Abstract: A self-propelling device (1) is adapted to travel through a passage (3) having walls containing contractile tissue, the device (1) comprising a body (2) and at least one contractile tissue-stimulating means for stimulating the walls to urge the device selectively in both a forward direction (7). The stimulating means may be electrodes (5,8), and the passage can be the gut of an animal or human. The device is particularly useful as an enteroscope.

Abstract: Methods of detecting and treating rapidly growing exogenous cells, such as Protista, or parasites, that preferentially accumulate a photoactivatable porphyrin in which 5-aminolevulinic acid or precursor thereof is administered to the patient, or contacted to the exogenous cells, in an amount sufficient to induce synthesis fluorescence and/or photosensitizing concentrations of a protoporphyrin IX in the exogenous cells, followed by exposure of the exogenous cells to light of photoactivating wavelengths.

Abstract: A polyketide, or an antibiotic which is obtainable from the polyketide by a method comprising treating the polyketide with a culture medium conditioned by Saccharopolyspora erythraea, selected from the group consisting of:

Abstract: A method and apparatus for temperature-independent determination of a concentration of a probe gas in a sample over a selected temperature range between a low temperature TL corresponding to a lowest temperature expected or found in the sample and a high temperature TH corresponding to a highest temperature expected or found in the sample. In accordance with the method, a probe temperature function of the probe gas is determined over the temperature range using a first spectroscopic technique. Then, a second spectroscopic technique is selected, a reference gas is identified and a reference temperature function of the reference gas is determined using the second spectroscopic technique over the temperature range. In particular, the reference gas is identified such that a ratio of the probe temperature function and the reference temperature function is substantially constant over the temperature range.

Abstract: Methods of forming a nano-scale electronic and optoelectronic devices include forming a substrate having a semiconductor layer therein and a substrate insulating layer on the semiconductor layer. An etching template having a first array of non-photolithographically defined nano-channels extending therethrough, is formed on the substrate insulating layer. This etching template may comprise an anodized metal oxide, such as an anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) thin film. The substrate insulating layer is then selectively etched to define a second array of nano-channels therein. This selective etching step preferably uses the etching template as an etching mask to transfer the first array of nano-channels to the underlying substrate insulating layer, which may be thinner than the etching template. An array of semiconductor nano-pillars is then formed in the second array of nano-channels. The semiconductor nano-pillars in the array may have an average diameter in a range between about 8 nm and about 50 nm.

Abstract: The amino acid sequence of native contortrostatin was used in a cloning strategy to obtain full-length cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences for a contortrostatin precursor. The precursor includes pro-protein, metalloproteinase, and disintegrin (contortrostatin) regions of the multidomain protein. The sequences can be used produce recombinant DNA molecules which code on expression for contortrostatin proteins, including biologically active variants and fragments. When formulated as a pharmaceutically acceptable composition, the proteins can be used to treat patients by inhibiting disease processes associated with an integrin binding to an integrin receptor.

Abstract: A fast (high numerical aperture) cylindrical microlens, which includes an internally reflective surface, that functions to deviate the direction of the light that enters the lens from its original propagation direction is employed in optically conditioning laser diodes, laser diode arrays and laser diode bars.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for an associative and approximate, analog or digital scanning of databases that allows for the asynchronous accessing of data from a mass storage medium. The invention includes providing dedicated analog and digital circuitry and decision logic at the mass storage medium level for determining a key identifying the data of interest, continuously comparing the key to a signal generated from a reading of the data from the mass storage medium with an approximate or exact matching circuit to determine a pattern match, determining a correlation value between the key and the data as it is read in a continuous fashion, and determining a match based upon a preselected threshold value for the correlation value. The pattern matching technique eliminates any need to compare data based on its intrinsic structure or value, and instead is based on an analog or digital pattern. The key and data may be either analog or digital.

Abstract: A light beam from a laser source is divided into two light beams at a half mirror, and the plane of polarization of one of the two divided light beams is rotated by 90 degrees at a half-wave plate so as to be orthogonal to that of the other of the two divided light beams. The two divided light beams are superimposed and introduced into a sample to be measured in anisotropy. After passing through the sample, the superimposed light beam is split at a polarized light beam splitter into the above two light beams, and the plane of polarization of the other of the two light beam is rotated by 90 degrees at a half-wave plate so as to correspond to that of the one of the two light beams. Then, the two light beams is superimposed again at a half mirror, and an interference pattern of the superimposed light beam is projected on a screen.

Abstract: An optical communications system comprises, among other things, a laser source; an optical waveguide interconnected to the laser source to carry an optical signal from the source to an optical receiver; an optical receiver interconnected to the optical waveguide for decoding the signal; and a mechanical modulator adapted to substantially continuously mechanically perturb a portion of the optical waveguide so as to reduce Rayleigh backscattering from the optical waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention includes a supported catalyst for the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) with a lower hydrocarbon. The supported catalyst comprising at least one active metal and at least one promoter metal attached to a support. The support may additionally include activated carbon. The promoter metals may be chosen from the lanthanide metals and the active metals may be chosen from palladium or platinum. The invention also includes a method of making the above mentioned catalysts and a method of using the catalysts to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) with a lower hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for lightning protection. The subject method and apparatus can be utilized to provide lightning protection for a marine vessel, other structures near water, and/or land-based structures. In a specific embodiment of the subject invention, an electrode design for allowing the electric current caused by a lightning strike to be grounded to water can be employed. The subject grounding electrodes can be employed such that the electrodes are not completely immersed in the water during normal operation of the marine vessel. In a specific embodiment of the subject invention, such grounding is not in contact with the water at all. The specific embodiment of the subject electrode is designed to enhance sparking initiation. In a specific embodiment, the subject electrode is designed to be at least partially, and in some embodiments substantially, insulate from the water, such that an area of the electrode used as a spark channel is exposed.

