Abstract: A container having an indicator for detecting the presence of chemical elements is provided. In one embodiment, the container comprises a cavity therein for receiving an article having a first metallic element, the cavity being substantially sealed from a surrounding environment outside the container. An indicator is disposed within the sealed cavity, the indicator having a second metallic element with a standard potential less than the standard potential of the first metallic element, whereby a change in state of the second metallic element alerts an operator to the presence of a predetermined chemical element within the container.

Abstract: Systems using coded particles for multiplexed analysis of biological samples or reagents, in which the codes on the particles are at least partially defined by light-polarizing materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a thermobalance equipped with a detector (5) for measuring acoustic signals emitted by a sample (6) hanging from the balance beam and a preamplifier (2) incorporated in the vicinity of the head of the balance. The invention allows gas phase kinetic study of the degradation of materials and of depositions on these materials under temperature (100 to 1400° C.). In particular, corrosion phenomena such as: oxidation, sulfurization, carbonizing, metal dusting, nitriding, hydridation, chlorination, molten salt attack, and combinations of these degradations. Besides, deposits on the materials can be due to coking phenomena (carbon deposits), deposition of molten salts, volatile compounds condensation. The invention allows evaluation of the efficiency of inhibitors against corrosion and deposition processes.

Abstract: An active coating system capable of collecting, analyzing, managing and adapting to data and/or its environment in real time. An exemplary embodiment of our inventive active coating system is corrosion resistant and includes a flexible sensor layer, a switch layer and a visual display layer. Operationally, the flexible sensor layer senses particular environmental conditions and the visual display layer provides visual indication of the condition(s) sensed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for easily separating single stranded nucleic acid material from double stranded nucleic acid material in a sample containing both. By the right choice of at lease one chaotropic agent, preferably a guanidine salt, at a selected concentration and other suitable conditions such a chelating agents, pH and the like, it is possible to bind double stranded material to a solid phase such as silica particles, whereas single stranded material will not bind under those circumstances. By separating the silica particles from the sample the double stranded nucleic acid material is removed. It can easily be eluted from the silica particles. In a second step the single stranded material may be bound to a solid phase by selecting a different set of conditions. The particles can again be separated from the sample and the single stranded material may now be eluted. For very efficent separations, the process may be repeated.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of nucleic acid binding compounds comprising 7-substituted 7-deaza-8aza-2,6-diamino-purine bases, compounds useful for the preparation of such compounds, various uses thereof and methods for the determination of nucleic acids using said compounds in the field of diagnostics.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and reagents for identifying mammalian genes necessary for tumor cell growth as targets for developing drugs that inhibit expression of said genes and inhibit tumor cell growth thereby.

Abstract: A 17 kb nucleic acid fragment, which confers production of the lantibiotic cinnamycin on non-producer Streptomycete strains, has been isolated from Streptomyces cinnamoneus cinnamoneus DSM 40005 and characterized. Also provided are variants of the 17 kb fragment including variants in which non-essential genes are deleted and variants in which the propeptide sequence of the cinnamycin structural gene is altered, for example replaced with the propeptide sequence of similar B-type lantibiotics. Also provided are vectors, host cells and methods of lantibiotic production using the nucleic acid of the invention, and libraries of variants.

Abstract: Novel MK61 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The invention also provides vectors, host cells, selective binding agents, and methods for producing MK61 polypeptides. Also provided for are methods for the treatment, diagnosis, amelioration, or prevention of diseases with MK61 polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated full-length nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel PDE protein of the invention, and methods for uses thereof. The nucleic acid molecules of the invention also include peptide nucleic acids (PNA), and antisense molecules that react with the nucleic acid molecules of the invention. The invention also relates to agonists, antibodies, antagonists or inhibitors of the activity of novel PDE proteins. These compositions are useful for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of conditions associated with the presence or the deficiency of novel PDE proteins.

Abstract: A biochip and apparatus is disclosed for performing biological assays in a self-contained microfluidic platform. The disposable biochip for multi-step reactions comprises a body structure with a plurality of reagent cavities and reaction wells connected via microfluidic channels; the reagent cavities with reagent sealing means for storing a plurality of reagents; the reagent sealing means being breakable and allowing a sequence of reagents to be released into microfluidic channel and reaction well; and the reaction well allowing multi-step reactions to occur by sequentially removing away the residual reagents. The analysis apparatus can rapidly, automatically, sensitively, and simultaneously detect and identify multiple analytes or multiple samples in a very small quantity.

