Abstract: A novel, collapsible container is provided which features container side walls and end walls that have a closed, multi-paneled element forming at least a portion of the wall. The closed wall element is formed from an exterior panel and an interior panel that are joined along top, side and bottom seams of the panel, preferably by hot plate welding, to form a closed, multi-paneled side or end wall element. In more detailed aspects of the invention, the side or end walls incorporate a windowed construction, which includes a window having a seam surrounding a single panel window area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to members of the family of proteins known as ADAMTS proteins, the new members being designated ADAMTS-E polypeptides. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding ADAMTS-E, antibodies to ADAMTS-E, assays for studying the function of ADAMTS-E, assays for determining stimulators or inhibitors of ADAMTS-E, and to the use of ADAMTS-E polypeptides or polynucleotides in diagnostic, biotherapeutic, or gene therapy methods.

Abstract: The invention features a new solid supports having at least one amino functionality and a linker bound to the solid support through at least a portion of the amino functional groups. The invention also features solid support bound substrates suitable for use in the formation of macrocycles by a TE domain catalyzed macrocyclization reaction. The invention features methods of making the solid supports and solid support bound substrates of the invention and methods of effecting macrocyclizations of solid support bound substrates. The invention further provides new macrocyclic molecules having one or more peptide domains and one or more polyketide domains in the macrocyclic ring. In another embodiment of the invention, libraries of macrocycles are provided as well as methods of forming libraries of macrocycles from libraries of solid support bound substrates are provided.

Abstract: The preparation of macrocyclic molecules from linear, synthetic thioester precursors is disclosed. An excised thioesterase domain isolated from either a PKS or NRPS multidomain system catalyzes the cyclization reaction. Thioester substrates also are described that are efficiently cyclized by the method of the present invention. Additionally, macrocyclic molecules, including macrolactones and macrolactams, that are prepared by the macrocyclization methods of the invention are described.

Abstract: Polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences are described. The polypeptide sequences comprise one or more of: (a) a polypeptide having the deduced amino acid sequence translated from the polynucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 5 and variants, fragments, homologues, analogues and derivatives thereof; (b) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2 and variants, fragments, homologues, analogues and derivatives thereof; (c) a polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of NCIMB 41110 and variants, fragments, homologues, analogues and derivatives thereof; or (d) a polypeptide which has at least 78% identity to (i) the polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 5, (ii) the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2, or (iii) the polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of NCIMB 41110. Such polypeptide sequences are, inter alia, useful in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of sexual dysfunction, in particular male erectile dysfunction (MED) or female sexual dysfunction (FSD), preferably female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD).

Abstract: A method of treating a urinary tract fungal infection in a human comprising systemically administering a therapeutically effective amount of a liposomal polyene including nystatin and amphotericin wherein the fungal infection is selected from the group consisting of aspergillosis, candidiasis (e.g., C. parapsilosis, C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. lusitaniae), zygomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, cladosporiosis, fusariosis, Bipolaris hawaiiensis, Dactylaria gallopava, torulopsosis, Acremonium kiliense, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Histoplasma capsulatum.

Abstract: Polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences are described. The polypeptide sequences comprise one or more of: (a) a polypeptide having the deduced amino acid sequence translated from the polynucleotide sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 5 and variants, fragments, homologues, analogues and derivatives thereof; (b) a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2 and variants, fragments, homologues, analogues and derivatives thereof (c) a polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of NCIMB 41110 and variants, fragments, homologues, analogues and derivatives thereof; or (d) a polypeptide which has at least 78% identity to (i) the polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 5, (ii) the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2, or (iii) the polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of NCIMB 41110. Such polypeptide sequences are, inter alia, useful in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of sexual dysfunction, in particular male erectile dysfunction (MED) or female sexual dysfunction (FSD), preferably female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD).

Abstract: A novel, collapsible container is provided which features container side walls and end walls that have a closed, multi-paneled element forming at least a portion of the wall. The closed wall element is formed from an exterior panel and an interior panel that are joined along top, side and bottom seams of the panel, preferably by hot plate welding, to form a closed, multi-paneled side or end wall element. In more detailed aspects of the invention, the side or end walls incorporate a windowed construction, which includes a window having a seam surrounding a single panel window area.

Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a single polishing pad and a leaf structure having a pair of fingers. Each finger holds a carrier device designed to hold a wafer to be polished. The leaf structure is configured to apply each of the wafers onto the single polishing pad.

Abstract: The methods of the present invention demonstrate that adrenomedullin (AM) is expressed in human cancer cell lines of diverse origin and functions as a universal autocrine growth factor driving neoplastic proliferation. The present invention provides for Tpeptides and AM antibodies useful in therapeutic, pharmacologic and physiologic compositions. The present invention additionally provides for methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease utilizing compositions comprising the AM peptides and antibodies of the present invention. The methods of the present invention also provide for experimental models for use in identifying the role of AM in pancreatic physiology. The methods pertaining to rat isolated islets have shown that AM inhibits insulin secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The monoclonal antibody MoAb-G6, which neutralizes AM bioactivity, was shown by the methods of the present invention to increase insulin release fivefold, an effect that was reversed by the addition of synthetic AM.

