Abstract: A polymer comprising units derived from an exo-form ester and units derived from an ester having two hexafluoroisopropanol groups is used as a base resin to formulate a positive resist composition which, when exposed and developed by photolithography, is minimized in line edge roughness by swelling during development and residue after development, and improved in adhesion.

Abstract: In a pattern formation method, a resist film including a compound having a lactone ring is formed on a substrate of silicon oxide. Then, pattern exposure is performed by selectively irradiating the resist film with exposing light, and the resist film is developed after the pattern exposure so as to form a resist pattern made of the resist film. Subsequently, the lactone ring included in the resist pattern is opened by exposing the resist pattern to an acrylic acid aqueous solution. Thereafter, with the resist pattern where the lactone ring has been opened used as a mask, the substrate is etched, so as to form a recess in a good shape.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for improved yield and line width performance for liquid polymers and other materials. A method for minimizing precipitation of developing reactant by lowering a sudden change in pH includes: developing at least a portion of a polymer layer on a substrate with an initial charge of a developer fluid; then rinsing the polymer with an additional charge of the developer fluid so as to controllably minimize a subsequent sudden change in pH; and then rinsing the polymer with a charge of another fluid. An apparatus for minimizing fluid impingement force on a polymer layer to be developed on a substrate includes: a nozzle including: a developer manifold adapted to supply a developer fluid; a plurality of developer fluid conduits coupled to the developer manifold; a rinse manifold adapted to supply a rinse fluid; and a plurality of rinse fluid conduits coupled to the developer manifold.

Abstract: Laser-engravable flexographic printing elements for the production of flexographic printing plates have relief layers comprising blends of hydrophilic polymers and hydrophobic elastomers. Said flexographic printing elements are used for the production of flexographic printing plates by means of laser engraving.

Abstract: The method manufactures a nozzle plate including a nozzle having a tapered section where a diameter gradually decreases from a liquid supply side toward a liquid ejection side, and a straight section which is substantially cylindrical and is situated nearer a liquid ejection side of the tapered section.

Abstract: A multi-level optical device includes a substrate having a baseline level. At least one feature is disposed at a level above the baseline level. At least one feature is disposed at a level below the baseline level, or in the feature above the baseline level is located at a distance apart from the feature below the baseline level. The distance has an accuracy inn the range of approximately ±0.05 ?m to less than approximately ±1.0 ?m. A method of fabricating an optical device includes forming at least one feature at a level of above a baseline level of a substrate; and forming at least one feature at a baseline level below the baseline level of the substrate, wherein the feature at a level above the baseline level and the feature at a level below the baseline level are patterned in a single-mask step using a multi-level mask.

Abstract: A method of producing Lenticular images and a system for carrying out the method, in which photosensitive material is placed in contact with a Lenticular sheet and exposed through the Lenticular sheet lenses. An additional lens-array is placed between the optical imaging system and the Lenticular sheet, with lenses having power only in one direction.

Abstract: A black matrix, a method for preparing the black matrix, a flat panel display and an electromagnetic interference filter using the black matrix. The black matrix may comprise a substrate, a titanium oxide layer, a Ni plating layer, and a Ni/Pd alloy layer. The method may comprise the steps of forming a titanium oxide layer, forming a metal particle-deposited pattern on the titanium oxide layer, forming a Ni electroless plating layer on the metal particle-deposited pattern, and forming a Ni/Pd alloy layer on the Ni electroless plating layer. Since the black matrix may have a high blackening density via simple selective multilayer plating without using a high-price vacuum sputtering apparatus and undergoing photolithography, unlike conventional chromium-based black matrices, it may be employed in various flat panel displays. In addition, since the black matrix may exhibit superior electrical conductivity, it may be used in electromagnetic interference filters without additional front-surface blackening.

Abstract: A substrate is provided with a light reflective film including a base and a reflective layer, in which a plurality of concave portions or convex portions formed on the surface of the base are randomly arranged in the plane direction in 100 to 2,000 RGB dot units or a whole screen unit, are formed using a mask in which light transmissive or non-transmissive portions are randomly arranged in the plane direction in 100 to 2,000 RGB dot units or the whole screen unit.

Abstract: Incorporation of certain arylboronic acid compounds into photothermographic materials provides materials with reduced initial image Dmin and improved hot-dark Dmin print stability without unacceptable loss in sensitometric properties.

