Abstract: An optical network, an optical device, and one or more MEMS optical components are disclosed. The optical network comprises one or more optical input sources, one or more optical output collectors, and the optical device. The optical device is optically coupled between the one or more optical input sources and the one or more optical output collectors. The optical device is formed on a intergrated MEMS chip. The optical device comprises the one or more MEMS optical components formed on the integrated MEMS chip. In fact, each MEMS optical component may be monolithically fabricated on, self assemblable on, and reconfigurable or moveable on the integrated MEMS chip.

Abstract: A low-energy input process for the pyrolytic conversion of biomass to charcoal or carbonized charcoal is provided. The biomass is sealed in a container, pressurized with air and heated to ignition. Control of pressure by input of air and release of gases to maintain successively lower pressure levels results in a typical time for the conversion of less than 30 minutes.

Abstract: A low-energy input process for the pyrolytic conversion of biomass to charcoal or carbonized charcoal is provided. The biomass is sealed in a container, pressurized with air and heated to ignition. Control of pressure by input of air and release of gases to maintain successively lower pressure levels results in a typical time for the conversion of less than 30 minutes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing and treating Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) patients and PXE carriers. Methods and compositions are based on the discovery that PXE mutations are located in the MRP6 (ABCC6) gene.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing and treating Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) patients and PXE carriers. Methods and compositions are based on the discovery that PXE mutations are located in the MRP6 (ABCC6) gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides antitumor methods, formulations, and compounds comprising a cryptophycin.

Abstract: This work constitutes a novel approach and methodology, e.g., the in vitro secretion method to isolate the androgenic polypeptide hormone (AH) from the androgenic gland of shrimp or prawns. Alternatively, the AH can be obtained recombinantly by cloning and expressing the AH gene. The AH polypeptide is used to produce phenotypic males, neomales, from genotypic female shrimp or prawns. The neomales find use in the production of sex-skewed and monosex offspring when mated with wild-type female shrimp or prawns. From the sequence of the purified AH polypeptide, oligonucleotide probes are synthesized to clone the AH encoding nucleic acid which is used for recombinant AH polypeptide expression.

Abstract: The invention establishes that coffee fruit ripening is climacteric. The invention further provides techniques to isolate substantially pure RNA from coffee fruit even though the fruit contains high levels of phenolic compounds and carbohydrate which would otherwise interfere with obtaining clean RNA preparations from this tissue. The invention provides purified proteins, nucleic acid sequences that code on expression therefore and recombinant DNA molecules, including hosts transformed therewith, and methods for transforming coffee plants to suppress the expression of coffee fruit-expressed ACC synthase and/or coffee fruit-expressed ACC oxidase necessary for ethylene biosynthesis and the ripening of coffee fruit. Coffee plants are transformed with vectors containing coffee fruit-expressed ACC synthase and/or with ACC oxidase DNA sequences that code on expression for the respective RNA that is antisense or sense to the mRNA for the respective ACC synthase and/or ACC oxidase.

Abstract: The invention relates to the nucleotide sequence from sugarcane ubi9 polyubiquitin gene promoter, which is capable of directing constitutive expression of a nucleic acid sequence of interest that is operably linked to it. The sugarcane ubi9 promoter is useful in regulating expression of a nucleic acid sequence of interest in monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants.

Abstract: A method of producing a non-human mammalian embryo, such as a mouse embryo, by nuclear cloning, in which the nucleus from a non-human mammalian embryonic stem (ES) cell (e.g., a non-human mammalian F1 ES cell), such as the nucleus of a mouse F1 ES cell, is introduced into an enucleated non-human mammalian oocyte, such as an enucleated mouse oocyte; embryos produced by the method; a method of producing mice from the resulting embryos and the mice produced thereby.

Abstract: The invention relates to the nucleotide sequence from the sugarcane ubi9 polyubiquitin gene promoter, which is capable of directing constitutive expression of a nucleic acid sequence of interest that is operably linked to it. The sugarcane ubi9 promoter is useful in regulating expression of a nucleic acid sequence of interest in monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants.

