Abstract: Provided are improved methods for identifying the substrate recognition specificity or activity of a protease, convertase (sortase), or kinase. In some embodiments, methods are provided for identifying the endogenous protease or convertase cleaving patterns (e.g., “cleaveOme”) inside the secretory pathway of a living cell. Select embodiments involve aspects of yeast endoplasmic reticulum sequestration screening and next generation sequencing. Methods of producing polypeptides in Kex2 knockout yeast are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the investigation of amyloid formation. In preferred embodiments, amyloid formation associated with type II diabetes is monitored by fluorescence spectroscopic measurements of the activity of p-cyano-phenylalanine-substituted islet amyloid polypeptide, and derivatives thereof, under an amyloid-forming condition. In some embodiments, the amyloid-forming condition is associated with a diseased, or putatively diseased, cell or tissue. In some embodiments, the invention provides a method of evaluating the severity of the amyloid-forming condition, and changes therein induced by agents that inhibit, or potentially inhibit, amyloid formation.

Abstract: Tolerances to be communicated to the manufacturer for a photomask fabrication process that are assigned as desired values of feature sizes to be realized on the photomask, are freed of restrictions by predefining, for a first feature size, a first desired value and a first tolerance assigned to the first desired value. The real discrepancy between the first feature size and the first desired value is taken into account when predefining desired values assigned to the further feature sizes to be provided on the photomask. As a result, a value which corresponds to a first approximation to the permitted feature size tolerance on the semiconductor wafer is provided for the tolerances of the desired values.

Abstract: A pistol applicator has a piston handle and a hand hold which are drawn towards each other during application and a piston cylinder housing. An adjustable dose regulating device is provided including a dose regulating wheel fixed to the cylinder housing and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder housing and a plurality of notches in the dose regulating wheel each having a different radial extent. An outwardly tapering stepped cross piece is attached to the piston handle and is insertable in one preselected notch at a time, wherein one step of the crosspiece is engageable with the preselected one of the notches upon operating the applicator piston to limit the stroke thereof and thereby regulate the dose applied.