Abstract: The present invention provides systems and method for constructing classifiers that distinguish between trait subgroups using molecular marker data from blood samples. The invention further encompasses the use of the classifiers and combinations of molecular markers identified by the classifiers in a wide variety of applications including: diagnosis; prognosis; prediction of disease, stage of disease or disease risk; monitoring disease progression and/or regression; monitoring disease reoccurrence and identifying risk of disease reoccurrence; determining and/or predicting response to treatment and/or treatment outcomes; monitoring and/or predicting treatment compliance or non compliance and the like. The invention further provides a variety of selected molecular markers and a means to identify combinations of the selected molecular markers useful for diagnosing particular traits of interest.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention is a method of testing for one or more colorectal pathologies or one or more subtypes of colorectal pathology (in one embodiment colorectal cancer) in a test individual by providing data corresponding to a level of products of selected biomarkers and applying the data to a formula to provide an indication of whether the test individual has one or more colorectal pathologies or one or more subtypes of colorectal pathology. In some aspects the method is computer based and a computer applies the data to the formula. In other aspects a computer system is configured with instructions that cause the processor to provide a user with the indication of whether the test individual has colorectal pathology. Also encompassed are kits for measuring data corresponding to the products of selected biomarkers which in some embodiments include a computer readable medium. Also encompassed are kits and methods of monitoring therapeutic efficacy of treatments for one or more colorectal pathologies.

Abstract: A simulated electrophoretic trace is prepared by first obtaining an input file containing an input base sequence comprising a string of letters (A, C, G and/or T) in an order corresponding to the input base sequence, and then modifying the input file using one or more functions to take into account perturbations associated with (1) changes in peak intensity as a function of base number; (2) peak shape as a function of base number; (3) peak skew; (4) spacing between peaks; (5) background; (6) noise; (7) spectral cross-talk; (8) instrumental effects and/or (9) gel electrophoresis effects to produce a modified file representing a simulated electrophoretic trace. The method may be performed using a specially adapted apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification and selection of novel biomarkers and the identification and selection of novel biomarker combinations which are differentially expressed in individuals with mild osteoarthritis as compared with individuals without osteoarthritis. Polynucleotides and proteins which specifically and/or selectively hybridize to the products of the biomarkers of the invention are also encompassed within the scope of the invention as are kits containing said polynucleotides and proteins for use in diagnosing mild osteoarthritis. Further encompassed by the invention is the use of the polynucleotides and proteins which specifically and/or selectively hybridize to the product of the biomarkers of the invention to monitor disease regression in an individual and to monitor the efficacy of therapeutic regimens. The invention also provides for methods of using the products of the biomarkers of the invention in the identification of novel therapeutic targets for osteoarthritis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for operating a narrow band short pulse duration gas discharge laser output light pulse beam producing system, producing a beam comprising laser output light pulses at a selected pulse repetition rate, which may comprise: a dispersive center wavelength selection optic selecting at least one center wavelength for each pulse determined at least in part by the angle of incidence of the laser light pulse beam containing the respective pulse on the dispersive wavelength selection optic; a tuning mechanism operative to select at least one angle of incidence of a first spatially defined portion of the laser light pulse beam containing the respective pulse upon the dispersive center wavelength selection optic; and, the tuning mechanism comprising a variably refractive optical element defining a plurality of refractive angular displacements of the first spatially defined portion of the laser light pulse beam passing through the variably refractive optical element at one of a plura

