Abstract: Genes encoding microbial ?-glucuronidases and proteins and their uses are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides RecA mutant proteins, having either a single mutation or a double mutation. The RecA mutant proteins are highly proficient in both SSB displacement and steady state binding of DNA in the presence or absence of SSB as compared to the wild-type protein. The single RecA mutant, RecA?C17, has 17 amino acid residues removed from the carboxyl terminus. The double mutant RecA, RecA?C17/E38K, combines the 17 amino acid residue C-terminal deletion of RecA?C17, with a single amino acid change from Glutamate to Lysine at position 38. These RecA mutant proteins are pH sensitive allowing control over formation of products. Hence, methods of using the novel RecA mutants and kits having the RecA mutants as components thereof are also contemplated by the present invention.

Abstract: The invention is a process for purifying TAFIa from a serum sample in the presence of a reversible inhibitor of TAFIa. The invention is also a method of measuring the activity of TAFIa in the presence of a reversible inhibitor.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a sucrose phosphate synthase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the sucrose phosphate synthase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the sucrose phosphate synthase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel esterase proteins, Specifically, the present invention provides proteins having the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 7, or salts thereof; their partial peptides or salts thereof: DNAs encoding the proteins; recombinant vectors containing the DNAs; transformants, a method of manufacturing the proteins; pharmaceuticals comprising the proteins or DNAs; antibodies to the proteins; a method of screening compounds or salts thereof having an activity of promoting the esterase activity of the proteins; the compounds obtained by the screening; and pharmaceuticals comprising the said compounds; etc.

Abstract: A membranous enzyme not yet described in the state-of-the-art can be extracted from cellular membrane fractions of blood leukocytes or monocytes/macrophages. Also disclosed is the use of substrates of this enzyme to prepare medicaments that contain these substrates as pharmaceutical active substance. These medicaments are useful to direct pharmacologically active substances to target cells and to enrich target cells with said substances. Also disclosed are in-vitro research systems containing this enzyme used to detect other substrates of this enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel carboxypeptidase gene and the polypeptide encoded thereby. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of the present carboxypeptidase and polypeptide in the manufacture of cocoa flavor and/or chocolate.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel modified corin molecules, or fragments or derivatives thereof, comprising a substitute activation sequence. The modified corin molecules are cleaved at the substitute activation sequence, thereby generating activated corin molecules, or fragments or derivatives thereof, that exhibit the functional activity of naturally occurring, wild-type corin molecules. The modified corin molecules can be used to treat a variety of diseases or disorders, including congestive heart failure and acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract: A solid medium having a 10 minute-average water absorption rate of at least 0.05 ml/minute, which is obtainable by a method for producing a solid medium comprising the steps of dissolving components of the solid medium other than solvent water into the solvent water, solidifying the obtained solution, and drying the solidified medium to remove water, wherein water is removed in such an amount that the solid medium after the removal of water should have the 10 minute-average water absorption rate of at least 0.05 ml/minute, and the amount of the solvent water is larger than a prescribed amount by an amount almost equal to the amount of the water to be removed. The solid medium does not cause growth inhibition of microorganisms due to drying, shows a superior water absorption rate to enable application of a larger amount of a sample in a short period of time, and is suitable for quick and accurate measurement tests of microbial numbers.

Abstract: This invention is a transportable organ preservation system that 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: Drug candidate screening methods are applied to discover compounds with activity against ion channel targets. The method may include modulating the transmembrane potential of host cells in a plurality of sample wells with a repetitive application of electric fields so as to set the transmembrane potential to a level corresponding to a pre-selected voltage dependent state of a target ion channel.

Abstract: A triphasic bioreactor for physico-chemically treating a gas is disclosed. The triphasic bioreactor comprises a reaction chamber with a liquid and biocatalysts in suspension in the liquid, for catalyzing a reaction between the gas and the liquid to obtain a treated gas and a solution containing a reaction product. A gas bubbling means is provided in the reaction chamber for bubbling the gas to be treated into the liquid thereby dissolving the gas into the liquid and increasing a pressure inside the reaction chamber. The bioreactor further comprises a liquid inlet in fluid communication with the reaction chamber for receiving the liquid and filling the reaction chamber, a liquid outlet in fluid communication with the reaction chamber for releasing the solution and a gas outlet in fluid communication with the reaction chamber to release the treated gas. The bioreactor further comprises a retention device to retain the biocatalysts in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A micromachined cell lysis device with electrodes that are spaced by less than 10 ?m from one another. The cells are attracted to the space between the electrodes and then lysed.

