Abstract: A system has been constructed which is suitable for tetracycline-inducible gene expression in Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The replicon/host gene expression system is tightly regulated, can be used in complex as well as minimal media, and can produce a high level of gene expression upon induction, with a variety of gene products. The gene expression system is suitable for production of products toxic to the host cells, and can be used, for example, for the analysis of gene expression and gene products in Gram-positive bacteria, and in a test of the effect of a peptide or polypeptide inhibitor of an S. aureus enzyme on the growth of S. aureus cells in culture or during infection of an animal.

Abstract: A novel marine microorganism (Pseudomonas CH07) capable of degrading different congeners namely coplanar, sterically hindered and other chlorobiphenyls present in a technical grade PCBs (Clophen A-50); the aerobic bacterial strain, identified as Pseudomonas CH07 isolated from coastal zone of Arabian sea near Goa, India subjected to intense anthropogenic activity is shown to degrade PCBs of chlorine content (4-7 chlorine atoms per biphenyl).

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzyme preparations consisting essentially of an enzyme which has cellulytic activity and comprises a first amino acid sequence having the following sequence 1 (SEQ ID NO:79) Thr Arg Xaa Xaa Asp Cys Cys Xaa Xaa 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9 Xaa Cys Xaa Trp Xaa 10  11  12  13  14

Abstract: This invention is a transportable organ preservation system which substantially increases the time during which the organ can be maintained viable for successful implantation into a human recipient. A chilled oxygenated nutrient solution is pumped through the vascular bed of the organ after excision of the organ from the donor and during transport. The device of the present invention uses flexible permeable tubing to oxygenate the perfusion fluid while the CO2 produced by the organ diffuses out of the perfusion fluid. One pressurized two liter “C” cylinder that contains 255 liters of oxygen at standard temperature and pressure can supply oxygen for up to 34 hours of perfusion time. The device uses a simple electric pump driven by a storage battery to circulate the perfusion fluid through the organ being transported. The vessel containing the organ to be transported is held at 4° C. by coolant blocks.

Abstract: An improved structure of a liquid drop emitter is provided which works to emit minute drops of liquid to deposit them in a dense array of dots on a substrate to produce a DNA chip, for example. The liquid drop emitter has a plurality of liquid inlets formed in rows in a staggered fashion, thereby allowing the liquid inlets to have a maximum possible area without any physical interference between adjacent two of them and also allowing outlet nozzles to be arranged in a dense array.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.

Abstract: A device for positioning the tip of an elongated probe at a selected station of a holding plate includes motors to move the holding plate and a supporting stage within a coordinate plane (mxy). The elongated probe is also moveable along a probe axis that is oriented normal to the coordinate plane (mxy). A camera creates a pixel image of an optical marker placed on the stage. The image defines a coordinate plane (pxy). To relate the coordinate plane (pxy) to the coordinate plane (mxy), the optical marker is moved to successive locations in the mxy plane and a pixel image is obtained at each location. Using the pixel images, a computer calculates the relationship between coordinate planes and uses the relationship to signal the motors to move the holding plate in the mxy plane and position the selected station on the probe axis for interaction with the probe.

Abstract: The present invention includes a bioreactor support system that provides an improved way to culture large quantities of mammalian cells. Mammalian cells are extremely sensitive to their environment, undergoing a programmed cell death in response to nutrient deprivation, growth factor withdrawal, oxygen starvation and excess shear levels. The present invention includes a bioreactor support system which permits the culture of cells at high density and prevents cell death by providing enhanced oxygen delivery to the cells without excessive shear; maintaining cell secreted or exogenously added low molecular weight products (e.g., growth, differentiation and maintenance factors) in the culture space during perfusion culture; and provides the ability to feed the cultures without dilution of the conditioned media. The improved bioreactor support system features two flow paths emanating from a central integrating chamber.

Abstract: A cell and tissue culture modeling device comprising a housing having an interior chamber, an inlet port in fluid communication with the internal chamber, an outlet port in fluid communication with the internal chamber, a plurality of hollow fibers disposed within the interior chamber and traversing the length of the housing between the inlet port and the outlet port. Each of the plurality of hollow fibers has an interior defining an intracapillary space and the interior chamber defines an extracapillary space unoccupied by the plurality of hollow fibers. To access the extracapillary space of the device, a portion of the housing is removable. The device can be used to conduct permeability, drug efficacy, and gene expression studies.

