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RECENT TECHNOLOGY(s) POSTED: URANIUM
  • NEUTRON DETECTOR BASED ON LUMINESCENT CONJUGATED POLYMERS





    • 2007 LogikBase Corp.
     
    IMRT Inverse Planning Algorithm Minimizing the Negative Beam from Iterating the Dose Matrix
    Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloprotein (MT1-MMP) has been identified as a target for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinal degenerations. MT-MMP activates pro-gelatinase A (proMMP 2), a major metalloproteinase responsible for cleavage of type IV collagen, the major structural component of basement membranes. MT1-MMP also has activity against other extracelluar matrix components, including type 1 and II collagen, fibronecting, vitronectin, laminin and proteoglycan. Evidence for the role of MT1-MMP • MT1-MMP is up-regulated o In the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors of the eyes of patients with AMD o In a monkey model of AMD o In RCS rat, a model of retinal degeneration • MT1-MMP is directly involved in the mechanism of phagocytosis by RPE Cells • Progression of retinal degeneration in the RCS rat model is significantly reduced by blocking MT1-MMP action with an anti-MT1-MMP antibody • A missense polymorphism of MT1-MMP, affecting the catalytic domain of the protein is found in higher frequency in DNA of patients with AMD o 30% versus 14%
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    Secure File Transfer
    Integrated Rigid Fixation Orbital Expander
    Dr. Tse has developed a novel implant to treat congenital anophthalmos (born without an eye) or microphthalmos (born with a small eye). This unique orbital implant overcomes many of the deficiencies of currently available devices. The implant has direct applicability to the human clinical setting and permits the ophthalmic surgeon to treat the patient faster, safer, less often, more effectively and at less cost. The implant is adjustable and expandable to allow one surgical procedure for implantation and a second to remove the implant once the child has grown.
    A method/process for determining thickness of very thins transparent layers from image of fringe patterns
    The invention describes a device and a method for determining thickness of very thin transparent layers/films from image of fringe patterns produced by the thin film. The interferometric thin film measurement device provides real time thin film thickness determinations over a spatially extended region of the film. The device and the method are particularly suitable for measuring the thickness of various types of thin films including tear-film lipid layer among others. The device can be configured using standard optical and electronic equipment and the method can be implemented on a PC or a dedicated hardware.
    A novel method of improving sperm motility in infertile men
    More than 10,000 cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) occur annually in the United States alone. It has been found that men with SCI have elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL1ß , IL6, and TNFa ) in semen when compared to that of able-bodied men. There are also other conditions such as leukocytospermia, which also present with elevated cytokines. In fact it is possible that up to 10% of male infertility may be due to elevated cytokines. The author proposes a method for improving impaired motility of sperm in men who have abnormal levels of cytokines in the semen. The patent application claims a method of increasing the motility of sperm by incubating the sperm with at least one agent that inactivates the cytokine selected but not limited to the following: IL1ß , IL6, and TNFa.
    Use of Bot1, a protein conserved in fungi and essential for cell viability, as a target for antifungal agents
    Fungal infections are of great concern in medicine and agriculture. In the field of medicine, systemic fungal infections are generally serious and may result in death. Most systemic fungal infections are caused by Candida (yeasts) and Aspergillus (molds) species. There is an urgent need for new drugs that exhibit high antifungal activity, broad antifungal spectrum, and low animal toxicity.
    Otic Probe for Neuro-Cochlear Monitoring
    Dr. Telischi has designed and tested a novel instrument to measure otic blood flow and perfusion for diagnostic purposes. The new instrument has direct applicability to the human clinical setting. The laser-based otic probe and monitoring instrument allows the ENT surgeon to diagnose sensorineural hearing losses due to impairments of inner ear circulation faster, safer, more accurately and at less cost.
    Process and device for measuring tear flourescein clearance
    Every year millions of patients in the United States present to eye care practitioners with complaints of eye irritation. The majority of these patients have some form of tear film disorder, commonly referred to as "dry eye". Traditionally eye doctors have diagnosed dry eye by measuring tear production with the Schirmer test. Dr. Pflugfelder discovered that evaluation of clearance of fluorescein dye instilled into the tear film has greater sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing a tear film disorder as the cause of ocular irritation and ocular surface disease than does evaluating tear production with the Schirmer test. Dr. Pflugfelder and associates have developed an inexpensive office-based kit for evaluating tear fluorescein clearance. The concentration of tear fluorescein is visually quantified using a photographic standard in the kit. Tear film deficiencies, commonly referred to as Dry Eye, are frequently encountered clinical problems affecting 11% of the population between the third and sixth decade of life, with the prevalence increasing to 15% of the population by the age of 65 years or older. In our initial studies, tear fluorescein clearance was assessed in tear fluid collected from the inferior tear meniscus with a polyester wick using a sensitive microfluorometer. We found that patients with a tear fluorescein concentration greater than 274 units/ml at 15 minutes after instillation were more likely to experience irritation symptoms than those with lower tear fluorescein concentrations.
    Ubiquitin and ubiquitin related molecules for treatment and prevention
    Ubiquitin is a small (8.6 kDa), heat stable and highly conserved 76 amino acid protein in all eukaryotic cells. Ubiquitin plays a key role in essential intracellular functions such as cell differentiation, cell cycle control, heat shock response, and regulation of immune responses. Additionally, intracellular ubiquitin has been identified as an immunophilin, which is a protein that binds to and is a putative intracellular target of T-cell suppressive drugs like tacrolimus or sirolimus. Until recently, there was no known physiologic function for extracellular ubiquitin, even though it is normally present in the extracellular space. We recently showed that extracellular ubiquitin acts as a cytokine-like protein with anti-inflammatory properties in critically ill patients and that administration of exogenous ubiquitin has profound anti-inflammatory effects in pathologic conditions such as severe traumatic and endotoxic shock. A single dose of ubiquitin obviously suppressed the clinical symptoms of a harmful immune response (edema, erythema, capillary leak, pulmonary failure). No adverse effects of exogenous ubiquitin were detected. Thus, ubiquitin could represent a previously unrecognized elemental host defense mechanism. Furthermore, ubiquitin and/or ubiquitin derived molecules could represent a novel therapeutic approach for treatment and prevention for a broad variety of diseases such as gram negative sepsis, trauma, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis or transplant rejection. This is strengthened by subsequent studies from others, showing that the ubiquitin 50-59 sequence, which is located on the external loop of the molecule, has an immuno-suppressive activity which is comparable to that of cyclosporine.
    Direct and Continuous Sensor for Heparin and Protamine
    Heparin, a polyanionic polysaccharide, is administered to patients at the rate of about 500 million doses per year in order to prevent blood clotting. Accurate dosage of this drug is important because heparin is metabolized in the body and needs to be monitored and neutralized after surgery. This invention presents the first continuous, reversible sensor for the polyion heparin and its antidote protamine. While selective extraction principles for such drugs are available, all detection strategies reported thus far involve single-use tests that showed irreversible behavior or needed chemical treatment before reuse. Continuous monitoring technology is achieved here by instrumental means. The concentration of the drug in the blood is not modified during the detection process.
    Patient-Specific, Targeted Anti-Cancer System
    Cancer is a complex heterogeneous disease with molecular, morphological and clinical differences that exist both between and within tumors. Such differences limit the effectiveness of standard therapies which are not patient-specific. To detect molecular difference between tumors from different patients, our technology uses a phage display technique: An approach capable of producing valuable binding molecules to known and, importantly, unknown cell surface markers. The binding molecules are selected from libraries of peptides displayed as fusion molecules on phage particles. Once Selected, each phage particle can be propagated to large numbers, labeled, and used to probe for specific binding to cells and tissues. The binding patterns of molecular probes containing tumor-specific peptides are correleated with effectiveness of existing therapies, which guides the treatment.
    Process for Efficient Production of Drug Nanoparticles of Reduced Size
    The bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs is usually the limiting factor in deciding a dosage window for oral or systemic adminstration. Supercritical fluid technology provides opportunities for reducing the drug particle size, yielding improved dissolution properties and higher bioavailability. In a conventional RESS process, a supercritical solution is rapidly expanded through a nozzle to precipitate the solute as microparticles. The modeling of RESS has shown that the precipitated particles at the nozzle tip are the order of 5-25 nm is size. However, the final particles experimentally obtained are 800-3000 nm in size, due to growth by coagulation in the expansion chamber, often yielding less than ideal dissolution properties. Another difficulty is that most pharmaceutical compounds have poor solubility in supercritical carbon dioxide - the fluid of choice. Both challenges are addressed by the Auburn process with the addition of a cosolvent that solidifies at the nozzle exit condition (dubbed RESS-SC). This cosolvent not only enhances drug solubility but also forms solid particles upon exiting the nozzle. Providing a barrier for drug particle coagulation. The solid cosolvent can then be removed by lyophilization. This method increased the solubility of the antifungal drug griseofulvin in CO2 25-fold and produced nanoparticles in the 50-250 nm range with lowered crystallinity. These results indicate a significatly increased dissolution and bioavailability of griseofulvin, and improved productivity and efficiency of the RESS process.
    A Natural and Safe Alternative Pesticide