Abstract: The present invention related to methods and compositions for modulating cellular signaling. In particular, the present invention relates to PKK and RICK3 proteins. The present invention further relates the to use of PKK and RICK3 proteins in modulating NF-?B signaling. The present invention thus provides novel targets for drug screening and therapeutics.

Abstract: An EBV strain infecting epithelial cells and a stomach cancer cell line cancerated by EBV are established to clarify the mechanism of canceration of epithelial cells into stomach cancer by EBV and to develop a chemotherapeutic agent for stomach cancer cancerated by EBV. Further, a stomach cancer cell line stably producing EBV-related antigens is established to develop a diagnostic drug for stomach cancer cancerated by EBV. According to the present invention, GTC-4 cell line was established through culture of stomach cancer tissues. GTC-4 produced the EBV strain infecting epithelial cells and simultaneously produced EBV-related antigens stably in the supernatant.

Abstract: The invention provides cells useful to propagate influenza virus mutants having reduced sialidase activity.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for cryoprotection of recombinant live cancer cells. Specifically, an improved cryoprotective medium is provided which includes a hydroxyethyl starch and/or derivative thereof alone or in combination with either DMSO or glycerol.

Abstract: A method is described to induce primate embryonic stem cells to differentiate into a relatively homogenous population of endothelial cells. The ES derived endothelial cells have the general morphological and cell surface marker characteristics of endothelial cells. The ES derived endothelial cells also are capable of inducing and participating in blood vessel formation (or vascularization) when transplanted into tissue in vivo.

Abstract: A bioreactor assembly of the present invention for holding a media and supporting growth of a plurality of plants. The assembly includes a light source and a container having a light transmissive wall structure and defining a reservoir. A major axis of the reservoir is substantially horizontal allowing the reservoir to be filled with media to a partial level and to define a relatively large surface area for support of the plants. The assembly may also include clamps to secure and seal separate wall structure portions of the container together, and end caps to the wall portions, to define an aseptic environment. As another option, the clamps may define openings therethrough that allow passage of various devices for measuring and controlling bioreactor function such as a gas supply nozzle, a gas exit nozzle, an air temperature probe, a pH probe, a sampling drain, a gas composition probe and a media temperature probe.

Abstract: Methods of recombining nucleic acids are provided. In particular, methods for the production of partially double stranded nucleic acids comprising a 3? overhang from an RNA target and use in methods of recombining polynucleotides is described. These methods do not require thermocycling. The present invention also provides methods of recombining and selection which allow for identification of proteins comprising improved or desired characteristics.

Abstract: A transgenic plant transformed by a Protein Kinase Stress-Related Polypeptide (PKSRP) coding nucleic acid, wherein expression of the nucleic acid sequence in the plant results in increased tolerance to environmental stress as compared to a wild type variety of the plant. Also provided are agricultural products, including seeds, produced by the transgenic plants. Also provided are isolated PKSRPs, and isolated nucleic acid coding PKSRPs, and vectors and host cells containing the latter.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating gene expression in plants are provided. The compositions comprise novel genes and promoters as well as regulatory and binding elements therein. The methods comprise the modulation of gene expression using the compositions of the invention. Compositions and methods are provided to reduce the impact on plants of biotic and abiotic environmental stresses. Accordingly, the compositions and methods may also be used to decrease the necessary amounts of conventional stress reduction treatment as well as to increase plant yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of obtaining altered plasmid contents in bacteria, bearing mutation in at least one of the chromosomal genes, nusG, rho, and dnaC, and the bacterial strains thereof, having the mutated chromosomal genes, individually or in various possible combinations, capable of altering the level of plasmids.

Abstract: A cloning and/or sequencing vector enables recombinant clones to be selected directly. The vector encodes a fusion protein which includes a protein poison.

Abstract: A disposable medical item for use with medical equipment includes circuitry forming an electrical path between the item and medical equipment. The circuitry is coupled to a medical equipment controller or independent microprocessor and includes a fuse. The controller transmits a status signal over the path in response to the equipment receiving the item. A disabled fuse prevents traversal of the path by the status signal, thereby indicating prior item use. If the controller does not detect the status signal, medical equipment operation is disabled. Otherwise, the controller transmits over the path a signal sufficient to disable the fuse to indicate item use and verifies the disabled fuse status. If the disabled fuse status is verified, the controller enables equipment operation. The controller periodically checks the fuse status during equipment operation and disables operation in response to a prior used item inserted into the medical equipment.

