Abstract: The invention provides a fusion protein comprising the Plasmodium merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP1) and the Plasmodium apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1), the encoding DNA sequence, the vector containing the sequence, the host cell containing the vector, and the genetic engineering method for preparing the fusion protein and the usage for producing anti-malarial vaccine. The AMA-1/MSP1 fusion protein of the present invention has excellent immunogenicity and can cause an effective immune response against Plasmodium in individuals.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for determining the replication capacity of a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor resistant virus. The compositions and methods are useful for identifying effective drug regimens for the treatment of viral infections, and identifying and determining the biological effectiveness of potential therapeutic compounds.

Abstract: A process for decreasing the reducing sugars content of light steepwater comprising complementary incubation of light steepwater from a corn steeping process having sulfur dioxide (SO2) content at between about 20 ppm and about 220 ppm for at least about 5 hours. The process is particularly useful for obtaining Pharmaceutical Industry Grade Steepwater.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for biologically oxidizing organic matter. Finely powdered organic matter is suplied into the top end of an upright, high reaction vessel (1). The vessel (1) has been filled up substantially completely by small balls, on the surfaces of which the matter to be oxidized is present in thin layers. By means of a conveyor (6) outside the vessel, the balls are transferred uppwards, whereby the balls in the reaction vessel (1) flow downwrds. Oxidizing air is blown uppwrds against the flow of balls, whereby in the upper section of the vessel, drying takes place in the first instance and then is formed an oxidizing zone automatically by microbial activity in a section, wherein the best oxidizing conditions are prevailing. Exhaust air is cleaned by means of ionic cleaners (14) and singlet oxygen generators (27) and oxidized matter is recovered from the bottom end of the reaction vessel.

Abstract: The air in a room can be cleaned of ammonia by passing the air through green plants grown hydroponically. The air passes through a falling curtain of droplets of the hydroponic water, whereby the ammonia goes into solution in the water. Microbes colonised on the roots of the green plants break down the ammonia in the hydroponic water, and assimilate the nitrogen into the plant tissue.

Abstract: To provide a CO2 incubator capable of accurately controlling the CO2 gas concentration in an incubation space and quickly coping with a sudden change of CO2 gas concentrations in the incubation space.

Abstract: Described is a fluidic microsystem (100) with at least one compartment (10) for the receiving and/or the through-flow of a liquid and having an electrode arrangement (20) with a multiplicity of electrodes (21-28), between which a coaction zone (11) is established, whereby the compartment (10) possesses at least one wall (12-14), through which electromagnetic radiation can be linked into the said coaction zone (11) in accord with a predetermined incident direction (B), and on at least one electrode (21-28) a cooling apparatus is provided, and on which at least one respective electrode (21-28) at least one reflector layer (21b, 22b, 25b, 26b, 26c, 21c) is provided, and wherein the respective electrode (21-28) is at least partially shielded in reference to the incident beam direction (B), and having at least one heat conducting layer (50) by means of which the respective electrode (21-28) stands in thermal communication with a wall of the compartment (10), and/or includes an active cooling element (21c), which i

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and apparatus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology for automatically collecting air samples and identifying biological agents in the air sample. A fully automated system is provided that is capable of detecting transient events such as bacillus anthracis in a piece of mail being processed on high-speed mail processing equipment.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and apparatus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology for collecting air samples and identifying biological agents in the air sample. The apparatus is capable of detecting transient events such as bacillus anthracis in a piece of mail being processed on high-speed mail processing equipment.

Abstract: Nanopatterned devices are easily fabricated, over large surface areas when desired, by forming a multilayer article of deformable substrate, brittle layer, and coating layer, and deforming the multilayer film such that a plurality of cracks are formed therein. The cracks have different physicochemical properties than the non-cracked coating layer, and advantageously serve as attachment points for culturing microorganisms.