Abstract: An evaluation and preservation solution for human and animal organs, tissues and parts thereof is described, wherein it comprises serum albumin at a concentration of 55-105 g/L, a scavenger and coating compound, preferably dextran compounds and derivatives thereof having essentially the same structure at a concentration of 1-55 g/L weight, and a physiological serum concentration of salts and nutrients in a physiologically acceptable medium.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical combination compositions including certain estrogen agonists/antagonists and prostaglandins or prostaglandin agonists/antagonists. The compositions are useful for the treatment of bone disorders including osteoporosis.

Abstract: High-Throughput Screening (HTS) of large compound libraries is the method of drug-lead discovery. It is now well accepted that for a functional assay, quality is more important than quantity. A biochemical NMR method originally proposed by Percival and Withers (Biochemistry, 1992, 31, 498–505) is extended to the screening of Ser/Thr kinases. The method requires the presence of a CF3 (or CF) moiety on the substrate and utilizes 19F NMR spectroscopy for the detection of the starting and enzymatically modified substrates. Experiments can be performed in real time or in an endpoint assay format using protein and substrate concentrations comparable to the ones used by other HTS techniques. Application of this technique to the phosphorylation of a substrate by the protein Ser/Thr kinase AKT1 is presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of novel nucleotide sequences for the M and N region peptide of the ferret coronavirus and derivative products for the diagnosis and treatment of epizootic catarrhal enteritis (ECE) in ferrets.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods to select breeding animals or animals destined for slaughter for having desired genotypic or potential phenotypic properties, in particular related to muscle mass and/or fat deposition. The invention provides a method for selecting a pig for having desired genotypic or potential phenotypic properties comprising testing a sample from said pig for the presence of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) located at a Sus scrofa chromosome 2 mapping at position 2p1.7.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) polypeptides according to SEQ ID No. 1 to SEQ ID No. 4 and/or nucleic acids encoding them, or an antibody or a fragment thereof directed against the polypeptide, or of a cell which is expressing the polypeptide or a nucleic acid encoding it, for diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of diabetes-associated and/or arterial wounds which heal poorly and for identifying pharmacologically active substances which exert an influence on the expression or function, particularly the activity of ACT.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing nucleic acids from an environment sample, more particularly a method for obtaining a library of nucleic acids from a sample. The invention also concerns nucleic acids of nucleic acid libraries obtained by said method their use in the synthesis of novel compounds, in particular novel compounds of therapeutic interest. The invent further concerns novel means used in the method for obtaining said nucleic acids, such as novel vectors and novel processes for preparing such vectors or recombinant host cells containing said nucleic acid. Finally, the invention concerns methods for detecting a nucleic acid of interest within a library of nucleic acids resulting from said method, and nucleic acids detected by said method and polypeptides encoded by said nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inferring a plant organ, in which a certain gene is to be expressed, using a part of a base sequence, a method for searching for a gene which is to be expressed at a desired site, and a composition, kit, system and program for carrying out these methods. The present invention also relates to a method for inferring a plant organ, in which a plant gene is to be expressed, based on information about the presence or absence of a base sequence which is highly similar to a transposable element in the vicinity of a protein coding region of a plant gene.

Abstract: Template-directed processes for synthesizing polymers are presented in which a sequence-specific polymer is generated from a corresponding sequence-specific template. The generated polymer has a chain length that corresponds to the chain length of the template.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for rapid detection of bioagents for environmental and product testing. The methods can be used for testing air, water, soil, surfaces of buildings, containers, towers and the like, as well as testing of foodstuff and cosmetics.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein for measuring the mutational frequency of a DNA molecule in cells, for example stem cells or hematopoietic cells such as CD34+ cells or granulocytes. The method includes sequencing corresponding regions of mtDNA from a set of hematopoietic cells, or a set of clonal populations of hematopoietic cells, and comparing the sequence of the corresponding regions of mtDNA from the cells, or clonal populations of cells. The method also includes the comparison of mtDNA sequences with genomic DNA sequences. Also provided are methods for screening for an agent that has a mutagenic effect on a cell. The method includes contacting, or treating, clonal populations of cells with an agent and comparing the sequence of the mtDNA obtained from the treated clonal populations of cells, with the sequence of the corresponding region of mtDNA obtained from a control clonal populations of cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and kits for detecting or quantifying one or more target polynucleotide sequences in a sample. Embodiments of the invention employ a first ligation reaction, a subsequent optional amplification reaction, and a second ligation reaction. Embodiments of the invention combine the specificity of both hybridization and ligation reactions along with universal probe polynucleotide sequences to achieve specific and multiplexed detection of a plurality of target polynucleotide sequences.