Abstract: Novel CARD-3, CARD-4L, CARD-4S, CARD-4Y, CARD-4Z, and murine CARD-4L polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated CARD-3, CARD-4L, CARD-4S, CARD-4Y, CARD-4Z, and murine CARD-4L proteins, and the invention further provides CARD-3, CARD-4L, CARD-4S, CARD-4Y, CARD-4Z, and murine CARD-4L fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-CARD-3, anti-CARD-4L and anti-CARD-4S, anti-CARD-4Y, anti-CARD-4Z, and anti-murine CARD-4L antibodies. The invention also provides CARD-3, CARD-4L, CARD-4S, CARD-4Y, CARD-4Z, and murine CARD-4L nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which a CARD-3, CARD-4L, CARD-4S, CARD-4Y, CARD-4Z, and murine CARD-4L gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention further provides CARD-3 and CARD-4 target proteins that bind to CARD-3 or CARD-4 and allelic variants of human CARD-4.

Abstract: A method for altering transcription in a cell comprising an amount of active CDK9/cyclin, comprises the steps of: (a) introducing in the cell an agent which modulates the amount of active CDK9/cyclin in the cell, and thereby alters transcription in the cell, wherein the agent comprises an RNA selected from the group consisting of an RNA aptamer that specifically binds CDK9/cyclin, a CDK9/cyclin-binding domain of 7SK RNA, a 7SK RNA-binding antisense 7SK RNA domain, and a 7SK RNA-specific RNAi, and (b) detecting a resultant altering of transcription in the cell. Methods for screening for an agent which modulates 7SK RNA-CDK9/cyclin binding generally comprise the steps of (a) incubating a mixture of 7SK RNA, CDK9/cyclin and a candidate agent under conditions wherein but for the presence of the agent, the 7SK RNA and CDK9/cyclin engage in a reference binding; and (b) detecting an agent-biased binding of the 7SK RNA to the CDK9/cyclin.

Abstract: Modified oligonucleotides are provided containing bases selected from unsubstituted and 3-substituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines and 5-substituted pyrimidines, and optionally have attached minor groove binders and reporter groups.

Abstract: A method for the recombinant production of a polypeptide by expressing a nucleic acid encoding said polypeptide in a microbial host cell, forming in the cytoplasm of said host cell inclusion bodies containing said polypeptide, and isolating, solubilizing and naturing said polypeptide, characterized in that after fermentation the host cell or the host cell content is incubated at a temperature of 40° C. or higher for at least 10 minutes and subsequently insoluble polypeptide is isolated from the host cell, this method providing an improved yield in inclusion bodies containing the desired polypeptide.

Abstract: A weathering test method comprising making active oxygen and light simultaneously act on a test piece, a weathering test method comprising successive and/or alternate steps of making active oxygen and light simultaneously act on a test piece and making at least one of light, oxygen, and water to act on the test piece, and apparatus for carrying out the methods are disclosed. In evaluating weatherability of organic materials, articles made of organic materials or articles coated with organic materials, the methods and apparatus achieve acceleration of deterioration of test pieces to greatly reduce the testing time.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are described to test the effect of anti-foulant additives on scale information in industrial fluid streams. An apparatus of at least two cells plumbed in parallel is used in which at least one cell is a reference cell. The apparatus and process allow the simultaneous measurement of different conditions of anti-foulant additives, including anti-foulant concentration, fluid stream temperature, fluid stream flow rate, and heat transfer surface temperature.

