Abstract: Materials and methods are provided to inhibit HIV replication in targeted host cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protein isolated from S. aureus that is the target of RAP, called TRAP, which is characterized by a molecular weight of about 21 KDa, is capable of being phosphorylated by RAP, and comprises an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. In addition, the present invention is directed towards an antibody immunoreactive with TRAP that is preferably a monoclonal antibody or a humanized antibody but may be a polyclonal antibody. The invention provides a method of treating S. aureus infection by administering such a TRAP-inhibiting agent. The invention also features methods for identifying compounds that inhibit TRAP activity and/or inhibit TRAP-RAP interaction.

Abstract: An automated cold storage apparatus, and related method thereof, provides a sample process management system that is a revolutionary approach to the storage and retrieval regarding critical samples. The system—a significant technological breakthrough in laboratory automation—is the first ultra low temperature robotic system capable of being validated. Samples in containers are stored and retrieved robotically through an airlock climate-control chamber that is automatically dehumidified by a dry gas purge, such as a carbon dioxide or nitrogen purge or the like. This purge rapidly reduces ambient humidity to a desirable relative humidity (RH), e.g., less than about 15% RH, virtually eliminating the accumulation of frost. Microplates are systematically identified using barcode technology, for example. Once through the climate-controlled chamber, the containers (i.e., samples) are robotically transferred to the rotary mechanism.

Abstract: A core-in-shell sorbent is described herein. The core is reactive to the compounds of interest, and is preferably calcium-based, such as limestone for hot gas desulfurization. The shell is a porous protective layer, preferably inert, which allows the reactive core to remove the desired compounds while maintaining the desired physical characteristics to withstand the conditions of use.

Abstract: We propose modifying the error-diffusion method for transforming a grey-scale image into a halftone image, so that binary data is hidden in the resulting halftone image. Simultaneously, a second halftone image is generated by error diffusion, not storing the hidden data. The hidden binary data is typically a binary image, and the dark regions of this binary image can be seen when the two halftone images are overlaid.

Abstract: Protein macromolecular dyes, A(B)b are disclosed, wherein A are protein macromolecules including natural protein macromolecules and modified natural protein macromolecules such as casein, gelatin and fur-protein; B are dyes including azo dyes, azo metal complex dyes and anthraquinone dyes which can react with the amino groups of the natural and modified protein macromolecules; b are integers between 1˜2500. The protein macromolecular dyes have excellent properties of crosslinking ability, better dyeing fastness, fixation ration than conventional dyes and the function of normal macromolecules such as compatibility, abilities of filling and forming membranes. They may be used in dyeing protein materials such as leather, wool and silk.

Abstract: Tissue engineering devices with enhanced cell adhesion, cell proliferation and directional growth are provided which are prepared from nonwoven nanofibril matrices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods involving IKK&ggr; mutants. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions, including transgenic animals, suitable for use in determining means to treat, control, and/or prevent incontinentia pigmenti (IP). The present invention also provides methods to detect the presence of mutations in the IKK&ggr; gene and protein.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to nucleic acid probes comprising a a pattern of universal and designate nucleotides, or ‘gapped’ probes, and the use of sets of gapped probes in sequencing by hybridization to determine the sequence of nucleic acid sequences. The inclusion of universal nucleotides in the probes allows for efficient and rapid sequencing of longer nucleotide sequences than can be sequenced using traditional probes. The systems and methods described herein also relate to apparatus for sequencing nucleic acids which include gapped probes, as well as computer systems capable of analyzing data generated using gapped probes in such apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) replicon that efficiently replicates in an eukaryotic cell. The HCV replicon includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding a subgenomic fragments of HCV of any genotype that confer on the RNA the ability to replicate, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding an acetyl transferase selectable marker, such as puromycin. Also provided is an HCV type 1a replicon that efficiently replicates in an eukaryotic cell and includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding subgenomic fragments of type 1a HCV that confer on the RNA the ability to replicate, and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a acetyl transferase selectable marker. Further provided are eukaryotic cell lines that include an HCV replicon or an HCV type 1a replicon which efficiently replicate in the eukaryotic cell. The present invention also provides screening methods for identifying candidate compounds that inhibit the propagation of HCV.

Abstract: A method of imaging acid in a chemically amplified photoresist comprising the steps of: (a) exposing the chemically amplified photoresist to radiation thereby generating an acid, the chemically amplified photoresist comprising at least one species of pH-dependent fluorophore that fluoresces in the presence of the acid, the pH-dependent fluorophore being present at a concentration that enables the fluorescence from individual molecules of the pH-dependent fluorophore to be individually resolved; and (b) generating an image of the acid in the photoresist, the image comprising at least one or a plurality of discrete points corresponding to the fluorescent emission from an individual molecule or molecules of the pH-dependent fluorophore.

