Abstract: The present invention involves the identification of sphingoglycolipid species that are indicative of multidrug resistance in certain types of cells, including cancer cells. The association of multidrug resistance with the expression of certain sphingoglycolipids provides a new method for identifying multidrug resistant cancers. In addition, it has been determined that reducing the levels of certain sphingoglycolipids results in enhanced chemosensitivity of drug resistant cancer cells. This offers the opportunity to develop new treatments for multidrug resistant cancers.

Abstract: A system for controlling the movement of a movable member with respect to a stationary member, such as is found in a vibration welding apparatus. The system may include a force controller that converts desired force command signals into desired flux command signals and a flux controller that controls the flux in a magnetic core of the stationary assembly to effect the desired movement of the movable member. The stationary assembly may include a plurality of magnetically uncoupled E-cores of paramagnetic material.

Abstract: The present invention has identified compounds with extended aromatic chromophores that bind the G-quadruplex formed by the folding of single-stranded human telomeric DNA. These compounds have been shown to be effective telomerase inhibitors and are contemplated to be useful in developing cancer treatments. A model of cationic porphyrin interaction with quadruplex DNA by intercalation has been established and in combination with structure activity relations has provided novel porphyrin compounds that exhibit discrimination between binding duplex and quadruplex DNA and show improved activity against telomerase.

Abstract: The present invention a provides methods for production of heterologous polypeptides using a variety recombinantly engineered secretory cell lines. The common feature of these cell lines is the absence of expression of at least one endogenous polypeptide. The host cell machinery normally used to produce the endogenous polypeptide is then usurped for the purpose of making the heterologous polypeptide. Also described are methods engineering cells for high level expression, methods of large scale protein production, and methods for treatment of disease in vivo using viral delivery systems and recombinant cell lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions delivery of agents into the cytoplasm of cells. Particularly, it concerns the use of membrane-penetrating toxin proteins to deliver drugs to the cytoplasm of target cells.

Abstract: A package for maintaining a modified atmosphere around contents being contained therein when stored in an ambient environment is set forth. The modified-atmosphere package includes a tray, a membrane, and a structural member. The tray has a base and side walls extending upwardly from the base. The side walls and the base define a cavity wherein the contents are disposed. A membrane is attached to a top portion of the side walls and encloses the cavity. The structural member is detachably connected to the top portion of the side walls and is disposed above the membrane to prevent the membrane from contacting an external structure which inhibits permeation through the membrane. The structural member also has at least one opening for exposing the membrane to the ambient environment. Stacking means at the base of the tray and the top of the structural member allow the modified-atmosphere packages to be easily stacked.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided an inbred corn plant designated 86ISI5. This invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the inbred corn plant 86ISI5, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred corn plant 86ISI5 with itself or with another corn plant, such as another inbred. This invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred plant 86ISI5 with another corn plant, such as another inbred, and to crosses with related species. This invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of the inbred corn plant 86ISI5, and also to the RFLP and genetic isozyme typing profiles of inbred corn plant 86ISI5.

Abstract: Fungicides having thiophene rings may be made from the intermediate compound 3-carbomethoxy-4,5-dimethylthiophene. That compound, and related compounds, may be produced by reacting an alpha mercaptoketone, e.g., 3-mercapto-2-butanone, with an acrylate, e.g., methyl-3-methoxy acrylate, in the presence of an alkoxide base, e.g., NaOMe, to form the substituted tetrahydrothiophene, followed by conversion to the aromatic thiophene with an acid treatment. The substituted tetrahydrothiophene is a novel compound.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for cooking food products. In particular, cereal grains and rice products may be cooked pursuant to a multi-step process in which rice is first prewashed, presteamed, and then allowed to absorb water in a steeping step for a short time before being cooked in a steam cooker. The rice may be passed along to various dryers, and later dried and packaged for use by the consumer. Further, an apparatus and method are disclosed for using and recirculating water in a more efficient and economical manner in a food processing operation.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for producing heterologous disulfide bond containing polypeptides in bacterial cells. In preferred embodiments the methods involve co-expression of a prokaryotic disulfide isomerase, such as DsbC or DsbG and a gene encoding a recombinant eukaryotic polypeptide. Exemplary polypeptides disclosed include tissue plasminogen activator.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for detecting the conversion to mucoidy in Pseudomonas aeruginosa are disclosed. Chronic respiratory infections with mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the leading cause of high mortality and morbidity in cystic fibrosis. The initially colonizing strains are nonmucoid but in the cystic fibrosis lung they invariably convert into the mucoid form causing further disease deterioration and poor prognosis. Mucoidy is a critical P. aeruginosa virulence factor in cystic fibrosis that has been associated with biofilm development and resistance to phagocytosis. The molecular basis of this conversion to mucoidy is also disclosed. The present invention provides for detecting the switch from nonmucoid to mucoid state as caused by either frameshift deletions and duplications or nonsense changes in the second gene of the cluster, mucA. Inactivation of mucA results in constitutive expression of genes, such as algD, dependent on algU for transcription.