Abstract: A biocompatible biological component is provided comprising a membrane-mimetic surface film covering a substrate. Suitable substrates include hydrated substrates, e.g. hydrogels which may contain drugs for delivery to a patient through the membrane-mimetic film, or may be made up of cells, such as islet cells, for transplantation. The surface may present exposed bioactive molecules or moieties for binding to target molecules in vivo, for modulating host response when implanted into a patient (e.g. the surface may be antithrombogenic or antiinflammatory) and the surface may have pores of selected sizes to facilitate transport of substances therethrough. An optional hydrophilic cushion or spacer between the substrate and the membrane-mimetic surface allows transmembrane proteins to extend from the surface through the hydrophilic cushion, mimicking the structure of naturally-occurring cells.

Abstract: Methods, including culture media conditions, which provide for in vitro human stem cell division and/or the optimization of human hematopoietic progenitor cell cultures and/or increasing the metabolism or GM-CSF secretion or IL-6 secretion of human stromal cells and/or a method for assaying the effect of a substance or condition on a human hematopoietic cell population, and/or depleting the malignant cell or T-cell and B-cell content of a human hematopoietic cell population are disclosed. The methods rely on culturing human stem cells and/or human hematopoietic progenitor cells and/or human stromal cells in a liquid culture medium which is replaced, preferably perfused, either continuously or periodically, at a rate of 1 ml of medium per ml of culture per about 24 to about 48 hour period, and removing metabolic products and replenishing depleted nutrients while maintaining the culture under physiologically acceptable conditions. Optionally, growth factors are added to the culture medium.

Abstract: In vitro and in vivo approaches were used to induce hepatic oval cells to differentiate into cells expressing a neural cell-specific marker and displaying a neural morphology. Increasing cAMP in hepatic oval cells or co-culturing hepatic oval cells with neurospheres caused the hepatic oval cells to develop into cells displaying a neural cell-like phenotype. Hepatic oval cells transplanted into a brain differentiated into cells that phenotypically resembled all of the major cell types in the brain, including astrocytes, neurons, and microglia.

Abstract: The invention provides cells and methods of using the cells for the propagation of replication-deficient adenoviral vectors. The cells comprise at least one heterologous nucleic acid sequence which upon expression produces at least one non-adenoviral gene product that complements in trans for a deficiency in 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: Human bone marrow-derived stem cells are differentiated into pancreatic endocrine marker-expressing cells in vitro by first culturing human bone marrow mononuclear cells in a tissue culture container to obtain cells that adhere to the container, and continuing to culture the adherent cells until they become morphologically homogenous; second, culturing the morphologically homogeneous cells in a medium containing high glucose levels at least until the cells express detectable levels of glucagon, insulin, and mRNAs encoding insulin, Pdx-1, and NeuroD; and third, culturing the cells in a medium containing low glucose levels, nicotinamide, and exendin 4. Transplantation of pancreatic endocrine marker-expressing cells made in this manner can reduce hyperglycemia in a diabetic animal.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for culturing in vitro potentially regenerative cells (PRCs) from which functional tissue-organs are regenerated. In one aspect of the invention, a tissue culture medium is provided which comprises at least 50% of water and a sterol compound that is dissolved in a fatty acid-containing oil at a concentration at least 0.1% by weight based on the weight of the oil and added to the water. The culture medium can be used to culture PRCs that are isolated from the body of a mammal to generate functional tissue-organs in vitro with substantially the same physiological structure and function as the corresponding ones existing in vivo and in situ. The cultured PRCs, tissues, and tissue-organs can serve as valuable models for scientific investigation in life sciences, nutraceutical discovery, drug screening, pharmacokinetic studies, medical devices and tissue/organ transplantation.

Abstract: A programmable scaffold which is a three-dimensional scaffold having interconnected pore structures and biologically active molecules physically entrapped therein. Preferably, the scaffold is a lyophilized hydrogel of crosslinked alginate or hyaluronic acid. The scaffold can be arrayed on a platform and loaded with various combinations of biologically active molecules for high throughput and high parallel screening and tissue engineering. A method for making and modifying the scaffold having steps of impregnating the scaffold with solutions of biologically active molecule and lyophilizing the impregnated scaffold.