Abstract: The invention comprises novel culture methods and devices in which biocatalysts are substantially immobilized contained, suspended and or incubated in a chamber. At least one injection element provides a fluid flow to a perimeter of the chamber and the fluid force of the fluids flowing into the chamber works with the centripetal force created by rotation of the device to suspend the cells within the chamber, promote cell growth and/or clean the fluid as it passes thru the suspended biocatalyst.

Abstract: The tmbA gene cluster of Sorangium cellulosum encodes a PKS and modification enzymes for the biosynthesis of tombamycin.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel lentiviral packaging constructs that are useful for the establishment of stable packaging cell lines and producer cell lines. In particular, the present invention provides novel packaging cell lines that are capable of constitutively expressing high levels of lentiviral proteins.

Abstract: The stem cell-augmenting material of the present invention being capable of augmenting stem cells consisting of somatic stem cells, particularly hematopoietic stem cells of bone marrow, and embryonic stem cells by being absorbed in vivo by oral ingestion, drops, etc. and capable of augmenting stem cells using isoflavone aglycone, which has estrogen-like activity and does not block the enzyme activity of enzymes that act on cell proliferation factor. There have been no stem cell-augmenting materials like the present invention whatsoever. The main characteristic of the present invention is that a stem cell-augmenting material that has the excellent activity is obtained because it has isoflavone aglycone that has a stem cell-augmenting activity.

Abstract: Isolated CHF, isolated DNA encoding CHF, and recombinant or synthetic methods of preparing CHF are disclosed. These CHF molecules are shown to influence hypertrophic activity and neurological activity. Accordingly, these compounds or their antagonists may be used for treatment of heart failure, arrhythmic disorders, inotropic disorders, and neurological disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of increasing neural stem cell numbers by using growth hormone and/or IGF-1. The method can be practiced in vivo to obtain more neural stem cells in situ, which can in turn produce more neurons or glial cells to compensate for lost or dysfunctional neural cells. The method can also be practiced in vitro to produce a large number of neural stem cells in culture. The cultured stem cells can be used, for example, for transplantation treatment of patients or animals suffering from neurodegenerative diseases or conditions.

Abstract: Recombinational cloning is provided by the use of nucleic acids, vectors and methods, in vitro and in vivo, for moving or exchanging segments of DNA molecules using engineered recombination sites and recombination proteins to provide chimeric DNA molecules that have the desired characteristic(s) and/or DNA segment(s).

Abstract: The invention provides cells, particularly NCI-H460 cells and Calu-1 cells, for the propagation of replication-deficient adenoviral vectors. The cells are lung carcinomas with either a wild-type p53 gene or a heterozygous K-ras mutation. The cells comprise at least one adenoviral nucleic acid sequence, which upon expression produces a gene product that complements for at least one essential gene function of one or more regions of an adenoviral genome so as to propagate a replication-deficient adenoviral vector comprising an adenoviral genome deficient in the at least one essential gene function of the one or more regions when present in the cell.

Abstract: Utilization of albumin as a stable plasma transporter with a therapeutic function that is derived from a membrane receptor. The present invention is exemplified by the description of new therapeutic agents that can be used in the treatment of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: hybrid macromolecules composed of albumin derivatives coupled to derivatives of the CD4 receptor having a normal or a higher affinity for the HIV-1 virus.

Abstract: Site-specific recombinase based methods for making a recombinant adenoviral genome, as well as kits for practicing the same and the recombinant adenovirus vectors produced thereby, are provided. In the subject methods, the subject genomes are prepared from donor and acceptor vectors that each include at least one site recombinase recognition site, where in certain preferred embodiments, one of the donor and acceptor vectors includes a single recombinase recognition site while the other includes two recombinase recognition sites. The acceptor vector includes an adenoviral genome having an E region deletion. The donor vector includes an insertion nucleic acid. In the subject methods, the donor and acceptor vectors are combined in the presence of a recombinase to produce an adenoviral genome that includes the insertion nucleic acid. The subject adenoviral genomes find use in a variety of applications, including as vectors for use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Transfecting compounds which include an aminoglycoside linked to a lipid via a spacer, and their polyguanidylated derivatives are provided. These compounds are useful for the in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo transfection of nucleic acids into various cell types.

Abstract: A clinical analyzer where incoming samples are partitioned into groups in accord with the length of time required for the assay to be completed or in accord with the pattern of reagent addition(s) taken with length of time required for the assay to be completed. Medium length time assays are completed, removed from a reaction carousel and replaced by shorter length time assays during a single operational cycle in which longer length assays are also completed.

Abstract: Gas focusing flow cytometers are fabricatable employing simple and inexpensive manufacturing techniques. When such cytometers or conventional cytometers are combined with fiber optical light paths and laser diode and semiconductor photodetectors, light weight and handheld, optionally disposable devices which maintain high performance are possible.