Abstract: A parallel alignment device for chemical mechanical polishing using a plurality of carrier devices (123) rotatably coupled to a turret means. The apparatus (100) includes a turret and plurality of rotatable polishing surfaces (111) positioned around the turret. The apparatus also includes a plurality of carrier devices (123) rotatably coupled to the turret, where the carrier devices (123) are each adapted to hold a workpiece to be polished on at least one of the rotatable polishing surfaces. Each of the carrier devices is operably independently to each other during a process for chemical mechanical polishing.

Abstract: The methods of the present invention demonstrate that adrenomedullin (AM) is expressed in human cancer cell lines of diverse origin and functions as a universal autocrine growth factor driving neoplastic proliferation. The present invention provides for AM peptides and AM antibodies useful in therapeutic, pharmacologic and physiologic compositions. The present invention additionally provides for methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease utilizing compositions comprising the AM peptides and antibodies of the present invention. The methods of the present invention also provide for experimental models for use in identifying the role of AM in pancreatic physiology. The methods pertaining to rat isolated islets have shown that AM inhibits insulin secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The monoclonal antibody MoAb-G6, which neutralizes AM bioactivity, was shown by the methods of the present invention to increase insulin release fivefold, an effect that was reversed by the addition of synthetic AM.

Abstract: Technique including a method 400 and an apparatus 100 for chemical mechanical polishing using a plurality of carrier devices 123 rotatably coupled to a turret means. The apparatus 100 includes a turret and plurality of rotatable polishing surfaces 111 positioned around the turret. The apparatus also includes a plurality of carrier devices 123 rotatably coupled to the turret, where the carrier devices 123 are each adapted to hold a workpiece to be polished on at least one of the rotatable polishing surfaces. Each of the carrier devices is operably independently to each other during a process for chemical mechanical polishing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for planarizing silicon wafers initially having wavy surfaces, such as might result from having been cut from a boule by means of a wire saw. A vacuum is applied to one side of a porous ceramic plate, and a perforated resilient pad is applied to the opposite side of the porous ceramic plate. The resilient pad is affixed to the ceramic plate by a peelable adhesive, and the vacuum extends through the perforations of the resilient pad to permit a wafer to be mounted on the exposed side of the resilient pad. The perforations in the resilient pad are distributed uniformally across the wafer, so that the atmospheric pressure pushing the wafer against the resilient pad is also uniform across the wafer. However, the wafer is not deformed while it is held in place for grinding. Because the wafer is not held in an elastically deformed condition while it is ground, the wafer has no tendency to spring back to its original wavy shape.

Abstract: The resolution of one or more components of image data is changed to generate scaled image data and transparency processing is applied to the scaled image data, wherein the transparency processing is taken into account during the changing of the resolution of the image data. In a preferred embodiment in which a video codec applies transparency processing during the compression of subsampled video data, the capture processor applies the same transparency mask during data subsampling to decrease color-bleeding effects that may otherwise appear in the decoded video stream.

Abstract: Apparatus for polishing semiconductor wafers comprises a housing, a mounting apparatus within the housing for wax mounting a first face of a semiconductor wafer to a first face of a polishing block, and a first semiconductor wafer polisher within the housing for polishing a second face of the semiconductor wafer. The second face of the semiconductor wafer is opposite the first face of the semiconductor wafer. A first transfer mechanism is within the housing for delivering the polishing block and semiconductor wafer from the mounting apparatus to adjacent the first semiconductor wafer polisher. A controller controls operation of the mounting apparatus, the first semiconductor wafer polisher, and the first transfer mechanism.

Abstract: A polymeric article having isotropic properties is fabricated from anisotropic materials by orienting the polymer, as well as any fillers, in different directions at different planes through the polymeric article. In a first embodiment, molten polymer is passed between movable gate members (32 and 34) into cavity (30) of mold (28). The movable gate members (32 and 34) impart a strain on the molten polymer by moving in opposite directions (33 and 35) while the molten polymer is dispensed into the cavity (30). Reciprocating the movable gate members (32 and 34) yields a herringbone pattern. Having at least one movable gate member (38) have comb-like projections (40) can assure the strain is imparted deeper into the thickness of the polymeric article.

Abstract: A polymeric article having isotropic properties is fabricated from anisotropic materials by orienting the polymer, as well as any fillers, in different directions at different planes through the polymeric article. In a first embodiment, molten polymer is passed between movable gate members (32 and 34) into cavity (30) of mold (28). The movable gate members (32 and 34) impart a strain on the molten polymer by moving in opposite directions (33 and 35) while the molten polymer is dispensed into the cavity (30). Reciprocating the movable gate members (32 and 34) yields a herringbone pattern. Having at least one movable gate member (38) have comb-like projections (40) can assure the strain is imparted deeper into the thickness of the polymeric article.

Abstract: An article of wearing apparel is provided which includes a belt having a carrying support assembly mounted thereon for carrying and supporting separable articles such as containers of the same or different sizes that are used to carry a plurality of coins or other small objects and/or liquids and thus free the hands of the user for other activities. The carrying support assembly includes an elongated strap which is mounted on the belt at its opposing ends in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the belt and the portion of the belt between the ends mounted on the belt being readily adjustable by a wearer for encircling the containers of different sizes and suitable supporting them on the belt.