Abstract: Method for specific detection of one or more analytes in a sample. The method includes specifically associating any one or more analytes in the sample with a scattered-light detectable particle, illuminating any particle associated with the analytes with light under conditions which produce scattered light from the particle and in which light scattered from one or more particles can be detected by a human eye with less than 500 times magnification and without electronic amplification. The method also includes detecting the light scattered by any such particles under those conditions as a measure of the presence of the analytes.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits for detecting the nucleic acids of HIV-1, HIV-2, or the combination of HIV-1 and HIV-2. Particularly described are oligonucleotides that are useful as hybridization probes and amplification primers, including cross-reacting hybridization probes and cross-reacting amplification primers, for detecting very low levels of viral nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polynucleic acid composition comprising or consisting of at least one polynucleic acid containing 8 or more contiguous nucleotides corresponding to a nucleotide sequence from the region spanning positions 417 to 957 of the Core/E1 region of HCV type 3; and/or the region spanning positions 4664 to 4730 of the NS3 region of HCV type 3; and/or the region spanning positions 4892 to 5292 of the NS3/4 region of HCV type 3; and/or the region spanning positions 8 023 to 8 235 of the NS5 region of the BR36 subgroup of HCV type 3a; and/or the coding region of HCV type 4a starting at nucleotide 379 in the core region; and/or the coding region of HCV type 4; and/or the coding region of HCV type 5, with said nucleotide numbering being with respect to the numbering of HCV nucleic acids as show in Table 1, and with said polynucleic acids containing at least one nucleotide difference with known HCV type 1, and/or HCV type 2 genomes in the above-indicated regions, or the complement thereof.

Abstract: A method for detecting a cytokine in a biological fluid sample with a high sensitivity is provided. A time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) method including a step of forming on a solid phase a composite in which a cytokine is captured and which includes a fluorescent structural portion which has been complexed with a lanthanoid metal ion, and measuring fluorescence of the fluorescent structural portion. The composite is formed of a structure in which (a) a first antibody including a portion bound to a solid phase and a region bindable to a cytokine; (b) the cytokine; (c) a second antibody including a region bindable to the cytokine and a portion to which biotin is bound; (d) a conjugate including streptoavidin or avidin and a fluorescent structural portion capable of being complexed with a lanthanoid metal ion; and (e) the lanthanoid metal ion are bound. The fluorescent structural portion is represented by General Formula (I): R—Ar—C(?O)—CH2—C(?O)—CnF2n—X.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits are disclosed for determining one or more target polypeptides in a sample where the target polypeptides have undergone a post-translational modification. A mixture comprising the sample and a first reagent comprising a cleavage-inducing moiety and a first binding agent for a binding site on a target polypeptide is subjected to conditions under which binding of respective binding moieties occurs. The binding site is the result of post-translational modification activity involving the target polypeptide. The method may be employed to determine the target polypeptide itself. In another embodiment the presence and/or amount of the target polypeptide is related to the presence and/or amount and/or activity of an agent such as an enzyme involved in the post-translational modification of the target polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention relates to surfactant-free reagent spheres useful for biological tests particularly those involving antigen/antibody reactions.

Abstract: A method of determining a laminin 5 antigen in a biological sample, comprising the steps of bringing an antibody reactive to a laminin 5 ?2 chain N-terminal fragment into contact with the biological sample; measuring a reaction of the antibody; and determining an amount of the laminin 5 antigen based on a measurement result of the reaction, as well as, a method of detecting a laminin 5-producing tumor cell, a method of examining acute respiratory distress syndrome and a method of evaluating malignancy of a malignant tumor based on the assay method.

