Abstract: A process to identify peptide antagonists of Hsp16.3, a chaperon protein necessary for the survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the dormant phase is described. Affinity selection of a 7-mer and a 12-mer random peptide libraries displayed on bacteriophage M13 was performed using recombinant Hsp16.3 as template and two peptide phage clones, which bind to the Hsp16.3 protein were identified. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the peptide sequences displayed on these phage clones were able to specifically bind and inhibit the chaperone function of Hsp16.3 in vitro in a dose dependent manner. The corresponding inhibitory effect of these peptides on the chaperon activity of alphaB-crystallin, a constituent of human eye lens and a homologue of Hsp16.3, was found to be substantially less. These peptide inhibitors, or similar inhibitors generated by the process described, which specifically target Hsp16.3, can hence be used as lead compounds to obtain better therapeutics against latent tuberculosis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber optic cable that includes optical fibers and a water-swellable element, such as a powder-free fabric tape, that are enclosed within a buffer tube. Adhesive material, such as discrete domains of adhesive foam, may be optionally employed to provide adhesive coupling of the optical fibers and the water-swellable element.

Abstract: An instrument and process for accelerating the solid phase synthesis of peptides is disclosed. The method includes the steps of deprotecting a protected first amino acid linked to a solid phase resin by admixing the protected linked acid with a deprotecting solution in a microwave transparent vessel while irradiating the admixed acid and solution with microwaves, then activating a second amino acid by adding the second acid and an activating solution to the same vessel while irradiating the vessel with microwaves, then coupling the second amino acid to the first acid while irradiating the composition in the same vessel with microwaves, and cleaving the linked peptide from the solid phase resin by admixing the linked peptide with a cleaving composition in the same vessel while irradiating the composition with microwaves.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in the method of producing a high quality bulk single crystal of silicon carbide in a seeded sublimation system. In a first embodiment, the improvement comprises reducing the number of macrosteps in a growing crystal by incorporating a high concentration of nitrogen atoms in the initial one (1) millimeter of crystal growth.

Abstract: An improved optical fiber achieves both reduced bending and microbending losses, as well as a much higher Brillouin threshold, as compared to standard transmission fibers. The optical fiber comprises a core including at least two dopants and having a refractive index difference ?n1 with an outer optical cladding, a first inner cladding having a refractive index difference ?n2 with the outer cladding, and a depressed, second inner cladding having a refractive index difference ?n3 with the outer cladding of less than ?3×10?3. The radial concentration of at least one of the core dopants varies continuously over the entire core region of the optical fiber.

Abstract: An instrument and process for accelerating the solid phase synthesis of peptides is disclosed. The method includes the steps of deprotecting a protected first amino acid linked to a solid phase resin by admixing the protected linked acid with a deprotecting solution in a microwave transparent vessel while irradiating the admixed acid and solution with microwaves, then activating a second amino acid by adding the second acid and an activating solution to the same vessel while irradiating the vessel with microwaves, then coupling the second amino acid to the first acid while irradiating the composition in the same vessel with microwaves, and cleaving the linked peptide from the solid phase resin by admixing the linked peptide with a cleaving composition in the same vessel while irradiating the composition with microwaves.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to flame retardant multicomponent articles. The multicomponent articles include a reactive, migratory agent which is present in at least a first component of the article. The reactive migratory agent is capable of migrating from the first component of the article into a different component of the article under flame conditions to react with an element of that second component to produce a flame retardant effect. Applications include fibers, yarns, nonwovens, carpets, other fibrous materials, films, coating and composites.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an impact modifier for a polymer composition and a method of preparing the same. The impact modifier includes a core comprising a polyorganosiloxane, an acrylate polymer and a styrenic polymer; and a shell generally surrounding the core, the shell comprising a polymer attached to the core. The method includes providing a silicone rubber particle; adding a polymerizable styrenic compound into the silicone rubber particle; polymerizing the polymerizable styrenic compound within the particle to provide a styrenic polymer; adding a polymerizable acrylic compound into the silicone rubber particle; polymerizing the polymerizable acrylic compound within the silicone rubber particle to provide an acrylate polymer; and grafting a polymerizable compound onto the silicone rubber particle to provide a shell substantially surrounding the silicone rubber particle comprising the styrenic polymer and the acrylate polymer.

