Abstract: A method for monitoring a site includes calculating a learned threshold time based on a statistical analysis of lengths of time between sensor firings of one or more sensors. A first sensor firing is detected from the one or more sensors. The length of time that has elapsed since the first sensor firing is measured. The length of time that has elapsed since the first sensor firing is compared with the learned threshold time. An alarm condition is generated when the length of time that has elapsed since the first sensor firing exceeds the learned threshold time and no second sensor firing has been detected since the first sensor firing.

Abstract: A stent constructed using elements containing micro-mechanical latching mechanisms is disclosed. The micro-mechanical latching elements allow sliding motion between two surfaces in one direction, and restrict sliding motion in the opposite direction. The micro-mechanical latch surface features are formed using microelectronic mechanical systems (MEMS) manufacturing methods. The male surface of the latching components contains an array of ridges or protrusions, and the receiving surface contains a matching array of recesses. The array of ridges or protrusions and the corresponding recesses have uniformly dissimilar slopes that result in a substantially greater frictional force in one direction than in the opposite direction. The separation distance between the two surfaces is such that the male latch surface is engaged with the receiving surface recesses in the low stress “locked” state, preventing motion in the undesired direction.

Abstract: In a process for reducing the Bromine Index of a feed containing a linear alkylbenzene and bromine-reactive olefinic hydrocarbon contaminants, the feed is contacted under conditions effective to remove bromine-reactive olefinic hydrocarbon contaminants with a catalyst comprising zeolite Y catalyst having an alpha value of about 2 to about 30. The feed will normally also contain benzene and linear paraffin remaining from the alkylation process used to produce the linear alkylbenzene.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for treating a subject afflicted with multiple sclerosis comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE). This invention further provides a method for inhibiting CD4+ T-cell migration comprising contacting the CD4+ T-cell with soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE). This invention further provides a method for inhibiting chemokine receptor activation in a subject comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE).

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method to prevent accelerated atherosclerosis in a subject predisposed thereto which comprises administering to the subject a polypeptide derived from soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproduct in an amount effective to prevent accelerated atherosclerosis in the subject. The present invention also provides for a method to prevent a macrovessel disease in a subject predisposed thereto which comprises administering to the subject a polypeptide derived from soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproduct in an amount effective to prevent macrovessel disease in the subject.

Abstract: In a process for converting C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons to lighter aromatic products a feed comprising C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons is contacted under transalkylation reaction conditions with a catalyst composition comprising (i) a first molecular sieve selected from the group consisting of ZSM-12, mordenite and a porous crystalline inorganic oxide material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07; and (ii) a second molecular sieve having a constraint index ranging from 3 to 12. At least the first molecular sieve has a hydrogenation component associated therewith and the first and second molecular sieves are contained in the same catalyst bed. The C9+ aromatic hydrocarbons are converted under the transalkylation reaction conditions to a reaction product containing xylene.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for correcting feature overlap in biological probe array data is described that comprises (a) receiving a first set of data comprising an intensity value for each of a plurality of features associated with a probe array; (b) calculating a crosstalk parameter for the first set of data using the intensity values of one or more test features and a plurality of features that neighbor each test feature; and (c) applying the crosstalk parameter to each intensity value in the first set of data to produce a second set of data.

Abstract: A sensor suitable for in vivo implantation has a capacitive circuit and a three-dimensional inductor coil connected to the capacitive circuit to form an LC circuit. The LC circuit is hermetically encapsulated within an electrically insulating housing. An electrical characteristic of the LC circuit is responsive to a change in an environmental parameter.

Abstract: A sensor for wirelessly determining a physical property within a defined space comprises an electrical resonance and has a high quality factor Q. The quality factor Q is sufficiently high that a signal generated by the sensor can be received outside the defined space. The sensor may optimally have a dielectric coating.

Abstract: A stent is constructed using interconnected links having micro-mechanical latching mechanisms. The micro-mechanical latching elements allow relative rotational movement of interconnected links in one rotational direction but restrict relative rotational movement of the two links in the opposite direction. The micro-mechanical latch surface features are formed using microelectronic mechanical systems (MEMS) manufacturing methods. The male surface of the latching components contains an array of ridges or protrusions, and the receiving surface contains a matching array of recesses. The array of ridges or protrusions and the corresponding recesses have uniformly dissimilar slopes that result in a substantially greater frictional force in one direction than in the opposite direction. The separation distance between the two surfaces is such that the male latch surface is engaged with the receiving surface recesses in the low stress “locked” state, preventing motion in the undesired direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aligning scanned images are provided. A pattern is included in the scanned image so that when the image is convolved with a filter, a recognizable pattern is generated in the convolved image. The scanned image may then be aligned according to the position of the recognizable pattern in the convolved image. The filter may also act to remove the portions of the scanned image that do not correspond to the pattern in the scanned image.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system for acquiring images of a probe array is described that comprises a first light emitting diode that provides light comprising a first range of wavelengths outside of an excitation spectrum; a second light emitting diode that provides light comprising a second range of wavelengths inside of the excitation spectrum; and a detector that detects one or more wavelengths in the first range of wavelengths, wherein the first range of wavelengths comprise light wavelengths emitted from fluorescent molecules associated with one or more probes of the probe array in response to the second range of wavelengths and wavelengths reflected from one or more reflective elements associated with the probe array.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for inhibiting tumor invasion or metastasis in a subject which comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a form of soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE). The present invention also provides a method for evaluating the ability of an agent to inhibit tumor invasion in a local cellular environment which comprises: (a) admixing with cell culture media an effective amount of the agent; (b) contacting a tumor cell in cell culture with the media from step (a); (c) determining the amount of spreading of the tumor cell culture, and (d) comparing the amount of spreading of the tumor cell culture determined in step (c) with the amount determined in the absence of the agent, thus evaluating the ability of the agent to inhibit tumor invasion in the local cellular environment.

