Abstract: Two methods and corresponding electrode designs are provided for the generation of a plasma, for example, at or about one atmosphere. Using these methods, various webs, films and three-dimensional objects are beneficially treated in a reduced amount of time. A first method utilizes a repetitive, asymmetric voltage pulse to generate a plasma discharge between two electrodes. An asymmetric voltage pulse is used to generate a discharge in which a substrate can be exposed predominately to either positive or negative plasma species depending on the voltage polarity used. A second method uses the gap capacitance of an electrode pair and an external inductor in shunt to form a resonant LC circuit. The circuit is driven by a high power radio frequency source operating at 1 to 30 MHz to generate a uniform discharge between the electrode pair. Both methods have temperature controlled discharge surfaces with supply gas temperature, humidity and flow rate control.

Abstract: Provided are streptolysin S (SLS) polypeptides, peptides, and variants thereof, antibodies directed thereto, and isolated nucleic acids encoding such proteins. In one embodiment, a method is provided wherein a synthetic peptide of SLS is used to elicit an immune response specific for SLS in a subject to treat or prevent a streptococcal infection. In other embodiments, antibodies that neutralize the hemolytic activity of the SLS toxin may be used as a vaccinating agent.

Abstract: This invention provides the chemoprevention of prostate cancer and, more particularly, to a method of preventing prostate carcinogenesis comprising the steps of administering to a human subject having a precancerous precursor of prostate adenocarcinoma, a pharmaceutical preparation comprising a chemopreventive agent to prevent, prevent recurrence of, suppress or inhibit prostate carcinogenesis. The present invention provides a safe and effective method for suppressing or inhibiting latent prostate cancer and is particularly useful for treating subjects having elevated risk of developing prostate cancer, for example, those having benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), or an abnormally high level of circulating prostate specific antibody (PSA), or who have a family history of prostate cancer.

Abstract: This invention provides the chemoprevention of prostate cancer and, more particularly, to a method of preventing prostate carcinogenesis comprising the steps of administering to a human subject having a precancerous precursor of prostate adenocarcinoma, a pharmaceutical preparation comprising a chemopreventive agent to prevent, prevent recurrence of, suppress or inhibit prostate carcinogenesis. The present invention provides a safe and effective method for suppressing or inhibiting latent prostate cancer and is particularly useful for treating subjects having elevated risk of developing prostate cancer, for example, those having benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), or an abnormally high level of circulating prostate specific antibody (PSA), or who have a family history of prostate cancer.

Abstract: This invention provides the chemoprevention of prostate cancer and, more particularly, to a method of preventing prostate carcinogenesis comprising the steps of administering to a human subject having a precancerous precursor of prostate adenocarcinoma, a pharmaceutical preparation comprising a chemopreventive agent to prevent, prevent recurrence of, suppress or inhibit prostate carcinogenesis. The present invention provides a safe and effective method for suppressing or inhibiting latent prostate cancer and is particularly useful for treating subjects having elevated risk of developing prostate cancer, for example, those having benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), or an abnormally high level of circulating prostate specific antibody (PSA), or who have a family history of prostate cancer.

Abstract: This invention provides the chemoprevention of prostate cancer and, more particularly, to a method of preventing prostate carcinogenesis comprising the steps of administering to a human subject having a precancerous precursor of prostate adenocarcinoma, a pharmaceutical preparation comprising a chemopreventive agent to prevent, prevent recurrence of, suppress or inhibit prostate carcinogenesis. The present invention provides a safe and effective method for suppressing or inhibiting latent prostate cancer and is particularly useful for treating subjects having elevated risk of developing prostate cancer, for example, those having benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), or an abnormally high level of circulating prostate specific antibody (PSA), or who have a family history of prostate cancer.

Abstract: An OAUGD plasma is generated using, for example, paraelectric or peristaltic electrohydrodynamic (EHD) techniques, in the plasma generator of a remote-exposure reactor, wherein one or more active species, especially oxidizing species in the plasma are convected away from the plasma-generation region and directed towards a workpiece that is located outside of the plasma-generation region (e.g., within an optional remote-exposure chamber configured to the plasma generator). In this way, the workpiece can be subjected to the one or more active species without directly being subjected to either the plasma or to the electric fields used to generate the plasma. The plasma generator may have a set of flat panels arranged within an air baffle to convect the active species in a serpentine manner through the plasma generator.

Abstract: A process and system for obtaining a thickness swell measurement of a wood composite material sample. The process includes placing a measurement pattern on an edge of a wood composite material sample, the measurement pattern including layers having a thickness; measuring the thickness of at least one of the layers of the measurement pattern prior to exposing the wood composite material sample to a thickness swell-inducing condition; exposing the wood composite material sample to a thickness swell-inducing condition; and re-measuring the thickness of the at least one layer after exposing the wood composite material sample to a thickness swell-inducing condition to thereby obtain a thickness swell measurement for the wood composite material sample. Representative wood composite materials include medium density fiberboard (MDF), oriented strandboard (OSB) and particle board.

