Abstract: An improved method for magnetic resonance imaging of a sample includes the following steps: producing a magnetic field to orient the magnetic dipoles of a sample along the z axis of an x,y,z Cartesian coordinate system; applying a first radio frequency (rf) pulse along a different axis, near the resonance frequency of the magnetic dipoles (for example, the hydrogen atoms in water); applying a gradient pulse for a time tg in order to modulate the magnetization along a preferred axis in space (for example, the z axis); allowing the magnetization to evolve for a time \zq, during which time the local variations in the susceptibility affect the excited spins; applying a second radio frequency pulse near the resonance frequency of the magnetic dipoles; allowing the sample to evolve for a second time interval TE to create observable magnetization; then detecting this magnetization, using gradients to spatially resolve the signal.
Abstract: Thin oxide films are deposited on substrates by metal-organic molecular beam epitaxy (MOMBE) and can be incorporated into a variety of composite materials. The composites/films are characterized by a combination of transmission electron microscopy, Auger spectrometry and atomic force microscopy. Analyzes indicate that the films directly deposited on substrates are stoichiometric and phase-pure. Carbon contamination of the films resulting from precursor decomposition was not observed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 29, 2000
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2003
Assignee:
Northwestern University
Inventors:
Bruce W. Wessels, Brent H. Hoerman, Feng Niu
Abstract: Tyrosylprotein sulfotransferases and nucleic acids encoding the tyrosyiprotein sulfotransferases are described. Dual isotopes of the enzyme and of the nucleic acids encoding said enzymes have been identified in human, mouse and C. elegans. The polypeptides and polynucleotides exhibit a wide range of homologies. The polynucleotides can be used to transform or transfect host cells for producing substantially pure forms of the enzyme, or for use in an expression system for post-translational tyrosine sulfation of proteins or peptides produced within the expression system. The enzymes can be used to sulfate peptides or proteins requiring sulfation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 16, 2001
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2003
Assignee:
The Board of Regsnts of the University of Oklahoma
Abstract: Methods for identifying and monitoring increased or decreased levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase in biological samples are provided. A collection device for detecting inducible nitric oxide synthase in biological samples is also provided. Detection of inducible nitric oxide synthase is useful in the diagnosis of inflammatory responses such as infections mediated by bacteria, yeast or viruses, transplant rejection, rheumatoid arthritis, interstitial cystitis and cancer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 14, 1998
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2003
Assignee:
Yale University
Inventors:
Robert M. Weiss, William C. Sessa, Marcia A. Wheeler, Shannon D. Smith
Abstract: Any of inorganic and bio-organic substances and molecules, and beads, pucks and like small things, that are both (i) electrically charged to a first polarity, and (ii) immersed in a fluid transport medium within (iii) an electrochemical cell, are assembled and patterned by action of moving these inorganic and bio-organic substances and molecules, etc. to a patterned electrode having an opposite, second, polarity under force of an applied electric field. The electrode patterned with conductive areas may be further, separately, patterned with chemicals, for example agarose gel, that chemically accept or reject the substances and molecules, etc., especially as are biological in origin. Living cells of plant, bacterial and animal types may be assembled. A semiconductor electrode may be patterned by masked laser light passed through the other electrode, which is transparent.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 1, 2000
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2003
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California
Abstract: The present invention provides a human gene sequence that encodes the CDDP-1 polypeptide, which is involved in cell differentiation, in particular differentiation of undifferentiated progenitor cells into neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, mast cells, and/or erythroid cells. Assays for detecting CDDP-1 expression, vectors that express CDDP-1, methods for using CDDP-1 to induce or promote cell differentiation, and transgenic animals deficient in one or both CDDP-1 alleles are described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 11, 2001
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2003
Assignee:
Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
Abstract: A method of producing synthetic fuels by hydrogenating carbon monoxide comprising contacting a feed gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen with a metal sulfide catalyst comprising:
(1) at least one element selected from the group consisting of Rh, Pd, Pt, and Hf; and optionally
(2) solid acid.