Abstract: A novel DNA whose expression level fluctuates in leukocytes of IgA nephropathy patients in comparison with leukocytes of healthy persons, a process for isolating the DNA, a novel protein encoded by the DNA, an antibody recognizing the protein, methods for detecting the protein and the DNA, and methods of diagnosis and treatment of IgA nephropathy.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preventing a respiratory infection by administering an effective amount of an agent for regulating ICAM-1 expression. Also provided is a composition for the prevention of respiratory infection including an agent which regulates ICAM expression. method of preventing RSV infection by administering an effective amount of an agent that interferes with the binding of RSV to ICAM-1. A method of preventing RSV infection by administering an effective amount of an agent that down regulates the expression of ICAM-1, thereby decreasing RSV binding to ICAM-1 is also provided. There is provided a method of treating RSV infection by administering an effective amount of an agent for down regulating ICAM-1 expression. A method of blocking RSV-ICAM-1 interaction by administering an effective amount of agents for blocking ICAM sites of binding is provided. Also provided is a compound for blocking RSV-ICAM-1 interaction including an agent for blocking ICAM sites of binding.

Abstract: Described herein are assays and components for encoding and decoding microspheres. Each assay or component described utilizes at least one nanocrystal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting stress corrosion cracking occurring on steam generator tubes in the secondary side of nuclear power plants and an inhibitor therefor. The method comprises supplying lanthanum boride as an inhibitor for stress corrosion cracking into the secondary feed water of the nuclear power plants. The method according to the present invention improves the resistance of stress corrosion cracking ten times or higher than no inhibitor, and five times or higher than the conventional inhibitor. In particular, the method according to the present invention shows a superior inhibiting effect in the lead-contaminated environment such that the complete inhibition of stress corrosion cracking can be achieved. As thus, the method can reduce the unexpected stop of operating nuclear power plants caused by the stress corrosion cracking on steam generator tubes, thereby reducing the cost required for maintaining and repairing the tubes.

Abstract: This invention related to methods useful in the labeling of multiple polypeptide samples and subsequent analysis of these samples by mass spectrometry, particularly in the high throughput proteomic setting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA labeling reagents comprising a furocoumarin derivative and a detectable group with or without bound via a binding enhancer, and acridinium-9-carboxamide derivatives for use as chemiluminescent labels. The present invention also relates to a process of preparing DNA labeling compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals associated to a compound, wherein the nanocrystals have a characteristic spectral emission, wherein said spectral emission is tunable to a desired wavelength by controlling the size of the nanocrystal, and wherein said emission provides information about a biological state or event.

Abstract: The present invention relates to receptors for heat shock proteins (HSPs), such as gp96, Hsp70 and Hsp90. The heat shock receptor is associated with the cell membranes of a subset of antigen presenting cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells. The present invention relates to the use of the heat shock protein receptor positive cells, heat shock protein receptor protein, and heat shock protein receptor genes in methods for screening a molecule for the ability to modulate heat shock protein levels or activities.

Abstract: A coated laminate having an ionic surface including a shrinkable polymeric film, an ionic coating and, optionally, a hydrogel is disclosed. A method for transferring sample molecules from a matrix to a coated laminate having an ionic surface also is disclosed.

Abstract: A dual purpose corrosion inhibitor and penetrant composition sensitive to radiography interrogation is provided. The corrosion inhibitor mitigates or eliminates corrosion on the surface of a substrate upon which the corrosion inhibitor is applied. In addition, the corrosion inhibitor provides for the attenuation of a signal used during radiography interrogation thereby providing for detection of anomalies on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Reagents and methods for detecting target proteins in a sample are provided. The reagents include a replicable genetic package, a protein displayed on an exterior surface of the package that is expressed from a heterologous nucleic acid borne by the package, and one or more antibodies complexed with the expressed protein and which have an open binding site for a target protein. Thus, a segment of the nucleic acid encodes for an epitope that is shared by the expressed polypeptide and the target protein. The reagents can be utilized individually or as part of a library or an array to bind target proteins within protein samples to form one or more complexes. By determining the sequence of the segment of the heterologous nucleic acid of a package within a complex, one can identify the target protein since the segment encodes for an epitope that is shared by the expressed and target proteins.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for simulating corrosion activity in liquid and vapor/condensate corrosion environments. The apparatus includes a container, including a lower region containing the liquid and an upper region, including a condenser, a heater for providing heat to the lower region such that the liquid is maintained at a given temperature, a vacuum pump for providing a partial vacuum at a given pressure in the upper region of the container, one corrosion probe removably positioned in the liquid, and a second corrosion probe removably positioned above the liquid.

