Abstract: Disclosed is a process for identifying compounds having a specified activity of interest, which process comprises (i) introducing interacting molecules into a host cell under conditions to generate or repress a detectable signal; and (ii) introducing a third compound or gene or genes encoding a third compound into the host cell from (i); and (iii) screening said host cell utilizing a method for detecting the inhibition or enhancement of interaction of proteins or other molecules in an in vivo or in vitro system. Another aspect of the present invention provides a process for identifying compounds of interest, which process comprises (i) generating one or more expression libraries derived from nucleic acid directly isolated from the environment; and (ii) screening said libraries utilizing a method for detecting the inhibition or enhancement of interaction of proteins or other molecules in an in vivo or in vitro system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for reserving data channels in an optical burst-switched network. A data channel (or a multiple of data channels) along an optical path in an optical burst-switched network is reserved by first transmitting a data channel reservation request from an electronic ingress edge router to a reservation termination node. Next, the data channel reservation request is processed at all nodes along the optical path, including the reservation termination node. A data channel reservation acknowledgement is then transmitted from the reservation termination node to the electronic ingress edge router. Finally, the data channel path is reserved once an initial burst(s) which contains a reserve data channel bit reaches the reservation termination node.

Abstract: The present invention is a three-dimensional tapered waveguide coupler capable of interconnecting electro-optical devices with differing optical mode profiles. The ends of the waveguide are configured to match the optical mode profiles of the electro-optical devices that the waveguide interconnects. The waveguide adiabatically transmits the fundamental mode of the photo-optic signal from the electro-optical device at the waveguide's input end to a different electro-optical device at the waveguide's output end. A single coupler can be configured with one or more waveguides, each waveguide having different optical mode profiles at either end and different optical transmission characteristics.

Abstract: A linear array of light emitting diodes with a lens stripe for evenly illuminating signs, which includes a linear array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for producing a light output, and an elongated lens stripe. The linear array of LEDs includes an elongated mounting member and a plurality of LEDs mounted along the length of the mounting member. The elongated lens stripe is attached to the linear array of LEDs, and includes a reflector portion and a lens portion. The reflector portion has two elongated and opposing side walls that form an elongated channel. The side walls are light reflective. The LEDs are disposed inside the channel. The channel side walls reflect the light output from the LEDs toward the elongated open end of the channel. The lens portion has an elongated lens disposed along the open end of the channel for focusing the light output from the LEDs.

Abstract: Growth differentiation factor Lefty-1 polypeptide and polynucleotides are provided herein. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the Lefty-1 polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived from the archael bacterium Thermococcus GU5L5. The enzyme has a molecular weight of about 68.5 kilodaltons and has cellulase activity. The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used for the removal of arginine, phenylalanine, or methionine amino acids from the N-terminal end of peptides in peptide or peptidomimetic synthesis. The enzyme is selective for the L, or ‘natural’ enantiomer of the amino acid derivatives and is therefore useful for the production of optically active compounds. These reactions can be performed in the presence of the chemically more reactive ester functionally, a step which is very difficult to achieve with nonenzymatic methods.

Abstract: An antenna for use at UHF and upwards has a cylindrical ceramic core with a relative dielectric constant of at least 5. A three-dimensional radiating element structure, including helical antenna elements on the cylindrical surface of the core and connecting radial elements on a distal end face of the core, is formed by conductor tracks plated directly on the core surfaces. At the distal end face, the elements are connected to an axially located feed structure in a plated axial passage of the core. The antenna elements are grounded on a plated sleeve covering a proximal part of the core which, in conjunction with the feeder structure, forms an integral balun for matching to an unbalanced feeder. Since the ceramic core fills the major part of the interior volume defined by the radiating element structure, the antenna is very much smaller than an air-cored antenna.

Abstract: Growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) is disclosed along with its polynucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the GDF-9 polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides rat connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), means for producing CTGF and therapeutic methods for using CTGF or derivatives therof. The invention further provides methods for modulating the activity of CTGF and methods for ameliorating a cell proliferative disorder associated with CTGF.

