Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyte capable of obtaining an excellent quality of electrolyte, and a battery using the electrolyte. A battery device in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are stacked with a separator being interposed therebetween is enclosed inside an exterior member. The separator is impregnated with an electrolyte. The electrolyte contains a high polymer, a plasticizer, a lithium and at least either carboxylic acid or carboxylate. Therefore, when preparing a high polymer by means of polymerization of monomers, the polymerization of monomers can be smoothly processed even if there is a factor for inhibiting reaction such as copper. As a result, the amount of non-reacted monomers remained in the electrolyte can be suppressed to be extremely small. Therefore, decomposition and reaction of monomers are suppressed even after repeating charging/discharging, so that the deterioration in the charging/discharging efficiency and the charging/discharging characteristic can be prevented.

Abstract: Graphite sheeting having a thickness of less than 250 micrometers and in-plane conductivity of at least 100 S/cm when employed as a cathode current collector in a lithium or lithium ion cell containing a fluorinated lithium imide or methide electrolyte salt imparts high thermal resistance, excellent electrochemical stability, and surprisingly high capacity retention at high rates of discharge.

Abstract: A metrology for determining bias or overlay error in lithographic processes. This metrology includes a set of diffraction test patterns, optical inspection techniques by using spectroscopic ellipsometer or reflectometer and a method of test pattern profile extraction. The invention uses a set of diffraction gratings as the test patterns, and thin film metrology equipment, such as spectroscopic ellipsometer or spectroscopic reflectometer. The profiles of the test patterns in the two successive layers are analyzed. Overlay information is obtained after processing the profile data. In a first aspect of the invention, a line-on-line overlay grating test patterns structure is disclosed in which a second layer mask is placed in the center of a clear line in a first layer mask. In a second aspect of the invention, a line-in-line overlay grating test patterns structure is disclosed in which a second layer mask is placed in the center of a dark line in the first mask.

Abstract: Reflection photomasks add a buffer layer including at least one Group VIII metal between a reflection layer and an absorber pattern that is configured to absorb extreme ultraviolet rays therein. In particular, reflection photomasks include a substrate and a reflection layer having multiple sets of alternating films of first and second materials, on the substrate. A buffer layer including at least one Group VIII metal is provided on the reflection layer opposite the substrate. An absorber pattern including material that is patterned in a pattern and that is configured to absorb extreme ultraviolet rays, is provided on the buffer layer opposite the reflection layer. The at least one Group VIII metal preferably is Ru. At least a portion of the Ru buffer layer may be less than about 3 nm thick. Alternatively, the Group VIII metal can include Pt, Ir and/or Pd.

Abstract: A mask set has a first mask including a shielding region shielding a first pattern-defining light; a second mask including a phase-shifting region having a phase shifter edge and a non-phase-shifting region adjacent to the phase-shifting region on the phase shifter edge. A first phase of the first light portion passing through the phase-shifting region differs from a second phase of the second light portion. The first and second masks are aligned such that the phase shifter edge overlaps on the shielding region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing and using a calibrated registration reference wafer in a semiconductor manufacturing facility. A reference reticle consisting of a 2-dimensional array of standard alignment attributes is exposed several times onto a photoresist coated semiconductor wafer using a photolithographic exposure tool. After the final steps of the lithographic development process the resist patterned wafer is physically etched using standard techniques to create a permanent record of the alignment attribute exposure pattern. The permanently recorded alignment attributes are measured for placement error using a conventional overlay metrology tool. The resulting overlay error data is used to generate a calibration file that contains the positions of the alignment attributes on the reference wafer. The reference wafer and calibration file can be used to determine the wafer stage registration performance for any photolithographic exposure tool.