    Since the 1940s, petrochemically-derived agricultural pesticides, such as methyl bromide, have caused serious harm, not only to human and animal health, but also to the environment. Moreover, a shift toward organic agriculture is creating a large market for environmentally benign pesticide alternatives. Auburn University has developed various combinations of natural plant extracts and their mixtures with beneficial microbes that induce plant defense responses to combat multiple pests and pathogens commonly found on plant roots and soil. This treatment also controls foliar pathogens and pests from horticultural crops to fruit trees. The plant extracts work synergistically to provide a broad spectrum of activity, are not toxic to humans and animals and can be used safely against household pests. Additionally, they provide significant increases in plant growth, causing early fruit set, even in cases when no pathogens or pests are present. The products can be applied by conventional sprayers or soil applicators. Fruits and vegetables treated by these products can be consumed immediately after application with no harm to animals or negative environmental impact. The ingredients are tentatively approved by the EU for organic agriculture and positive responses have been received in the US.
    Iodinated Hydrocarbon Pesticide
    This technology was developed to control deleterious organisms, such as insects, neatodes and weeds without causing significant harm to the ozone layer. Such deleterious organisms can be controlled by applying a compound comprised of both monoiodinated hydrocarbons and diiodinated hydrocarbons. Because of the chemical properties of the iodinated hydrocarbons, most notably their intersolubility, the mono-and diiodinated hydrocarbons can be combined to make an effective insecticidal and nematicidal formulation that gives a similar performance to that of methyl bromide against both insects and nematodes. Additionally, the combination can be an effective herbicide. This technology uses about 1/10 the quantity of halogenated hydrocarbon as typically used for methyl bromide and methyl iodine and can be applied to soil in a covered or uncovered state. This technology is also much more effective than the use of iodomethane. Advantages: Is a suitable replacement for methyl bromide without significant harm to the ozone layer; Is much more cost efficient than methyl bromide; Is an effective insecticide, nematicide and herbicide.
    Production of Dense and Uniform Nanoparticle Films
    A major thrust of research is currently focused on post-synthesis nanoparticle manipulation for application in such fields as catalysis, optical systems, electronic devices, and sensors. Full utilization of nanoparticles for these applications requires the ability to effectively process and maneuver particles onto surfaces. Such deposition is typically performed by evaporating a liquid solvent containing dispersed nanoparticles. This method, however, can give rise to undesirable features in the film due to surface tensions in the liquid/vapor interface that moves across the surface during evaporation. In the Auburn process, CO2 is introduced into the system to form a gas-expanded liquid that results in nanoparticle precipitation and deposition. Additional CO2 is then pumped into the system until the original solvent is removed, at which point the pressure is lowered to release the CO2 without causing the typical defects caused by evaporation. This method is simple, efficient, allows for easy solvent recycle, and leaves no residual liquid solvent. Advantages: Deposits dense, uniform nanoparticle films on surfaces via simple solvent/antisolvent interactions; Allows for recovery of intact films by eliminating standard solvent evaporation steps that typically disrupt films in post-processing; Allows for control of film density, quality and packing by manipulating such parameters as particle size, particle polydispersity and system pressure; Reduces operating costs and environmental impact through use of CO2, as the antisolvent; Reduces post-processing time and costs via simple and effective particle cleaning and solvent recovery.
    Improved Destruction of Chlorinated Compounds in Soil and Groundwater
    Palladized zero-valent iron nanoparticles have shown to serve as catalysts for the breakdown of chlorinated hydorcarbons such as TCE and PCBs. Unfortunately, these particles tend to be unstable, largely due to agglomeration. This leads to vastly reduced reactivity and can also cause the particles to become trapped in sub-surface soil, making them impractical for insitu use. In addition, toxic intermdiate by-products such as vinyl chloride, are often produced using these particles. This technology modifies the preparation of bimetallic particles by adding a low cost stabilizer to prevent the nanoscale particles from agglomerating, thereby maintaining their high surface area and reactivity. These stabilized nanoparticles demonstrate much higher reactivity than any other nanoparticles reported to date. In the treatment of TCE, target concentrations were achieved in half the time as compared to the best reported results; for PCT, over 80% was degraded within 100 hours, compared to only 24% with unstabilized particles. In both cases no toxic intermediates were detected. Advantages: Substantially increases the stability and reactivity of palladized zero-valent iron nanoparticles; Substantially increases the rate of dechlorination of chlorinated organic compounds; a 25-fold increase in intial degradation rate for TCE and an 80% elimination of PCBs in 100 hours have been shown; Reduces costs by enabling in situ treatment and by lowering time and materials needed; Uses an inexpensive and environmentally friendly stabilizer; Prevents detectable formation of toxic intermdiates; Prevents aggregation of nanoparticles, allowing for in situ use.
    Automatic Analog BIST with Pattern Generator and Analyzer
    The current manual analog testing process for high-speed RFICs is time consuming and costly. The typical test cost can be as high as 50 percent of the manufacturing cost depending on complexity. Current test practices are expensive because of costly test equipment, cumbersome test preparation and the lack of a standardized methodology. As a result, only a small sample of RF cicuitry is currently tested. RFIC testing is sensitive to supply voltage and process variations which makes external testing difficult. Our BIST technique provides analog test capability as well as an efficient technique for calibrating and compensating analog circuitry that is sensitive to temperature, supply voltage and process variations. Although existing techniques perform on-chip frequency-domain testing of mixed-signal circuits (analog and digital), these methods focus on simpler tests such as cut-off frequency and cannot perform complete tests such as frequency response or noise and modulation. In addition, some of the current methods that utilize an on-chip generated sine wave use an on-chip digital signal processor that requires much more chip area overhead than Auburn's method and are not precise enough for analog tests such as analog modulation. Dr. Stoud's and Dr. Dai's invention is a DDS-based BIST approach that generates various modulated waveforms for analog functionality tests. This BIST approach consists of a test pattern generator (TPG) and an output result analyzer (ORA). The TPG can provide precise frequency tones for many analog tests and can implement various waveforms such as chirp,ramp, MSK, QAM and other hybrid modulations. None of the existing analog testing schemes compare favorably with the comprehensive modulated waveform generation of Auburn's DDS synthesizer, which for the first time could make complete testing of RFICs economically feasible. Advantages: Eliminates the need for expensive analog test equipment for RFICs; Enables complete testing of RFIC chips; Generates precise frequency tones for analog tests; Occupies much less area on the chip compared to existing solutions; Generates more waveforms for tests than competing DDS techniques; Compensates for temperature, voltage and other fluctuations.
    Estimating Reliability of Components for Testing and Quality Optimization
    In integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing, a chip may acquire two types of defects: killer and latent. Killer defects are simple to detect using commonly known wafer probe tests. Our invention provides a cost effective way to identify latent defects. This methodology is founded on the fact that manufacturing defects tend to cluster in scattered regions of the wafer, and on the related proven assumption that the probability of defects in a die correlates with the defect rate in neighboring dies. The probability that a given chip has a latent defect is calculated based on the number of neighboring components found to have killer defects. Chips can be divided into groups ("bins") based on this probability. Subsequent burn-in tests or stress tests are adapted to suit the probability of defects associated with each bin - that is, contents of some bins are tested less than others to minimize the overall cost of testing without reducing the reliability of the end product. For instance, a shorter burn-in time may be used when testing components from a bin that is statistically less likely to have latent defects, or intensive burn-ins may be used with memory chips in a bin that require a greater number of redundant memory repairs. This selective testing reduces costly and unnecessary intesive testing with no compromise in reliability or quality. In addition, Multi Chip Modules (MCMs) made from chips with low defect probability may not require testing after assembly, yielding additional cost savings. Advantages: Determines early mortality of ICs; Optimizes testing cost and time; Adapts burn-in test intensity to the probability of defect level in the chip; Facilitates reliability screening of a die that cannot be stress tested.
    The 'Age Game': An Active Learning Tool Used to Increase Pharmacy Students' Awareness of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy
    As the senior population continues to rise, there is an increasing need for emphasis on geriatrics in the pharmacy school curriculum. The purpose of the Age Game is to incorporate a geriatric-focused component into an Internal Medicine Rotation on a Skilled Nursing Facility Unit. The objective of the game is to increase the students' knowledge of the health-related needs of older patients, describe the multiple factors that can complicate drug therapy, and enhance their communication techniques with elderly patients. A set of highly interactive scenarios was created to stimulate discussion regarding age-related pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic changes, geriatric disease-related changes, geriatric pharmacotherapy, physical assessment of the older patient, and communication skills necessary to assist in the counseling of older patients. These scenarios were used in a board game format in which students "age" as they progress around the board, experiencing decline in vision, hearing, and dexterity. The scenarios promote active learning while also challenging the student to perceive the functional decline that occurs during aging. There is a need for creative approaches to instruction of pharmacy students in the area of geriatrics. The Age Game actively challenges students to think about their role in caring for older patients and recognize the limitations and challenges the senior population faces. Advantages: A practical and realistic method of enabling and teaching students in the various geriatric related health fields about the aging process.
    Vent Filter for Air Molds
    A new method to prevent the clogging of exhaust vents has been invented for use in coremaking processes. This method eliminates the typical build-up of sand/resin on vents, thereby dramatically reducing maintenance costs and increasing productivity, as well as the useful life of the mold vents. furthermore, this approach improves the characteristics of the core, with the exception of tensile strength, which is unchanged. Advantages: Eliminates the need to clean vents; Core characteristics are improved; Significantly increases productivity of core shooting process.
    Biopreservation Glasses for Proteins and Biopolymers