Abstract: A weathering test method comprising making active oxygen and light simultaneously act on a test piece, a weathering test method comprising successive and/or alternate steps of making active oxygen and light simultaneously act on a test piece and making at least one of light, oxygen, and water to act on the test piece, and apparatus for carrying out the methods are disclosed. In evaluating weatherability of organic materials, articles made of organic materials or articles coated with organic materials, the methods and apparatus achieve acceleration of deterioration of test pieces to greatly reduce the testing time.

Abstract: A weathering test method comprising making active oxygen and light simultaneously act on a test piece, a weathering test method comprising successive and/or alternate steps of making active oxygen and light simultaneously act on a test piece and making at least one of light, oxygen, and water to act on the test piece, and apparatus for carrying out the methods are disclosed. In evaluating weatherability of organic materials, articles made of organic materials or articles coated with organic materials, the methods and apparatus achieve acceleration of deterioration of test pieces to greatly reduce the testing time.

Abstract: The invention relates to CARD-3, a mediator of apoptosis. CARD-3 contains a CARD domain and a serine/threonine kinase domain. CARD-3 nucleic acids and polypeptides are useful in mediating apoptosis and in the identification of compounds which modulate apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means for cleaving a nucleic acid cleavage structure in a site-specific manner. Enzymes, including 5′ nucleases and 3′ exonucleases, are used to detect and identify nucleic acids derived from microorganisms. Methods are provided which allow for the detection and identification of bacterial and viral pathogens in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides substrates and apparatuses for efficient, rapid and specific capture, and optimal recovery, of nucleic acids, as well as methods of their use. The substrate is porous in nature and has a capture polynucleotide capable of hybridizing to a target nucleic acid immobilized thereon. Upon flowing a sample containing or suspected of containing the target nucleic acid through the porous substrate, the target nucleic acid is rapidly captured. Following capture, the target nucleic acid can be efficiently recovered for subsequent use.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices having a computer for correcting for electrokinetic effects are provided. Methods of correcting for electrokinetic effects by establishing the velocity of reactants and products in a reaction in electrokinetic microfluidic devices are also provided. These microfluidic devices can have substrates with channels, depressions, and/or wells for moving, mixing and monitoring precise amounts of analyte fluids.

Abstract: A method for detecting and/or quantifying a target DNA or RNA present in a sample by a isometric primer extension method is disclosed. The method includes carrying out a primer extension reaction in the absence of a free nucleotide so that the primer extension reaction is stopped where the absent nucleotide would have been inserted. Thus, as the amount of incorporation of a labeled nucleotide on the primer extended product is detected, the amount of the target RNA or DNA in the sample is measured.

Abstract: A weathering test method comprising making active oxygen and light simultaneously act on a test piece, a weathering test method comprising successive and/or alternate steps of making active oxygen and light simultaneously act on a test piece and making at least one of light, oxygen, and water to act on the test piece, and apparatus for carrying out the methods are disclosed. In evaluating weatherability of organic materials, articles made of organic materials or articles coated with organic materials, the methods and apparatus achieve acceleration of deterioration of test pieces to greatly reduce the testing time.

Abstract: The invention relates to crosslinked bead polymers doped with superparamagnetic iron oxide, to a process for the preparation of the bead polymers, and to the use thereof in nucleic acid diagnosis.

Abstract: A method for measuring the activity of creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) isozyme which is accurate, high in specificity, convenient, by inhibiting the activity of a mitochondria localized creatine kinase (mCK) isozyme to avoid the influence of mCK and a measurement reagent therefor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an array of compositions useful for effecting and/or exhibiting changes in biological functioning and processing within cells and in biological systems containing such cells. In effect, these compositions combine chemical modifications and/or ligand additions with biological functions. The chemical modifications and/or ligand additions provide additional characteristics to the compositions without interfering substantially with their biological function. Such additional characteristics include nuclease resistance, targeting specific cells or specific cell receptors localizing to specific sites within cells and augmenting interactions between the compositions and target cells of interest as well as decreasing such interactions when desired. Also provided by the present invention are processes and kits.

