Abstract:
The invention pertains to the use of six-membered cyclic phosphates as plant growth regulators and methods for regulating the growth of plants using such compounds.
Abstract:
The present invention is based on the finding that Gal-8 binds to carbohydrates of cell surface CD44std and CD44v and activates a chain of biological events within the cells. A specific effect exhibited was the induction of apoptosis in the CD44std and CD44v expressing cells. Thus, the present invention concerns the use of an active agent for achieving a therapeutic effect on a target cell, the therapeutic effect comprises binding of said active agent to a standard CD44 (CD44std) glycoprotein or to a CD44 variant (CD44v) expressed by said target cell, the active agent being galectin-8 (Gal-8) or a functional derivative thereof. The active ingredient may be used for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, for the treatment of a disease or a disorder or for diagnostic purposes.
Abstract:
A method for trapping of a plurality of charged particles in a charged particle trap. The trap includes first and second electrode mirrors (2, 3) having a common optical axis (4), the mirrors being arranged in alignment at two extremities thereof. The mirrors are capable, when voltage is applied thereto, of creating respective electric fields defined by key field parameters. The electric fields are configured to reflect charged particles causing their oscillation between the mirrors. The method includes introducing into the trap, along the optical axis, the plurality of charged particles as a beam (10) having pre-determined key beam parameters. The method further includes choosing the key field parameters for at least one of the mirrors such as to induce bunching among charged particles in the beam.
Abstract:
The invention relates to conjugates of poorly immunogenic antigens, e.g. peptides, proteins and polysaccharides, with a synthetic peptide carrier constituting a T cell epitope derived from the sequence of human heat shock protein hsp65, or an analog thereof, said peptide or analog being capable of increasing substantially the immunogenicity of the poorly immunogenic antigen. Suitable peptides according to the invention are Pep278h, which corresponds to positions 458-474 of human hsp65, and Pep II, which corresponds to positions 437-448 of human hsp65, but in which two cysteine residues at positions 442 and 447 are replaced serine residues.
Abstract:
A virus having a lipid-containing capsid, such as AIDS virus, is inactivated by contacting the virus with an inactivating amount of phosphatidyl choline. Such a virus can be inactivated in fluids such as virus-contaminated body fluids or derivatives, e.g., blood or blood derivatives. The phosphatidyl choline can be present in an Active Lipid (AL) composition further comprising neutral lipids and phosphatidyl ethanolamine. Phosphatidyl choline, and an AL composition containing same, is useful for the treatment or prophylaxis of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in mammals.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to methods for treating immune disorders, inter alia, multiple sclerosis, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one G protein gated Inward Rectifying K+ channel (GIRK) inhibitor to a subject in need thereof. The present invention further provides GIRKs as markers of B cell subtypes.
Abstract:
A lubricating and shock absorbing materials are described, which are based on nanoparticles having the formula A 1-x -B x -chalcogenide. Processes for their manufacture are also described.
Abstract:
A combined cycle power system is provided comprising at least one solar power plant including a concentrating dish configured to concentrate solar radiation; a solar receiver disposed and configured to utilize concentrated solar radiation for heating a first working fluid, and a first turbine configured for generating electricity by expansion therein of the heated first working fluid, and at least one recovery power plant including a heat recovery unit configured for utilizing exhaust heat of the first turbine to heat a second working fluid, and a second turbine configured for generating electricity by expansion therein of the heated second working fluid.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses a novel solar cell comprising a multi-layer structure comprising a metal layer, a semiconductor layer; and an organic molecular monolayer in between the metal and semiconductor layers. The organic molecular monolayer operates as a thin controllable insulator layer; thereby enabling the multilayer structure to be operable as a MOIS (Metal-Organic-Insulator-Semiconductor) junction. According to the invention, the insulating layer is made of an organic monolayer having a high-degree of continuity of the molecules' arrangement within the layer, thus forming a large area junction.
Abstract:
A solar receiver comprises a housing having a front, radiation-facing, end and a rear end, the front end being formed with a cavity therein; a window mounted at the front end of the housing and projecting inside the cavity; a receiver chamber defined within the cavity between the housing and the window, the receiver chamber having a working fluid inlet for ingress of working fluid to be heated therewithin, and a working fluid outlet for egress therethrough of the heated fluid; and a solar absorber within the receiver chamber for absorbing the solar radiation and heating the working fluid. The solar absorber comprises at least one tubular member configured for maintaining fluid isolation between contents thereof and contents of the receiver chamber. The solar absorber is configured for heating working fluid within the receiver chamber exterior to the tubular member, and working fluid within the tubular member