Abstract: A method and system are provided for measurement of vibration of an object utilizing a non-contact imaging sensor such as a video camera. An object which does not already have a pair of spaced-apart marks is marked with two parallel lines spaced apart from one another a known, nominal distance. The two lines are perpendicular to an imaging axis of the camera. As such, when the object with the parallel lines is moved toward or away from the video camera, the lines on the object appear to move as two parallel lines in the image plane of the camera. As the object moves or vibrates along the imaging axis, the nominal image plane distance between the two lines changes. This apparent change in the distance between the parallel lines in the image plane is calibrated to the physical movement of the object in space due to deformation or rigid body motions.

Abstract: Figure errors are corrected on optical or other precision surfaces by changing the local density of material in a zone at or near the surface. Optical surface height is correlated with the localized density of the material within the same region. A change in the height of the optical surface can then be caused by a change in the localized density of the material at or near the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods directed to detecting antibodies that specifically bind to a varicella zoster polypeptide, detecting the presence of a varicella zoster virus in an animal, diagnosing a disease caused by varicella zoster virus, and detecting a varicella zoster virus having a single nucleotide polymorphism in ORF68. The present invention also provides a vaccine composition, a method for producing a modified attenuated varicella zoster virus, isolated polynucleotides, and isolated polypeptides, and viruses.

Abstract: A controlling device having programming which ensures an appliance will be placed into a desired power state. The controlling device transmits a query message to a power monitor associated with the appliance to obtain the current power state of the appliance. If the current power state does not correspond to the desired power state, the controlling device transmits a command to the appliance to effect a change in the current power state of the appliance.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to anti-thrombin proteins from the salivary glands of the species, Simulium. Methods for recombinant production of the protein as well as biomedical uses are provided.

Abstract: The production of a purified extracellular bacterial signal called autoinducer-2 is regulated by changes in environmental conditions associated with a shift from a free-living existence to a colonizing or pathogenic existence in a host organism. Autoinducer-2 stimulates LuxQ luminescence genes, and is believed also to stimulate a variety of pathogenesis related genes in the bacterial species that produce it. A new class of bacterial genes is involved in the biosynthesis of autoinducer-2.

Abstract: The present invention involves an artificial nose comprising an array, the array comprising at least a first dye and a second dye deposited directly onto a single support in a predetermined pattern combination, the combination of dyes in the array having a distinct and direct spectral absorbance or reflectance response to distinct analytes comprising one or more parent analytes or their derivatives. In one embodiment, the invention further comprises an oxidizing source to partially oxidize at least one distinct parent analyte to at least one corresponding derivative analyte of said parent analyte, the array at least in part having a stronger distinct and direct absorbance or reflectance response to the derivative analyte than to the corresponding parent analyte.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel targeted vaccine delivery system, comprising one or more MHC-peptide complexes linked to an antibody which is specific for a cell surface marker. The complexes of the invention are useful for treating and/or preventing cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and/or allergies.

Abstract: Synthetic milittin and related peptides derived from the sequence of human phospholipase A2-activating protein (PLAP), free from the contaminating phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and/or present when the peptides are purified from natural sources, show inhibitory activity against PLA2. Inhibition of this enzyme, responsible for the hydrolysis of arachiodonate, an important precursor of eicosanoids, should lead to a decrease in the inflammatory response. In addition to their use as anti-inflammatory therapeutics, compositions containing the synthetic peptides may also be useful therapeutic tools for diagnosing inflammatory diseases (e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis).

Abstract: Disclosed is a family of vaccines that contain stress protein-peptide complexes which when administered to a mammal are operative to initiate in the mammal a cytotoxic T cell response against cells infected with a preselected intracellular pathogen. Also disclosed are methodologies for preparing and administering vaccines containing such stress protein-peptide complexes.

Abstract: Torque estimation techniques in the real-time basis for engine control and diagnostics applications using the measurement of crankshaft speed variation are disclosed. Two different torque estimation approaches are disclosed—“Stochastic Analysis” and “Frequency Analysis.” An estimation model function consisting of three primary variables representing crankshaft dynamics such as crankshaft position, speed, and acceleration is used for each estimation approach. The torque estimation method are independent of the engine inputs (air, fuel, and spark). Both approaches have been analyzed and compared with respect to estimation accuracy and computational requirements, and feasibility for the real-time engine diagnostics and control applications., Results show that both methods permits estimations of the indicated torque based on the crankshaft speed measurement while providing not only accurate but also relatively fast estimations during the computation processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peptide mimotope of the non-peptide mycotoxin deoxynivalenol. In particular, the peptide mimotope competes with deoxynivalenol for binding to a monoclonal antibody and is antagonistic to the inhibitory effects of deoxynivalenol on in vitro protein synthesis. The present invention also provides a method that uses the peptide mimotope to determine whether corn, grains or mixed feed is contaminated with fungi that produces deoxynivalenol. The present invention further provides transgenic plants resistant to deoxynivalenol.

