Abstract: A method for determining a similarity of a first solid model to a second solid model is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: selecting a set of features for representing the first solid model; extracting features corresponding to the selected set of features from the first solid model; constructing an undirected model dependency graph of the first solid model based on the selected set of features; extracting features corresponding to the selected set of features from the second solid model; constructing an undirected model dependency graph of the second solid model based on the selected set of features; comparing the undirected model dependency graph of the first solid model with the undirected model dependency graph of the second solid model; and outputting a numerical measure indicative of the similarity of the first solid model to the second solid model.

Abstract: Solid tumors and other conditions related to angiogenesis, including wounds, bone fractures, follicular development, ischemia, retinopathy, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis are treated or detected with reagents which either detect, promote, or disrupt expression of one or more of HOG18, HOG3, HOG8, PLOD2, CA9, HXB, IGFBP5, STC1, HFARP, mig-6, and SSR4. Each of these genes was found to be induced by hypoxia.

Abstract: DNA sequences are provided which encode the enzymes required for clavulanic acid synthesis. A process is provided for producing clavulanic acid in a transformant of a non-clavulanate-producing host.

Abstract: The invention provides an offset and low frequency noise insensitive magnetic sensor which incorporates a magnetic field effect transistors (MagFETs). Methods of improving the signal to noise ratio and reducing errors from offsets when measuring magnetic fields using MagFETs are also described.

Abstract: A sample is prepared from blood in a manner which makes it possible to further analyze proteins in the sample, e.g. to detect prions in the sample. Blood is extracted, allowed to clot and subjected to separation processing (e.g. centrifugation) to obtain serum. The serum is treated with a complexing agent which agent binds prions in the sample forming an agent/protein complex which makes it possible to concentrate the complex. Concentration of the complex results in a sample which can be successfully analyzed, e.g. assayed using a range of different types of assay methodologies for detecting prions.

Abstract: Inflammatory or neuropathic pain in both men and women patients is treated by administering, sequentially or simultaneously, (a) nalbuphine and (b) an opioid antagonist selected from naloxone, naltrexone and nalmefene, or a salt or prodrug of nalbuphine and/or the opioid antagonist. Preferably, administration is made of (a) an amount of from about 3 to about 8 mg nalbuphine and (b) from about 0.2 to about 0.8 mg of an opioid antagonist selected from naloxone, naltrexone and nalmefene, or a salt and/or prodrug of either (in an amount that produces in a patient the same blood concentration of the compound in question as would administration of said amount of the nalbuphine or opioid antagonist itself).

Abstract: A method and system for providing control that include providing a workpiece that includes a target shape, providing a cutting tool, providing a 3-D image associated with the workpiece, identifying the target shape within the workpiece image, providing a 3-D image associated with the cutting tool, registering the workpiece with the workpiece image, registering the cutting tool with the cutting tool image, tracking at least one of the workpiece and the cutting tool, transforming the tracking data based on image coordinates to determine a relationship between the workpiece and the cutting tool, and, based on the relationship, providing a control to the cutting tool. In one embodiment, the workpiece image can be represented as volume pixels (voxels) that can be classified and/or reclassified based on target shape, waste, and/or workpiece.

Abstract: A high average power, low optical distortion laser gain media is based on a flowing liquid media. A diode laser pumping device with tailored irradiance excites the laser active atom, ion or molecule within the liquid media. A laser active component of the liquid media exhibits energy storage times longer than or comparable to the thermal optical response time of the liquid. A circulation system that provides a closed loop for mixing and circulating the lasing liquid into and out of the optical cavity includes a pump, a diffuser, and a heat exchanger. A liquid flow gain cell includes flow straighteners and flow channel compression.

Abstract: A thermal imaging system for detecting cracks and defects in a structure. An ultrasonic transducer is coupled to the structure through a malleable coupler. Ultrasonic energy from the transducer causes the defects to heat up, which is detected by a thermal camera. A control unit is employed to provide timing and control for the operation of the ultrasonic transducer and the camera.

Abstract: A method for isolating AAV viruses from cellular DNA of non-human primate (NHP) tissues by transfecting the DNA of NHP into 293 cells, rescuing the virus and amplifying it through serial passages in the presence of adenovirus helper functions is provided. Also provided are kits useful for performing this method.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating, preventing and diagnosing macular degeneration-related disorders.

