Abstract: Aromatic maleimides and methods using the same are disclosed. Polymerization of compositions which include the compounds of the invention may be activated by irradiating the composition with radiation.

Abstract: A rectifying antenna circuit for a passive RF transponder comprising a series resonant circuit of an antenna, a voltage rectifier circuit including a diode and a capacitance shunting the diode, the capacitance providing a primary voltage amplification role and the diode providing a rectification and a voltage amplification role.

Abstract: An inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis is used for the treatment, alleviation or prevention of skin disorders.

Abstract: A process for curing low-k spin-on dielectric layers based on alkyl silsesquioxane polymers by laser scanning is described wherein curing is achieved by both photothermal and photochemical mechanisms. The layers are deposited by spin deposition, dried and cured by raster scanning with a pulsed laser at energies between 0.1 and 1 Joules/cm.sup.2. Because the laser causes heating of the layer, a nitrogen jet is applied in the wake of the scanning laser beam to rapidly cool the layer and to inhibit oxidation and moisture absorption. The laser induced heating also assists in the discharge of moisture and by-products of the polymerization process. The laser operates at wavelengths between 200 and 400 nm. Insulative layers such as silicon oxide are sufficiently transparent at these so that oxide segments overlying the polymer layer do not inhibit the curing process. Implementation of the laser scanning feature is readily incorporated into an existing spin-on deposition and curing tool.

Abstract: This invention relates to a recombinant microorganism which expresses pyruvate decarboxylase, alcohol dehydrogenase, Klebsiella phospho-.beta.-glucosidase and Klebsiella (phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system) cellobiose-utilizing Enzyme II, wherein said phospho-.beta.-glucosidase and said (phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase) cellobiose-utilizing Enzyme II are heterologous to said microorganism and wherein said microorganism is capable of utilizing both hemicellulose and cellulose, including cellobiose, in the production of ethanol.

Abstract: An interconnect line on an IMD layer on a semiconductor device is formed in an interconnect hole in the IMD layer. The interconnect hole has walls and a bottom in the IMD layer. A diffusion barrier is formed on the walls and the bottom of the hole. Fill the interconnect hole with a copper metal line. Perform a CMP step to planarize the device and to remove copper above the IMD layer. Deposit a passivating metal layer on the surface of the copper metal line encapsulating the copper metal line at the top of the hole. Alternatively, a blanket deposit of a copper metal line layer covers the diffusion layer and fills the interconnect hole with a copper metal line. Perform a CMP process to planarize the device to remove copper above the IMD layer. Deposit a passivating metal layer on the surface of the copper metal line encapsulating the copper metal line at the top of the hole in a self-aligned deposition process.

Abstract: A novel use for the class of biologically active bis-heterocyclic, e.g., bis-indole alkaloid compounds, which have been named topsentins, bromotopsentins, homocarbonyltopsentins, nortopsentins, hamacanthins, bis-indole ethylamines, or dragmacidins, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, methods of producing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds are disclosed. Specifically, the novel utility pertains to the anti-neurogenic inflammatory properties exhibited by the bis-indole compounds and their analogs.

Abstract: Described are modified Noggin muteins, compositions comprising the muteins, and DNA or RNA sequences comprising coding (sense) or antisense sequences for the muteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing ulcerative colitis (UC) in a subject suspected of having inflammatory bowel disease by by obtaining a sample from the individual; contacting the sample with human histone H1, or pANCA-reactive fragment thereof, under conditions suitable to form a complex of human histone H1, or pANCA-reactive fragment thereof, and antibody to human histone H1; and detecting the presence or absence of the complex, where the presence of the complex indicates that the individual has UC. The invention also provides related methods of diagnosing a perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positive (pANCA-positive) clinical subtype of UC in a patient with UC. In addition, the invention further provides methods of determining susceptibility to UC in an individual.

Abstract: We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins and disclose methods and materials for using that procedure to regulatably initiate cell-specific apoptosis (programmed cell death) in genetically engineered cells.

Abstract: A two-phase partition system is provided for affinity separation of a composition containing a polysaccharide binding peptide from a mixture such as a fermentation broth. The peptide may be from an enzyme and lacking in polysaccharidase activity such as the binding domain of cellulase that binds to cellulose. The system contains a phase-forming oligosaccharide polymer such as a cellulose derivative to which the peptide binds with a Ka of 10.sup.3 M to 10.sup.7 M, and a phase inducing agent such as a polyethylene glycol polymer, or a salt present at sufficiently high concentration to induce phase separation. If the oligosaccharide polymer is thermoseparating, phase separation can be induced by heating. Using the system involves contacting a composition containing the peptide such as a fusion protein with the system, partitioning the composition into a phase containing the oligosaccharide polymer by binding to the polymer and recovering the polymer containing the bound composition.

