Abstract: The invention provides a polynucleotide comprising portions of the genomes of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus and HIV-1, resulting in a chimeric retrovirus referred to as a “CHIV. ” The invention also provides a vaccine comprising a CHIV immunogen and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A method of stimulating an immune response in an individual-against human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a CHIV immunogen is also provided. The invention further provides a method of stimulating an immune response in vitro by contacting a lymphocyte with a therapeutically effective amount of a CHIV immunogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemically modified mutant protein including a cysteine residue substituted for a residue other than cysteine in a precursor protein, the substituted cysteine residue being subsequently modified by reacting the cysteine residue with a glycosylated thiosulfonate. Also, a method of producing the chemically modified mutant protein is provided. The present invention also relates to a glycosylated methanethiosulfonate. Another aspect of the present invention is a method of modifying the functional characteristics of a protein including providing a protein and reacting the protein with a glycosylated methanethiosulfonate reagent under conditions effective to produce a glycoprotein with altered functional characteristics as compared to the protein. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of determining the structure-function relationships of chemically modified mutant proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides parallel methods for determining nucleotide sequences and physical maps of polynucleotides associated with sample tags. This information can be used to determine the chromosomal locations of sample-tagged polynucleotides. In one embodiment, the polynucleotides are derived from genomic DNA coupled to insertion elements. As a result, the invention also provides parallel methods for locating the integration sites of insertion elements in the genome.

Abstract: DNA cancer vaccines and methods for their use are described. The vaccines are comprised of viral liposomes comprising nucleic acid, preferably DNA, encoding a tumor-associated antigen. The viral liposomes may be formed by the fusion of HVJ reagents with nonviral reagents. The vaccine may be administered subcutaneously, intradermally, intramuscularly or into an organ. The vaccine may be administered to induce a host normal cell to express the tumor associated antigen.

Abstract: Imaging hardware, software, calibrants, and methods are provided to visualize and quantitate the amount of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) occurring between donor and acceptor molecules in epifluorescence microscopy. The MicroFRET system compensates for overlap among donor, acceptor, and FRET spectra using well characterized fluorescent beads as standards in conjunction with radiometrically calibrated image processing techniques. The MicroFRET system also provides precisely machined epifluorescence cubes to maintain proper image registration as the sample is illuminated at the donor and acceptor excitation wavelengths. Algorithms are described that pseudocolor the image to display pixels exhibiting radiometrically-corrected fluorescence emission from the donor (blue), the acceptor (green) and FRET (red).

Abstract: The present invention involves a surgical instrument for guiding a delamination instrument into the cornea of a human eye. The instrument generally includes a handle portion and an end portion. The end portion has at least two flat (or substantially flat) members extending therefrom and in different directions. Each of the members being adapted to be inserted through an incision in the cornea to form a guide for a corneal delamination instrument. With at least two members extending in different directions one may easily access either pocket formed from a corneal incision with a single tool.

Abstract: A communications earpiece comprises an ear canal tube sized for positioning in an ear canal of a user so that the ear canal is at least partially open for directly receiving ambient sounds. A microphone port in the ear canal tube is located in the ear canal for detecting sounds in the ear canal. A speaker port in the ear canal tube is located in the ear canal in close proximity to the microphone port for broadcasting sound signals into the ear canal. A sound processor amplifies the ambient sounds received by the microphone to produce processed analog signals. The sound processor also comprises noise cancellation means for producing an inverse noise signal of noise detected in the ear canal by the microphone. The inverse noise signal is sent to the speaker port so as to be broadcast into the ear canal thereby substantially canceling the ambient noise in the ear canal.

Abstract: Hydrothermal synthesis of the natural, alkaline earth zeolites via the alteration of Y-zeolite is presented. Synthetic versions of the zeolites harmotome, heulandite, brewsterite and gmelinite are synthesized from Y-zeolite using alkaline earth cations containing solutions. The effect of the composition of the starting zeolite, the composition of the solution phase, the presence or absence of seeds and the experimental conditions are discussed.

Abstract: ORGANOMETALLIC COORDINATION complexes exhibiting two separate, stable forms are described. Conversion from one form to the other is intramolecular, reversible, light-activated (a molecular switch) and occurs both in the solid and in solution. The two forms differ in photochemical and electrochemical characteristics (different colors and reduction potentials). The complexes can be used in information storage and for light-gathering, light-emitting, sensing and detecting applications.

Abstract: RNA cancer vaccines and methods for their use are described. The vaccines are comprised of viral liposomes comprising nucleic acid, preferably RNA, encoding a tumor-associated antigen. The viral liposomes may be formed by the fusion of HVJ reagents with nonviral reagents. The vaccine may be administered subcutaneously, intradermally, intramuscularly or into an organ. The vaccine may be administered to induce a host normal cell to express the tumor associated antigen.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing VCR-like “trick mode” functions, such as pause, fast-forward, and rewind, in a distributed, video-on-demand program environment. Trick modes are supported by locally altering the viewing speed for each user who requests such functions, without affecting the operation of the central data source in any way. Thus, a virtual unlimited number of viewers are able to enjoy random access to video programming, including virtually continuous trick mode functionality. This is accomplished in a manner that is operable with existing telephone and cable distribution infrastructure.