Abstract: An aligning method for a scanning projection exposure apparatus, which scans a first movable stage which moves with a first object being placed thereon, and a second movable stage which moves with a second object being placed thereon, in synchronism with each other with respect to a projection optical system, and projects a pattern formed on the first object onto the second object through the projection optical system. The aligning method includes the steps of (i) positioning the first object with respect to the first movable stage, (ii) detecting a position of a mark formed on a reference plate fixed to the first movable stage by a detection system, and (iii) obtaining a detection reference position of the detection system from a position detection result. The method also includes detecting a position of a mark formed on the first object with the detection system, thereby obtaining a deformation amount of the first object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for placing process survivable indicia on a support for an imaging element comprising providing a support wherein the support comprises a closed cell foam core and adhered thereto at least one flange layer, wherein the closed cell foam core layer comprises a polymer that has been expanded through the use of a blowing agent, and placing process survivable ink on at least one flange layer, wherein the process survivable ink forms process survivable indicia. The invention also relates to a method for placing process survivable indicia on a support comprising a closed cell foam core and adhered thereto an upper flange layer and a lower flange layer. The invention also includes a method for placing process survivable indicia on a support by placing process survivable indicia on said closed cell foam core.

Abstract: On sequentially transferring patterns formed on a mask onto a plurality of divided areas on a substrate, when a new divided area on the substrate exposed, the substrate is moved from the exposure position of the preceding divided area to the exposure position of the new divided area in consideration of thermal expansion of the substrate at this stage. Thereafter, the mask pattern is transferred onto the predetermined divided area. With this process, exposure is performed with the respective shot areas arranged on the substrate at a desired interval in a cooled state after exposure. This makes it possible to improve the overlay accuracy with respect to the subsequent layer while performing exposure with high overlay accuracy with respect to the preceding layer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a photoconductor, and an exposing device for irradiating a surface of the photoconductor imagewise with a coherent light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. The surface of the photoconductor has such roughness as to provide I(S) of at least 3.

Abstract: An image forming toner is provided, including at least: a binder resin; a colorant; and a release agent, wherein a volume-average particle diameter of the toner measured by a Coulter counter is from 5 to 8 &mgr;m; the content of the toner having a volume-average particle diameter of not greater than 5 &mgr;m is 60 to 75% by number; and the content of the toner having a number-basis circle-equivalent particle diameter of from 0.6 to 3 &mgr;m measured by a flow-type particle image analyzer is not greater than 25%.

Abstract: Disclosed is a toner comprising particles of a polyester resin, an optional colorant, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), wherein said toner particles are prepared by an emulsion aggregation process. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a process which comprises (a) generating an electrostatic latent image on an imaging member, and (b) developing the latent image by contacting the imaging member with charged toner particles comprising a polyester resin, an optional colorant, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), wherein said toner particles are prepared by an emulsion aggregation process.

Abstract: A multicolor image forming material comprising: an image-receiving sheet comprising an image-receiving layer; and at least four thermal transfer sheets differing in color each comprising a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer and an image-forming layer, wherein the image forming material is used for recording a multicolor image by superposing the image-forming layer of each thermal transfer sheet and the image-receiving layer to face each other, irradiating laser light and transferring a region irradiated with the laser light of the image-forming layer onto the image-receiving layer, and at least one layer selected from the image-receiving layer and the image-forming layers comprises, as a fluorine-containing surfactant, a copolymer (I) comprising following repeating units (A), (B) and (C) as defined herein.

Abstract: A positive photosensitive composition suitable for resist pattern formation under exposure to far ultraviolet light of wavelengths of 250 nm or shorter, particularly 220 nm or shorther, comprising: (A) a resin comprising constitutional repeating units wherein particular ring structures are present and having groups capable of decomposing under the action of an acid to cause an increase of the solubility in an alkali developer, (B) a photo-acid generator capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation, and (C) a fluorine-containing surfactant, a silicon-containing surfactant or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Imageable elements useful in lithographic printing, and processes for their use, are disclosed. The elements comprise a hydrophilic substrate, an imageable layer over the substrate, and a thermally activated crosslinking agent. The imageable layer comprises a polymeric material that comprises one or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, carboxylic acid anhydride, phenolic hydroxyl, and sulphonamide. A preferred crosslinking group is the oxazoline group. The element is heated after exposure and development to crosslink a polymeric material.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium which can eliminate the necessity for the initialization process. A crystallization assisting layer (3) comprising a given material is formed over a substrate (1) on one side thereof, and a recording layer (4) comprising a Ge—Sb—Te alloy is formed directly on the layer (3). Since the recording layer (4) crystallizes immediately after film formation, no initialization process is necessary for the optical information recording medium obtained. Examples of the material of the crystallization assisting layer firstly include materials having a face-centered cubic lattice system crystal structure. Examples thereof secondly include tellurium-free materials having a rhombohedral lattice system crystal structure. An especially preferred crystallization assisting layer is a discontinuous island-like film made of a material comprising bismuth and/or a bismuth compound.