Abstract: Reference control compositions and the method of use are disclosed for measurement of nucleated red blood cells, which includes one set of synthetic spherical particles having a mean particle diameter ranging from 6.2 ?m to 6.8 ?m and a refractive index from 1.58 to 1.62 monodispersed in an aqueous suspension medium. The synthetic spherical particles have optical properties simulating optical properties of nucleated red blood cells as measured by optical measurements. The reference control composition can further include a second set of the synthetic spherical particles having optical properties simulating optical properties of white blood cells. Further disclosed is a reference control system which includes a series of reference control compositions, each having an amount of one type of synthetic spherical particles which have optical properties simulating the optical properties of nucleated red blood cells having a specific cell maturity.

Abstract: A process for maintaining a property P of a polyisobutene around a target value V during a continuous polymerisation of isobutene in a reactor containing a boiling liquid reaction phase in equilibrium with a gas phase above the liquid phase. The process comprises continuously introducing, into the reactor, a catalyst and a C4 hydrocarbon feed and continuously withdrawing, from the reactor, the liquid reaction phase which is subsequently subjected, continuously, to at least one purification step to isolate the polyisobutene. The property P is chosen amongst the viscosity and the average molecular mass of the polyisobutene.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting peptides having amino groups. The method involves digesting a protein into at least two peptides having an amino group. The amino groups are trimethylated under vacuum and then the peptides are detected using mass spectrometry. Another embodiment of the invention provides a method of detecting peptides. The method employs a protein having a lysine residue having an ?-amino group. The protein is digested into at least two peptides. The ?-amino group is then trimethylated under vacuum. The peptides are then detected using mass spectrometry. The method can also be used for a protein having an ?-amino group. Alternatively, a method of detecting peptides is provided for a protein having a lysine residue where the lysine residue has an ?-amino group. The protein is digested into at least two peptides having an ?-amino group. The ?-amino group and ?-amino group are trimethylated under vacuum and the peptides are detected using mass spectrometry.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for collection and filtration of a sample having a sample holder, a filtrate holder and a connection conduit having a sample receiving end and a filtrate receiving end and containing a filter. The sample holder has an entry end portion and an exit end portion, with a diaphragm normally closing the exit end portion. The filtrate holder has a closeable receiving end portion for receiving the filtered sample. The connection conduit has a rupturing device for rupturing the diaphragm on exit end portion of the sample holder. When the sample holder is inserted into the connection conduit, the diaphragm rupturing device ruptures the diaphragm, allowing the sample be filtered by the filter located within the connection conduit and the filtrate is collected in the filtrate holder. Also described is a method of collecting a biological sample, and filtering the sample, and holding the filtrate in a filtrate holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to protein-protein interactions and methods for identifying interacting proteins and the amino acid sequence at the site of interaction. Using overlapping hexapeptides that encode for the entire amino acid sequences of the linker domains of human P-glycoprotein gene 1 and 3 (HP-gp1 and HP-gp3), a direct and specific binding between HP-gp1 and 3 linker domains and intracellular proteins was demonstrated. The method of the present invention was further validated with Annexin. The present invention thus demonstrates a novel concept whereby the interactions between two proteins are mediated by strings of few amino acids with high and repulsive binding energies, enabling the identification of high affinity binding sites between any interacting proteins.

Abstract: Methods and devices for electrochemical detection of a specific binding pair member utilizing a microsphere with an incorporated electroactive marker, wherein a member of the specific binding pair to be detected is bound, directly or through one or more intermediates, to the microsphere. Multiple specific binding pair members may be detected by use of electrochemically distinguishable electroactive markers. Microspheres with incorporated electroactive markers may include one or more functional groups for binding members of specific binding pairs, and are preferably insoluble in aqueous solvents but soluble in selected organic solvents.

Abstract: The invention provides peptide synthons having protected functional groups for attachment of desired moieties (e.g. functional molecules or probes). Also provided are peptide conjugates prepared from such synthons, and synthon and conjugate preparation methods including procedures for identifying optimum probe attachment sites. Biosensors are provided having functional molecules that can locate and bind to specific biomolecules within living cells. Biosensors can detect chemical and physiological changes in those biomolecules as living cells are moving, metabolizing and reacting to its environment. Methods are included for detecting GTP activation of a Rho GTPase protein using polypeptide biosensors. When the biosensor binds GTP-activated Rho GTPase protein, an environmentally sensitive dye emits a signal of a different lifetime, intensity or wavelength than when not bound.

