Abstract: A process and apparatus for rapid, continuous flow histological processing of tissues is disclosed. The steps of fixation, dehydration, clearing and impregnation are performed in less than one hour; this allows a pathologist to evaluate samples shortly after receipt, perhaps while the patient is still in the operating room. Rapid and continuous processing is accomplished by decreasing the thickness of tissue sections, use of nonaqueous solutions composed of admixtures of solutions, solution exchange at elevated temperature and with agitation, and impregnation under vacuum pressure. The patient in surgery is thus provided with point-of-care surgical pathology.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, kits, and apparatus are provided for delivering a macromolecular assembly such as a plasmid, virus vector, or other gene vector, to an extravascular tissue such as muscle tissue. The composition comprises the macromolecular assembly and a vascular permeability-enhancing agent. In another embodiment, the composition further comprises a vasodilating agent. The method of the invention comprises proving a vascular permeability-enhancing agent to a blood vessel and providing a macromolecular assembly to the vessel. An oxygenator useful for providing oxygen to a fluid extracorporeally prior to providing the fluid to a blood vessel of a mammal is included in the invention. Kits, apparatus, and methods for using the catheters described herein for isolating cardiac circulation, diverting caval blood flow from the right atrium, and for other purposes, are also described.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and the activity of osteoclasts are disclosed. Methods of treating patients who have diseases characterized bone loss are disclosed. According to the methods, an amount of a TRANCE/RANK inhibitor effective to inhibit osteoclastogenesis is administered to the patient. Pharmaceutical compositions which comprise TRANCE/RANK inhibitor in an amount effective to inhibit osteoclastogenesis. Methods of modulating dendritic cell maturation, T cell proliferation, and/or CD40 receptor systems in an individual are disclosed. The methods comprise the step of administering to the individual an amount of a TRANCE/RANK inhibitor effective to modulating dendritic cell maturation, T cell proliferation, and/or CD40 receptor systems.

Abstract: A novel mammalian cell cycle protein, p55CDC, DNA sequences encoding p55CDC, and a method for producing the protein are described. Also described are methods for detecting p55CDC and methods for modulating cell division by compounds which control the level or activity of p55CDC or p55CDC-associated protein complexes.

Abstract: A broad class of lyotropic liquid crystals of a non-surfactant nature, the so-called lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs), are alignable with the techniques, in particular, LCLCs can be aligned at a surface as one monomolecular layer as a stack of monomolecular layers. The method for monolayer alignment is based on alternate layer-by-layer adsorption of polyions and dyes from aqueous solutions that have liquid crystalline structure. Using this method, one is able to stack alternate monolayers of dye and polyion while controlling the long-range in-plane orientation of the dye molecules within the plane of each layer. The feature of controlling the alignment of LCLCs enables one to create practical devices from them. For example, alignment of multilayered stacks allows one to use the resulting dried LCLC films in optical devices, for example, as internal polarizers, color filters, optical compensators, band-gap filters, and the like.

Abstract: A method of modifying a surface is disclosed. The method includes contacting the surface with a hydridosilane under conditions and for a time sufficient to form a covalent bond between a silicon atom of the hydridosilane and the oxygen atom of a hydroxyl group on the surface. The hydridosilane has the formula where at least one of Ra, Rb, Rc, and Rd is H, and at least one of Ra, Rb, Rc, and Rd is not H.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods of use that comprise engineered IgA antibodies that, when administered to a host are secreted across the epithelium into the mucosal barriers of the body providing external passive immunotherapy against agents such as viral, bacterial and eukaryotic pathogens. Also disclosed are mini antibodies comprising the minimal transcytosis domains.

Abstract: A hybrid photon detector with a photocathode in reflective mode where the same vacuum tube components acts both as a perfect incoming light concentrator and as a perfect focusing electron lens and the photoelectrons are electrostatically focused by the same CPC-shape in the opposite direction (i.e., from the small light collection surface towards a point-like region in the middle of the large-area entrance aperture). The CPC is electrically conductive and split into two electrodes by a narrow nonconductive interval positioned in a particular place along the CPC. The photocathode covers the light collection area of the CPC, and the photocathode is operated in the reflective mode such that photoelectrons emerge from the same surface through which the photons enter. Photoelectrons emerging from the entire photocathode are accelerated and focused onto a small electronic sensor placed in the middle of the entrance aperture of the CPC.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for determining a statistically significant number of different strains within a species of bacteria indicative of the species population structure as a whole in order to permit the evaluation of a vaccine target.

Abstract: A reconfigurable optical method and system for rapidly measuring relative angular alignment of flat surfaces are provided. The method and system can be used to rapidly and simultaneously measure the relative angular alignment of machined flat surfaces of a manufactured part. The system can measure parallelism, perpendicularity or angular alignment of multiple flat surfaces. The system can also be used to set up a range of reference angles to which machined surfaces can be compared.