Abstract: A method for treating mammals suffering from conditions associated with excess phospholipase A.sub.2 activity and/or production comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a non-antimicrobial tetracycline sufficient to inhibit excess phospholipase A.sub.2 activity and/or production is disclosed. A pharmaceutical composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relateds to a synthetic version of a gene isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis encoding an insectidical crystal protein designated CryIC, plants transformed with the gene, and the insecticidal crystal protein toxin expressed by the gene, all of which are used to control insects of the Spodoptera species as well as those of the Mamestra species.

Abstract: Dimerization and oligomerization of proteins are general biological control mechanisms that contribute to the activation of cell membrane receptors, transcription factors, vesicle fusion proteins, and other classes of intra- and extracellular proteins. We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins. In principle, any two target proteins can be induced to associate by treating the cells or organisms that harbor them with cell permeable, synthetic ligands. To illustrate the practice of this invention, we have induced: (1) the intracellular aggregation of the cytoplasmic tail of the .zeta.

Abstract: A method is provided for the improvement of implantation rates and/or pregnancy rates in a female mammal, comprising administering to a female mammal in whom pregnancy is desired an effective amount of(a) a nitric oxide synthase substrate, a nitric oxide donor, or both, optionally in combination with(b) a progestin, and,(c) optionally, in further combination with an estrogen.A method is also provided for fertility control for a female mammal, comprising administering to a female mammal in whom pregnancy is not desired and at risk for becoming pregnant an effective amount of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor in combination with an antiprogestin. Pharmaceutical compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A method for designing an integrated circuit having optical inputs and outputs includes the step of selecting an integrated circuit design which includes at least one circuit cell design for processing electric signals. The circuit cell design has a predetermined number of electric inputs and electric outputs. The integrated circuit design also includes a plurality of layers of metalization for providing electric coupling. After the electronic integrated circuit design is selected, a predetermined number of optical input devices are located on the circuit cell design in a first prearranged orientation. The predetermined number of optical input devices is no greater than the predetermined number of electric inputs to the circuit cell. Also after the electronic circuit design is selected, a predetermined number of optical output devices are located on the circuit cell design in a second prearranged orientation.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of human genetics. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect a human breast cancer predisposing gene (BRCA2), some mutant alleles of which cause susceptibility to cancer, in particular breast cancer. More specifically, the invention relates to germline mutations in the BRCA2 gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to breast cancer. The present invention further relates to somatic mutations in the BRCA2 gene in human breast cancer and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human breast cancer. Additionally, the invention relates to somatic mutations in the BRCA2 gene in other human cancers and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancers. The invention also relates to the therapy of human cancers which have a mutation in the BRCA2 gene, including gene therapy, protein replacement therapy and protein mimetics.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment and prevention of urinary incontinence in mammals, e.g., human males and females, especially nonpregnant female mammals, by administering a nitric oxide synthase substrate and/or nitric oxide donor, alone or in combination with an estrogenic agent and/or a progestational substance, with or without supplementation with an alpha-adrenergic agonist, beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent, cholinergic-receptor blocking compound or a cholinergic-receptor-stimulating drug, as well as pharmaceutical compositions useful in practicing the methods of this invention.

Abstract: Transrectal ultrasound is used for accurate planning and targeting of placement of radioactive seeds by needles into the prostate in transperineal prostate brachytherapy. The pubic arch formed by the union of the pelvic bones is a potential barrier to passage of the needles containing the radioactive seeds. An initial image of the pubic arch is also provided by transrectal ultrasound, in addition to a transverse cross-sectional image of the prostate. The initial image of the pubic arch is processed using a technique to selectively enhance the contrast of the linear features of the edge of the ultrasound image. The enhanced image is then thresholded via the use of a percentile thresholding technique and then a curve modeling the shape of the pubic arch is fitted against the thresholded, enhanced image to produce a processed image of the pubic arch. This is then overlaid with the image of the prostate and a determination made as to pubic arch interference.

Abstract: A cyclic peptide analog of somatostatin wherein a disulfide bond links the N-terminus residue and the C-terminus residue.