Abstract: A silicon nitride deposition method includes providing a substrate surface including one or more component surfaces. At least a monolayer of silicon is predeposited on the one or more component surfaces of the substrate surface resulting in a substantially native oxide free uniform predeposited silicon substrate surface. Thereafter, a silicon nitride layer is deposited on the predeposited silicon substrate surface after the silicon predeposition. Further, another silicon nitride deposition method includes providing a silicon based substrate surface. The substrate surface is nitridated in an atmosphere of dimethylhydrazine, and thereafter, a silicon nitride layer is deposited on the nitridated surface. The nitridation of the substrate surface results in a thickness less than three monolayers of silicon nitride.

Abstract: A composition is provided that inhibits DNA replication in activated cell-free extracts of Xenopus eggs, which is prepared by a process comprising subjecting homogenates of Xenopus ovaries to a series of chromatographic separations so as to isolate a purified fraction comprising a protein having a molecular weight of about 245 kDa.

Abstract: An isolated gene and mutations thereof capable of imparting constitutive pseudohyphal growth to S. cerevisiae is provided. The isolated wild type gene referred to as ELM1 is also capable of coding for a novel protein kinase that determines the yeast morphology and specific physiological properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a labelled .beta.-amyloid peptide or a labelled active fragment of .beta.-amyloid peptide and methods of using the labelled peptides to screen for agents which affect the deposition of the labelled peptide onto amyloid plaques in tissue samples evidencing the presence of Alzheimer's amyloidosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated DNA molecule of the autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 gene, which is located within the short arm of chromosome 6. This isolated DNA molecule is preferably located within a 3.36 kb EcoRI fragment, i.e., an EcoRI fragment containing about 3360 base pairs, of the SCA1 gene. The isolated sequences contain a CAG repeat region. The number of CAG trinucleotide repeats (n) is .ltoreq.36, preferably n=19-36, for normal individuals. For an affected individual n>36, preferably n.gtoreq.43.

Abstract: A new optical fiber and method of manufacturing the same developed for use with surgical laser systems. The fiber core utilizes an ultra-low expansion (ULE) material. The preferred ULE fiber consists of silicon dioxide core doped with titanium dioxide which is cladded and jacketed for chemical and abrasion resistance. The resulting fiber is stable against degradation due to thermal expansion.

Abstract: The laundry bag includes a body of openwork material defining a substantially spherical interior volume in at least one state and having an opening thereto. A closure is positioned at the opening to close the opening while maintaining the substantially spherical interior volume. The closure may include an additional body of openwork material extending from the opening and having an open end for inserting objects into the interior volume. Further, a laundry bag includes a body of openwork material defining an interior volume. The body of openwork material has an opening for insertion of objects into the interior volume and includes a closure portion of openwork material adjacent the opening such that when the closure portion is folded the interior volume is maintained. A method for using a laundry bag includes providing a laundry bag having a body of openwork material defining an interior volume and having an opening for insertion of objects into the interior volume.

Abstract: The invention provides a side-entry optical excitation geometry for use in a multiplexed capillary electrophoresis system. A charge-injection device is optically coupled to capillaries in the array such that the interior of a capillary is imaged onto only one pixel. In Sanger-type 4-label DNA sequencing reactions, nucleotide identification ("base calling") is improved by using two long-pass filters to split fluorescence emission into two emission channels. A binary poly(ethyleneoxide) matrix is used in the electrophoretic separations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated DNA sequence of the short arm of chromosome 6 which is located within the autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 gene. This isolated DNA sequence is preferably located within a 3.36 kb EcoRI fragment, i.e., an EcoRI fragment containing about 3360 base pairs, of the SCA1 gene. The isolated sequence preferably contains a CAG repeat region. The number of CAG trinucleotide repeats (n) is.ltoreq.36, preferably n=19-36, for normal individuals. For an affected individual n>36, preferably n.gtoreq.43.

