Abstract: An improved cochlear implant and method of stimulating are disclosed. The method comprises stimulating an electrode array using a set of current stimuli having different geometries, so as to provide a more regular and monotonic set of pitch percepts for a user. In one embodiment, this may be achieved by combining different modes of stimulation for a patient, so that some channels utilise one mode and other channels utilise one or more different modes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the direct catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction of aldehydes with donor molecules selected from ketones and nitroalkyl compounds. The reactions employ as catalyst a Group 2A or Group 2B metal complex of a ligand of formula I, as defined further herein.

Abstract: A method of forming an injection molded epidermal abrasion device includes depositing mold material on an epidermal abrasion device. The epidermal abrasion device is separated from the mold material to yield a mold. An epidermal abrasion device is then formed within the mold. The epidermal abrasion device may include a matrix of isotropically etched structures having isotropically etched sidewalls positioned between wide bases and narrow tips, each isotropically etched structure having a vertical height of at least 20 &mgr;m. The matrix of isotropically etched structures may define a matrix of pyramids.

Abstract: The present invention discloses three human DNA repair proteins and DNA (RNA) encoding such proteins and a procedure for producing such proteins by recombinant techniques. One of the human DNA repair proteins, hMLH1, has been mapped to chromosome 3 while hMLH2 has been mapped to chromosome 2 and hMLH3 has been mapped to chromosome 7. The polynucleotide sequences of the DNA repair proteins may be used for therapeutic and diagnostic treatments of a hereditary susceptibility to cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are human mitogen-activated (MAP) kinase kinase isoforms (MKKs). MKKs mediate unique signal transduction pathways that activate human MAP kinases p38 and JNK, which result in activation of other factors, including activating transcription factor-2 (ATF2) and c-Jun. The pathways are activated by a number of factors, including cytokines and environmental stress. Methods are provided for identifying reagents that modulate MKK function or activity and for the use of such reagents in the treatment of MKK-mediated disorders.

Abstract: Methods of reducing cystine containing animal and plant proteins, and improving dough and baked goods' characteristics is provided which includes the steps of mixing dough ingredients with a thiol redox protein to form a dough and baking the dough to form a baked good. The method of the present invention preferably uses reduced thioredoxin with wheat flour which imparts a stronger dough and higher loaf volumes. Methods for reducing snake, bee and scorpion toxin proteins with a thiol redox (SH) agent and thereby inactivating the protein or detoxifying the protein in an individual are also provided. Protease inhibitors, including the, Kunitz and Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitors of soybean, were also reduced by the NADP/thioredoxin system (NADPH, thioredoxin, and NADP-thioredoxin reductase) from either E. coli or wheat germ. When reduced by thioredoxin, the Kunitz and Bowman-Birk soybean trypsin inhibitors lose their ability to inhibit trypsin.

Abstract: Derivatives of sphingolipids of the formula: are provided wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification and wherein there is at least one R2 substituent in the sphingolipid derivative. The compounds are useful in the treatment of of abnormal cell proliferation, including benign and malignant tumors, the promotion of cell differentiation, the induction of apoptosis, the inhibition of protein kinase C, and the treatment of inflammatory conditions, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease as well as proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the course of development of plaques in vascular tissue. The invention also includes a method for triggering the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria that includes administering an effective amount of a sphingolipid or its derivative or prodrug to a host in need thereof.

Abstract: Compositions of pro-IFG-I E-peptides for the treatment and amelioration of tumor-producing diseases, and methods for their utilization.

Abstract: Disclosed is an Environmentally Limited Viability System (ELVS) for microorganisms based on differences between permissive and non-permissive environments. Viability of the microorganisms are limited to a permissive environment by specifically expressing one or more essential genes only in the permissive environment, and/or expressing one or more lethal genes only in the non-permissive environment. Temporary viability in a non-permissive environment can be achieved by temporarily expressing one or more essential genes in a non-permissive environment, and/or temporarily delaying expression of one or more lethal genes in the non-permissive environment. Environmentally Limited Viability Systems are also disclosed involving coordinate expression of a combination of essential genes and lethal genes. Microorganisms containing an Environmentally Limited Viability System are useful for release into permissive and non-permissive environments.

Abstract: A ferroelectric cell, particularly one integrated on a silicon substrate, comprising an amorphous barrier layer interposed between the ferroelectric stack and the silicon. Preferably, the ferroelectric stack includes conductive metal oxide electrodes sandwiching the ferroelectric layer. The metal oxide may act as a templating layer to crystallographically orient the ferroelectric layer. Alternatively, the electrodes and ferroelectric layer may be polycrystalline. The amorphous barrier layer may be composed of an intermetallic alloy, such as Ti3Al, a metal-metalloid, such as Pd—Si, a combination of early and later transition metals, such as Ti—Ni, and other related compound metal systems, such as (Ti, Zr)—Be, that form amorphous metals.

