Abstract: Methods for intracellularly generating single stranded DNA molecules that are active in mediating triplex-dependent or independent chromosomal events are provided herein. The method is based on the discovery that one can introduce viral vectors or plasmids into the cells, where they generate within the cells to be engineered the single stranded DNA molecules that bind to the target chromosomal DNA to form a triplex, which may induce a desired mutation, and/or be recombinagenic and induce a change to the chromosomal DNA by incorporation of a donor DNA molecule. The vectors or plasmid not only encode the TFO and optionally the donor DNA, but also a reverse transcriptase, and optionally, a restriction enzyme, which is present in the preferred embodiment as a fusion protein which reverse transcribes the RNA encoded by the vector or plasmid, then cleaves it at a restriction enzyme site to yield a single stranded DNA.

Abstract: A method for analyzing gaseous or liquid samples is provided. Samples are interacted with pores of a porous thin film. A time-varying response of reflectivity is obtained from the surface of the porous thin film during the interaction. One or more analytes forming the sample or a part of the sample are identified based upon the time-varying response.

Abstract: A composition useful for preventing, or retarding the growth of, tumor cells contains synergistic amounts of Interleukin-12 and Interleukin-18. Similarly, methods for treating or preventing cancer include co-administering synergistic amounts of IL-12 and IL-18. The resulting anti-tumor effect is greater than the additive effect of either cytokine administered alone.

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease can be diagnosed in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging. A labeled A&bgr; peptide or its derivative is injected into the patient to be diagnosed, after which the patient is subjected to magnetic resonance imaging. Both pre-amyloid and amyloid plaques can be detected using this method.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process and system for treating animal waste. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a process and system for treating animal waste effluent with ozone to decompose the organic material within and improve the odor of the animal waste. The process of the present invention also reduces biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total bacterial content and coliform bacterial count of the animal waste. The process of this present invention comprises collecting an animal waste solution, containing a mixture of water and animal fecal material; contacting the waste solution with ozone in an amount sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of the organic material contained within; and feeding the ozone treated waste solution to a solids separating device prior to collecting the waste solution in a biobasin or, alternatively, recycling the ozone treated waste solution for use as a source of irrigation or flushwater.

Abstract: Tagged saxiphilin and tagged fragments thereof that bind saxitoxin and saxitoxin derivatives, methods of producing tagged saxiphilin and tagged fragments and methods of detecting and measuring saxitoxin and saxitoxin derivatives in samples.

Abstract: Shaped nanocrystal particles and methods for making shaped nanocrystal particles are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method for forming a branched, nanocrystal particle. It includes (a) forming a core having a first crystal structure in a solution, (b) forming a first arm extending from the core having a second crystal structure in the solution, and (c) forming a second arm extending from the core having the second crystal structure in the solution.

Abstract: A continuous gas-phase method for producing single-wall carbon nanotubes at high catalyst productivity and high yield is disclosed. The method involves the use of a novel in-situ formed catalyst to initiate and grow single-wall carbon nanotubes using a carbon-containing feedstock in a high temperature and pressure process. The catalyst comprises in-situ-generated transition metal particles in contact with in-situ-generated refractory particles. The population of nucleating sites for single-wall carbon nanotubes is enhanced due to the ease of formation of a population of refractory particles. These, in turn, improve the nucleation and stability of the transition metal particles that grow on them. The larger number of transition metal particles translate into a larger number of sites for single-wall carbon nanotube production. The higher catalyst yields provide a means for obtaining higher purity single-wall carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A system for coherent simultaneous amplification of a broad spectral range of light that includes an optical parametric amplifier and a source of a seed pulse is described. A first angular dispersive element is operatively connected to the source of a seed pulse. A first imaging telescope is operatively connected to the first angular dispersive element and operatively connected to the optical parametric amplifier. A source of a pump pulse is operatively connected to the optical parametric amplifier. A second imaging telescope is operatively connected to the optical parametric amplifier and a second angular dispersive element is operatively connected to the second imaging telescope.

