Abstract: A system and method are provided to remotely activate options resident on a plurality of devices within a site. The invention includes generating a number of activation keys, each of which is specific to one of a plurality of in-field devices having inactive options resident in a memory of each of the plurality of in-field devices, and sending each representative activation key and a verification script to each of the in-field devices. The invention then includes receiving a report from each of the verification scripts and evaluating each report independently, whereby if the report is satisfactory for a corresponding in-field device, the respective activation key is installed in the corresponding in-field device to activate an option and if the report is not satisfactory for a corresponding in-field device, aborting activation of the option for the corresponding in-field device.

Abstract: Compounds that modulate the function of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL are identified. These compounds have the ability to convert the activity of Bcl-2-family member proteins from anti-apoptotic to pro-apoptotic. Methods for inducing apoptosis are described, together with methods for identifying molecules that induce apoptosis through interaction with Bcl-2-family members.

Abstract: This invention provides a purified heterodimer comprising an RXR and a hormone receptor. The invention also provides a method of screening ligands for their effect on the activity of an RXR-containing hormone receptor heterodimer comprising combining the heterodimer with the ligand and determining the effect on activity. Also provided is a method of amplifying the activity of a hormone receptor comprising forming a heterodimer with another hormone receptor.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to remotely activate options resident on a multi-vendor supported device. The technique includes receiving, at a centralized facility, an activation key sent from a first location and configured to activate an option of an in-field device located in a second location, and sending the activation key and a verification script, from the centralized facility, to the in-field device at the second location. The technique also includes receiving, at the centralized facility, a report generated by the verification script and, if the report is satisfactory, installing the activation key in the in-field device to activate the option and, if the report is not satisfactory, aborting activation of the option.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds that are inducers or inhibitors of apoptosis or apoptosis preceded by cell-cycle arrest. In addition, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating mammals with leukemia or other forms of cancer or for treating disease conditions caused by apoptosis of cells.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to remotely activate options resident on a multi-vendor supported device. The technique includes receiving, at a centralized facility, an activation key sent from a first location and configured to activate an option of an in-field device located in a second location, and sending the activation key and a verification script, from the centralized facility, to the in-field device at the second location. The technique also includes receiving, at the centralized facility, a report generated by the verification script and, if the report is satisfactory, installing the activation key in the in-field device to activate the option and, if the report is not satisfactory, aborting activation of the option.

Abstract: This invention provides a purified heterodimer comprising an RXR and a hormone receptor. The invention also provides a method of screening ligands for their effect on the activity of an RXR-containing hormone receptor heterodimer comprising combining the heterodimer with the ligand and determining the effect on activity. Also provided is a method of amplifying the activity of a hormone receptor comprising forming a heterodimer with another hormone receptor.

Abstract: Compounds that modulate the function of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL are identified. These compounds have the ability to convert the activity of Bcl-2-family member proteins from anti-apoptotic to pro-apoptotic. Methods for inducing apoptosis are described, together with methods for identifying molecules that induce apoptosis through interaction with Bcl-2-family members.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to remotely activate options resident on a plurality of devices within a site. The invention includes generating a number of activation keys, each of which is specific to one of a plurality of in-field devices having inactive options resident in a memory of each of the plurality of in-field devices, and sending each representative activation key and a verification script to each of the in-field devices. The invention then includes receiving a report from each of the verification scripts and evaluating each report independently, whereby if the report is satisfactory for a corresponding in-field device, the respective activation key is installed in the corresponding in-field device to activate an option and if the report is not satisfactory for a corresponding in-field device, aborting activation of the option for the corresponding in-field device.

Abstract: Methods of reducing background during amplification of small amounts of nucleic acids employ careful analysis of sources of low level contamination. Ultraviolet light can be used to reduce nucleic acid contaminants in reagents and equipment. “Primer-dimer” background can be reduced by judicious design of primers. We have shown clean signal-to-noise with as little as starting material as one single human cell (˜6 picogram), E. coli cell (˜5 femtogram) or Prochlorococcus cell (˜3 femtogram).

