Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to an isolated nuclear targeting molecule that includes a fragment of a mammalian glycoprotein 36 (gp36, also known as T1-? or podoplanin) gene expressed in type I alveolar epithelial cells. Plasmids containing the isolated nuclear targeting molecule which are useful for affording nuclear uptake of the plasmid DNA in type I alveolar epithelial cells but not type II alveolar epithelial cells, and compositions and host cells containing such plasmids are also disclosed. Use of the plasmids for targeting an exogenous DNA into nuclei of type I alveolar epithelial cells is described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for increasing the transfer of nucleic acids into cells. In particular, the present invention provides for the use of inhibitors of HDAC6, a cytoplasmic histone deacetylase present in mammalian cells by, for example, small molecules or siRNA treatment, in increasing gene transfer and/or expression in cells in vitro and in vivo for research and gene therapy applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for increasing the transfer of nucleic acids into cells. In particular, the present invention provides for the use of inhibitors of HDAC6, a cytoplasmic histone deacetylase present in mammalian cells by, for example, small molecules or siRNA treatment, in increasing gene transfer and/or expression in cells in vitro and in vivo for research and gene therapy applications.

Abstract: An improved optical collection and transmission surface includes a plastic mold injection surface including staggered multiple transmission sites each with a recessed portion in which incident light is not lost during reflection towards the propagation surface. A device implementing the surfaces is plastic-mold injected of high quality acrylic at in a preferred embodiment and can be economically optionally polished or finished to achieve desired quality surfaces.

Abstract: A plasmid, viral or linear DNA molecule containing a nucleic acid sequence derived from the promoter region of the hCol1?2 gene, which is selectively transported into the nuclei of cells in the osteoblast lineage. The sequence can be used independently as a nuclear entry sequence only, and/or as a nuclear entry sequence without regard to position, in a vector or linear DNA that directs gene expression and nuclear entry. The disclosure further includes a chimeric DNA sequence derived by the addition of osteoblast-specific enhancer sequences to the nuclear entry sequence/promoter sequence, to increase osteoblast-specific expression while retaining osteoblast-specific nuclear import. An enhancer sequence is derived from the promoter region of the human Core Binding Factor alpha 1 (Cbfa1/Runx2) gene. The Cbfa1/Runx2 promoter can be added to the sequence derived from, or alternatively, comprising the promoter region of the hCol1?2 gene. Also provided are methods of use of the novel sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for importing DNA into the nuclei of a specific cell type. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for specifically targeting the nuclei of pulmonary cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for increasing the transfer of nucleic acids into cells. In particular, the present invention provides for the use of inhibitors of HDAC6, a cytoplasmic histone deacetylase present in mammalian cells by, for example, small molecules or siRNA treatment, in increasing gene transfer and/or expression in cells in vitro and in vivo for research and gene therapy applications.

Abstract: A computing system having host computer and an I/O processor (IOP) provides firewall services to the host computer. When the host computer and the IOP are initialized, all of the communication ports are reset to a closed state. Application programs are loaded into memory of the host computer for execution and provide the identity of communication ports to be used by the application. The identity of the requested communication ports are used to instruct the IOP to open the communication port to accept network data packets that use the particular port. When the application terminates operation, the communication ports used by the application are closed to provide dynamic control over communication ports. This process ensures that only ports currently used by applications currently executing within the host computer are open without administrator action.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a laser diode light diffusion unit that comprises a casing 10 with a lens cover that holds a laser diode mounted 2 on a heat sink 16, a mirror 12, a collimator lens 4 and a holographic diffusion screen 8. The casing 10 is made of a rigid thermally conducting material, and the heat sink is mounted within the casing such that a concentrated beam of light 3 produced by the laser diode 2 is directed at the mirror 12. The concentrated beam of light 3 directed at the mirror is reflected at approximately 90° into the base of the collimator lens 4, where the collimator lens 4 converts the concentrated beam 3 of light into a plane of light 6 that is projected over and in opposite direction to the path of the concentrated beam of light 3. The plane of light 3 then passes through the holographic diffusion screen 8, where the holographic diffusion screen spreads the plane of light at predetermined angles which then passes through the lens cover and out of the casing.

Abstract: The invention provides a nuclear targeting molecule having a nucleic acid sequence which consists of SEQ ID NO:1 or a nuclear targeting portion of SEQ ID NO:1. The invention further provides a plasmid for targeting a DNA molecule into the nucleus of a host cell. The plasmid comprises the nuclear targeting molecule (having SEQ ID NO:1 or a nuclear targeting portion of SEQ ID NO:1) and a DNA molecule to be targeted to a nucleus. This plasmid of the subject invention can be introduced into various host cells, and the nuclear targeting molecule will target the DNA molecule to the nucleus of the host cell. Thus, the invention further provides a method of targeting a DNA molecule into the nucleus of a host cell. The method comprises providing a plasmid (the plasmid comprising the nuclear targeting molecule and the DNA molecule to be targeted) and introducing the plasmid into the cytoplasm of the host cell. In this method, the nuclear targeting molecule targets the DNA molecule into the nucleus of the host cell.

Abstract: A surface array of electrically actuated pulsed microscopic fuel jets arranged on the interior surface of a mixing chamber injects fuel into air to form a combustible air-fuel mixture. The jets are solid state units with no moving parts, which can be actuated individually or in groups, and the volume of fuel injected per each jet's firing pulse can be varied by changing the characteristics of the electrical actuating pulse. Having no moving parts and being electrically activated, the jets are intrinsically suited to direct computer control. By providing a large number of such jets and a means of their direct electronic control via negative feedback, fine control of the operating parameters of the combustion engine and a high degree of redundancy to compensate for the failure of individual jets is made possible. The lack of moving parts and the absence of a high pressure fuel supply system provide significant advantages in performance, cost, reliability, and safety over the prior art in fuel injection.

Abstract: A balanced vane type hydraulic pump has a thrust plate and a pressure plate which cooperate with a cam ring, rotor and vanes to provide a plurality of pump chambers. During pump operation, fluid trapped under the vanes flows from under the vanes at the discharge port, as the vane recedes, to under the vanes at the inlet port to assist vane extension and improve pump priming. The undervane fluid passes through grooves in both plates with the groove in the pressure plate being in communication with the discharge flow of the pump. The grooves incorporate restrictions to the undervane fluid flow between the discharge and inlet positions of the vanes with the restriction in the thrust plate permitting more fluid flow than the restriction in the pressure plate to ensure that most of the fluid will pass through the rotor under the vanes in the inlet position to assist in vane extension.