Abstract: A liquid compound or a compound solution is kept in contact with the surface of a solid material (synthetic resin, glass, metal, or ceramic), radiation selected from ultraviolet, visible, and infrared is irradiated on the interface between the surface of the solid material and the compound to optically excite the surface of the solid material and the compound, thereby effecting substitution with a chemical species in the compound, depositing or performing etching with the chemical species. Preferably, a transparent window is kept in tight contact with the surface of a solid material to be treated, a thin layer of the liquid compound or the compound solution is interposed between the surface of the solid material and the transparent window by using capillarity, and ultraviolet, visible, or infrared is irradiated through the window. With this treatment, the irradiated portion can be given hydrophilicity, adhesion properties, printing properties, corrosion resistance, and conductivity.

Abstract: Crystalline, transparent, rare-earth activated lutetium oxyorthosilicate phosphor. The phosphor consists essentially of lutetium yttrium oxyorthosilicate activated with a rare-earth metal dopant M and having the general formula Lu(2−x−z)YxMzSiO5, wherein 0.00≦x≦1.95, wherein 0.001≦z≦0.02, and wherein M is selected from Sm, Tb, Tm, Eu, Yb, and Pr. The phosphor also consists essentially of lutetium gadolinium oxyorthosilicate activated with a rare-earth metal dopant M and having the general formula Lu(2−x−z)GdxMzSiO5, wherein 0.00≦x≦1.95, wherein 0.001≦z≦0.02, and wherein M is selected from Sm, Tb, Tm, Eu, Yb, and Pr. The phosphor also consists essentially of gadolinium yttrium oxyorthosilicate activated with a rare-earth metal dopant M and having the general formula Gd(2−x−z)YxMzSiO5, wherein 0.00≦x≦1.95, wherein 0.001≦z≦0.02, and wherein M is selected from Sm, Tb, Tm, Eu, Yb, and Pr.

Abstract: A variety of optimal luminescent emitter layers, luminescent devices, and methods of fabricating the same are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an alternating current thin film electroluminescent device is provided including an AC power source and an emitter layer positioned between a pair of electrode layers. One of the pair of electrode layers is transparent to visible light of a selected wavelength. The AC power source is connected across the pair of electrode layers. The emitter layer comprises a non-conductive amorphous alloy comprising aluminum nitride and an Er luminescent center. The emitter layer and the pair of electrode layers are arranged such that, upon activation of the AC power source, an electric field is created between the electrode layers across the emitter layer.

Abstract: Biodegradable and/or bioabsorable fibrous articles and methods for using the articles in medical applications are disclosed. The biodegradable and/or bioabsorable fibrous articles, which are formed by elctrospinning fibers of biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable fiberizable material, comprise a composite (or asymmetric composite) of different biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable fibers. Articles having specific medical uses include an adhesion-reducing barrier and a controlled delivery system. The methods include methods for reducing surgical adhesions, controlled delivery of a medicinal agent and providing controlled tissue healing.

Abstract: Multiwavelength modelocked laser systems and methods for reducing intensity fluctuations and amplitude noise in each of the wavelength channels as well as manipulating the interwavelength phase coherence properties. The systems and methods can include lens, semiconductor optical amplifier, grating, cylindrical lens, rod lens and an approximately 7 nm MQW saturable absorber between mirrors for providing a laser cavity resonator for hybridly modelocked operation. Additional systems and methods can include two different positions for the saturable absorber inside the laser resonator which enables direction of the interwavelength phase coherence properties. Up to approximately 300 MHz optical pulse trains in each of up to approximately three channels can be generated. Combining gain flattening and noise suppression within the optical cavity of the modelocked laser can result in generating up to approximately 123 wavelength channels, each having up to approximately 6 Giga Hertz optical pulse trains.

Abstract: Method for producing metallic nanoparticles. The method includes generating an aerosol of solid metallic microparticles, generating non-oxidizing plasma with a plasma hot zone at a temperature sufficiently high to vaporize the microparticles into metal vapor, and directing the aerosol into the hot zone of the plasma. The microparticles vaporize in the hot zone to metal vapor. The metal vapor is directed away from the hot zone and to the plasma afterglow where it cools and condenses to form solid metallic nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic non-human animal models of basal cell carcinoma which allows for the characterization of the disease as well as for providing a system for the development and testing of potential treatments.

Abstract: A method of potentiating radiation therapy in a subject in need thereof comprises administering a potentiating agent such as caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) or an analog thereof to the subject in an amount effective to potentiate radiation therapy in the subject.

Abstract: A direct-view optical microscope system is provided which uses high-energy light from a phenomenon known as non-resonant Raman scattering to illuminate a living biological specimen. One embodiment of the system combines two discrete light sources to form a combined incident light source for the microscope. The system includes a method and apparatus for modulating the intensity of the scattered light when two light waves are combined to produce the incident light. By varying the frequency of the two source light waves, the intensity of the combined Raman-scattered light can be modulated to achieve finer resolution.