Abstract: A method and device for the rehabilitation of patients that have suffered loss of motor control of an appendicular joint due to neurological damage. The method includes attempted contraction by a patient of a muscle that serves to move an affected joint coupled with the production of a perception by the patient that the joint is being moved more than it really is. The method results in dramatic non-transient improvements in motor control of the joint. The device provides an apparatus for performance of the method.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns platinum complexes that exhibit antitumor cell and/or antiparasitic activity. The subject invention also concerns the use of platinum complexes of the invention to treat oncological and inflammatory disorders. The platinum complexes of the invention can also be used to treat or prevent infection by a virus or a bacterial or parasitic organism in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: Amphipathic lytic peptides are ideally suited to use in a ligand/cytotoxin combination to specifically inhibit cells that are driven by or are dependent upon a specific ligand interaction; for example, to induce sterility or long-term contraception, or to attack tumor cells, or to selectively lyse virally-infected cells, or to attack lymphocytes responsible for autoimmune diseases. The peptides act directly on cell membranes, and need not be internalized. Administering a combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (or a GnRH agonist) and a membrane-active lytic peptide produces long-term contraception or sterilization in animals in vivo. Administering in vivo a combination of a ligand and a membrane-active lytic peptide kills cells with a receptor for the ligand. The compounds are relatively small, and are not antigenic. Lysis of gonadotropes has been observed to be very rapid (on the order of ten minutes.) Lysis of tumor cells is rapid.

Abstract: A control system and apparatus for use with an ultra-fast laser is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a laser, pulse shaper, detection device and control system. A multiphoton intrapulse interference method is used to characterize the spectral phase of laser pulses and to compensate for any distortions in an additional aspect of the present invention. In another aspect of the present invention, a system employs multiphoton intrapulse interference phase scan. Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention locates a pulse shaper and/or MIIPS unit between a spectral dispersion point in a laser oscillator and an output of a laser amplifier.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and an associated method for remotely energizing power storage devices. Energization may preferably be effected through the use of RF energy from a base station, ambient energy or ultra-wide band energy. The remote station preferably has at least one antenna having an effective area greater than its physical area. The system may have an antenna and associated circuitry provided on an electronic chip such as a monolithic chip or on a printed circuit with a suitable substrate.

Abstract: Two programs measure upper airway resistance using Resistance=Pressure/Flow. Raw flow and pressure data is divided into breaths and time adjusted so each breath starts with the value zero. Each breath is graphed as flow in the y-axis and time in the x-axis. The slope between points Flow=0 and Flow=0.20 is calculated. The resistance is the inverse of the slope. The second program determines whether a breath is flow limited or not. It also uses the flow and time data to perform a curve fitting to describe the flow-time in meaningful polynomial function F (P)=A t3+B t2+Ct+D. The derivative of this function is F?=3At2+2Bt+C. If the value of the derivative F? at maximum flow is less than or equal zero, then it is a flow limited breath, otherwise, it is non flow limited breath. Also, the need for a pressure-monitoring catheter is obviated.

Abstract: An adaptive bias method and circuits for amplifiers that provide a substantial current boost based at least partly upon a sensed input power of an amplifier circuit. Methods and circuits of the invention provide an additional bias current based upon the sensed input power. Circuits of the invention may be simple, area-efficient, low-power, stable and digitally-programmable. In addition, methods and circuits of the invention may be used with a number of amplifier circuit configurations, including amplifiers having either inductor and/or resistive degeneration.

Abstract: In a hardness measurement system, selecting an operating frequency is facilitated by using a phase shift circuit. A hardness sensor is connected to an operating frequency selection apparatus and in a free end state the amplitude versus frequency characteristic is acquired, and the frequency and the phase of the peaks are measured and acquired as the free end characteristic. Next, the hardness sensor is placed into contact with a first test piece, and the frequency and the phase that change for the peaks are measured and acquired as the first characteristic. The same procedure is performed for a second test piece that is harder than the first test piece to yield the second characteristic. Based on these characteristics and a predetermined selection criterion a peak suitable for hardness measurement is selected and the operating frequency is set from the frequency of the peak.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the diagnosis of chronic rejection in allografts. The method comprises identification of tertiary lymphoid organs (TLO) in the transplanted organs as a marker of chronic rejection by immunohistochemical detection for the presence of specific TLO antigens in biopsy samples or by radiographic imaging of radiolabeled antibodies to specific TLO antigens. In one embodiment, the presence of TLO is detected by the intravenous administration of a radiolabeled antibody to PNAd followed by radiographic imaging to determine the presence or absence of PNAd in the transplanted organ. The presence of PNAd in the transplanted organ is taken as an indication of chronic rejection.

