Abstract: Described are methods and systems for designing target-specific oligonucleotides of L-length. The method comprises a) parsing a polynucleotide target into overlapping sequences of N-length nucleotides, creating a kernel set; b) performing step a) reiteratively for each target until each it is associated with its own kernel set; c) removing N-length kernels from the kernel sets which are redundant; d) concatenating X-length nucleotide suffixes to each N-length nucleotide kernel to create L-length oligonucleotide sets; e) ordering L-length nucleotides within each set of step d) by their nucleotide position within the target; f) retaining or rejecting an L-length oligonucleotide, based on the presence or absence of each of the X consecutive and overlapping N-length kernels; and g) performing step f) reiteratively.

Abstract: Compositions related to the quantitative trait locus 6 (QTL6) in maize and methods for their use are provided. The compositions are novel molecular marker loci that are genetically linked with QTL6 and which are associated with increased oil content and/or increased oleic acid content and/or an increased oleic acid/linoleic acid ratio of a plant or plant part thereof. These novel markers are characterized by the presence of at least one polymorphism relative to the corresponding marker locus from the QTL6 region of non-high-oil, non-high-oleic acid maize plants. In some embodiments, the novel marker loci comprise coding sequence for a maize DGAT1-2 polypeptide or biologically active variant thereof.

Abstract: A system for sulfide stress cracking testing comprises an enclosed testing chamber including a fluid bath comprising a liquid saturated with hydrogen sulfide gas. In addition, the system comprises a test fixture disposed in the testing chamber and at least partially submerged in the fluid bath. The test fixture includes a housing having an internal chamber in fluid communication with the fluid bath and a test assembly disposed in the internal chamber. The test assembly comprises a first upper support and a second upper support, a first lower support and a second lower support, and a first platen engaging each of the upper supports and adapted to transfer an applied vertical load to the upper supports. Further, the system comprises a test specimen mounted in the test assembly between the upper supports and the lower supports.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of creating a real-time oxidation-reduction potential signature in a hot water system to detect REDOX stress and inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which analyzes and interprets the transmitted potential to create an oxidation-reduction potential signature for the hot water system. If the signature does not conform to an oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed one or more active chemical species into the hot water system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel molecular markers for diagnosis and classification of human breast cancer and lung cancer.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preparing nucleic acid nanotubes using DNA origami techniques are described, which provide for nanotubes of predictable and uniform length. The nucleic acid nanotubes thus formed are suitable as liquid crystal preparations enabling liquid-crystal NMR spectroscopy of proteins solubilized in detergent.

Abstract: The present invention provides new methods and uses of peptides in effecting a reduction in mammary cell number. The discovery that these peptides reduce mammary cell number further enables the use of these peptides in the treatment of cancer where the peptides can be used to reduce cell number and accordingly reduce or prevent tumour development. The inventor has further shown that the peptides have specific utility in the treatment of breast cancer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to measuring corrosion rate. Flowing corrosive fluid contacts a metal coupon or object and results in an effluent stream. The effluent stream contains metal from the object due to reaction of constituents in the fluid with the metal. Analysis of the effluent stream measures concentration of the metal therein. Since the concentration of the metal in the effluent stream is indicative of mass loss from the object, calculations provide the corrosion rate utilizing weight of the metal that is eluted, surface area of the object and exposure time of the object with the corrosive fluid.

Abstract: A corrosion detection product is a coating including a film forming material and a complexing agent, the complexing agent forming a complex when it comes into contact with a corrosion byproduct produced by corrosion of a substrate on which the coating is applied, the complex being detectably different from the complexing agent when the coating is exposed to radiation in order to detect the corrosion, the complexing agent being immobilized in the coating to reduce leaching of the complexing agent or the complex from the coating.