Abstract: In the disclosed method of manufacturing an implantable wireless sensor, a cavity is etched in one side of a first substrate. A conductive structureare formed on the base of the cavity. A second conductive structureare formed on a surface of a second substrate, and the two substrates are mutually imposed such that the two conductive plates and coils are disposed in opposed, spaced-apart relation. A laser is then used to cut away perimeter portions of the imposed substrates and simultaneously to heat bond the two substrates together such that the cavity in the first substrate is hermetically sealed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method to prevent accelerated atherosclerosis in a subject predisposed thereto which comprises administering to the subject a polypeptide derived from soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproduct in an amount effective to prevent accelerated atherosclerosis in the subject. The present invention also provides for a method to prevent a macrovessel disease in a subject predisposed thereto which comprises administering to the subject a polypeptide derived from soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproduct in an amount effective to prevent macrovessel disease in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an isolated human EN-RAGE peptide. The present invention also provides for a method for determining whether a compound is capable of inhibiting the interaction of an EN-RAGE peptide with a RAGE peptide, which comprises: (a) admixing: (i) a RAGE peptide or an sRAGE peptide or a fragment of either thereof, (ii) an EN-RAGE peptide or a fragment thereof, and (iii) the compound; (b) measuring the level of interaction between the peptide of step (a)(i) and the peptide of step (a)(ii), and (c) comparing the amount of interaction meausred in step (b) with the amount measured between the peptide of step (a) (i) and the peptide of step (a) (ii) in the absence of the compound, thereby determining whether the compound is capable of inhibiting the interaction of the EN-RAGE peptide with the RAGE peptide, wherein a reduction in the amount of interaction in the presence of the compound indicates that the compound is capable of inhibiting the interaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ex vivo methods for preserving/maintaining blood vessels that are to be used as vascular grafts. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising an analogue of cAMP and/or an analogue of cGMP for use in the methods of the invention, which compositions are free of: (i) an inhibitor of Type I phosphodiesterase, (ii) an inhibitor of Type II phosphodiesterase, (iii) an inhibitor of Type III phosphodiesterase, (iv) an inhibitor of Type IV phosphodiesterase, and (v) an inhibitor of TNF-?.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method to increase the activity of a catalyst by first performing an ion exchange step with a potassium ion, followed by performing an ion-exchange step with an ammonium ion. Specifically, the present invention describes a method to increase the acidity of a zeolite by incorporating a potassium salt ion-exchange prior to an ammonium salt ion-exchange step. Even more specifically, the present invention is drawn to a method of increasing the activity of a zeolite by employing more than one potassium ion exchanges followed by at least one ammonium ion exchange. The present invention also describes a method to reduce the amount of sodium normally found in commercially produced zeolite by employing any of these methods. The present invention is also drawn to the catalysts produced by any of these methods.

Abstract: A stent is constructed using interconnected links having micro-mechanical latching mechanisms. The micro-mechanical latching elements allow relative rotational movement of interconnected links in one rotational direction but restrict relative rotational movement of the two links in the opposite direction. The micro-mechanical latch surface features are formed using micro-electronic mechanical systems (MEMS) manufacturing methods. The male surface of the latching components contains an array of ridges or protrusions, and the receiving surface contains a matching array of recesses. The array of ridges or protrusions and the corresponding recesses have uniformly dissimilar slopes that result in a substantially greater frictional force in one direction than in the opposite direction. The separation distance between the two surfaces is such that the male latch surface is engaged with the receiving surface recesses in the low stress “locked” state, preventing motion in the undesired direction.

Abstract: Fluorescently marked targets bind to a substrate 230 synthesized with polymer sequences at known locations. The targets are detected by exposing selected regions of the substrate 230 to light from a light source 100 and detecting the photons from the light fluoresced therefrom, and repeating the steps of exposure and detection until the substrate 230 is completely examined. The resulting data can be used to determine binding affinity of the targets to specific polymer sequences.