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: An apparatus for parallel processing of reaction mixtures, including a reactor block including reaction chambers for containing reaction mixtures under pressure, the reactor block further including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a first plurality of fluid flow paths providing fluid communication with the first sidewall and respective reaction chambers and the second sidewall and respective reaction chambers;; a stirring system including a base plate defining a second plurality of flow paths, wherein respective flow paths of said second plurality of flow paths are in fluid communication with respective reaction chambers and respective fluid flow paths of said first plurality of flow paths, and the base plate also supports a plurality of stirring blade assemblies for mixing the reaction mixtures; interchangeable manifolds supported by the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the interchangeable manifolds defining a plurality of manifold inlet/outlet ports, wherein respective inlet/outlet ports of s

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the orientation of a gas analyzer. Because condensation can build-up in a filter of the gas analyzer, it needs to be purged from the analyzer so that accurate readings can be made. By having a orientation device built-in, the analyzer can be purged at the desired orientation so that, as much water, can be purged, as possible, to the designated outlet.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for reducing a nitrogen oxide, and the control thereof.

Abstract: An improved fecal occult blood test having a matrix such as paper that is treated, imprinted or impregnated with a test reagent capable of undergoing a chromogen reaction is disclosed. The improvement relates to a novel developing solution in which the water to alcohol ratio is adjusted to enhance the sensitivity of the test.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conditioning chamber device for metallurgical samples, adapted to be attached to an instrument having an examination chamber operable in an ultra high vacuum condition, and to be brought to an ultra high vacuum condition while attached to the instrument; and comprises (i) at least one vacuum pump means; (ii) a sample retaining means; (iii) at least one fracturing means adapted to prepare on a sample a surface suitable for metallurgical analysis; (iv) a drying means adapted for slow drying of a sample in an ultra high vacuum condition; and (v) a transporting means to transport the sample after surface preparation through a connecting means into the examination chamber.

Abstract: A method of determining an analyte in a sample utilizing a redox reaction is provided, by which a highly reliable determined value can be obtained. In this method, a tetrazolium compound is added to a sample in the presence of a surfactant prior to a redox reaction so as to eliminate an effect of hemoglobin and a hemoglobin degradation product as reducing substances in the sample. Thereafter, a reducing or oxidizing substance derived from an analyte is produced and the amount thereof is determined by the redox reaction. Then, the amount of the analyte in the sample is determined based on the amount of the reducing or oxidizing substance thus determined. According to this method, cloudiness due to the coexistence with the hemoglobin can be prevented by the surfactant and thus an increase in the absorbance due to the cloudiness can be inhibited as shown in FIG. 1. As the surfactant, polyoxyethylene ether and the like can be used.

Abstract: Spectroscopic analysis systems and methods for analyzing samples are disclosed. An analysis system may contain an electromagnetic radiation source to provide radiation, a spectroscopic analysis chamber to perform a coherent Raman spectroscopy (e.g., stimulated Raman or coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy), and a radiation detector to detect radiation based on the spectroscopy. The chamber may have a resonant cavity to contain a sample for analysis, at least one window to the cavity to transmit the first radiation into the cavity and to transmit a second radiation out, a plurality of reflectors affixed to a housing of the cavity to reflect radiation of a predetermined frequency, the plurality of reflectors separated by a distance that is sufficient to resonate the radiation. The spectroscopic analysis system may be coupled with a nucleic acid sequencing system to receive a single nucleic acid derivative in solution and identify the derivative to sequence the nucleic acid.

