Abstract: The invention is in general directed to acid-sensitive linkers, and methods of use thereof, such as, for example, in drug delivery methods.

Abstract: The invention pertains generally to novel compositions and methods for constructing chemically sensitive ion channels. The compositions and methods include, for example, novel gramicidin A derivatives and their use in constructing novel ion channels for use as biosensors.

Abstract: The invention is in general directed to compounds, such as tannic acid, nicotine, nicotine derivatives and pyrrolid derivatives of nicotine, and methods for diagnosing, preventing or alleviating the symptoms of amyloid-associated diseases, for example, neuronal diseases, such as, for example, Alzheimer's disease, compounds and methods for inhibiting ion channel activity of beta amyloid, and methods of diagnostic imaging of A/3 fibrils.

Abstract: Provided herein methods of maintaining an embryonic stem cell culture in an undifferentiated state, wherein the method includes culturing an embryonic stem cell on a rabbit feeder cell layer, wherein the rabbit feeder layer expresses a leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) protein. Also provided are methods of maintaining an embryonic stem cell culture in an undifferentiated state, wherein the method includes culturing an embryonic stem cell in a culture medium comprising rabbit leukemia inhibitory factor (rbLIF) protein. Also provided are polynucleotide and amino acid sequences of a rabbit leukemia inhibitory factor protein (rbLIF).

Abstract: Screening assays and methods of employing the screening assays designed to identify potential inhibitors of amyloidal neurodegenerative disease. The screening assays comprises providing a membrane construct disposed on a substrate and contacting the membrane construct with A? peptide capable of forming an A? peptide ion channel in the construct. The membrane construct is then contacted with a test compound. A? peptide ion channel activity is determined after the construct has incubated with the A? peptide in the presence and in the absence of the test compound. A reduction in the A? peptide ion channel activity of the membrane construct contacted with the test compound in comparison to a different membrane construct contacted with the same A? peptide in the absence of said test compound indicates that the test compound is an inhibitor of amyloidal neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: The invention is in general directed to compounds and methods for diagnosing, preventing or alleviating the symptoms of amyloid-associated diseases, for example, neuronal diseases, such as, for example, Alzheimer's disease, methods of screening for compounds useful in preventing or alleviating the symptoms of amyloid-associated diseases, methods of diagnostic imaging of A-beta fibrils, and compounds and methods useful for studying normal or disease-associated cellular mechanisms relating to amyloid proteins.

Abstract: The invention is in general directed to compounds and methods for diagnosing, preventing or alleviating the symptoms of amyloid-associated diseases, for example, neuronal diseases, such as, for example, Alzheimer's disease, methods of screening for compounds useful in preventing or alleviating the symptoms of amyloid-associated diseases, methods of diagnostic imaging of A-beta fibrils, and compounds and methods useful for studying normal or disease-associated cellular mechanisms relating to amyloid proteins.

Abstract: An insole board for high-heel shoe includes a board member, a plastic molded member and a rigid supporting member embedded in the plastic molded member. The board member has a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion and a heel portion. The midfoot portion and said heel portion of the board member are split into an upper layer and a lower layer to form a space to enclose the plastic molded member and the rigid supporting member. The plastic molded member is shaped in such a way that a flexline and an arched surface are formed on the surface of the board member. The rigid supporting member and the plastic molded member are formed and enclosed in the space of the board member by one step molding process.

Abstract: The invention is in general directed to compounds and methods for diagnosing, preventing or alleviating the symptoms of amyloid-associated diseases, for example, neuronal diseases, such as, for example, Alzheimer's disease, methods of screening for compounds useful in preventing or alleviating the symptoms of amyloid-associated diseases, methods of diagnostic imaging of A-beta fibrils, and compounds and methods useful for studying normal or disease-associated cellular mechanisms relating to amyloid proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to ink jet printing and a process for ink jet printing wherein a coating is formed on an ink receiving layer containing a plastic pigment. The coating is fused into a durable coating which is water-resistant, has some lightfastness, is scratch resistant and can be used in indoor and outdoor environments.

Abstract: A method of producing a non-woven fabric having a high recovery after elongation and a substantially uniform surface including the steps of microcrepeing the fabric between about 20% and 35%, and heat setting the fabric to a temperature between its glass transition temperature and its melting temperature. A non-woven fabric having a recovery of at least 40% after five cycles of 35% elongation is made from a microcreped fabric of basis weight from 1-3.5 osy. The non-woven fabric has a uniform surface that is substantially free of bunching, gathering, and that is otherwise substantially flat to the eye and touch.

Abstract: A multi-step CMP system is used to polish a wafer to form metal interconnects in a dielectric layer upon which barrier and metal layers have been formed. A first polish removes an upper portion of the metal layer using a first slurry and a first set of polishing parameters, leaving residual metal within the dielectric layer to serve as the metal interconnects. A second polish of the wafer on the same platen and polishing pad removes portions of the barrier layer using a second slurry under a second set of polishing parameters. The second polish clears the barrier layer from the upper surface of the dielectric layer, thereby forming the metal interconnect. To reduce dishing and dielectric erosion, the second slurry is selected so that the barrier layer is removed at a faster rate than the residual metal within the dielectric layer. A cleaning step may be optionally performed between the first and second polishes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metalloporphyrin catalyst represented by the structure: ##STR1##

Abstract: A method, in a plasma processing chamber, for etching through a selected portion of layers of a wafer stack, which comprises an anti-reflective layer and a metallization layer disposed below the anti-reflective layer. The method comprises the step of etching at least partially through the anti-reflective layer of the wafer stack with a first chemistry that comprises both an etchant chemical and a polymer-forming chemical. Further, the method comprises the step of etching at least partially through the metallization layer of the wafer stack with a second chemistry different from the first chemistry.