Abstract: A method of screening a subject for the presence of lipoprotein X includes the steps of: producing a measured lipid signal lineshape of an NMR spectrum of a blood plasma or serum sample obtained from a subject; generating a calculated lineshape for the sample, the calculated lineshape being based on derived concentrations of lipoprotein components potentially present in the sample, the derived concentration of each of the lipoprotein components being the function of a reference spectrum for that component and a calculated reference coefficient, wherein one of the lipoprotein components for which a concentration is calculated is lipoprotein X; and determining the degree of correlation between the calculated lineshape of the sample and the measured lineshape spectrum of the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining solute levels by affinity viscosimetry involving a sensitive fluid, in which the sensitive fluid flows continuously through a first hydraulic resistor in the flow direction of the dialysis chamber, and the sensitive fluid modified by dialysis simultaneously flows through another resistor, wherein the pressure differences between the resistors is determined on-line with the aid of pressure sensors and converted into a relative value which is approximately proportional to the concentration of solute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining ammoniacal species concentration in a gas sample. In one embodiment, trace concentration of ammonia in an air sample is determined by monitoring emission intensity from an excited radical species (NH*), which is produced in a reaction between ammonia and fluorine. The observed emission intensity is compared with calibration data obtained from previously analyzed gas samples containing ammonia. The method and apparatus can also be adapted to detect ammoniacal species concentration in other NH-containing gas samples.

Abstract: A simple assay is described to determine the presence of a point of interest of an aldehyde such as OPA, glutaraldehyde or formaldehyde in a test solution such as a disinfectant. The aldehyde is reacted with a calculated amount of a reagent such as sodium bisulfite or sodium cyanide. This reaction produces a solution with a first color. This first color may be colorless. The remaining aldehyde is reacted with a compound containing an amino group such as an amino acid to produce a second color. The observation of a color confirms the presence of a certain amount of the aldehyde in the test solution. If no color is developed, then the aldehyde concentration is below a certain specification. The specific concentration point may be adjusted to practically any point by adjusting the amounts of the chemical reagents used or by using a different amount of aldehyde in the solution to be tested.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a detector arrangement that is adapted to measure radiation from detector areas in the surface of a microfluidic device. The arrangement comprises a detector unit with a detector head and other units enabling for the detector unit to collect radiation from the detection areas.

Abstract: A method is defined wherein a Master Library of individual compounds, mixtures of compounds, or reaction pre-mixtures in solvent are prepared for storage and subsequent utilization in a Distribution-Ready Library by delivery of the master stock constituents into a distribution formulation liquid (DFL). The individual compounds within the Master Library can include peptides, proteins, organic chemicals, pharmaceutical compounds, RNA, DNA, or cell fractions. The Distribution-Ready Library can be maintained indefinitely in storage. At the time of manufacture or time of need, the Distribution-Ready Library is microarrayed onto substrates at high density, thereby creating numerous Library Microarrays that are identical replicates of the Master Library compound(s) in DFL at fixed and known positions on the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for rapidly screening chemicals for their ability to sublime. The apparatus consists of a heated well plate, where the chemicals are deposited, and a cooled finger plate, holding fingers that penetrate each well. The two plates touch at only the perimeter in order to facilitate a vacuum seal and to reduce any thermal transfer.

Abstract: The measurement of the particle size distribution of an aerosol is of crucial importance in pharmaceutical development. A prerequisite for this is a valid method, e.g. the cascade impactor method described in the pharmacopoeias. It requires measurement of the active substance concentration in order to determine the particle size distribution. The invention provides a process which makes it possible to measure the size of aerosol droplets containing pharmaceutical substances which are unstable in the event of changes in the pH.

Abstract: In a chromatography quantitative measuring apparatus according to the present invention, a beam applied from a light source (201) to a chromatography test strip (8) is formed into an elliptical shape by an optical means such as a cylindrical lens (205), a variation in absorbance that accompanies elution of a marker regent is detected while the elliptical beam is applied between a marker reagent hold part (82) and a detection part (83), and a measurement is automatically started in a prescribed period of time since the detection of variation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the evaluation of interactions between substances using inverse chromatography are disclosed. Preferably, interactions are evaluated between a liquid test sample and a solid phase comprising a receptor in the presence of a liquid carrier. Preferably, one of the modifying agent or receptor are members of a combinatorial library.

