Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for their use, such as in identifying G-protein-coupled receptors, ligands and compounds that modulate the activities of G-protein-coupled receptors. The compositions and methods employ cyclic nucleotide-gated channels and fluorescence dyes in detecting changes of intracellular cAMP levels in response to the stimulation of G-protein-coupled receptors. Activation of the G-protein-coupled receptors can be detected in a variety of assays, including cell-based imaging assays with fluorescence microscopes and high throughput assays with multi-well plates and fluorescence plate readers.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compositions and methods employing cyclic nucleotide-gated channels and fluorescence dyes and other indicators in detecting changes of intracellular cAMP levels, for instance in response to the stimulation of G-protein-coupled receptors. CNG mutants comprising one or more pore mutations that enhance sensitivity to cAMP and decrease divalent cation-mediated blockage are used in a variety of assays, including detection of the G-protein-coupled receptor activity. Also disclosed are novel dye quencher formulations that are particularly suited for cell-based assays of protein interactions.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for their use, such as in identifying G-protein-coupled receptors, ligands and compounds that modulate the activities of G-protein-coupled receptors. The compositions and methods employ cyclic nucleotide-gated channels and fluorescence dyes in detecting changes of intracellular cAMP levels in response to the stimulation of G-protein-coupled receptors. Activation of the G-protein-coupled receptors can be detected in a variety of assays, including cell-based imaging assays with fluorescence microscopes and high throughput assays with multi-well plates and fluorescence plate readers.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel microorganism producing pravastatin sodium, as well as the method for producing pravastatin sodium by using this microorganism. Micropolyspora roseoalba CGMCC 0624 of the invention is highly tolerant to mevastatin sodium, and has a high transformation rate of mevastatin sodium, and can produce pravastatin sodium with a high efficiency and low cost.

Abstract: The invention provides a series of G?q protein variants that functionally couple to sensory cell receptors such as taste GPCRs (TRs) and olfactory GPCRs (ORs) in an overly promiscuous manner. According to the invention, the functional coupling can be determined, for example, by measuring changes in intracellular IP3, or calcium. In a particular embodiment, the G?q protein variants can be expressed in mammalian cell lines or Xenopus oocytes, and then evaluated using calcium fluorescence imaging and electrophysiological recording.

Abstract: The invention provides a series of G?q protein variants that functionally couple to sensory cell receptors such as taste GPCRs (TRs) and olfactory GPCRs (ORs) in an overly promiscuous manner. According to the invention, the functional coupling can be determined, for example, by measuring changes in intracellular IP3, or calcium. In a particular embodiment, the G?q protein variants can be expressed in mammalian cell lines or Xenopus oocytes, and then evaluated using calcium fluorescence imaging and electrophysiological recording.

Abstract: An optical transceiver module includes an electrical interface adapted to receive or output an electrical signal, an optical interface adapted to receive or output an optical signal, and an optical transceiver component. The optical transceiver component includes an Avalanche Photo Diode (APD) that converts an optical signal from the optical interface to an electrical signal; and a laser unit that converts an electrical signal from the electrical interface to an optical signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the detection and measurement of transmembrane potentials using an asymmetric thiobarbituric acid-derived polymethine oxonol (shown below). In particular, the present invention is directed to compositions and optical methods for determining transmembrane potentials across the plasma membrane of biological cells using a moderately hydrophobic asymmetric thiobarbituric acid-derived polymethine oxonols. The method comprises a moderately hydrophobic asymmetric thiobarbituric acid-derived polymethine oxonol anion capable of redistributing from a first face of the membrane to a second face of the membrane in response to changes in the potential of the membrane. In one aspect the method is used to identify compounds which modulate membrane potentials in biological membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compositions and methods employing cyclic nucleotide-gated channels and fluorescence dyes and other indicators in detecting changes of intracellular cAMP levels, for instance in response to the stimulation of G-protein-coupled receptors. CNG mutants comprising one or more pore mutations that enhance sensitivity to cAMP and decrease divalent cation-mediated blockage are used in a variety of assays, including detection of the G-protein-coupled receptor activity. Also disclosed are novel dye quencher formulations that are particularly suited for cell-based assays of protein interactions.

Abstract: The invention provides a series of G?q protein variants that functionally couple to sensory cell receptors such as taste GPCRs (TRs) and olfactory GPCRs (ORs) in an overly promiscuous manner. According to the invention, the functional coupling can be determined, for example, by measuring changes in intracellular IP3, or calcium. In a particular embodiment, the G?q protein variants can be expressed in mammalian cell lines or Xenopus oocytes, and then evaluated using calcium fluorescence imaging and electrophysiological recording.