Abstract: A cross-connect switch for fiber-optic communication networks employing a wavelength dispersive element, such as a grating, and a stack of regular (non-wavelength selective) cross bar switches using two-dimensional arrays of micromachined, electrically actuated, individually-tiltable, controlled deflection micro-mirrors for providing multiport switching capability for a plurality of wavelengths. Using a one-dimensional micromirror array, a fiber-optic based MEMS switched spectrometer that does not require mechanical motion of bulk components or large diode arrays can be constructed with readout capability for WDM network diagnosis or for general purpose spectroscopic applications.

Abstract: Transgenic grass plants which exhibit a color different from the color exhibited by the corresponding non-transgenic grass plants under conditions of stress are provided Examples of such conditions include, but are not limited to, lack of fertilizer, lack of water, and attack by insects or pathogens. The genome of the transgenic grass plant comprises a transgene comprising a nucleic acid which encodes one or more regulators of anthocyanin biosynthesis, and an inducible promoter which is responsive to a stress condition, such as for example, nutrient deprivation, water deprivation, and attack by a pathogen.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid compositions and sequences of anergy associated genes are provided, including the novel GRAIL gene. Expression of these genes is upregulated during the early stages of induction of anergy. The murine GRAIL sequence is shown to attenuate IL-2 transcription in T cells during response to antigenic stimulation. The identification of genes involved in the induction of anergy is useful in the evaluation of the pathophysiology or immunotherapy of cancer, autoimmune disease, and transplant rejection. Genetic sequences involved in anergy induction are useful markers in the evaluation of specific immunotherapies. Functional characterization of genes involved in anergy induction allows the elucidation of the mechanism(s) of T cell anergy, including the transcriptional blockade of IL-2, which may be manipulated to regulate T cell responses in human disease.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a derivative or analog of baccatin III or 10-desacetyl baccatin III having a C9 substituent other than keto in which the C9 keto substituent of taxol, a taxol analog, baccatin III or 10-desacetyl baccatin III is selectively reduced to the corresponding hydroxy group.

Abstract: Devices and methods for implementing computer-aided surgical procedures and more specifically devices and methods for implementing a computer-aided orthopedic surgery utilizing intra-operative feedback. A three-dimensional model of an area of a patient upon which a surgical procedure is to be performed is modeled using software techniques. The software model is used to generate a surgical plan, including placement of multifunctional markers, for performing the surgical procedure. After the markers are placed on the patient, an updated image of the patient is taken and used to calculate a final surgical plan for performing the remainder of the surgical procedure. The three-dimensional modeling, surgical planning, and surgery may all take place remote from each other. The various entities may communicate via an electronic communications network such as the Internet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaping small three-dimensional articles such as nanotube exhibiting a layered structure through material removal such that the article is controllably shaped to exhibit a desired contour. Typically, material removal does not require use of a chemical etchant and is carried out while the article and a shaping electrode are positioned in contact material removal relationship with under a potential difference. The invention also relates to nanotubes and small three-dimensional articles exhibiting a layered structure having a controllably shaped contour.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ZnO based tunable surface acoustic wave (SAW), preferably monolithically integrated tunable SAW (MITSAW) device. The MITSAW comprises a ZnO/MgxZn1−xO quantum well structure and piezoelectric ZnO thin film epitaxially grown on R-plane sapphire ((01{overscore (1)}2)Al2O3) substrate using MOCVD. R-plane sapphire provides in-plane anisotropy in the ZnO layer as the c-axis of ZnO lies in the growth plane. A two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is placed in the delay path of the SAW device and interacts with the lateral electric field resulting in ohmic loss which attenuates and slows the surface acoustic wave. This mechanism is used to tune the acoustic velocity. The high coupling coefficients offered by the ZnO/R-(Al2O3) system allows large velocity tuning. ZnO based MITSAW is used for chemical and biochemical sensors, offers excellent manufacturability, high yield and low cost. Such SAW sensors have a “resettable” sensing mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying scale invariant features in an image and a further method and apparatus for using such scale invariant features to locate an object in an image are disclosed. The method and apparatus for identifying scale invariant features may involve the use of a processor circuit for producing a plurality of component subregion descriptors for each subregion of a pixel region about pixel amplitude extrema in a plurality of difference images produced from the image. This may involve producing a plurality of difference images by blurring an initial image to produce a blurred image and by subtracting the blurred image from the initial image to produce the difference image. For each difference image, pixel amplitude extrema are located and a corresponding pixel region is defined about each pixel amplitude extremum. Each pixel region is divided into subregions and a plurality of component subregion descriptors are produced for each subregion.