Abstract:
The invention provides isolated N-methyl-D- aspartate type 3B (NR3B) polypeptides, functional fragments and peptides, encoding nucleic acid molecules and polynucleotides, and specific antibodies. Also provided are excitatory glycine receptors, containing either NR3B or NR3A polypeptides. Further provided are methods for detecting excitatory glycine receptor ligands, agonists and antagonists. The invention also provides related diagnostic and therapeutic methods.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods of using the same for the treatment of diabetes and other disorders of glucose metabolism are provided. Compositions may include one or more of a bioavailable source of chromium and vanadium, and may be in the form of liquid beverages, or powders or concentrates for preparing such beverages.
Abstract:
A method and system for evolving electronic circuits based on defined rules. A first approach uses a network (50) of nodes (60) having established topological and behavioral relationships amongst themselves. A second approach employs software agents to create signal filters. The software agents are allowed to evolve in signal parameter space so as to match a reference signal (200), subject to established evolutionary rules and parameter space constraints. Narrowband and a low-pass filter can be formed using such agents.
Abstract:
Technological change at the film-level has commonly been modeled as random sampling from a fixed distribution of possibilities. Such models, however, typically ignore empirically important aspects of the firm's search process, notably the observation that the present state of the firm guides future innovation. We explicitly treat this aspect of the firm's search for technological improvements by introducing a "technology landscape" (Fig. 6) into an otherwise standard dynamic programming setting where the optimal strategy is to assign a reservation price to each possible technology. Search is modeled as movement, constrained by the cost of innovation, over the technology landscape. Simulations (Fig. 6) are presented on a stylized technology landscape while analytic results are derived using landscapes that are similar to Markov random fields.
Abstract:
A purified IceA protein of Helicobacter pylori is provided. The protein is expressed as either an IceA 1 or an IceA 2 variant. A purified polypeptide fragment of the IceA protein is also provided. An antigenic fragment of IceA is provided. An isolated nucleic acid that encodes an IceA protein of H. pylori is provided. A nucleic acid that encodes an IceA 1 variant and a nucleic acid that encodes an IceA 2 variant is also provided. Fragments of the IceA gene are provided. A method of detecting the presence of an antibody against H. pylori in a sample is provided. The method comprises the following steps: a) contacting the sample with a purified IceA protein of H. pylori or a H. pylori-specific fragment thereof; and b) detecting the binding of the antibody in the sample to the protein or fragment, the detection of biding indicating the presence in the sample of antibodies against H. pylori. A method of detecting the presence of an antibody against an ulcerative Helicobacter pylori strain in a sample is also provided.
Abstract:
A mixture of polydextrose and a food additive is claimed, the said mixture comprising: a solid, highly homogeneous, micro dispersed mixture comprising 70 to 99.99 % polydextrose and 0.01 to 30 % of a food additive capable of significantly improving the moisture absorption and mouthfeel characteristics of polydextrose, wherein said food additive is a polysaccharide, protein, hydrolyzed protein, alkali metal bicarbonate, water-soluble emulsifier, water-disbursable emulsifier or shellac. A method to produce such a mixture is to co-evaporate from water or alcohol the composition described.
Abstract:
The oncogene of the present invention, isolated by expression cloning from a human ovarian cancer is a mutant of TC21. The present invention teaches that ras-related genes not thought to have transforming potential can contribute importantly to cancers which have been refractory to oncogene detection. The present invention teaches that another ras relative gene, R-ras, which was previously reported to lack transforming potential, has transforming capacity as well. Thus, these and other genes similarly related to prototype and activated by analogous mechanisms may be important in the diagnosis and prognosis of certain cancers, as well as be critical in the design of rational approaches to therapy of cancers in which they play a role.
Abstract:
Vision apparatus is disclosed which comprises at least one single-line scan type line scan camera (30, 40) mounted for viewing a passing object (60, 150). The cameras (30, 40) are connected with electronic means (50) which includes store means (53) which stores signals indicative of the image of the object throughout line scans. The electronic means (50) includes processing means (52) whhich processes the signals indicative of the image of the object together with a signal representative of at least one of the speed or length of the object to determine a length of the object between line scans. That determined length between line scans is provided to image recognition means (100) and utilized with signals in the store means (53) and compared against expected image signature or image attribute signals for recognition. If there is recognition an output is provided representative of a recognised image signature or image attribute. Preferably two cameras (30, 40) are utilized so that one views the object (60, 150) at a different position along its path of travel and where a signal representative of the speed of the object is obtained by comparing particular time instants when a part of the object is detected by each camera.
Abstract:
A modular artificial skeletal muscle (MASM) actuator having a plurality of dielectric elastomer units assembled in series or in parallel. A proximal anchoring member is connected to a proximal end of at least one proximal dielectric elastomer unit and is configured for attachment to a proximal anchor point relative to a user. A tension member has a proximal end attached to a distal end of at least one distal dielectric elastomer unit and a distal end configured for attachment to a distal anchor point relative to the user. A controller is configured to cause simultaneous contraction or expansion of plurality of dielectric elastomer units, which contraction or expansion causes displacement of the tension member. A plurality of MASM actuators may be attached to an exoskeleton attached about an ankle of a user and controlled for therapeutic purposes, such as for assisting pediatric patients with cerebral palsy.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are methods for treating juvenile onset neurological conditions, such as autism (ASD), intellectual disability, or epilepsy, with an inhibitor of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). The inhibitor may be NitroSynapsin or a derivative thereof.