Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the stimulation of immune responses. Specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the use of nanoemulsion compounds as mucosal adjuvants to induce immunity against environmental pathogens. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the present invention provides nanoemulsion vaccines comprising a nanoemulsion and an inactivated pathogen or protein derived from the pathogen. The present invention thus provides improved vaccines against a variety of environmental and human-released pathogens.

Abstract: A polypeptide with a predominantly hydrophobic sequence long enough to span a membrane lipid bilayer as a transmembrane helix (TM) and comprising one or more dissociable groups inserts across a membrane spontaneously in a pH-dependant fashion placing one terminus inside cell. The polypeptide conjugated with various functional moieties delivers and accumulates them at cell membrane with low extracellular pH. The functional moiety conjugated with polypeptide terminus placed inside cell are translocated through the cell membrane in cytosol. The peptide and its variants or non-peptide analogs can be used to deliver therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic, imaging, gene regulation, cell regulation, or immunologic agents to or inside of cells in vitro or in vivo in tissue at low extracellular pH.

Abstract: Compounds that act as capture agents to sequester unsaturated metal complexes are provided. In particular, the compounds may be host materials, dopant materials, or co-dopant materials containing functional groups, such as an isocyanide or a phosphine group, which are suitable for trapping an unsaturated coordination complex. These compounds may be used in organic light emitting devices, particularly blue devices, to provide improved device lifetime.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of sensory cell specific G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of sensory cell specific G-protein coupled receptors.

Abstract: The invention relates to elastomeric, polymeric bone substitute compositions, methods for their preparation and their use in clinical applications, such as bone engineering and regeneration applications. The bone substitute compositions are osteoconductive in the absence of a biomolecule component. The bone substitute compositions are capable to regenerate bone in vitro or in vivo. The bone substitute compositions can be implanted into a bone defective site of a patient, and particularly, in the orthopedic, dental and caraniofacial areas of the patient.

Abstract: A method processes segmented iris images obtained by a non-cooperative image acquisition system to generate descriptors for features in the segmented iris image that are tolerant of segmentation error. The method includes receiving a segmented iris image, and selecting feature points in the segmented iris image to describe an iris locally.

Abstract: A sensor-effector system includes an array of sensor-effector transducers providing a plurality of sensed signals and applying a plurality of effector signals. The array provides signals to input signal conditioning circuitry which digitizes and filters the plurality of sensed signals. A processor receives the digitized signals, and processes them to generate multiple feature vectors. It also analyzes the feature vectors to identify patterns and classify the identified patterns and generates at least one response vector resulting from the recognized pattern. The response vector is applied to output signal conditioning circuitry, coupled which converts the response vector to at least one analog signal which is applied as an effector signal to the array of sensor-effector transducers.

Abstract: The subject application provides small compounds that are able to increase/enhance autophagy in various cells. These compounds are useful in augmenting existing treatments of various cancers, microbial/viral infections, and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, the subject application also provides methods of treating various types of cancers, microbial/viral infections, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the identification of markers that can be used to determine whether tumors are sensitive or resistant to a therapeutic agent. The present invention is also directed to the identification of therapeutic targets. The invention features a number of “sensitivity markers.” These are markers that are expressed in most or all cell lines that are sensitive to treatment with an agent and which are not expressed (or are expressed at a rather low level) in cells that are resistant to treatment with that agent. The invention also features a number of “resistance markers.” These are markers that are expressed in most or all cell lines that are resistant to treatment with an agent and which are not expressed (or are expressed at a rather low level) in cells that are sensitive to treatment with that agent. The invention also features marker sets that can predict patients that are likely to respond or not to respond to an agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to nucleic acid aptamers that recognize and bind the complement protein C3 or its biologically active proteolytic products and methods of their use. Particularly preferred are bi-functional aptamer construct that binding specifically with C3b or iC3b, and another target protein. Use of these molecular constructs for commandeering the opsonization process is also described herein.

Abstract: A number of compounds and use of the compounds in a method for treating or preventing cancer in a subject by administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition including a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are described. The compounds can also be used to inhibit integrin-linked kinase in a cell, which has an effect on the Akt signaling pathway.

Abstract: A lithium air battery including: a negative electrode including lithium; a positive electrode using oxygen as a positive active material; and an organic electrolyte, wherein the organic electrolyte includes a metal-ligand complex.

Abstract: The complexity of regulations in healthcare, financial services, and other industries makes it difficult for enterprises to design and deploy effective compliance systems. The present invention supports compliance by using formalized portions of applicable laws to regulate business processes that use information systems. An embodiment of the present invention uses a stratified fragment of Prolog with limited use of negation to formalize a portion of the US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). An embodiment of the invention provides for deployment in a prototypical hospital that implements a Web portal messaging system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for increasing the leaf-to-root ratio of the signal metabolite 2-oxoglutaramate and related proline molecules in plants by modulating levels of ?-amidase to increase nitrogen use efficiency, resulting in enhanced growth, faster growth rates, greater seed and fruit/pod yields, earlier and more productive flowering, increased tolerance to high salt conditions, and increased biomass yields.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of PKC-epsilon (PKC-?), PKC-delta (PKC-?), PKC-eta, and/or PKC-theta as biomarker(s) for prediction and/or detection of neuroblastoma, as well as therapeutic targets for treatment of neuroblastoma.

Abstract: A multilayered electroactive polymer (EAP) device and a method of manufacturing the same is provided. The multilayered EAP device includes a plurality of unit layers. Each unit layer includes an EAP layer formed of an electroactive polymer (EAP), a protecting layer configured to prevent a material from penetrating into the EAP layer, and an active electrode formed using a conductive material. The protecting layer may be formed below the active layer or above the active layer. The active electrode may be interposed between two protecting layers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting concurrency bugs are provided. In some embodiments, context-aware communication graphs that represent inter-thread communication are collected during test runs, and may be labeled according to whether the test run was correct or failed. Graph edges that are likely to be associated with failed behavior are determined, and probable reconstructions of failed behavior are constructed to assist in debugging. In some embodiments, software instrumentation is used to collect the communication graphs. In some embodiments, hardware configured to collect the communication graphs is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are MEMS-based optical image scanners and methods for imaging using the same. According to one embodiment, a 3-D scanner for endoscopic imaging is provided, which includes a MEMS mirror for 1-D or 2-D lateral scanning and a MEMS lens for scanning along the optical axis to control the focal depth. The MEMS lens can be a microlens bonded to a MEMS holder. Both the MEMS holder and the MEMS mirror can be electrothermally actuated. A single-mode fiber can be used for both delivering the light to and receiving the returning light from an object being examined.

Abstract: The invention discloses various embodiments of electrolytes for use in lithium-ion batteries, the electrolytes having improved safety and the ability to operate with high capacity anodes and high voltage cathodes. In one embodiment there is provided an electrolyte for use in a lithium-ion battery comprising an anode and a high voltage cathode. The electrolyte has a mixture of a cyclic carbonate of ethylene carbonate (EC) or mono-fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) co-solvent, ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), a flame retardant additive, a lithium salt, and an electrolyte additive that improves compatibility and performance of the lithium-ion battery with a high voltage cathode. The lithium-ion battery is charged to a voltage in a range of from about 2.0 V (Volts) to about 5.0 V (Volts).

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary diseases and associated conditions, including hypertension. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions for treating cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary diseases, especially hypertension, and lung injury.