    Compliant Earmolds

    Obesity Treatment

    Waterjet Dental Drill

    Tomato Virus Gene Marker

    Atomic Force Microscopy Probes

    Ion Mobility Spectrometry

    Preparation of Cladribine

    Surface Patterning

    Venturi for Electrospray Ionization or Aerodynamic Ion Funnel

    Sparkling Yogurt

    Near-Field Active Noise Suppression

    Noise Suppression Microcircuit

    Edge Reinforced Construction Sheeting

    IsoTruss Grid Structures

    Compliant Mechanisms

    Compliant MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS)

    Creating Nano-Crystaline Materials in Bulk

    Friction Stir Welding (FSW)

    Animation Inbetweening

    Direct Machining (DMAC)

    Object Based Image Editing

    T-Spline Control Grids for T Junctions

    Virtual Environment

    Syst.Arch. for Fiber-Opt.Ntwk

    Optical Communications System and Method

    MARS:Real-Time Sched. Alg'rthm

    Hypermesh Network (P/S 76)

    Fault Diag. Network Sftwre

    User Tunable Lightwave Ntwk

    Architect&Methodology Mobile-Executed Cell HandOfffor Wireless ATM

    THESEUS Switch for ATM

    A Heuristic Algorithm for Wavelength Assignment in Optical Network

    General Framework for Operation of Packet Access Cell.Radio System

    Media AccessProtocol For Packet Access Within A Radio Cell

    Recursive Grid Network Architecture with Extraplanar Links

    Fibre Optic Network Implementation Method Applicable to Network Topolo

    Parametric Wavelength Interchanging Crosscurrent (WIXC) Architecture

    Automatic Protection Switching in Optical Networks w/Planar Topologies

    Automatic Protection Switching for Link Failure in Optical Networks

    Efficient Connection Management Scheme for ATM-Based Network

    xbind:COBRA-Based Broadband Kernal for Creation, Deployment etc

    Recursive Grid Network Architecture

    Progressive Second Price Auction Mechanism

    Fault Restoration of Node Failures in Mesh Networks with Non-Planar

    A means of accessing a bidirectional wavelength division multiplexed

    An Algorithm for Optimal Routing and Wavelength Assignment on a

    Xbind Software 2.0

    Spot and Derivative Markets for Admission Control and Pricing in Conne

    Efficient Algorithms for computing optimal network profits and utiliti

    Optical Packet Time Compression and Expansion

    Alternate Mark/Space Inversion Line Code

    Hierarchical Image Encoding and Decoding

    Method for Correcting Data

    Exch. of Arbit. Def. Images

    Systems and Methods for Coding Even Fields of Interlaced Video Sequenc

    High-Frequency Patt'n Gen.

