Abstract: A conditionally replicating adenovirus were generated that can specifically replicate and express therapeutic genes in neuroendocrine tumors. The promoter-specific expression of the adenoviruses is regulated upstream by an INSM1 (insulinoma-associated-1) promoter that is silent in normal adult tissues but active in developing neuroendocrine cells and neuroendocrine tumors. By placing the I NSM 1-promoter with an insulator and two copies of neuronal restrictive silencer elements in an adenoviral vector, the construct can retain tumor specificity and drive expression of a mutated adenovirus E1A gene (?24E1A) and the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene. The I NSM1-promoter-driven viruses could replicate specifically in the I NSM1-positive cells and I NSM1-specific HSV-tk expression in combination with ganciclovir treatment displayed dose-dependent tumor cell-specific killing in insulinomas.

Abstract: A conditionally replicating adenovirus were generated that can specifically replicate and express therapeutic genes in neuroendocrine tumors. The promoter-specific expression of the adenoviruses is regulated upstream by an INSM1 (insulinoma-associated-1) promoter that is silent in normal adult tissues but active in developing neuroendocrine cells and neuroendocrine tumors. By placing the INSM1-promoter with an insulator and two copies of neuronal restrictive silencer elements in an adenoviral vector, the construct can retain tumor specificity and drive expression of a mutated adenovirus E1A gene (424E1A) and the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene. The INSM1-promoter-driven viruses could replicate specifically in the INSM1-positive cells and I NSM1-specific HSV-tk expression in combination with ganciclovir treatment displayed dose-dependent tumor cell-specific killing in insulinomas.

Abstract: The present invention provides N,N?-dimethyl secondary diamine polymers including methylamine-terminated poly-(N-methylazetidine) and methylamine-terminated poly-(N-methylazacycloheptane). Amine compositions and amine-epoxy compositions comprising N,N?-dimethyl secondary diamine polymers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing hydrogen are provided. The methods and apparatus utilize reforming catalysts in order to produce hydrogen gas. The reforming catalysts may be platinum group metals on a support material, and they may be located in a reforming reaction zone of a primary reactor. The support material may an oxidic support having a ceria zirconia promoter. The support material may be an oxidic support and a neodymium stabilizer. The support material may also be an oxidic support material and at least one Group IA, Group IIA, manganese, or iron metal promoter. The primary reactor may have a first and second reforming reaction zones. Upstream reforming catalysts located in the first reforming reaction zone may be selected to perform optimally under the conditions in the first reforming reaction zone. Downstream reforming catalysts located in the second reforming reaction zone may be selected to perform optimally under the conditions in the second reforming reaction zone.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for aligning the loading/unloading of a wafer cassette to/from a loadport by an overhead hoist transport system are described. The apparatus utilizes a loadport that is equipped with at least two spaced-apart laser beam projectors mounted on a top surface of the loadport for projecting laser beams into a CCD array mounted on the bottom surface of the OHT rail facing the loadport. The actual position of the loadport can thus be continuously monitored and determined, and any necessary adjustment in positions of the OHT delivery arm for the wafer cassette can be made. A process controller is further provided for receiving the signal from the CCD array, or any other energy receiving means and for comparing to pre-stored data for sending a control signal to the OHT delivery arm.

Abstract: A method forms a plastic package (28) for a sensing die (10) having a pressure sensitive diaphragm (22), wherein the diaphragm (22) has a first surface (24) and a second surface (26) disposed opposite the first surface (24). According to this method, the sensing die (10) is mounted overlying a hole (18) in a die bond pad (16), which is used to support the sensing die (10) in the package (28). Next, the sensing die (10) is enclosed within a mold (12,14), and a molding material is introduced into the mold's interior to form the package (28) around the sensing die (10). During molding, the pressures on the first and second surfaces (24,26) of the diaphragm (22) are sufficiently equal to substantially prevent damage to the sensing die (10).