Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a computerized method for determining a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a conduit having an obstruction flow meter includes receiving a &bgr; ratio value indicative of a &bgr; ratio of the obstruction flow meter, receiving a pressure differential value indicative of a pressure differential across the obstruction flow meter, receiving a density value indicative of a density of the fluid, receiving a discharge coefficient formula for the obstruction flow meter, the discharge coefficient formula being a function of the &bgr; ratio of the obstruction flow meter and an Euler number for the fluid flowing through the conduit, and determining, by the computer, the flow rate based on the received &bgr; ratio value, the received pressure differential value, the received density value, and the received discharge coefficient formula. The determined flow rate may either be the volumetric flow rate or the mass flow rate.

Abstract: Isolated extracellular matrix-binding proteins, designated ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE, and their corresponding amino acid and nucleic acid sequences and motifs are described. The proteins, peptides, fragments thereof or antigenic portions thereof are useful for the prevention, inhibition, treatment and diagnosis of S. aureus infection and as scientific research tools. Further, antibodies or antibody fragments to the proteins, peptides, fragments thereof or antigenic portions thereof are also useful for the prevention, inhibition, treatment and diagnosis of S. aureus infection. In particular, the proteins or antibodies thereof may be administered to wounds or used to coat biomaterials to act as blocking agents to prevent or inhibit the binding of S. aureus to wounds or biomaterials. ClfB is a cell-wall associated protein having a predicted molecular weight of approximately 88 kDa and an apparent molecular weight of approximately 124 kDa, which binds both soluble and immobilized fibrinogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to proteinase inhibitors and in particular cystatins which have been modified so as to enhance the effectiveness of synthetically manufactured counterparts. The modifications include either site-directed alterations in the structure of the protein and/or the production of hybrid molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preparing an article capable of detoxifying a pesticide, such as textiles, comprising: (a) immersing the article in an aqueous treating solution which comprises a catalyst, a wetting agent and a heterocyclic amine; and (b) treating the article with a halogenated aqueous solution, thereby rendering the article capable of detoxifying a pesticide.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the generation of polypeptides having varied material properties are disclosed herein. Methods include means for making block copolypeptides and related protocols for adding aminoacid-N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) to polyaminoacid chains by exposing the NCA to solutions containing polyaminoacid chains having an amido amidate metallacyle end groups and reacting the NCA with the amido containing metallacyle end group so that the NCA is added to the polyaminoacid chain. Addition methods include means of controlling the addition of aminoacid-N-carboxyanhydrides to polyaminoacid chains by reacting NCAs with initiator molecules and allowing initiator complexes to open the ring of the NCAs through oxidative addition across either the O—C5 or O—C2 anhydride bond resulting a controlled polypeptide polymerization. Novel compositions for use in peptide synthesis and design including five and six membered amido-containing metallacycles and block copolypeptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: A video processing environment includes a user interface and processing shell from which various video processing ‘plug-in’ programs are accessed. The shell insulates the plug-ins from the intricacies of reading various file formats. The user interface allows an operator to load a video sequence, define and view one or more video objects on any one or more frames of the video sequence, edit existing video object segmentations, view video objects across a series of video frames, and encode video objects among a video sequence in a desired format. Various encoding parameters can be adjusted allowing the operator to view the video sequence encoded at the various parameter settings. The user interface includes a video window, a time-line window, a zoom window, a set of menus including a menu of plug-in programs, and a set of dialogue boxes, including encoding parameter dialogue boxes.

Abstract: A pultrusion apparatus for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced plastic article having a non-linear shape includes a mold configured to receive a partially cured fiber-reinforced plastic article and to form the partially cured fiber-reinforced plastic article into a spirally wound shape. A drive mechanism is coupled to the mold and configured to rotate the mold such that the fiber-reinforced plastic article is taken up on the mold. An energy source is operatively associated with the mold and positioned so that the partially cured fiber-reinforced plastic article is cured in a spirally wound shape as the article is taken up on the longitudinally extending mold. The pultrusion apparatus allows for continuously shaping a non-linear fiber-reinforced plastic article, obviating the need for any of the work to be done by hand, which may be labor intensive, not as highly reproducible, and potentially contaminating.

Abstract: A method of preparing a conductive polymeric film, includes providing a liquid crystal phase comprising a plurality of hydrophobic cores, the phase on a substrate, introducing a hydrophobic component to the phase, the component a conductive polymer precursor, and applying an electric potential across the liquid crystal phase, the potential sufficient to polymerize the said precursor.