Abstract: The present invention provides bicyclic metabotropic glutamate receptor ligands, as well as compositions comprising such ligands, and and methods for their use.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid sequences which regulate expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest. In particular, the invention provides nucleic acid sequences which regulate expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in an age-related manner and/or in a liver-specific manner. The invention further provides methods of using the regulatory nucleic acid sequences provided herein for age-related and/or liver-specific expression of nucleotides sequences of interest. The invention also provides host cells and transgenic non-human animals which harbor the regulatory nucleic acid sequences of the invention. The compositions and methods of the invention are useful in regulating expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in an age-related and/or liver-specific manner.

Abstract: A DC—DC power converter includes input terminals and a rectifier circuit. An additional circuit is connected to the input terminals and the rectifier. The latter circuit is adapted to generate a varying voltage at output terminals of the rectifier that varies in amplitude from a maximum voltage value to a non-zero voltage value between the maximum voltage value and zero.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for pre-selecting pixels in data structures which demonstrate significant intensity and/or color gradients with respect to surrounding pixels, (tyically the result of depicted-object-edge-effects in the data structure), in “X” and/or “Y” and/or “Z” direction(s), and utilizing the pre-selected pixels in data structure characterizing spatial first and second central moment calculations, to the end that data structure characterizing vector(s) are constructed.

Abstract: Amplitude and phase relative to an interferometrically established phase of ultrashort replica pulses (15) utilizes spectral phase interforemetry for direct electric field reconstruction by frequency shifting chirp replica pulses (16) of an optical pulse to be measured. The replicas of the pulses, relatively delayed in time, are generated by an interferometer (12).

Abstract: An endotracheal tube has a proximal end and a distal end and includes a tracheal portion having an opening at the proximal end and a bronchial portion attached at an angle to the tracheal portion. The bronchial portion has an opening at the distal end of the endotracheal tube. A balloon is positioned within the endotracheal tube that blocks the flow of a gas through the bronchial portion of the endotracheal tube when inflated. The endotracheal tube has an opening between the proximal end and the balloon. The opening is positioned to allow ventilation of the lung opposite the lung into which the bronchial portion is adapted to extend into. The endotracheal tube may include a carinal seating mechanism which may be located near the junction between the tracheal portion and the bronchial portion of the endotracheal tube. The endotracheal tube further may also include an inflatable bronchial extension tube.

Abstract: A giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor is formed using a self organizing diblock copolymer as an etching mask. The diblock copolymer is deposited over a magnetic layer and is self organized into regions of two discrete thicknesses; higher thickness island regions separated by lower thickness valley regions. After the diblock layer is self organized, an etching of process is performed to remove the polymer material from the valley regions as well as the underlying magnetic material. After etching, a patterned magnetic thin film of submicron islands of magnetic material, preferably having a diameter in the single domain range, remain under the mesa region. The islands are interconnected by a non-magnetic, conductive layer with electrical contacts coupled thereto to complete the GMR sensor. When the sensor is not subjected to a magnetic field, the magnetic alignment of the islands is random, and electron scattering results in a high resistance state.

Abstract: A fourth cold shock protein of the Escherichia coli CspA family is disclosed, as are the regulatory elements of the 5′ UTR of the corresponding gene. The cspI gene is located at 35.2 min on the E. coli chromosome map, and CspI shows 70, 70, and 79% identity of CspA, CspB, and CspG, respectively. The 5′-untranslated region of the cspI mRNA consists of 145 bases and causes a negative effect on cspI expression at 37° C. The cspI mRNA was very unstable at 37° C. but was stabilized upon cold shock. The 5′ UTR of cspI can enhance the translation of cold shock inducible genes under conditions that elicit a cold shock response in bacteria.

Abstract: The invention provides cell lines which are useful for the rapid detection and production of influenza and parainfluenza viruses. In particular, the invention relates to transgenic mink lung cells which show increased sensitivity to infection by influenza A, influenza B, or parainfluenza 3 viruses, or which are capable of enhanced productivity of infectious virions. The invention is suitable for use in culturing clinical influenza and parainfluenza virus isolates and for the production of influenza and parainfluenza virus for vaccine formulations, as antigen preparations for diagnostic applications, and for screening antiviral drugs.

Abstract: The present invention provides basic ionic contrast agents that have anticoagulant activity. The contrast media incorporate a lysine or arginine group or derivative, and have a free amino or guanidino group. Methods of using the contrast media are also disclosed.