Abstract: Parameters extracted from high definition manometric measurements of the pharynx and upper esophagus at preidentified locations and times are applied to a supervised learning machine trained using x-ray fluoroscopy data to provide diagnostic information comparable to that of x-ray fluoroscopy without radiation exposure.

Abstract: A piezoelectric substrate having a nanopore opening that separates two reservoirs of conductive fluid may provide for sensitive biological measurements by allowing control of the size of the nanopore according to piezoelectric stimulation of the substrate. Multiple embodiments are provided of monolithic piezoelectric substrates and nanopores for this purpose as well as a control system for controlling the nanopore dimensions electrically using AC or DC waveforms.

Abstract: Described herein are the synthesis and polymerization of a series of N-Boc-protected amino acid vinyl ester (BAAVE) monomers. Homopolymers and heteropolymers containing the monomers are described, particularly heteropolymers with vinyl ester monomers such as vinyl acetate. Deprotection can be used to produce hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers that are particular useful in biological applications such as cellular delivery of biological materials.

Abstract: Androgen receptor-based vaccines for eliciting an immune reaction in vivo against cells expressing androgen receptor are disclosed. The vaccines are useful in the treatment of prostate cancer. Also disclosed are methods for inducing immune reaction to androgen receptor or treating prostate cancer in a mammal, using the vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention provides patterned features of dimensions of less than 50 nm on a substrate. According to various embodiments, the features may be “Manhattan” style structures, have high aspect ratios, and/or have atomically smooth surfaces. The patterned features are made from polymer brushes grafted to a substrate. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the features may be determined by adjusting the grafting density and/or the molecular weight of the brushes. Once the brushes are patterned, the features can be shaped and reshaped with thermal or solvent treatments to achieve the desired profiles. The chemical nature of the polymer brush is thus independent of the patterning process, which allows for optimization of the polymer brush used for specific applications. Applications include masks for pattern transfer techniques such as reactive ion etching.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to liquid crystalline substrates useful in the culture of cells and methods of their use. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods and devices for imaging changes (e.g., reorganization) of extracellular matrix components by living cells.

Abstract: A genetic construct comprising a trans-dominant inhibitor of geminiviral replication is disclosed. When expressed in a plant cell, this inhibitor is able to dramatically reduce replication of geminivirus. Genetic constructs that include sequences containing portion of the ac3 gene in addition to the trans-dominant inhibitor exhibit increased efficiency and broadened specificity of inhibition of geminiviral replication. A method of protecting plants against geminiviral infections is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reacting dense-phase chemicals in an induced plasma state, as well as unique reaction products resulting from the method and apparatus, are described. The dense medium plasma reactor generally includes a reaction vessel containing an upper rotatable electrode and a lower static electrode, a device for rotating the upper electrode, a reactant recirculation line, structural elements capable of maintaining the contents of the reaction vessel at atmospheric temperature, and structural elements for cooling the contents of the reaction vessel. Each electrode constitutes a hollow shaft having a first end and a second end which terminates in a disk-shaped planar face. The electrodes are in vertical alignment with one another so that their disc-shaped planar faces are facing one another with a small planar gap located therebetween. The upper rotatable electrode also includes a plurality of ports located circumferentially about its shaft.

Abstract: A method for preparing sulfur and/or selenium containing phosphoanhydrides that have at least a triphosphate moiety is disclosed, together with a cyclo-intermediate formed during the reaction. The method includes reacting a first compound having an available and reactive group selected from phosphorodihalidate, thiophosphorodihalidate, and selenic phosphorodihalidate (the compound having a remaining portion that does not interfere with the reaction), with a second compound having an available and reactive group selected from phosphate, thiophosphate, and selenic phosphate (the second compound also having a remaining segment that does not interfere with the reaction). The selection of the reactive groups is such that at least one of the reactive groups is the thio or selenic variant, and the selection of the remaining portion and segment are such that at least one is attached to a linking group selected from phosphate, thiophosphate, and selenic phosphate that links it to the available and reactive group.

Abstract: Novel 1-hydroxylated vitamin D compounds containing a 22, 23-cis double bond in the side chain are provided. The compounds are characterized by an unexpectedly high binding affinity for the protein receptor forecasting their ready applicability as substitutes for vitamin D or various of its metabolites in their various known applications and in the treatment of various metabolic bone diseases.

Abstract: Velocity saturated strain sensitive devices (13 and 14) can be formed of a layer of silicon on an insulating substrate (11) having a silicon conducting channel of a selected size and proper doping levels to allow carrier velocity saturation to occur therein at reasonable potentials applied across the conducting channel region (21, 24). When operated in velocity saturation or near thereto, a strain imposed on the device, corresponding to deformation of the substrate on which the device is formed, results in large changes in the voltage-current characteristics of the device. The large voltage-current changes occuring with strain effectively provide very high, non-linear gauge factors. Devices can be formed on an insulating substrate, such as sapphire, or can be prepared by diffusing an impurity of one conductivity type into a silicon substrate of the opposite conductivity type to form an isolated channel.

Abstract: This invention provides novel 1,23-dihydroxyvitamin D compounds, a process for preparing such compounds of novel intermediates in such process.As indicated by its binding affinity for the 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.3 receptor protein, the compounds of this invention would function as effective substitutes for vitamin D and certain vitamin D metabolites for the regulation of calcium and phosphorous metabolism and for treatment of bone-related diseases.

Abstract: A process for the propagation of microbial cells and the production of fermentation products, such as acetic and butyric acid, comprises anaerobically growing an acidogenic bacterium, such as a strain of Butyribacterium methylotrophicum ATCC 33226, in a nutrient medium containing a single carbon product, such as methanol, as the fermentation substrate or main source of assimilable carbon, accumulating the microbial cells in said medium and then separating and recovering said microbial cells and desired fermentation products from the spent media.