Abstract: A sulfur-detecting sensor for detecting an integrated amount of hydrogen sulfide present in a gas stream passed over the sensor, characterized in that the sensor comprises a member formed of a material which is stable to hydrogen sulfide, and having a contacting side which is brought into contact with hydrogen sulfide, and a measuring member located on the contacting side of the former member, the measuring member being formed of a material which reacts with hydrogen sulfide to yield a reaction product having an increased electrical resistance value and/or making a phase change into a phase easily scattered by the gas stream at a temperature of the vicinity of the contacting side, and allowing an integrated amount of hydrogen sulfide passed over the sensor to be measured by measuring its electrical resistance value. A sulfur-detecting device using the detecting sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a noninvasive method for rapid detection of biomarkers, including the steps of subjecting biological material to laser beam irradiation of a single wavelength, enhancing the scattered light returned from passage of said excitation light through the biological material, transmitting this scattered light and measuring it, to obtain data which is characteristic of the biological material being tested, comparing the spectral data to reference spectral data obtained from laser irradiation of the same wavelength applied to a known biological sample contaminated with the biomarker being detected, receiving a diagnosis of the presence or absence of biomarkers of the disease in the biological material, and determining the quantitative value of the biomarkers in the biological material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for combining a fluid delivery system with an analysis system for performing immunological or other chemical of biological assays. The method comprises a miniature plastic fluidic cartridge containing a reaction chamber with a plurality of immobilized species, a capillary channel, and a pump structure along with an external linear actuator corresponding to the pump structure to provide force for the fluid delivery. The plastic fluidic cartridge can be configured in a variety of ways to affect the performance and complexity of the assay performed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a biological assay device using a reaction between an analyte present in a fluid and a reagent capable of forming a complex with said analyte, wherein the analyte is in the form of cellular elements, said device comprising at least a reaction container (1) provided with a reaction zone (2) wherein are introduced the fluid and the reagent, and with an immobilizing zone (3) whereon is fixed a substance (4) capable of specifically binding with the possibly formed complexes, the reaction zone (2) and the immobilizing zone (3) being separated from each other by a material layer (8), said material being capable of shifting from one first state wherein the layer (8) is substantially impermeable to a second state wherein the layer (8) is capable of allowing through the cellular elements, whether complexed or not.

Abstract: It has been found that a urine test for ovarian reserve can be provided which is equivalent in sensitivity to current laboratory methods which determine ovarian reserve based on FSH levels in serum. A lateral flow device for indicating ovarian reserve is disclosed. The device has an application zone for receiving a urine sample, a labelling zone containing label which binds to FSH in the sample, and a detection zone where FSH-bound label is retained. The detection zone has a threshold value which corresponds to a serum FSII level of between 5-20 mIU/ml (e.g. 10 mIU/ml). A test result above the threshold value indicates diminished ovarian reserve.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for immobilization of proteins which includes a hydrophobic polymeric layer, preferably PVDF, attached to a rigid support. The proteins are spotted onto the dry surface of the PVDF. In preferred embodiments, the PVDF-coated rigid support advantageously provides greater ease of handling, protein immobilization in the dry state, high spot density, low background and high dynamic range. Methods of using the disclosed microarray support are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making replicate arrays, comprises repeatedly sectioning a bundle of aligned array members to make wafers comprising replicate arrays, wherein: each array comprises structural members each of which has a lumen therethrough which is continuously enclosed thereby; each array member is a homogenous composition disposed within a separate lumen of a structural member which extends from a first to a second wafer surface formed by said sectioning; and each structural member and each array member are aligned in the bundle parallel to an alignment axis and occupy a defined position in the two dimensions orthogonal thereto; wherein the array members comprise analyte binding reagents that hybridize to DNA or RNA having specific nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of assaying pyrrole-containing biological compounds and chemical compositions that can be used in the method.

Abstract: A magneto resistive memory device is fabricated by etching a blanket metal stack comprised of a buffer layer, pinned magnetic layer, a tunnel barrier layer and a free magnetic layer. The problem of junction shorting from resputtered metal during the etching process is eliminated by formation of a protective spacer covering the side of the freelayer and tunnel barrier interface. The spacer is formed following the first etch through the free layer which stops on the barrier layer. After spacer formation a second etch is made to isolate the device. The patterning of the device tunnel junction is made using a disposable mandrel method that enables a self-aligned contact to be made following the completion of the device patterning process.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for updating a process recipe in a CMP process for a multi-layer wafer wherein the CMP process has at least one control parameter capable of being controlled includes the steps of (a) inputting a model comprising at least one control parameter for CMP processing of a wafer having at least first and second layers, said model comprising a first component that predicts a value for a characteristic of the first layer and a second component that predicts a value for a characteristic of the second layer; (b) determining a process recipe based upon the model of step (a); (c) receiving a measured value of the characteristic of the first layer and/or the characteristic of the second layer for a wafer processed according to the process recipe of step (b); and (d) determining an updated model based upon the difference between the measured value and the predicted value of the characteristic.

