Abstract: The present invention discloses new methods for synthesizing ammonia borane (NH3BH3, or AB). Ammonium borohydride (NH4BH4) is formed from the reaction of borohydride salts and ammonium salts in liquid ammonia. Ammonium borohydride is decomposed in an ether-based solvent that yields AB at a near quantitative yield. The AB product shows promise as a chemical hydrogen storage material for fuel cell powered applications.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed directed at haptens, immunogens and immnoassays for buprenorphine (BUP) and nor buprenorphine (norBUP). The method comprises providing in combination in a medium (i) a sample suspected of containing buprenorphine (BUP) or norbuprenorphine (norBUP) and (ii) an antibody raised against an immunogen of buprenorphine (BUP) or norbuprenorphine (norBUP). The medium is examined for the presence of a complex comprising a labeled hapten of buprenorphine (BUP) or norbuprenorphine (norBUP) where the presence of such as complex indicates the presence of the compound in the sample.

Abstract: Reagents are disclosed for use in assays for analytes. The reagents are dry assay reagents that may be readily reconstituted for use in the assays. The dry assay reagents comprise a solid support and one or more molecules of a receptor immobilized on the solid support. The receptor comprises one or more binding sites for a ligand. A portion of a total number of the binding sites is bound to a conjugate comprising the ligand linked to a specific binding pair member and a portion of the total number of the binding sites is free. In use in an assay, a combination is provided in an aqueous medium comprising the sample and reagents for detecting the analyte wherein at least one of the reagents comprises the dry assay reagent mentioned above. The combination is incubated under conditions for binding of the analyte to one or more of the reagents.

Abstract: Methods and reagents are disclosed for conducting assays. Embodiments of the present methods and reagents are concerned with chemiluminescent reagents for determining the presence and/or amount of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. The reagent is non-particulate and comprises a binding partner for the analyte and a chemiluminescent composition comprising an olefinic compound and a metal chelate. In embodiments of an assay, a combination is provided that comprises a sample suspected of containing the analyte, a chemiluminescent reagent as described above and a sensitizer reagent capable of generating singlet oxygen. The combination is subjected to conditions for binding of the analyte to the binding partner for the analyte. The sensitizer is activated and the amount of luminescence generated by the chemiluminescent composition is detected wherein the amount of luminescence is related to the amount of the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a compound preparation for quickly reducing oxidative stress, which contains small molecules and mineral trace elements that can remove or help removing free radicals, can regulate the function of endocrine and circulatory digestive system, as well as other components that can rebuild inner harmony. The compound preparation is in solid dosage form, preferably effervescent tablet or effervescent granules. The preparative method of the compound preparation is also disclosed. Animal experiment and clinical trial show that the invention has strong effect in reducing oxidative stress and disease prevention.

Abstract: There is provided a method of transferring a protected content, in which the method comprises receiving from a first player the protected content via a transmission medium calculating usage rights associated with the protected content to confirm receipt from the first player of some or all of the usage rights associated with the protected content making available the protected content for distribution to a second player, and transmitting the protected content to the second player. The method also includes confirming that the first player has relinquished the some or all of the usage rights associated with the protected content prior to transmitting the protected content to the second player. The protected content may comprise a music file, and the some or all of the usage rights may comprise a usage right for a limited number of protected content players, or comprise a usage right for a limited time duration.

Abstract: The present invention discloses new methods for synthesizing ammonia borane (NH3BH3, or AB). Ammonium borohydride (NH4BH4) is formed from the reaction of borohydride salts and ammonium salts in liquid ammonia. Ammonium borohydride is decomposed in an ether-based solvent that yields AB at a near quantitative yield. The AB product shows promise as a chemical hydrogen storage material for fuel cell powered applications.

Abstract: Reagents are disclosed for use in assays for analytes. The reagents are dry assay reagents that may be readily reconstituted for use in the assays. The dry assay reagents comprise a solid support and one or more molecules of a receptor immobilized on the solid support. The receptor comprises one or more binding sites for a ligand. A portion of a total number of the binding sites is bound to a conjugate comprising the ligand linked to a specific binding pair member and a portion of the total number of the binding sites is free. In use in an assay, a combination is provided in an aqueous medium comprising the sample and reagents for detecting the analyte wherein at least one of the reagents comprises the dry assay reagent mentioned above. The combination is incubated under conditions for binding of the analyte to one or more of the reagents.

Abstract: Methods and reagents are disclosed for determining the presence and/or amount of cyclosporin A in a medium suspected of containing cyclosporin A. In the method a combination is provided in a medium. The combination comprises (i) the sample, (ii) a first member of a signal producing system (sps) associated with a first support wherein the first sps member is capable of activating a second member of the sps and wherein the first support is associated with a first member of a specific binding pair, and (iii) the second sps member associated with a second support wherein the second sps member is activatable by the first sps member. The second support comprises either (I) cyclosporin C or cyclosporin A and the combination further comprises a conjugate of an antibody for cyclosporin A and a second member of the specific binding pair or (II) antibody for cyclosporin A and the combination further comprises a conjugate of cyclosporin A and a second member of the specific binding pair.

