Abstract: Waveplates formed of mesogen-containing polymers and planar lightwave circuits containing such waveplates. Polymers have sidechains containing mesogens such as biphenyl-containing groups. Polymers may have a glass transition temperature between 100 C and 300 C, and polymers may be stretched in excess of 150% to increase birefringence of polymer and provide thin films. Waveplates formed of stretched polymer films may have high biaxial birefringence.

Abstract: Binding polypeptides comprising specific amino acid sequences are disclosed that specifically bind ACE-2 protein or ACE-2-like polypeptides. The binding polypeptides can be used in methods of the invention for detecting, isolating, or purifying ACE-2 protein or ACE-2-like polypeptides in solutions or mixtures, or biological samples. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding these ACE-2 binding polypeptides, vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acids, and methods for producing the same. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for detecting, diagnosing, prognosing, preventing, treating or ameliorating a disease or disorder associated with aberrant ACE-2 or ACE-2 receptor expression or inappropriate function of ACE-2 or ACE-2 receptor, comprising use of ACE-2 binding polypeptides or fragments or variants thereof, that specifically bind to ACE-2.

Abstract: Waveplates formed of mesogen-containing polymers and planar lightwave circuits containing such waveplates. Polymers have sidechains containing mesogens such as biphenyl-containing groups. Polymers may have a glass transition temperature between 100 C. and 300 C., and polymers may be stretched in excess of 150% to increase birefringence of polymer and provide thin films. Waveplates formed of stretched polymer films may have high biaxial birefringence.

Abstract: Binding polypeptides comprising specific amino acid sequences are disclosed that specifically bind ACE-2 protein or ACE-2-like polypeptides. The binding polypeptides can be used in methods of the invention for detecting, isolating, or purifying ACE-2 protein or ACE-2-like polypeptides in solutions or mixtures, or biological samples. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding these ACE-2 binding polypeptides, vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acids, and methods for producing the same. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for detecting, diagnosing, prognosing, preventing, treating or ameliorating a disease or disorder associated with aberrant ACE-2 or ACE-2 receptor expression or inappropriate function of ACE-2 or ACE-2 receptor, comprising use of ACE-2 binding polypeptides or fragments or variants thereof, that specifically bind to ACE-2.