Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for treatment of disorders associated with aberrant adrenal cortex cell behavior, including (but not limited to) treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), Cushing's syndrome and/or pituitary ACTH excess (Cushing's Disease). Such methods involve administration of an effective amount N-(2,6-bis(1-methylethyl)phenyl)-N?-((1-(4-(dimethyl amino)phenyl)cyclopentyl)-methyl)urea hydrochloride to the patient.

Abstract: Multifunctional reactive polymers created by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and methods of making such polymeric systems are provided. Such polymers provide multifunctional surfaces which can present two or more different molecules (e.g. biological ligands) in controlled ratios. Polymers may include compositional gradients allowing attached ligands to be presented as continuous gradients across a surface. The polymer compositions are modularly designable and applicable to a wider range of applications, including biomedical devices and diagnostic systems.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system includes reciprocating free-piston internal combustion engines, each including a linear alternator device configured to generate electric power. A control module determines mechanical and electrical power demands responsive to an operator torque request and a state of charge of an energy storage device. The control module operates the torque machine to generate an output torque responsive to the mechanical power demands and operates the reciprocating free-piston internal combustion engines to generate electric power responsive to the electrical power demands.

Abstract: A method for detecting microprocessor hardware faults includes sending at least one input signal to a logic block within the microprocessor, collecting an output response to the input signal from the logic block, and determining whether the output response matches an expected output response of the logic block.

Abstract: An optical memory includes an array of optical material and a beam scanning device. The optical material assumes first and second states, and incident light causes the optical material to transition from the first state to the second state. The beam scanning device selectively directs a received optical data signal across the array of optical material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a general approach for G protein coupled receptors that may be used to define agonists and antagonists, and the specificity of receptor coupling to G protein subunits. Methods of the present invention use small volumes (microliters) and are compatible with high throughput flow cytometry. When assays of the present invention are multiplexed, the specificity of the interactions of a receptor with many G proteins may be determined simultaneously.

Abstract: A reconfigurable illumination system for illuminating an object, and associated method. The illumination system comprises a cylindrical diffuser having a longitudinal aperture, a linescan camera positioned for having a direct line of sight to the object through the aperture of the diffuser, a base, and an illuminator supported on the base and positioned between the diffuser and the object, wherein the illuminator is selectively reconfigurable in a plurality of configurations, each configuration corresponding to a manufacturing process that requires visual inspection of the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of blood-borne and toxin mediated diseases, and in particular anti-C5a antibodies for the prevention and treatment of sepsis in humans as well as other animals. The present invention also relates to methods of generating anti-C5a antibodies employing C-terminal truncated C5a peptides.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel laser-plasma-based source of relativistic electrons; and a method to use laser-driven plasma waves as the basis for the source of electrons. The technique involves a combination of laser beams, which are focused in a plasma. One beam creates a wakefield plasma wave. In one embodiment, the one beam creates a wakefield plasma wave and the other beam alters the trajectory of background electrons, such that they become trapped in the plasma wave and are then accelerated to relativistic velocities, preferably in a distance less than a millimeter. In another embodiment, the second beam removes electrons from atomic ions previously generated by the first beam thereby providing electrons which become trapped in the plasma wave and then accelerated to relativistic velocities.