Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for backlash compensation. A dynamics inversion compensation scheme is designed for control of nonlinear discrete-time systems with input backlash. The techniques of this disclosure extend the dynamic inversion technique to discrete-time systems by using a filtered prediction, and shows how to use a neural network (NN) for inverting the backlash nonlinearity in the feedforward path. The techniques provide a general procedure for using NN to determine the dynamics preinverse of an invertible discrete time dynamical system. A discrete-time tuning algorithm is given for the NN weights so that the backlash compensation scheme guarantees bounded tracking and backlash errors, and also bounded parameter estimates. A rigorous proof of stability and performance is given and a simulation example verifies performance. Unlike standard discrete-time adaptive control techniques, no certainty equivalence (CE) or linear-in-the-parameters (LIP) assumptions are needed.

Abstract: An actuation system for assisting the operation of the natural heart includes a framework for interfacing with a natural heart and which is coupled with tissue of the heart. An actuator element is adapted to be coupled to the framework and is configured for extending along a portion of a heart wall exterior surface. The actuator element is operable for deforming the portion of the heart wall to effect a reduction in the volume of the heart. A protective sheath is configured to extend along the heart wall between the actuator element and the heart wall portion for protecting the heart wall portion from damage by the actuator element. The protective sheath is flexible and operable to transmit, to the heart wall portion, a force thereon by the actuator element for indenting the heart wall portion.

Abstract: Laminated devices and methods of making same are provided. A fluidic channel is formed in the inner layers of a laminate such as multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) and a hole is opened to the outer layers to allow fluid's access to a chip which contains chemical sensors. Several diaphragms are formed on each side of the chip access hole using the PCB as their substrate. Electromagnetic actuation of these diaphragms by solenoids housed inside the PCB drives or pumps fluid through the channel in a peristaltic fashion. By employing various channel geometries and/or the deposition of hydrophobic/hydrophillic layers, valves are provided in the channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transdermal drug delivery system which comprises: a therapeutically effective amount of an antiemetic; at least one dermal penetration enhancer, which is a safe skin-tolerant ester sunscreen ester; and at least one volatile liquid. The invention also provides a method for administering at least one systemic acting antiemetic thereof to an animal which comprises applying an effective amount of the antiemetic in the form of the drug delivery system of the present invention.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods for inducing apoptosis of a selected group of vertebrate cells in vivo by reducing the level of thiamin in the cells. Included are methods for inducing apoptosis of cancer cells. Also described are compounds and compositions for use in methods of thiamin depletion and treating diseases such as cancer, and methods for identifying thiamin-depleting agents and for preparing pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new and improved pharmaceutical composition and method for delivery of therapeutic agents. The methods and composition of the invention can be used with several therapeutic agents and can achieve site specific delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic substance. This can allow for lower doses and for improved efficacy with drugs which traditionally reach targeted sites and can result in improved utility for agents such as oligonucleotides and polynucleotides which are plagued with problems with biodistribution.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a protective covering for application on livestock feedstuffs to prevent spoilage of the feedstuffs that is also edible by livestock, and includes a nutritive starch source to provide a nutritive aggregate ingredient, a salt to promote stability in a protective solution, a non-protein nitrogen source to act as a surfactant, and cement to promote spraying application of the protective solution formed from the covering. The instant invention is directed to a protective covering that includes a dry mixture, to which a sufficient amount of water is added to form an aqueous solution. The dry mixture includes a nutritive starch source, a salt source, a non-protein nitrogen source such as urea, and cement. Water is added to the dry mixture, resulting in the instant protective solution. The protective solution is then applied to various target surfaces, which include typical livestock feedstuffs such as silage, hay and grain.

Abstract: The invention provides multifunctional fusion constructs which are rapidly incorporated into a macromolecular structure such as a phycobilisome such that the fusion proteins are separated from one another and unable to self-associate. The invention provides methods and compositions for displaying a functional polypeptide domain on an oligomeric phycobiliprotein. including fusion proteins comprising a functional displayed domain and a functional phycobiliprotein domain incorporated in a functional oligomeric phycobiliprotein. The fusion proteins provide novel specific labeling reagents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thio semicarbazone and semicarbazone inhibitors of cysteine proteases and methods of using such compounds to prevent and treat protozoan infections such as trypanosomiasis, malaria and leishmaniasis. The compounds also find use in inhibiting cysteine proteases associated with carcinogenesis, including cathepsins B and L.