Abstract: In a ferroelectric element, the ferroelectric film is prevented from deteriorating and the interconnect film from lowering in reliability. A ferroelectric element includes a first electrode, a ferroelectric film formed on the first electrode, a second electrode formed on the ferroelectric film, a first hydrogen blocking film formed directly on a surface of the second electrode, a first insulation film formed on the first hydrogen blocking film, a first opening formed in the first hydrogen blocking film exposing a part of the second electrode, a second opening formed in the first insulation film and having a greater diameter than the diameter of the first opening, and an interconnect film connected to the second electrode through the first and second openings.

Abstract: A method for process optimization to extend the utility of the HDP CVD gap fill technique modifies the characteristics of the HDP process (deposition and sputter components) in a dynamic mode in the course of filling a trench with dielectric material. As a result, the amount of dielectric deposited on the sidewall of the trench relative to that deposited at its bottom can be reduced and optimally minimized, thus improving the gap fill capability of the process. The dynamic modification of process characteristics provides enhanced process performance, since the optimization of these characteristics depends upon structure geometry, which is constantly changing during a gap fill operation. During the course of the gap fill operation, either at one or more discrete points or continuously, the evolution of the feature geometry is determined, either by direct measurement or in accordance with a growth model.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated circuit including at least two interconnected electronic switching devices, the method comprising forming at least part of the electronic switching devices by ink-jet printing.

Abstract: A wet-etch composition may include: peracetic acid (PAA); and a fluorinated acid; a relative amount of the PAA in the composition being sufficient to ensure an etch rate of (P-doped-SiGe):(P-doped-Si) that is substantially the same as an etch rate of (N-doped-SiGe):(N-doped-Si). Such a wet-etch composition is hereafter referred to as a PAA-based etchant and can be used to make, e.g., a CMOS MBCFET, an electrode of a capacitor, etc.

Abstract: A laser beam irradiation method that achieves uniform crystallization, even if a film thickness of an a-Si film or the like fluctuates, is provided. The present invention provides a laser beam irradiation method in which a non-single crystal semiconductor film is formed on a substrate having an insulating surface and a laser beam having a wavelength longer than 350 nm is irradiated to the non-single crystal semiconductor film, thus crystallizing the non-single crystal silicon film. The non-single crystal semiconductor film has a film thickness distribution within the surface of the substrate, and a differential coefficient of a laser beam absorptivity with respect to the film thickness of the non-single crystal semiconductor film is positive.

Abstract: A microelectronic package includes a microelectronic element having faces and contacts and a flexible substrate spaced from and overlying a first face of the microelectronic element. The package also includes a plurality of conductive posts extending from the flexible substrate and projecting away from the first face of the microelectronic element, wherein at least some of the conductive posts are electrically interconnected with the microelectronic element, and a plurality of support elements supporting the flexible substrate over the microelectronic element. The conductive posts are offset from the support elements to facilitate flexure of the substrate and movement of the posts relative to the microelectronic element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to b-stageable die attach adhesives, methods of preparing such adhesives, methods of applying such adhesives to the die and other substrate surfaces, and assemblies prepared therewith for connecting microelectronic circuitry.

Abstract: A laser diode includes an active layer of a group III-V compound semiconductor device containing N and As as the group V elements. The active layer has exposed lateral edges wherein the N atoms are substituted by the As atoms at the exposed lateral edges by an annealing process conducted in a AsH3 atmosphere.

Abstract: A family of high speed transistors and optoelectronic devices are obtained on a monolithic substrate by adding two sheets of planar doping together with a wideband cladding layer to the top of a pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (PHEMT) structure. The two sheets are of the same polarity which is opposite to the modulation doping of the PHEMT and they are separated by a lightly doped layer of specific thickness. The combination is separated from the PHEMT modulation doping by a specific thickness of undoped material. The charge sheets are thin and highly doped. The top charge sheet achieves low gate contact resistance and the bottom charge sheet defines the capacitance of the field-effect transistor (FET) with respect to the modulation doping layer of the PHEMT. The structure produces a pnp bipolar transistor, enhancement and depletion type FETs, a vertical cavity surface emitting laser, and a resonant cavity detectors.

