Abstract: A platinum complex is described to include a platinum(IV) metal center so positioned and oriented in the complex so as to complex in cis orientations with two hydride groups and with an alkyl group.

Abstract: A system and method for Near Video On Demand (NVOD) transmission of a program from a server to a plurality of clients. The program is partitioned into segments. Each segment is transmitted repeatedly, with the transmission rate of segments subsequent to the first segment being lower than the transmission rate of the first segment. The transmission of the segments is scheduled in a manner that minimizes the aggregate transmission bandwidth, subject to constraints related to client parameters such as client storage capacity and client recording rates. Preferably, the sequences are partitioned further into subsequences, and redundant subsequences are used for error correction. Preferably, the segments, or the subsegments, include metadata such as segment or subsegment length, segment or subsegment sequence number, or the time until the next transmission of the sequence or subsequence.

Abstract: A laminate article of manufacture comprising a plurality of ceramic layers interposed by at least one metallic interlayer and which possess superior resistivity to thermal shock induced crack formation.

Abstract: Data processing apparatus is provided for evaluating answers to respective query items considered to be represented by respective points within a region of feature space, and the apparatus comprises an input (10) which receives such a query item. The region is subdivided into subregions according to at least first and second subdivisions. A subregion identifying portion (20) identifies, for each such subdivision of the region, which subregion of the subdivision contains the point representing the received query item. A partial answer retrieval portion (30) has access when the apparatus is in use to a store (40) of precalculated partial answers for at least some the subregions of the subdivisions, and retrieves from the store the partial answers for the or each identified subregion that is present in the store. An answer calculation portion (50) calculates an answer to the received query item based on the retrieved partial answers, and an output (60) outputs the calculated answer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the applications of a novel cytokine, named THANK, for TNF homologue that activates apoptosis, NF-&kgr;B and c-jun N-terminal kinase. Such applications include using THANK inhibitors to inhibit the activation of NF-&kgr;B and to treat a pathological condition caused by the activation of NF-&kgr;B. Also provided is a method of inhibiting growth of a wide variety of tumor cells by administering THANK protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antiproliferative compound having the structural formula 1

Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) having an emitter structure capable of reducing the current crowding effect and preventing thermal instabilities is disclosed, wherein a negative differential resistance. (NDR) element is added to the layer structure of the conventional emitter. In accordance with the invention, the NDR element can be implemented, for example, by a Resonant Tunnel Diode (RTD) or an Esaki Diode structure. The NDR element is designed to limit the tunneling current to the maximal emitter current density required for safe transistor operation, thereby also reducing the current crowding effect.

Abstract: This invention is directed to compounds of the following formula: wherein when a is 0, b is 1 or 2; when a is 1, b is 1, m is from 0-3, X is 0 or S, Y is halogeno, R1 is hydrogen C1-4 alkyl, R2 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl, or optionally substituted propargyl and R1 and R4 are each independently hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, C6-12 aryl, C6-12 aralkyl each optionally substituted. This invention is also directed to the use of these compounds for treating depression, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Tourette's Syndrome. Alzheimer's Disease and other dementia's such as senile dementia, dementia of the Parkinson's type, vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia. This invention is further directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the above-defined compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the cloning, sequencing and expression of a conserved immunoreactive 28-kDa protein gene (P28) from a polymorphic multiple gene family of Ehrlichia canis. E. canis P28 has an 834-bp open reading frame encoding a protein of 278 amino acids with four variable regions, and shares similar surface-exposed regions, antigenicity and T-cell motifs with E. chaffeensis P28. Also disclosed is that recombinant E. canis P28 protein reacts with convalescent phase antiserum from an E. canis-infected dog.

Abstract: A highly conserved active site helix present within the P-450 superfamily of proteins is found also in monoamine oxidase (MAO) B, a major enzyme that catalyzes deamination of neuro- and vaso-active amines in the nervous system of mammals. Mutation within the conserved region of the MAO B enzyme directly reduces MAO B's activity and alters its pH profile, which allows for indirect regulation of the cellular neurotransmitters and vasoamines.

Abstract: The present invention describes the incorporation of liposomal gene constructs directly into a wound to further improve wound repair, or into wound coverage and/or closure materials to enhance the functionality of the material. The present invention further describes the use of human fetal membranes (e.g., amnion) enhanced with the liposomal gene therapy as a wound coverage material in full-thickness wound repair. The enhanced fetal membranes or enhanced cadaver skin have advantages over currently used materials lacking the liposomal gene construct and are an efficient and safe approach to improve clinical outcome in patients with burn injuries.