Abstract: Any semiconductor wafer fabrication process may be changed to monitor lateral abruptness of doped layers as an additional step in the wafer fabrication process. In one embodiment, a test structure including one or more doped regions is formed in a production wafer (e.g. simultaneously with one or more transistors) and one or more dimension(s) of the test structure are measured, and used as an estimate of lateral abruptness in other doped regions in the wafer, e.g. in the simultaneously formed transistors. Doped regions in test structures can be located at regularly spaced intervals relative to one another, or alternatively may be located with varying spacings between adjacent doped regions. Alternatively or in addition, multiple test structures may be formed in a single wafer, with doped regions at regular spatial intervals in each test structure, while different test structures have different spatial intervals.

Abstract: The chemical composition of thin films is modulated during their growth. A computer code has been developed to design specific processes for producing a desired chemical composition for various deposition geometries. Good agreement between theoretical and experimental results was achieved.

Abstract: A method of specifying a Cu-contamination-causative step or steps in a Si wafer reclamation process including plural steps in combination, comprising: using p-type Si wafers, or p-type Si wafers and n-type Si wafers as monitor wafers, and performing a measuring operation for measuring the electrical resistance of the monitor wafers at least once before and after a single step or a series of successive steps during the Si wafer reclamation process. The present invention is capable of nondestructively, simply, accurately detecting Cu that can contaminate Si wafers during a Si wafer reclamation process and of specifying a Cu-contamination-causative process.

Abstract: A redundant via design rule check is preferably performed on multi-wide object class design layouts to ensure that each connection area between two conductive layers has at least a certain number of vias and/or has vias placed appropriately to reduce the risk of via failure due to vacancy concentration of isolated vias. In exemplary embodiments, a redundant via design rule check preferably ensures that for vias placed within a connection area of a metal feature (or within a localized region of a larger metal geometry) that is both greater than a certain width and greater than a certain area in size, the vias are both sufficient in number and/or suitable in their location. Vias located inside a geometry but falling outside a virtual edge of a wide class object may be included to satisfy exemplary rules.

Abstract: A probe assembly for use with a calibration/validation robot to calibrate/validate a plurality of semiconductor tester channels is disclosed. The probe assembly includes a bracket adapted for mounting to the robot and a probe element for engaging test points disposed on the semiconductor tester channels. A magnetic attach/release mechanism cooperates with the bracket and probe element to allow for the separation of the probe element from the bracket whenever the probe element meets a force that exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A system and method of for determining multiple uniformity metrics of a semiconductor wafer manufacturing process includes collecting a quantity across each one of a group of semiconductor wafers. The collected quantity data is scaled and a principal component analysis (PCA) is performed on the collected, scaled quantity data to produce a first set of metrics for the first group of semiconductor wafers. The first set of metrics including a first loads matrix and a first scores matrix.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting flow in a mass flow controller (MFC). The position of a gate in the MFC is sensed or otherwise determined to monitor flow through the MFC and to immediately or nearly immediately detect a flow failure. In one embodiment of the present invention, a novel MFC is provided. The MFC includes an orifice, a mass flow control gate, an actuator and a gate position sensor. The actuator moves the control gate to control flow through the orifice. The gate position sensor determines the gate position and/or gate movement to monitor flow and immediately or nearly immediately detect a flow failure. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gate position sensor includes a transmitter for transmitting a signal and a receiver for receiving the signal such that the receiver provides an indication of the position of the gate based on the signal received.

