Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to an immunogen and, in particular, to an immunogen for inducing antibodies that neutralizes a wide spectrum of HIV primary isolates and/or to an immunogen that induces a T cell immune response. The invention also relates to a method of inducing anti-HIV antibodies, and/or to a method of inducing a T cell immune response, using such an immunogen. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding the present immunogens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids encoding mosaic clade M HIV-1 Env polypeptides and to compositions and vectors comprising same. The nucleic acids of the invention are suitable for use in inducing an immune response to HIV-1 in a human.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mosaic HIV-1 group M Gag sequences and to a composition comprising same.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to an immunogenic composition (e.g., a vaccine) and, in particular, to a polyvalent immunogenic composition, such as a polyvalent HIV vaccine, and to methods of using same. The invention further relates to methods that use a genetic algorithm to create sets of polyvalent antigens suitable for use, for example, in vaccination strategies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mosaic clade M HIV-1 Nef polypeptides and to compositions comprising same. The polypeptides of the invention are suitable for use in inducing an immune response to HIV-1 in a human.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to an immunogenic composition (e.g., a vaccine) and, in particular, to a polyvalent immunogenic composition, such as a polyvalent HIV vaccine, and to methods of using same. The invention further relates to methods that use a genetic algorithm to create sets of polyvalent antigens suitable for use, for example, in vaccination strategies.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to an immunogen and, in particular, to an immunogen for inducing antibodies that neutralizes a wide spectrum of HIV primary isolates and/or to an immunogen that induces a T cell immune response. The invention also relates to a method of inducing anti-HIV antibodies, and/or to a method of inducing a T cell immune response, using such an immunogen. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding the present immunogens.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to an immunogenic composition (e.g., a vaccine) and, in particular, to a polyvalent immunogenic composition, such as a polyvalent HIV vaccine, and to methods of using same. The invention further relates to methods that use a genetic algorithm to create sets of polyvalent antigens suitable for use, for example, in vaccination strategies.

Abstract: The deposition of high quality diamond films at high linear growth rates and substrate temperatures for microwave-plasma chemical vapor deposition is disclosed. The linear growth rate achieved for this process is generally greater than 50 .mu.m/hr for high quality films, as compared to rates of less than 5 .mu.m/hr generally reported for MPCVD processes.

Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system includes a contoured vehicle seat bottom and a foam layer disposed over the supporting vehicle seat bottom and supported by the supporting vehicle seat bottom. The foam layer has a rate sensitive compression characteristic. The rate sensitive compression characteristic is a compressive response to a slow application and a rigid response to a rapid application of force. To adapt an existing seat bucket to the desired configuration, a rigid foam layer may be molded within the supporting vehicle seat bottom. This rigid foam layer is contoured and disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal. Seat belts having a pretensioner device are also provided. The pretensioner device is controlled according to both a frontal crash sensor and a vehicle-off ground control system to couple occupant to the seat bottom prior to a wheels first landing.

Abstract: An infant supporting and positioning system for retaining and supporting an infant in a selected position. The supporting and positioning system includes a generally horizontally oriented base which has a primary surface in which is formed a plurality of bores. The system includes a plurality of infant positioning modules each of which have a body portion and at least one post projecting from the body portion. The posts are sized and dimensioned for cooperative engagement with a corresponding one of the plurality of the bores in the base. The posts interfit with the bores with sufficient interference to maintain the modules in the selected position relative to the base. The interference between the posts and bores allow for removal of a post from a bore to change the position of the corresponding module as necessary to configure the system to achieve desired infant support and positioning.

Abstract: Calixarene derivatives, their synthesis and use as chloride channel blockers are described. Preferred calixarene derivatives are of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an acidic group or salt thereof, such as SO.sub.3 X or R.sup.1 SO.sub.3 X where X is H or Na, and R.sup.1 is ##STR2## where m=1-2, and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 the same or different is each H or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl, or a nitrogen-containing group of the formula ##STR3## or A, wherein R.sup.5 is a C.sub.1-4 alkyl, R.sup.6 is a C.sub.1-4 alkyl and A is ##STR4## where R.sup.7 and R.sup.8, the same or different each is H or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl, and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10, the same or different, each is H or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl; R' is H or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl; and n is an integer of 4-8, preferably 4, 6 or 8.