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification and selection of novel biomarkers and the identification and selection of novel biomarker combinations which are differentially expressed in osteoarthritis and/or in a particular stage of osteoarthritis, as well as a means of selecting the novel biomarker combinations. The biomarkers of the invention may be utilized to diagnose arthritis, differentiate between two stages of osteoarthritis and diagnose a particular stage of osteoarthritis. The invention provides kits comprising polynucleotides and/or proteins which specifically and/or selectively hybridize to the products of the biomarkers of the invention. Such kits are useful in diagnosing arthritis, differentiating between two stages of osteoarthritis, diagnosing a particular stage of osteoarthritis monitoring disease progression, and monitoring the efficacy of therapeutic regimens.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification and selection of novel biomarkers and the identification and selection of novel biomarker combinations which are differentially expressed in blood and useful in diagnosing schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorder as well as monitoring therapeutic efficacy of treatment for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The measurement of expression levels of the products of the biomarkers and combinations of biomarkers of the invention can be used to diagnose schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorder. Measurement of the expression level of products of biomarkers of the invention using polynucleotides and proteins which specifically and/or selectively hybridize to the products of the biomarkers of the invention are also encompassed within the scope of the invention as are compositions and kits containing said polynucleotides and proteins. Further encompassed by the invention is the use of the polynucleotides and proteins to monitor the efficacy of therapeutic regimens.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification and selection of biomarkers which demonstrate particular advantage in identifying individuals having liver cancer. The invention further relates to useful combinations of biomarkers for diagnosing liver cancer. The invention further provides for the polynucleotides and polypeptides and kits thereof for use as a tool to diagnose disease and to monitor the efficacy of therapeutic regimens. The invention further provides a method of selecting biomarker combinations and the combinations thus identified for diagnosis of liver cancer. Also encompassed by the invention are screening methods to identify therapeutic targets for treating liver cancer, and identify single nucleotide point mutations related to liver cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides long life optics for a modular, high repetition rate, ultraviolet gas discharge laser systems producing a high repetition rate high power output beam. The invention includes solutions to a surface damage problem discovered by Applicants on CaF2 optics located in high pulse intensity sections of the output beam of prototype laser systems. Embodiments include an enclosed and purged beam path with beam pointing control for beam delivery of billions of output laser pulses. Optical components and modules described herein are capable of controlling ultraviolet laser output pulses with wavelength less than 200 nm with average output pulse intensities greater than 1.75×106 Watts/cm2 and with peak intensity or greater 3.5×106 Watts/cm2 for many billions of pulses as compared to prior art components and modules which failed after only a few minutes in these pulse intensities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for operating a narrow band short pulse duration gas discharge laser output light pulse beam producing system, producing a beam comprising laser output light pulses at a selected pulse repetition rate, which may comprise: a dispersive center wavelength selection optic selecting at least one center wavelength for each pulse determined at least in part by the angle of incidence of the laser light pulse beam containing the respective pulse on the dispersive wavelength selection optic; a tuning mechanism operative to select at least one angle of incidence of a first spatially defined portion of the laser light pulse beam containing the respective pulse upon the dispersive center wavelength selection optic; and, the tuning mechanism comprising a variably refractive optical element defining a plurality of refractive angular displacements of the first spatially defined portion of the laser light pulse beam passing through the variably refractive optical element at one of a plura

Abstract: A high power narrow band, high repetition rate laser light source optical improvement apparatus and methods are disclosed which may comprise a fast moving angularly positionable tuning mirror comprising: a mirror mounting frame comprising a first material and a relatively flat mounting surface area; a reflective optic comprising a second material having a coefficient of thermal expansion different from that of the first material of the mounting frame; at least two attachment points of attachment between the mounting frame and the reflective optic on the mounting frame surface; and, at least one flexure mount formed in the mounting frame that is flexible in a flexure axis corresponding to a longitudinal axis of thermal expansion of the mounting frame and the reflective optic, positioned at one of the at least two points of attachment.

Abstract: The present invention provides long life optics for a modular, high repetition rate, ultraviolet gas discharge laser systems producing a high repetition rate high power output beam. The invention includes solutions to a surface damage problem discovered by Applicants on CaF2 optics located in high pulse intensity sections of the output beam of prototype laser systems. Embodiments include an enclosed and purged beam path with beam pointing control for beam delivery of billions of output laser pulses. Optical components and modules described herein are capable of controlling ultraviolet laser output pulses with wavelength less than 200 nm with average output pulse intensities greater than 1.75×106 Watts/cm2 and with peak intensity or greater 3.5×106 Watts/cm2 for many billions of pulses as compared to prior art components and modules which failed after only a few minutes in these pulse intensities.

Abstract: A simulated electrophoretic trace is prepared by first obtaining an input file containing an input base sequence comprising a string of letters (A, C, G and/or T) in an order corresponding to the input base sequence, and then modifying the input file using one or more functions to take into account perturbations associated with (1) changes in peak intensity as a function of base number; (2) peak shape as a function of base number; (3) peak skew; (4) spacing between peaks; (5) background; (6) noise; (7) spectral cross-talk; (8) instrumental effects and/or (9) gel electrophoresis effects to produce a modified file representing a simulated electrophoretic trace. The method may be performed using a specially adapted apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the distribution, processing, and display of combinations of audio, video, still images, and text which are represented by binary data files. The method and apparatus may be adapted for use with any of the various audio, video, still image and text data formats that are utilized to represent such information. A specific embodiment adapted for use on a personal computer is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for the distribution, processing, and display of combinations of audio, video, still images, and text which are represented by binary data files. The invention may be adapted for use with any of the various audio, video, still image and text data formats which are utilized to represent such information. A specific embodiment of the invention adapted for use on a personal computer is disclosed.