Abstract: Genes up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinomas and polypeptides encoded by these genes are provided. Vectors, transformants and methods for producing the recombinant polypeptides are also provided. Probes and primers of these genes and antibodies against the polypeptides are also provided. The probes, primers and antibodies can be used as reagents for detecting hepatocellular carcinomas. Methods for detecting hepatocellular carcinomas using such detection reagents are further provided. Antisense nucleotide sequences of these genes are also provided and can be used to inhibit growth of hepatocellular carcinomas.

Abstract: The three ?-neurexins have similar roles in synaptogenesis and interact with the neuroligins. Mutations located within the gene encoding neurexin 1 have been identified as molecular markers associated with autism and autism-related disorders. The estimated attributable risk is 2%. The invention provides methods of diagnosing or predicting susceptibility to developing autism in an individual by determining the presence or absence of one or more genetic variant of a neurexin 1 gene in an individual.

Abstract: A system for warning of corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances. The system comprises painting a surface with a paint or coating that includes an indicator material and monitoring the surface for indications of the corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances.

Abstract: In silico nucleic acid recombination methods, related integrated systems utilizing genetic operators and libraries made by in silico shuffling methods are provided.

Abstract: A family of minimally cross-hybridizing nucleotide sequences, methods of use, etc. A specific family of 210 24 mers is described.

Abstract: Antisense molecules capable of binding to a selected target site in the dystrophin gene to induce exon skipping are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of identifying a subject having an increased or decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, comprising: a) correlating the presence of one or more genetic markers in chromosome 3q13.31 with an increased or decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease; and b) detecting the one or more genetic markers of step (a) in the subject, thereby identifying the subject as having an increased or decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Also provided are methods of identifying subjects with cardiovascular disease as having a good or poor prognosis, as well as methods of identifying effective treatment regimens for cardiovascular disease, based on correlation with genetic markers in chromosome 3q13.31.

Abstract: Combinatorial libraries comprise first oligonucleotide analogs and second oligonucleotide analogs which are coupled together to form antisense molecules capable of binding target polynucleotides and activating an RNase, and ribozymes capable of cleaving polynucleotides.

Abstract: A system for warning of corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances. The system comprises painting a surface with a paint or coating that includes an indicator material and monitoring the surface for indications of the corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for creation of discrete corrosion defects with a wide range of diameter to depth aspect ratios for painted test standards. Also provided are methods for use of those test standards to characterize the corrosion under paint detection threshold, statistical reliability, and accuracy of NDI and/or NDT techniques including but not limited to flash thermography, ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, microwave testing, shearography, and infrared testing.

Abstract: A detection method and indicator are disclosed that includes quantum dots that fluoresce under illumination of a first light having a first wavelength to indicate the presence of a predetermined condition, and in particular, a corrosion condition. The quantum dots are surrounded by a shell material that under normal conditions reflect the first light and reacts in the presence of the predetermined condition to permit the first light to illuminate the quantum dot to excite the quantum dot to emit a second light having a second wavelength, which when detected, indicates the presence of the predetermined condition.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of kinesin-like 1. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding kinesin-like 1. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of kinesin-like 1 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of kinesin-like 1 are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for detecting and quantifying rare mutations in a nucleic acid sample. The nucleic acid molecules under investigation can be either DNA or RNA. The rare mutation can be any type of functional or non-functional nucleic acid change or mutation, such as deletion, insertion, translocation, inversion, one or more base substitution or polymorphism. Therefore, the methods of the present invention are useful in detection of rare mutations in, for example, diagnostic, prognostic and follow-up applications, when the targets are rare known nucleic acid variants mixed in with the wildtype or the more common nucleic acid variant(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides, as well as polypeptides encoded thereby, that are differentially expressed in cancer cells. These polynucleotides are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic methods. The present invention further provides methods of reducing growth of cancer cells. These methods are useful for treating cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. The invention also provides methods of identifying anti-pancreatic cancer agent.

