CA 125 producing cells. An immunoassay for the detection of CA 125 utilizing the monoclonal antibodies is described.

Abstract: The present invention describes Histoplasmosis capsulatum catalase A and catalase P nucleic acid and protein sequences as reagents for the detection of H. capsulatum infection. Specifically, the invention describes intron sequences from the H. capsulatum catalase A (CATA) and catalase P (CATP) genes which can be used for hybridization and PCR based detection of H. capsulatum infection. In another embodiment, assays for H. capsulatum catalase P or catalase A polypeptides are used as diagnostic tests for H. capsulatum infection and histoplasmosis, respectively. Also described is the differentiation of H. capsulatum from Blastomyces dermititidis based on a H. capsulatum catalase P PCR based assay.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of diagnosing and imaging bacterial infections in mammals using 18F-labeled fluoroquinolone antibiotics and detecting the fluorine-18. Fluorine-18 can be detected and imaged by positron emission tomography. The invention also provides methods of detecting bacteria in other settings, and of treating a bacterial infection and monitoring treatment of a bacterial infection.

Abstract: A structure and process for packaging RF MEMS and other devices employs a substrate of silicon, for example, and a cap of glass, for example, having cavities to receive the devices. MEMS or other devices are supported on an upper surface of the substrate, into which metal-filled blind vias are formed. The cap is attached to the substrate, so as to enclose designated MEMS or other devices in the cavities. The substrate is then thinned so as to expose the metal of the vias at a lower surface of the substrate. Electrical connecting elements such as solder balls are then applied to the metal of the vias. The resultant composite substrate is then divided to provide individual packaged devices.

Abstract: The invention discloses high levels of receptors for Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) have been found in ovarian cancer and uterine cancer tissue samples. In addition, successful in vivo treatment of a mouse model of ovarian cancer with intraperitoneal injection of CPE is disclosed. High levels of Ep-CAM protein is also disclosed in ovarian cancer tissue samples. Thus, the invention provides a method of treating ovarian cancer and uterine cancer by administering CPE. The invention also provides a method of treating cancer in a mammal involving intraperitoneal administration of CPE, where at least some cancerous cells are located in or adjacent to the peritoneal cavity of the mammal. The invention also provides a method of treating ovarian cancer involving administering an anti-Ep-CAM antibody. The invention also provides a method of treating cancers expressing claudin-3 or claudin-4 by administering an antibody against claudin-3 and/or an antibody against claudin-4.

Abstract: The present invention provides genomic and cDNA encoding human cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein, expression vectors comprising human cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein cDNA and host cells that contain the expression vectors. Also provided are recombinant human cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein and polypeptides derived thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel approach to cancer therapy and diagnostics that utilizes nanotubes and other similar nanostructures as both an indirect source of radiation therapy (BNCT), and as delivery vehicles for other types of radio- and chemo-therapeutic materials, as well as imaging agents for diagnostic purposes.