Abstract: A catheter for intravascular corporeal cooling comprises an elongated tubular member having at least one lumen extending therethrough for providing cooled blood, an inflatable annular balloon positioned on the outer surface of the elongated tubular member, and a pressure reliever positioned in the external wall of the elongated tubular member and proximal to the annular inflatable balloon, wherein when the pressure of blood within a lumen reaches a predetermined value, the pressure reliever opens to permit fluid to be released from the elongated tubular member. In other embodiments of the invention the catheter may have two or more inflatable annular balloons that are separately inflatable and/or the catheter has an insulative outer annular member.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 26, 2001
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2003
Assignee:
The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New
York
Abstract: An inductive algorithm, denominated STALKER, generating high accuracy extraction rules based on user-labeled training examples. With the tremendous amount of information that becomes available on the Web on a daily basis, the ability to quickly develop information agents has become a crucial problem. A vital component of any Web-based information agent is a set of wrappers that can extract the relevant data from semistructured information sources. The novel approach to wrapped induction provided herein is based on the idea of hierarchical information extraction, which turns the hard problem of extracting data from an arbitrarily complex document into a series of easier extraction tasks.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 2, 2000
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2003
Assignee:
University of Southern California
Inventors:
Ion Muslea, Steven Minton, Craig A. Knoblock
Abstract: Provided are oligonucleotides for the quantitation of BK virus (BKV) viral loads in a sample and methods for the diagnosis and management of BKV-associated nephropathy using PCR or QPCR methods. In addition, a PCR method for quantitating the BKV viral load in urine, serum and tissue using the described nucleic acid primers is also disclosed. Furthermore, a method for the management of BKV-associated nephropathy in renal transplant recipients using cidofovir is disclosed. Lastly, a kit is provided containing the described PCR for use in diagnosing and managing BKV-associated nephropathy.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 10, 2002
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2003
Assignee:
University of Pittsburgh-of the Commonwealth System of Higher
Education
Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula(I):
X—L—X1 (I)
wherein X, L, and X1 have any of the meanings defined in the specification; as well a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I; intermediates and methods useful for preparing a compound of formula I; and therapeutic methods for treating drug addiction, Parkinson's disease, depression, or a disease wherein the administration of cocaine is indicated, comprising administering a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a mammal in need of such treatment.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 30, 2002
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2003
Assignee:
Georgetown University
Inventors:
Alan P. Kozikowski, Gian Luca Araldi, Amir P. Tamiz
Abstract: An improved method for forming films of organic-metallic complexes in which an organic complex and a labile metal salt are vaporised together or sequentially and the vapour condensed on to a substrate to form a film or layer of the organic-metallic complex on the substrate. The method produces electroluminescent films with improved performance.
Abstract: The present invention provides mice that have had their PTP-1B genes disrupted by targeted homologous recombination. The mice have no detectable PTP-1B protein, yet appear to be physiologically normal. However, in the fed state on a normal diet, the mice have half the level of circulating insulin as their wild-type littermates. In glucose and insulin tolerance tests, the mice show an increased insulin sensitivity. When fed a high fat, high carbohydrate diet, the mice show a resistance to weight gain as compared to their wild-type littermates. Methods making the mice and cell lines derived from the mice are also provided. The present invention also provides methods of identifying inhibitors of the enzymatic activity of PTP-1B as well as inhibitors identified by such methods.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 23, 2001
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2003
Assignees:
Merck & Co., Inc., McGill University
Inventors:
Brian Kennedy, Paul Payette, Michael Gresser, Chidambaram Ramachandran, Michel Tremblay, Mounib Elchebly
Abstract: A method is provided for joining a microchip device to a capillary tube. The microchip device has a capillary channel opening onto an edge surface of the device. A short hole is drilled into the edge surface, aligned with the capillary channel. The drilling is done with a flat bottom, preferably by a two-step drilling process. Then, the end of the capillary can be inserted into the hole so that its end is substantially flush with the flat bottom of the hole, thereby eliminating dead volume. Testing has shown that this connection provides very little band broadening of samples transported through the capillary channel into the capillary tube. The tip of the capillary tube can be tapered, so that it is suitable for use as an electrospray source for a mass spectrometer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 9, 1998
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2003
Assignee:
The Governors of the University of Alberta
Inventors:
Cameron Skinner, Thompson Tang, D. Jed Harrison, Nicolas Bings, Can Wang, Gregor Ocvirk, Jianjun Li, Pierre Thibault
Abstract: A deformable, shrinkable fiber that is dimensionally stable at normal body temperatures of approximately 37° C. in the dry state, but is dimensionally unstable (i.e. shrinks and distorts) when wet at the same temperature. The fiber comprises a fiber forming polymer that has a dry glass transition temperature (“dry Tg”) of greater than or equal to 42° C. and a wet glass transition temperature (“wet Tg”) of less than or equal to 32° C. A method of making said fiber and absorbent article(s) made therefrom are also disclosed.
