Abstract: A family of PCR assays is disclosed for determining, both qualitatively and quantitatively, presence of material from a predetermined species source and for quantifying the amount of such material. The assays are based respectively on SINEs uniquely characteristic of pig species, cow species, chicken species, and ruminant sub-order, and having a high copy number. The assays disclosed permit rapid, inexpensive evaluation of meat samples to facilitate elimination from their diet of pork or beef by persons desiring to avoid such food sources; as well as the assay of cattle feed to determine presence therein of ruminant-source proteins, which are a potential source of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly referred to as “mad cow disease.” The assays amplify the predetermined unique SINEs and the resulting amplified mixture is then evaluated qualitatively by electrophoresis on gel containing ethidium bromide or quantitatively by SYBR Green-based detection or TaqMan chemistry.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved method for refining cellulose that produces a highly refined cellulosic material. The method comprises soaking raw material in a mild NaOH using reduced temperatures and pressures, and refining the material with a plate refiner so that a waste water stream is reduced in volume and has a pH within a range of 8 to 9. The present invention also comprises a HRC gel having a lignin concentration of at least about one (1)% by weight, and a water retention capacity of about 25 to at least about 56 g H2O/g dry HRC.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bacteriophage lysins useful for the reduction of certain bacterial populations, including methods and compositions for the treatment of various bacterial infections. For example, bacteriophage lysins were isolated and shown to effectively kill various bacteria, including both E. faecalis and E. faecium (including vancomycin resistant strains), as well as other human pathogens.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for a controller for fast transient response, the controller including a linear compensation circuit for controlling output voltage during steady state operation and a non-linear control circuit to generate a non-linear signal during transient periods, only a first pulse of the non-linear signal is injected during each transient period. The combination linear and non-linear control provides stability and reduces delay times for fast transient response. The non-linear control circuit includes a step up and a step down non-linear control circuit for producing the non-linear signal with a short delay time when the load voltage is less or greater than the reference voltage. An embodiment includes an adaptive circuit or generating a current signal dependent on the load current, the current signal is combined with the output voltage to reduce the difference between the reference and output voltages.

Abstract: A polarimetric imaging system employs a pixel pitch matched filter for use within, for example, a 2 by 2 pixel neighborhood, in which one pixel samples the scene via a 0 degree polarization filter and a second pixel samples the scene via a 45 degree polarization filter. The remaining two pixels record the intensity of the light within the 2 by 2 neighborhoods. The polarization filters employ organic materials such as polymers or metallic materials that are patterned and etched using reactive ion etching (RIE) or other appropriate etching technique in order to create 14 micron or smaller circular (or square) periodic structures that are patterned into polarization thin films that are deposited on an imaging sensor that includes a processor that computes from the polarization-filtered inputs the first three Stokes parameters in real-time.

Abstract: Space-time code, and methods for constructing space-time codes are provided.

Abstract: A preparation process is provided for preparing a novel flavonoid compound having a high level of antioxidative action. The flavonoid compound is obtained by subjecting hesperidin to microbial fermentation treatment with Aspergillus saitoi.

Abstract: The invention provides a packaging cell line for production of diphtheria toxin (DT) expressing, non-replicating adenovirus for use in suicide gene therapy of cancer cells, as well as production of immunotoxins. Also provided are methods for producing diphtheria toxin (DT) expressing, non-replicating adenovirus, methods for producing immunotoxins, and adenovirus and immunotoxins produced by those methods. Further provided are methods for making a cell resistant to diphtheria toxin.

Abstract: An enhanced analysis-by-synthesis waveform interpolative speech coder able to operate at 2.8 kbps. Novel features include dual-predictive analysis-by-synthesis quantization of the slowly-evolving waveform, efficient parametrization of the rapidly-evolving waveform magnitude, and analysis-by-synthesis vector quantization of the rapidly evolving waveform parameter. Subjective quality tests indicate that it exceeds G.723.1 at 5.3 kbps, and of G.723.1 at 6.3 kbps.