Abstract: A method of microwave assisted nucleic acid amplification by PCR is disclosed. The method includes denaturing, annealing, and extending a nucleic acid sample, with at least the denaturing and extension steps being carried out under the influence of microwave radiation, while preventing the temperature of the sample from varying more than 40° C. from start to finish, and while maintaining the temperature of the sample from start to finish at no more than 60° C.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a conductive n-type substrate, a Group III nitride active region, an n-type Group III-nitride layer in vertical relationship to the substrate and the active layer, at least one p-type layer, and means for providing a non-rectifying conductive path between the p-type layer and the n-type layer or the substrate. The non-rectifying conduction means may include a degenerate junction structure or a patterned metal layer.

Abstract: A single mode optical transmission fiber comprises a depressed core having at least 0.41 weight percent fluorine and an index difference (|?n1|) with pure silica greater than 1.5×10?3, a depressed cladding having at least 1.2 weight percent fluorine and an index difference (|?n2|) with pure silica greater than 4.5×10?3 and an index difference (|?n2|?|?n1|) with the depressed core greater than or equal to 3×10?3.

Abstract: A passivated semiconductor structure and associated method are disclosed. The structure includes a silicon carbide substrate or layer; an oxidation layer on the silicon carbide substrate for lowering the interface density between the silicon carbide substrate and the thermal oxidation layer; a first sputtered non-stoichiometric silicon nitride layer on the thermal oxidation layer for reducing parasitic capacitance and minimizing device trapping; a second sputtered non-stoichiometric silicon nitride layer on the first layer for positioning subsequent passivation layers further from the substrate without encapsulating the structure; a sputtered stoichiometric silicon nitride layer on the second sputtered layer for encapsulating the structure and for enhancing the hydrogen barrier properties of the passivation layers; and a chemical vapor deposited environmental barrier layer of stoichiometric silicon nitride for step coverage and crack prevention on the encapsulant layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to loose tube optical waveguide fiber cable which is optimized for easy and fast installation as plenum cable, such as in customer premises for FTTH (fiber to the home) applications. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a loose tube optical waveguide fiber cable which is suitable for fixed in-house cabling at extremely low-cost for a large-scale installation of FTTH.

Abstract: A preform for manufacturing an optical fibre or an optical fiber, where the variation in the refractive index contrast of the preform does not exceed an absolute value of 2%, measured for a preform having a length of at least 60 cm, or the deviation of the preform in relation to the average value of the profile parameter ? does not exceed an absolute value of 0.03, measured for a preform having a length of at least 80 cm. The optical fibre has a deviation from the average value of the profile shape parameter ? of maximally about 0.03.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optical preform by employing an internal vapor deposition process. The method uses an energy source and a substrate tube, wherein the energy source is movable over the length of the substrate tube between a point of a reversal at the supply side and a point of a reversal at the discharge side.

Abstract: A water-swellable material is included for water-blocking inside a buffer tube in a cable design, and an adhesive material is provided in or on the water-swellable material. The adhesive material may function as a bonding agent between the water-swellable material and the inside wall of a buffer tube, thus providing coupling of the water-swellable material to the buffer tube. In addition, or alternatively, a second adhesive material may be provided for bonding the optical fibers to the water-swellable material. The adhesive materials may be in the form of a bead or beads and may be foamed or unfoamed.

Abstract: A golf swing training device comprising a substantially planar surface, wherein the surface, in use, acts as a guide for the movement of a golfer's shoulders when the golfer executes a substantial portion of a backswing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pipe joint which provides a seal after joining pipes, thus preventing water from leaking. The pipe joint includes a body part (10) and a coupling part (20). The pipe joint further includes a locking means (30) to couple both ends of the body part (10) to each other, and a reinforcing unit (40) which is reduced in thickness at both ends thereof. The pipe joint further includes sealing units (11) and (41) which are provided inside the body part (10) and the reinforcing unit (40). In the pipe joint of the present invention, the body part and the coupling parts comprise an integrated plate. As such, the pipe joint of the present invention greatly affects both producers and consumers due to its economic efficiency.