Abstract: The present invention relates to novel uses of 1-amino-3-(N,N-dimethylamino)-propylidene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid or any of its soluble salts or any of its hydrates, in particular its use for the manufacture of a medicament for selective modulation of osteoblasts.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 27, 2001
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2003
Assignees:
Gador, S.A., University of Leiden
Inventors:
Emilio J. A. Roldan, Anibal Perez-Lloret, Guillermo Vazquez, Ricardo Boland, Sokrates E. Papapoulos
Abstract: Customized implants for use in reconstructive bone surgeries where anatomical accuracy and bone adaptation are important, such as plastic and craniomaxillofacial reconstructions. This implant comprises a porous surface layer and a tough inner core of interpenetrating phase composite. The porous surface layer enhances the biocompatibility, tissue ingrowth, and implant stability. The tough inner core improves the mechanical properties of the implant with a high fracture toughness and a low modulus. The anatomical accuracy of the implants will minimize the intra-operative manipulation required to maintain a stable host bone-implant interface.
Abstract: Disclosed is a measles virus mutant gene coding for a measles virus mutant H protein antigen, wherein said gene coding for a measles virus mutant H protein antigen is at least one member selected from the group consisting of the following genes (a) to (c): (a) a gene coding for an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10; (b) a gene coding for an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 11; and (c) a gene coding for an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 or SEQ ID NO: 12. By the use of the measles virus mutant gene of the present invention, it has become possible to provide efficiently and economically a gene vaccine which is adapted for an epidemic strain of measles virus, and a diagnostic reagent capable of accurately detecting infections with an epidemic strain of measles virus.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 5, 2001
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2003
Assignee:
The Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka
University
Abstract: A cladded door frame system includes spaced left and right frame members orthogonally joined at upper portions thereof to a header, thus defining a door opening having exterior and interior sides. Each frame member includes a side jamb and a brickmold orthogonally extending along an exteriorly disposed surface of the side jamb. First, second and third metal cladding strips frictionally engage a respective frame member. Each cladding strip includes a U-shaped inner flange that engages three surfaces of one of the jambs and a U-shaped outer flange that engages three surfaces of one of the brickmolds. The inner flange is joined to the outer flange at an orthogonal orientation. The inner flange engages most of the surface area of the respective side jamb.
Abstract: A polishing pad for polishing glass and the like has a working layer with a plurality of polishing grains, an attaching layer with which the polishing pad is attachable to a polishing head of a power tool, and a connection layer which connects the working layer, with the attaching layer, and the connection layer is composed of vulcanizable material, which is vulcanized at certain temperature and under certain pressure and thereby connects the working layer with the attaching layer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 31, 2001
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2003
Assignee:
Universal Photonics Inc.
Inventors:
Alex Cooper, Yevgeny Bederak, Sergey Vladimirtsev, Victor Liotta