Abstract: We claim a therapeutic method of inducing programmed cell death comprising administering to a recipient a peptide of 10–25 amino acids, comprising the sequence: (KR)xxYxxx(F/Q)L(L/M) wherein x is any amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of an x-ray photomask by exposing a free-standing film of a radiation sensitive metal/chalcogenide to an electron beam scanned in a defined pattern so as to generate areas in the film of reduced metal content in accordance with the defined pattern, as well as novel x-ray photomasks.

Abstract: An improved integrated circuit and a related system apparatus and method. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of logic area or user logic areas; and an actively switchable network capable of selectively connecting at least one logic area with another logic area. In particular, the plurality of logic areas include an array of logic-gates or logic-blocks or custom logic which form functional blocks. The integrated circuit can provide a chip-architecture where the functional blocks are specific hardware functional blocks, hardware functional blocks that are parameterized, and/or programmable functional blocks including programmable processors.

Abstract: A device for the delivery of a shape memory securing member into a confined space, the device having an exit for the securing member and means to move the securing member through the exit, the device further including a magazine having a plurality of channels each of which can store a securing member is described. Preferably, each securing member is restrained in the device in a first configuration, and upon passing through the exit adopts a second configuration. One form of the magazine is a barrel. The barrel may be rotatable around an axis, and the channels can be disposed parallel to said axis or may lie in a helical configuration. This arrangement can be likened to a “revolver barrel” on a firearm. One advantage of the present invention in surgery is that it can store several sutures or ligature multiple placements without the need to withdraw the instrument from the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing particles and/or other undesirable components from a gas stream includes a container containing a liquid, an inlet for the gas stream permitting wetting of at least a portion of the gas stream, and an outlet from the container for cleaned gas. The inlet and/or the outlet includes condensing means for cooling desired fractions of the gas stream and/or cleaned gas. The liquid may be such as to wet the particulates, thereby retaining them in the liquid while the gas passes through the liquid to the outlet. Methods for removing particulates and/or other undesirable components from a gas stream are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for the detection of dental caries. The method comprises the steps of placing at least one probe electrode in electrical contact with a surface of a patient's tooth, placing a second electrode in electrical contact with another part of the body of the patient, passing an alternating electrical current between said probe and second electrodes, and measuring the electrical impedance between the electrodes.

Abstract: There is described a method of chemically depositing a substance. The method is of utility in the direct manufacture of integrated circuits and in the manufacture of a photomask for use in production of integrated circuits. The method involves the use of a compound which degrades into a deposit and a residue when a radiant beam (e.g. a laser beam) or a particle beam (e.g. an electron beam) is applied. The residue and any unreacted compound may be washed off the substrate to which it has been applied. Nanoscale dimensions of the deposit can be achieved. A particularly suitable organometallic compound is tetra-sec butyl diaurum difluoride.

Abstract: A method for determining the anti-microbial activity of a putative anti-microbial agent includes combining a microbially required nucleotide phosphatase, a nucleoside phosphate and the substance to be tested, and assessing the extent of degradation of the nucleoside phosphate in the presence and absence of the substance. The method thus allows the determination of the extent of inhibition of the nucleotide phosphatase by the substance. Preferably the method determines the degree of inhibition of an RNA helicase such as DbpA, which acts selectively on prokaryotic ribosomal RNA. Suitable DbpA inhibitors as well as genetic material encoding for an active form of DbpA are used.

Abstract: An oxidation and/or combustion catalyst comprising at least one metal or oxide thereof chosen from the group consisting of palladium, platinum, nickel, cobalt and iron which is in combination with zinc metal or zinc metal oxide so as to result in a catalyst having said metal or oxide thereof to zinc metal or zinc metal oxide in a molar ratio of 1:2 and the catalyst is in the form of a close admixture or alloy, the catalyst further comprising a rare earth metal oxide.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel approach to attenuating bacteria and for their use as live vaccines. The vaccines can be used in human and animal medicine.In particular, there is disclosed a method of attenuating a bacteria by mutating a gene concerned with the regulation of one or more genes concerned with expression of outer membrane proteins, particularly porin proteins.

Abstract: There is described a method of chemically depositing a substance. The method is of utility in the direct manufacture of integrated circuits and in the manufacture of a photomask for use in production of integrated circuits. The method involves the use of a compound which degrades into a deposit and a residue when a radiant beam (e.g., a laser beam) or a particle beam (e.g., an electron beam) is applied. The residue and any unreacted compound may be washed off the substrate to which it has been applied. Nanoscale dimensions of the deposit can be achieved. A particularly suitable organometallic compound is tetra-sec butyl diaurum difluoride.

Abstract: As replacements for chlorofluorcarbons, hydro(chloro)fluorocarbons are synthesized by hydrogenating chlorofluorocarbons over a Pd/ZnO/.gamma.--Al.sub.2 O3 catalyst. The ZnO is partially reduced before use and assists the Pd to function catalytically for days instead of hours despite the evolution of halogen.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel approach to attenuating bacteria and for their use as live vaccines. The vaccines can be used in human and animal medicine.In particular, there is disclosed a method of attenuating a bacteria by mutating a gene concerned with the regulation of one or more genes concerned with expression of outer membrane proteins, particularly porin proteins.