Abstract: A low defect (e.g., dislocation and micropipe) density silicon carbide (SiC) is provided as well as an apparatus and method for growing the same. The SiC crystal, growing using sublimation techniques, is preferably divided into two stages of growth. During the first stage of growth, the crystal grows in a normal direction while simultaneously expanding laterally. Although dislocation and other material defects may propagate within the axially grown material, defect propagation and generation in the laterally grown material are substantially reduced, if not altogether eliminated. After the crystal has expanded to the desired diameter, the second stage of growth begins in which lateral growth is suppressed and normal growth is enhanced. A substantially reduced defect density is maintained within the axially grown material that is based on the laterally grown first stage material.

Abstract: An autonomous cargo tracking system and method of using same are provided. The system is comprised of communication and sensor unit that is affixed to the container to be tracked, a ground system that coordinates communications between the unit and the users, and one or more satellite systems that provide communication capabilities as well as position information. The system can operate either as a unidirectional system or as a bi-directional system. As a unidirectional system data is sent either directly to the users or, more preferably, sent indirectly to the users via the ground system. As a bi-directional system users are able to both request and receive data from the unit, either directly or indirectly through the ground system. Preferably users communicate with the ground system using an Internet Web site.

Abstract: To elucidate molecular mechanisms in learning and memory, the expression of mRNAs in brains of rabbitsundergoing eyeblink conditioning was analyzed. Infusion of the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D (ActD) into the cerebellar nuclei reversibly blocked learning but not performance of the CR. Differential display PCR (DD-PCR) analysis of cerebellar RNAs from trained and pseudo-trained rabbits identified a 207-bp band that was induced with learning. The fragment was used to isolate a cDNA from a &lgr;gt11 rabbit brain library containing a 1698-bp open-reading frame. The genomic sequence also has been obtained and is reported. The deduced amino acid sequence contains the KKIAMRE motif, which is conserved among cdc2-related kinases. These results suggest that there is a new category of cdc2-related kinases in the brain whose function may be important in learning and memory.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for rapid, reliable and simple isolation of RNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples. RNA purified in this manner can be used to monitor gene expression levels. The tissue sample can be a tumor or other pathological tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to capsules encapsulating antibody-producing cells, and to use of such capsules and encapsulated cells, respectively, for implantation in vivo for long term delivery or sustained delivery of antibodies of therapeutic interest.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a cable to a portable device equipped with a security slot defined within an outer wall. A first member is coupled to a second member with each member having at least one aperture defined within a body portion thereof. A locking member protrudes from a bottom edge of the first member and a pin protrudes from a bottom edge of the second member. The first and second members are movable from an unlocked position wherein the locking member is adapted for insertion into the security slot and engagement with the outer wall, to a locked position wherein the pin slidably abuts the locking member to secure the locking member within the security slot. When the first and second members are in the locked position, the aperture is aligned to allow for passage of the cable.

Abstract: A system and method enable wireless communication from one data processing system to a telephone network. The system and method establish a connection from a local transceiver to a base transceiver using echo cancellation techniques to remove various tones and noise. The system and method enable full duplex communication between the local transceiver and the base transceiver by using forward error correction algorithms to encode and decode messages therebetween, and by using an interleaving algorithm to protect against burst type errors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel antibiotic-producing and metabolite-producing Bacillus subtilis strain that exhibits insecticidal, antifungal and antibacterial activity. The supernatant of this novel strain contains effective insecticidal, antifungal and antibacterial agents. Also included in the invention is a solvent extractable, small molecular weight (<10,000 daltons) corn rootworm-active metabolite produced in the supernatant. Also included in the invention are methods of protecting or treating plants from fungal and bacterial infections and corn rootworm infestations comprising the step of applying to the plant an effective amount of the antibiotic/metabolite-producing novel Bacillus subtilis strain, the antibiotic/metabolite produced by the novel Bacillus subtilis strain or a combination thereof, optionally further comprising another antibiotic-producing bacterial strain and/or a chemical pesticide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fatty acid desaturases able to catalyze the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid, linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid, or of alpha-linolenic acid to stearidonic acid. Nucleic acid sequences encoding desaturases, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising a desaturase gene, and recombinant host microorganism or animal expressing increased levels of a desaturase are described. Methods for desaturating a fatty acid and for producing a desaturated fatty acid by expressing increased levels of a desaturase are disclosed. Fatty acids, and oils containing them, which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by recombinant host microorganisms or animals are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions, infant formulas or dietary supplements containing fatty acids which have been desaturated by a desaturase produced by a recombinant host microorganism or animal also are described.