Abstract: Backfilled, self-assembled monolayers and methods of making the same are disclosed. The self-assembled monolayer comprises at least one functional organosilane species and a substantially random dispersion of at least one backfilling organosilane species among the functional organosilane species, wherein the functional and backfilling organosilane species have been sequentially deposited on a substrate. The method comprises depositing sequentially a first organosilane species followed by a backfilling organosilane species, and employing a relaxation agent before or during deposition of the backfilling organosilane species, wherein the first and backfilling organosilane species are substantially randomly dispersed on a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods of treating a hydrocarbon fuel to reduce organic sulfur components so as to be amenable to small-scale and/or field-based applications. Embodiments of the invention involve the performance of a vapor-phase hydrodesulfurization operation using steam reformate. The steam reformate is a hydrogen source for the hydrodesulfurization and is provided by an integrated steam reformer.

Abstract: Uteroglobin has been discovered to prevent IgA mediated diseases, such as IgA nephropathy, by preventing the deposition of IgA-Fibronectin immunocomplexes in tissues such as the renal glomeruli. The invention therefore includes methods of treating such diseases by administering therapeutically effective amounts of uteroglobin (and variants or mimetics) to prevent or improve the IgA mediated condition. Transgenic uteroglobin knockout animals, and animals in which uteroglobin-protein expression is reduced by antisense technology, also provide systems for studying IgA mediated diseases, and screening for appropriate treatments.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed directed at haptens, immunogens and immnoassays for buprenorphine (BUP) and nor buprenorphine (norBUP). The method comprises providing in combination in a medium (i) a sample suspected of containing buprenorphine (BUP) or norbuprenorphine (norBUP) and (ii) an antibody raised against an immunogen of buprenorphine (BUP) or norbuprenorphine (norBUP). The medium is examined for the presence of a complex comprising a labeled hapten of buprenorphine (BUP) or norbuprenorphine (norBUP) where the presence of such as complex indicates the presence of the compound in the sample.

Abstract: Backfilled, self-assembled monolayers and methods of making the same are disclosed. The self-assembled monolayer comprises at least one functional organosilane species and a substantially random dispersion of at least one backfilling organosilane species among the functional organosilane species, wherein the functional and backfilling organosilane species have been sequentially deposited on a substrate. The method comprises depositing sequentially a first organosilane species followed by a backfilling organosilane species, and employing a relaxation agent before or during deposition of the backfilling organosilane species, wherein the first and backfilling organosilane species are substantially randomly dispersed on a substrate.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed directed at haptens, immunogens and immunoassays for buprenorphine (BUP) and nor buprenorphine (norBUP). The method comprises providing in combination in a medium (i) a sample suspected of containing buprenorphine (BUP) or norbuprenorphine (norBUP) and (ii) an antibody raised against an immunogen of buprenorphine (BUP) or norbuprenorphine (norBUP). The medium is examined for the presence of a complex comprising a labeled hapten of buprenorphine (BUP) or norbuprenorphine (norBUP) where the presence of such as complex indicates the presence of the compound in the sample.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed comprising a moiety, such as a poly(amino acid), a non-poly(amino acid) label moiety, or a non-poly(amino acid) immunogenic carrier, linked to a sirolimus compound at position 26 or at position 32. Such sirolimus compounds comprising an immunogenic carrier can be employed to raise both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to the sirolimus compound. Polyclonal antibodies are also disclosed, which are raised against a compound wherein a moiety, such as a poly(amino acid), a non-poly(amino acid) label moiety, or a non-poly(amino acid) immunogenic carrier, is linked to a sirolimus compound at position 32. The above antibodies and sirolimus compounds comprising a label can be used in assays for the detection of sirolimus compounds.

Abstract: A patterned, synthetic, longitudinally exchange biased GMR sensor is provided which has a narrow effective trackwidth and reduced side reading. The advantageous properties of the sensor are obtained by satisfying a novel relationship between the magnetizations (M) of the ferromagnetic free layer (F1) and the ferromagnetic biasing layer (F2) which enables the optimal thicknesses of those layers to be determined for a wide range of ferromagnetic materials and exchange coupling materials. The relationship to be satisfied is MF2/MF1=(Js+Jex)/Js, where Js is the synthetic coupling energy between F1 and F2 and Jex is the exchange energy between F2 and an overlaying antiferromagnetic pinning layer. An alternative embodiment omits the overlaying antiferromagnetic pinning layer which causes the relationship to become MF2/MF1=1.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. The compounds disclosed comprise an amphetamine moiety and a methamphetamine moiety linked together by a first linking group. A second linking group depends from the first linking group and comprises a functional group. The distance of the amphetamine moiety and the methamphetamine moiety from the point of linkage of the second linking group to the first linking group is approximately the same. The compounds may be linked to labels and used in assays for the detection of amphetamine and/or methamphetamine in samples suspected of containing these drugs.

Abstract: A magnetic read head with reduced side reading characteristics is described. This design combines use of a current channeling layer (CCL) with stabilizing longitudinal bias layers whose magnetization direction is canted relative to that of the free layer easy axis and that of the pinned layer (of the GMR). This provides several advantages: First, the canting of the free layer at the side region results in a reduction of side reading by reducing magnetic sensitivity in that region. Second, the CCL leads to a narrow current flow profile at the side region, therefore producing a narrow track width definition. A process for making this device is described. Said process allows some of the requirements for interface cleaning associated with prior art processes to be relaxed.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed. Enzyme conjugates of Formula I may be employed in assays for the determination of an amphetamine and/or a methamphetamine. Immunogenic conjugates of Formula I may be employed to prepare antibodies for an amphetamine and/or for a methamphetamine for use in assays for the determination of an amphetamine and/or a methamphetamine. The enzyme conjugates may also be employed to screen antibodies for use in such methods.