    Postprocessing for A/D Conversion

    Trellis-Based Compression

    Optimal Threshold for Coders

    Digitally Assisted Motion Compensated Deinterlacing for EDTV

    MR Joint Source-Channel Coding and Application to Broadcast

    Digital Decoding of Sigma-Delta Modulation Output

    Use of Standing Waves for Transmission of Information

    Multiscale Interative Pyramid Image Coding

    Time Recursive Motion Compensated Deinterlacing

    Software Implementation of Test Models of MPEG2 Video Coding

    Video Distribution System for Transmitting RGB Images

    Programmable Bitstream Parser for Audiovisual Gene Decod System

    Chill Roll Casting of Metal Strip

    Production of Low Temperature Aluminum Based Brazing Alloys

    Heat Treatment of Rapidly Quenched Fe-6.5 wt % Si Ribbon

    Heat Treatment of Rapidly Quenched Fe-6.5 wt % Si Ribbon

    Rapidly Solidified Aluminum-Germanium Base Brazing Alloys

    Induction Skull Melt Spinning Of Reactive Metal Alloys

    Molded Composites from Cellulosic Materials

    Voice Controlled Apparel Manufacturing Machines

    Biodegradable Copolymer for Biomaterial Applications

    Multi-energy Source Rapid Photothermal Process

    Microfabrication of Perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) Polyaryl Ethers

    Feed Supplements for Ruminants and Method for Using Same

    Bacterial Control Agent

    Automated Plant Culture System

    PCR Detection System for Diagnosing Gummy Stem Blight

    Identifying Fusarium Wilt Resistance via PCR

    Flexible Film Vessels for Storage, Shipping and Acclimatization of Tissue Cultured Plants en Masse

    Oxygenated Pitch and Processing Same

    Particle Analysis by Continuous-Wave Photon Migration Techniques

    New Fluorinated Ether Mixture

    Adaptive Slicing Algorithms

    Methods for Progenitor Cell Recruitment and Isolation

    Method and Device for Generating Spatially and Temporally Shaped Optical Waveforms
    link is only a small portion of our available technology and that we encourage interested parties to contact the appropriate Technology Licensing Officer directly
    Optical Frequency Discriminator
    link is only a small portion of our available technology and that we encourage interested parties to contact the appropriate Technology Licensing Officer directly
    Light Coupler
    link is only a small portion of our available technology and that we encourage interested parties to contact the appropriate Technology Licensing Officer directly
    A Technology and Process for Encrypted Execution of Encrypted Programs

    A Novel Software for Detection of Hidden Messages within Digital Images

    System and Method for Anywhere, Anytime Personal Radio

    Bacterial Bioherbicide for Control of Grassy Weeds

    Bacterial Compositions for Inhibiting Food Spoilage, and 2) Method Using Lactobacillus AS-1 for Inhibiting Food Spoilage

    Bacteriocidal Surfaces and Articles with Attached Bacteriocin

    Optical Quadrature Interferometer Utilizing Polarization to Obtain In-Phase and Quadrature Information

    Total Ankle Arthroplasty 2005-116
    Background: Current total ankle replacement solution have significant drawbacks, including complications relating to aseptic loosening, delayed wound healing, wound dehiscence, and prosthetic subsidence. Other problems include prosthesis migration and loosening, and osteolysis at the tibial component. One comment element of all the current ankle replacement solutions is that they are installed through an anterior incision in the ankle. The consequence of this is that the tibia must be cut flat to allow anterior insertion of the tibial component. This disrupts the boney architecture in the distal plafond and places the component into softer less stable bone. This leads to easier subsidence of the component and potential failure. The anterior incision also has a higher incidence of wound breakdown in the perioperative period.
    Kaposi's Syndrome Herpesvirus Protease and Assembly Protein

    Anthozoan Flourescent Protein Genes
    This invention relates to the development of a highly efficient and the brightest Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) known to date called Mick, which is good for both short term and long term experiments. The inventors at The Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at The University of Miami have isolated the gene sequences for this novel GFP from the Caribbean coral Montastraea cavernosa. Visible under room lighting and highly resistant to photo bleaching even under extremely intense artificial lighting; Mick has an excitation maximum of 492nm and an emission maximum of 505nm. Mick is superior to other GFP’s currently on the market. Mick, over the course of several days at room temperature, actually gains fluorescence while EGFP (the most popular GFP on the market today) loses fluorescence, making Mick clearly superior in expression systems that cover more than one day. Also, since Mick is equal to EGFP in expression after 24 hours at 37 degrees centigrade Mick is good in short-term experiments as well. Mick also produces more stable fluorescence in E Coli than EGFP and can be visualized in zebrafish even under room lighting.
    Maximizing Channel Throughout and Fairness of Wireless Networks
    The present invention concerns a wireless networking, such as Wireless Local Area Networks and cellular communications. It solves a problem of communication rate slowing in a wireless network when many nodes are communicating simultaneously using DCF (Distributed Coordination Function). Proposed algorithm improves throughput of an RF channel shared by multiple wireless communication devices. It does so by reducing contention and expected waiting time between successful channel accesses. It also improves fairness in channel sharing. The algorithm compliments existing technologies and therefore its implementation and integration with, for example, IEEE 802.11 family of standards based networking cards is very easy. It neither requires modification to existing hardware nor increases computation overhead and software requirements. Thus, the algorithm increases channel utilization and improves fairness among the communicating devices without adding computation overhead or hardware cost.
    Audio Compression Using Repetitive Structures
    The present invention is an algorithm that compresses audio data by detecting, re-coding and removing structurally redundant information from sequential segments of a digital audio file. The algorithm can be used in both lossy and lossless modes. In lossy mode the original file cannot be recovered with bit-accuracy, while in lossless mode the exact original file can be recovered. Greater compression is achieved in the lossy mode. Depending on the degree of redundancy in an audio selection, the compression ratio can vary from 1 to 5. A typical pop-music file size can be reduced by half or more (also using lossy mode). Importantly, the present algorithm can be used in conjunction with conventional perceptual audio codecs (such as MP3, WMA, AAC) to achieve additional compression. Whereas conventional codecs use irrelevancy to achieve compression, the present invention uses redundancy; thus, coding efficiency can be further increased, thus further reducing file size and bit rate. There are a number of potential commercial applications where the present invention can be implemented: The effectiveness of audio compression algorithms presently used in online music stores can be increased by adding the capabilities of present invention. Another example is the implementation of the algorithm in a data compression utility, such as WinZip, to enable it to efficiently compress digital music. Another example where the invention can be easily implemented is in conjunction with proprietary RF digital broadcasting to preserve the transmission bandwidth. As another applications example, this algorithm is also suited for audio ring-tone compression for mobile phones. Other applications can be foreseen.
    A Method for designing modulators of flexible multi-domain protein kinases
    The majority of FDA-approved chemotherapeutic agents target rapidly dividing cells. While such agents effectively kill proliferating tumor cells, they also result in high toxicity. More effective treatments are beginning to emerge from the use of targeted therapies that bind and inactivate specific protein kinases. However, very few protein kinase modulators have been approved for clinical use because many of them are nonspecific. There is a need for a method of designing protein kinase modulators that target tactical binding sites. These tactical binding sites may be at some distance from the active site and so very difficult to target. Furthermore, there is also a need for a method of designing protein kinase modulators with high selectivity for single protein kinases. The invention described herein is directed to these and other important ends.
    Fluorescent Through-Bond Energy Transfer