Abstract: Vibrio cholerae accessory cholera enterotoxin (ACE) activates a calcium dependent chloride channel. Ace and Ace analogs can be administered to patients to treat diseases involving defects in chloride secretion by the cystitis fibrosis transmembrane receptor (CFTR). Cystic fibrosis, Dent's disease, X-linked nephrolithiasis, X-linked recessive hypophosphatemic rickets, autosomal dominant myotonia congenita and autosomal recessive general myotonia can be treated by the administration of Ace or an Ace analog. For cystic fibrosis, administration of Ace or an Ace analog increases chloride secretion in the lungs which increases the amount of airway surface water in the lumen of the lungs.

Abstract: A laser and monitoring system is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, the system includes a laser, pulse shaper and detection device. A further aspect of the present invention employs a femtosecond laser and binary pulse shaping (BPS). Still another aspect of the present invention uses a laser beam pulse, a pulse shaper and a SHG crystal. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a multiphoton intrapulse interference phase scan (hereinafter “MIIPS”) method is used to characterize the spectral phase of femtosecond laser pulses and to correct them. A further aspect of the system of the present invention is employed to monitor environmental chemicals and biological agents, including toxins, explosives, and diseases.

Abstract: It is possible to observe a state of stress applied to a region around a cavity replicating a body cavity such as a blood vessel and the like in a three-dimensional model. In catheter insert simulation, when stress is applied to the region around the cavity in the three-dimensional model, it is possible to observe the catheter state together with a photoelastic effect corresponding to the stress state in the surrounding region caused by the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a two-step method of preparing methylsilsequixane (MSQ) materials suitable for chromatographic applications comprising treating a MSQ precursor with a suitable acid followed by treatment with a suitable base under conditions to form a MSQ monolith suitable for chromatographic applications.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an immunogenic composition comprising OspC polypeptides from Lyme Disease causing Borrelia. In one embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present invention comprises at least one OspC polypeptide or immunogenic fragment thereof from each of Borrelia burgdorferi OspC families A, B, I and K. In another embodiment, the immunogenic composition of the present invention comprises at least one OspC polypeptide or immunogenic fragment thereof from each of Borrelia afzelii OspC families A and B.

Abstract: A covalently linked organic network includes a plurality of boron-containing clusters linked together by a plurality of linking groups. The covalently linked organic networks are characterized by having each linking group bonded to at least two distinct boron-containing clusters.

Abstract: The present invention includes vectors and methods for high throughput co-expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic nucleic acid sequence comprising 10-30 nucleotides of the N gene region and/or the 3? non-coding region of the SARS-associated coronavirus genome, and a synthetic nucleic acid sequence comprising 10-30 nucleotides of a nucleic acid sequence that is complementary to at least one of those regions. Also provided are compositions comprising the sequences, and uses of the sequences in diagnostic kits. The present invention further provides a primer set for determining the presence or absence of SARS-associated coronavirus in a biological sample, wherein the primer set comprises at least one of the synthetic nucleic acid sequences. Also provided are a composition comprising the primer set, and use of the primer set in a diagnostic kit. Finally, the present invention provides kits and methods for determining the presence or absence of SARS-associated coronavirus in a biological sample.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to surface plasmon-polariton waveguides, which can guide ultra-long range surface plasmon-polariton waves. The attenuation of an ultra-long range surface plasmon-polariton waves is much lower than the attenuation of the conventional long range surface plasmon-polariton waves guided with the same kind of metal film or metal strip at the same plasmon-polariton frequency. An exemplary ultra-long range surface plasmon-polariton waveguide disclosed in this disclosure comprises a metal layer, such as a metal film or finite width metal strip, intermediate dielectric layers adjacent to the metal layer, and outer cladding dielectric material. The intermediate dielectric layers redistribute the electromagnetic energy distribution of the surface plasmon-polariton waves so that less of the energy propagates in the metal layer. Therefore, the attenuation of the surface plasmon-polariton wave is reduced.

Abstract: Peptide antagonists of zonulin are disclosed, as well as methods for the use of the same. The peptide antagonists bind to the zonula occludens receptor, yet do not physiologically modulate the opening of mammalian tight junctions.