Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal compound is described capable of linking to an affinity molecule. The compound comprises (1) a semiconductor nanocrystal capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation and/or absorbing energy, and/or scattering or diffracting electromagnetic radiation—when excited by an electromagnetic radiation source or a particle beam; and (2) at least one linking agent, having a first portion linked to the semiconductor nanocrystal and a second portion capable of linking to an affinity molecule. The compound is linked to an affinity molecule to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with a detectable substance. Subsequent exposure to excitation energy will excite the semiconductor nanocrystal in the probe, causing the emission of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A modular cytomimetic biocompatible biomaterial, comprising a phospholipid or phospholipid derivative comprising various functional groups (e.g., lipid, peptide, sugar) having specific chemical properties which can function as a modular surface design unit to be incorporated or appended to a desired substrate (e.g., a polymer or a metal) on which it is then polymerized in situ, thereby contributing new or specified biochemical characteristics to the polymerized and stabilized biomaterial.

Abstract: A system and method for using magnetic resonance imaging to increase the accuracy of electrophysiologic procedures is disclosed. The system in its preferred embodiment provides an invasive combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter which includes an RF antenna for receiving magnetic resonance signals and diagnostic electrodes for receiving electrical potentials. The combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter is used in combination with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner to guide and provide visualization during electrophysiologic diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The invention is particularly applicable to catheter ablation, e.g., ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials related to immediate early genes. Specifically, the invention provides isolated immediate early gene nucleic acid, cells that contain isolated immediate early gene nucleic acid, substantially pure polypeptides encoded by immediate early gene nucleic acid, and antibodies having specific binding affinity for a polypeptide encoded by immediate early gene nucleic acid. In addition, the invention provides cDNA libraries enriched for immediate early genes cDNAs, isolated nucleic acid derived from such cDNA libraries, and methods for treating conditions related to a deficiency in a neuron's immediate early gene responsiveness to a stimulus.

Abstract: The present invention presents novel leptospiral membrane lipoproteins, LipL1 and LipL2, associated with pathogenic strains of Leptospira. LipL1 is of about 35 kDa, and LipL2 is of about 41 kDa. Also disclosed are the method for purifying these proteins from Leptospira, their nucleotide and amino acid sequences, the cloning of the genes encoding the proteins and their recombinant proteins, methods for producing antibodies to these proteins, the resulting antibodies. These proteins, their immunogenic fragments, and antibodies against them, are useful for inducing an immune response to pathogenic Leptospira as well as providing a diagnostic target for leptospirosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated cytotoxic Epstein-Barr virus T-cell epitope having the amino acid sequence TYSAGIVQI (SEQ ID NO: 34) which can be formulated as a water-in-oil formulation, and vaccine compositions comprising said epitope, optionally with additional epitopes.

Abstract: This invention provides method and apparatus for performing chemical and biochemical reactions in solution using in situ generated photo-products as reagent or co-reagent. Specifically, the method and apparatus of the present invention have applications in parallel synthesis of molecular sequence arrays on solid surfaces.

Abstract: An artificial or modified natural blood flow tubing has a helical-flow inducer to induce helical flow in such fashion as to eliminate or reduce turbulence. One inducer is a tubular stent of expansible mesh having a helical vane.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the identification of agents that modify or mimic P protein function. Cells expressing a P protein are generally more sensitive to toxins, and changes in cell viability and/or cell death after exposure of P protein-expressing cells to an agent and a toxin is an indication that such an agent is a modifier of P protein expression. The invention also provides methods for the treatment of melanoma and other cancers.

Abstract: New aerogels are disclosed which comprise silica and at least one organic polymer having polar functional groups. Also disclosed are methods for making such aerogels and for making them as substantially transparent objects. In addition, gas detectors, liquid and gas absorbing objects, and optical devices made using these aerogels are disclosed. The present invention concerns optical elements which are substantially transparent and exhibit low refractive indices. The invention further relates to detectors of reactive and absorbate gases based on the physical changes exhibited by the aerogels upon reacting with or absorbing such gases. The present invention further concerns printable objects comprising these aerogels, specifically when the print media are imaged by the absorption of liquid and the spatial localization of pigments or dyes. The invention further concerns reactive gas absorbers comprising these aerogels and the catalytic function the aerogels serve to catalyze subsequent chemical reaction.