Abstract: Novel insect toxins are disclosed for use in pesticidal compositions and methods. According to the invention basement membrane degrading proteases are identified which are capable of acting as insecticidal agents. Polynucleotides are provided which include expression constructs for the expression of the recombinant insecticidal proteases of the invention as recombinant insect pathogens, as well as transgenic plants with a substantial degree of insect resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of stimulating ciliary beat frequency to promote mucociliary or cough clearance of retained mucus secretions from the lungs, sinuses, upper airways, ears, eyes, genito-urinary tract, spermatozoa, ovaries, fallopian tubes, neutrophils, and macrophages of a patient. The method comprises administering uridine triphosphates, adenosine triphosphates, cytidine triphosphates, or dinucleoside tetraphosphates and the derivatives thereof to an affected body of a patient, to treat dysfunction of the mucociliary clearance system as a result of impaired ciliary movement in the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a delay unit for optically generating time delays in signals comprising: a delay entrance plane, the delay entrance plane comprising at least one row of signal input positions, wherein each signal input position is adapted to receive an optical beam from a source; a delay exit plane, the delay exit plane comprising a respective number of rows of signal output positions, each signal output position is adapted to output the optical beam; and wherein each signal input position of a given row is connected by an optical fiber to a corresponding signal output position, each optical fiber of a given row being the same length as every other optical fiber of that row. Also provided are apparatus and methods for generating time delays in signals.

Abstract: A method and system for making a monolithic intermetallic structure are presented. The structure is made from lamina blanks which comprise multiple layers of metals which are patternable, or intermetallic lamina blanks that are patternable. Lamina blanks are patterned, stacked and registered, and processed to form a monolithic intermetallic structure. The advantages of a patterned monolithic intermetallic structure include physical characteristics such as melting temperature, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance. Applications are broad, and include among others, use as a microreactor, heat recycling device, and apparatus for producing superheated steam. Monolithic intermetallic structures may contain one or more catalysts within the internal features.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of blood-borne and toxin mediated diseases, and in particular anti-C5a antibodies for the prevention and treatment of sepsis in humans as well as other animals. The present invention also relates to methods of generating anti-C5a antibodies employing C-terminal truncated C5a peptides.

Abstract: Fuel cell stacks contain an electrolyte layer surrounded on top and bottom by an electrode layer. Porous electrodes are prepared which enable fuel and oxidant to easily flow to the respective electrode-electrolyte interface without the need for high temperatures or pressures to assist the flow. Rigid, inert microspheres in combination with thin-film metal deposition techniques are used to fabricate porous anodes, cathodes, and electrolytes. Microshperes contained in a liquid are randomly dispersed onto a host structure and dried such that the microsperes remain in position. A thin-film deposition technique is subsequently employed to deposit a metal layer onto the microsperes. After such metal layer deposition, the microspheres are removed leaving voids, i.e. pores, in the metal layer, thus forming a porous electrode. Successive repetitions of the fabrication process result in the formation of a continuous fuel cell stack. Such stacks may produce power outputs ranging from about 0.1 Watt to about 50 Watts.

Abstract: Novel volume holographic elements were made from Bragg diffractive gratings in photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass with absolute diffraction efficiency ranging from greater than approximately 50% up to greater than approximately 93% and total losses below 5%. Both transmitting and reflecting volume diffractive elements were done from PTR glasses because of high spatial resolution enabling recording spatial frequencies up to 10000 mm−1. The use of such diffractive elements as angular selector, spatial filter, attenuator, switcher, modulator, beam splitter, beam sampler, beam deflectors controlled by positioning of grating matrix, by a small-angle master deflector or by spectral scanning, selector of particular wavelengths (notch filter, add/drop element, spectral shape former (gain equalizer), spectral sensor (wavelength meter/wavelocker), angular sensor (pointing locker), Bragg spectrometer (spectral analyzer), transversal and longitudinal mode selector in laser resonator were described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to parasitic helminth PLA2 proteins; to parasitic helminth PLA2 nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such proteins; to antibodies raised against such proteins; and to compounds that inhibit parasitic helminth phospholipase A2 activity. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitors. Also included in the present invention are therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and/or inhibitors as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to protect animals from diseases caused by parasitic helminths.

Abstract: A precipitation measuring system comprising a top thermal plate positioned to maximize exposure to falling precipitation and includes at least one ridge circumscribing the top surface for capturing precipitation. A second thermal plate is positioned under the top thermal plate to protect it from falling precipitation while still exposing it to the same atmospheric temperature and wind conditions. At least one solar radiation sensor is connected to the precipitation measuring system to measure solar radiation contacting at least one of the top and bottom thermal plates. During a precipitation event, the top and bottom thermal plates are maintained at a constant temperature and a power consumption curve for each thermal plate is quantified. The precipitation rate is measured by the difference in the power consumption curve for the top thermal plate and the power consumption curve for the bottom thermal plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel antiviral compounds, refered to as calanolides, related compounds, and their derivatives, which may be isolated from plants, or derived from compounds from plants, of the genus Calophyllum in accordance with the present inventive method. The compounds and their derivatives may be used alone or in combination with other antiviral agents in compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, to inhibit the growth or replication of a virus, such as a retrovirus, in particular a human immunodeficiency virus, specifically HIV-1 or HIV-2.