    Multi-level Three-phase Power Converters for High Voltage Power Applications 2007-176
    Background: An important issue in three-phase power conversion is that real three-phase systems are seldom perfectly balanced as a result of a large load imbalance or non-uniform source impedance. The existing control strategies dealing with the unbalance problem can be divided into two categories by their control aims: "constant power" and "equal resistance". The "constant power" strategy aims at a dc link voltage free of ripple, which is beneficial from the downstream load point of view. However, in order to achieve this, a counter-balance negative-sequence current has to be injected by modifying the control signals and the consequence is that more current would be drawn from a weaker phase. In addition, this method suffers from complicated calculations adding a further layer of complexity. The "equal resistance" strategy is beneficial from the source point of view. The source sees a balanced, pure resistive load, and therefore less current will be drawn from a weaker phase. However, the disadvantages of this strategy are also obvious: the dc capacitor has to sustain large power ripple. Also, the control for three phase currents conflicts in a three-wire system, or a neutral current will be induced in a four-wire system. There is no clear cut in trade-off between the two control strategies. Technology: University researchers have developed a "non-zero sequence" strategy for power converters in balanced and unbalanced three-phase systems. The proposed strategy replaces the phase voltages with non-zero sequence phase voltages for controlling the converter. With the non-zero sequence phase voltages as the current references, high-quality current waveforms can be always ensured, since the control for three-phase currents won't conflict in a three-wire system and no neutral current will be induced in a four-wire system. Also, with the non-zero sequence phase voltages for region selection of the vector operation, high efficiency and high reliability can be ensured, even when the system is extremely unbalanced.
    ANTIMICROBIAL PACKAGING FILM
    All-natural edible films that show inhibition against Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella and E. coli 0157:H7. Films can be made with varying hydrophobicities and hydrophiliciites, using specific combinations of substrates, e.g., soy protein, whey protein, gluten protein, hydrocolloids including CMC, alginate and pectin, plasticizers, and antimicrobials.
    UV RESISTANT MICROBIAL INSECTICIDE
    This is a method of making a microbial insecticide that includes a chemical “sunblock” that protects the microbes from UV light and so extends their life in the field. The “sunblock” uses plant phenolics that are present in our diets normally and do not pose a risk to human health. In the presence of a catalyst the phenolics react to form quinones that bond covalently to the microbes. The quinones absorb light in the UV wavelengths and so protect the microbes. See also U.S. Patent 5,998,330
    Development of Diagnostics and Therapeutics for Cornelia de Lange Syndrome 2006-168
    Background: Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) is a moderately common multisystem birth defects disorder that poses severe medical and social challenges for affected children and their families. Diagnosis of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) is based on clinical signs, including abnormal upper limbs, characteristic facial features, cardiac defects, cognitive retardation, and hearing loss. The syndrome varies widely in severity, and mildly affected cases may be difficult to diagnose. As many as half of all CdLS may fall into this latter category. In addition, there is currently no procedure available for the prenatal diagnosis of CdLS CdLS was recently shown to be caused by mutations in a single copy of the NIPBL gene, The vast majority are new mutations in the children of normal parents, and such mutations have been found at locations throughout the very large NIPBL transcript (~9.8 kb). In addition, mutations in non-protein-coding parts of the NIPBL gene are thought to account for about half of CdLS cases. Because a very large amount of DNA needs to be screened to find the mutation in every new case of CdLS, direct mutation screening is likely to be impractical as a diagnostic approach for this syndrome, except in those cases where clinical suspicion is already very high. Thus, there remains a significant need for rapid, inexpensive diagnostic aids for both pre- and postnatal diagnosis of this syndrome. Technology: The product of the NIPBL gene is a global regulator of DNA interactions that control the expression of many classes of genes. It is believed that the abnormalities of CdLS arise because levels and sites of expression of many genes change when NIPBL levels are low. University of California, Irvine researchers have developed a mouse model of CdLS, based on heterozygous mutation of the NIPBL gene, and are using transcriptional profiling of mutant mice to identify those genes and gene products that are aberrantly regulated.
    Fuel Cells
    New way of constructing fuel cells eliminates the many drawbacks of the existing ones and provides more efficient energy production.
    Three-Dimensional Breast Anatomy Imaging System 2007-162
    Background: Pre-surgical chemotherapy is a treatment commonly used for locally advanced breast cancer. The patient's response to the pre-surgical chemotherapy is monitored to improve survival and reduce morbidity. In order to accurately distinguish between tumor and surrounding breast tissue, a method that can quantitatively monitor tumor response to this chemotherapy needs to be developed. Technology: Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed a breast anatomy imaging system that combines a position tracking system with a handheld optical imaging device. This combined technology allows the researcher and/or clinician to image cancerous versus normal breast tissue at intervals throughout the course of the therapy. A non-invasive near-infrared technology based upon diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) has been developed to quantitatively monitor tumor response to the pres-surgical chemotherapy. A tracking device associated with a handheld device can measure a region of interest in the breast tissue at each visit with approximately 1 mm system accuracy. Thus, diffuse optical spectroscopy is used to monitor tumor response in patients with locally advanced cancer throughout the course of the therapy.
    Asymmetric Clustered Processor Architecture based on Value Content 2006-635
    Background: Most conventional clustered processor architectures are symmetric systems. It is known that the scalability of ahigh-performance processor architecture has been limited in new system designs by various factors, including increasing clock frequencies, issue widths, and greater wire delays. In addition, many high-performance processor families have extended their Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), or have introduced new ones, to handle 64 bit integers, which further exacerbates the above design factors. Clustered processors have been proposed and implemented (Digital Alpha21264) to cope with wire-limited designs. Clusters have always been identical. This prevented increased execution speed even though the majority of instructions could be executed faster because of their narrow operands. To use a faster cluster required a new datapath design and a way to determine when it can be used Technology: University researchers have developed a method and apparatus for improving the operation of a computer processor by utilizing an asymmetric clustered processor architecture. The asymmetric clustered processor apparatus includes a narrow cluster, a wide cluster, a steering logic utilizing a cluster predictor for providing a decoded instruction to either the narrow cluster or the wide cluster; address registers which are not part of the ISA, and a translation look-aside buffer for translating the virtual address of a load/store instruction in parallel with an execute stage. The method includes the steps of: predictably steering the instruction to either a W bit Wide integer cluster or an N bit Narrow integer cluster, managing the Address register file, and processing any instruction in the Wide integer cluster but processing only N bit instructions in the Narrow integer cluster.
    Pointer-Based Instruction Queue for Out-of-Order Processors 2007-111