Abstract: A process for isolation and purification of polysaccharide gel and fiber from dried fruit-hull of Durio zibethinus L. Two polysaccharide products are obtained. The process involves hot water extraction of crude polysaccharide gel from fruit-hulls, filtration and precipitation in acid-lower aliphatic alcohol and further purification by reprecipitation of concentrated aqueous crude polysaccharide gel, after demineralization using cation-exchange resin, in acid-lower aliphatic alcohol and washing in alcohol. Dried polysaccharide gel is derived as creamy to white product. Polysaccharide gel is used as dressing-patch, film-dressing, sustained-release dressing, gelling agent; used in food preparation such as jelly, medical-food products. Fiber residue after hot water extraction is treated to isolate polysaccharide fiber. The process comprises alkali hydrolysis, acid hydrolysis, decolorization and washing in dilute acid, sodium chloride and water to derive white polysaccharide fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inhibiting the proliferation of a tumor in a mammal. The method involves the steps of (a) isolating a stress protein-peptide complex from tumor cells previously removed from the mammal and (b) administering the isolated stress protein-peptide complex back to the mammal in order to stimulate in the mammal an immune response against the tumor from which the complex was isolated. Stress protein-peptide complexes having particular utility in the practice of the instant invention include the Hsp70-peptide, Hsp90-peptide and gp96-peptide complexes.

Abstract: A cDNA encoding (E)-&bgr;-farnesene synthase from peppermint (Mentha piperita) has been isolated and sequenced, and the corresponding amino acid sequence has been determined. Accordingly, an isolated DNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) is provided which codes for the expression of (E)-&bgr;-farnesene synthase (SEQ ID NO:2), from peppermint (Mentha piperisa). In other aspects, replicable recombinant cloning vehicles are provided which code for (E)-&bgr;-farnesene synthase, or for a base sequence sufficiently complementary to at least a portion of (E)-&bgr;-farnesene synthase DNA or RNA to enable hybridization therewith. In yet other aspects, modified host cells are provided that have been transformed, transfected, infected and/or injected with a recombinant cloning vehicle and/or DNA sequence encoding (E)-&bgr;-farnesene synthase.

Abstract: A database system is provided that allows for navigation to outgoing links and incoming links. The database system is defined by a plurality of database-oriented projects. Each project has one or more parameters. Each project also has one or more instances thereof. An entry is associated with each parameter in each instance of a project. In a project, a parameter may be defined as being a parameter of a previously defined project. If so, then the parameter is designated as a link to the parameter of the previously defined project. The link designation changes the structure of the database system. The name of a previously defined instance of a previously defined project is entered for the linked parameter entry. When a previously defined instance of a project having at least one linked parameter entry is displayed, an instance of a project having a linked parameter entry may be viewed by selecting the respective link from the display, thereby providing navigation to an outgoing link.

Abstract: Methods for removing hydrogen from molecules are disclosed. In one embodiment, hydrogen-containing molecules are deposited on a solid substrate and are bombarded with hydrogen projectile particles. The particles may have energies of 5-100 eV, or more preferably 10-50 eV. The hydrogen projectile particles remove hydrogen atoms from the deposited molecules while they are on the substrate, without removing other atoms from the molecules. Dangling bonds are created by the loss of hydrogen and can be used to cross-link the molecules. The resulting product can be a nanometer-thick dense film.

Abstract: The present invention identifies the semaphorin polypeptide SEMA3B as a tumor suppressor. This molecule can inhibit tumor growth and induce apoptosis of tumor cells when produced internally in a cancer cell via gene transfer, or when applied extracellularly. These observations permit new methods for treatment and diagnosis of cancer.

Abstract: A method of detecting an enzyme-mediated DNA cleavage reaction in a fluorometric assay is provided. The method can be used to detect DNA cleavage caused by restriction endonucleases, retroviral integrase enzymes, DNases, RNases, or enzymes utilized in other strand separating processes in molecular biology.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for selectively regulating survival and proliferation in a T cell by modulating the activity of certain amino acid motifs in the CD28 protein.