Abstract: The GADD153 gene is used herein as a molecular marker for in vivo tumor cell injury which occurs in response to chemotherapy. A GADD153-based prognostic method for tumor clinical response in a patient undergoing chemotherapy is provided. By determination of the magnitude of increase, above baseline, in GADD153 mRNA in a sample derived from a tumor in a patient after administration of a chemotherapeutic agent, the method is able to predict the tumor clinical response and, thus, the patient therapeutic response. This method is advantageous over known prognostic methods for tumor clinical response in that it can accurately and rapidly predict therapeutic responses including tumor progression, partial regression and complete regression for a wide range of tumors and chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of synthesizing a fluorescently labeled protein in a cell free protein synthesis system, comprising the steps of: (a) incubating a sample of ribosomes obtained from a cell-free extract with plasmid DNA containing a coding sequence for a protein of interest, said sample incubated in a coupled transcription/translation medium together with a aminoacyl tRNA having fluorescent label; (b) partially purifying said fluorescently labeled protein by separating newly synthesized, fluorescently-labeled protein from other fluorescent components within said sample; (c) measuring the amount of protein synthesized; (d) determining fluorescence of newly synthesized protein; and (e) determining the biological activity of the newly synthesized protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining latent HIV infection by detecting low-abundant HIV nucleic acid sequences in samples of cellular DNA or in paraffin-fixed tissue sections or frozen sections. This technique calls for one primer for an Alu sequence in the human chromosomal DNA and the other primer near the end of the viral LTR. PCR-amplified DNA is then hybridized with a probe which only recognizes the amplified LTR sequence. This probe could be labeled in different ways, and quantitative assays for latent HIV or other retroviruses infection could be developed.

Abstract: A method and an associated apparatus for imaging a target. An echo sequence image of the target is acquired and a log spectrum of at least a portion of the echo sequence image is computed. A low-resolution, shift-invariant wavelet projection of the echo sequence log spectrum is used as an estimate of the log spectrum of the point spread function. A frequency domain phase of the point spread function also is estimated. The relevant portion of the echo sequence image is deconvolved using the estimated point spread function.

Abstract: The invention provides novel saponin mixtures and compounds which are isolated from the species Acacia victoriae and methods for their use. These compounds may contain a triterpene moiety, such as acacic or oleanolic acid, to which oligosaccharides and monoterpenoid moieties are attached. The mixtures and compounds have properties related to the regulation of apoptosis and cytotoxicity of cells and exhibit potent anti-tumor effects against a variety of tumor cells.

Abstract: An optical device includes a plurality of metallic stripes, arranged in a substantially planar, subwavelength grating having a laterally varying, continuous grating vector, deposited on a substrate such as GaAs or ZnSe. When used as a polarizer, the device passes a laterally uniform polarized beam of electromagnetic radiation incident thereon with a predetermined, laterally varying transmissivity. When used to effect polarization state transformation, the device transforms a beam of electromagnetic radiation incident thereon into a transmitted beam having a predetermined, laterally varying polarization state. The device can be used to provide radially polarized electromagnetic radiation for accelerating subatomic particles or for cutting a workpiece. The device also can be used, in conjunction with a mechanism for measuring the lateral variation of the intensity of the transmitted beam, for measuring the polarization state of the incident beam.

Abstract: Monoamine oxidase A and B (MAO A and B) are major neurotransmitter- and xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes that are thought to play a role in psychiatric and neurological disorders. These isozymes have a high degree of identity in their nucleotide deduced amino acid sequences, but are encoded by different genes on the X-chromosome. Previous studies on MAO B have shown that FAD binds both noncovalently and covalently to specific amino acid residues that reside in highly conserved regions of MAO A and B. In the instant invention, it is demonstrated that the aromatic moieties at Tyr393 and Tyr398, which are located on each side of the covalent FAD binding residue (Cys397) participate in covalent FAD binding, and the generation of catalytically active MAO B.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of increasing the deposition of aerosolized drug in the respiratory tract of an individual or animal, comprising the step of administering said aerosolized drug in an air mixture containing up to about 10% carbon dioxide gas.

Abstract: The small particle liposome or lipid complex aerosol compounds and methods of treatment of the present invention involve lipid- or water soluble anti-cancer drugs incorporated into liposomes or other lipid complexes. The liposomes and complexes are administered in aqueous dispersions from a jet nebulizer to the respiratory tract of an individual. Various anti-cancer drugs may be used, including 20-S-Camptothecin, 9-Nitro-camptothecin, 9-Amino-camptothecin, 10,11 -methylenedioxy-camptothecin and taxol or its derivatives. Administration of these drugs by inhalation provides faster and more efficient absorption of the anticancer drug than does intramuscular administration or oral administration.