Abstract: Described is a carrier having a biomolecular interaction incorporated therein. The carrier is described as comprising a silica based glass and in an embodiment is a sol-gel derived glass. Also described are methods of incorporating biomolecular interaction within a carrier of the invention. Various types of biomolecular interaction are discussed as well as applications of carriers containing one or more biomolecular interactions.

Abstract: Novel compound called caloxins which are extracellular plasma membrane (PM) Ca2+-pump inhibitors are described. One caloxin is caloxin 2A1 and has the amino acid sequence VSNSNWPSFPSSGGG. Another caloxin is caloxin 3A1 and has the amino acid sequence DSHINNEPSRRRGGGK. The caloxins are useful in inhibiting PM Ca2+-pumps and can be used in the development of treatments of various diseases including hypertension, hypotension, degenerative brain disorders, mood disorders, diabetes, kidney failure and cancer.

Abstract: A method for assessing aspirin resistance and relative risk of a cardiovascular event in a patient taking aspirin is provided. The concentration of 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 in a urine sample is measured and compared to a set of standardized quartile concentrations. A concentration of urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 that falls within the second, third, or fourth quartile is indicative of aspirin resistance and an elevated risk of a recurrent cardiovascular event.

Abstract: A method for extracting feature information from product images using multivariate image analysis based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) which is used to develop predictive models for feature content and distribution on the imaged product. The imaging system is used to monitor product quality variables in an on-line manufacturing environment. It may also be integrated into a closed-loop feedback control system in automated systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of immobilizing nucleic acid aptamers within a sol-gel matrix. The aptamer system remains functionally intact when it is immobilized within a protein and membrane-compatible sol-gel derived from polyol silane precursors or sodium silicate.

Abstract: A novel screening assay for identifying therapeutic agents and their cellular targets is described. The assay is useful in developing new antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic and anti cancer therapeutics. New inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) have been identified and their cellular target confirmed using the assay of the present invention. Methods of treating diseases that benefit from an inhibition of DHFR are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are inhibitors of myosin light chain kinase, pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the inhibitors and methods of use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals based on technetium and rhenium. The method involves the reaction of a salt of the formula [M(CO)3(Xm)3](1+3m), wherein M is selected from a radioisotope of rhenium, technetium and any other radioisotope that binds in a similar fashion, X is any suitable ligand and m is the formal charge for ligand X, with a nido-dicarbollide dianion of the formula [nido-(C2B9H11)]2? and functional derivatives thereof. The method has been shown to be applicable to the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals at the tracer level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of immobilizing membrane-associated molecules within a sol-gel matrix. The membrane-associated molecule is embedded in the bilayer of a liposome. The molecule-liposome assembly remains functionally intact when it is immobilized within a protein and membrane-compatible sol-gel derived from polyol silane precursors or sodium silicate. The activity and stability of the entrapped membrane-associated molecule was significantly improved in macroporous silica.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting and for reversing the dysfunctional response of vascular endothelial cells to an inflammatory stimulus in a subject in need of such therapy has been developed in which an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and optionally other treatments is administered to the subject.

Abstract: Siliceous materials were prepared by adding one or more additives, including one or more water soluble polymers, and derivatives thereof, as well as trifunctional silanes, to sols containing tetraalkoxysilanes derived from polyols. The polymers facilitate phase separation of the growing silica gel matrix, leading to high surface area self-supporting silica gels with cure occurring at ambient temperatures. The materials also show a significant reduction in shrinkage properties and significant protein stabilization abilities.

Abstract: A process for encapsulation of polar organic solvents with amphiphilic copolymer shell using controlled/living polymerization is provided for the first time. To encapsulate polar core-oils an amphiphilic polymer is required that has low interfacial tensions with both the oil phase and the water phase. For example, Poly(methyl methacrylate-co-poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate) (PMMA-co-PegMA) was prepared in suspension polymerization conditions using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). ATRP ensures that the water soluble comonomer, PegMA, is incorporated into every polymer chain throughout the polymerization reaction so that all chains possess the desired amphiphilic character. Crosslinking of PMMA-co-PegMA with diethylene glycol dimethacrylate (DegDMA) yielded hollow capsular particles at 31 mol % PegMA in the terpolymer.

Abstract: A quantum well structure having an indium gallium arsenide phosphide (InGaAsP) quantum well active region has a low temperature grown indium phosphide (LT-InP) cap layer grown on it. Defects in the cap layer are intermixed into the quantum well active region by rapid thermal annealing to produce a blue shift in the active region. The blue shift increases as the growth temperature of the LT-InP cap layer decreases or as the phosphine flow rate during production of the LT-InP layer increases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of immobilizing membrane-associated molecules within a sol-gel matrix. The membrane-associated molecule is embedded in the bilayer of a liposome. The molecule-liposome assembly remains functionally intact when it is immobilized within a protein and membrane-compatible sol-gel derived from polyol silane precursors or sodium silicate.

Abstract: A method for detecting an obstruction in a flow duct is provided. The method includes the steps of directing gas through at least one port of the flow duct, measuring a flow noise level of the gas directed through the at least one port, and comparing the noise level with a predetermined noise level. In the event that the flow noise level exceeds the predetermined noise level by at least a threshold amount, then the method includes the step of indicating the presence of an obstruction in the at least one port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple design for a temperature-insensitive extrinsic polarimetric strain sensor. The sensing element is a thin sheet of photoelastic material that is bonded to the test object. It is illuminated with linearly polarized light with the polarization direction at 45 degrees relative to the strain-induced fast and slow axes in the photoelastic material. The sensor measures the difference between the strains along these two orthogonal directions. The reduced sensitivity of the sensor to temperature results from the fact that the illumination is perpendicular to the surface of the test object. All polarization components that are parallel to the surface will experience identical refractive index changes due to thermal effects. Consequently, a measurement of the difference in strains along two directions in the surface plane is insensitive to temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a separation device for the separation of water vapour from a gas stream, comprising a water vapour separation membrane having a porous membrane, whose pores contain a water transfer material, the water transfer material including a first hydrophilic polymer and a second polymer which is interwoven with the first polymer.

Abstract: A stable aqueous dispersion which comprises a cationic lipid which is a molecule which comprises a cholesterol-derived lipophilic group, a linker bond which is hydrolyzable by cellular enzymes and relatively resistant to base-catalyzed hydrolysis, a spacer arm and a cationic amino group, and an appropriate co-lipid. The invention also includes the cationic lipids and mammalian plasmid DNA or other cells in admixture with the aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: A process of reduction of iron ore and/or waste oxides in the form of agglomerate containing carbonaceous reductant on the hearth of a furnace includes providing a bed of agglomerates on the hearth of a furnace, the bed having a height of at least about 40 mm and having at least four layers of agglomerates. The carbonaceous reductant contains sufficient volatile matter, the volatile matter having a weight of at least about 10% of the weight of the reductant. The bed of agglomerates is heated with a radiant heat source having a temperature of at least about 1450° C. to cause the top of the bed to reach a temperature in the range of 1350° C. to 1530° C. to 1500° C. to reduce iron oxides in the iron ore and/or waste oxides to metallic iron.

Abstract: Disclosed are silicone polymer based compounds, which include a hydrophobic silicone polymer backbone and a hydrophilic component. The hydrophilic component may act as a chelating agent to bind a metal. The hydrophilic component may be hydrophilic prior to binding with a metal or after binding. Also disclosed are methods of making these compounds. The compounds are useful in a variety of applications.