Abstract: The invention generally provides a method for preparing a surface for electrochemical deposition comprising forming a high conductance barrier layer on the surface and depositing a seed layer over the high conductance barrier layer. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for filling a structure on a substrate, comprising depositing a high conductance barrier layer on one or more surfaces of the structure, depositing a seed layer over the barrier layer, and electrochemically depositing a metal to fill the structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a series of G&agr;q protein variants that functionally couple to sensory cell receptors such as taste GPCRs (TRs) and olfactory GPCRs (ORs) in an overly promiscuous manner. According to the invention, the functional coupling can be determined, for example, by measuring changes in intracellular IP3, or calcium. In a particular embodiment, the G&agr;q protein variants can be expressed in mammalian cell lines or Xenopus oocytes, and then evaluated using calcium fluorescence imaging and electrophysiological recording.

Abstract: The invention generally provides a method for preparing a surface for electrochemical deposition comprising forming a high conductance barrier layer on the surface and depositing a seed layer over the high conductance barrier layer. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for filling a structure on a substrate, comprising depositing a high conductance barrier layer on one or more surfaces of the structure, depositing a seed layer over the barrier layer, and electrochemically depositing a metal to fill the structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-ch optical transceiver module, which comprises: (1) a plurality of optical subassembly (OSA) units, for transforming the received multi-ch optical signals to multi-ch electrical signals, and transforming the multi-ch electrical signals to be transmitted to multi-ch optical signals respectively; (2) a plurality of special signal processing IC units, for disposing the multi-ch electrical signals received from said OSA units and for outputting the multi-ch electrical signals to be transmitted to said OSA units after disposal; (3) an electrical connector unit, for outputting multi-ch electrical signals received from said special signal processing IC units and inputting multi-ch electrical signals to be transmitted to the special signal processing IC units before transmitting. This multi-ch transceiver module is mainly used at switch devices at center office of telecom and datacom network. It also can be used in high-density environment.

Abstract: A method of improving the temperature control of a clamped substrate mounted on a substrate support that is biased, the substrate support having a passage therethrough to permit a flow of backside gas for heating or cooling the substrate, whereby the pressure of the backside gas is maintained at at least 15 torr. A high gas pressure improves the thickness uniformity of processing across the substrate. For plasma deposition of sputtered seed layers, the morphology of the seed layer is improved near the edge of the substrate and the uniformity of the layer across the substrate is also improved.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for their use, such as in identifying G-protein-coupled receptors, ligands and compounds that modulate the activities of G-protein-coupled receptors. The compositions and methods employ cyclic nucleotide-gated channels and fluorescence dyes in detecting changes of intracellular cAMP levels in response to the stimulation of G-protein-coupled receptors. Activation of the G-protein-coupled receptors can be detected in a variety of assays, including cell-based imaging assays with fluorescence microscopes and high throughput assays with multi-well plates and fluorescence plate readers.

Abstract: The invention provides a series of G&agr;q protein variants that functionally couple to sensory cell receptors such as taste GPCRs (TRs) and olfactory GPCRs (ORs) in an overly promiscuous manner. According to the invention, the functional coupling can be determined, for example, by measuring changes in intracellular IP3, or calcium. In a particular embodiment, the G&agr;q protein variants can be expressed in mammalian cell lines or Xenopus oocytes, and then evaluated using calcium fluorescence imaging and electrophysiological recording.

Abstract: The invention provides a series of G&agr;q protein variants that functionally couple to sensory cell receptors such as taste GPCRs (TRs) and olfactory GPCRs (ORs) in an overly promiscuous manner. According to the invention, the functional coupling can be determined, for example, by measuring changes in intracellular IP3, or calcium. In a particular embodiment, the G&agr;q protein variants can be expressed in mammalian cell lines or Xenopus oocytes, and then evaluated using calcium fluorescence imaging and electrophysiological recording.

Abstract: High through-put CMP is achieved by the application of a cleaning composition on to an exposed surface of a metal layer prior to polishing the bulk metal layer. Embodiments of the present invention include applying an aqueous composition containing citric acid and ammonium hydroxide in deionized water to remove a native oxide film that forms on a copper containing layer and then polishing the copper containing layer to substantially planarize the metal layer.

Abstract: Cu metallization is treated to reduce defects and effect passivation, and to reduce leakage between lines, by removing surface defects subsequent to CMP and barrier layer removal. Embodiments include the sequential steps of: CMP and barrier layer removal; buffing with a solution comprising citric acid, ammonium hydroxide and deionized water to remove copper oxide; rinsing with deionized water or an inhibitor solution, e.g., benzotriazole or 5-methyl triazole in deionized water; buffing with an abrasive slurry; and rinsing with deionized water or an inhibitor solution.