Abstract: Provided herein are retroviral vectors for delivering interfering RNA into cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for automatically deriving unique surrogate response data from experiment results in which inherent data loss occurs in a sufficient number of the samples to disallow quantitative effects estimation at the experimenter's desired level of confidence for statistical significance. In part, the unique surrogate response data sets of the present invention have four primary characteristics including: each is numerically analyzable; each may be more readily or directly obtained in which inherent data loss occurs; each provides a response value for an experiment trial; and each provides information on the effect of the change made to the process or system that would have been obtainable if the experiment samples had had no inherent data loss.

Abstract: Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for generating a pool of oligonucleotides. The invention finds use in preparing a population or subpopulations of oligonucleotides in solution. The pool of oligonucleotides finds use in a variety of nucleic acid detection and/or amplification assays.

Abstract: This method for analyzing impurity includes: a step of immersing each of sets of two evaluation silicon wafers into a washing solution, thereby contaminating the evaluation silicon wafers to be in a same state of contamination; a step of dissolving each of a surface layer portion of either one of the evaluation silicon wafers and a bulk portion of the other evaluation silicon wafer with solutions including hydrofluoric acid respectively, and measuring a concentration of impurities included in each of the solutions; a step of determining a calibration curve that shows a relation between the concentrations of the impurities in the surface layer portions and the concentrations of the impurities in the bulk portions of the evaluation silicon wafers; a step of dissolving a surface layer portion of a silicon wafer of a test object with a solution including hydrofluoric acid, and measuring a concentration of impurities included in the solution; and a step of determining a concentration of impurities in a bulk portio

Abstract: The invention includes, in one embodiment, a method for determining the presence or absence of a corrosion-inhibitory level of carboxylate anion in used engine coolant which includes: obtaining a known quantity of the engine coolant as a representative sample thereof, the sample containing a level of carboxylate anion to be determined; adding a fixed quantity of an aluminum containing color indicator to the sample, where the color of the aluminum color indicator is different from the original color of the sample, thereby changing the color of the sample to substantially the color of the aluminum color indicator, where at least a portion of the aluminum color indicator complexes with at least a portion of the carboxylate anion to form a colored insoluble aluminum-carboxylate complex, where the colored insoluble aluminum-carboxylate complex precipitates, and where the color of the sample remains substantially the color of the aluminum color indicator when the level of carboxylate anion therein is below an effec

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules in a stabilized solution such as single stranded DNA and RNA were able to disperse high concentration of bundled carbon nanotubes into aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-destructive macromolecules extraction (NDME) device for extracting high quantity of biological molecules (including, but not limited to, proteins, DNA, and/or RNA) from tissue specimens (including, but not limited to, fresh or fixed tissue sections, homogenized tissues, and cell cultures), while preserving the morphology and antigenicity of the tissue. The device contains a base, a slide cover, and a thermal control device. The tissue specimen is placed onto the base. The slide cover is mounted to the base to form a space where an extraction solution can be added. The device optionally contains a chamber cover over the slide cover. The chamber cover and the slide cover forms a reaction chamber where a steam is infused to maintain the humidity of the tissue. The extraction solution contains a detergent. The present invention also provides a method for extracting the same.

Abstract: It is an object to establish a test method that enables a high-concentration ammonium bisulfide environment to be reproduced at a laboratory level, and enables the corrosivity of a material to be evaluated easily and highly accurately. According to the test method, when evaluating the corrosion resistance of a material under an ammonium bisulfide environment, the corrosion resistance of the material is evaluated by simulating the relationship between the ammonium bisulfide concentration of a test solution and the pressure in advance, and then determining the ammonium bisulfide concentration from the pressure.

Abstract: Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to nucleotide sequences for INCENP.

Abstract: The present invention provides mass tag complexes that permit simultaneously obtaining information of a plurality of biological molecules. The biological molecules may be RNA or protein, and the information includes both level of expression as well as spatial disposition within a cell or tissue. The mass tag comprise a core structure, a target binding structure (e.g., nucleic acid or peptide binding structure), a cleavable linker and a mass tag that exhibits a unique mass spectroscopy signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring a surface temperature using is a fluorescent temperature sensor or optical thermometer. The sensor includes a solution of 1,3-bis(1-pyrenyl)propane within a 1-butyl-1-1-methyl pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquid solvent. The 1,3-bis(1-pyrenyl)propane remains unassociated when in the ground state while in solution. When subjected to UV light, an excited state is produced that exists in equilibrium with an excimer. The position of the equilibrium between the two excited states is temperature dependent.