Abstract: A resonant microcavity display having microcavity with a substrate, a phosphor active region and front and rear reflectors. The front and rear reflectors may be spaced to create either a standing or traveling electromagnetic wave to enhance the efficiency of the light transmission.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for inducing tolerance in a recipient to a mismatched graft of an organ, tissue and/or cells. By reactivating the recipient's thymus and providing hematopoietic stem cells from the donor, the previously “foreign” matter becomes recognized as “self” in the recipient and is not rejected. The patient's T cell population is depleted. In some embodiments, the hematopoietic stem cells are CD34+. The recipient's thymus is reactivated by disruption of sex steroid mediated signaling to the thymus. In some embodiments, this disruption is created by administration of LHRH agonists, LHRH antagonists, anti-LHRH receptor antibodies, anti-LHRH vaccines or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for obtaining position and energy information without pileup. Signal integration, which is triggered by a present event, stops when a subsequent event is detected. A weighted value for estimating the total energy in a scintillation is calculated, which includes the energy of the current event and a residual energy from previous events. Remnant correction is used to calculate a pile-up free energy from two consecutive weighted values. An analog filter may be applied to reduce noise. Dynamic digital weighting of integrated values, and/or digital integration may be used during data processing. Pileup can be avoided in conjunction with several types of applications, including multi-zone detector applications and coincidence detection applications. High-resolution timing techniques are also disclosed that facilitate one's ability to avoid pileup.

Abstract: A micro channel unit having a shape designed to reduce a pressure drop when fluid passes through a connecting channel portion is provided. The micro channel unit includes a micro channel with a width of micrometer dimensions through which liquid flows. The micro channel includes a plurality of straight channel portions and connecting channel portions that connect each pair of adjacent straight channel portions. The connecting channel portions are wider than the straight channel portions connected by the connecting channel portions. The use of the micro channel unit can reduce the pressure drop when fluid passes through the connecting channel portions, thereby reducing the amount of power required to drive the fluid flow and further enabling miniaturization of microfluidic devices such as pumps and peripheral devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for control of optical trap arrays and formation of particle arrays using light that is in the visible portion of the spectrum. The method and apparatus provides a laser and a time variable diffractive optical element to allow dynamic control of optical trap arrays and consequent control of particle arrays and also the ability to manipulate singular objects using a plurality of optical traps. By avoiding wavelengths associated with strong absorption in the underlying material, creating optical traps with a continuous-wave laser, optimizing the efficiency of individual traps, and trapping extended samples at multiple points, the rate of deleterious nonlinear optical processes can be minimized.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the degradation of compounds contained in a liquid or solid waste stream are described. Genes encoding toluene-degrading enzymes are described. The enzymes have homology to the E. coli pyruvate formate lyase and pyruvate formate lyase activator.

Abstract: Nitroxyl donating compounds are administered prior to the onset of ischemia for the prevention and/or reduction of ischemia/reperfusion injury in subjects at risk for ischemia. Nitroxyl donors also are administered to organs to be transplanted for the prevention and/or reduction of ischemia/reperfusion injury upon reperfusion in a recipient. Nitroxyl donors include any nitroxyl donating compound. In particular cases the nitroxyl donor is a nitroxyl-donating diazeniumdiolate, such as Angeli's salt or IPA/NO.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of novel nucleotide sequences for the spike peptide, pol region peptide and M and N region peptide of the ferret coronavirus and derivative products for the diagnosis and treatment of epizootic catarrhal enteritis (ECE) in ferrets.

Abstract: An adhesive composition made by reacting a soy protein with at least one compound under conditions sufficient for introducing additional phenolic hydroxyl functional groups, amine functional groups, and/or thiol functional groups into the soy protein structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN, including submicrometer combinatorial arrays, and kits, devices and software for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air.