Abstract: Partial peptide mimetics and methods of making and using, wherein the partial peptide mimetics have a first amino acid sequence comprising ANIKLSVQMKL (SEQ ID NO: 8), a homolog thereof, or a segment of SEQ ID NO: 8 or a homolog thereof, a second amino acid sequence comprising IIVKLND (SEQ ID NO: 2), a homolog thereof, or a segment of SEQ ID NO: 2 or a homolog thereof, and a &bgr;-turn inducing scaffold bonded between the first and second amino acid sequences.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated gene encoding Mch4 or an isolated gene encoding Mch5 as well as functional fragments thereof. Also provided are isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding Mch4 or Mch5 or functional fragment thereof. The gene or nucleic acid sequences can be single or double stranded nucleic acids corresponding to coding or non-coding strands of the Mch4 or Mch5 nucleotide sequences. Also provided are genes and nucleic acids encoding functional fragments such as the FADD-like domains Mch4A, Mch4B, Mch5A and Mch5B. Isolated Mch4 or Mch5 polypeptides or functional fragments thereof including the FADD-like domains Mch4A, Mch4B, Mch5A and Mch5B are also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a catalyst for the production of synthesis gas, the catalyst comprising a) from about 0.1 to about 1.3% by weight of nickel that is supported on modified support, and b) a promoting agent. The catalyst can also comprise a dispersing agent. In another aspect, the invention provides a process for preparing the catalyst above, and a process for the catalytic partial oxidation of methane using the same catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are siHybrids used for gene silencing. An siHybrid is a short double-stranded molecule comprised of one strand of DNA and one strand of RNA, annealed together, with a 2-base overhang at each 3′ end. In addition to DNA and RNA, it may contain PNA or other nucleic acid analogs. siHybrids can silence a gene with greater magnitude and duration than siRNA and they can also silence bacterial genes, which siRNA cannot. siHybrids are ideal candidates for pharmaceutical and therapeutic agents for treating diseases caused by an over-expressed gene or a cancerous gene. They also can be used as antibiotics when targeted to a vital and unique bacterial gene. siHybrids can be used as antivirus agents, fungicides, herbicides or pesticides. An appropriate siHybrid can be designed to silence any gene in any cell of any organism.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject having cancer, particularly a multidrug resistance cancer, which comprises administering to the subject at least one chemotherapeutic agent and at least one 3-aryloxy-3-phenylpropylamine and pharmaceutical compositions and kits for implementing the method.

Abstract: A device and method for separating water into hydrogen and oxygen is disclosed. A first substantially gas impervious solid electron-conducting membrane for selectively passing hydrogen is provided and spaced from a second substantially gas impervious solid electron-conducting membrane for selectively passing oxygen. When steam is passed between the two membranes at disassociation temperatures the hydrogen from the disassociation of steam selectively and continuously passes through the first membrane and oxygen selectively and continuously passes through the second membrane, thereby continuously driving the disassociation of steam producing hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A high life cycle MEMS device is provided by the invention. The inventors have recognized that the cantilever or cantilevers of an MEMS shunt switch are a failure point in need of improvement. In an aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the signals in the grounded state of an MEMS shunt switch are bypassed to ground on a path that avoids the cantilever(s) supporting the movable pad. In a preferred embodiment, ground posts are disposed to contact the movable pad in an actuated position and establish a signal path from a signal line to ground. The inventors have also recognized that a shape of cantilevers near their anchor point contributes to failures. In another preferred aspect of the invention, an anchoring portion of the cantilever or cantilevers is generally coplanar with the remaining portion of the cantilever(s). An additional post beneath the anchoring portion of the cantilever(s) permits cantilever(s) lacking any turns that form a weak structural point.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using binary searches for variable length network address prefix lookups are disclosed. Variable length prefixes are stored in a network address forwarding table. Each prefix corresponds to an entry in the forwarding table. The entries correspond to nodes in a binary tree. Each entry in the forwarding table includes path information regarding parent nodes of each entry in the binary tree. When a lookup is performed in the routing table, bits in the path information are used to determine the longest parent node prefix that matches the address being searched. The longest parent node prefix corresponds to the longest matching prefix.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to Activity Dependent Neurotrophic Factor III (ADNF III), also known as Activity Dependent Neuroprotective Protein (ADNP). More particularly, the present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding ADNF III polypeptides; ADNF III polypeptides encoded by such nucleic acid sequences; antibodies to ADNF III polypeptides; and methods of using such ADNF III polypeptides for the treatment of neurological deficiencies and for the prevention of cell death associated with (1) gp120, the envelope protein from HIV; (2) N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (excito-toxicity); (3) tetrodotoxin (blockage of electrical activity); and (4) &bgr;-amyloid peptide, a substance related to neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays for identifying the levels of both protease sensitive and protease resistant conformers of PrPSc in a sample. In a preferred embodiment, the assay comprises determining levels of total PrPSc in a sample, subjecting the PrPSc fraction to treatment with a protease that selectively hydrolyzes the protease sensitive PrPSc (sPrPSc) conformers, and quantifying the levels of sPrPSc in the sample. The ability to detect sPrPSc allows early detection of prions, since the PrPSc in easily accessible biological samples such as blood is predominantly sPrPSc. The ratio of sPrPSc to rPrPSc also allows the identification of a particular prion strain in an infected sample.

