Abstract: An electroabsorption modulator comprises a tandem arrangement of a conventional electroabsorption (EA) modulator element and a phase modulator element. The EA modulator element is driven by the digital data signal and the phase modulator is driven by a chirp tuning control signal, such as the complement of the data signal. By controlling the amplitude and/or bias of the chirp tuning control signal, the frequency chirp of the intensity-modulated output signal from the EA modulator element can be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method, system, and article of manufacture that ensures the integrity of programs having variable portions. One aspect of this invention is a method for protecting software products having variant portions. This method includes identifying a reference to an external target in a software product, creating an identifier for the external target, and adding the identifier to the reference. In some embodiments, the unique identifier is a digital signature and the reference to an external target is a call to an external library.

Abstract: An electroabsorption modulator comprises a tandem arrangement of a conventional electroabsorption (EA) modulator element and a phase modulator element. The EA modulator element is driven by the digital data signal and the phase modulator is driven by a chirp tuning control signal, such as the complement of the data signal. By controlling the amplitude and/or bias of the chirp tuning control signal, the frequency chirp of the intensity-modulated output signal from the EA modulator element can be controlled.

Abstract: A method of preparing cell samples for viable cell number quantification with a fluorescence digital imaging microscopy system employing digital thresholding technique. The cell sample is stained with a first, fluorescent dye and treated with a second dye that is able to quench the fluorescence of the first dye. The fluorescent dye accumulates in viable cells only and is used to stain the viable cells. The second dye is excluded from viable cells but enters non-viable cells, thereby quenching the background fluorescence in non-viable cells and the medium. Two examples of dye combinations are described: fluorescein diacetate used as the fluorescent dye with eosin Y as the quenching dye; and calcein-AM used as the fluorescent dye with trypan blue as the quenching dye. By reducing the background fluorescence, the dynamic range and accuracy of viable cell number measurements are enhanced.

Abstract: A method of preparing cell samples for viable cell number quantification with a fluorescence digital imaging microscopy system employing digital thresholding technique. The cell sample is stained with a first, fluorescent dye and treated with a second dye that is able to quench the fluorescence of the first dye. The fluorescent dye accumulates in viable cells only and is used to stain the viable cells. The second dye is excluded from viable cells but enters non-viable cells, thereby quenching the background fluorescence in non-viable cells and the medium. Two examples of dye combinations are described: fluorescein diacetate used as the fluorescent dye with eosin Y as the quenching dye; and calcein-AM used as the fluorescent dye with trypan blue as the quenching dye. By reducing the background fluorescence, the dynamic range and accuracy of viable cell number measurements are enhanced.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for parenteral delivery, comprising a retinide such as fenretinide in combination with a solvent capable of dispersing or solubilizing the retinide. The solvent comprises an alcohol, such as ethanol, in combination with an alkoxylated castor oil, such as CREMOPHOR® EL, or comprising a retinide, such as fenretinide, in an emulsion composed of a lipoid dispersed in an aqueous phase, a stabilizing amount of a non-ionic surfactant, optionally a solvent, and optionally an isotonic agent. In addition, a method of use in the treatment of hyperproliferative disorders, such as cancers is described.

Abstract: A method of preparing cell samples for viable cell number quantification with a fluorescence digital imaging microscopy system employing digital thresholding technique. The cell sample is stained with a first, fluorescent dye and treated with a second dye that is able to quench the fluorescence of the first dye. The fluorescent dye accumulates in viable cells only and is used to stain the viable cells. The second dye is excluded from viable cells but enters non-viable cells, thereby quenching the background fluorescence in non-viable cells and the medium. Two examples of dye combinations are described: fluorescein diacetate used as the fluorescent dye with eosin Y as the quenching dye; and calcein-AM used as the fluorescent dye with trypan blue as the quenching dye. By reducing the background fluorescence, the dynamic range and accuracy of viable cell number measurements are enhanced.

Abstract: A method of treating a hyperproliferative disorder in a subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering to said subject, in combination, a treatment effective amount of: (a) a ceramide-generating retinoid such as fenretinide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and (b) at least one (and in certain embodiments at least two) ceramide degredation inhibitor, such as compounds selected from the group consisting of (i) glucosylceramide synthesis inhibitors and/or 1-acylceramide synthesis inhibitors, (ii) sphingosine-1-phosphate synthesis inhibitors, and (iii) protein kinase C inhibitors. A preferred glucosyl ceramide synthesis inhibitor is 1-phenyl-2-palmitoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol. A preferred sphingosine-1-phosphate synthesis inhibitor is D-erythro-N,N-dimethylsphingosine. A preferred protein kinase C inhibitor is L-threo-dihydrosphingosine.

Abstract: A method of treating a hyperproliferative disorder in a subject in need of such treatment, comprising administering to said subject, in combination, a treatment effective amount of: (a) a ceramide-generating retinoid such as fenretinide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and (b) at least one (and in certain embodiments at least two) ceramide degredation inhibitor, such as compounds selected from the group consisting of (i) glucosylceramide synthesis inhibitors, (ii) sphingosine-1-phosphate synthesis inhibitors, and (iii) protein kinase C inhibitors. A preferred glucosyl ceramide synthesis inhibitor is 1-phenyl-2-palmitoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol. A preferred sphingosine-1-phosphate synthesis inhibitor is D-erythro-N,N-dimethylsphingosine. A preferred protein kinase C inhibitor is L-threo-dihydrosphingosine.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a catalytic partial oxidation (CPO) process with improved ignition comprising; (a) igniting an ignition feed comprising hydrogen, diluent and oxygen in a catalytic partial oxidation catalyst bed wherein said ignition feed has a predetermined adiabatic reaction temperature sufficient to cause said catalyst bed to ignite in a manner which prevents said catalyst bed from undergoing thermal shock, (b) modifying said ignition feed following said ignition of said catalyst bed to obtain a reaction feed comprising oxygen and hydrocarbon-reactant in a molar ratio capable of producing partial oxidation products in said catalyst bed under partial oxidation conditions, wherein said modification of said ignition feed is conducted to accomplish a predetermined heatup rate of said catalyst bed, and wherein the amount of diluent present during said modification is sufficient to control the adiabatic reaction temperature.