Abstract: An energy efficient desalination process that does not produce waste products involves the extraction of water from a first solution, such as seawater, by using a second concentrated solution to draw the water from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution in favor of the soluble species of the solute, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. Also, by adjusting the equilibrium in favor of the less soluble species after the water has been drawn from the first solution, a portion of the solute can easily be precipitated out. Heating the second solution decomposes the solute into its constituent gasses. The constituent gasses and precipitated solute may be recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products.

Abstract: An optical spectrometer and/or a method of optical spectroscopy is described herein. One exemplary spectrometer includes a planar spectral filter, a dispersion system, and a detector array having at least two dimensions. The planar spectral filter filters incident light to generate a plurality of wavelength dependent spatial patterns. The dispersion system disperses the spatial patterns along at least one dimension in a wavelength dependent fashion onto the detector array. As a result, spatial patterns corresponding to different wavelengths are centered at different locations on the detector array. The dispersed spatial patterns superimpose at the detector array in an offset but overlapping relationship, creating an asymmetric image that facilitates the spectral analysis of a wide range of light sources, including diffuse or spectrally complex light sources.

Abstract: Nucleotide or amino acid sequences that may be used in the detection and/or identification for an ochratoxigenic fungus or in the construction of an atoxigenic strain of an ochratoxigenis fungus. The fungus may be of the genus Aspergillus, species carbonarius, niger, alliaceus, or foetidux. The fungus may also be of the genus Penicillium, species verrucosum.

Abstract: In an associative memory, when a reference data having the minimum distance with respect to an input data is detected as winner, it is determined whether or not a distance between the input data and winner is less than a threshold value. If the distance is less than the threshold value, it is determined that the reference data detected as winner matches with the input data, and then, a rank of the reference data is improved. If the distance is more than the threshold value, it is determined that the reference data is data different from the input data, and then, the input data is written as new reference data to the associative memory and replaces the reference data with the lowest rank. The upper positions of rank form as a long-term memory, and the lower positions thereof form as a short-term memory.

Abstract: A miniature, rugged robotic vehicle suitable for a variety of tasks including covert surveillance and reconnaissance. The vehicle may include a unitary single-piece chassis that provides structural rigidity to the vehicle and protection of onboard equipment. The vehicle may be configured to be thrown or dropped into an intended target site from a remote location. In one embodiment, the vehicle may include a wheel assembly having a tire with shock absorption capabilities in both radial and axial directions to cushion the vehicle from impact loads experienced during delivery. In some embodiments, the wheel assemblies may couple to a drive motor assembly of the vehicle via a clutch assembly that permits slippage between components to reduce potential damage to drive train components.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes three families of bacterial enzymes, which play a key role in mycothiol biosynthesis. The three families are bacterial cysteine:glucosaminyl inositol ligases (MshC) with catalytic ligase activity for ligation of glucosaminyl inositol and cysteine, bacterial acetyl-CoA:Cys-GlcN-Ins acetyltransferases (MshD) with catalytic activity for addition of an acetyl group to Cys-GlcN-Ins and bacterial MshA glycosyltransferase with catalytic activity for production of GlcNAc-Ins. The invention provides methods for using the mycothiol biosynthesis ligases, acetyltransferases or glycosyltransferases in drug screening assays to determine compounds that inhibit activity. The invention provides for treatment of actinomycete infections in mammals using antibiotics that inhibit production or activity of the enzymes of mycothiol biosynthesis, in particular MshC, MshD or MshA, and thereby reduce the production of mycothiol and the virulence of the infecting bacteria.

Abstract: A tumor suppressor gene, termed HLS-5 and the amino acid sequence that it encodes is used in regulating cell growth. An HLS-5 polynucleotide selected from polynucleotides comprising the nucleotide sequence set out in SEQ ID No. 1 or SEQ ID No. 3, or a fragment thereof; polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing selectively to the nucleotide sequence set out in SEQ ID No. 1 or SEQ ID No. 3, or a fragment thereof; polynucleotides comprising a polynucleotide sequence which is degenerate as a result of the genetic code to the polynucleotides of (a) or (b); polynucleotides complementary to the polynucleotides of (a), (b) or (c); with the proviso that the nucleotide sequences set out in SEQ ID No: 3 and SEQ ID No: 5 are specifically excluded.

Abstract: A photoactive fiber is provided, as well as a method of fabricating such a fiber. The fiber has a conductive core including a first electrode. An organic layer surrounds and is electrically connected to the first electrode. A transparent second electrode surrounds and is electrically connected to the organic layer. Other layers, such as blocking layers or smoothing layers, may also be incorporated into the fiber. The fiber may be woven into a cloth.

Abstract: A novel costimulatory protein molecule, B7-DC, which is a member of the B7 family, is described as is DNA coding therefor and expression vectors comprising this DNA. B7-DC protein, fragments, fusion polypeptides/proteins and other functional derivatives, and transformed cells expressing B7-DC are useful in vaccine compositions and methods. Compositions and methods are disclosed for inducing potent T cell mediated responses that can be harnessed for anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity.

Abstract: A method for automated landmark extraction from three-dimensional whole body scanned data extracts feature points as landmarks from a plurality of point clouds obtained from a three-dimensional whole body scanner, without pre-making the landmarks on a human body before scanning. The system includes: (1) Silhouette analysis, which projects three-dimensional body scanned data onto a two-dimensional surface and observes the variations in curvature and depth; (2) Minimum circumference, which uses the variations of the circumference of body parts to define the locations of the landmarks and feature lines; (3) Gray-scale detection, which converts the color information of human body from RGB values into gray-scale values to locate the landmarks with greater variations in brightness; and (4) Human-body contour plot, which simulates the sense of touch to locate landmarks by finding the prominent and concave parts on the human body.