    Background: Out-of-order processors issue instructions even before their source operands are available. The processor component central to out-of-order processing is the Instruction Queue (IQ). Its performance is critical to overall processor speed and power consumption. For instance, the issue logic consumes near 25% of CPU power in. The IQ operates as follows: First, instructions are entered (or allocated) into the IQ where they wait for their operands. An instruction is ready to issue to its execution unit when its operands are ready. This is detected using wakeup and select logic. Selected instructions are issued to execution units next. Allocation is the process of writing the necessary information into the IQ memory. The wakeup logic is responsible for detecting when an instruction operand is ready. An instruction is marked ready when all of its operands are ready. The select logic chooses for execution a subset of instructions marked ready by the wakeup logic. A part of the IQ memory, payload RAM, is read next to issue the instruction. For instructions with one-cycle execution latency, wakeup and select logic have to have a latency of one cycle to avoid IPC loss. Two types of wakeup logic have been used in modern processors: a CAM-based IQ logic and a dependency-matrix based logic. The latter was described in an Intel patent, while the former was used in the MIPS R10K processor. Neither of these approaches is scalable with respect to instruction queue size and issue width. Another approach, pointer based wakeup, has been proposed but never implemented. It stores a pointer(s) to dependent instruction(s) in each instruction queue entry. The wakeup logic does not use CAM's, instead a pointer is used to access the IQ and set source operand Ready bits. The mechanism provides space for one or more dependent pointers in each instruction. In the past, the pointer-based IQ design proposals had difficulties dealing with multiple successors and branch mis-prediction recovery. Technology: University researchers have developed a different approach to pointer-based wakeup which overcomes these problems and allows large IQ implementations while maintaining a 1-cycle wakeup-select cycle. It is called a "direct wakeup" mechanism. It solves the problem of multiple dependents by using a small number of full dependency vectors. This almost completely eliminates stalls for instructions with multiple successors while requiring fewer resources than the full dependency matrix. CAMs are not used at all, saving power and improving scalability. The second major problem, correct recovery of dependent pointers on branch mis-prediction, is also solved. The approach check-points a small amount of additional information on each conditional branch using a destination physical register tag as a unique identifier of an instruction.
    OCT Device for Reliable Cross Sectional Scanning Plane 2006-580
    Background: Researchers and clinicians have used Optical Coherence Tomography OCT) as a tool to image biological tissues with high quality for evaluation and diagnostics. The need for precise registry and elimination of torsion in medical fiber optic imaging has not been needed until the development of OCT Technology. Technology: Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed a device to obtain a more reliable cross sectional scanning plane of tissue with OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography). The device will aid in maintaining registration between the scanning plane of an OCT imaging fiber and the area of interest in the tissue, thus reducing or eliminating unwanted torsional artifacts. In the past fibers moved back and forth inside a tube without a control mechanism to ensure that the cross sectional area scanned does not deviate from one plane in space. The device will enable clinicians to obtain more detailed, "crisp", cleaner images with less motion artifact.
    New Non-toxic Compounds that Sensitize Cells for DNA Damage Agents and Serving as Adjuvants in Chemotherapy of Cancer 2006-512
    Technology: Two small compounds with molecular weight about 300-400 were isolated from reverse yeast two hybrid screening using a chemical library containing 30000 compounds. These compounds disrupt the interaction between BRCA2 and Rad51 and lead to sensitive to DNA damage agents such as ionizing radiation or cisplatinim treatment. Therefore, these compounds can be used as drugs for sensitizing cancer cells for chemotherapy.
    A Platform for Seamless Multi-device Interactive Digital Content 2006-481
    Background: Previous mechanisms for connecting two or more devices in the same physical space have been cumbersome, and offered little advantage over connecting two devices that are hundreds of miles apart. There are two general methods: first, the automatic triggering of content when a device enters a certain proximity and/or orientation to another device, and second, having a seamless information space between the two devices once they are within the appropriate proximity and/or orientation. Previously, the triggering of content was done manually by the user. No solution allowed the triggering to be done automatically when a device is brought into a certain physical relationship with another device, whether or not the person carrying the device is aware of the fact that the physical relationship between devices will have that effect. In previous systems, the transfer data between devices was done by explicitly moving data and objects between devices using floppy disks, external hard drives, Ethernet cables and similar technologies. For example, to move data using a USB flash-memory device typically requires several steps - inserting the device, opening a directory window for the file to be transferred, opening a window for the storage device, dragging the file between windows, waiting for the file transfer, ejecting the device, physically carrying it to another device and repeating the above steps. This process takes a minute or more, and requires user attention throughout that time. While certain processes, such as hot-syncing a PDA, have attempted to streamline this process, there is still significant overhead to the transfer. These previous methods did not create a seamless and efficient cross-device experience among collocated devices. In order for multi-device systems to reach their full potential as powerful tools for work, learning and play, a continuous and dynamic multi-device experience is needed. Technology: University researchers have developed a platform for digital content that operates seamlessly across multiple collocated devices. It involves the coordination of digital content on each device, sensing of the proximity and/or orientation of devices to each other, communication among devices, synchronization of devices so that content can appear to move seamlessly from one to the other, and deployment of autonomous computational systems that operate on the platform. The purpose is to create a superior user experience through the coordination of multiple devices; this improvement of the user experience can occur through a more seamless continuity among devices, through a more engaging experience and/or through a more efficient coordination of devices. The fundamental principle is that the coordination of collocated devices to produce a multi-device system can yield superior functionality to the constituent devices operating independently. This platform enables graphics, sound, autonomous computational agents and other forms of content to appear to occupy a continuous virtual space across several different devices, thereby reducing the overhead of interoperation of devices and enabling new kinds of interactions that are not possible without explicit and seamless content transfer between devices.
    High-Velocity, Ion-Driven Wind Generator 2006-464
    Background: A fluid can be accelerated to high velocities using electrostatic forces and no moving parts. This concept, termed "ion-driven", "ionic", "Chattock", "electrohydrodynamic", "electrokinetic" or "corona" wind, has been known for over a hundred years. However, only a few meters per second have been obtainable for all designs until now. Typically, a strong electric field is applied between a sharp and rounded electrode separated by some distance and submerged in a fluidic medium (gas or liquid). The Coulombic force on ions present in the interelectrode space drives the fluid from the sharp to the rounded electrode and the flow velocity increases with increasing electric field strength. However, the electric field required for even modest flow velocities is large and the production of high velocities is prohibited by spark breakdown. Technology: University researchers have developed a design capable of producing a high velocity ion-driven wind consisting of confining an ion-driven wind generator to a tube, staging several generators in series where the tubes mate without leakage, and placing a converging nozzle at the exit. Designs that either do not include multiple stages or do not include an exit nozzle are not capable of reaching high velocities. Without the nozzle, the multiple stages are able to produce only subtle increases in velocity. Further, if a nozzle is placed at the exit of a single stage, the lone stage is incapable of producing a pressure great enough to overcome the pressure drop associated with the nozzle and no significant acceleration can be realized across the nozzle. This novel staged/nozzled design is effective in generating high velocities at the nozzle exit because each stage contributes a pressure gain that can overcome the pressure drop associated with the nozzle. Although several stages become necessary for large velocities, no limit was observed during testing. The advantage of high velocity ion-driven wind generators are silent operation and longevity due to no moving parts and flexibility in duct shape since the cross-section of the duct can be virtually any shape. Possibly advantageous on the small scale (< 1 inch) compared to fans, which are inefficient at the small scale.