Abstract: A Fresnel Annular Sector Actuator (FASA) for micromixing of fluids, utilizes a self-focusing acoustic wave transducer which focuses acoustic waves through constructive wave interference. In the transducer, RF power is applied between the electrodes (sandwiching a piezoelectric film) with its frequency preferably corresponding to the thickness mode resonance of the piezoelectric film. Strong acoustic waves are generated over the electrode area, and interfere with each other as they propagate in the fluid. By proper design of the electrodes, and forming various combinations of the electrodes, wave focusing can be achieved. The mixing can be further enhanced by providing selective actuation and sequencing of the different segments by an RF signal source.

Abstract: The present invention provides cryptophycin compounds of Formula I that are useful in the treatment of neoplasms.

Abstract: We utilized the silkworm (Bombyx mori)/baculovirus system to produce recombinant Major Merozoite Surface Protein 1 (MSP142) because of the low cost and potential high yield of this expression system. The MSP142 (3D7 sequence) was cloned into the baculovirus, BmNPV with the melittin signal sequence. The recombinant virus, BmNPV-Sp42 was used to infect silkworms for the expression of MSP142 (Sp42). One recombinant clone expressed high level of Sp42 with an estimated 0.5 mg of antigen produced within a single worm. The Sp42 was recognized by monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies specific for parasite MSP1 in direct binding and competitive binding ELISAs, suggesting that Sp42 possesses antigenic determinants similar to parasite MSP142. Immunogenicity studies were performed in rabbits. Sp42 induced high titers of antibodies crossreactive with MSP1. Specificity analyses showed that anti-Sp42 antibodies reacted primarily against conserved determinants on MSP1-19.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for freeze-drying spermatozoa to obtain at least one reconstituted spermatozoon whose head (nucleus) is capable of fertilizing an oocyte to produce a live offspring. The motility of spermatozoa which have been freeze-dried and stored in a vacuum at room temperature is not restored when rehydrated. Their plasma membranes are disrupted and they are all “dead” in the conventional sense. However, when they are injected microsurgically into oocytes, their nuclei transform into male pronuclei and participate in normal embryonic development.

Abstract: A compound intercavity interferometer for a free-electron laser (FEL) comprising at least two beam splitters positioned at a predetermined angles with respect to optical pathways. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid sequences isolated from sugarcane and to methods of using them. In particular, the inventions relates to nucleotide sequences which are derived from sugarcane polyubiquitin genes and which are capable of directing constitutive expression of a nucleic acid sequence of interest that is operably linked to the sugarcane polyubiquitin nucleotide sequences. The sugarcane polyubiquitin nucleotide sequences are useful in regulating expression of a nucleic acid sequence of interest in monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants.

Abstract: A free-electron laser (FEL), which in a preferred embodiment comprises a relativistic electron beam generator; an optical cavity capable of storing a co-propagating optical beam; an interaction region; a phase displacement device disposed in the interaction region; and an output coupler interposed in the optical cavity through which a predetermined portion of the co-propagating optical beam exits as a coherent output optical beam. In certain embodiments, an optical beam spectral filter may be interposed in the optical cavity. FEL components and methods of use are also disclosed. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The invention provides a microinsertion-based, trans-complementation method of in vitro oocyte activation useful to identify properties of sperm-borne oocyte-activating factor(s) (SOAF) and ooplasmic interactions with sperm components at fertilization. The invention provides at least one detergent-insoluble heat-sensitive component of the perinuclear matrix of a spermatozoon (SOAFm) that acts coordinately with at least one heat-stable submembrane sperm component. SOAFm is solubilized in vitro (SOAFs) under reducing conditions similar to those encountered in the ooplasm. By the method of the invention, the failure of heat-inactivated demembranated sperm heads to activate an egg is rescued by coinsertion of SOAFs into an oocyte. SOAFs is protease-sensitive and is liberated from demembranated heads in a temperature-dependent manner that inversely correlates with the ability of demembranated sperm heads to activate oocytes.

Abstract: Recombinant nucleic acids comprising region(s) of Listeria monocytogenes genome that are unique to an individual serotype and genomic cluster are provided. Also provided are oligonucleotide probes and primers derived from the recombinant nucleic acid sequences and methods for their use in the detection and identification serovar 4 and genomic cluster IIB strains.