Abstract: A silicon-based photoelectric multiplier comprises a plurality of cells and a number of read-out lines, and at least one of a number read-out pads or a ring-like line, wherein the plurality of cells may be divided into a number of segments, and each one of the read-out lines may be electrically connected with the cells of at least one segment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must he present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response.

Abstract: The marginal zone (MZ) and B1 subsets of B cells, which differ from conventional follicular (FO) B cells both developmentally and functionally, are involved in early responses to infectious pathogens and the production of self-reactive antibodies. A novel gene, mzb1, is expressed at high levels in MZ and B1 B cells but at low level, if at all, in FO B cells. MZB1 is involved in the regulation of proliferation, BCR-mediated signal transduction, and antibody production in B cells. Inhibitors, activators and enhancers of MZB1 expression or activity can be used as immune modulators for research and therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: A pigment includes reservoirs of encapsulated corrosion inhibitors and/or biocides for active corrosion and/or antifouling protection of metallic and polymeric products and structures, wherein the reservoirs have average dimensions of 10-50000 nm and comprise a porous surface/interface, a porous or empty interior and stimuli-sensitive stoppers that release an encapsulated inhibitor or biocide outside the reservoir upon action of a stimulus selected from the group consisting of an external electromagnetic field, changes in local pH, ionic strength and ambient temperature, wherein the stimuli-sensitive stoppers result from a chemical or physical interaction between encapsulated corrosion inhibitor and/or biocide or encapsulated solvent/dispersing agent and an additional external compound and prevent release of an encapsulated inhibitor or biocide towards an exterior of the reservoir in the absence of the stimulus.

Abstract: Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) induces sequence-specific post-transcriptional gene silencing in many organisms by a process known as RNA interference (RNAi). Using a Drosophila in vitro system, we demonstrate that 19-23 nt short RNA fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNAi. The short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are generated by an RNase III-like processing reaction from long dsRNA. Chemically synthesized siRNA duplexes with overhanging 3? ends mediate efficient target RNA cleavage in the lysate, and the cleavage site is located near the center of the region spanned by the guiding siRNA. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the direction of dsRNA processing determines whether sense or antisense target RNA can be cleaved by the produced siRNP complex.