Abstract: A heart sound analyzer component of an apparatus in one example extracts from composite heart sound information one or more discrete heart sounds of one or more corresponding distinct heart sound sources.

Abstract: The thymus-derived CD4+CD25+T cells belong to a subset of regulatory T cells potentially capable of suppressing the proliferation of pathogenic effector T cells. Intriguingly, these suppressor cells are themselves anergic, proliferating poorly to mitogenic stimulation in culture. The inventors have found that the 4-1BB co-stimulator receptor, best known for promoting the proliferation and survival of CD8+ T cells, also induces the proliferation of the CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells both in culture and in vivo. The proliferating CD4+CD25+ T cells produce no detectable IL-2, suggesting that 4-1BB costimulation of these cells does not involve IL-2 production. The 4-1BB-expanded CD4+CD25+ T cells are functional, as they remain suppressive to other T cells in co-culture. These results support the notion that the peripheral expansion of the CD4+CD25+ T cells is controlled in part by co-stimulation.

Abstract: A method for making a heterojunction bipolar transistor includes the following steps: forming a heterojunction bipolar transistor by depositing, on a substrate, subcollector, collector, base, and emitter regions of semiconductor material; the step of depositing the subcollector region including depositing a material composition transition from a relatively larger bandgap material nearer the substrate to a relatively smaller bandgap material adjacent the collector; and the step of depositing the collector region including depositing a material composition transition from a relatively smaller bandgap material adjacent the subcollector to a relatively larger bandgap material adjacent the base.

Abstract: An apparatus for froth flotation including a flotation vessel including a side wall and a bottom wall that includes a fluid drain, and a mixing eductor inside the vessel disposed to impart net rotational force to contents of the vessel about an axis; and a method of separating a desired constituent (e.g., coal) from a mixture of particulate matter, including the steps of conditioning a liquid mixture of particulate matter including a desired constituent with a frothing agent to create a pulp, and injecting the pulp into a vessel to impart net rotational movement of pulp in the vessel, are disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions for inhibiting binding between dendritic cell-specific ICAM-3 grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following steps: providing a plurality of semiconductor layers; providing means for coupling signals to and/or from layers of the device; providing a quantum well disposed between adjacent layers of the device; and providing a layer of quantum dots disposed in one of the adjacent layers, and spaced from the quantum well, whereby carriers can tunnel in either direction between the quantum well and the quantum dots.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmacological methods for the amelioration of sleep-related breathing disorders via administration of agents or combinations of agents that possess serotonin-related pharmacological activity.

Abstract: Cytotoxic factors having use in modulating cell death, and their use in methods of treating necrosis or apoptosis-related conditions are disclosed. The invention also relates to methods for identifying active agents useful in treating conditions related to cell death. The present inventors have found that different pathogens produce different cytotoxic factor(s) having anticancer activity. The substantially pure cytotoxic factors can be used in a method of treating an infectious disease or a cancer.

Abstract: HIV protease inhibitors are among the most powerful drugs in suppressing HIV in human patients. However, HIV developed resistance to all protease inhibitor drugs so far marketed or used in clinical trials. HIV generates resistance by mutating its protease. The strains of HIV containing mutant proteases less vulnerable to inhibitor drug are able to replicate better and maintain the infection. No effective principle exists for the design of resistance-proof HIV protease inhibitors (HIVPr). A new inhibitor has been developed based on a new concept for designing resistance invulnerable HIVPr inhibitors. In vitro data have shown that this inhibitor is effective against many known HIVPr mutants resistant to other HIVPr inhibitor drugs. The new concept is, therefore, generally applicable for the design of other resistance invulnerable HIVPr inhibitor drugs.

Abstract: A material deposition sensor includes a heater and a temperature sensor separated from one another. In operation, the sensor is disposed within a deposition chamber, and material is deposited onto the sensor. When a particular material thickness is deposited, a direct thermally conductive path is created between the heater and temperature sensor, and heat from the heater conducts directly to the temperature sensor. By predetermining a deposition thickness necessary to create the direct thermally conductive path, the deposition thickness can be controlled and/or predicted.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of bacteriology. More particularly, the present invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the effectiveness of existing antibacterial agents and methods of overcoming bacterial resistance. Specifically, the invention provides methods of enhancing the action of an antibacterial agent by use of an antibiotic potentiator. Compositions of antibiotic potentiators including an acyl hydrazide, an oxy amide, and an 8-hydroxy quinoline also are disclosed.

Abstract: Sheets, films, and articles of manufacture from a corn zein resin. A wet corn zein resin is formed including corn zein and a fatty acid, and the wet zein resin is cold rolled into sheets. The sheets are dried, and the dried zein resin is processed to form sheets, films, and/or articles of manufacture.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following steps: providing a plurality of semiconductor layers; providing means for coupling signals to and/or from layers of the device; providing a layer of quantum dots disposed between adjacent layers of the device; and providing an auxiliary layer disposed in one of the adjacent layers, and spaced from the layer of quantum dots, the auxiliary layer being operative to communicate carriers with the layer of quantum dots.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following steps: providing a plurality of semiconductor layers; providing means for coupling signals to and/or from layers of the device; providing a quantum well disposed between adjacent layers of the device; and providing a layer of quantum dots disposed in one of the adjacent layers, and spaced from the quantum well, whereby carriers can tunnel in either direction between the quantum well and the quantum dots.

Abstract: Disclosed are organometallic compounds derived from Groups VIIb, VIII, IX, and X metals useful as precursors for the formation of metal containing powders and for the chemical deposition of the metals on substrates, particularly for the chemical vapor deposition of metal films suitable for the manufacture of electronic devices. Methods for their use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following steps: providing a plurality of semiconductor layers; providing means for coupling signals to and/or from layers of the device; providing a layer of quantum dots disposed between adjacent layers of the device; and providing an auxiliary layer disposed in one of the adjacent layers, and spaced from the layer of quantum dots, the auxiliary layer being operative to communicate carriers with the layer of quantum dots.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following steps: providing a plurality of semiconductor layers; providing means for coupling signals to and/or from layers of the device; providing a quantum well disposed between adjacent layers of the device; and providing a layer of quantum dots disposed in one of the adjacent layers, and spaced from the quantum well, whereby carriers can tunnel in either direction between the quantum well and the quantum dots.

Abstract: Disclosed are organometallic compounds derived from Groups VIIb, VIII, IX, and X metals useful as precursors for the formation of metal containing powders and for the chemical deposition of the metals on substrates, particularly for the chemical vapor deposition of metal films suitable for the manufacture of electronic devices. Methods for their use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following steps: providing a plurality of semiconductor layers; providing means for coupling signals to and/or from layers of the device; providing a layer of quantum dots disposed between adjacent layers of the device; and providing an auxiliary layer disposed in one of the adjacent layers, and spaced from the layer of quantum dots, the auxiliary layer being operative to communicate carriers with the layer of quantum dots.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining multiple spectra from a plurality of samples through the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A plurality of microcoils are coupled to and are in operable communication with an NMR spectrometer. The coils are operable in both a transmit mode and a receive mode to transmit RF energy to a sample being analyzed and to receive the return data for analysis by the NMR spectrometer. At least one switch is coupled to the plurality of coils and the NMR spectrometer. A controller for the NMR spectrometer is coupled to the switch and is used to control alternative activation of the coils for NMR data acquisition of multiple samples.