Abstract: An apparatus and method for changing the volume of the watertight hull of a ship in the light or no cargo condition to achieve the required ballast drafts. At least one trunk extending longitudinally from a first end at a bow of the ship to a second end at a stern of the ship. The first and second ends of the trunk connectible to the water surrounding the ship by operation of an inlet valve and an outlet valve adjacent each end. When in the light condition, or no cargo condition, the valves at each end of the trunk or trunks are moved to an opened position to reduce the volume of the watertight hull in order to achieve the desired ballast draft. While the ship is in motion, sufficient pressure differential exits between the bow and the stern of the ship to exchange the volume of water in the trunks over a period of time. Preferably, the fluid flow through the trunks exchanges the water at least approximately every hour when the ship is moving at normal speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a concrete construction that comprises a concrete slab and a ductile strip adjacent the slab. The ductile strip comprises an engineered cementitious composite of cementitious material and reinforcing fibers with the ductile strip being directly bonded to the slab. The present invention also relates to a method of making or repairing a concrete construction, the method comprises providing a ductile strip adjacent a concrete slab, wherein the ductile strip is made of an engineered cementitious composite comprising cementitious material and hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic reinforcing fibers. The present invention further relates to a roadbed or building floors suitable for vehicular traffic, the roadbed comprises a plurality of slabs and ductile strips comprising an engineered cementitious composite of cementitious material and reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: An RF micro-electro-mechanical system including a first silicon wafer having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface being opposite the bottom surface. A bore extends through the first silicon wafer. A micro-electro-mechanical device is provided and coupled to the top surface of the first silicon wafer. An electrical feed line then extends along the bottom surface of the first silicon wafer and an electrical interconnect electrically couples the micro-electro-mechanical device and the electrical feed line through the bore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to automated methods, systems, and apparatuses for protein separation and analysis. In particular, the present invention provides an automated system for the separation, identification, and characterization of protein samples. The present invention thus provides improved methods for the separation and analysis of samples containing a plurality of proteins (e.g., cells).

Abstract: A method for transfecting T cells with a nucleic acid molecule comprising a gene such that the gene is expressed in the T cells is described. The T cells are stimulated and proliferating prior to introduction of the nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: A method of broadband amplification divides an optical signal of wavelength of 1430 nm to 1620 nm at a preselected wavelength into a first beam and a second beam. The first beam is directed to at least one optical amplifier and produces an amplified first beam. The second beam is directed to at least one rare earth doped fiber amplifier to produce an amplified second beam. The first and second amplified beams are combined.

Abstract: A gene which encodes a murine leukocyte &agr;(1,3)fucosyltransferase capable of synthesizing the sialyl Lewis x determinant has been cloned.

Abstract: Carriers for drug delivery, methods of making such carriers and for associating them to drugs, the resulting carrier and drug combination and methods for drug delivery, particularly controlled or sustained release delivery, using such carrier and drug combinations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the production of scaffolds, such scaffolds to be used for a variety of purposes, including tissue engineering. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of fused crystals, such as fused salt crystals to form a framework. The methods for producing the scaffolds of this invention improve the porosity, interconnectivity and ease of manufacture as compared to prior art methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic non-human animal models of basal cell carcinoma which allows for the characterization of the disease as well as for providing a system for the development and testing of potential treatments.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed that includes one or more blocks of switching logic (comprised of transistors) connected between a power supply and a common node. A control transistor connects the common node to ground. The control transistor has a higher threshold voltage level than the voltage threshold level(s) of the transistors that comprise the switching logic blocks. A bias generator provides a positive bias to the body of the control transistor when the control transistor is “on.

Abstract: This invention provides method and apparatus for performing chemical and biochemical reactions in solution using in situ generated photo-products as reagent or co-reagent. Specifically, the method and apparatus of the present invention have applications in parallel synthesis of molecular sequence arrays on solid surfaces.

Abstract: The method of immunotherapy of the present invention involves the regulation of the T cell immune response through the activation or suppression/inactivation of the CD28 pathway. Induction of activated T cell lymphokine production occurs upon stimulatory binding of the CD28 surface receptor molecule, even in the presence of conventional immunosuppressants. Inhibition of CD28 receptor binding to an appropriate stimulatory ligand or inactivation of the CD28 signal transduction pathway through other means down-regulates CD28-pathway related T cell lymphokine production and its resulting effects.

Abstract: Exposure of human skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun not only induces the production of enzymes (matrix metalloproteinases) that degrade collagen, but also inhibits the synthesis of new collagen by inhibiting the synthesis of procollagen. This UV-induced inhibition of the synthesis of collagen can be prevented by the topical application of a retinoid or c-JUN inhibitor to the skin prior to its exposure to UV radiation.

Abstract: Laminated devices and methods of making same are provided. A fluidic channel is formed in the inner layers of a laminate such as multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) and a hole is opened to the outer layers to allow fluid's access to a chip which contains chemical sensors. Several diaphragms are formed on each side of the chip access hole using the PCB as their substrate. Electromagnetic actuation of these diaphragms by solenoids housed inside the PCB drives or pumps fluid through the channel in a peristaltic fashion. By employing various channel geometries and/or the deposition of hydrophobic/hydrophillic layers, valves are provided in the channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel cancer markers and compositions and methods for cancer therapies. For example, the present invention provides compositions and methods for the detection of gene expression of particular marker genes as indicative of cancers, while control of said gene expression provides for intervention in cancer therapies and, in particular, glioma therapies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel I-FLICE-1 or I-FLICE-2 protein which is a novel inhibitor of INFR-1 and CD-95 induced apoptosis. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human I-FLICE-1 or I-FLICE-2 protein. I-FLICE-1 or I-FLICE-2 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of I-FLICE-1 or I-FLICE-2 activity. Also provided are therapeutic methods for treating diseases and disorders associated with apoptosis.

Abstract: Several MEMS-based methods and architectures which utilize vibrating micromechanical resonators in circuits to implement filtering, mixing, frequency reference and amplifying functions are provided. For example, a method and apparatus for selecting at least one desired channel in an RF receiver subsystem is shown. One of the primary benefits of the use of such architectures is a savings in power consumption by trading power for high selectivity (i.e., high Q). Consequently, the present invention relies on the use of a large number of micromechanical links in SSI to VLSI networks to implement signal processing functions with basically zero DC power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of prophylaxis and therapy for inflammatory and/or fibrotic diseases which include responses to injuries. In particular, the present invention is related to agents that can bind or complex copper such as thiomolybdate, and to the use of these agents in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory and/or fibrotic diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multiphase protein separation methods capable of resolving large numbers of cellular proteins. The methods of the present invention provide protein profile maps for imaging and comparing protein expression patterns. The present invention provides alternatives to traditional 2-D gel separation methods for the screening of protein profiles.