Abstract: An input device includes a magnet to be worn by a user on one fingertip of either a right hand or a left hand, a first magnetic sensor to be worn by the user on a wrist of either the right hand or the left hand to detect a magnetic field generated by the magnet at a corresponding position, a second magnetic sensor to be worn by the user on the same wrist on which the first magnetic sensor is worn and at a position that is farther from the magnet than the first magnetic sensor and eliminates effects of geomagnetism, and an output unit to output a difference between an output signal from the first magnetic sensor and an output signal from the second magnetic sensor.

Abstract: A method of immunizing against plaque forming diseases using display technology is provided. The method utilize novel agents, or pharmaceutical compositions for vaccination against plaque forming diseases which rely upon presentation of an antigen or epitope on a display vehicle. The method further includes agents, or pharmaceutical compositions for vaccination against plaque forming diseases, which rely upon presentation of an antibody, or an active portion thereof, on a display vehicle. Whether antigens or antibodies are employed, disaggregation of plaques results from the immunization. The methods of the present invention also generally relates to treating and/or diagnosing neurological diseases and disorders of the central nervous, regardless of whether the disease or disorder is plaque-forming or non-plaque forming.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transdermal drug delivery system which comprises: a therapeutically effective amount of an antiParkinson agent; at least one dermal penetration enhancer, which is a safe skin-tolerant ester sunscreen ester; and at least one volatile liquid. The invention also provides a method for administering at least one systemic acting antiParkinson agent to an animal which comprises applying an effective amount of the antiParkinson agent in the form of the drug delivery system of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for isolating microorganisms that can anaerobically degrade aromatic hydrocarbons. The present invention also concerns methods of anaerobic biodegradation of aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A frequency divider circuit is disclosed that generates output signals having a frequency substantially half of the frequency of the input signal. The circuit comprises two D-Flip-Flop circuits wherein one employs the said input signal and the other one employs the complement of the said input signal, and each of the two D-Flip-Flop circuits consists of a pair of loading transistors, two regenerative pairs coupled with each others, and two common-gate switches.

Abstract: The invention relates to fragments of Clostridium botulinum HC that can be linked with an entity (e.g., an antigen, a particle, or a radionuclide) and used to deliver the entity across a non-keratinized epithelial membrane of an animal. The fragments are useful, for example, for making vaccines, antidotes, and anti-toxins and in situations in which rapid uptake of an agent by an animal is desired.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the use of rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies for postexposure prophylactic treatment of subjects exposed to rabies virus. Compositions comprising mixtures of rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies, as well as nucleotide and amino acid sequences encoding these antibodies, can be used in the treatment of subjects exposed to rabies virus. The invention also provides methods of producing recombinant rabies virus-neutralizing human antibodies in mammalian cells using recombinant expression vectors.

Abstract: This invention provides a therapeutic agent capable of specifically forming a complex with human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein which comprises a polypeptide. In one embodiment of the invention, the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 from about +1 to about +185 fused to the amino acid sequence from about +353 to about +371. In another embodiment of the invention, the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 from about +1 to about +106 fused to the amino acid sequence from about +353 to about +371. In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 6 from about +1 to about +185.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of Type II Diabetes Mellitus patients, which comprises administering an acidotropic agent to the patient in an amount sufficient for neutralizing intraendosomal pH or preventing lowering of intraendosomal pH; thereby activating insulin receptor kinase of the patient and preventing insulin resistance. The present invention also relates to a method for the screening of an acidotropic agent suitable for the treatment of Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of making RNAi libraries using E. coli RNAse III for inhibition of mammalian gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved means of treating tracheobronchitis, bronchiectasis and pneumonia in the nosocomial patient, preferably with aerosolized anti gram-positive and anti-gram negative antibiotics administered in combination or in seriatim in reliably sufficient amounts for therapeutic effect. In one aspect, the invention assures this result when aerosol is delivered into the ventilator circuit. In one embodiment the result is achieved mechanically. In another embodiment, the result is achieved by aerosol formulation. In another aspect, the invention assures the result when aerosol is delivered directly to the airways distal of the ventilator circuit. The treatment means eliminates the dosage variability that ventilator systems engender when aerosols are introduced via the ventilator circuit.