    Real-time Tumor Tracking Using Implanted Positron Emission Markers 2006-462
    Background: Despite advancements, tumor motion due to respiration remains the limiting factor in the delivery accuracy of radiation therapy for pulmonary and abdominal tumors. Respiratory gating should be applied to avoid the use of a large target volume margin that results in substantial dose to the surrounding normal tissue. Usually, fiducial markers are implanted inside or next to the tumor to provide both accurate patient setup and real-time tumor tracking. Current techniques require substantial x-ray exposure throughout the radiation therapy session. An electronic portal imaging device (EPID) based tumor tracking technique is limited by low image contrast and the possibility that the marker may be outside the radiation field segment. Seiler et al. have proposed a magnet sensor technique but it requires wires to be connected from outside the patient's body to the implanted sensors. Another technique localizes the tumor using implanted wireless electromagnetic transponders but the transponder's large size (1.8 x 8 mm) makes its application in the lung difficult. Sajo et al. have proposed a technique to locate brachytherapy seeds with positron emission tomography (PET) by labeling the seed with a positron emission isotope but their technique is not designed for real-time tumor tracking. Technology: University of California researchers have developed a method and apparatus for real-time tumor tracking using implanted positron emission markers. Called "PeTrack" technique uses radio-opaque markers filled with a very low activity positron emission source. The positions of the markers can be determined by detecting pairs of annihilation gammas from the positron source using two pairs of position sensitive gamma detectors mounted on the linear accelerator gantry. The size of the PeTrack marker is less than one half of the markers currently used by other techniques. By detecting annihilation gammas using position-sensitive detectors, multiple positron emission markers can be tracked in real-time. A multi-marker localization algorithm has been developed A Monte Carlo simulation model has been developed for the PeTrack system. Patient dose, detector sensitivity, and scatter fraction were evaluated. The computing time for localizing four markers is less than 20ms. The results show that the PeTrack technique can potentially provide real-time tumor tracking with low effective dose. Four implanted positron emission markers can be localized simultaneously with sub-millimeter accuracy. With less than 10 mm initial estimation error, the success rate of localization is better than 99%. The computing time for localizing four markers is less than 20ms. The implantation of the positron emission markers, whose diameter is 0.8 mm or even smaller, will be easier than the implantation of existing markers and will reduce patient risk.
    Trace-Driven, Just-In-Time Compilation with a New Application of Static Single Assignment Form 2006-460
    Background: A decade after Java arrived, there have been improvements in the runtime performance of platform-independent virtual-machine based software. However, using such machine-independent software on resource-constrained devices such as mobile phones and PDAs remains a challenge, as both interpretation and just-in-time compilation of the intermediate VM language run into technological limitations. Running VM based code strictly in interpreted mode has severe performance overheads, and as a result requires the device's processor to run at a higher clock speed than if native code were run instead. This leads to an increased power consumption, reduced battery autonomy, and may require the overall use of more expensive processors vs. a pure native-code solution. Just-in-time compilation produces more efficient native code, but the process of getting to that native code may be very costly for our current resource-constrained embedded devices. Consequently, distinct embedded just-in-time compilers have emerged, in which trade-offs are made between resource consumption of the just-in-time compiler and the ultimate execution performance of the code being run on top of the VM. Embedded just-in-time compilers achieve their results using significantly fewer resources than their larger counterparts by using simpler algorithms. One example is the use of linear-scan register allocation instead of a graph-coloring approach, which not only reduces the run-time of the algorithm, but also greatly diminishes the memory footprint. Embedded just-in-time compilers also tend to use less ambitious data structures than "unconstrained" compilers-for example, while the use of Static Single Assignment (SSA) form is fairly standard in large just-in-time compilers running on server-class machines, the time and memory needed to convert the 10% most frequently executed methods to SSA using traditional techniques exceeds the resources of most embedded computers. Technology: University researchers have developed a just-in-time compiler that pursues a new dynamic compilation approach. The compiler is an add-on to the JamVM virtual machine for embedded devices. Unlike other just-in-time compilers that are "intertwined" with the virtual machine hosting them, ours requires changing no more than 20 lines of JamVM's source code. The first prototype of the compiler was designed as add-on for Sun's KVM virtual machine. Porting the compiler to JamVM only required minimal changes to both the University's new JIT compiler as well as the JamVM source base. The new JIT runs in a total footprint of 150kB (including code and data) while for regular code still achieving speedups similar to those of heavyweight JIT compilers. Key to the success of the University approach is trace-based compilation using SSA. Similar to other systems before, the new "HotpathVM" JIT dynamically identifies execution traces that are executed frequently-we build dynamic traces from bytecode (which would have been interpreted anyway) rather than from native code, so that the relative overhead of trace recording is much less critical. The real novelty of the University system only comes to bear after a hot trace has been identified: it is then dynamically compiled into native code via a nontraditional application of SSA form, which we call Trace SSA (TSSA). In the classical use of SSA, a control flow graph is translated into SSA in its entirety and ! nodes are placed in control flow join nodes. In this new approach, we differentiate between the values in a trace being compiled, which are in SSA, and values in the rest of the VM, which are not. The VM explicitly moves data from the stack and local variables into dedicated SSA variables before any generated native code is called, and explicitly moves non-dead SSA results back onto the stack and local variables on every exit from such an optimized trace (including side exits). This approach enables the just-in-time compiler to perform aggressive optimizations on the trace, including moving operations on SSA values across side exit points. Because instruction traces are essentially linear (they may contain only internal back edges) liveness analysis and placement of ! nodes are straightforward. This new system also supports fairly sophisticated merging of multiple traces that have a common ancestor.
    An Integrated Microfluidic Platform with Lateral Dielectrophoresis (DEP) Based Cell/Particle Separation 2006-426
