Abstract: A powder of an alloy of Ni and Mg, La, Be or Li, consisting of crystallites having a grain size lower than 100 nm and a crystalline structure allowing hydrogen absorption. This powder which is preferably obtained by mechanical grinding, may consist of cristallites of Mg.sub.2 Ni, LaNi.sub.5 or of Ni-based alloys of Be or Li having a grain size lower than 100 nm. The powder may also consist of cristallites of formula Mg.sub.2-x Ni.sub.1+x, x ranging from -0.3 to +0.3, which have a grain size lower than 100 nm, and preferably lower than 30 nm. This crystalline powder is particularly useful for storing and transporting hydrogen. Indeed, it has been discovered that such Ni-based nanocrystalline powder requires no or only one single activation treatment at low temperature to absorb hydrogen. It has also been discovered that the kinetic of absorption and diffusion of hydrogen within the powder is much faster. This can be explained by the presence of a large number of grain boundaries.

Abstract: Cyclic peptides and compositions comprising such cyclic peptides are provided. The cyclic peptides comprise a cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence HAV. Methods for using such peptides and compositions for modulating cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: A method of treating a selected volume of soil comprising the steps of providing a pipe network including at least one layer of perforated fluid conduits, inserting the layer of perforated fluid conduits below the selected volume of soil, introducing a selected soil treatment fluid in the selected volume of soil via the perforated fluid conduits, and successively raising and lowering fluid level through the selected volume of soil, thereby ensuring higher extraction and removal efficiencies.

Abstract: A detailed three-dimensional structure for the least abundant of the general translation initiation factors in eukaryotes, eIF4E, complexed with a ligand is disclosed. The novel N-terminal truncated eIF4Es which were constructed so as to omit a significant portion of the flexible N-terminal tail of the eIF4E are also part of the present invention. In addition, the crystals of the protein-ligand complexes containing the N-terminal truncated eIF4Es are also included. Furthermore, methods of identifying antagonists of the eIF4E protein which can be used to regulate protein synthesis in cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Cyclic compounds with a 3-dimensional structure that bind at least one neurotrophin receptor (NTR) under physiologic conditions in vitro or in vivo are new. Binding to NTR at least partially mimics or inhibits NT biological activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA expression vector comprising a T.alpha.l .alpha.-tubulin promoter operatively linked upstream to a marker gene sequence relative to the direction of transcription in a eukaryotic expression vector adapted to be introduced into a mammal, or ancestor of the mammal at an embryonic stage and said promoter is controlling transcription of the marker gene. The present invention also relates to a method for testing material suspected of promoting neurogenesis and neuronal growth which comprises exposing a transgenic mammal according to the present invention said material and detecting said expressed marker gene as an indication of neurogenesis and neuronal growth.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a novel bioherbicide, and composition thereof for the control of broadleaf weeds in lawns, golf courses, parks, sports fields, other turfed areas, and grass crops such as corn and cereal grains. More specifically, the invention is concerned with a novel isolate Sclerotinia minor IMI 344141, agricultural formulations thereof, and its use as a bioherbicide to control troublesome broadleaf weed species.

Abstract: An integrated controller for controlling both pan and vergent movements of a stereoscopic vision system, having two cameras, is described. The controller determines motion and direction based on a provided retinal error. Each of the cameras is moved until no retinal error remains which results from camera orientation. A butterfly controller accepts data input relating to retinal errors from any number of sources and provides a single signal relating to common motion and another signal relating to vergent motion to each control circuit. The circuits are designed to operate in common mode or differential mode thereby causing sensors to move in different directions when controlled by same control signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a very light-weight, Mg and Be-based material which has the ability to reversibly store hydrogen with very good kinetics. This material is of the formula (M.sub.1-x A.sub.x) D.sub.y wherein M is Mg, Be or a combination of them; A is an element selected from the group consisting of Li, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, In, Sn, O, Si, B, C and F; D is a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt (preferably Pd); x is a number ranging from 0 to 0.3; and y is a number ranging from 0 to 0.15. This material is in the form of a powder of particles of the formula M.sub.1-x A.sub.x as defined hereinabove, having an average size ranging from 0.1 to 100 .mu.m, each particle consisting of nanocrystalline grains having an average size of 3 to 100 nm or having a nano-layered structure with a layer spacing of 3 to 100 nm. Some of these particles have clusters of metal D attached thereto, with an average size ranging from 2 to 200 nm.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of inhibiting autoreactive immune cell proliferation in a mammal, involving administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein or an immune cell anti-proliferative fragment or analog thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides for peptides and methods of using peptides to block or inhibit a pathogenic autoimmune response to central nervous system components. One class of peptides are antigens derived from mycobacterial heat shock proteins and may immunologically cross-react with or are homologous to myelin components. The peptides can also be derived from myelin components such as 2',3' cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and immunologically cross-react with and/or are homologous to mycobacterial heat shock proteins. A method of the invention involves administering a pharmaceutical composition including at least one peptide to an animal in an amount effective to block or inhibit a pathogenic autoimmune response to central nervous system components. The peptides are useful for the prevention, and treatment of autoimmune inflammatory central nervous system disease.