Abstract: Terminal differentiation is associated with repression in the expression of the P2P subset of hnRNP proteins. The present invention provides a P2P cDNA that encodes proteins with domains for hnRNP association and Rb1 binding. Probes to the P2P cDNA detect a single 8 kb mRNA in multiple murine tissues, in proliferating murine 3T3 cells but not in terminally differentiated 3T3T adipocytes. The interaction of P2P cDNA products and Rb1 may serve to modulate cell proliferation and/or other biological functions associated with tumor suppression by an RNA processing mechanism. Moreover, it was shown that P2P antisense oligonucleotides selectively repressed 30-40 kDa P2P expression.

Abstract: A stable aqueous dispersion which comprises a cationic lipid which is a molecule which comprises a cholesterol-derived lipophilic group, a linker bond which is hydrolyzable by cellular enzymes and relatively resistant to base-catalyzed hydrolysis, a spacer arm and a cationic amino group, and an appropriate co-lipid. The invention also includes the cationic lipids and mammalian plasmid DNA or other cells in admixture with the aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: Terminal differentiation is associated with repression in the expression of the P2P subset of hnRNP proteins. The 5173 base pair P2P cDNA was cloned and characterized. The cDNA contains a 4214 base pair open reading frame. Probes to the P2P cDNA detect a single 8 kb mRNA in multiple murine tissues, in proliferating murine 3T3T cells but not in terminally differentiated 3T3T adipocytes. Evidence that the P2P cDNA can encode proteins with domains for hnRNP association was established by showing that the C130 monoclonal antibody, produced against a fusion protein derived from the P2P cDNA, selectively detects native P2P hnRNP proteins. In addition, it was shown that P2P antisense oligonucleotides selectively repressed 30-40 kDa P2P expression. Since terminal differentiation is also associated with modulation in Rb1 function, assays were performed which demonstrated that P2P cDNA products interact with Rb1.

Abstract: A cage for housing animals, particularly for dangerous animals like venomous snakes, is disclosed. The cage has at least two compartments, one of which is an externally sealable drawer that can be removed from the cage by sliding it from the other component, thus permitting removal of the animal from the cage without handling the animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for measuring loads applied to a platform, wherein the accuracy of the measurements is not adversely affected by any moments or torques resulting from the application of the load to the platform. The present invention is particularly suitable to platforms used to measure large loads and braking capability of trucks at weigh stations located along interstate highways.

Abstract: Biologically active sultams are disclosed which have potent anti-HIV activity. A combinational method of synthesis, which uses a solid support and variants thereof, are described. Biological compositions and method of treating mammals for viral infections with compositions comprising the sultams of the invention, especially HIV are described.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a method of calculating the total laser energy needed to produce one or more selected laser induced surface modification reactions in a substrate moving relative to a laser beam. The present invention is further directed to a method for programming a programmable feedback control system with the calculated total laser energy such that the control system may be used to control laser beam power level and beam width in a process for producing a laser induced surface modification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for transporting and imaging a textile material. In particular, the present invention is directed toward a system comprising a motorized conveyor capable of moving a sheet of textile material around the far outer surface of an upper rod such that the portion of the textile material extending around the far outer surface of the upper rod can be imaged by a camera.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for enhancing the wear resistance of an iron engine cylinder bore comprising laser alloying of the cylinder bore with selected precursors and honing the cylinder bore to a preselected dimension. The present invention is particularly well suited for enhancing the resistance to wear caused by the corrosion caused by automotive ethanol fuel. The present invention is also directed toward an improved automotive engine comprising alloyed cylinder bores with enhanced wear resistance characteristics.

Abstract: A stable aqueous dispersion which comprises a cationic lipid which is a molecule which comprises a cholesterol-derived lipophilic group, a linker bond which is hydrolyzable by cellular enzymes and relatively resistant to base-catalyzed hydrolysis, a spacer arm and a cationic amino group, and an appropriate co-lipid. The invention also includes the cationic lipids and mammalian plasmid DNA or other cells in admixture with the aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: A method to inhibit the function of a class of bacterial periplasmic oxidoreductase enzymes, exemplified by TcpG of Vibrio cholerae, DsbA of E. coli, and Por of Haemophilus influenzae, is disclosed. A screening method to determine whether a chemical inhibits the function of the oxidoreductase enzymes is disclosed. Mutant bacteria lacking the ability to produce a functional periplasmic oxidoreductase and a cloned expression vector overproducing TcpG are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a method for enhancing the wear resistance of an aluminum cylinder bore comprising laser alloying of the cylinder bore with selected precursors. The present invention is particularly well suited for enhancing the wear resistance caused by corrosion in an aluminum block engine comprising aluminum cylinder bores.