Abstract: A method and composition for the treatment of HIV and HBV infections in humans and other host animals is disclosed that includes the administration of an effective amount of a [5-carboxamido or 5-fluoro]-2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,3′-didehydro-pyrimidine nucleoside or a [5-carboxamido or 5-fluoro]-3′-modified-pyrimidine nucleoside, or a mixture or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, including a 5′ or N4 alkylated or acrylated derivative, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A transfer port facilitates transfer of a material between clean room modules, and/or between a clean room module and a clean box transporter that can travel through the contaminated ambient environment. A transfer port permits transfer of clean material between Class 1 clean rooms without degrading their cleanliness levels. The clean box transporter cars each comprise a small self-propelled clean room with laminar air flow and a HEPA filter. A door on the clean box mates against a similar door on one wall of the clean room module. A seal between a transporter car door and its opening, and a seal between a clean room door and its opening, a pair of seals disposed inside and outside a split line together define a limited contaminated volume. This volume is evacuated and/or flushed with clean gas to remove as much particulate matter as possible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring the magnetic resonance signal of an intracellular population of predetermined nuclei in a cell-containing sample by: a) applying to the sample a first radio frequency pulse, in a magnetic field, b) after a set time interval (TI), applying to the sample a second radio frequency pulse sufficient to cause a measurable signal, and c) measuring the measurable signal for the sample so produced, which method is utilized in methods of (i) determining the effectiveness of chemotherapy, (ii) detecting and characterizing tumors, and (iii) determining cell death in a cell-containing sample.

Abstract: A compound for use as a diagnostic or therapeutic pharmaceutical and method of using the same where the compound consists essentially of an alpha-melanotropin stimulating hormone analog which has integrally located a radionuclide. The radionuclide is administered to the body in an amount sufficient to allow uptake and retention by the tumor cells.

Abstract: The invention pertains to methods of delivering a polypeptide to a cell comprising (a) contacting a cell with a replicon having a non-poliovirus nucleic acid substituted for a nucleic acid which encodes at least a portion of a protein necessary for encapsidation, the non-poliovirus nucleic acid encoding, in an expressible form, a polypeptide or fragment thereof; and (b) maintaining the cells under conditions appropriate for introduction of the replicons into the cells. The cell may be within a subject and the polypeptide may be a therapeutic agent. The methods of the invention may be used to treat diseases including central nervous system disorders, infectious diseases, and cancer.

Abstract: A lithium metal oxide positive electrode for a non-aqueous lithium cell is disclosed. The cell is prepared in its initial discharged state and has a general formula xLiMO2.(1−x)Li2M′O3 in which 0<x<1, and where M is one or more ion with an average trivalent oxidation state and with at least one ion being Mn or Ni, and where M′ is one or more ion with an average tetravalent oxidation state. Complete cells or batteries are disclosed with anode, cathode and electrolyte as are batteries of several cells connected in parallel or series or both.

Abstract: Stable clones of neural stem cells (NSCs) have been isolated from the human fetal telencephalon. In vitro, these self-renewing clones (affirmed by retroviral insertion site) can spontaneously give rise to all 3 fundamental neural cell types (neurons, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes). Following transplantation into germinal zones of the developing newborn mouse brain, they, like their rodent counterparts, can participate in aspects of normal development, including migration along well-established migratory pathways to disseminated CNS regions, differentiation into multiple developmentally- and regionally-appropriate cell types in response to microenvironmental cues, and non-disruptive, non-tumorigenic interspersion with host progenitors and their progeny. Readily genetically engineered prior to transplantation, human NSCs are capable of expressing foreign transgenes in vivo in these disseminated locations.

Abstract: Sintered alumina of Q value of greater than 25,000 and up to and greater than 45,000 at 10 GHz and at 25° C., useful in useful in dielectric resonators can be obtained by sintering alumina powders with low level of impurities at between 1500° C. and 1600° C. until a density of at least 98% of its theoretical value is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention discloses new and novel substituted anthracyclines having a three ring system or other DNA binding moieties. These congeners show high activity in vitro against several tumor cell lines. The invention also describes anthracycline-based DNA alkylators.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of aryl methyl ketones converts a variety of ethyl arenas to the corresponding aryl methyl ketones using a dioxygen-containing gas as the oxidant. The catalyst used for the reaction is a metal complex bearing general formulas as disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, systems, and methods for simultaneously detecting the presence and quantity of one or more different compounds in a sample using aptamer beacons. Aptamer beacons are oligonucleotides that have a binding region that can bind to a non-nucleotide target molecule, such as a protein, a steroid, or an inorganic molecule. New aptamer beacons having binding regions configured to bind to different target molecules can be used in solution-based and solid, array-based systems. The aptamer beacons can be attached to solid supports, e.g., at different predetermined points in two-dimensional arrays. The invention includes devices, methods, and computer software for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel cancer markers and compositions and methods for cancer therapies. For example, the present invention provides compositions and methods for the detection of gene expression of particular marker genes as indicative of cancers, while control of said gene expression provides for intervention in cancer therapies and, in particular, glioma therapies.