Abstract: Selective whole cell QCM biosensors are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making and using such whole cell QCM biosensors, e.g., to screen drugs and diagnose diseases.

Abstract: An antenna device includes a connecting component and an antenna. The connecting component includes a surrounding wall that has a receiver connecting portion adapted to be connected to a receiver, and an antenna connecting portion extending from the receiver connecting portion in a longitudinal direction. The antenna connecting portion has a slit extending from an end surface thereof in the longitudinal direction and defined by a slit-defining wall that has a pair of opposite wall sections. The wall sections are formed respectively with a pair of engaging portions. The antenna is connected pivotally to the antenna connecting portion of the surrounding wall, and is movable relative to the connecting component between a first position, where the antenna extends into the slit and is clamped tightly between the engaging portions, and a second position, where the antenna ceases to extend into the slit.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the early detection of pregnancy failure, spontaneous abortion or premature birth by determinations of complement regulatory protein levels. A kit for use in rapid identification of these pregnancy complications is also provided.

Abstract: A composite material comprises (i) a polymer, (ii) a polymerizer, (iii) a protected corresponding activator for the polymerizer, and (iv) a plurality of capsules. The polymerizer is in the capsules, and the corresponding activator is protected with a corresponding encapsulant for the polymer and the polymerizer.

Abstract: A novel label-free sensitive detection method by employing a novel sensitive charge sensor is provided. Dissociation constant information is provided by a simple measurement of the dissociation of the target molecule form the target's receptor. The later process is affected by a novel system and its configuration as described herein. Basic objectives are to provide a drug discovery and characterization system that is an improvement over the current state of the art, low cost, highly sensitive, accurate, fast and easy to use. This invention involves both a physical system and a methodology.

Abstract: The invention is directed to oligonucleotide-mediated repair or alteration of genetic information, such as nucleic acid sequence alteration, and methods, compositions and kits for enhancing the efficiency of such alteration. Specifically, the invention incorporates the use of factors such as Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor (HDAC), Lambda phage beta protein, or hydroxyurea to achieve such enhanced efficiency.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and the like, which render an object from a predetermined view direction by a method using microfacet billboarding using 2D images obtained by photographing an object to be rendered from a plurality of photographing directions, and a depth image of the object to be rendered. This method obtains the geometrical shape of the object to be rendered on the basis of the depth image and the like, and approximates the geometrical shape using a set of microfacets whose directions change depending on the view direction. By mapping 2D images selected based on the view direction and photographing directions onto the respective microfacets as texture images, an arbitrary shaped object and landscape can be efficiently rendered.

Abstract: Included are methods of identifying compounds that mimic the interaction of Apoptin and APC1, e.g., binding of Apoptin to APC1, e.g., dissociation of APC1 from the APC/C, and compounds identified by the methods. Compounds that specifically mimic an interaction of Apoptin and APC1, e.g., cause dissociation of APC1 from the APC/C, are useful for promoting apoptosis (e.g., in cancer cells). Also included are methods of treating a subject having a disorder characterized by aberrant (e.g., decreased) apoptotic processes, by administering a compound that appropriately mimics an interaction of Apoptin and APC1.

Abstract: Cyclin D1 ablative agents and methods of using these agents in the treatment of cancers, and particularly breast cancer. Also provided are methods of treating cancer, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of one of the cyclin D1 ablative agents described herein to a subject in need of such treatment. Also provided are methods of treating cancers comprising using the cyclin D1 ablative agents described herein in combination therapies with existing chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides phosphorus-based oxazine compounds and the preparation method thereof. The phosphorus-based oxazine compounds of the present invention can provide better fire-resistant characteristics, while the preparation method for the phosphorus-based oxazine compound of the present invention can offer high yields and/or high purity phosphorus-based oxazine compounds.