Abstract: The present invention describes devices and methods for detecting and measuring the amount of acetaminophen-protein adducts in a sample.

Abstract: A cine imaging filter and method of use that includes a denoising image-filter based on the Karhunen-Loeve transform along the temporal direction to take advantage of the high temporal correlation among images. The cine imaging filter may further include the application of a simple formula describing the quantitative noise reduction capabilities of the KLT filter as a function of eigenimage cutoff. Additionally, the filter may validate its accuracy in numerical simulation and in in-vivo real time cine images. Furthermore, exemplary embodiments of the cine imaging filter may employ a technique to automatically select the optimal eigenimage cutoff to maximize noise reduction with minimal effect on image information.

Abstract: This patent application discloses techniques, devices and systems for user authentication based on linking between a randomly generated authentication secret and a personalized secret.

Abstract: The present invention describes processes for coating substrates with a nanocomposite SiCON material. In addition, the present invention describes the dielectric nanocomposite coatings.

Abstract: Methods are provided for manipulating droplets. The methods include providing the droplet on a surface comprising an array of electrodes and a substantially co-planer array of reference elements, wherein the droplet is disposed on a first one of the electrodes, and the droplet at least partially overlaps a second one of the electrodes and an intervening one of the reference elements disposed between the first and second electrodes. The methods further include activating the first and second electrodes to spread at least a portion of the droplet across the second electrode and deactivating the first electrode to move the droplet from the first electrode to the second electrode.

Abstract: A bidirectional continuous peristaltic micro-pump is described. The micro-pump comprises: a substrate, an actuating mechanism and a fluid channel. The actuating mechanism comprises: a first slanted membrane the thickness of which increases progressively from left to right, a first chamber formed between the first slanted membrane and the substrate; and a second slanted membrane, the thickness of which decreases progressively from left to right, the second slanted membrane being located to the first slanted membrane's right side and parallel to the first slanted membrane with a space between the two membranes, a second chamber formed between the second slanted membrane and the substrate. By inflating the first chamber and the second chamber, the first slanted membrane and the second slanted membrane generate a continuous sweeping motion to force the working fluid to flow.

Abstract: This document discloses, among other things, a system and method of creating a positive contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) feature using a high transverse relaxation rate contrast agent.

Abstract: Disclosure is provided for imidazole-triazole derivative compounds that prevent, remove and/or inhibit the formation of biofilms, compositions comprising these compounds, devices comprising these compounds, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system useful for detecting sequence differences (e.g., single-nucleotide polymorphisms) between genomes using data from a single hybridization with a genomic DNA microarray, such as a whole-genome array. The methods described herein can be used to detect, simply and inexpensively, differences in sequence among the genomes of individual members of a species, for example. In examples described herein, the system and methods were used to detect a variety of spontaneous single base-pair substitutions, insertions and deletions, and most (>90%) of the approximately 30,000 known single-nucleotide polymorphisms between two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. The system and methods were also used to elucidate the genetic basis of phenotypic variants and identify the small number of single base-pair changes accumulated during experimental evolution of yeast.

Abstract: Differential Methylation Hybridization (DMH) was used to identify novel methylation markers and methylation profiles for hematopoieetic malignancies, leukemia, lymphomas, etc. (e.g., non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL), small B-cell lymphomas (SBCL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (B-CLL/SLL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma (MM), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), etc.). Particular aspects provide novel biomarkers for NHL and subtypes thereof (e.g., MCL, B-CLL/SLL, FL, DLBCL, etc.), AML, ALL and MM, and further provide non-invasive tests (e.g. blood tests) for lymphomas and leukemias. Additional aspects provide markers for diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring responses to therapies, relapse, etc., and further provide targets and methods for therapeutic demethylating treatments.

Abstract: An isolated and purified GnRH protein receptor protein including an amino acid sequence selected from the group and an isolated and purified DNA which comprises a nucleotide sequence coding for the GnRH protein receptor protein. Also, a vector comprising the DNA of the GnRH protein receptor protein, a transformant carrying the vector comprising the DNA of the GnRH protein receptor protein, a process for producing a GnRH protein receptor protein or a salt thereof including culturing the transformant carrying the vector comprising the DNA of the GnRH protein receptor protein under sufficient conditions and for appropriate time to express the GnRH protein receptor protein, and a method of screening for a ligand to the GnRH protein receptor protein including contacting the GnRH protein receptor protein or a salt thereof with a sample to be tested. A screening method for a compound capable of inhibiting binding of the GnRH protein receptor protein with a ligand.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a photoactive array having an integrated backplane is provided. The layers of the device may be stamped or deposited on a planar or a curved substrate, such as a semispherical or ellipsoidal substrate. Each metal layer may be stamped using an elastomeric stamp and a vacuum mold. By depositing the patterned and full-surface layers in a single process, a photosensitive array with an integrated transistor backplane may be fabricated, resulting in improved sensitivity and performance.

