Abstract: A method of providing a culture of oogonia stem cells comprising oogonia stem cells is provided. The method may further include culturing the oogonia stem cells with granulosa and theca cells to differentiate the oogonia stem cells into oocytes. In some embodiments, the culturing comprises including the oogonia stem cells in an in vitro follicle construct or a microcapsule comprising said granulosa and theca cells. Further described herein is a method of forming a bioengineered follicle construct capable of releasing a mature oocyte. An in vitro fertilization method using the mature oocyte is also provided.

Abstract: A novel projection system includes a base signal source, a highlight signal source, a base/highlight destination, and a shared optical element. A base signal provided by the base source and a highlight signal provided by the highlight source are combined by the shared optical element. In a particular embodiment, the base signal source and the highlight signal source each include a light source, a spatial light modulator, and optics, and the base/highlight destination includes optics and a spatial light modulator. In a more particular embodiment, the base signal source and the highlight source provide spatially modulated lightfields to the shared optical element. In another particular embodiment, the base signal and the highlight signal are modulated by the spatial light modulator of the base/highlight destination after being combined.

Abstract: A novel projection system includes a base signal source, a highlight signal source, a base/highlight destination, and a shared optical element. A base signal provided by the base source and a highlight signal provided by the highlight source are combined by the shared optical element. In a particular embodiment, the base signal source and the highlight signal source each include a light source, a spatial light modulator, and optics, and the base/highlight destination includes optics and a spatial light modulator. In a more particular embodiment, the base signal source and the highlight source provide spatially modulated lightfields to the shared optical element. In another particular embodiment, the base signal and the highlight signal are modulated by the spatial light modulator of the base/highlight destination after being combined.

Abstract: A novel projection system includes a base signal source, a highlight signal source, a base/highlight destination, and a shared optical element. A base signal provided by the base source and a highlight signal provided by the highlight source are combined by the shared optical element. In a particular embodiment, the base signal source and the highlight signal source each include a light source, a spatial light modulator, and optics, and the base/highlight destination includes optics and a spatial light modulator. In a more particular embodiment, the base signal source and the highlight source provide spatially modulated lightfields to the shared optical element. In another particular embodiment, the base signal and the highlight signal are modulated by the spatial light modulator of the base/highlight destination after being combined.

Abstract: A novel projection system includes a base signal source, a highlight signal source, a base/highlight destination, and a shared optical element. A base signal provided by the base source and a highlight signal provided by the highlight source are combined by the shared optical element. In a particular embodiment, the base signal source and the highlight signal source each include a light source, a spatial light modulator, and optics, and the base/highlight destination includes optics and a spatial light modulator. In a more particular embodiment, the base signal source and the highlight source provide spatially modulated lightfields to the shared optical element. In another particular embodiment, the base signal and the highlight signal are modulated by the spatial light modulator of the base/highlight destination after being combined.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing hearing loss in a subject. The method comprises administering to the subject in need thereof, at least Myc or an agent that increases the expression of Myc in an inner ear organ, or associated neural structures, of the subject so as to treat or prevent the hearing loss.

Abstract: Provided herein is a tissue stretching device configured for orbicular expansion of a tissue placed therein. Methods of use of the device to stretch a tissue as well as for culturing organized tissues are also provided. Stretched and/or cultured tissues produced by these processes are also provided, as well as methods making use of the same.

Abstract: Molecular adjuvants are disclosed comprising an antigen presenting cell-targeting ligand linked to an immunogen, e.g. tumor associated antigens, bacterial or viral antigens. The ligand and the immunogen are linked via a cleavable linker such as a protease-sensitive oligopeptide, to facilitate processing of the adjuvant by the antigen presenting cell. Methods are disclosed for delivery of these molecular adjuvants to patients, resulting in the transduction of activating signals to the targeted antigen presenting cell, thereby enhancing the immune response to the co-delivered immunogen.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing hearing loss in a subject. The method comprises administering to the subject in need thereof, at least Myc or an agent that increases the expression of Myc in an inner ear organ, or associated neural structures, of the subject so as to treat or prevent the hearing loss.

Abstract: Provided herein is a tissue stretching device configured for orbicular expansion of a tissue placed therein. Methods of use of the device to stretch a tissue as well as for culturing organized tissues are also provided. Stretched and/or cultured tissues produced by these processes are also provided, as well as methods making use of the same.