    Background: Most of the current techniques used for Dielectrophoresis separation use planar electrodes which sit at the bottom of the channel. With this design the electric field decreases dramatically as the height increases. Correspondingly, the gradient of the electric filed which is denoted as the direction of the DEP force will be along the height of the channel. This phenomena is implemented in field flow fraction (FFF) DEP to balance the gravity of the cells so that different cells will be placed at different heights of the channel and those close to the middle will be flushed out first while those close to the walls will come out of the channel later. This method relies heavily on the velocity control of the flow, and is limited by poor discrimination of the cells and suffers from low throughput. Also, this method is not directly compatible with microfluidic technology because the cells are separated temporally instead of spatially. Technology: Researchers at the University of California have developed a microfluidic sorting device and method which overcomes the above limitation. The invention utilizes dielectrophoresis forces and/or magnetohydrodynamic forces to selective sort cells or particles. The device includes a main channel with a separation region or zone. A plurality of branch channels are located downstream of the separation region/zone to collect the sorted cells or particles.
    Six-Bar Rear Bicycle Suspension 2006-364
    Background: Current bicycle rear suspension designs cannot ensure that the axle of the rear wheel follows a circle around the bottom bracket that holds the pedal wheel axle. This means that pedal forces cause the suspension to deflect, which wastes rider energy. Technology: University researchers have developed a new rear suspension design which introduces additional control linkage that ensures the wheel axle follows a circular trajectory around the bottom bracket that holds the axle of the pedal wheel.
    Anti-tuberculosis Drug Targeted at Acyl-CoA Carboxylase of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis 2006-265
    Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) causes more human deaths than any other single infectious organism with an estimated eight million new tuberculosis (TB) cases and two million fatalities each year. M. tuberculosis has two features that render it the deadliest infectious disease to date: its high infectivity (virulence) and its ability to enter latency for subsequent reactivation, a phenomenon that leads to a deadly synergy with AIDS. As a result, tuberculosis is also the current leading cause of death for AIDS patients. Given the current backdrop of emerging multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), TB treatment is entering a challenging era, where effective control requires the identification of new drugs and novel drug targets. Technology: The inventors identified: 1. A method of screening for anti-tubercular compounds based on an elucidation of the structure of M. tuberculosis acyl-CoA carboxylase D5 (AccD5). 2. Compounds useful in treating Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections in humans
    A Method and Apparatus to Inactivate Stem Cell Nuclei 2006-227
    Background: Stem cells may hold the key to future cures for many diseases. These are embryonic cells that are thought to have the potential to develop in any kind of tissue: liver, kidney, brain, etc. There is great scientific, medical, and economic interest in any technology that can facilitate the therapeutic use of stem cells. The use of stem cells in scientific research has initiated a political debate regarding the ethics of deriving stem cells from human embryos. Thus any technology that would obviate or reduce the need to use human embryos would have widespread acceptance. Additionally, any technology that can facilitate research in stem cell biology will be of great value since relatively little is presently know about the overall biology of these complex cells. It has been recently reported that it is possible to cause reprogramming of somatic (body) cell nuclei after fusion with human embryonic stem cells. One of the technical barriers that need to be overcome before human embryonic stem cells can be used for therapeutic purposes is the elimination of the stem cell's chromosomes either prior to or following cell fusion. Technology: Researchers at the University of California, Irvine in collaboration with scientists from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, are developing a method to remove or inactivate the nucleus of the human embryonic stem (hES) cell in the fused or pre-fused cell. Researchers are developing a system to differentiate between the stem cell and the somatic cell so that the stem cell nuclei can be inactivated. In effect, the cells can be irradiated with laser technology in several minutes, leaving a reasonably high number of cells that contain the cytoplasm of the stem cell but the programmed or to-be reprogrammed nucleus of the somatic cell. Prior to the development of this technique, there was no known way to enucleate cells without destroying the integrity of the cell (e.g. using a needle or using UV light which is generally damaging to the cell).
    Transmit Beamforming for a Large Reconfigurable Antenna Array 2006-218
    Background: Many space-time transmission schemes have been proposed recently to exploit the high channel capacity of MIMO communication systems. However, algorithms for a large antenna array (LAA) remain an open research problem. The standard channel estimation and space-time modulation schemes are not practical for LAAs due to high implementation complexity. Technology: University researchers have developed a novel transmit beamforming scheme based on a reconfigurable LAA. Compared to the traditional schemes, this new scheme requires a much smaller number of RF chains, yet it still enjoys the high performance offered from the LAA. Based on a reconfigurable LAA, a pilot-assisted round robin channel estimation algorithm has been developed. With this estimation algorithm, the tracking of the fading channel is significantly simplified at the mobile station. Further, an adaptive transmit beamforming algorithm based on relative channel phase feedback at the transmitter is also conceived. Numerical simulations show that the proposed scheme accomplishes superior performance for various kinds of time varying Rayleigh fading channels. Overall, the proposed system enjoys good performance, high flexibility, low cost as well as low power consumption at both the base station and mobile station.
    METHODS AND INSTRUMENTS FOR MATERIALS TESTING
    BACKGROUND: Instrumented indentation testing is becoming a powerful and well accepted technique with commercial instruments available from many companies. These instruments work well for samples that they can accommodate within their rigid frames. They are not, however, suitable for use on large structures such as airplane wings or on structures that are covered with a soft tissue layer like bones in a human body or in a race horse's leg. DESCRIPTION: Researchers at UC Santa Barbara, led by one of the founding fathers of the Atomic Force Microscope, have developed an instrument that can use the full power of instrumented indentation testing in a versatile, hand held instrument that can be used not only for samples too large to fit in existing instruments, but also samples that are covered with soft tissue. This instrument has been reduced to an effective, working prototype.
    Universal Gain Cells for Broadband Amplifiers 2006-167
    Background: Designing distributed amplifiers by using heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) is a great challenge compared with using field effect transistors. The reasons causing this challenge are a) the input capacitance, C?, of HBT is typically an order of magnitude larger than input capacitance, Cgs, of FET for the same operating current leading to lower bandwidth, b) the HBT lossy input characteristic is the shunt resistance, r?, compared with FET having infinite value of input shunt resistance, which causes large attenuation at the input artificial transmission line of distributed amplifier resulting in less number of DA sections, and c) the HBT has high output conductance compared with FET resulting in larger attenuation in the output artificial transmission line of the distributed amplifier. These prevent HBT distributed amplifier to achieve high gain-bandwidth product. The attenuation compensation for HBT distributed amplifiers has proposed by others in order to solve the mentioned problems. Its circuit topology is the distributed amplifier with each stage as a common collector cascaded by cascode amplifier. The reasons enabling HBT distributed amplifiers to achieve high gain-bandwidth product are as followings; the common collector in cascade with cascode amplifier has higher input shunt impedance and lower input capacitance compared with common emitter amplifier, in addition, it generates the negative resistance compensating loss in the artificial input transmission line. The cascode amplifier has high output impedance leading to low loss in the artificial output transmission line. As a result,