Abstract: The invention provides highly sensitive and rapid homogeneous assays which employ particle-enhanced assay formats in concert with capillary electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection to determine the concentration of an analyte of interest in a sample. Such a determination is made by measuring fluorescent signal(s) (i.e., an electropherogram) produced upon LIF of species present in the reaction mixture that are capable of producing such signals. The method of this invention produces simplified electropherograms by reducing the number of signals that must be separated and subsequently measured, and therefore increases the accuracy of the detection and/or quantification of target analyte concentration in a sample.

Abstract: Arginine-containing cysteine-modifying compounds useful for MALDI-MS analysis of proteins are provided. These compounds termed isotope-coded ionization enhancement reagents (ICIER) can provide ionization enhancement in MALDI-MS, relative quantitation, and additional database searching constraints at the same time without any extra sample manipulation. More specifically, ICIER increase the ionization efficiency of cysteine-containing peptides by attachment of a guanidino functional group. ICIER also increase the overall hydrophilicity of these peptides due to the hydrophilic nature of ICIER and thus increase the percentage of recovery of these peptides during sample handling and processing such as in-gel digestion or liquid chromatography.

Abstract: Immunological assays for several biological markers for thyroid disorders in a biological sample are performed in a single test with a combination of sandwich-type, sequential competitive, and serological assays by the use of particles classified into groups that are distinguishable by flow cytometry, one group for the assay of each marker. Each group of particles is coated with a different immunological binding member, and coating densities, co-coating materials, and special buffer solutions are used to adjust for differences in the sensitivities and dynamic ranges of each of the markers in the typical sample.

Abstract: The invention provides a ferroelectric substance thin film uniform and good in crystallinity. The ferroelectric substance thin film is characterized by forming a seed layer including ultra-fine particle powder including composing element of a ferroelectric substance thin film on a surface of a substrate constructing the substrate before forming the ferroelectric substance thin film and forming the ferroelectric substance thin film on an upper layer of the seed layer so as to perform crystallization making the seed layer a nucleus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing semiconductor device and a method and apparatus for processing detected defect data, making it possible to quickly infer or determine a process and related manufacturing equipment that causes defects in a fabrication line of semiconductor devices, take remedy action, and achieve a constant and high yield. The method of the invention comprises quantitatively evaluating similarity of a defects distribution on a wafer that suffered abnormal occurrence of defects to inspection results for wafers inspected in the past, analyzing cyclicity of data sequence of evaluated similarity, evaluating relationship between the cyclicity of defects obtained from the analysis and the process method according to each manufacturing equipment in the fabrication line, and inferring or determining a causal process and equipment that caused the defects.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus which detects the position of an alignment mark on a wafer has a low-magnification sensing system including the first imaging optical system and a photoelectric conversion element, and a high-magnification sensing system including the second imaging optical system and a photoelectric conversion element. Detection light from an alignment mark is branched, thereby sensing the alignment mark simultaneously by the low- and high-magnification sensing systems. The positions of the alignment mark are respectively calculated on the basis of the obtained low- and high-magnification images. If the mark position calculated on the basis of the low-magnification image falls within a predetermined range, the mark position calculated on the basis of the high-magnification image is determined to be valid and adopted as the proper alignment mark position.

Abstract: A method is shown which replaces single vias with redundant vias on candidate signals on a semiconductor integrated circuit chip. Where limited space prevents such replacement on more than one signal wire, the method assigns priority to the via through which more current must flow to charge or discharge capacitance. This prioritization reduces the magnitude of delay anomalies arising from vias containing process related resistance defects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically measuring the concentration of total organic carbon (TOC) in chemicals and ultra-pure water that are used in a wet etch process. The apparatus includes a sampling line extending from a processing bath, and a pump, for extracting a fluid sample from the processing bath, a buffer for filtering foreign material or air bubbles from the fluid, and an analyzer for analyzing the concentration of TOC in the fluid.

Abstract: There are provided a method for evaluating, in a reduced number of steps, a property of an integrated circuit reflecting operating conditions for an actual LSI and the design of the LSI. The property (delay) of a circuit A (ring oscillator) in a wafer or mounted chip is measured actually or simulated and the property of a circuit B (LSI) is simulated. Then, the interrelation between the degree of property degradation of the circuit A and the degree of property degradation of the circuit B is determined. The circuit property of a circuit AA (ring oscillator) having substantially the same degree of property degradation as the circuit A and manufactured under a new manufacturing condition is measured actually or simulated so that the degree of property degradation of a circuit BB is predicted from the interrelation and the degree of property degradation of the circuit AA.