Abstract: System and methods for the creation, organization, and retrieval of the categorized forms of communication between users and organizations based on relationships between projects. Any two users can establish a database link from one user's project database to another user's project database through an invitation and acceptance process. Once linked, a variety of communication types can be provided to the linked project databases, and each type of communication can have an associated set of workflow rules for managing how the communication is routed. The systems and methods disclosed herein can facilitate communications both inter-organizational and intra-organizational communications through the use of linked project databases.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention a method for directing light onto a digital micromirror device is disclosed that includes the steps of directing light toward a DMD through a lens that includes a plurality of lens elements such that, absent correction, the directed light is distorted at the DMD; and compensating for the distortion of the directed light at the DMD by predistorting the directed light prior to reaching the DMD by the plurality of lens elements.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention a method for directing light onto a digital micromirror device is disclosed that includes the steps of directing light toward a DMD through a lens that includes a plurality of lens elements such that, absent correction, the directed light is distorted at the DMD; and compensating for the distortion of the directed light at the DMD by predistorting the directed light prior to reaching the DMD by the plurality of lens elements.

Abstract: Molecular adjuvants are disclosed comprising an antigen presenting cell-targeting ligand linked to an immunogen, e.g. tumor associated antigens, bacterial or viral antigens. The ligand and the immunogen are linked via a cleavable linker such as a protease-sensitive oligopeptide, to facilitate processing of the adjuvant by the antigen presenting cell. Methods are disclosed for delivery of these molecular adjuvants to patients, resulting in the transduction of activating signals to the targeted antigen presenting cell, thereby enhancing the immune response to the co-delivered immunogen.

Abstract: A trade show booth that includes a plurality of base members that are removably fastened in a geometric shape. A plurality of inner base members are removably fastened to the base members. At least one countertop is removably fastened to the base members and the inner base members. A plurality of vertical support members extend upwardly from the countertops. A plurality of top members are removably fastened to the upper ends of the vertical support members.

Abstract: A trade show booth that includes a plurality of base members that are removably fastened in a geometric shape. A plurality of inner base members are removably fastened to the base members. At least one countertop is removably fastened to the base members and the inner base members. A plurality of vertical support members extend upwardly from the countertops. A plurality of top members are removably fastened to the upper ends of the vertical support members.

Abstract: A method for identifying and characterizing shape variations in parts. Measurements are taken of a population of parts and the shapes of the parts are expressed as a function having a plurality of coefficients. Discrete or function error maps are developed from the coefficients and a principal components analysis is performed on the error maps to identify the principal components of variation of the parts. The parts may be grouped into sub-populations representing ranges of variation along each of the principal components of variation, and downstream processes may be controlled differently for each sub-population. In one embodiment, a typical (re-generated) part shape is identified along multiple principal components of variation, and a tool path is controlled to be responsive to the typical part shape. Information regarding the principal components of variation may further be used to revise upstream manufacturing processes to advantageously affect the distribution of error in subsequently manufactured parts.

Abstract: A land transportation system comprising a fully enclosed tubular guideway and a self-propelled air-cushion vehicle disposed in the guideway for providing short and long distance transportation within an enclosed environment. The tubular guideway is secured to stanchions anchored to underground concrete pilings. The air-cushion vehicle includes an internal cavity for receiving passengers and/or cargo holding containers. Air foils, air intake openings and air discharge openings are disposed throughout the cylindrical vehicle to create an air cushion between the vehicle and the guideway, that completely encircles the vehicle, thereby preventing the vehicle from engaging any surface within the tubular guideway during travel.

Abstract: An acousto-optic isolator for a semiconductor laser diode comprises a Fabry-Perot resonator tuned to the laser optical frequency f.sub.o followed by an acousto-optic Bragg diffraction device utilizing surface acoustic waves of frequency f.sub.a launched from a transducer. Light focussed by a lens to the load has a resultant frequency f.sub.o +f.sub.a. Any light reflected from the load suffers a further change in frequency to f.sub.o +2f.sub.a in the diffraction device and hence is blocked by the resonator. Undiffracted light can be detected at a photo-detector and used in a feedback control loop to stabilize the light source to the resonator.