Abstract: A triple-helical polypeptide of the formula: ##STR1## is provided wherein: Z is Hyp or Pro; each X and Y is an amino acid such that (Gly-X-Y).sub.m is a sequence of a collagen cell adhesion site; said X and Y may be the same or different and each (Gly-X-Y) may be the same or different; O is an amino acid having a single side-chain amino group; J is an amino acid capable of acting as a chromophore; U is an amino acid; u=0 or 1; n.ltoreq.30; m.ltoreq.30; m+n.ltoreq.30; and j.gtoreq.1. Methods of making these compounds and intermediates used in the methods, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a labelled .beta.-amyloid peptide or active fragment; a composition including the labelled .beta.-amyloid peptide or active fragment thereof and a pharmaceutical carrier; a method for identifying active fragments of .beta.-amyloid peptide; a method for labelling the .beta.-amyloid peptide or an active fragment thereof; methods of using the labelled peptide or peptide fragment for detecting or monitoring Alzheimer's disease in a patient; and methods for screening agents that enhance or inhibit .beta.-amyloid aggregation or deposition onto tissue or other amyloid substance, such as silk.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for synthesis, selection, and amplification of DNA and RNA oligonucleotides and analogs. The method for synthesizing an oligonucleotide involves: providing an effective amount of an isolated circular oligonucleotide template which comprises at least one copy of the desired oligonucleotide sequence linked to a cleavage site; providing an effective amount of an isolated oligonucleotide primer; annealing the primer to the circular template to form a primed circular template; and combining the primed circular template with an effective amount of at least two types of nucleotide triphosphates and an effective amount of a polymerase enzyme to form a nucleotide multimer complementary to the circular oligonucleotide template, wherein the nucleotide multimer comprises multiple copies of the oligonucleotide sequence joined end to end. Preferably, the nucleotide multimer is cleaved to produce oligonucleotides having well-defined ends.

Abstract: A biocompatible material comprising a substrate and a phospholipid moiety covalently attached thereto in an amount and orientation effective to provide an improved nonthrombogenic surface relative to the substrate without the phospholipid moiety covalently attached thereto is provided. In particularly preferred embodiments, the biocompatible material has the following structure: ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.30)alkyl group; R.sup.2 is a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.30)alkylene group; m is 1-4; n is 1-4; and L is a divalent linking group covalently bonded to the substrate and to the phospholipid moiety.

Abstract: This invention discloses the incorporation of a peptide QRQYGDVFKGD (SEQ ID NO:1) from glycoprotein gE of Varicella zoster virus into a protein or polypeptide sequence for immunoisolation, immunopurification and immunodetection.

Abstract: The invention relates to melt-miscible polyolefin blends, and a process for preparing the melt-miscible blends, of two or more polyolefins. Matching, within defined limits, the segment length of a modifying polyolefin with the segment length of a primary polyolefin, such as polypropylene or an ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, provides blends of the "matched" components which blends were heretofore unknown to be melt-miscible. A broad range of polyolefin blend compositions, and of polyolefin blends containing other polymers made compatible or dispersible with the polyolefin blend compositions, are defined, all of the blend compositions having at least one melt-miscible polyolefin phase.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal-containing film on a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer. The method involves depositing a Group VIII metal carboxylate complex on the substrate, wherein the Group VIII metal is selected from the group consisting of Ru, Os, Rh, Ir, Pd, and Pt, and thermally decomposing the Group VIII metal carboxylate complex to form the metal-containing film.

Abstract: The invention provides a side-entry optical excitation geometry for use in a multiplexed capillary electrophoresis system. A charge-injection device is optically coupled to capillaries in the array such that the interior of a capillary is imaged onto only one pixel. In Sanger-type 4-label DNA sequencing reactions, nucleotide identification ("base calling") is improved by using two long-pass filters to split fluorescence emission into two emission channels. A binary poly(ethyleneoxide) matrix is used in the electrophoretic separations.

Abstract: A method of preparing a silicate-containing phosphor is provided. The method includes combining a mixture of metal or metalloid compounds with a gaseous silicon-containing in an amount sufficient to convert the compounds to silicates, and heating the silicates under conditions effective to form a phosphor.