Abstract: A method of Digital to Analogue conversion of an input signal Do for suppressing the effect of clock-jitter in a Delta-Sigma analogue to digital converter, or class D amplifier, comprises charging a capacitor to a reference voltage value (Vref) during a first phase (?) of a clock signal, discharging the capacitor during a second phase (?2) of the clock signal, wherein the discharge is regulated by a biased transistor, responsive to the voltage on the capacitor, in a first part of the second phase to provide an approximately constant discharge current, and regulated in a second part of the second phase for rapidly discharging the capacitor before the end of the second phase; and providing an output (Ud, OUT) as a function of the discharge current and the input signal Do. The output signal Ud, may be applied as a feedback signal to a loop filter in a Delta-Sigma converter. Alternatively, the output may represent the output of a Class D amplifier.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of screening compounds, gene sequences, and gene products in bacteria for agents that are protective against oxidative DNA damage in a human or animal. Gene sequences identified by these screens can also be used in diagnostic assays that identify subjects at increased risk for oxidative DNA damage. Pharmaceutical compositions that include DNA protective agents identified by these screens are also provided.

Abstract: A method for measuring a bonding force between a substrate (50) and a carbon nanotube array (40) formed thereon, wherein the carbon nanotube array includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes. A force gauge (1) including a cantilever (10), a flat-surface probe (20), a movement mechanism (60), and a force sensor (70) is provided. The probe is secured at one end of the cantilever. An adhesive layer (30) is formed on the flat surface of the probe. The probe is moved toward the substrate and is brought into bonding contact with the carbon nanotube array by the movement mechanism. The probe is pulled away from the substrate by the movement mechanism, causing the carbon nanotubes adhered thereto to separate from the substrate. The force at separation is detected by the force sensor, and that force can be converted into an average nanotube/substrate bonding force/strength.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a poxvirus vaccine comprising a soluble truncated poxvirus envelope protein. The invention is also directed to a vaccine comprising a nucleic acid encoding such proteins. Also included is an antibody which specifically binds to the proteins and nucleic acid encoding the same, as well as methods of preventing and treating a poxvirus infection using the afore-mentioned vaccine, antibody, protein, and nucleic acid encoding them.

Abstract: A method based on spectral subtractions of normalized time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence (TRLIF) spectra produces multiple fingerprints of petroleum oils simultaneously. The method utilizes the simultaneous excitation of the TRLIF spectra of six oil samples using synchronized optical shutters. Five of the samples are standard oil samples while the sixth is the targeted sample. Instead of one fingerprint for the targeted sample, the technique produces multiple fingerprints representing the spectral subtractions between the normalized TRLIF spectra of the target sample and those of each of the standard oil samples. The technique provides fingerprints of higher distinguishing ability than a prior method, allowing it to discriminate between closely similar petroleum oils even under weathered conditions. The technique requires no sample preparation and can be applied remotely. It can also identify the original grade of the petroleum oils from their weathered remains.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods of treating cancer. The compositions of the present invention include a composition prepared from a tumor cell which is hapten modified and syngeneic to the type of tumor to be treated. The composition has the properties, when administered with an adjuvant to a human suffering from a malignant tumor of the same type as said tumor cell, of eliciting T lymphocytes that infiltrate the tumor of said human, of eliciting an inflammatory immune response against the tumor of said human, and of eliciting a delayed-type hypersensitivity response to the tumor of said human. The methods of the present invention are directed to treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a tumor cell.

Abstract: A tunable micro-aspherical lens is disclosed, which employs two potential differences provided by two sets of electrodes to dynamically change the bottom area and the central height of the liquid polymer lens. The tunable micro-aspherical lens includes a tunable lens, a lower electrode plate, a hydrophobic pattern, an insulation layer and an upper transparent electrode plate. Also, a manufacturing method of a tunable micro-aspherical lens is disclosed, which includes forming a lower electrode plate, forming an insulation layer, determining a position of the tunable lens, controlling the bottom area and the central height of the tunable lens. The tunable micro-aspherical lens of the present invention eliminates spherical aberration and improves the focus spot resolution to shrink the focus spot and thus to provide better optical quality.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for generating ultrashort optical linear chirped pulses with very high power by amplifying the pulses so that their temporal duration is longer than the storage time of the amplifying medium. The additional gain factor is related to the ratio of the storage time to the stretched pulse. A preferred embodiment connects a mode locked laser source that generates optical pulses whose duration is stretched with a chirped fiber Bragg grating. Embodiments include methods, devices and systems causing an extreme chirped pulse amplifier (XCPA) effect in an oscillator.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for on-chip monitoring of cellular reactions, and in particular to such an apparatus and method that enables soft-docking of cells by using a dam wall that is parallel to the direction of fluid flow. The invention further relates to an apparatus and method capable of generating a controlled concentration gradient, and in particular a concentration gradient such that the cells are aligned in the direction of the concentration gradient after docking.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for the inhibition of anti-malarial target aspartyl protease plasmepsins (e.g. Plasmepsin I, Plasmepsin II, Plasmepsin IV and HAP) are provided. The compounds are based on allophenylnorstatine substituted at positions R1-R4, such that R1 is isoquinoline, carboxyl, naphtalene, phenyl, phenol, benzene, an amino acid, and derivatives thereof; R2 and R3 are aliphatic groups; and R4 is indan, naphthalene, benzylamine, phenyl, phenol, cyclopentane, tert-butylamine, or derivatives thereof. The compounds may be used to inhibit Plasmepsin II, to kill malarial parasites, and to treat malaria in a patient. Certain of the substituted allophenylnorstatine-based compounds also exhibit inhibitory activity against Cathepsin D.