Abstract: A negative-working heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor, comprising a substrate having a water-receptive surface which has provided thereon sequentially: (1) a thermal cross-linking layer comprising an aqueous alkali-soluble resin having aromatic hydroxyl groups, a cross-linking agent capable of cross-linking the resin by heating in the presence of an acid catalyst and an acid generator; and (2) a water-soluble overcoat layer; wherein at least one layer of the overcoat layer and the thermal cross-linking layer comprise a compound capable of converting light into heat.

Abstract: Projection-exposure apparatus and methods are disclosed that exhibit increased throughput by providing improved schemes by which the reticle stage and wafer stage move to accomplish exposure. Portions of a die pattern on a “pattern original” (e.g., reticle) are sequentially illuminated by an energy beam (e.g., beam of electromagnetic radiation or charged particles). The energy beam passes through the pattern portions and forms a demagnified image on a substrate through a projection-optical system. While moving the pattern original and the substrate, the entire die pattern is sequentially illuminated according to an exposure order, and the die pattern is demagnifyingly transferred to the substrate on which the images of the illuminated pattern portions are stitched together. When transferring and exposing the die pattern to multiple locations on the substrate, the exposure order is reversed after exposing each die pattern.

Abstract: A direct-to-plate method for obtaining a high quality lithographic printing plate is disclosed. The method comprises the application of a continuous layer of a radiation sensitive solution onto a lithographic substrate by means of an ink-jet printhead. Hereby waste of coating solution and contamination of the environment are avoided.

Abstract: Various circuit structures incorporating masks and anti-reflective coatings and methods of fabricating the same are provided. In one aspect, a circuit structure is provided that includes a substrate and a first photosensitive film on the substrate. The first photosensitive film is photosensitive to a first electromagnetic spectrum and anti-reflective of a second electromagnetic spectrum that differs from the first electromagnetic spectrum. A second photosensitive film is on the first photosensitive film. The second photosensitive film is photosensitive to the second electromagnetic spectrum whereby exposure by the second electromagnetic spectrum will activate the second photosensitive film but not the first photosensitive film and exposure by the first electromagnetic spectrum will activate unmasked portions of the first photosensitive film. The first photosensitive film doubles as an anti-reflective coating that may be patterned anisotropically using lithographic techniques.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a field emitter array using carbon nanotubes, low voltage field emission material, is provided. The method includes the steps of (a) forming a conductive thin film layer on the top of a transparent substrate having a transparent electrode and exposing a predetermined portion of the transparent electrode; (b) forming an opaque thin film layer on the exposed predetermined portion of the transparent electrode; (c) depositing an insulation material on the entire top surface of the transparent substrate and removing the insulation material from the top surfaces of the conductive thin film layer and the opaque thin film layer, thereby forming an insulation layer; (d) forming a gate layer on the top of the insulation layer; and (e) removing the opaque thin film layer and forming carbon nanotube tips on the top of the exposed transparent electrode.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a stamper manufacturing method capable of shortening a time taken for manufacturing a stamper without requiring special equipment such as a dry etching device. The stamper manufacturing method comprises the steps of forming a photoresist layer (6) on one of surfaces of a conductive substrate (1), exposing a desirable portion of the photoresist layer (6), developing the photoresist layer (6), forming an electroforming body (8) on the substrate (1) in a portion from which the photoresist layer (6) is removed at the developing step, and carrying out washing to remove the photoresist layer (6) from the substrate (1).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing or eliminating a poor pattern formation on a photoresist film by contacting the photoresist film with an alkaline solution prior to its exposure to light. Methods of the present invention significantly reduce or prevent T-topping and top-loss.

