Abstract: Methods and devices for transmitting micromechanical forces locally to induce surface convolutions into tissues on the millimeter to micron scale for promoting wound healing are presented. These convolutions induce a moderate stretching of individual cells, stimulating cellular proliferation and elaboration of natural growth factors without increasing the size of the wound. Micromechanical forces can be applied directly to tissue, through biomolecules or the extracellular matrix. This invention can be used with biosensors, biodegradable materials and drug delivery systems. This invention will also be useful in pre-conditioned tissue-engineering constructs in vitro. Application of this invention will shorten healing times for wounds and reduce the need for invasive surgery.

Abstract: A repository contains multiple versions of an object but only a single version of the object is supplied when a query is made. The single version is automatically selected from among a number of versions that are otherwise returned in response to the query, based on a configuration associated with a workspace in which the query originates. The selected version of the object is then presented in a version resolved view, without exposing any information related to versioning of the object. Specifically, a number of configurations are established, each configuration containing no more than one version of each object in the repository. However, only one configuration is associated with each workspace from which a query can originate. The configuration that is associated with the workspace depends on whether the workspace is to be used for design of the repository or for use of the repository during live operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a highly effective nanoparticle system for stabilizing near-infrared (near-IR) fluorescent dyes such as indocyanine (ICG) in order to enhance the dye's utility for biomedical application. This invention further relates to nanoparticles comprised of biodegradable polymer materials such as poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA). The invention also relates to methods of preparing the nanoparticle-entrapped dyes, as well as methods for using them in bioimaging, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. The present invention also relates to compositions and kits comprising nanoparticle-entrapped dyes.

Abstract: A repository contains multiple versions of an object, and any version of the object can be modified by a user, as and when necessary. A table for one object (“first object”) that is contained in another object (“second object”) has at least two columns, namely one column for a minimum version of the second object and another column for a maximum version of the second object. If a number of versions of the first object are responsive to a query, then one version of the first object is selected if a version of the second object that is responsive to the query happens to be in the range defined by the just-described minimum version number and the maximum version number. Depending on the embodiment, the second object can be an immediate parent of the first object, or can be an ancestor (also called “first class object”) of the first object that is not contained in any other object.

Abstract: A repository contains multiple versions of an object, and any version of the object can be modified by a user, as and when necessary. A table for one object (“first object”) that is contained in another object (“second object”) has at least two columns, namely one column for a minimum version of the second object and another column for a maximum version of the second object. If a number of versions of the first object are responsive to a query, then one version of the first object is selected if a version of the second object that is responsive to the query happens to be in the range defined by the just-described minimum version number and the maximum version number. Depending on the embodiment, the second object can be an immediate parent of the first object, or can be an ancestor (also called “first class object”) of the first object that is not contained in any other object.

Abstract: A repository contains multiple versions of an object but only a single version of the object is supplied when a query is made. The single version is automatically selected from among a number of versions that are otherwise returned in response to the query, based on a configuration associated with a workspace in which the query originates. The selected version of the object is then presented in a version resolved view, without exposing any information related to versioning of the object. Specifically, a number of configurations are established, each configuration containing no more than one version of each object in the repository. However, only one configuration is associated with each workspace from which a query can originate. The configuration that is associated with the workspace depends on whether the workspace is to be used for design of the repository or for use of the repository during live operation.

Abstract: Methods and devices for transmitting micromechanical forces locally to induce surface convolutions into tissues on the millimeter to micron scale for promoting wound healing are presented. These convolutions induce a moderate stretching of individual cells, stimulating cellular proliferation and elaboration of natural growth factors without increasing the size of the wound. Micromechanical forces can be applied directly to tissue, through biomolecules or the extracellular matrix. This invention can be used with biosensors, biodegradable materials and drug delivery systems. This invention will also be useful in pre-conditioned tissue-engineering constructs in vitro. Application of this invention will shorten healing times for wounds and reduce the need for invasive surgery.