Abstract: A method for forming a free standing micro-structural member including providing a substrate; blanket depositing a first sacrificial resist layer over the substrate; exposing and developing the first sacrificial resist layer to form a first resist portion; subjecting the first resist portion to at least a hard bake process to form the first resist portion having a predetermined first smaller volume compared to a desired final resist portion volume; blanket depositing at least a second sacrificial resist layer followed by exposure, development and the at least a hard bake process to form the final resist portion volume; and, depositing at least one structural material layer over the final resist portion.

Abstract: A process to form a laterally offset photodiode for an optically coupled resonator includes implanting a semiconductor substrate to form the laterally offset photodiode adjacent to the resonator. The resonator masks the implanting underneath the resonator when the semiconductor substrate is implanted. Also disclosed is an optically coupled resonator, a process for fabricating an optically coupled resonator, and a device including an optically coupled resonator having a laterally offset photodiode.

Abstract: A method of selectively heating a predetermined region of a semiconductor substrate includes providing a semiconductor substrate, selectively focusing a free carrier generation light on only a predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate, irradiating the free carrier generation light on the predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate to increase a free carrier concentration within the predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the free carrier generation light causes the predetermined region to increase in temperature by less than a temperature necessary to change the solid phase of the predetermined region, and irradiating the semiconductor substrate with a heating light to selectively heat the predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate having an integrated circuit die area surrounded by a scribe lane is provided. Within the integrated circuit die area, a first trench isolation region and a second trench isolation region are formed on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first trench isolation region isolates a first active device region from a second active device region, and the second trench isolation region comprises a plurality of trench dummy features for reducing loading effect. A first gate electrode is formed on the first active device region and a second gate electrode on the second active device region. The first active device region is masked, while the second active device region and the trench dummy features are exposed. An ion implantation process is then performed to implant dopant species into the second active device region.

Abstract: A method of formation of a capacitor forming part of an electric circuit when producing a circuit board, consisting of forming a valve metal bottom electrode layer and a valve metal oxide dielectric layer on the same, then integrally forming a solid electrolyte layer comprised of an organic semiconductor and a top electrode layer comprised of metal on the same, this integral formation step consisting of the step of holding one surface of metal foil for the top electrode at a bonding wedge and making the other surface of the metal foil carry a powder of the organic semiconductor by compression bonding and heating and the step of compression bonding the organic semiconductor powder carried by compression bonding at the dielectric layer by a bonding wedge through metal foil, whereby a solid electrolyte layer comprised of an organic semiconductor sandwiched between the metal foil and dielectric layer and closely bonded with the two is formed, a capacitor built into a circuit board, a circuit board including a cap

Abstract: A laser ablation method is utilized to define the channel length of an organic transistor. A substrate is coated with a deposition of a metal or conductive polymer deposition, applied in a thin layer in order to enhance the resolution that can be attained by laser ablation. The laser ablation method can be used in a roll-to-roll process, and achieves speeds, volumes, prices and resolutions that are adequate to produce printed electronic technologies.

Abstract: A method of depositing a p-type magnesium-, cadmium- and/or zinc-oxide-based II-VI Group compound semiconductor crystal layer over a substrate by a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition technique. A reaction gas is supplied to a surface of a heated substrate in a direction parallel or oblique to the substrate. The p-type magnesium-, cadmium- and/or zinc-oxide-based II-VI Group compound semiconductor crystal layer is grown on the heated substrate, while introducing a pressing gas substantially in a vertical direction toward the substrate to press the reaction gas against the entire surface of the substrate.

Abstract: After a first electronic component is inserted into a base substrate, first circuit patterns are formed on the inserted first electronic component, and then a second electronic component is mounted on the first circuit patterns to complete an electronic component-mounted component. According to the above method, a thickness of a module may be decreased by a thickness of the base substrate. Further, since electronic components are surface-mounted, electronic components of arbitrary sizes and types may be used.

Abstract: Arrangements are provided to effectively prevent wire disconnection generated due to an increase of heat applied to a semiconductor integrated circuit device The semiconductor integrated circuit device is structured such that a metal layer containing a Pd layer is provided in a portion to which a connecting member having a conductivity is connected, and an alloy layer having a melting point higher than that of an Sn—Pb eutectic solder and containing no Pb as a main composing metal is provided outside a portion molded by a resin. Further, a metal layer in which a thickness in a portion to which the connecting member having the conductivity is adhered is equal to or more than 10 ?m is provided in the connecting member.