Abstract: A biosensor apparatus for detecting a binding event between a ligand and receptor. The apparatus includes an electrode substrate coated with a high-dielectric hydrocarbon-chain monolayer, and having ligands attached to the exposed monolayer surface. Binding of a receptor to the monolayer-bound ligand, and the resultant perturbation of the monolayer structure, causes ion-mediated electron flow across the monolayer. In one embodiment, the monolayers have a coil--coil heterodimer embedded therein, one subunit of which is attached to the substrate, and the second of which carries the ligand at the monolayer surface.

Abstract: Methods and intermediates for the preparation of oligomers containing diastereomerically enriched phosphorothioate linkages are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the identification of human subjects to be responsive to cholinomimetic therapy comprising determining the absence of apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) alleles in a biological sample of the patient where the absence of at least one apoE4 allele indicates a predisposition to respond to cholinomimetic therapy and methods of administering cholinomimetics to such identified subjects.

Abstract: Compositions for enhancing grain yield and protein yield of a legume grown under environmental conditions that inhibit or delay nodulation thereof are provided. The compositions comprise a nodulation gene-inducing compound such as flavors. Moreover, methods for enhancing grain yield and protein yield of a legume grown under environmental conditions that inhibit or delay nodulation thereof are provided. The methods comprise an addition of an agriculturally effective amount of a nodulation gene-inducing compound such as flavors, in the vicinity of the seed or root of the legume. In particular, a condition which inhibits root nodulation is a root zone temperature below 25.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention encompasses tumorigenicity-inhibitiig antisense oligonucleotide sequences complementary to mRNA or double-stranded DNA that encodes mammalian DNA methyl transferase. It further encompasses methods for inhibiting tumorigenicity and pharmaceutical composition comprising the tumorigenicity-inhibiting antisense nucleotide.

Abstract: An implant assembly for mounting a prosthesis, for example, a tooth prosthesis (300) includes an implant member (200) having an elongate intrabony stem portion (274) and a transmucosal base portion (210), integral therewith; an abutment member (204) for supporting the prosthesis lockingly engages an interior surface, for example, a cavity or slot of the implant member, which interior surface extends within the transmucosal base portion; the assembly has passages (220) and bores (222) therethrough which provide a flow path whereby a liquid osseointegration promoting composition can be introduced into a bore of a bone in which the stem portion is located.

Abstract: The association between the presence of one or more rare (infrequent) alleles of the HRAS variable tandem repeat (VTR) polymorphism and the incidence of ovarian cancer in women who harbor a BRCA1 mutation can be used for evaluating risk of ovarian cancer in a human patient. The patient is tested for the presence of a mutation in the BRCA1 gene; and to determine the polymorphic form of the HRAS1 variable tandem repeat region. The presence of both a mutation in the BRCA1 gene and a rare polymorphic form of the HRAS1 variable tandem repeat region is indicative of an elevated risk of developing ovarian cancer. A kit for performing this evaluation includes reagents necessary for performing a test for the BRCA1 mutation and to evaluate the polymorphic form of the HRAS1 variable tandem repeat region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nanocrystalline composite useful for hydrogen storage, which provides optimum hydrogenation conditions along with high hydrogen storage capacity. This composite is the combination of at least one high temperature metal hydride such as Mg or Mg.sub.2 Ni, which has a high hydrogen storage capacity by weight but requires high temperatures for hydrogen absorption and desorption, with at least one low temperature metal hydride such as FeTi, LaNi.sub.5, Nb, Mn or Pd, which has a low hydrogen storage capacity by weight but does not require high temperatures for hydrogen absorption and desorption. The high and low temperature metal hydrides are in direct contact with each other and each in the form of a nanocrystalline powder or layer. This composite is particularly useful as a hydrogen supply source for hydrogen-fueled vehicles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inducing desorption of hydrogen for a metal hydride by applying thereto sufficient energy to induce hydrogen desorption by endothermic reaction. The energy that is so-applied is non-thermal and selected from the group consisting of mechanical energy, ultrasonic energy, microwave energy, electric energy, chemical energy and radiation energy.