Abstract: Improved methods for assaying the activity of phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) enhance the signal-to-noise ratio by providing the substrate in donor particles with an aqueous core in the presence of suitable osmotic pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of screening for NF?B inhibiting agents, the method including the steps of administering a biologically effective amount of a candidate SMS2 inhibitor to at least one cell; and determining whether the candidate SMS2 inhibitor inhibits NF?B.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention provides a method of screening cholesterol absorption inhibitors, including: administering to a mammal a biologically effective amount of a candidate SPT inhibitor; and determining whether an amount at least one cholesterol absorption indicator protein in the intestine has changed after the administering step.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the thickness of an ultra-thin multi-layer film on a substrate is disclosed. A physical model of an ultra-thin multilayer structure and Auger electron emission from the nano-multilayer structure is built. A mathematical model for the Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) measurement of the multilayer thin film thickness is derived according to the physical model. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) is first performed on a series of calibration samples. The results are entered into the mathematical model to determine the parameters in the mathematical equation. The parameters may be calibrated by the correlation measurements of the alternate techniques. AES analysis is performed on the ultra-thin multi-layer film structure. The results are entered into the mathematical model and the thickness is calculated.

Abstract: A method for measuring sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine comprising incubating sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine with bacterial sphingomyelinase and bacterial phospholipase D, alkaline phosphatase, choline oxidase, peroxidase, N-Ethyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)-3,5-dimethoxyaniline, and 4-aminoantipyrine, preferably for about 45 minutes. A blue dye is generated.

Abstract: The present invention provides an animal model for atherosclerosis and a transgenic knockout animal. Methods for preventing and/or treating atherosclerosis are also provided. More specifically, the present invention provides methods of preventing and/or treating atherosclerosis by administering to a subject in need thereof an inhibitor of Serine palmitoyl-CoA transferase (SPT) or its subunit.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for providing support for responding to location protocol queries within a network node. One such method involves associating a location with a network identity by associating a network port with a network identity and also associating the network port with the location. The association between the network port and the network identity is created in response to a network identity, which can include an IP address, being assigned to a device coupled to the network port by an identity protocol such as DHCP. The packet is sent in response to detecting a request for the device's location. The method can be performed by various devices, including a first hop node coupled to the device, a location server, and an identity server.

Abstract: A method of treating wood chips or saw dust with an enzyme formulation, prior to refining, in order to reduce the total extractives content of the wood chips or sawdust and to modify the wood structure is described herein. The wood chips or sawdust are treated with one or more enzymes such as lipases, esterases, pectinases, cellulases, laccases, hemicellulases and combinations thereof. The enzyme formulation can be applied to the surface of the wood chips or sawdust, e.g. by spraying, or can be impregnated into the wood chips. The enzyme formulation can further comprise one or more surface active agents which can enhance the effectiveness of the enzyme treatment by improving the diffusion or impregnation of the enzymes into the wood chips. The enzyme-based treatment can be applied at any of several different locations prior to the pulping process including chip piles, chip conveyors, chip silos, chips washers, chip washer water stream, impregnation liquor, or during chip storage.

Abstract: A method for maintaining uplink synchronization in P2P (Peer to Peer) communication, performed by a user equipment in wireless communication systems, comprising: negotiating with a wireless communication network system about the schedule and parameters for controlling the uplink synchronization of the user equipment by the procedure of establishing P2P direct link; transmitting testing signals to the network system via a customized uplink channel according to the negotiated parameters; receiving the control information transmitted via a customized downlink channel from the network system according to the negotiated schedule; and maintaining uplink synchronization of the user equipment in P2P communication according to the control information.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the thickness of an ultra-thin multi-layer film on a substrate is disclosed. A physical model of an ultra-thin multilayer structure and Auger electron emission from the nano-multilayer structure is built. A mathematical model for the Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) measurement of the multilayer thin film thickness is derived according to the physical model. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) is first performed on a series of calibration samples. The results are entered into the mathematical model to determine the parameters in the mathematical equation. The parameters may be calibrated by the correlation measurements of the alternate techniques. AES analysis is performed on the ultra-thin multi-layer film structure. The results are entered into the mathematical model and the thickness is calculated.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of decreasing apolipoprotein B-containing lipoprotein and of treating atherosclerotic diseases and dyslipidemic diseases by reducing plasma phospholipid transfer protein activity, and methods of identifying chemical compounds for use in such treatments.

Abstract: Improved methods for assaying the activity of phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) enhance the signal-to-noise ratio by providing the substrate in donor particles with an aqueous core in the presence of suitable osmotic pressure.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of decreasing apolipoprotein B-containing lipoprotein and of treating atherosclerotic diseases and dyslipidemic diseases by reducing plasma phospholipid transfer protein activity, and methods of identifying chemical compounds for use in such treatments.