Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for generating a three-dimensional structure on a surface. The method comprises forming a layer comprising a plurality of nanoparticles on a surface; and exposing a portion of the layer to incident radiation having a defined pattern at a dosage effective to aggregate the nanoparticles in the exposed portion of the layer into a three-dimensional structure, wherein the three-dimensional structure has a shape defined by the pattern of the radiation and a height defined by the dosage of the incident radiation and a thickness of the nanoparticle layer. Alternatively, the method comprises forming a layer comprising a plurality of nanoparticles on a surface of a three-dimensional template; and exposing at least a portion of the layer to incident radiation at a dosage effective to aggregate the nanoparticles in the exposed portion of the layer into a three-dimensional structure that corresponds to the three-dimensional template.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a transgenic plant transformed with an isolated polynucleotide comprising a plant arsenate reductase coding sequence operatively linked to a plant-expressible transcription regulatory sequence. Also disclosed are methods to limit metal or metal ion accumulation in a harvested plant tissue comprising growing the transgenic plant; and harvesting plant tissue having reduced metal or metal ion accumulation. Further disclosed herein is method of making a transgenic plant transformed with an isolated polynucleotide comprising a plant arsenate reductase coding sequence operatively linked to a plant-expressible transcription regulatory sequence.

Abstract: Methods of modulating the immune response using pharmaceutical compositions containing crystalline adjuvants are described. In various embodiments the crystalline adjuvants are selected from the group consisting of monosodium urate (MSU), xanthine, basic calcium phosphate (BCP), calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD), hydroxyapatite, calcium oxalate, cholesterol, lipid liquid, other crystalline lipids, lithium heparin, talc, and starch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of gene sequences and proteins involved in vaccinia virus dominant T cell epitopes. Two vaccinia virus CD8+ T cell epitopes restricted by the most common human MHC class I allele, HLA-A0201 have been identified. Both epitopes are highly conserved in vaccinia and variola viruses. The induction of the T cell responses following primary vaccination is demonstrated by the kinetics of epitope specific CD8+ T cells in 3 HLA-A0201 individuals. This information will be useful for the design and analyses of the immunogenicity of experimental vaccinia vaccines, and for basic studies of human T cell memory.

Abstract: Azidoaryl-substituted cyclooctene monomers and synthesized and used in the preparation of various copolymers. Among these copolymers are those prepared from ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclooctene, polyethylene glycol-substituted cyclooctene, and azidoaryl-substituted cyclooctene. These copolymers are useful in the formation of crosslinked films that reduce fouling of water purification membranes.

Abstract: A mesoporous silicate is prepared by a method that includes combining a silicate precursor, a bifunctional catalyst, and a structure-directing surfactant in an aqueous medium having a pH of about 4 to about 10. A mesoporous silicate forms as an aqueous suspension and can then be isolated. The mesoporous silicate can be formed under mild conditions of temperature and pH, and it exhibits a surprisingly high degree of network condensation.

Abstract: Techniques for providing maximal concurrency while ensuring no deadlock in a tree structure are provided. The techniques include accessing a minimum number of one or more nodes to perform an operation.

Abstract: A process is provided of introducing an RNA into a living cell to inhibit gene expression of a target gene in that cell. The process may be practiced ex vivo or in vivo. The RNA has a region with double-stranded structure. Inhibition is sequence-specific in that the nucleotide sequences of the duplex region of the RNA and of a portion of the target gene are identical. The present invention is distinguished from prior art interference in gene expression by antisense or triple-strand methods.

Abstract: A process is provided of introducing an RNA into a living cell to inhibit gene expression of a target gene in that cell. The process may be practiced ex vivo or in vivo. The RNA has a region with double-stranded structure. Inhibition is sequence-specific in that the nucleotide sequences of the duplex region of the RNA and of a portion of the target gene are identical. The present invention is distinguished from prior art interference in gene expression by antisense or triple-strand methods.

