Abstract:
The invention provides human secreted proteins (SECP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode SECP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with aberrant expression of SECP.
Abstract:
Crushable gel beads 10 formed of an agar complex provide novel cosmetic, pharmaceutical, etc. delivery vehicles for topical delivery of biologically or cosmetically active agents. Preferred agar beads 10 are complexes of a continuous phase of agar gel 12 in a self-supporting solid or semi-solid form with a restraining polymer 14. Entrapped in and dispersed randomly throughout each agar bead 10 is a water-soluble, preferably polar, restraining polymer 14, preferably a quaternized cationic polymer, such as polyquaternium 24 or steardimonium hydroxyethylcellulose. Various active agents 16 may be bound to restraining polymer 14, for example ascorbic acid, lactic acid or papain. Methods of manufacture are also described.
Abstract:
Diacylglycerol (DAG) plays a central role in both the synthesis of complex lipids and in intracellular signaling; diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) catalyzes the phosphorylation of DAG, which yields phosphatidic acid. A family of DGKs has been identified in multicellular organisms over the past few years, but the physiological function(s) of this diversity is not clear. One clue has come from the Drosophila DGK2, rdgA, since mutations in this gene cause retinal degeneration. The present invention relates to a novel DGK, designated DGK&igr;, which was isolated from human retina and brain libraries. DGK&igr; contains two cysteine-rich repeats, a region similar to the phosphorylation site domain of MARCKS, a conserved catalytic domain, and four ankyrin repeats at its C-terminus. By primary structure, DGK&igr; is most similar to human DGK&zgr; and Drosophila rdgA. A>12 kb mRNA for DGK&igr; was detected only in brain and retina among the tissues examined. In cells transfected with the DGK&igr; cDNA, an approximately 130 kDa protein was detected by immunoassay, and activity assays demonstrated that it encodes a functional DAG kinase. The protein was found to be in both the cytoplasm and nucleus, with this localization controlled by PKC isoforms &agr; and &ggr;. The gene encoding DGK&igr; was localized to human chromosome 7q32.3-33, which is known to be a locus for an inherited form of retinitis pigmentosa. These results have defined a novel isoform of DAG kinase, which may have important cellular functions in the retina and brain.
Abstract:
A synthetic particulate vector comprising a non-liquid hydrophilic nucleus and an outer layer at least partially consisting of amphiphilic compounds, which is combined with the nucleus by hydrophobic interactions and/or ionic bonds. A process for preparing a particulate vector by encapsulating an ionizable active principle, vectors obtained according to such a process, and pharmaceutical, cosmeticological and food compositions comprising such vectors are also disclosed.
Abstract:
By adapting femtosecond micromachining approaches developed in hydrogels, we can perform Intra-tissue Refractive Index Shaping (IRIS) in biological tissues. We reduced femtosecond laser pulse energies below the optical breakdown thresholds to create grating patterns that are associated with a change in the refractive index of the tissue. To increase two-photon absorption, we used a two (or more)-photon-absorbing chromophore.
Abstract:
A tandem mass spectrometer is provided in the present invention. The mass spectrometer includes an ion source, a quadrupole mass filter located at downstream side of the ion source, a linear ion trap disposed at downstream side of the mass filter and an ion detector placed on the side of the ion trap, all of which are placed in a vacuum environment. The instrument can obtain MS meeting the standard spectral library search criteria by the quadrupole mass filter cooperating with linear ion trap, realize any multi-stage MS under two modes of axial collision and resonance excitation, and predict and optimize the inflow amount and types of samples under the ion trap analysis mode by the quadrupole. A tandem MS analysis method is also provided, which can repeatedly provide precursor ion selection, ion acceleration, achieve high-energy collision dissociation, low product ion mass discrimination effect.
Abstract:
A method, apparatus, media and signals for generating a computer representation of a three-dimensional swept envelope of a vehicle having a wheeled chassis operable to support a vehicle body for movement along a terrain is disclosed. The method involves receiving terrain data representing a 3D terrain, receiving data defining parameters of the vehicle, and receiving data defining a path for movement of the vehicle from an initial position on the terrain to a displaced position on the terrain. The method also involves disposing a computer representation of the vehicle on the 3D representation of the terrain at successive locations along the path using the parameters. Disposing involves determining points of engagement between wheels of the wheeled chassis and the 3D representation of the terrain to dispose the chassis with respect to the terrain, and determining a corresponding 3D location of the vehicle body with respect to the terrain. The method further involves generating a plurality of spatial extents of the vehicle at the successive locations, the spatial extents defining the 3D swept envelope of the vehicle when moving between the initial position and the displaced position. In another aspect a method for generating a computer representation of a three-dimensional swept envelope of an object moving along a guideway disposed with respect to a 3D representation of a terrain is disclosed.
Abstract:
This invention presents a kind of ion guide device comprising multiple layers of stretched wire electrodes crossing in space. These wire electrodes are distributed along a defined ion guiding axis in the ion guide device. Each layer of wire electrodes contains at least two wire electrodes with some distance away from the guiding axis, and rotates with an angle relative to wire electrodes on neighboring layer. The ion guide contains multiple layers of wire electrodes to form a cage-like ion guide tunnel and keeps the mounting framework of those wire electrodes outside of the ion guide tunnel, thus reducing the interference of the gas flows from the ion guide device. A power supply provides voltage to each layer of wire electrodes, creates an electric field which focuses the ions towards the guiding axis.
Abstract:
A model for a circuit cell used in timing and signal integrity analysis in an integrated circuit design is automatically generated. A behavioral model, such as a gate current model is used in which the current in the circuit cell is determined as a function of the input voltage and the output voltage of the circuit cell as well as the history of at least one of the current, voltage, and charge values of the circuit cell. For example, the current in the circuit cell may be a function of the history of the current, which may be calculated incrementally using recursive convolution at each time step when using the model.
Abstract:
A device for separating, enriching and detecting ions comprises: a gas tube, in which a carrier gas flows at a uniform rate; an ion source; multiple electrodes provided in the gas tube and applied with electric voltages respectively, so that at least an electric field is produced along the axis of the gas tube; an ion detector; and an ion extraction channel, by which specific enriched ions will be guided across the side wall of the gas tube toward the ion detector and be analyzed. The device enriches ions utilizing the following characteristic: compound ions with specific ion mobility maintain a dynamic balance for a period of time in a flow field under the combination of a carrier gas and a suitable electrical field against the direction of the carrier gas. Simultaneously, multiple compound particles with different ion motilities can be separated and enriched at positions with different electrical field intensities in a flow field in the same manner. The device also comprises synchronously export latitudinally enriched ions at different positions in a flow field, and performs later mass analysis using a mass spectrometer.