Abstract: A system for granting indefinite use of inactivated software options pre-installed on a device is provided. The system includes receiving, at a remote processing facility, a recurrent use request from a user requesting access to an inactivated software option resident on the device. The system is further configured to validate the request and generate an activation key. The activation key is transmitted from the processing facility to the device automatically activating the option and granting recurrent access. The activation key or code is generated at the processing facility using data from at least one of a user identifier, a system identifier, a recurrent use identifier, and the selected option. A method to permit recurrent use of resident, yet, inactivated software of a device is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to remotely activate options resident on a plurality of devices within a site. The invention includes generating a number of activation keys, each of which is specific to one of a plurality of in-field devices having inactive options resident in a memory of each of the plurality of in-field devices, and sending each representative activation key and a verification script to each of the in-field devices. The invention then includes receiving a report from each of the verification scripts and evaluating each report independently, whereby if the report is satisfactory for a corresponding in-field device, the respective activation key is installed in the corresponding in-field device to activate an option and if the report is not satisfactory for a corresponding in-field device, aborting activation of the option for the corresponding in-field device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that remotely grants limited access and permits use of resident software options in accordance with terms consistent with an access grant. The invention includes receiving an access request from a user to access a software option resident in memory of a device, determining whether to grant access in response to the request, and generating an access grant in response to a qualified access request that is transmitted from a centralized facility to a remote device to automatically enable access to the option.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to remotely activate options resident on a plurality of devices within a site. The invention includes generating a number of activation keys, each of which is specific to one of a plurality of in-field devices having inactive options resident in a memory of each of the plurality of in-field devices, and sending each representative activation key and a verification script to each of the in-field devices. The invention then includes receiving a report from each of the verification scripts and evaluating each report independently, whereby if the report is satisfactory for a corresponding in-field device, the respective activation key is installed in the corresponding in-field device to activate an option and if the report is not satisfactory for a corresponding in-field device, aborting activation of the option for the corresponding in-field device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to remotely activate options resident on a device includes generating an activation key configured to activate an option resident in a memory of an in-field device and selecting a verification script to at least confirm enableability of the option in the in-field device. The invention also includes sending the activation key and the verification script to the in-field device wherein the in-field device is capable of executing the verification script and receiving a report from the in-field device. If the report is satisfactory, the activation key is installed in the in-field device whereby the option is activated and if the report is not satisfactory, activation of the option is aborted.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to remotely activate options resident on a multi-vendor supported device. The technique includes receiving, at a centralized facility, an activation key sent from a first location and configured to activate an option of an in-field device located in a second location, and sending the activation key and a verification script, from the centralized facility, to the in-field device at the second location. The technique also includes receiving, at the centralized facility, a report generated by the verification script and, if the report is satisfactory, installing the activation key in the in-field device to activate the option and, if the report is not satisfactory, aborting activation of the option.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for identifying agents useful for treatment of diseases and pathological conditions affected by Retinoid X Receptor apoptosis. The invention also relates to methods for treating diseases and pathological conditions affected by RXR apoptosis. The invention includes compositions that are useful in the study and treatment of diseases and pathological conditions affected by RXR apoptosis.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for activating inactive software options pre-installed on a device upon initialization of the device and thereby preventing installation during device operation. The invention includes receiving a request from a user at a centralized facility for access to an inactive option resident on the device. After validation of the request, an option-specific activation key or code is generated at the centralized facility using data from at least one of a user identifier, a system identifier, a host identifier, a use period identifier, and the selected option. The activation key is then transmitted from the centralized facility to the device whereupon only during initialization or reboot of the device is access to the inactive option automatically granted. The limiting of access to the inactive option until device initialization ensures that option enablement is prevented during device operation.

Abstract: Compounds that modulate the function of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL are identified. These compounds have the ability to convert the activity of Bcl-2-family member proteins from anti-apoptotic to pro-apoptotic. Methods for inducing apoptosis are described, together with methods for identifying molecules that induce apoptosis through interaction with Bcl-2-family members.

Abstract: This invention is directed generally to peptide compounds and salts, and particularly to peptide compounds and salts that are useful as protease substrates, such as matrix metalloprotease (“MMP”) substrates. This invention also is directed to methods for making such compounds and salts, as well as amino acids that may, for example, be used in such methods. This invention is further directed to methods for using such compounds and salts to, for example, evaluate the effectiveness of potential protease inhibitors and to detect or monitor a disease associated with protease activity.