Abstract: Method for the formation of resist patterns by using a chemically amplified resist which comprises an alkali-insoluble base polymer or copolymer and an acid generator, in which the patternwise exposed film of said resist is developed with an organic alkaline developer in the presence of a surface active agent containing a higher alkyl group in a molecule thereof. The resist patterns have no drawback such as cracks and peeling, and thus can be advantageously used in the production of semiconductor devices such as LSIs and VLSIs.

Abstract: A liquid or a solid positive type photosensitive resin composition is herein disclosed which is used under the irradiation circumstance of a safelight having a maximum wavelength within the range of 500 to 620 nm, wherein an absorbancy of an unexposed film formed from this composition is 0.

Abstract: Photothermographic imaging materials having increased photospeed are provided by certain tellurium chemical sensitizers that are added during the formulation of a photothermographic emulsion.

Abstract: Antistatic compositions include a fluorochemical that is a reaction product of Rf—CH2CH2—SO3H with an amine wherein Rf comprises 4 or more fully fluorinated carbon atoms. These antistatic compositions can be formulated in organic solvent-based conductive coating compositions, with or without hydrophobic binders, that can be used to form conductive layers in thermally developable materials including thermographic and photothermographic materials.

Abstract: A photothermographic imaging material comprising a support having thereon a photosensitive layer comprising a photosensitive silver halide, a light-insensitive organic silver salt, a binder, and a reducing agent for silver ions, wherein the reducing agent is represented by the following Formula (S):  wherein Z is a group of atoms necessary to form a non aromatic ring of 3 to 10 members; Rx is a hydrogen or an alkyl group; each Ro′ and Ro″ is independently a hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group; Qo is a substituent; and each n and m is independently an integer of 0 to 2; and plural Qos may be the same or different.

Abstract: There is provided a photographic element comprising at least one silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith a novel phenolic cyan dye-forming coupler of formula (I) wherein X is hydrogen or a group that can be split off by the reaction of the coupler with an oxidised colour developing agent, and one of Y and Z is the group  wherein each R is independently an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl or aryl group or a 5-10 membered heterocyclic ring which contains one or more heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, which ring is unsubstituted or substituted; R1 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl or aryl group, R2 is an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl or aryl group or a 5-10 membered heterocyclic ring which contains one or more heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, which ring is unsubstituted or substituted; R3 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl or aryl group, n is 1 or 2, and the othe

Abstract: Improved compounds and base precursors that undergo thermal decomposition are disclosed. Thermal-dye-bleach agents, and in particular, a novel class of salts of arylsulfonylacetic acids as bleaching agents for photothermographic use are disclosed. Photothermographic elements employing these thermal-dye-bleach agents are suitable for use as acutance and antihalation systems, bleachable filter dye materials, and in promoting unblocking of various components such as blocked developers, especially in in photothermographic elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to a silver halide photographic element comprising a support bearing a cyan dye image-forming unit comprised of at least one red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith at least one cyan dye-forming coupler, a magenta dye image-forming unit comprising at least one green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith at least one magenta dye-forming coupler, and a yellow dye image-forming unit comprising at least one blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer having associated therewith at least one yellow dye-forming coupler, wherein at least one of the dye image forming units contains layers of differing sensitivities, and the layer of highest sensitivity contains a development promoting agent or a specific coupler as described herein, or a combination thereof, and a silver halide emulsion comprising tabular silver halide grains having associated therewith at least two dye layers comprising (a) an inner dye layer adjacent to the silver ha

Abstract: Disclosed is a photothermographic material containing a silver salt of an organic acid, a silver halide and a reducing agent on a transparent support, which has, in silver iodide content distribution of total silver halide grains contained in the photothermographic material plotted with silver iodide content in abscissa and silver content in silver halide grains in ordinate, at least one maximum value in a silver iodide content range of less than 10 mol % and at least one maximum value in a silver iodide content range of 10 mol % or more. The photothermographic material shows low fog, little increase of fog and little sensitivity fluctuation during storage before light exposure.

Abstract: This invention relates uses of components of plant-like metabolic pathways not including psbA or PPi phosphofructokinase and not generally operative in animals or encoded by the plastid DNA, to develop compositions that interfere with Apicomplexan growth and survival. Components of the pathways include enzymes, transit peptides and nucleotide sequences encoding the enzymes and peptides, or promoters of these nucleotide sequences to which antibodies, antisense molecules and other inhibitors are directed. Diagnostic and therapeutic reagents and vaccines are developed based on the components and their inhibitors.

