Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-human transgenic animal, particularly a knock in mouse, whose genome comprises a heterologous, chimeric CTLA4 gene. The chimeric CTLA4 gene comprises exon 2 of the human CTLA4 gene, exon 1 and exon 4 of the non-human animal, and exon 3 of the CTLA4 gene of the non-human animal, or preferably, exon 3 of the human CTLA4 gene. The invention also relates to methods by which the transgenic mice are used to screen for monoclonal antibodies or other molecules that enhance immunity to tumors and infectious agents by interacting with the human CTLA4 receptor. The transgenic mice of the present invention are also useful for screening for monoclonal antibodies or other molecules that inhibit autoimmunity and transplant rejection.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences for two genes, tcdB and tccC2, from the tcd genomic region of Photorhabdus luminescens W-14 are useful in heterologous expression of orally active insect toxins.

Abstract: A method for managing static data traffic of at least one light path in an optical network, comprising the steps of achieving load balanced path routing for the at least one light path, assigning wavelengths to demands of the at least one light path, and, switching the at least one light path according to its assigned wavelength. A method for managing dynamic data traffic of at least one light path in an optical network, comprising the steps of routing the K-shortest path, which has the largest interference length (L), and, assigning waveband with a First-Fit network topology based on band/port number restriction and minimum weight.

Abstract: A taxane having the formula: wherein X3 is furyl, X5 is t-butoxycarbonyl, Bz is benzoyl, and Ac is acetyl.

Abstract: Multi-ordered spectral data is obtained from various known substances and is stored in a spectral library. The identification of an unknown material is accomplished by correlating the sample's multi-ordered spectrum against all or a portion of the spectrum in the library, and finding the closest match.

Abstract: Asymmetric derivatives of furamidines with one of the phenyl rings of furamidine replaced with a benzimidazole have been found by quantitative footprinting analyses to bind GC containing sites on DNA more strongly than to pure AT sequences. These compounds have been shown to bind in the minor groove at specific GC containing sequences of DNA in a highly cooperative manner as a stacked dimer. Compounds of the present invention find use in selectively binding mixed sequence DNA, and may also be used in methods of regulating gene expression, methods of treating opportunistic infections and cancer, as well as in methods of detecting certain sequences of DNA.

Abstract: Uses of cucurbituril derivatives are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and computer program products for detecting the presence of cardiac activity in a patient. The present invention includes a detector circuit that is configured to detect the influence of a first defibrillation shock on the patient immediately subsequent to termination of a first defibrillation shock.

Abstract: A protective, biocompatible coating or encapsulation material protects and insulates a component or device intended to be implanted in living tissue. The coating or encapsulation material comprises a thin layer or layers of alumina, zerconia, or other ceramic, less than 25 microns thick, e.g., 5–10 microns thick. The alumina layer(s) may be applied at relatively low temperature. Once applied, the layer provides excellent hermeticity, and prevents electrical leakage. Even though very thin, the alumina layer retains excellent insulating characteristics. In one embodiment, an alumina layer less than about 6 microns thick provides an insulative coating that exhibits less than 10 pA of leakage current over an area 75 mils by 25 mils area while soaking in a saline solution at temperatures up to 80° C. over a three month period.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel multi-functional methacrylic copolymers that exhibit cationic pH-sensitive behavior as well as good water solubility under acidic conditions. The copolymers are constructed from tertiary amine methacrylates and poly(ethylene glycol) containing methacrylates. The copolymers are useful as gene vectors, pharmaceutical carriers, and in protein separation applications.

Abstract: A radial-capitellar implant for surgical replacement of the capitellum of the humerus and, optionally, the head of the radius. The radial-capitellar implant includes a capitellar implant or surface replacement arthroplasty of the capitellum and a radial prosthesis for replacement of the head of the radius. In one embodiment the radial prosthesis includes an articular head which moveable articulates with a stem implantable in the radius.

Abstract: A polypropylene composition and a method to prepare the composition. The method includes the mixing and extrusion of an isotactic polypropylene, at least one impact modifying polymer, at least one primary co-agent that is a monofunctional monomer, at least one secondary co-agent which is a multifunctional monomer, oligomer, or polymer, and a radical initiator. The composition may be prepared in an extruder. The resulting composition has improved impact strength properties as compared to isotactic polypropylene and isotactic impact modifying polymer blends. The resulting composition may be used in a variety of forms such as extrusions, injection or blow-molded products, films, non-woven fabrics, or thermoformed products.

Abstract: Bis(salicylaldiminato)titanium complex with optionally substituted phenyl or cyclohexyl on nitrogen catalyzes highly syndiospecific polymerization of propylene. Syndiotactic polypropylene with defects of the type rmr having [rrrr] content greater than 0.70 and block copolymer containing block(s) of the syndiotactic polypropylene and block(s) of poly(ethylene-co-propylene) and/or poly(alpha-olefin-co-propylene) are obtained. Certain of the catalysts provide living polymerization. Living olefin polymers and olefin terminated oligomers and polymers are also products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for the treatment of neoplasia, including cancer and other diseases and conditions in humans and mammals. More particularly, in preferred aspects, the present invention provides a method for the use of prenylcysteine analogs for the treatment of neoplasia, hyperproliferative cell growth including psoriasis, restenosis following cardiovascular surgery, hyperplasia, including renal hyperplasia, chronic inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, among others.

Abstract: Provided is a position measuring system and method using a Wireless Broadband (WiBro) signal. The position measuring system measures the position of a terminal using relative delay information that is a parameter of the WiBro signal, used for a hand-over. Since the position of a terminal is measured using a parameter for a hand-over, additional data measurement is not required for the position measurement. Furthermore, efficiency in the use of a parameter of a WiBro system can be improved by using a parameter used only in the hand-over for position measurement.

Abstract: A Lagrangian support vector machine solves problems having massive data sets (e.g.

Abstract: A simple and robust method for genetic analysis of complex microbial communities involves the steps of PCR amplification of V1 region of rrs genes in the community DNA sample using two universal primers, followed by cleavage by BsgI and removal of dual-biotinylated primers using streptavidin-coated magnetic beads to purify RSTs, and concatemerization of the RSTs and size selection of resultant concatemers by agarose gel electrophoresis. The isolated concatamers are then cloned and sequenced and subjected to sequence analyses to enable identification of the members of the microbial community.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting an electronic implantable medical device prior to it being implanted in a patient's body. The apparatus affords protection against electronic component damage due to electrostatic discharge and/or physical damage due to improper handling. The apparatus is comprised of a circuit board having conductive surface means for receiving and releasably grasping the electrodes of the medical device to support the device's housing proximate to the surface of the circuit board. First and second conductive paths are formed on the circuit board extending between the first and second conductive surfaces for shunting electrostatic discharge currents to prevent such currents from passing through the device's electronic circuitry. The respective shunt paths include oppositely oriented diodes, preferably comprising diodes which emit light (i.e., LEDs) when current passes therethrough. Additionally, means are provided to enable functional testing of the medical device.

Abstract: A canonical decomposition (CD) method that includes building a multi-variate linear autoregressive (“MLAR”) model from an original data set or from a reduced set derived by data reduction methods from the original data set. The MLAR analysis is followed by seeking a coordinate transformation of the MLAR model to obtain the best possible match with one or more canonical forms representing relationships among components. For multi-variate data with a truly hierarchical structure, CD accurately extracts the underlying sources of the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a ventilator in a primary electronic mode or in a back-up pneumatic mode during primary electronic mode failure. A method and apparatus for operating a ventilator in an advanced mode, having a number of ventilatory modes, or in a basic mode, having a limited number of ventilatory modes is also disclosed.