Abstract: Methods of using protein crystallization droplet actuators are provided. Protein sample droplets and reagent droplets are dispensed, transported, and merged to yield an array of crystallization conditions by electrowetting droplet operations in a gap comprising oil filler fluid. The oil filler fluid is doped with a surfactant that enhances droplet operations using the protein sample.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 16, 2007
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignees:
Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc., Duke University
Inventors:
Vamsee K. Pamula, Vijay Srinivasan, Michael G. Pollack
Abstract: The present invention is methods and compositions for reducing and preventing the excess accumulation of extracellular matrix in a tissue and/or organ or at a wound site using a combination of agents that inhibit TGF?, or using agents that inhibit TGF? in combination with agents that degrade excess accumulated extracellular matrix, or at least one agent that degrades excess accumulated extracellular matrix. The compositions and methods of the invention are used to treat conditions such as fibrotic diseases and scarring that result from excess accumulation of extracellular matrix, impairing tissue or organ function or skin appearance in a subject.
Abstract: A method of screening a candidate compound for ?Arrestin mediated anti-G protein coupled receptor signaling activity is comprises: (a) contacting said candidate compound to a ?Arrestin signaling complex or a constituent thereof, under conditions in which a signaling complex is formed; and then (b) detecting the presence or absence of disruption of said signaling complex, disruption of said complex indicating said compound has ?Arrestin mediated anti-G protein coupled receptor signaling activity. Compositions and kits for carrying out the method are also described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 7, 2006
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignee:
Duke University
Inventors:
Marc G. Caron, Martin Beaulieu, Raul R. Gainetdinov, Tatiana D. Sotnikova, Sébastien Marion
Abstract: The present invention provides an orofacial radiation detection device for detection of radionuclide contamination from inhalation. The device includes a face mask including a support frame and an adjustable head strap connected to the support frame. Mounted on the frame are radiation detectors in selected locations so that when being worn by a person, the detectors are located in close proximity to the orofacial region of the person including their nose and mouth. The device includes an electronic controller connected to the detectors for controlling operation of the radiation detectors. The device includes a microcomputer mounted on the support frame and electrically connected to the electronic controller for processing signals from the detectors for allowing input from an operator, performing data analysis and detection algorithms, and outputting results.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 15, 2008
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignee:
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Abstract: An ion optical system to form a loop orbit is provided to sufficiently ensure required performance such as ion transmission efficiency while making it easy to design the system by alleviating a space-focusing condition. The loop orbit of the ion optical system is realized so as to satisfy (t|x)=(t|?)=(t|?)=0 as the time-focusing condition and to satisfy ?2<(x|x)+(?|?)<2, and ?2<(y|y)+(?|?)<2 as the space-focusing condition. (x|x) and other similar terms are constants determined by the elements indicated in the parenthesis in a general expression format of the ion optical system. The conditions are substantially alleviated as opposed to the conventional space-focusing condition where each of (x|x), (?|?), (y|y) and (?|?) needs to be ±1. Thus, the parameters to decide the shape of electrodes by which the ion optical system is configured have higher degree of freedom.
Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for improving communications between humans and devices. The invention provides a method of modulating operation of a device, comprising: providing an attentive user interface for obtaining information about an attentive state of a user; and modulating operation of a device on the basis of the obtained information, wherein the operation that is modulated is initiated by the device. Preferably, the information about the user's attentive state is eye contact of the user with the device that is sensed by the attentive user interface.
Abstract: Gene expression is inhibited in a cell by introducing into the cell a lentiviral vector encoding a siRNA specific for the gene. Lentiviral vectors encoding siRNA specific for a cancer-associated gene inhibited expression of the gene and caused cell death after being introduced into cancer cells. Viral replication in HIV-infected cells was inhibited after introducing a lentiviral vector encoding siRNA specific for HIV genes in into the cells.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 15, 2004
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignee:
University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
Abstract: A polymeric chip having at least one three-dimensional porous scaffold, a microfluidic channel inlet to the porous scaffold, and a microfluidic channel outlet from the porous scaffold. In one embodiment, the polymeric chip has two three-dimensional porous scaffolds: one scaffold comprises liver cells and the other scaffold comprises cancer cells. The chip can be used as a multi-organ tissue model system.
Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer apparatus and process for determining the optimal transducer position for flow measurement along a conduit outer surface. The apparatus includes a transmitting transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic signal, said transducer affixed to a conduit outer surface; a guide rail attached to a receiving transducer for guiding movement of a receiving transducer along the conduit outer surface, wherein the receiving transducer receives an ultrasonic signal from the transmitting transducer and sends a signal to a data acquisition system; and a motor for moving the receiving transducer along the guide rail, wherein the motor is controlled by a controller.