Abstract: Methods, systems, kits for carrying out a wide variety of different assays that comprise providing a first reagent mixture which comprises a first reagent having a fluorescent label. A second reagent is introduced into the first reagent mixture to produce a second reagent mixture, where the second reagent reacts with the first reagent to produce a fluorescently labeled product having a substantially different charge than the first reagent. A polyion is introduced into at least one of the first and second reagent mixtures, and the fluorescent polarization in the second reagent mixture relative to the first reagent mixture is determined, this fluorescent polarization being indicative of the rate or extent of the reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to &bgr;-hCG, particularly &bgr;-hCG proteins having a sequence of amino acids 41-54, 45-54, 47-53, 45-57 and 45-58 and analogs and derivatives thereof. The invention further relates to methods of treatment and prevention of HIV infection by administration of a therapeutic compound of the invention. Such therapeutic compounds include hCG, &bgr;-hCG and &bgr;-hCG peptides, analogs and derivatives of hCG, &bgr;-hCG and &bgr;-hCG peptides, and nucleic acids encoding hCG, &bgr;-hCG and &bgr;-hCG peptides. In a preferred embodiment, &bgr;-hCG peptides, particularly &bgr;-hCG peptides of amino acids 47-53, 45-57 or 45-58 are administered to a subject for treatment or prevention of HIV infection in that subject. The invention also provides methods for screening hCG preparations for activity in treating or preventing HIV infection. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of administration of Therapeutics are also provided.

Abstract: An in vitro method to conduct genomic replication of the viral genomes of viruses that utilize RNA-dependent RNA polymerase for replication (RDRP viruses), such as HCV. The method employs a construct comprising the 3′ and 5′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of the viral genome which are operably linked on the 5′ and 3′ ends of a reporter sequence, in antisense orientation, such that when viral replication is occurring within the cell which produces RDRP, the reporter protein will be made. The method of the invention provides an efficient means for measuring genomic replication in RDRP viruses, and also for the rapid screening of compounds for their ability to inhibit genomic replication of RDRP viruses, including the Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Abstract: The present invention provides a genetic method for tethering polypeptides to the yeast cell wall in a form accessible for binding to macromolecules. Combining this method with fluorescence-activated cell sorting provides a means of selecting proteins with increased or decreased affinity for another molecule, altered specificity, or conditional binding. Also provided is a method for genetic fusion of the N terminus of a polypeptide of interest to the C-terminus of the yeast Aga2p cell wall protein. The outer wall of each yeast cell can display approximately 104 protein agglutinins. The native agglutinins serve as specific adhesion contacts to fuse yeast cells of opposite mating type during mating. In effect, yeast has evolved a platform for protein-protein binding without steric hindrance, from cell wall components.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting monomer changes in a sample when an unknown quantity of expected monomers may also be present. Homogeneous and heterogeneous samples are exposed to polymer probes for hybridization. The hybridization affinities of the polymer probes to the samples are then compared to determine differences between the polymers in the samples. Accordingly, deletion, substitution and insertion mutations may be detected in a heterogeneous sample of nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials related to immediate early genes. Specifically, the invention provides isolated immediate early gene nucleic acid, cells that contain isolated immediate early gene nucleic acid, substantially pure polypeptides encoded by immediate early gene nucleic acid, and antibodies having specific binding affinity for a polypeptide encoded by immediate early gene nucleic acid. In addition, the invention provides cDNA libraries enriched for immediate early genes cDNAs, isolated nucleic acid derived from such cDNA libraries, and methods for treating conditions related to a deficiency in a neuron's immediate early gene responsiveness to a stimulus.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a concentration of a target nucleic acid by using a nucleic acid probe labeled with a fluorescent dye. The method comprises: providing, as the probe, a nucleic acid probe capable of reducing fluorescence emission from the fluorescent dye when hybridized with the target nucleic acid; hybridizing the probe to the target nucleic acid; and measuring a decrease in fluorescence emission from the fluorescent dye after the hybridization relative to fluorescence emission from the fluorescent dye before the hybridization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inhibitors of Staphylococcus SarA protein function involved in the expression of staphylococcal virulence factors and the use of these inhibitors to treat and prevent staphylococcal infections in subjects. Particularly, the inhibitors act to interfere with the binding of the SarA protein to its binding site(s). The selection of specific inhibitors of the SarA protein is made possible as a result of the identification of the binding sites of SarA protein on at least a portion of the agr (accessory gene regulator) gene, a gene that like the sar (staphylococcal accessory regulator) gene, plays a role in the virulence of Staphylococcus. The present invention also is directed to a method of designing, synthesizing and identifying inhibitors of Sar A function and its role in the expression of staphylococcal virulence factors.