Abstract: The corrosion rate of a metal immersed in a fluid medium is measured by transmission of a beam of radiation normally in the visible or near infra-red portion of the spectrum, through a thin film of the metal immersed in the medium. The film of the metal is suitably supported on a radiation-transmitting substrate such as a glass plate or slide. The corrosion rate can be determined by passing a radiation beam through the metal film sample using a twin beam system to compensate for instrument factors such as the absorbance by the fluid medium, the cell windows and the film-supporting substrate. As the thickness of the film decreases, the reduction in film thickness is determined by the increase in beam intensity, using a reference beam to compensate for the instrument factors.

Abstract: Methods to determine the susceptibility of a subject to erythrocyte diseases are provided. The methods comprise determining the miRNA compositions of erythrocytes from the subject. The present invention has discovered that erythrocytes comprise microRNA (miRNA) populations and the populations can be profiled or analyzed and used to determine the susceptibility for disease. The miRNA compositions can also be used to determine the severity of erythrocyte disease, and the features and clinical phenotypes of the erythrocyte disorders. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising erythrocyte miRNAs and methods for the treatment of a subject with an erythrocyte disease. In other embodiments of the invention, the miRNAs can be used to increase the life-span of erythrocytes through the introduction of an erythrocyte miRNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a sample. Preferably, the sample is a sample to be analyzed, for example for ingredient content, etc. Preferred samples include foods, cosmetics, paints, coatings, adhesives, tanning agents, fabrics, chemical compositions, dyestuffs, samples subject to forensic studies, etc. Samples prepared according to the invention method are digested in sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and one or more fluoride salts selected from LiF, NaF, RbF, CsF and KF and then preferably subjected to analysis for metal content, etc, for example using atomic absorption (“AA”) and inductively coupled plasma (“ICP”).

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for treating dominant gain-of-function diseases. The invention provides methods for targeting regions of the copper zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), which causes inherited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with RNAi agent. The invention further provides RNAi resistant replacement genes containing mismatches with their respective RNAi agent s. The invention also provides for vectors that express RNAi agent and RNAi resistant replacement gene of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of creating a real-time oxidation-reduction potential signature in a hot water system to detect REDOX stress and inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which analyzes and interprets the transmitted potential to create an oxidation-reduction potential signature for the hot water system. If the signature does not conform to an oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed one or more active chemical species into the hot water system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for analyzing the organismic complexity of a sample through analysis of the nucleic acid in the sample. In the disclosed method, through a series of steps, including digestion with a type II restriction enzyme, ligation of capture adapters and linkers and digestion with a type IIS restriction enzyme, genome signature tags are produced. The sequences of a statistically significant number of the signature tags are determined and the sequences are used to identify and quantify the organisms in the sample. Various embodiments of the invention described herein include methods for using single point genome signature tags to analyze the related families present in a sample, methods for analyzing sequences associated with hyper- and hypo-methylated CpG islands, methods for visualizing organismic complexity change in a sampling location over time and methods for generating the genome signature tag profile of a sample of fragmented DNA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a base at a target position in a sample nucleic acid sequence, said method comprising: subjecting a primer hybridised to said sample nucleic acid immediately adjacent to the target position, to a polymerase primer extension reaction in the presence of a nucleotide, whereby the nucleotide will only become incorporated if it is complementary to the base in the target position, and determining whether or not said nucleotide is incorporated by detecting whether Ppi is released, the identity of the target base being determined from the identity of any nucleotide incorporated, wherein, where said nucleotide comprises an adenine base, an ?-thio triphosphate analogue of said nucleotide is used, and the Rp isomer of said analogue and/or the degradation products of said analogue are eliminated from the polymerase reaction step.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of analyzing the interaction between a ligand and a target molecule, which uses a solid support wherein the ligand is immobilized via a linker cleavable by photoirradiation, particularly a method of searching and purifying a target molecule. By intervening a linker specifically cleavable by photoirradiation between the ligand molecule and the solid support, release and elution of the target molecule from the solid support without using a ligand or salt at a high concentration can be enabled, and suppression of release and elution of a nonspecific protein can be enabled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the investigation of sludge deposition on materials for coating endoprostheses. At least one endoprosthesis is placed in an incubation chamber which is at least partly filled with infected bile. The incubation chamber is rocked gently on a rocking platform for a period of about 35 days. The bile fluid is regularly partly exchanged. The endoprosthesis is embodied in a coated plastic. The coating comprises 70 to 80% by weight of hydrophobic components and 30% to 20% by weight of hydrophilic components. The coating may particularly have a sol-gel embodiment. An application in bile duct prostheses is possible.

