Abstract: A given high frequency electric power introduced into a cavity resonator is resonated in the long direction of the cavity resonator on an excited mode with a constant electric field intensity along the long direction of the cavity resonator. Then, a human body is set on a table 2 in the cavity resonator so that its body axis can match the long direction of the cavity resonator. Then, the resonated high frequency electric power is applied to the human body.

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 invention is directed to a method of prophylactically or therapeutically treating choroidal neovascularization, wherein the method comprises directly administering to the eye a therapeutic factor or a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a therapeutic factor, which he expressed to produce the therapeutic factor, to selectively induce apoptosis of endothelial cells associated with neovascularization of the choroid such that choroidal neovascularization is treated prophylactically or therapeutically. The invention also provides a method of prophylactically or therapeutically treating ocular neovascularization, wherein the method comprises directly administering to the eye a nucleic acid sequence encoding a therapeutic factor to promote apoptosis of endothelial cells associated with neovascularization, such that the nucleic acid is expressed thereby producing the therapeutic factor to treat ocular neovascularization prophylactically or therapeutically.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modeling objects and object image data using medial atoms are disclosed. Objects and object image data can be modeled using medial atoms. Each medial atom includes at least two vectors having a common tail and extending towards an implied boundary of a model. The medial atoms may be aligned along one or more medial axes in the model. The model may include multiple sub-components, referred to as figures. The model and each of its figures may be represented in model-based and figure-based coordinates. The model may be automatically deformed into target image data using a hierarchy of geometric or probabilistic transformations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forecasting and controlling neurological abnormalities in humans such as seizures or other brain disturbances. The system is based on a multi-level control strategy. Using as inputs one or more types of physiological measures such as brain electrical, chemical or magnetic activity, heart rate, pupil dilation, eye movement, temperature, chemical concentration of certain substances, a feature set is selected off-line from a pre-programmed feature library contained in a high level controller within a supervisory control architecture. This high level controller stores the feature library within a notebook or external PC. The supervisory control also contains a knowledge base that is continuously updated at discrete steps with the feedback information coming from an implantable device where the selected feature set (feature vector) is implemented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a human subject as having an increased likelihood of regulating blood pressure with dietary sodium intake, comprising determining the presence in the subject of a tissue kallikrein promoter allele genotype correlated with an increased likelihood of regulating blood pressure with dietary sodium intake, whereby the presence of the genotype identifies the subject as having an increased likelihood of regulating blood pressure by dietary sodium intake.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for plasma treatment and deposition of ionized molecules on a surface of an object in a vacuum. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a vacuum system having a plasma-treatment system and an ion deposition system.

Abstract: Methods an compositions for detecting and localizing light originating from a mammal are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for targeting light emission to selected regions, as well as for tracking entities within the mammal. In addition, animal models for disease state are disclosed, as are methods for localizing and tracking the progression of disease or a pathogen within the animal, and for screening putative therapeutic compounds effective to inhibit the disease or pathogen.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for acquiring an infrared spectrum of a sample having or suspected to have an amide I band, an amide II band, an amide III band, an amide A band, an OH stretching region or a combination thereof. A representative method includes providing a sample; providing an internal reflecting element (IRE) with a functionalized tip; contacting the sample with the IRE to form a sample-IRE interface; directing a beam of infrared (IR) radiation through the IRE under conditions such that the IR radiation interacts with the sample-IRE interface once; recording a reflectance profile over a range of preselected frequencies, whereby an infrared spectrum of the of a sample having or suspected of having an amide I band, an amide II band, an amide III band, an amide A band, an OH stretching region or a combination thereof, disposed in an aqueous solution is acquired.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photoactuator comprising a plurality of nanoparticles and a thermally sensitive material. The photoactuator is useful for a variety of applications including macroscale and nanoscale applications. The nanoparticles are in thermal contact with the thermally sensitive material. The nanoparticles are engineered to achieve peak resonance at a given wavelength of light such that upon illumination. Upon illumination of the thermally sensitive material, the nanoparticles convert the light to heat, which is transferred to the thermally sensitive material, inducing a change in volume in the thermally sensitive material. The present invention is useful for actuating devices, especially in microfluidic devices. Methods for making a photoactuator and various embodiments thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for the monitoring, diagnosis and evaluation of the state of a dynamic drug display system is disclosed. This invention provides for the rapid cognitive grasp of the overall state of drug combination effects with respect to a dynamic system. The system provides for displayed objects, which change in real-time to show the changes of the functions of the system. In particular, this invention is directed to the processing and display of drug data for the use of doctors in the process of monitoring or administering drugs to patients.

Abstract: Provided are streptolysin S (SLS) polypeptides, peptides, and variants thereof, antibodies directed thereto, and isolated nucleic acids encoding such proteins. In one embodiment, a method is provided wherein a synthetic peptide of SLS is used to elicit an immune response specific for SLS in a subject to treat or prevent a streptococcal infection. In other embodiments, antibodies that neutralize the hemolytic activity of the SLS toxin may be used as a vaccinating agent.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of taste cell specific G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of taste cell specific G-protein coupled receptors.

Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substratte as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to thee solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the facrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provices substrates patterened by DPN, including submirocmeter combinatorial arrays, and kits, devices and software for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air.

Abstract: A method of immunotherapy stimulates the T cell CD28 surface molecule to enhance T cell proliferation and increase overall lymphokine levels or to increase cellular production of human TH1 lymphokines or both. The method is selective for the induction of activated T cell mediated immune responses and enhances immune function even in the presence of immunosuppresants.

Abstract: Described herein is the identification of a novel Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis locus that serves as a marker for DNA-based identification of this bacterium. In addition, three primer pairs derived from this locus that may be used in a nucleotide detection method to detect the presence of the bacterium are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of peptides and other small molecules (i.e. peptide mimetics) as pharmaceutical and/or therapeutic agents, and to methods for identification and design of peptides and peptide mimetics having desired functional activities. Specifically, peptides and other small molecules derived from regions of interacting intracellular signaling proteins are provided. More specifically, peptides and other small molecules derived from regions of the G&bgr; subunit of heterotrimeric GTP binding proteins are provided. Such molecules include specific agonists and antagonists of G&bgr; downstream effectors, including adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C. Such molecules are targeted to predicted regions of interaction between intracellular signaling proteins and tested for activity in functional assays using methods of the invention.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus is comprised of three couplers for interconnecting three scaffolding members. The locking devices for the couplers may be of a bolt-and-nut configuration or, advantageously, of a wedge and arm, tapered circular wedge and arm or over-centre hand-lever.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified cyclic nucleotide gated (CNG) channels. In particularly preferred embodiments, the modified CNG channels exhibit increased sensitivity and specificity for cAMP, as compared to wild-type CNG channels. In additional embodiments, regulation by Ca2+-calmodulin has been removed in the modified CNG channels. Convenient optical methods for detecting changes in cAMP, taking advantage of the Ca2+ permeability of the channel are also provided by the present invention. In addition, electrophysiological methods are further provided.

Abstract: A unit dose, gas-filled syringe is provided which is filled with gas and packaged in a gas barrier material prior to use to increase shelf-life, that is, to minimize gas leakage and dilution of the contents of the syringe. The syringe is filled with a selected gas and sealed inside a container made from a high gas barrier material. The container is also filled with the selected gas. The container material is selected to have a gas transmission rate sufficient to prevent the selected gas from diffusing out of the container into the atmosphere. The volume of gas in the container is greater that atmospheric pressure to prevent atmospheric contaminants from entering the container and syringe.