Abstract: The present invention generally relates to articles comprising microstructures and methods for forming microstructures. The microstructures may be mechanically coupled to impart complex three dimensional shapes. For example, one or more microstructures may be grown on a substrate at different average growth rates, resulting in curved microstructures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the formation and processing of nanostructures including nanotubes. Some embodiments provide processes for nanostructure growth using relatively mild conditions (e.g., low temperatures). In some cases, methods of the invention may improve the efficiency (e.g., catalyst efficiency) of nanostructure formation and may reduce the production of undesired byproducts during nanostructure formation, including volatile organic compounds and/or polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons. Such methods can both reduce the costs associated with nanostructure formation, as well as reduce the harmful effects of nanostructure fabrication on environmental and public health and safety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the formation and processing of nanostructures including nanotubes. Some embodiments provide processes for nanostructure growth using relatively mild conditions (e.g., low temperatures). In some cases, methods of the invention may improve the efficiency (e.g., catalyst efficiency) of nanostructure formation and may reduce the production of undesired byproducts during nanostructure formation, including volatile organic compounds and/or polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons. Such methods can both reduce the costs associated with nanostructure formation, as well as reduce the harmful effects of nanostructure fabrication on environmental and public health and safety.

Abstract: A heat and shelf-stable oil-in-water emulsion useful as a tissue or cell-selective delivery vehicle. Radioactive or stable, synthetic or semi-synthetic polyhalogenated triglycerides, such as 2-oleoylglycerol-1,3-bis[7-(3-amino-2,4,6-triiodophenyl)heptanoate] or 2-oleoylglycerol-1,3-bis[.omega.-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl)hepatanoate] or phenyl acetate, can be incorporated into the lipophilic core of a lipoprotein-like emulsion particle. The lipophilic core is surrounded by a phospholipid membrane comprising cholesterol and apolipoproteins. For hepatocyte-selective delivery, the emulsion is chylomicron remnant-like by being in a size range of 50 to 200 nm as measured by number weighting analysis with a narrow size distribution (<2% greater than 300 nm) and having a composition simulating naturally-occurring chylomicron remnants. Use of cholesterol in the emulsion formula facilitates association of apolipoproteins, especially Apo E which are recognized by liver cells and necessary for binding and uptake.

Abstract: The breakpoints of the pericentric inversion of chromosome 16 have been cloned. Two genes, one at each breakpoint, have also been identified, as well as several forms of the inversion 16 fusion gene. Diagnostic applications for chromosome 16 abnormalities and, particularly acute myeloid leukemia are also within the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: Less toxic agents for reversal of heparin or low molecular weight heparin anticoagulation which are synthetic protamine-like polycationic peptides having a total cationic charge which is less than that of n-protamine. In preferred embodiments, arginine resides of n-protamine are replaced with lysine residues for ease of manufacture. Selective positively charged arginine residues have been replaced with an uncharged amino acid residue or its analog, such as glycine or glutamine, in order to reduce the total cationic charge on the polycationic peptide to the range of about ?+14! to ?+18!, preferably ?+16!. In specific embodiments, there are sequences of 29 amino acid residues wherein 4 to 5 clusters of 2 to 4 positively charged amino acids are separated by 2 to 6 neutral amino acids. The C-terminus and the N-terminus can be modified to mitigate against in vivo degradation by carboxypeptidases and aminopeptidases.

Abstract: Less toxic agents for reversal of heparin or low molecular weight heparin anticoagulation which are synthetic protamine-like polycationic peptides having a total cationic charge which is less than that of n-protamine. In preferred embodiments, arginine residues of n-protamine are replaced with lysine residues for ease of manufacture. Selective positively charged arginine residues have been replaced with an uncharged amino acid residue or its analog, such as glycine or glutamine, in order to reduce the total cationic charge on the polycationic peptide to the range of about [+14] to [+18], preferably [+16] to [+18]. In specific embodiments, there are sequences of 29 and 32 amino acid residues wherein 4 to 5 clusters of 2 to 4 positively charged amino acids are separated by 2 to 6 neutral amino acids. The C-terminus and the N-terminus can be modified to mitigate against in vivo degradation by carboxypeptidases and aminopeptidases. Another modification, specifically use of .alpha.

Abstract: Novel difunctionalized cyclobutabenzene monomers of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein Z can be hydrogens or a cyclobutane ring; and X and Y are carboxyl, amino, alcohol, isocyanate, acid halide, or bis-acyl halide groups. Exemplary difunctional bitricyclodecatriene monomers are [2,2'-bidicyclo[2.4.0]octa-1,3,5-triene]-5,5'-dicarboxylic acid (BXTA) and [2,2'-bitricyclo[6.2.0.0]deca-1,3,(6),7-triene]-7,7'-dicarboxylic acid (QXTA). The difunctionalized bitricyclodecatriene monomers can form part of a polymer backbone chain in which the multiple butane ring functionalities can be easily opened to produce strong, three-dimensional covalent bond crosslinking between polymer chains. The crosslinking can be induced simply by heating the polymer to a temperature in excess of 250.degree. C.

Abstract: A system for compensating for the effects of friction and other forces reting from repeatable disturbances in a servo system or a numerically controlled machine employs a software-based mathematical model which has certain parameters associated therewith. The parameters are calibrated for the specific characteristics of the system using either off-line or on-line methods, and include dynamic correction for continuous correction, as would be required to compensate for forces which disturb a desired motion. The compensation model is implemented in two stages: (i) building a calibrated mathematical model that describes a repeatable disturbance force, such as friction, and (ii) using the model in real time to compensate for the disturbance force. The model provides a compensation signal which is combined with the original controller signal to yield a compensated control signal. The compensation may be in the form of a position offset.

Abstract: Bioprosthetic materials, either natural or synthetic, are treated with trivalent aluminum or iron cations, or salts, to prevent in vivo calcification. Such bioprosthetic materials include porcine aortic valve leaflets, bovine pericardium, aortic homografts, biocompatible elastomers, and the like which are intended for invasive, or in-dwelling use in a human or animal body. Simple incubation of the natural bioprosthetic materials in an ion-containing solution, such as aqueous AlCl.sub.3 or FeCl.sub.3, prior to implantation has been found to inhibit calcification of the biomaterial over a prolonged period, and to do so without adverse side effects. Incorporation of an aluminum-containing compound into the formulation for polymers, such as polyurethane, has also been found to inhibit calcification with no adverse side effects.