Abstract: Methods for screening for neurological disorders are disclosed. Specifically, methods are disclosed for screening for neurological disorders in a subject by analyzing a tissue sample obtained from the subject for the presence of elevated levels of neurotoxic amino acids or neurotoxic derivatives thereof associated with neurological disorders. In particular, methods are disclosed for diagnosing a neurological disorder in a subject, or predicting the likelihood of developing a neurological disorder in a subject, by determining the levels of ?-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) in a tissue sample obtained from the subject. Methods for screening for environmental factors associated with neurological disorders are disclosed. Methods for inhibiting, treating or preventing neurological disorders are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing distinct subgroups of Alzheimer's Disease, the method comprising the steps of obtaining a sample of cerebrospinal fluid and determining the level of ubiquitin, the level of A?1-42, and the level of tau present in the sample. Based on the levels of each composition in the cerebrospinal fluid, the sample can be assigned to distinct subgroups.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards mouse-human chimeric variants of CC49 monoclonal antibodies with minimal murine content. A first aspect of the invention provides CDR variants of humanized monoclonal antibody (HuCC49) in which less than all six (three heavy chain and three light chain) Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs) of CC49 are present. A second aspect of the invention provides SDR variants of humanized monoclonal antibody (HuCC49) in which only Specificity Determining Regions (SDRs) of at least one CDR from CC49 are present. The invention is also directed towards biotechnological methods of making the variants and therapeutic methods of using the variants.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for screening that may be used to identify an inhibitor of HCV p7 protein. The methods may include incorporating an HCV p7 protein into a membrane to create an HCV p7-containing membrane that has an increased permeability relative to a membrane that does not contain HCV p7 protein. The HCV p7 protein may be contacted with a test compound, and the permeability of this HCV p7-containing membrane then may be compared to an HCV p7-containing membrane in which the HCV p7 protein has not been contacted with the test compound. The inhibitor of HCV p7 protein may be identified by observing a decrease in the permeability of the HCV p7-containing membrane in which the HCV p7 protein has been contacted with the test compound.

Abstract: In a method for determining the influence of a test substance on the heart activity of a vertebrate the following steps are performed: a) preparation of a culture of spontaneously active heart cells of the vertebrate, b) extracellular measurement of electrophysiological data of the heart cells from step a), c) addition of the test substance to the culture from step a), d) repetition of the measurement from step b), and e) comparison of data from step b) and step d).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for regulating cytokine signaling and agents useful for same. The method of the present invention is predicated in part on the identification of the molecular target of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) interaction in controlling cytokine signaling. The identification of the molecular target permits the development of assays to screen for a range of agonists and antagonists useful in modulating cytokine function. The present invention further provides, therefore, screening assays and more particularly high through-put screening assays for agonists and antagonists of SOCS-receptor interaction. Such agonists and antagonists are useful in the manufacture of medicaments for controlling cytokine signaling. Control of cytokine signaling is important for the treatment of a range of conditions including cancer, inflammatory conditions, immunological disorders and any other conditions involving aberrations of signal transduction.

Abstract: Methods and kits for measurement of concentration of FK778 in a biological sample by means of an immunoassay, preferably a competitive immunoassay. In one aspect, the method and kit involve the use of (a) an antibody to FK778 conjugated to a label, e.g., an acridinium label, (b) an antibody to FK778 not conjugated to a label, (c) a solid phase containing an antibody to a first hapten, e.g., a fluorescein hapten, and (d) a bihapten comprising a first hapten and FK778 or an analogue of FK778, e.g., a bihapten comprising a fluorescein hapten and a FK778 hapten. In another aspect, the method and kit involve the use of (a) antibody to FK778, (b) a bihapten comprising FK778 or an analogue of FK778 and a first hapten, e.g., a bihapten comprising the fluorescein hapten and the hapten of FK778 or an analogue of FK778, and (c) a pretreatment reagent.

Abstract: Methods for the isolation and identification of a toxicant in a sample are disclosed. Luminescent biological agents (i.e., bacteria) having sensitivity to a toxicant or an isolatable component in a sample are used to provide visually discernable zones of luminescent inhibition in the presence of a toxicant (or) in the presence of an isolatable sample component as separated by paper or thin layer chromatography. Kits for use in conjunction with the identification of a toxicant in a sample are also described, which include a luminescent biological reagent as the visualizing agent. Particular examples of luminescent bacterial agents useful in the practice of the present invention include Photobacterium leoganthi, Photobacterium phosphoreum, Vibrio fischeri, Vibrio harveyi a luminescent fungi, a luminescent fish extract, a luminescent dinoflagellate and fluorescent microorganisms, such as Cypridina.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules that encode novel polypeptides. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a sequence of the invention has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A protein reagent is provided for measuring protease enzyme activity in a sample. The protein reagent comprises two inhibition entities joined by a linker comprised of an indicator enzyme donor and an amino acid sequence susceptible to enzymatic cleavage. The protein reagent is substantially inhibited from binding to the cognate enzyme acceptor fragment, while the product of the enzymatic cleavage binds to the cognate enzyme acceptor fragment to form a functional indicator enzyme. The indicator enzyme activity is related to the protease enzyme activity of the sample.