Abstract: A method for providing wireless transmission diversity wherein an error correcting codeword is divided into first and second segments at first and second transmitting units. The first segments are transmitted from each of the first and second transmitting units and received at the first and second transmitting units, respectively. The received first segments are decoded and, responsive to the decoding, transmission of a second segment is made from each of the first and second transmitting units.

Abstract: An impact instrument for delivering an impulse to an object. The impact instrument may include an impact surface for contacting the object and an elongated member extending from the impact surface that terminates in an end. The elongated member may include a grasping region in the vicinity of the end. When the instrument is grasped within the grasping region, the center of percussion of the instrument preferably coincides with the impact surface. The instrument may also contain pivoting grasping member disposed on the elongated member. A cavity is preferably formed between the grasping member and the elongated member and may contain compressible material. The grasping member may rigidly contact the elongated member at an ideal pivot point. The grasping member is preferably adapted to pivot with respect to the elongated member at the ideal pivot point.

Abstract: A nozzle apparatus for use with an abrasive fluid jet cutting system, and its method of construction and operation, are disclosed that reduce the wear and erosion problems typically experienced in the cutting jet's nozzle. This improved nozzle apparatus comprises (a) a nozzle having an entry port for receiving a slurry consisting of a carrier fluid and abrasive particles, an inner wall for directing the flow of the slurry, and an outlet port through which the slurry exits the nozzle, (b) wherein at least a portion of the nozzle wall is porous, and (c) a lubricating fluid chamber that surrounds the porous portion of the outer wall of the nozzle, the chamber having a port where a lubricating fluid enters the chamber, with the chamber port connecting to an input pipe which connects to a filter for filtering contaminants that might clog the pores of the porous portion of the nozzle.

Abstract: A system for characterizing, synthesizing, and/or canceling out acoustic signals from inanimate and animate sound sources. Electromagnetic sensors monitor excitation sources in sound producing systems, such as animate sound sources such as the human voice, or from machines, musical instruments, and various other structures. Acoustical output from these sound producing systems is also monitored. From such information, a transfer function characterizing the sound producing system is generated. From the transfer function, acoustical output from the sound producing system may be synthesized or canceled. The systems disclosed enable accurate calculation of transfer functions relating specific excitations to specific acoustical outputs. Knowledge of such signals and functions can be used to effect various sound replication, sound source identification, and sound cancellation applications.

Abstract: The invention provides micro- and nano-porous materials made from crosslinked polymers crystallized from supercritical fluids. The resulting products show an open cell porous network, and can be used for a variety of applications in medical fields, textiles, separation science and others. The invention also provides methods for obtaining such products.

Abstract: A method of identifying an existence, non-existence, type or state of a neurodegenerative disorder in an individual. The method is effected by (a) immunoreacting with a serum sample derived from the individual at least one peptide representing at least one epitope derived from an endogenous protein to which at least one antibody is produced in vivo at onset or during progression of the neurodegenerative disorder, the at least one peptide being selected such that the at least one antibody being capable of immunobinding with the at least one peptide; and (b) detecting a presence, absence or degree of the immunobinding to thereby identify the existence, non-existence, type or state of the neurodegenerative disorder.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition that can be used to treat HIV is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel prostate cell-surface antigen, designated Prostate Stem Cell Antigen (PSCA), which is widely over-expressed across all stages of prostate cancer, including high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate tumors.

Abstract: A touch sense interface provided with an arm mechanism including an arm joint, a touch sense finger base arranged in the arm mechanism, and touch sense fingers arranged on the base. The touch sense fingers each include a fingertip engaging portion, which engages an operator's finger, and a finger joint. A first detection unit detects the position and posture of the operator's hand to generate a position and posture detection signal. A control unit, which is connected to the first detection unit, controls the arm joint in accordance with the position and posture detection signal and arranges the base opposed to the hand of the operator. A second detection unit, which is electrically connected to the control unit, detects the movement of each fingertip and generates a movement detection signal. The control unit controls the active finger joint in accordance with the movement detection signal.

Abstract: An advance in the art of comparative molecular field analysis allows the evaluation of multiple binding modes for the interactions of single or multiple species of ligand molecules with a common macromolecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making compounds and methods for using the compounds to disrupt or inhibit protein-protein interactions. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the current invention.