Abstract: Novel synthases and the corresponding nucleic acids encoding such synthases are disclosed herein. Such synthases possess an active site pocket that includes key amino acid residues that are modified to generate desired terpenoid reaction intermediates and products. Synthase modifications are designed based on, e.g., the three-dimensional coordinates of tobacco 5-epi-aristolochene synthase. with or without a substrate bound in the active site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the inhibition, of the gene product of the neu oncogene, p185neu tyrosine kinase. Over-expression of the neu oncogene leads to chemoresistance. The methods disclosed involve the novel use of E1A and/or LT in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs to treat carcinoma. Furthermore, E1A surprisingly potentiates the antineoplastic effects of the chemotherapeutic agents. The inventors propose that E1A sensitizes cancer cells such that they become amenable to treatment by chemotherapeutic drugs.

Abstract: A strategy for immunizing against amyloid plaques using display technology. The strategy includes methods, agents, and pharmaceutical compositions for vaccination against plaque forming diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) that rely upon presentation of an antigen or epitope on a display vehicle. The strategy further includes methods, agents, and pharmaceutical compositions for vaccination against plaque forming diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) that rely upon presentation of an antibody, or an active portion thereof, on a display vehicle. Whether antigens or antibodies are employed, desegregation of plaques results from the immunization.

Abstract: A method of use for holographic optical traps or gradients in which repetitive cycling of a small number of appropriately designed arrays of traps are used for general and very complex manipulations of particles and volumes of matter. Material transport results from a process resembling peristaltic pumping, with the sequence of holographically-defined trapping or holding manifolds resembling the states of a physical peristaltic pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for the identification of antigens recognized by cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) and specific for human tumors, cancers, and infected cells, and the use of such antigens in immunogenic compositions or vaccines to induce regression of tumors, cancers, or infections in mammals, including humans. The invention encompasses methods for induction and isolation of cytotoxic T cells specific for human tumors, cancers and infected cells, and for improved selection of genes that encode the target antigens recognized by these specific T cells. The invention also relates to differential display methods that improve resolution of, and that reduce the frequency of false positives of DNA fragments that are differentially expressed in tumorous, cancerous, or infected tissues versus normal tissues. The invention further relates to the engineering of recombinant viruses as expression vectors for tumor, cancer, or infected cell-specific antigens.

Abstract: Fluid current induced vibrations, as well as vortex shedding vibrations induced in a cable stay or a similar elongated, cylindrical element are dampened and substantially eliminated by applying a plurality of flexible active or passive damper bands to the cable at spaced intervals. In underwater currents, the damper bands force or channel the fluid flow over a circular cross-sectional shape, which inhibits lift, and therefore damps the cable stay oscillations. These damper bands can be retrofit to existing cables or can be installed on new cables. Each damper band may include a shiftable mass and an energizing device for facilitating assisted shifting of the mass. A control assembly can actuate all or selected ones of the energizing devices in response to sensed magnitudes of cable stay vibration.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide (JNK) characterized by having a molecular weight of 46 kD as determined by reducing SDS-PAGE, having serine and threonine kinase activity, phosphorylating the c-Jun N-terminal activation domain and polynucleotide sequences and method of detection of JNK are provided herein. JNK phosphorylates c-Jun N-terminal activation domain which affects gene expression from AP-1 sites.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing the density of sites on the surface of fused silica optics that are prone to the initiation of laser-induced damage, resulting in optics which have far fewer catastrophic defects and are better capable of resisting optical deterioration upon exposure for a long period of time to a high-power laser beam having a wavelength of about 360 nm or less. The initiation of laser-induced damage is reduced by conditioning the optic at low fluences below levels that normally lead to catastrophic growth of damage. When the optic is then irradiated at its high fluence design limit, the concentration of catastrophic damage sites that form on the surface of the optic is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A magnetic element having an improved MR rate. The magnetic element 1 is made up of plural layered films of different compositions and exhibits a magneto-resistance effect that the magneto-resistance value is changed on application of a magnetic field. The magnetic element 1 includes a recess 11 for transmitting the current along the layering direction of the layered films. The current flows through the portion of the magnetic element 1 not having the recess 11 so as to have a component along the film layering direction A, with the result that electrons taking part in current conduction may be propagated as the electrons traverse the boundary surfaces of the plural layered films.

Abstract: Surface applied passive devices for use on electronic circuit boards are formed by applying layers of conductive, insulating, and other material to a thin polymer film carrier. The surface applied passives are thin enough to fit underneath standard integrated circuit packages in order to conserve space on the circuit board. Resistors, capacitors, inductors and other passive circuits may be formed on thin polymer films, less than 8 mils thick. This significantly aids in conserving space on an electronic circuit board.