Abstract: A method of forming a membrane having nanometer scale pores includes forming an etch stop layer on a substrate and forming a base layer on the etch stop layer. Advantageously, a silicon nitride etch stop layer is formed on a silicon substrate and the base layer is a thermally grown oxide layer. Micron scale holes are etched through the base layer and, advantageously, partially through the underlying etch stop layer. A sacrificial base layer of controlled thickness is formed on the base layer and lining the holes. A thermally grown oxide is advantageously used as the sacrificial base layer. A plug layer is then formed on the base layer, on the sacrificial base layer and filling the holes. Polysilicon is advantageously used as the plug layer. The plug layer is planarized followed by the creation of an aperture in the backside of the wafer.

Abstract: The size and cost of fabricating fiber optic pressure sensors is reduced by fabricating the membrane of the sensor in a non-planar shape. The design of the sensors may be made in such a way that the non-planar membrane becomes a part of an air-tight cavity, so as to make the membrane resilient due to the air-cushion effect of the air-tight cavity. Such non-planar membranes are easier to make and attach.

Abstract: A system and method to take data, which is in the form of an n-dimensional array of binary data where the binary data is comprised of bits that are identified by a bit position within the n-dimensional array, and create one file for each bit position of the binary data while maintaining the bit position identification and to store the bit with the corresponding bit position identification from the binary data within the created filed. Once this bit-sequential format of the data is achieved, the formatted data is structured into a tree format that is data-mining-ready. The formatted data is structured by dividing each of the files containing the binary data into quadrants according to the bit position identification and recording the count of 1-bits for each quadrant on a first level. Then, recursively dividing each of the quadrants into further quadrants and recording the count of 1-bits for each quadrant until all quadrants comprise a pure-1 quadrant or a pure-0 quadrant to form a basic tree structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an HSV having a genome with a mutation of a TAATGARAT sequence such that, in the presence of a ICP4 gene product, a native immediate early gene is expressed from the genome with delayed kinetics, the genome having a further inactivating mutation of each of the genes encoding ICP4.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for detecting the presence of one or more target analytes in a sample employing a channel having affixed therein one or more binding partners for each target analyte. Assays are carried out by transporting the sample through the channel to each successive binding partner so that target analyte present in said sample binds to the corresponding binding partner. The sample is then transported beyond the binding partner(s), followed by detection of any target analyte bound to each binding partner. In one embodiment, binding efficiency is increased by the use of segmented transport, wherein a first bolus or bubble of a fluid that is immiscible with the sample precedes the sample during transport and a second bolus or bubble of a fluid that is immiscible with the sample follows the sample. Many configurations are possible for the device of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a colloidal dispersion of amine-terminated silica particles having a narrowly controlled size range in an aqueous phase for use in diagnostic imaging, drug delivery and gene therapy, as well as methods for preparing surface-modified silica particles suitable for use in an aqueous colloidal carrier medium, for preparing a diagnostic or therapeutic agent for targeted delivery to specific anatomical structures of a patient, and for performing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure by administration to a patient of at least one diagnostic or therapeutic agent coupled with a colloidal dispersion.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining whether a compound is capable of suppressing ras functions comprising: (a) contacting an effective amount of the compound with Ha-ras transformed cloned rat embryo fibroblast cells under conditions permitting the compound to suppress ras functions in the cells; and (b) determining the expression or inhibition of certain indicator gene or genes, thereby determining whether the compound is capable of suppressing ras function. This invention further provides the determined compound and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides methods for generating transcriptional switched Ha-ras transformed cloned rat embryo fibroblast cells. This invention also provides the generated cells and different uses of the cells.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for accurately comparing the levels of cellular components, such as proteins, present in samples which differ in some respect from each other using mass spectroscopy and isotopic labeling. A first sample of biological matter, such as cells, is cultured in a first medium and a second sample of the same biological matter is cultured in a second medium, wherein at least one isotope in the second medium has a different abundance than the abundance of the same isotope in the first medium. One of the samples is modulated, such as by treatment with a bacteria, a virus, a drug, hormone, a chemical or an environmental stimulus. The samples are combined and at least one protein is removed. The removed protein is subjected to mass spectroscopy to develop a mass spectrum. A ratio is computed between the peak intensities of at least one closely spaced pair of peaks to determine the relative abundance of the protein in each sample.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences encoding ∈-cyclase, isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase and &bgr;-carotene hydroxylase as well as vectors containing the same and hosts transformed with the vectors. Methods for controlling the ratio of various carotenoids in a host and for the production of novel carotenoid pigments. The present invention also provides a method for screening for eukaryotic genes encoding carotenoid biosynthesis, and for modifying the disclosed enzymes.