Abstract: The present invention provides a novel antihypertensive peptide. Also provided are pharmaceutical and food compositions containing the antihypertensive peptide for treating hypertension or cardiovascular disease.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 17, 2007
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignees:
Da-Yeh University, National Chung Hsing University
Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The devices include an expandable spacer having an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the spacer has axial and radial dimensions for positioning between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The systems include one or more spacers and a mechanical actuation means for delivering and deploying the spacer. The methods involve the implantation of one or more spacers within the interspinous space.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 15, 2005
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
Inventors:
Moti Altarac, Daniel H. Kim, J. Christopher Flaherty
Abstract: Described are probes and methods for detecting pathogens and antibiotic resistance of a specimen. The method comprises contacting the specimen with a growth medium; and lysing the specimen to release nucleic acid molecules from the specimen. The lysate of the specimen is contacted with a capture probe immobilized on a substrate, wherein the capture probe comprises an oligonucleotide that specifically hybridizes with a first target nucleic acid sequence region of ribosomal RNA. The lysate is in contact with a detector probe that comprises a detectably labeled oligonucleotide that specifically hybridizes with a second target nucleic acid sequence region of ribosomal RNA. The presence or absence of labeled oligonucleotide complexed with the substrate is determined. Detection of labeled oligonucleotide complexed with the substrate is indicative of the presence of pathogen. Performing the method in the presence and absence of an antibiotic permits detection of antibiotic resistance.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 1, 2007
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignees:
The Regents of the University of California, The United States of America as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
Inventors:
David A. Haake, Bernard M. Churchill, Joseph C. Liao, Marc A. Suchard, Yang Li, Mitra Mastali
Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing an overvoltage protection material comprising: (i) preparing a mixture comprising a polymer binder precursor and a conductive material; and (ii) heating the mixture to cause reaction of the polymer binder precursor and generate a polymer matrix having conductive material dispersed therein, wherein the polymer binder precursor is chosen such that substantially no solvent is generated during the reaction.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 18, 2007
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignee:
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Abstract: Magnetic materials and methods for using ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic coupling and exchange bias for binary and multistate magnetic memory device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 13, 2005
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California
Inventors:
Igor V. Roshchin, Oleg Petracic, Rafael Morales, Zhi-Pan Li, Xavier Batlle, Ivan K. Schuller
Abstract: A carbon nanomaterial produced by: performing centrifugal melt spinning of core-shell particles that are prepared by using fine particles containing a carbon precursor polymer and a thermally decomposable polymer that disappears as a result of heat treatment, wherein the core-shell particles are heated up to a temperature at which phase separation thereof is not caused, and pressed against a plate-like heater 12 having a large number of pores 12A that penetrate therethrough in a thickness direction of the plate-like heater using centrifugal force; making the fiber obtained by the centrifugal melt spinning infusible; and performing carbonization thereof. According to this method, a carbon nanomaterial such as a carbon nanotube or a carbon nanofiber can be produced with high efficiency.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 11, 2005
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignee:
National University Corporation Gunma University
Abstract: A bio-inspired device is provided designed to scale smooth vertical surfaces using anisotropic frictional materials. The device draws its inspiration from geckos and other climbing lizards and employs similar compliance and force control strategies to climb (or hang onto) smooth vertical surfaces including glass, tile and plastic panels. Foremost among the design features embodied in the device are multiple levels of compliance, at length scales ranging from centimeters to micrometers, to allow the device to conform to surfaces and maintain large real areas of contact so that adhesive forces can support it. Structures within the feet ensure even stress distributions over each toe and facilitate engagement and disengagement of the adhesive materials. A force control strategy works in conjunction with the anisotropic adhesive materials to obtain sufficient levels of friction and adhesion for climbing with low attachment and detachment forces.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 4, 2007
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
Abstract: The invention provides a method of detecting an S-nitrosothiol in a sample which includes treating the sample with a transition metal such as copper (I) and cysteine in the presence of a substance capable of blocking interactions between iron-containing compounds and NO and detecting the generated NO.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 16, 2005
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignee:
University of Virginia Patent Foundation
Abstract: Disclosed is a downlink signal configuring method and device, and synchronization and cell search method and device using the same in a mobile communication system. A downlink frame has plural symbols into which pilot subcarriers are distributively arranged with respect to time and frequency axes. Initial symbol synchronization and initial frequency synchronization are estimated by using a position at which autocorrelation of a cyclic prefix of a downlink signal and a valid symbol of the downlink is maximized, and cell search and integer-times frequency synchronization are estimated by using pilot subcarriers included in the estimated symbol. Fine symbol synchronization, fine frequency synchronization, and downlink frame synchronization is estimated by using an estimated cell search result.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 19, 2003
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2010
Assignees:
Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Chung-Ang University
Inventors:
Kwang-Soon Kim, Jae-Young Ahn, Yong Soo Cho, Dong-Han Kim