Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human ABC transport polypeptides and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such polypeptides. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human ABC transport polypeptides. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to these novel human ABC transport polypeptides.

Abstract: Novel sodium-independent small neutral amino acid transporters which transport L- and D-amino acids. A protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1 or 4 or an amino acid derived therefrom by deletion, substitution or addition of one or more amino acids and being capable of sodium-independently transporting L- and D-small neutral amino acids and analogs thereof; a gene encoding the above protein; a method of screening substances inhibiting or promoting the function of the above protein; an antibody against the above protein; and a method of regulating cell function by using the above antibody, function inhibitors, function promoters, etc.

Abstract: There are disclosed therapeutic compositions and methods using isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a human myeloid progenitor inhibitory factor-1 (MPIF-1) polypeptide (previously termed MIP-3 and chemokine &bgr;8 (CK&bgr;8 or ckb-8)); a human monocyte-colony inhibitory factor (M-CIF) polypeptide (previously termed MIP1-&ggr; and chemokine &bgr;1 (CK&bgr;1 or ckb-1)), and a macrophage inhibitory protein-4 (MIP-4), as well as MPIF-1, M-CIF and/or MIP-4 polypeptides themselves, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel cortistatin polypeptides, and to polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides. More specifically, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding a Human Cortistatin polypeptide. Cortistatin polypeptides are also provided, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting variations in Human Cortistatin gene expression and therapeutic methods for treating individuals in need of an increased level of Human Cortistatin activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human MIP-like polypeptides and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such polypeptides. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human MIP-like polypeptides. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to these novel human MIP-like polypeptides.

Abstract: A process produces a fiber-reinforced silicon carbide composite. The resulting composite has a high toughness where bundles of a reinforcing fiber are densely covered with glassy carbon derived from a resin to avoid deterioration of the strength, and it can easily be produced even in complicated shapes. Specifically, a fiber-reinforced silicon carbide composite is produced by preparing a fiber prepreg containing a powdered silicon and a resin and molding the prepreg to yield a green body having a desired shape, or laminating a fiber prepreg containing a resin and a woven fabric prepreg containing a powdered silicon and a resin in alternate order, and molding the laminate to yield a green body having a desired shape; carbonizing the green body at 900° C. to 1350° C. in an inert atmosphere; impregnating the carbonized body with a resin; firing the impregnated body again at 900° C. to 1350° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter bank approach to adaptive filtering method using independent component analysis. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of improving the performance of adaptive filtering method by applying independent component analysis that is capable of reflecting the secondary or even higher order statistical characteristics to adaptive filtering algorithm using the filter bank approach.

Abstract: An insect feeding station having a unitary base portion formed from a deformable material such as a plastic material, the base portion having a bait-toxicant in an inner compartment and having a breachable internal seal covering said compartment, ridges and walls, forming guiding and baffle means to guide insects from the periphery of the station to the inner compartment and to prevent probing of the poison from outside the station, and optionally, a partially or totally transparent cover and optionally having also a contrasting color under the poison to make removed bait toxicant easily detectable.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a switching valve for ion water generator that makes it possible to discharge the same species of ion water through a specific faucet despite the conversion of the polarity of chambers in electrolyzers. The switching valve device comprises a valve body with a double-headed drum pinched in at the middle for switching a pair of outflow openings to the discharging channels, a solenoid housing for exerting a magnetic force on the iron core formed at the valve body.

Abstract: An object is provision of a method and apparatus for generating ultrashort optical pulses through use of a Raman resonator, which can generate preferentially rotational Raman lines which resonate within the resonator, which can lower the threshold for generation of rotational Raman lines to thereby increase efficiency, and which enables generation of high-order rotational Raman lines to thereby obtain ultrashort optical pulses. An apparatus for generating ultrashort optical pulses by use of a Raman resonator includes a first laser (101); a second laser (102); a first wavemeter (111) for confirming the emitting wavelength of the first laser (101); a second wavemeter (121) for confirming the emitting wavelength of the second laser (102); and a Raman cell (130). These two laser beams are aligned by a beam splitter (113) to become coaxial and are focused by a lens (124) into the Raman cell (130).

Abstract: Functions of sno gene are analyzed by constructing heterogenous or homogeneous mouse variants lacking sno gene to thereby provide heterogenous or homogeneous mouse variants lacking sno gene, cells of these animals and screening systems with the use of these animals or cells. Non-human animals, preferably mice, lacking sno gene and cells thereof. The above animals or cells thereof include both of heterogenous variants and homogeneous variants. A method for screening candidates for drugs by using the above animals or cells thereof.

Abstract: A method for controlling a light source in a night vision system is provided. The method first computes a pulse width Tp=2(d−d1)/c, where c is the light speed, according to parameters of a desired observing distance d and a shortest distance d1 of the back-scattering light that enters the light sensor, such as a low-light-level camera. According to the definition of duty cycle D, it is determined by D=(1−d1/d)/(2−d1/d). According to the parameters of the desired observing distance and the pulse width, control signals are generated by a pulse signal controller to control a pulsed active-light illuminator with proper emitting period and a gated light sensor with proper gated-on period.

Abstract: Human elastase IV polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques and utilizing such polypeptide for therapeutic purposes, for example, restoration of elasticity of arterial walls, improvement of serum lipid abnormality and improvement of serum lipoprotein metabolism are disclosed. Also disclosed are antagonist/inhibitors against such polypeptides and their use in treating inflammation, arthritis, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, septic shock, pancreatitis and limiting tissue damage in ulceration. Diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separation of gas constituents from a multicomponent gaseous mixture employing a hydrate promoter. The method for separation of gas constituents from a multicomponent gaseous mixture includes the steps of reacting an aqueous solution containing a hydrate promoter with a multicomponent gaseous mixture to form a gas hydrate condensed with the gas constituents of high gas hydrate forming power and dissociating a specific gas component from the gas hydrate. In accordance with the present invention, a specific gas component can be seperated from a multicomponent gaseous mixture under a pressure much lower than that of the prior art method, which makes possible its practical application in various industrial areas emitting exhaust gases.

Abstract: In comparison with the treatment using only a single vessel, this invention can more efficiently and more completely facilitate the temperature of liquid to be kept at a predetermined temperature by transferring liquid from a liquid storage vessel to a vessel maintained at a predetermined temperature. In comparison with the case using only a single vessel, in which control of raising and lowering the temperature needs be executed by a heating means or transferring a container accompanied by liquid to a heating position, the reaction can more efficiently be executed by this aspect of the invention, and the amplification can be executed more easily and in a shorter time. And as the mechanism for transferring the container needs not be mounted, the structure of the equipment can be simplified. Furthermore, all the process including the control of temperature, can be executed with one continuous operation by this aspect of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to methods and compounds for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of a target tissue or compositions in a mammalian subject, using a light source that preferably transmits light to a treatment site transcutaneously. The method provides for administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a targeted substance, which is either a targeted photosensitizing agent, or a photosensitizing agent delivery system, or a targeted prodrug. This targeted substance preferably selectively binds to the target tissue. Light at a wavelength or waveband corresponding to that which is absorbed by the targeted substance is then administered. The light intensity is relatively low, but a high total fluence is employed to ensure the activation of the targeted photosensitizing agent or targeted prodrug product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel mammalian DNA-R proteins and genes that encode such proteins. The invention is directed toward the isolation and characterization of mammalian DNA-R proteins. The invention specifically provides isolated complementary DNA copies of mRNA corresponding to rat and human homologues of a mammalian DNA-R gene. Also provided are recombinant expression constructs capable of expressing the mammalian DNA-R genes of the invention in cultures of transformed prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, as well as such cultures of transformed cells that synthesize the mammalian catecholamine receptor proteins encoded therein. The invention also provides methods for screening compounds in vitro that are capable of binding to the mammalian DNA-R proteins of the invention, and further characterizing the binding properties of such compounds in comparison with known DNA-R agonists and antagonists. Improved methods of pharmacological screening are provided thereby.

Abstract: A light emitting element driver composed of two transistors, one ground resistor, one inductance and a single capacitor is arranged to drive an LED with a supplied voltage as low as about 0.92 V. The transistors include an NPN transistor and a PNP transistor, the base of the PNP transistor being connected to the ground resistor and the base of the NPN transistor being connected to the collector of the PNP transistor, with the capacitor being connected between the base of the PNP transistor and the node connecting the collector of the NPN transistor to the inductance and to the LED.

Abstract: A method for generating a three-dimensional stereographic image on the basis of a two-dimensional planar image for one eye and depth information of the image stored in the Z-buffer. The first two-dimensional image for one eye of a viewer is created by rendering a three-dimensional model. Color information and depth information of the first two-dimensional image are stored in the frame buffer and the Z-buffer, respectively. The second two-dimensional image for the other eye of the viewer is created on the basis of the first two-dimensional image, the color information stored in the frame bufer, and the depth information stored in the Z-buffer. A stereographic image is generated on the basis of the first two-dimensional image and the second two-dimensional image.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method for delivery of macromolecules into biological cells, such as Langerhans cells (22) in the epidermis (20) of a patient, which includes the steps of coating electodes (16) in an electrode assembly (12) with solid phase macromolecules to be delivered, such as a DNA, and/or RNA vaccine or a protein-based vaccine, attaching the electrode assembly (12) having the coated electrodes (16) to an electrode assembly holder (13), providing a waveform generator (15), establishing electrically conductive pathways between the electrodes (16), and the waveform generator (15), locating the electrodes (16) such that the biological cells are situated therebetween, such as by penetrating the needle electrode (16) into the epidermis (20) above the epidermal basal lamina, and providing pulse waveform from the waveform generator (15) to the electrodes (16), such that macromolecule on the electrodes (16) is driven off of the electrodes (16), and delivered into the biological cells, s