Abstract: Three-dimensional structures of arbitrary shape are fabricated on the surface of a substrate through a series of processing steps wherein a monolithic structure is fabricated in successive layers. A first layer of photoresist material is spun onto a substrate surface and is exposed in a desired pattern corresponding to the shape of a final structure, at a corresponding cross-sectional level in the structure. The layer is not developed after exposure; instead, a second layer of photoresist material is deposited and is also exposed in a desired pattern. Subsequent layers are spun onto the top surface of prior layers and exposed, and upon completion of the succession of layers each defining corresponding levels of the desired structure, the layers are all developed at the same time leaving the three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: A novel method for fabricating an OLED display is disclosed wherein the conducting polymer layer is selectively deposited over the surface of the display such that the conducting polymer is kept away from areas where its presence is either not required for the resulting structure or is difficult to remove with usual techniques, such as laser ablation. Other polymer layers may be deposited uniformly over the surface of the display by way of spin coating or other suitable methods known in the art.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for forming micro patterns in a semiconductor integrated circuit device with high productivity and high accuracy. A photolithography having high throughput and electron beam lithography using a reticle and having relatively high throughput and high resolution are selectively used so as to obtain highest throughput while satisfying accuracy and resolution required for each product/layer. In the case of using the electron beam lithography, a non-complementary reticle and a complementary reticle are selectively used so as to obtain highest throughput while satisfying required accuracy and resolution. Thus, productivity and integration can be improved for the semiconductor integrated circuit device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of mounting a light emitting element, in which a light emission point can be positioned at high accuracy with respect to the mounting member. A semiconductor laser element is placed on a matching stage. Next, a position and an azimuth of a laser stripe of the semiconductor laser element is observed, and linear displacement in X and Y directions of the semiconductor laser element from a reference line and a reference point on the matching stage, and angular displacement in an azimuth (&thgr;) within an X-Y plane are measured. In accordance with a measured result, a control signal is sent to a driving mechanism of the feeding collet to drive the feeding collet, and the position of the semiconductor laser element is adjusted on the matching stage. After the adjustment, the semiconductor laser element is fed to and placed on a mounting surface of a heat sink H.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for synthesis of films, coatings or layers using precursor exerted pressure containment. A method includes exerting a pressure between a first precursor layer that is coupled to a first substrate and a second precursor layer that is coupled to a second substrate; forming a composition layer; and moving the first substrate relative to the second substrate, wherein the composition layer remains coupled to the second substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing an image sensor assembly, the method comprises the steps of providing a substrate having a substantially flat surface; providing a lead frame having a plurality of lead prongs extending therefrom and a shelf on which a coverglass may be attached; attaching an imager for collecting incident light to the substantially flat surface with an adhesive substance that adheres without thermal activation; and attaching the imager to a portion of the lead frame with an adhesive substance that adheres without thermal activation for producing an image sensor assembly.

Abstract: A method of integrating MEMS devices with non-MEMS circuitry requires fabricating non-MEMS devices on a substrate in a conventional fashion. A thick dielectric layer is deposited on the completed devices, and the MEMS devices fabricated on the dielectric layer. Vias through the dielectric layer interconnect the MEMS devices to the non-MEMS electronics. The interposed dielectric layer allows the common substrate to have characteristics that best suit the non-MEMS components, without degrading the MEMS performance. Another approach involves bonding together two separate wafers—one for the MEMS devices and one for non-MEMS electronics. A package lid, having filled vias formed therethrough, is bonded to the MEMS wafer, sealing the MEMS devices within. The non-MEMS wafer is mounted to the lid, with the vias effecting the necessary interconnections between the two wafers.

Abstract: The reduction in size, noise and voltage is realized in a MOS solid-state imaging device. A gate electrode in a pixel part is formed in a two-level structure. An amplifier gate of an amplifier transistor is formed in the first level while a select gate of a select transistor is formed in the second level. The both are structurally partly overlapped. With the first-level amplifier gate as self-alignment, ions are implanted for a select gate in the second level. Although the gate electrode if formed in one level as in the conventional requires a space of nearly a design rule between the amplifier gate and the select gate, the structure of the invention can eliminate such a dead space. Meanwhile, because the diffusion layer does not exist between the amplifier gate and the select gate, the diffusion layer is eliminated of sheet resistance and voltage drop.

Abstract: A method of employing organic vapor phase deposition to fabricate a polycrystalline organic thin film is described. By employing organic vapor phase deposition at moderate deposition chamber pressures and substrate temperatures, a polycrystalline organic thin film results having significantly larger purity and grain size than what is achievable by vacuum thermal evaporation. These polycrystalline organic thin films may be employed in a variety of applications, including, for example, organic light emitting devices, photovoltaic cells, photodetectors, lasers, and thin film transistors.