Abstract: An article of manufacture forms a tool for determining cleaning parameters of an oxide removal process. The article comprises a block of material upon which an oxide can be formed and a simulated defect structure disposed in the block of material. The article is capable of determining oxide removal parameters of an oxide removal process by disposing an oxidized standard in a reactor, conducting an oxide removal process to remove oxide from the standard, and evaluating the standard and simulated defect structure for remaining oxide and other oxide removal parameters.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for inhibiting blood clotting. In general, the methods include adding corn trypsin inhibitor (CTI) to blood or a blood product in an amount sufficient to inhibit the clotting. The CTI can be used alone or in combination with other anti-coagulants. In one aspect, the invention features plasma clotting assays featuring substantially prolonged clotting times. Clotting assays using whole or minimally altered blood are also provided. Further provided are methods for storing blood or blood products at low temperature with the CTI.

Abstract: An insulating glass pane (1) has at least two glass plates (10, 12) which are spaced apart from one another, and an edge joining strip (14) which surrounds and joins together the glass plates (10, 12) in the region of their edges. The edge joining strip (14) seals and delimits an insulating cavity (16) which is located between the glass plates (10, 12) and which is filled with a fill gas which is not air. A sensor (18) is provided in the insulating cavity (16) of the insulating glass pane (1), which sensor reacts and gives a signal if the composition of the fill gas changes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting stress corrosion cracking occurring on steam generator tubes in the secondary side of nuclear power plants and an inhibitor therefor. The method comprises supplying cerium boride as an inhibitor for stress corrosion cracking into the secondary feed water of the nuclear power plants. The method according to the present invention improves resistance of stress corrosion cracking three times or higher than no inhibitor, and two times or higher than the conventional inhibitor. In particular, the method according to the present invention shows a superior inhibiting effect in the lead-contaminated environment such that the complete inhibition of stress corrosion cracking can be achieved. As thus, the method can reduce the unexpected stop of operating nuclear power plants caused by the stress corrosion cracking on steam generator tubes, thereby reducing the cost required for maintaining and repairing the tubes.

Abstract: The present invention provides low molecular weight fluorescent labeling complexes with large wavelength shifts between absorption of one dye in the complex and emission from another dye in the complex. These complexes can be used, for example, for multiparameter fluorescence cell analysis using a single excitation wavelength. The low molecular weight of the complex permits materials labeled with the complex to penetrate cell structures for use as probes. The labeling complexes are synthesized by covalently attaching through linkers at least one cyanine fluorochrome to another low molecular weight fluorochrome to form energy donor-acceptor complexes. Resonance energy transfer from an excited donor to fluorescent acceptor provides wavelength shifts up to 300 nm. The fluorescent labeling complexes preferably contain reactive groups for the labeling of functional groups on target compounds, such as derivatized oxy and deoxy polynucleic acids, antibodies, enzymes, proteins and other materials.

Abstract: An article of manufacture forms a tool for determining cleaning parameters of an oxide removal process. The article comprises a block of material upon which an oxide can be formed and a simulated defect structure disposed in the block of material. The article is capable of determining oxide removal parameters of an oxide removal process by disposing an oxidized standard in a reactor, conducting an oxide removal process to remove oxide from the standard, and evaluating the standard and simulated defect structure for remaining oxide and other oxide removal parameters.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices having a computer for correcting for electrokinetic effects are provided. Methods of correcting for electrokinetic effects by establishing the velocity of reactants and products in a reaction in electrokinetic microfluidic devices are also provided. These microfluidic devices can have substrates with channels, depressions, and/or wells for moving, mixing and monitoring precise amounts of analyte fluids.

Abstract: A flat panel display is based on a new switching technology for routing laser light among a set of optical waveguides and coupling that light toward the viewer. The switching technology is based on poled electro-optical structures. The display technology is versatile enough to cover application areas spanning the range from miniature high resolution computer displays to large screen displays for high definition television formats. The invention combines the high brightness and power efficiency inherent in visible semiconductor diode laser sources with a new waveguide electro-optical switching technology to form a dense two-dimensional addressable array of high brightness light emissive pixels.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of BH3 Interacting domain Death agonist. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding BH3 Interacting domain Death agonist. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of BH3 Interacting domain Death agonist expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of BH3 Interacting domain Death agonist are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel leupaxin polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, expression constructs comprising the polynucleotides, host cell transformed with the polynucleotides, methods to produce the polypeptides, antibodies and binding partners specific for the polypeptides, methods to identify modulators of the polypeptides, and methods to identify modulators of polypeptide expression.