摘要:
Immunogenic HIV peptides and methods of use are provided in which each HIV peptide include epitopes that are immunoreactive with cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) from HIV-positive individuals and binds to antibodies that are immunoreactive with the assembled class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) structure. Preferably, the peptide is an isolated or synthetic peptide containing between nine and eleven amino acid residues within specific regions of the HIV genome.
摘要:
A process for preparing nanoparticles and microparticles is provided. The process involves forming a mixture of a polymer and a solvent, wherein the solvent is present in a continuous phase and introducing the mixture into an effective amount of a nonsolvent to cause the spontaneous formation of microparticles.
摘要:
The invention provides, among other aspects, compositions and methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing diseases or conditions associated with an abnormal level or activity of biglycan; diseases or conditions associated with an abnormal level or activity of collagen VI; disorders associated with an unstable cytoplasmic membrane, due, e.g., to an unstable dystrophin associated protein complex (DAPC); and disorders associated with abnormal synapses or neuromuscular junctions, including those resulting from an abnormal MuSK activation or acetylcholine receptor (AChR) aggregation.
摘要:
A method for finding optimal filter coefficients includes selecting a wavelet basis k parameters (102). The waveleet basis is reparameterized into k/2 rotation parameters (108) and factorized into a product of rotation and delay matrices (110). A data transform matrix is computed based on the product of rotation and delay matrices. The input data sequence is transformed into transformed data by the data transform matrix (112). The Jacobian of the data transform matrix and the input data sequence is determined and multiplied by the gradient vector with respect to the transformed data of an objective function. This product is compared to a predetermined criterium and if the predetermined criterium is not satisfied, a new set k/2 parameters values are provided and the gradient descent is continued until the optimal k/2 parameters are found. The optimal filter coefficients are then calculated based on the optimal k/2 parameters (128).
摘要:
A method for the determination of grain orientation in a film sample is provided comprising the steps of measuring a first transient optical response of the film and determining the contribution to the transient optical response arising from a change in the energy distribution of the electrons in the sample, determining the contribution to the transient optical response arising from a propagating strain pulse within the sample, and determining the contribution to the transient optical response arising from a change in sample temperature of the sample. The grain orientation of the sample may be determined using the contributions to the transient optical response arising from the change in the energy distribution of the electrons, the propagating strain pulse, and the change in sample temperature. Additionally, a method for determination of the thickness of a film sample is provided. The grain orientation of the sample is first determined. The grain orientation, together with the velocity of sound and a propagation time of a strain pulse through the sample are then used to determine the thickness of the film sample.
摘要:
The present invention provides methods for identifying genes involved in memory consolidation, and for identifying agents which effect memory consolidation in a mammal. These methods preferably use (1) non-human mammals which have been manipulated to create at least partial disruption of fornix-mediated afferant signalling to the hippocampus, said disruption affecting memory consolidation or (2) non-lesioned mammals which have been subjected to a learning and memory test to provide a learned behavior in the mammal.
摘要:
Two or more hydrophilic, water soluble polymers that are not soluble in each other at a particular concentration and temperature, but which have a positive spreading coefficient in solution, are used to form multi-layered polymeric microspheres. The multi-layer microspheres produced by the method are distinguished by extremely uniform dimensioned polymer layers and actual incorporation of a substance to be delivered into the polymer layers. In the preferred embodiment of the method, two polymers are dissolved in an aqueous solvent, the substance to be incorporated is dispersed or dissolved in the polymer solution, the mixture is suspended in an organic solvent or polymer/water mixture and stirred, and the solvent is slowly evaporated, creating microspheres with an inner core formed by one polymer and an outer layer formed by the second polymer.
摘要:
Methods and compositions are provided for enhancing the bioadhesive properties of polymers used in drug delivery devices. The bioadhesive properties of a polymer are enhanced by incorporating a metal compound into the polymer to enhance the ability of the polymer to adhere to a tissue surface such as a mucosal membrane. Metal compounds which enhance the bioadhesive properties of a polymer include water-insoluble metal compounds such as water-insoluble metal oxides, including oxides of calcium, iron, copper and zinc. The metal compounds can be incorporated within a wide range of polymers including proteins, polysaccharides and synthetic biocompatible polymers. In one embodiment, metal oxides can be incorporated within polymers used to form or coat drug delivery devices, such as microspheres, which contain a drug or diagnostic agent. The metal oxides can be provided in the form of a fine dispersion of particles on the surface of a polymer that coats or forms the devices, which enhances the ability of the devices to bind to mucosal membranes. The polymers, for example in the form of microspheres, have improved ability to adhere to mucosal membranes, and thus can be used to deliver a drug or diagnostic agent via any of a range of mucosal membrane surfaces including those of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, excretory and reproductive tracts.
摘要:
Soldering methods and compositions are disclosed to provide electrical connections between surfaces with reduced likelihood of short circuits or solder-starved joints. Bimetallic solder particles are employed to preferably form 'metallic foam' joints upon heating. The use of bimetallic particles which fuse together rapidly reduces the likelihood of reflow-related solder joint faults. The methods and compositions of the present invention can also reduce the potential for thermal fatigue and other solder joint failures in electronic devices following fabrication because the porous solder joints relieve plastic constraints and lower the average tensile joint stress. In one preferred embodiment, solder compositions are employed which are composed of particles of a first metal coated with a second metal. The metals are chosen such that their individual melting points are higher than the melting points of the alloy or alloys formed when they are combined. Upon heating of such coated particles, melting occurs at the interfaces between the core materials and their coatings. The liquidus so formed causes various particles to fuse together in a porous metal foam that provides an electronic connection capable of withstanding thermal cycling with significantly lower failure rates. This soldering technique is particularly advantageous when applied to soldering of ball arrays and similar structures that facilitate mounting of chips to printed circuit boards, other chips or substrates, generally. The present invention can also be useful in reducing the total amount of lead and/or other toxic components present in solder compositions.
摘要:
A process for preparing nanoparticles and microparticles is provided. The process involves forming a mixture of a polymer and a solvent, wherein the solvent is present in a continuous phase and introducing the mixture into an effective amount of a nonsolvent to cause the spontaneous formation of microparticles.