Abstract: Ends of each supporting pin are projected to both sides of each link plate. Each supporting shaft is fixed by welding to each link plate at a position near one end side of the plate. A pipe-like connecting shaft is axis-aligned to and fitted on an end portion of the supporting pin which projects inward from each link plate, so as to be supported between link plates. An end portion of the supporting pin which projects outward from each link plate is passed through a side frame section and fixedly riveted over. Further, each link plate is fixed by welding to both ends of the connecting shaft, and a link base frame is assembled between side frame sections.

Abstract: Novel human MOAT genes and their encoded proteins are provided herein. The MRP-related ABC transporters encoded by the disclosed nucleic acid sequences play a pivotal role in the efflux of pharmacologically beneficial reagents from tumor cells. MOAT genes and their encoded proteins provide valuable therapeutic targets for the design of anti-cancer agents which inhibit the aberrant growth of malignant cells.

Abstract: Compounds which are capable of generating acid on photolysis are disclosed, and the uses of these compounds, especially for deprotecting the termini of nucleic acid molecules or peptides during synthesis of arrays. The compounds described herein may be employed in the detritylation of 5?-O-dimethoxytrityl (DMT) protected nucleotides by photolysing the compounds to generate an acid capable of removing the DMT group allowing oligonucleotide arrays to be synthesised using readily available 5?-O-DMT-nucleoside-3?-O-phosphoramidite monomers conventionally used in solid phase nucleic acid synthesis. A method of avoiding the effects of stray light in projection lithography techniques is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to production of polyketides and other natural products and to libraries of compounds and individual novel compounds. One important area is the isolation and potential use of novel FKBP-ligand analogues and host cells that produce these compounds. The invention is particularly concerned with methods for the efficient transformation of strains that produce FKBP analogues and recombinant cells in which cloned genes or gene cassettes are expressed to generate novel compounds such as polyketide (especially rapamycin) FKBP-ligand analogues, and to processes for their,preparation, and to means employed therein (e.g. nucleic acids, vectors, gene cassettes and genetically modified strains).

Abstract: A recliner device includes a locking pin (4), an operating knob (70) having a boss portion (70a) and a substantially cylindrical portion (70b) coaxial with the boss portion (70a), the substantially cylindrical portion (70b) surrounding the locking pin (4), a first bracket having notches (1a-1c), the locking pin (4) penetrating the first bracket so as to be axially movable and being releasably engaged with any one of the notches (1a-1c), a receiving base (9, 90) mounted on a second bracket (2) so as to be opposed to the substantially cylindrical portion (70b), and cam surfaces (10, 20) formed on an edge of the substantially cylindrical portion (70b) and an edge of the receiving base (9, 90) which are opposed to each other, each of the cam surfaces (10, 20) having a height enough to allow the locking pin to be axially movable, and the locking pin (4) being adapted to be disengaged from the one of the notches (1a-1c) by rotating the operating knob (70).

Abstract: A microfabricated device employing a bridging membrane and methods for electrokinetic transport of a liquid phase biological or chemical material using the same are described. The bridging membrane is deployed in or adjacent to a microchannel and permits either ionic current flow or the transport of gas species, while inhibiting the bulk flow of material. The use of bridging membranes in accordance with this invention is applicable to a variety of processes, including electrokinetically induced pressure flow in a region of a microchannel that is not influenced by an electric field, sample concentration enhancement and injection, as well as improving the analysis of materials where it is desired to eliminate electrophoretic bias. Other applications of the bridging membranes according to this invention include the separation of species from a sample material, valving of fluids in a microchannel network, mixing of different materials in a microchannel, and the pumping of fluids.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back supported to a body floor of a vehicle, a seat cushion pivotally supported to the seat back so as to be tipped up relative to the seat back, the seat cushion having at least one hole formed in a bottom surface thereof, a leg member penetrating the at least one hole of the bottom surface of the seat cushion at an upper end portion thereof and pivotally supported to a lower portion of the seat cushion so as to be folded relative the bottom surface of the seat cushion and laid on the bottom surface of the seat cushion, and stopper members for stopping the leg means and keeping the leg means vertically standing from the bottom surface of the seat cushion, the leg member being provided at the upper end thereof with at least one covering for concealing the at least one hole of the bottom surface of the seat cushion when the leg member is folded and laid on the bottom surface of the seat cushion.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods are provided for identifying agents which affect chromosomal stability and aging.

Abstract: The identification and cloning of histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9) is disclosed, and in particular full length HCAC9 polypeptides and HDAC9 polypeptides which have deacetylase activity, and to nucleic acid molecules encoding these polypeptides. The uses of these polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed, for example for screening for compounds that are capable of modulating HDAC9 biological activity.