Abstract: Nanopatterned substrates can be prepared by a method that includes forming a block copolymer film on a substrate, annealing the block copolymer film, surface reconstructing the annealed block copolymer film, coating an etch-resistant layer on the surface reconstructed block copolymer film, etching the resist-coated block copolymer film to create an etched article comprising a nanopatterned substrate, and separating the etch-resistant layer and the block copolymer film from the nanopatterned substrate. The method is applicable to a wide variety of substrate materials, avoids any requirement for complicated procedures to produce long-range order in the block copolymer film, and avoids any requirement for metal functionalization of the block copolymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a transgenic plant transformed with an isolated polynucleotide comprising a plant arsenate reductase coding sequence operatively linked to a plant-expressible transcription regulatory sequence. Also disclosed are methods to limit metal or metal ion accumulation in a harvested plant tissue comprising growing the transgenic plant; and harvesting plant tissue having reduced metal or metal ion accumulation. Further disclosed herein is method of making a transgenic plant transformed with an isolated polynucleotide comprising a plant arsenate reductase coding sequence operatively linked to a plant-expressible transcription regulatory sequence.

Abstract: A novel immunogenic HIV-1 Env, particularly gp120, DNA construct is disclosed in which either the V1/V2 loop and the V4 loop, or all three variable loops, including V3, are replaced with a V3 sequence each of which is from a different viral isolate. Preferably, each replacement V3 loop is a consensus sequence of V3 of a different clade. Such constructs are useful as immunogens as each presents three independent V3 epitopes, so that the immunized subject generates a more broadly reactive neutralizing antibody response than with conventional gp120 or V3 DNA or polypeptide immunogens. Also disclosed are methods of using the DNA construct to immunize a mammal, preferably a human, particularly in a priming regiment in which the DNA immunogen is followed by administration of a V3 fusion protein boosting immunogen.

Abstract: A process is provided of introducing an RNA into a living cell to inhibit gene expression of a target gene in that cell. The process may be practiced ex vivo or in vivo. The RNA has a region with double-stranded structure. Inhibition is sequence-specific in that the nucleotide sequences of the duplex region of the RNA and of a portion of the target gene are identical. The present invention is distinguished from prior art interference in gene expression by antisense or triple-strand methods.

Abstract: The invention stems from the discovery that sFRP and fragments thereof can bind to members of the Wnt family of proteins and cause an increase in Wnt biological activity. Furthermore, fragments of sFRP that do not contain the CRD domain are shown to bind to Wnt proteins and modulate Wnt biological activity. Accordingly, the invention provides these sFRP fragments and variants of these fragments, as well as vectors and host cells containing nucleic acid sequences encoding the sFRP fragments and variants.

Abstract: The compression molded article includes an outer plastic film layer, a first plastic layer adhered to the outer plastic film layer and a second plastic layer adhered to the first plastic layer. Long fibers having a length of from 8 to 100 mm are admixed with the second plastic layer. The article is formed by compression molding.

Abstract: A film is placed over a mold cavity and molten plastic deposited thereon to form a combination of a film with molten plastic thereon. The film-molten plastic combination is then formed in said mold cavity into a molded article in the shape of the mold cavity.

Abstract: Methods of modulating the immune response using pharmaceutical compositions containing crystalline adjuvants are described. In various embodiments the crystalline adjuvants are selected from the group consisting of monosodium urate (MSU), xanthine, basic calcium phosphate (BCP), calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD), hydroxyapatite, calcium oxalate, cholesterol, lipid liquid, other crystalline lipids, lithium heparin, talc, and starch.

Abstract: A 7,916 base pair nucleic acid fragment from Bacillus megaterium is disclosed. The fragment encodes five proteins, PhaP, PhaQ, PhaR, PhaB, 09 and PhaC, shown or inferred to be involved in the biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoate materials.

Abstract: Methods for controlling expression of a gene in a living cell are disclosed. In general, the methods include contacting the 5′untranslated region (5′ UTR) of an RNA in the cell with a cell permeable, small molecule. In some embodiments of the invention, the method includes providing an aptamer that binds specifically to the cell permeable, small molecule; incorporating the aptamer into a region of a gene, which region encodes a 5′ UTR of an RNA; and contacting the cell-permeable, small molecule with a cell that contains the gene. The cell-permeable, small molecule enters the cell and binds specifically to the aptamer sequence in the 5′ UTR of RNA molecules transcribed from the gene. This binding specifically inhibits translation of the RNA molecules to which the cell permeable, small molecule is bound, thereby controlling expression of the gene.

Abstract: The compression molded article includes an outer plastic film layer, a first plastic layer adhered to the outer plastic film layer and a second plastic layer adhered to the first plastic layer. Long fibers having a length of from 8 to 100 mm are admixed with the second plastic layer. The article is formed by compression molding.