Abstract: Polyfunctional reagents are disclosed that are capable of reversibly binding to target substances, for example nucleic acid, proteins, polypeptides, cells, cell components, microorganisms or viruses, for use in purifying or otherwise manipulating them. The reagents comprise a tagging group for manipulating and/or detecting the target substance when bound to the polyfunctional reagent. The polyfunctional reagents work by binding the target substance at a first pH and then releasing it at a second pH, usually higher than the first. Examples of tagging groups include tagging group members of a specific binding pair which is capable of binding to a specific binding partner and/or a label.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods for detecting and localizing DNA mutations by DNA microarray. In various embodiments, the described methods include use of restriction endonuclease(s) and/or mismatch-recognition nuclease(s) to detect and/or localize mutations. In one representative method, reference and target DNA are digested using one or more restriction endonucleases, resultant DNA strands are labeled (e.g., using a DNA polymerase), and the labeled mixture of DNAs is hybridized to a microarray. In another representative method, reference and target DNA are denatured and annealed to form a mixture containing heteroduplex DNA, one or more mismatch-recognition nuclease(s) are used to nick or cleave at least a portion of the heteroduplex DNA, resultant DNA strands are labeled (e.g., using a DNA polymerase) and the labeled mixture of DNAs is hybridized to a microarray.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for isolating nucleic acid molecules which are capable of specific interaction with native PrPSc and can differentiate between native PrPc and native PrPSc. The inventive method comprises the following steps: incubating a pool of nucleic acids with purified PrPSc preparations (PPPs); selecting and isolating the resulting protein/nucleic acid complexes and optionally amplifying the specific nucleic acids, in addition to optionally repeating the incubation and isolation stage. The invention also relates to the nucleic acid molecule produced by this method and the use thereof for diagnosing and treating transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing and treating Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) patients and PXE carriers. Methods and compositions are based on the discovery that PXE mutations are located in the MRP6 (ABCC6) gene.

Abstract: A method for comparing data sequences includes accepting first and second data sequences of data elements. A distance matrix is computed. The matrix includes rows and columns of matrix elements, describing distances between the data elements of the first sequence and the data elements of the second data sequence. The distance matrix is reshaped by applying successive, incremental shifts to the rows or columns so as to produce a reshaped matrix. A best-score path through the reshaped matrix is calculated using vector operations, so as to quantify a similarity between the first and second data sequences.

Abstract: A joint connection for abutting, circumferentially extending segments in a gas turbine engine, such as turbine nozzle segments, includes a sealing member which is insertable between longitudinally extending slots formed in the abutting side edges of two adjacent segments. The segments are each formed with a number of grooves which are longitudinally spaced along the length of the slots therein, and which extend beneath the sealing member carried within the slots. A cooling air flow path is thus formed extending from one side of the sealing member, into the longitudinal slot of each segment and then through the grooves to the opposite side of the sealing member so that the entire joint connection or seal region between the abutting side edges of the segments is cooled.