Abstract: A class of cationic, polyphemusin-like peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides include FRWCFRVCYKGRCRYKCR (SEQ ID NO:3), RRWCFRVCYKGFCRYKCR (SEQ ID NO:4), and RRWCFRVCYRGRFCYRKCR (SEQ ID NO:11). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of microbes such as bacteria, yeast and viruses utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides include NH2-KWKSFIKKLTTAVKKVLTTGLPALIS-COOH (SEQ ID NO:1) and NH2-KWKSFIKKLTSAAKKVVTTAKPLISS-COOH (SEQ ID NO:2). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bypassing defective cache memory locations on-board a microprocessor integrated circuit chip, which includes a processor, a cache memory, a store buffer, a tag RAM, and a comparator. The cache memory has a plurality of valid cache memory locations and at least one defective cache memory location. The store buffer has buffer entries and redundancy entries for storing data sent by the processor for storage in the cache memory. The tag RAM has buffer tag entries for storing addresses of data stored in the buffer entries and redundancy tag entries that store addresses of defective cache memory locations in the cache memory. The comparator compares addresses of data sent by the processor for cache memory storage with addresses stored in the redundancy tag entries.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture employing lexicon reduction using key characters and a neural network, for recognizing a line of cursive text. Unambiguous parts of a cursive image, referred to as “key characters,” are identified. If the level of confidence that a segment of a line of cursive text is a particular character is higher than a threshold, and is also sufficiently higher than the level of confidence of neighboring segments, then the character is designated as a key character candidate. Key character candidates are then screened using geometric information. The key character candidates that pass the screening are designated key characters. Two-stages of lexicon reduction are employed. The first stage of lexicon reduction uses a neural network to estimate a lower bound and an upper bound of the number of characters in a line of cursive text. Lexicon entries having a total number of characters outside of the bounds are eliminated.

Abstract: A high magnetization, high resistivity, low corrosion and near zero magnetostriction soft adjacent layer (SAL) is provided for a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor of a read head. The MR sensor may either be an anisotropic MR (AMR) sensor or a spin valve sensor. In both sensors the SAL is CoHfNb or CoHfNbFe. The Hf is added to reduce corrosion and the Hf and Nb are balanced to provide near zero magnetostriction. The addition of Fe is an enhancer for reducing negative magnetostriction without diluting the magnetism of the alloy. Since CoHfNb has significantly higher magnetization than NiFeCr the SAL layer of CoHfNb can be thinner than the SAL of NiFeCr which results in a significantly higher resistance SAL. The higher resistance SAL equates to less shunting of the sense current through the SAL and better signal performance of the MR read head.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for electrochemical detection and localization of genetic point mutations and other base-stacking perturbations within oligonucleotide duplexes adsorbed onto electrodes and their use in biosensing technologies are described. An intercalative, redox-active moiety (such as an intercalator or nucleic acid-binding protein) is adhered and/or crosslinked to immobilized DNA duplexes at different separations from an electrode and probed electrochemically in the presence or absence of a non-intercalative, redox-active moiety. Interruptions in DNA-mediated electron-transfer caused by base-stacking perturbations, such as mutations or binding of a protein to its recognition site are reflected in a difference in electrical current, charge and/or potential.

Abstract: A magnetron sputtering system is provided that uses cooling channels in the magnetron assembly to cool the target. The magnetron sputtering system also generates low pressure region in the magnetron assembly such that the backing plate sees a pressure differential much lower than atmospheric pressure. In one embodiment, the backing plate includes a center post to support the backing plate during operation. The backing plate is reduced in thickness and provides less of a barrier to the generated magnetic field.

Abstract: A gene, mcl-1, of the bcl-2 family is disclosed along with its nucleotide and amino acid sequence. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of utilizing the mcl-1 nucleotide and polypeptide sequences.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing time-walking in a digital switching network when switching from a first clock to a second clock. The first and second clock can be identical in frequency and independent in phase, where the highest resolution frequency available is that of said first and second clock. The system can include a clock divider selection circuit, an enhanced digital phase aligner, and a clock select control circuit. The clock divider selection circuit can output an on-line divided clock and an off-line clock to the enhanced digital phase aligner. The enhanced digital phase aligner can sample the on-line divided clock with four phases of the off-line clock and output an off-line divided clock which is time shifted such that the off-line divided clock is in phase with the on-line divided clock within plus or minus one-half the clock period of the off-line clock.

Abstract: A system and method for output power controlled stabilizing system comprises a wavelength limiter which minimizes the wavelength variation of a laser signal light. The wavelength limiter comprises a first and second clamping circuit. The first clamping circuit receives an offset voltage, compares the offset voltage to a first predetermined reference voltage, and outputs the voltage difference between the offset voltage and the first predetermined reference voltage. If the offset voltage rises higher than the first predetermined reference voltage, the first clamping circuit then clamps and keeps the power of the output power controlled wavelength stabilizing system from increasing. The second clamping circuit receives the offset voltage, compares the offset voltage to a second predetermined reference voltage, and outputs the voltage difference between the offset voltage and the second predetermined reference voltage.

Abstract: A merged magnetic head has a top first pole tip layer and a bottom second pole tip layer which are located entirely between an air bearing surface and a coil layer. A write gap layer separates the pole tip layers from one another at the ABS. A zero throat height (ZTH) defining layer is located adjacent the top gap layer between the pole tip layers and is recessed from the ABS so as to further separate the pole tip layers from one another at a location recessed from the ABS so as to define the zero throat height of the write head where the first and second pole pieces first commence to separate from one another after the ABS.