Abstract: Non-oligomerizing fluorescent proteins, which are formed by operatively linking two or more monomers of a fluorescent protein, or which are derived from a fluorescent protein having at least one mutation that reduces or eliminates the ability of the fluorescent protein to oligomerize, are provided. The non-oligomerizing fluorescent proteins can be derived from a naturally occurring green fluorescent protein, a red fluorescent protein, or other fluorescent protein, or a fluorescent protein related thereto. Also provided is a fusion protein, which includes a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein linked to at least one polypeptide of interest. In addition, a polynucleotide encoding a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein is provided, as is a recombinant nucleic acid molecule, which includes polynucleotide encoding a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein operatively linked to at least a second polynucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pumping voltage generator configured to effectively generate a pumping voltage VPP depending on voltage variation. The pumping voltage generator of the present invention comprises a detector, a cycle selecting unit, an oscillator, a control driver and a pumping unit. The detector detects a plurality of pumping voltage levels, and outputs a plurality of enable signals in response to the detected voltage levels. The cycle selecting unit outputs an oscillation cycle selecting signal for controlling an oscillation cycle of a pumping voltage in response to the plurality of enable signals. The oscillator enabled by one of the plurality of enable signals outputs an oscillation signal corresponding to the oscillation cycle selecting signal. The control driver outputs a pumping control signal for controlling the pumping operation in response to the oscillation signal. The pumping unit outputs the pumping voltage in response to the pumping control signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes an epitaxial source/drain junction layer having an insulating film thereunder. The method comprises the step of forming a under-cut under an epitaxial source/drain junction layer so that an insulating film filling the under-cut can be formed.

Abstract: A laser system includes a pump source that produces a first output. The pump source has a feedback loop with a first summing junction and a first command that has step quantization or digitized set point. An output device is coupled to the pump source to receive the first output and produce a second output. A feedback loop is coupled to the first summing junction. The feedback loop includes a second summing junction coupled to at least a portion of the second output. The second summing junction receives a second command and provides an input to the first summing junction. The feedback loop reduces the step quantization from the first output to provide finer control step of a property of the second output.

Abstract: A method and system for managing sales data. One embodiment is a software application that assists in classification, review and approval of data to be stored in a database for the use of a product supplier or seller. In one embodiment, a method includes storing a plurality of data components as groups of data components in a database, wherein the plurality of data components comprises information relating to products, and information relating to customers. The method further includes assigning a subset of the plurality of users to a content review group (“CRG”), and notifying each user in the CRG to provide input regarding individual data components of a group of data components. Input may include indicating whether data components are accurate, entering comments regarding the data components, entering edits to the data components. The method further includes receiving and storing the input, notifying a content director (“CD”) to review the input.

Abstract: A fragment condensation process for the synthesis of analogs of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP), in which amino acid residues (22-31) form a synthetic amphipathic ?-helix, is provided.

Abstract: A nonvolatile ferroelectric memory device having a multi-bit control function performs read/write operations by selecting a plurality of cells simultaneously, thereby improving the operation speed of a chip. In the nonvolatile ferroelectric memory device, a plurality of cells are selected at the same time, and stable sensing values of data having a small distribution can be obtained by using average characteristics of a plurality of selected cells. Accordingly, since two or more cells are simultaneously selected and a plurality of bits are read/written in the cells depending on stabilized charge, the operation speed of a chip can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a digital control logic circuit having a characteristic of time hysteresis for controlling transition of a digital control signal for a predetermined period, comprising a first time hysteresis unit, a second time hysteresis unit and an inverter. The first time has the characteristic of time hysteresis when an input signal transits from a first level to a second level. The second time hysteresis unit has the characteristic of time hysteresis connected to the first hysteresis in series when the input signal transits from the second level to the first level.

Abstract: An equivalence checking method provides first and second logic functions. Don't care gates are inserted for don't care conditions in the first and second logic functions. The insertion of the don't care gates creates a first intermediate circuit and a second intermediate circuit. All 3DC gates of the first intermediate circuit are propagated and merged into a single 3DC gate when 3DC gates and SDC gates coexist in either of the first and second intermediate circuits. All 3DC gates of the second intermediate circuit are propagated and merged into a single 3DC gate when 3DC gates and SDC gates coexist in either of the first and second intermediate circuits. First and second circuits are produced in response to propagating and merging the 3DC gates. A combinational equivalence check is then performed of the first circuit to the second circuit under different equivalence relations.

Abstract: Methods of providing anti-infective activity to a medical device including the steps of exposing the medical device to an anti-infective oxidant, and transferring the anti-infective oxidant into a wall of the medical device. One embodiment includes the step of exposing a medical device that is at least in part within a patient to the anti-infective oxidant. Another embodiment includes the steps of exposing a medical device to an aqueous solution which produces the anti-infective oxidant and transferring a sufficient amount of the anti-infective oxidant into the medical device wall to provide the medical device with anti-infective activity. Also provided is an oxidant releasing member that has anti-infective oxidant releasably contained therein and that is configured to be disposed adjacent to the medical device.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of stable HIF-1? variants to accelerate wound healing. More particularly, the present invention provides a method of accelerating wound healing in a mammal comprising administering a stable variant of an HIF-1? polypeptide comprising an oxygen-dependent degradation domain. The stable HIF-1? variant preferably comprises an insertion, deletion or substitution in the oxygen-dependent degradation domain.

Abstract: A method for forming a contact hole of a semiconductor device, wherein a polymer residual on a bottom surface of the contact hole is treated with plasma of mixture gas containing oxygen to convert the polymer residual into a pure silicon oxide film free of carbon and fluorine for easy removal in a subsequent washing process is disclosed. The method comprises (a) sequentially forming a capping layer and a planarized interlayer insulating film on a semiconductor substrate having a predetermined lower structure; (b) selectively etching the interlayer insulating film to expose a predetermined region of the capping layer; (c) removing the exposed capping layer; (d) subjecting the resulting structure to a plasma treatment using a mixture gas containing oxygen; and (e) performing a cleaning process.

Abstract: The invention discloses the use of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid fragments, which can be suitably modified, where appropriate, for producing vaccines. The vaccines are particularly suitable for controlling cancer diseases. Surprisingly, it has been found that low molecular weight hyaluronic acid fragments, which can be suitably modified, where appropriate, can be used both for preparing mature dendritic cells and directly, together with antigens or peptides or carrier systems, as an adjuvant in vaccines. It is likewise possible to couple the low molecular weight hyaluronic acid fragments, which can be suitably modified, where appropriate, to an antigen, peptide or carrier system. The coupled system can then be advantageously employed as a vaccine, in particular for treating cancer diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of the formula I which are inhibitors of the adhesion and migration of leucocytes and/or antagonists of the adhesion receptor VLA-4 which belongs to the group of integrins. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of formula I, pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of formula I, and the treatment or prophylaxis of various diseases caused by or are associated with excess leucocyte adhesion and/or leucocyte migration, as well as diseases associated with cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions, which on interactions of VLA-4 receptors with their ligands play a part of, for example, inflammatory processes, rheumatoid arthritis or allergic disorders.

Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device features a main cell array, a row redundancy cell array, a first column redundancy cell array, a second column redundancy cell array, main bitline pull-up controllers, and column selection controllers. The main cell array includes main bitlines and sub bitlines. The row redundancy cell array is configured to share the main bitlines with the main cell array. The first column redundancy cell array is configured to share wordlines and platelines with the main cell array. The second column redundancy cell array is configured to share redundancy wordlines and redundancy platelines with the row redundancy cell array, and to share redundancy main bitlines with the first column redundancy. The main bitline pull-up controllers pull up main bitlines and redundancy main bitlines in response to first control signals, respectively.

Abstract: Discoveries are disclosed that show particular aspects of recombinant DNA technology can be used sucessfully to produce hitherto unknown human keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) protein free of other polypeptides. These proteins can be produced in various functional forms from spontaneously secreting cells or from DNA segments introduced into cells. These forms variously enable biochemical and functional studies of this novel protein as well as production of antibodies. Means are described for determining the level of expression of genes for the KGF protein, for example, by measuring mRNA levels in cells or by measuring antigen secreted in extracellular or body fluids.

Abstract: Replacement of codons in DNA encoding the first three SCRs of LHR-A of CR1 with others encoding the predicted amino acids in the CR1-like sequence can give rise to chimeric genes which can be expressed to give active complement inhibitors with functional complement inhibitory, including anti-haemolytic activity. There is provided a soluble polypeptide comprising, in sequence, one to four short consensus repeats (SCR) selected from SCR 1, 2, 3 and 4 of long homologous repeat A (LHR-A) as the only structurally and functionally intact SCR domains of CR1 and including at least SCR3, in which one or more of the native amino acids are substituted with the following: Val 4, Asp 19, Scr 53, Lys 57, Ala 74, Asp 79, Arg 84, Pro 91, Asn 109, Lys 116, Val 119, Ala 132, Thr 137, Ile 139, Ser 140, Tyr 143, His 153, Leu 156, Arg 159, Lys 161, Lys 177, Gly 230, Ser 235, His 236.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel chimpanzee erythropoietin polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, and antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The nonvolatile ferroelectric memory device comprises a plurality of cell array blocks; a plurality of drivers; and a plurality of decoders connected to the cell array blocks, respectively, wherein the decoder comprises a first sub-decoder for generating the decoding signal applied to the driver and a second sub-decoder for generating a signal selecting the driver. As a result, the nonvolatile ferroelectric memory device can reduce the area of the device and improve the driving speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic DNA sequences which encode one or more collections of homologous proteins/(poly)peptides, and methods for generating and applying libraries of these DNA sequences. In particular, the invention relates to the preparation of a library of human-derived antibody genes by the use of synthetic consensus sequences which cover the structural repertoire of antibodies encoded in the human genome. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a single consensus antibody gene as a universal framework for highly diverse antibody libraries.