Abstract: A two-phase mixture is provided having a dissolved gas and a suspension of bubbles in a liquid. Methods for making, maintaining, and using the two-phase mixture are also provided. The gas molecules may be introduced into the liquid at a high velocity under elevated pressure to form a supersaturated solution that retains the dissolved gas concentration in solution when the solution is exposed to ambient conditions. The mixture may be used in a number of applications where high concentrations of gas must be retained in solution during prolonged exposure to ambient conditions. An example of use is the treatment of wounds to non-surgically remove dead, devitalized, contaminated and foreign matter from tissue cells. The mixture may be combined with a plastic to encapsulate the suspension of bubbles to minimize liberation of the gas bubbles from the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fields of molecular biology and plant biology. Specifically, the invention is directed to the methods for expressing spider silk proteins in plants and the synthesis and purification of spider silk proteins therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of producing a porous bonded fibrous sheet material comprising: (i) treating a porous fibrous substrate which is comprised of cellulosic fibers and which has a moisture content of less than 10% by weight with a gum and a cross-linkable wet strength resin both dissolved in water; (ii) removing excess water; and (iii) effecting cross-linking of the resin.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating a polynucleotide sequence or population of sequences from parent single stranded polynucleotide sequences encoding one or more protein motifs, comprising the steps of a) providing single stranded DNA constituting plus and minus strands of parent polynucleotide sequences; b) digesting the single stranded polynucleotide sequences with a nuclease other than DNase I to generate populations of single stranded fragments; c) contacting said fragments generated from the plus strands with fragments generated from the minus strands and optionally, adding primer sequences that anneal to the 3? and 5? ends of at least one of the parent polynucleotides under annealing conditions; d) amplifying the fragments that anneal to each other to generate at least one polynucleotide sequence encoding one or more protein motifs having altered characteristics as compared to the one or more protein motifs encoded by said parent polynucleotides.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for reverse gene therapy, wherein a gene therapy vector encoding a gene product (e.g. a protein) which is usually only expressed in cells of an abnormal tissue is delivered to a cell of an animal afflicted with a disease or disorder to alleviate the disease or disorder. In one embodiment, a plasmid vector encoding HERG (A561V) protein is delivered to a cell of an animal afflicted with re-entrant atrial flutter-mediated cardiac arrhythmia.

Abstract: A height adjusting device, wherein a pinion gear (8) rotated by an operating knob (7) for adjusting the height of the entire vehicle seat and a sector gear (9) are covered by a gear cover (12) and fixedly fitted to the inside of a seat side frame section (2), and a rotating shaft (7a) of the operating knob (7) and a supporting pin (9a) of the sector gear (9) are held by both the seat side frame section (2) and the gear cover (12) at their opposite ends.

Abstract: The patterns can be used to reduce one or more undesirable effects such as moire or colour shift in coloured halftone images. Colour screens in the images are based on a combination of non-orthogonal mesh structures with parcels of printing dots which have common shape and size. Preferably the dots grow in mid tones by extending first towards their second, third or fourth nearest neighbours.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel benzofuran derivatives and analogs, as well as compositions containing the same and to the use thereof for the treatment or prophylaxis of viral infections and diseases associated therewith, particularly those viral infections and associated diseases caused by the hepatitis C virus.

Abstract: A cushion for a seat, including a foam padding integral with a three-dimensional cover covering the padding, the three-dimensional cover including a first piece, a second piece spaced apart from the first piece and facing the first piece, the second piece having first and second spaced apart sections, and a connecting section adjacent one ends of the first and second sections and interconnecting the first and second spaced apart sections, a peripheral piece disposed between the first and second pieces, extending along peripheral edges of the first and second pieces except an edge of one side of each of the first and second pieces, and attached at edges thereof to the peripheral edges of the first and second pieces, an intermediate piece attached at an edge of one side thereof to an edge of the connecting section of the second piece between the first and second sections so as to be disposed between the first and second sections, a third piece attached at an edge of one side thereof to the edge of the side of t

Abstract: A foldable and storable seat for a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle seat includes a seat cushion pivotally supported at a rear portion thereof to a vehicle floor by a pair of spaced apart base brackets, cooperating members for causing a forward portion of the seat cushion to be releasably supported to the vehicle floor, a seat back pivotally supported to the seat cushion, recliner devices for releasably locking the seat back relative to the seat cushion, the seat cushion and the seat back being foldable so as to be put together when the seat back is released from the seat cushion by the recliner devices, and a linkage mechanism mounted to the seat cushion, the linkage mechanism including a first linkage section for causing the recliner devices to be actuated synchronously with pivotal movement of the vehicle seat, and the first linkage section being coupled to one of the base brackets and the recliner devices.