Abstract: Purified nucleic acid which can specifically hybridize with the sequence of swine retroviruses.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, such as ovarian cancer, are disclosed. Compositions may comprise one or more ovarian carcinoma proteins, immunogenic portions thereof, polynucleotides that encode such portions or antibodies or immune system cells specific for such proteins. Such compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as ovarian cancer. Methods are further provided for identifying tumor antigens that are secreted from ovarian carcinomas and/or other tumors. Polypeptides and polynucleotides as provided herein may further be used for the diagnosis and monitoring of ovarian cancer.

Abstract: A multiple level micro-array system for integrating micro-arrays of biomolecules, including biological, chemical and biochemical elements. The multiple level micro-arrays are formed using soft lithography techniques and elastomeric membranes to shield or pattern various portions of a suitable substrate with biomolecules. Additional levels are formed using membranes with various through holes which either isolate, stratify or shield the patterned biomolecules from subsequent patterning or addition of an assay solution.

Abstract: This invention relates to a diagnostic method for detecting cell-proliferating diseases characterized by analysis of the methylation level of cytosine residues in the region involved in the expression of cytokine receptor gene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for sensing the presence of an analyte component without relying on redox mediators. This sensor includes (a) a plurality of conductive polymer strands each having at least a first end and a second end and each aligned in a substantially common orientation; (b) a plurality of molecular recognition headgroups having an affinity for the analyte component and being attached to the first ends of the conductive polymer strands; and (c) an electrode substrate attached to the conductive polymer strands at the second ends. The electrode substrate is capable of reporting to an electronic circuit reception of mobile charge carriers (electrons or holes) from the conductive polymer strands. The electrode substrate may be a photovoltaic diode.

Abstract: An array of hybridisation probes, each of which comprises a mass label linked to a known base sequence of predetermined length, wherein each mass label of the array, optionally together with the known base sequence, is relatable to that base sequence by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved techniques for separating cells, particles and molecules important to medical science and biotechnology because separation is frequently the limiting factor for many biological processes. The apparatus and method of use provides an innovative method for quantitatively separating cells, proteins, or other particles, using multistage, magnetically, electromagnetically assisted separation technology, (“MAGSEP”). The MAGSEP technology provides a separation technology applicable to medical, chemical, cell biology, and biotechnology processes. Moreover, the instant invention relates to a method for separating and isolating mixtures of combinatorial synthesized molecules such that a variety of products are prepared, in groups, possessing diversity in size, length, (molecular weight), and structural elements. These are then analyzed for the ability to bind specifically to an antibody, receptor, or other ligate.

Abstract: An adaptation of the real-time PCR assay allows for highly sensitive detection of any eubacterial species with simultaneous speciation. The assay relies on a ‘multiprobe’ design in which a single set of highly conserved sequences encoded by the 16S rRNA gene serves as the primer pair, and it is used in combination with both an internal highly conserved sequence, the universal probe, and an internal variable region, the species-specific probe. A pre-PCR ultrafiltration step can be used to effectively decontaminate or remove background DNA. The real-time system reliably identifies 14 common bacterial species with a detection limit of 50 fg.

Abstract: The present invention provides the enzyme and enzymatic procedures for cleaving the &bgr; secretase cleavage site of the APP protein and associated nucleic acids, peptides, vectors, cells and cell isolates and assays. The invention further provides a modified APP protein and associated nucleic acids, peptides, vectors, cells, and cell isolates, and assays that are particularly useful for identifying candidate therapeutics for treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease.