Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel dendritic structures that can be used in combination with other lipid components to form nanoparticles with nucleic acids. to facilitate the intracellular delivery of nucleic acids both in vitro and in vivo. Nanoparticle compositions comprising the compounds and methods for their use for treating or preventing diseases or conditions are also provided.

Abstract: Nanoparticle compositions for delivery of nucleic acids to subjects including carriers comprising polyester (PE) dendrimers or dendrons, and therapeutic or immunogenic nucleic acid agents enclosed within the PE are described. Methods for treating or preventing diseases or conditions in a subject by administering the nanoparticle compositions that provide immune responses and synergistic therapeutic or preventive effects are provided.

Abstract: Nanoparticle compositions for delivery of nucleic acids to subjects including modified dendrimers comprising cores, one or more of homogeneous or heterogeneous intermediate and terminal layers, and therapeutic or immunogenic nucleic acid agents enclosed within nanop article compositions are described. Methods for treating or preventing diseases or conditions in a subject by administering the nanoparticle compositions that provide immune responses and synergistic therapeutic or preventive effects are provided.

Abstract: Transgenic plants that express CIVPS or intein modified therapeutic proteins, compositions of matter comprising them, therapeutic proteins made from the transgenic plants, methods to construct the transgenic plants containing CIVPS or intein modified therapeutic genes, methods to express CIVPS or intein modified therapeutic proteins in plants, and methods of using the transgenic plants.

Abstract: Character gaming is enhanced by an interactive character gaming system and method that allows a character on a physical consumer product, such as a gaming card, to be wirelessly incorporated into a gaming device such that the character data and the character attributes can be processed and the character image can be displayed. A wireless communication system allows the gaming device to read a character ID, or a class of character IDs, from one or more tags embedded on the physical consumer product. The ID is associated with a particular character or class of characters represented in a database which is resident in the gaming device or is accessible by the gaming device. The character data can be incorporated into a memory unit, transmitted over a network, or animated on a display device. This further allows the data and image to be modified based on time, experience, gaming actions, or other factors.

Abstract: The modeling of two or more related systems is enhanced by combining physical and virtual modeling techniques to create an interactive modeling system. In the presence of one model, the manipulation of a second model has an impact on the characteristics of both models. User manipulation of a virtual model on a simulation software system changes the characteristics of a physical model through a feedback system, which may be in the form of a haptic arm connected to the physical model. The invention also represents the docking of two models, such as the docking of two molecular systems, and to have the results of this docking represented in the physical and virtual models.

Abstract: Modeling systems are enhanced by combining physical and virtual modeling techniques to create a hybrid modeling system. Manipulation of physical models results in updated real-time physical characteristics being provided to a virtual model. User manipulation of virtual model characteristics can also be provided and implemented on the physical model using actuators and control devices. The invention also enables multiple users to simultaneously construct and manipulate different portions of a physical model, e.g., of an atom or a molecule, and to have the results of these manipulations provided to a computer system for computational analysis. The results of such analyses can be electronically returned to the physical model, e.g., wirelessly.

Abstract: The invention collection of mail content in digital form and delivers of the mail content in hardcopy form over a distribution system that pushes the processing of the physical mail to a location close to the recipient's geographical address. A sender composes a mail item in digital form and the invention then distributes the digital content through a three tier model. The first tier accepts the digital content from the sender, verifies the identity of the sender, and prepares the digital content for presentation to the next tier. The second tier is a management point on the transmission network that determines the closest available processing location based on the geographical address of the recipient. The third tier consists of two or more processing locations that accept the digital content from the earlier tier, processes the digital content into hardcopy form, and presents the hardcopy content to a physical delivery system such as a postal service or commercial courier.