Abstract: A mammalian C-type lectin receptor type is identified which is shown to bind IgG antibodies or Fc fragments, thus inducing IVIG-related reversal of inflammation associated with various immune disorders. The identification of a DC-SIGN receptor type which interacts with IgG to promote a biological response reducing inflammation associated with immune disorders provides for methods of screening and selecting compounds which may be useful in treating various immune disorders by acting to modulate a DC-SIGN(+) cell to signal a second effector macrophage, causing an increase in expression of the Fc?RIIB receptor and in turn inhibiting a cellular-mediated inflammatory response.

Abstract: Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) binds its cellular receptor (uPAR) with high affinity, thus localizing the generation of plasmin from plasminogen on the surface of a variety of cells. Disclosed herein is the structure of suPAR (uPAR1-277) complexed with the amino terminal fragment (ATF) of uPA (uPA1-143) at a resolution of 1.9 ú by X-ray crystallography. Three consecutive domains of uPAR (D1, D2 and D3) form the shape of a thick-walled teacup with a cone shape cavity in the middle, which has a wide opening (25 ú) and large depth (14 ú). uPA1-143 inserts into the cavity of uPAR and forms a large interface. The structure provides the basis for high affinity binding between uPA and uPAR and suggests the D1 and D2 domain of uPAR and the GFD domain of uPA (uPA7-43) are primarily responsible for uPA-uPAR binding. This structure presents the first high resolution view of uPA-uPAR interaction, and provides, among other things, a new platform for designing uPA-uPAR inhibitors/antagonists.

Abstract: Ultrasound vibrometry is employed to determine the amount of bony in-growth (i.e., osteointegration) into a surgically implanted prosthetic component (or conversely, the degree of implant looseness). While specifically developed for assessing osteointegration for total ankle replacements, the technique has broader application to any joint arthroplasty device. With respect to ankle arthroplasty, a vibration is induced in a patient's ankle in a range of frequencies. A Doppler ultrasound unit scans the ankle, with an imaging plane focused on an implant surface. The vibrations input into the ankle are sinusoidal frequencies, in a range from 80-500 Hz. At a frequency determined to best facilitate vibration of the ankle (e.g., a resonant frequency), the output signal from the Doppler ultrasound is Fourier transformed so that the frequency components of the output signal can be observed. These output Fourier signatures have been shown to correspond to a graded response of implant osteointegration (or looseness).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include novel amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for antipathogenic polypeptides that were isolated from microbial fermentation broths. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.

Abstract: A method of producing a zinc oxide-based semiconductor crystal, including: introducing at least zinc and oxygen on a surface of a substrate; and growing a zinc oxide-based semiconductor crystal on the substrate, wherein a total or partial portion of the zinc is ionized in a vacuum atmosphere of 1×10?4 Torr or less and is introduced to the surface of the substrate to grow the ZnO based semiconductor crystal. As a result, it is possible to provide a method of producing a zinc oxide based semiconductor crystal capable of growing a zinc oxide semiconductor crystal having excellent surface flatness and crystallinity and including an extremely small amount of impurities at a high growth rate.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen, comprising the steps of: (a) gasifying a fuel into a raw synthesis gas comprising CO, hydrogen, steam and sulfur and halide contaminants in the form of H2S, COS and HX, where X is a halide; (b) passing the raw synthesis gas through a water gas shift reactor (WGSR) into which CaO and steam are injected, the CaO reacting with the shifted gas to remove CO2, sulfur and halides in a solid-phase calcium-containing product comprising CaCO3, CaS and CaX2; (c) separating the solid-phase calcium-containing product from an enriched gaseous hydrogen product; and (d) regenerating the CaO by calcining the solid-phase calcium-containing product at a condition selected from the group consisting of: in the presence of steam, in the presence of CO2, in the presence of synthesis gas, in the presence of H2 and O2, under partial vacuum, and combinations thereof. The CaO may have a surface area of at least 12.0 m2/g and a pore volume of at least 0.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods to identify the location in a genome of a nonfixed or multicopy genomic element using microarrays or sequencing.

Abstract: A method of producing organized skeletal muscle tissue from precursor muscle cells in vitro comprises: (a) providing precursor muscle cells on a support in a tissue media; then (b) cyclically stretching and relaxing the support at least twice along a first axis during a first time period; and then (c) optionally but preferably maintaining the support in a substantially static position during a second time period; and then (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) for a number of times sufficient to enhance the functionality of the tissue formed on the support and/or produce organized skeletal muscle tissue on the solid support from the precursor muscle cells.