Abstract: A method of biological assay comprises the steps of providing an enzyme substrate comprising two fluorescence dye groups bound to a flexible peptide, the dye groups being of proximity sufficiently close so as to allow free energy attractions to draw the dyes together to essentially self-quench fluorescence of the dye groups, wherein self quenching of fluorescence of the dye groups is effected by dye dimerization or stacking, and enzymatically cleaving the peptide to release the fluorescence dye groups from dye dimerization or stacking, thereby producing an increase in fluorescence intensity. A protease substrate for use in the method of the invention is also disclosed. This invention finds use in detection and identification of microorganisms, sterilization assurance, pharmaceutical discovery, enzyme assays, immunoassays, and other biological assays.

Abstract: The acetylation level of a peptide is determined utilizing the fact that the changes in the acetylation level are reflected in the sensitivity of the substrate peptide to a peptidase. This method can be used for measuring activities of deacetylase and acetylase, and also enables screening for substances that influence the activity of these enzymes. The deacetylase activity can be measured by a simple procedure according to the present invention.

Abstract: Expression of at least one plant oleosin gene in a microbial cell engineered to produce hydrophobic/lipophilic compounds significantly increases the overall titer of the compound. The hydrophobic nature of the oleosin core is believed to increase the microbial host cell's internal storage capacity for any hydrophobic/lipophilic compound. The method is exemplified using a bacterial host cell engineered to produce significant amount of various carotenoids.

Abstract: The present invention provides tumor necrosis factor and apoptosis ligand-related leukocyte-expressed ligand 1 receptor (TALL-1R) polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The invention also provides selective binding agents, vectors, host cells, and methods for producing TALL-1R polypeptides. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the diagnosis, treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with TALL-1R polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention describes a novel recombinant NADH recycling system that is used as a process for producing reduced compounds. In a specific embodiment, the reduced compounds include ethanol, succinate, lactate, a vitamin, a pharmaceutical and a biodegraded organic molecule. The NADH recycling system effects metabolic flux of reductive pathways in aerobic and anaerobic environments.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel synthetically-modified B. thuringiensis nucleic acid segments encoding ?-endotoxins having insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. Also disclosed are synthetic crystal proteins encoded by these novel nucleic acid sequences. Methods of making and using these genes and proteins are disclosed as well as methods for the recombinant expression, and transformation of suitable host cells. Transformed host cells and transgenic plants expressing the modified endotoxin are also aspects of the invention. Also disclosed are methods for modifying, altering, and mutagenizing specific loop regions between the ? helices in domain 1 of these crystal proteins, including Cry1C, to produce genetically-engineered recombinant cry* genes, and the proteins they encode which have improved insecticidal activity. In preferred embodiments, novel Cry1C* amino acid segments and the modified cry1C* nucleic acid sequences which encode them are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are a microorganism capable of producing L-threonine and having an inactivated tyrR gene, a method of producing the same and a method of producing L-threonine using the microorganism. The microorganism can be used to produce L-threonine in high yield.

Abstract: The present invention describes terminal phosphate blocked nucleoside polyphosphates that are stable at high temperature and their use in nucleic acid amplification and analysis. Current invention further describes charge modified terminal phosphate blocked nucleoside polyphosphates for improved incorporation and direct loading of nucleic acid sequencing reactions onto separating media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the detection and characterization of nucleic acid sequences and variations in nucleic acid sequences. The present invention relates to methods for forming a nucleic acid cleavage structure on a target sequence and cleaving the nucleic acid cleavage structure in a site-specific manner. For example, in some embodiments, a 5? nuclease activity from any of a variety of enzymes is used to cleave the target-dependent cleavage structure, thereby indicating the presence of specific nucleic acid sequences or specific variations thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of L-amino acids, especially L-lysine, L-valine, L-homoserine and L-threonine, by fermenting a microorganism of the genus Escherichia which has a mutation or deletion in the gene encoding aspartate ammonium lyase (aspA).

Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems isolated from or derived from non-bacterial organisms, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.