Abstract: A surface inspection method for inspecting a pattern formed at a surface of a test piece, includes: a first step in which a plurality of inspection conditions that are different from each other are set; a second step in which light from the surface of the test piece is detected by irradiating illumination light onto the surface of the test piece under each of the plurality of inspection conditions; a third step in which a plurality of sets of detection information corresponding to the plurality of inspection conditions are generated based upon the detected light; a fourth step in which a logical OR of the plurality of sets of detection information is obtained; and a fifth step in which a decision is made as to whether or not the pattern at the surface of the test piece is acceptable based upon results of the logical OR.

Abstract: Formed first is a template having openings located to correspond to a pattern in which a plurality of semiconductor laser elements are to be arranged. Then, the template is held on the principal surface of a mounting wafer onto which the semiconductor elements are to be arranged. Subsequently, the semiconductor laser elements are dispersed into a fluid, and the semiconductor-laser-element-dispersed fluid is poured over the wafer on which the template is held. In this manner, the semiconductor laser elements are disposed into the respective openings of the template in a self-aligned manner.

Abstract: A substrate with a plurality of semiconductor chips mounted thereon is set in a die. The die is then clamped. The die thus clamped forms a space, into which resin is introduced. In doing so, a member is provided to fill a gap between an upper surface of each chip and the die. The member is elastic and thus elastically deforms when the die is clamped. Thus from the elastic member to each chip's upper surface a substantially uniform pressure is exerted. The elastic member is a film extending substantially parallel to each chip's upper surface and contacts the upper surface as the member is tensioned in its in-plane direction. The above resin introduction step can prevent the semiconductor chip from having an upper surface with resin flash.

Abstract: A substrate for mounting an optical component such that a cylindrical lens can be passively aligned in an exact position, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The substrate includes a groove, which is recessed into the substrate to have a slanted sidewall; and a stopper, which is formed on the groove using a photolithographic process such that the stopper is in contact with the optical component mounted in the groove and defines a position of the optical component. The method includes forming a groove having a slanted sidewall by etching a substrate and forming a stopper, which is in contact with an optical component mounted in the groove and defines a position of the optical component, by performing a photolithographic process on the substrate having the groove.

Abstract: A GaN based III-V nitride semiconductor light-emitting device and a method for fabricating the same are provided. In the GaN based III-V nitride semiconductor light-emitting device including first and second electrodes arranged facing opposite directions or the same direction with a high-resistant substrate therebetween and material layers for light emission or lasing, the second electrode directly contacts a region of the outmost material layer exposed through an etched region of the high-resistant substrate. A thermal conductive layer may be formed on the bottom of the high-resistant substrate to cover the exposed region of the outmost material layer.

Abstract: A dummy handling substrate is used to form complex micro-electromechanical systems. A two-sided micromachined structure is fabricated by forming micromachined structures on a front side of a wafer, bonding the front side of the wafer to a dummy handling substrate, and forming micromachined structures on a back side of the wafer using the dummy handling substrate to handle the wafer during this back side processing. A second wafer containing micromachined features may be bonded to the back side of the first wafer using the dummy handling substrate to handle the first wafer during this bonding. The dummy handling substrate is removed from the front side of the wafer after back side processing and/or bonding of the second wafer.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an amount of strain comprises a strain generating part, an electrical insulating layer and sensing elements. The strain generating part is a member to which strain is to be applied. The electrical insulating layer is formed on the strain generating part. The sensing elements are formed on the electrical insulating layer. Each of the sensing elements is made of a silicon film. The silicon film comprises a poly-crystalline main layer and a poly-crystalline interface-layer, which comes into contact with the electrical insulating layer.

Abstract: An intermediate electrode layer is used to fabricate an integrated micro-electromechanical system. An intermediate electrode layer is formed on an integrated circuit wafer. The intermediate electrode layer places drive electrodes a predetermined height above the surface of the integrated circuit wafer. A micro-electromechanical system wafer having micromachined optical mirrors is bonded to the integrated circuit wafer such that the drive electrodes are positioned a predetermined distance from the optical mirrors.