Abstract: An influenza virus neuraminidase inhibitor, its analogs, its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives, and mixtures thereof having the following formula: ##STR1## where A is CO.sub.2 H, CO.sub.2 H.sub.3, NO.sub.2, SO.sub.3 H or PO.sub.3 H.sub.2, B is CH, N, O or S, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are H, NO.sub.2 or (CH.sub.m).sub.n X.sub.1 where m=1 or 2, n is an integer from 0 to 4 and X.sub.1 is guanidino, OH, NH.sub.2, SH, NO.sub.2, F, Cl, Br, I, CN, CF.sub.3, CO.sub.2 H, SO.sub.3 H or PO.sub.3 H.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are H, (CH.sub.o).sub.p X.sub.2, (CH.sub.o).sub.p CHX.sub.2 CH.sub.2 X.sub.2, NH(CH.sub.o).sub.p CHX.sub.2 CH.sub.2 X.sub.2, NHCO(CH.sub.o).sub.p CH.sub.2 X.sub.2 or NHCO(CH.sub.o).sub.p CHX.sub.2 CH.sub.2 X.sub.2 where o=1 or 2, p is an integer from 0 to 4 and X.sub.2 is H, guanidino, OH, NH.sub.2, SH, NO.sub.2, CF.sub.3, CO.sub.2 H, SO.sub.3 H or PO.sub.3 H.sub.2 , R.sub.5 =H, OH, NH.sub.2, (CH.sub.k).sub.1 X.sub.3, CO(CH.sub.k).sub.1 X.sub.3, SO(CH.sub.k).sub.1 X.sub.3 or SO.sub.2 (CH.sub.

Abstract: A method of separating nonpaline derivatives from their diastereoisomers is disclosed along with a method of selectively growing strains of the bacterium A. tumefaciens. Also disclosed are novel general methods of synthesizing the nopaline and isonopaline of this invention. These novel compounds are useful for the selective growth of the agriculturally useful A. tumefaciens bacterium.

Abstract: A bioelastomer containing repeating units comprising elastomeric tetrapeptide or pentapeptide units or a mixture thereof, wherein said repeating units comprise amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic amino acid residues and glycine residues, wherein said repeating units exist in a .beta.-turn which comprises a polypentapeptide unit of the formula:--.alpha.P.rho..OMEGA.G--.sub.nwherein P is a peptide-forming residue of L-proline; G is a peptide-forming residue of glycine; .alpha. is a peptide-forming residue of L-valine or an ionizable peptide-forming residue selected from the group consisting of residues of L-Glu, L-Asp, L-His, L-Lys and L-Tyr; .rho. is a peptide-forming residue of glycine or a peptide-forming residue of D-Glu, D-Asp, D-His, D-Lys and D-Tyr; and .OMEGA.

Abstract: Novel octopine derivatives are disclosed which are useful for the selective growth of the agriculturally useful A. tumefaciens bacterium along with a synthetic method for their preparation. Also disclosed is a method of separating octopine derivatives from their diastereoisomers along with a method of selectively growing strains of the bacterium A. tumefaciens.

Abstract: A method of stimulating chemotaxis toward a prosthetic device is disclosed, which method comprises incorporating a chemotactic peptide of the formulaB.sup.1 -X-(APGVGV).sub.n -Y-B.sup.2whereinA is a peptide-forming residue of L-alanine;P is a peptide-forming residue of L-proline;G is a peptide-forming residue of glycine;V is a peptide-forming residue of L-valine;B.sup.1 is H or a biocompatible N-terminal group;B.sup.2 is OH, OB.sup.3 where B.sup.3 is a non-toxic metal ion, or a biocompatible C-terminal group;X is PGVGV, GVGV, VGV, GV, V, or a covalent bond;Y is APGVG, APGV, APG, AP, A, or a covalent bond; andn is an integer from 1 to 100;into a surface of the prosthetic device. Prosthetic devices which have the property of enhancing invasion of elastic fiber synthesizing fibroblasts as a result of the chemotactic peptide are also disclosed.

Abstract: An elastomeric composite material formed from an artificial core fiber and an elastomeric polypeptide chemically bonded to the surface of the core fiber, where the polypeptide comprises tetrapeptide or pentapeptide repeating units or mixtures thereof, the repeating units comprise hydrophobic amino acid or glycine residues, and the amino acid residues of a given repeating unit exist in a conformation having a .beta.-turn. Also disclosed are elastomeric fabrics formed from the elastomeric composite and the use of such fabrics in vascular prosthesis, as well as a method of forming such elastomeric composite materials.

Abstract: A multiple beam computed tomography (CT) scanner formed of plural interspaced groups of small, densely packed radiation detectors provided in a stationary ring around a body. The ring defines the cross-sectional slice of the body which is scanned by moving an X-ray source in a circle having a smaller radius and the same plane and center as that of the detector ring. A rotatably mounted collimator having a plurality of beam defining apertures is positioned between the X-ray source and patient. The collimator defines a plurality of fan-shaped X-ray beams that strike the detectors after passing through the patient and eliminates radiation from impinging on the patient that would pass through and strike the dead spaces between detector groups. The X-ray source and collimator rotate synchronously maintaining the registration between any given X-ray beam and detector group while the area of interest for the given detector group is scanned by the X-ray beam.