Abstract: A wireless communication system can implement beamforming across multiple omni-directional antennas to create beams at different spatial directions. The communication system can arrange the beams in sets, with each set arranged to provide substantially complete coverage over a predetermined coverage area. The communication system can arrange the multiple SDMA beam sets to support substantially complementary coverage areas, such that a main beam from a first set provides coverage to a weak coverage area of the second beam set. The wireless communication system assigns or otherwise allocates substantially orthogonal resources to each of the beam sets. The wireless communication system allocates resources to a communication link using a combination of beam sets and substantially orthogonal resources in order to provide improved coverage without a corresponding increase in interference.

Abstract: A method for allocating resources in a wireless communications environment comprises receiving a mapping between a first hop-port and frequency range, and determining whether to map a second access terminal to a second hop-port that is mapped to at least the same frequency range during a substantially similar instance in time, the determination made as a function of characteristics relating to a first access terminal associated with the first hop-port. The method can further include determining that the first access terminal is a candidate for employing Space-Division Multiple Access (SDMA), and mapping the second-hop port and associating the second access terminal with the second hop-port when the second access terminal is also a candidate for employing SDMA.

Abstract: A signaling channel that punctures traffic channels is used to send signaling, e.g., acknowledgments (ACKs). To send signaling, resources for the signaling channel are determined, e.g., based on a frequency hopping pattern. Signaling is spread with a spreading code (e.g., a Walsh code) to generate spread signaling, which is mapped to the resources for the signaling channel. Each resource may be partitioned into multiple clusters. A signaling message may be mapped to different clusters to achieve diversity. Traffic data may also be mapped to other resources for a traffic channel assigned for use. Traffic data mapped to the other resources for the signaling channel is punctured. The mapped signaling and traffic data are further processed (e.g., for OFDM or SC-FDMA) and transmitted.

Abstract: A shared signaling channel can be used in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) communication system to provide signaling, acknowledgement, and power control messages to access terminals within the system. The shared signaling channel can be assigned to a predetermined number of sub-carriers within any frame. The assignment of a predetermined number of sub-carriers to the shared signaling channel establishes a fixed bandwidth overhead for the channel. The actual sub-carriers assigned to the channel can be varied periodically, and can vary according to a predetermined frequency hopping schedule. The amount of signal power allocated to the signaling channel can vary on a per symbol basis depending on the power requirements of the communication link. The shared signaling channel can direct each message carried on the channel to one or more access terminals. Unicast messages allow the channel power to be controlled per the needs of individual communication links.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methodologies are described that increase system capacity in a multi-access wireless communication system. Spatial dimensions may be utilized to distinguish between multiple signals utilizing the same channel and thereby increase system capacity. Signals may be separated by applying beamforming weights based upon the spatial signature of the user device-base station pair. Grouping spatially orthogonal or disparate user devices on the same channel facilitates separation of signals and maximization of user device throughput performance. User devices may be reassigned to groups periodically or based upon changes in the spatial relationships between the user devices and the base station.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that utilize the discrete Fourier transform of time domain responses to generate beamforming weights for wireless communication. In addition, in some embodiments frequency subcarriers constituting less than all of the frequency subcarriers allocated for communication to a user may utilized for generating the beamforming weights.

Abstract: A molecular construct capable of fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET), comprising a linker peptide, a donor fluorophore moiety and an acceptor fluorophore moiety, wherein the linker peptide is a substrate of a botulinum neurotoxin selected from the group consisting of synaptobrevin, syntaxin and SNAP-25, or a fragment thereof capable being cleaved by the botulinum neurotoxin, and separates the donor and acceptor fluorophores by a distance of not more than 10 nm, and wherein emission spectrum of the donor fluorophore moiety overlaps with the excitation spectrum of the acceptor fluorophore moiety; or wherein the emission spectra of the fluorophores are detectably different. Also provided are isolated nucleic acid expressing the construct, kits comprising said construct and cell lines comprising said nucleic acid. Further provided are methods of detecting a BoNT using the above described construct via FRET, and methods for detecting a BoNT using surface plasmon resonance imaging.

Abstract: It is disclosed here that synaptotagmin I (syt I) and synaptotagmin II (syt II) are the cellular receptors for botulinum neurotoxin B (BoNT/B) that mediate the cellular entry and toxicity of BoNT/B. The BoNT/B binding domains of syt I and II are also disclosed. While syt I needs gangliosides for BoNT/B binding, syt II can bind to BoNT/B in the absence of gangliosides. Various nucleic acids and polypeptides that relate to the BoNT/B binding domain of syt I or II are disclosed. Further disclosed are methods of reducing BoNT/B toxicity, methods of identifying agents that can block the binding between BoNT/B and syt I or II, methods of identifying agents that can bind to the BoNT/B binding domain of syt I or II, and methods of detecting BoNT/B or Clostridium botulinum.