Abstract: Described herein are novel specific, pure competitive inhibitors of natural polyamine transport in mammalian cells. Despite their low molecular weight, the inhibitors of the present invention stay virtually impermeant to the cell and display minor non-specific effects while exhibiting a very high affinity for the carrier. More specifically described are synthetic derivatives of original polyamines, wherein the original polyamine is modified to comprise an amido group immediately linked to the polyamine backbone. A side chain may be anchored to the amido group and provide for the formation of dimeric synthetic derivatives or its labelling and subsequent usage as a marker for the polyamine transporter.

Abstract: The driver circuit (10) comprises a first triac or the like (11) for connection in series with the stator winding (5, 6) of the motor between the terminals (12, 13) of an alternating-current voltage supply, the gate of the first triac (11) being arranged for connection to an intermediate point (C) of the stator winding (5, 6) of the motor (M). A second triac or the like (15) is connected between the intermediate point (C) of the winding (5, 6) and the terminal (13) of the voltage supply to which the first triac (11) is connected. A control circuit (15-27) is connected to the gate of the second triac (15) such that, each time the motor (M) is connected to the voltage supply, it initially makes the second triac (15) conductive and consequently cuts off the first triac (11) for a predetermined initial period of time, and cuts off the second triac (15) and allows the first triac (11) to become conductive after this period of time.

Abstract: A distributed strip-type radiating cable comprised of a plurality of generally flat conductive strips disposed in substantially parallel relationship to one or more generally flat dielectric materials, adapted to radiate RF energy for communications applications. The radiating cable is designed to be efficiently and inexpensively manufactured and installed from lightweight, small size materials, and is designed to be easily attached and secured to a variety of surfaces.

Abstract: Promoters and genes isolated from genomic DNA of strawberry plants are disclosed. Both the promoters and genes are capable of tissue-specific expression in transgenic plants. A plant promoter that is a nucleic acid region located upstream of the 5' end of a plant DNA structural coding sequence that is transcribed at high levels in ripening fruit tissue. This promoter region is capable of conferring high levels of transcription in ripening fruit tissue and in developing seed tissues when used as a promoter for a heterologous coding sequence in a chimeric gene. The promoter and any chimeric gene in which it may be used can be used to obtain transformed plants or plant cells. A DNA coding sequence that codes for a gene that is highly transcribed in ripening fruit tissue of Fragaria X ananassa. This coding sequence can be used to obtain a cDNA probe useful in obtaining analogous promoters from a homologous coding sequence in other plant species.

Abstract: A multiple sensing technology-based occupancy sensor. Ultrasonic and infrared sensors are used to produce first and second occupancy estimator signals that are combined using a fusion based detection algorithm to produce a combined estimator signal. The combined estimator is then used to switch electrical loads when the combined estimator signal is above a predetermined threshold. The result is an occupancy sensor that has a very high probability of occupancy detection and a low probability of false tripping. In addition, infrared sensitivity is adjusted based upon an estimation of the background noise in order to minimize the occurrence of false tripping.

Abstract: A device for use in regulating the flow of a working fluid, such as a refrigerant, includes a body defining an axial opening, and a piston received within the axial opening. The piston is moveable in the body and has first and second ends. An actuator, which in one embodiment, is a stepper motor, is coupled to the first end of the piston for providing a force to the piston. An inlet and an outlet are coupled to the body such that the input, the output and the body define a passageway for the working fluid. An articulating seat assembly is coupled to the second end of the piston.

Abstract: Scroll saws produce an accumulation of sawdust or other debris removed from a workpiece during operation of the saw. This debris can block the operator's view of the cutting path of the saw. An improved device and method for removing accumulated debris from the cutting path of a saw blade is disclosed. A bellows is described, comprising a bellows section having an accordion-like structure and a flexible stem having a passage through which air may pass. The bellows may be manufactured as a single piece using a blow molding process to achieve greater structural integrity. A scroll saw having a bellows for removing debris and a protective cover for use with the bellows is also described.

Abstract: Poinsettia `846` is a new cultivar, distinguished by large dark red, flower bracts, dark green foliage, self-branching characteristics, 81/2-week flowering response time. The new plant produces a very desirable branched flowering pot plant for the early to mid-season holiday market. Poinsetta `846` is resistant to epinasty after being confined to shipping containers. The post-production foliage and bract retention is excellent even under low light intensities in the consumer's home.

Abstract: A breakpoint apparatus incorporated in a single chip microprocessor. The apparatus permits breakpoints on specific references to either program instructions or data. The width of the breakpoint address can be varied, the apparatus includes a logic circuit for determining if the reference represented by the breakpoint address overlaps the current virtual address.