Abstract: Compounds and methods are provided for diagnosing Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The disclosed compounds are polypeptides, or antibodies thereto, that contain one or more epitopes of T. cruzi antigens. The compounds are useful in a variety of immunoassays for detecting T. cruzi infection. The polypeptide compounds are further useful in vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for inducing protective immunity against Chagas' disease in individuals exposed to T. cruzi.

Abstract: Computer-based methods and systems for facilitating the inspection of a vehicle to detect the presence of prior damage and problems with previous repair are provided. Exemplary embodiments provide an inspection facilitator, which includes an inspection engine and an inspection interface. The inspection engine and inspection interface are implemented as an expert system, which directs a technician or apparatus to perform a uniform inspection process. The inspection facilitator, after receiving vehicle specific information, first directs and guides an inspection of the underbody of the vehicle to detect gross level damage or repair. The inspection facilitator then dynamically directs and guides an inspection of the outerbody of the vehicle based upon the nonconformities indicated in response to each directed inspection task.

Abstract: A system for framing houses or other buildings which uses pre fabricated steel framing and which is quick and easy to construct. A prefabricated system is provided for framing complete building, on a foundation. Folding telescopic framing units are used for vertical partitions and horizontal floor panels. A prefabricated system of framing units is provided for constructing a building comprising: a) providing a foundation; b) securing vertical beams having open upper ends to the foundation at spaced locations; c) securing horizontal beams between the upper ends of the vertical beams; d) erecting and securing folding, telescopic floor joists on the foundation; and e) erecting and securing folding, telescopic roof trusts at spaced locations on the horizontal beams.

Abstract: A computer system includes a memory requester that interfaces with a memory module that includes memory portions. An error map that identifies the defective memory portions of the memory module is created and stored in the computer system. Using the error map, a remapping table that maps each of the defective memory portions to a non-defective memory portion in the memory module is created and then stored. In response to receiving from the memory requester a request for access to a requested memory portion of the memory module, a determination is made from the error map whether the requested memory portion is one of the defective memory portions. If the error map indicates that the requested memory portion is one of the defective memory portions, then a determination is made from the remapping table the non-defective memory portion to which the requested memory portion is mapped.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes operational circuitry, for example, in the form of a memory for carrying out operations of the integrated circuit device. Additionally, at least one peripheral circuit is connected to the operational circuitry for carrying out at least one function in respect of the operational circuitry. Input means are provided to permit the input of command data in a normal mode of operation and to permit the input of test data in a test mode of operation. Control circuitry has an input to receive command data from the input means. The control circuitry is arranged to generate, in response to the command data, control signals to control at least one of the peripheral circuits in the normal mode of operation. A control bus is connected between the control circuitry and the peripheral circuits and is arranged to carry control signals from the control circuitry to at least one peripheral circuit.

Abstract: Steroid compounds having various oxygen substitution on the steroid nucleus are disclosed. A specific functionality present on many of the steroid compounds is oxygen substitution at both of positions 6 and 7. Thus, certain steroids have oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, and some have specific stereochemistries such as 6.alpha. and 7.beta. oxygen substitution, and an alpha hydrogen at the 5 position in addition to having 6.alpha. and 7.beta. oxygen substitution. Steroids having 3,4-epoxy functionality are also disclosed. In addition, steroids having C17 pyran and .delta.-lactone functionality, with oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, or at C15, of the steroid nucleus, are disclosed.

Abstract: Molecular clones of feline leukemia virus isolates that encode (a) a prototype highly infectious, minimally pathogenic virus, (b) a variant genome that is replication-defective and associated with a fatal immunodeficiency in cats similar to AIDS (FAIDS) or (c) a chimeric genome that is replication-competent and induces FAIDS. These molecular clones may be used to generate cell lines producing infectious virus which is useful in the preparation of vaccines or in the generation of viremia or disease challenge systems.

Abstract: This invention provides ribozymes useful to treat or prevent Hepatitis C Virus ("HCV") infection or disease in an organism or subject, as well as methods of treating an HCV infection or disease. Reagents such as vectors, host cells, DNA molecules coding for these ribozymes useful in methods of treatment and prevention of HCV infection or disease are also provided.

Abstract: A switched reluctance motor having a rotor and a stator is provided the motor includes means for adjusting a relative angle between a switch turn-off angle at which a switch for supplying power to a coil is turned off, and a tooth overlap angle at which a tooth portion of the rotor and a tooth portion S of the stator are overlapped according to a predetermined calculation. The switched reluctance motor has reduced vibration and noise levels, thereby increasing their application.

Abstract: A connection matrix for a microcontroller emulation chip, which comprises memory cells of the RAM type comprising: first and second MOS transistors connected in series with each other between first and second voltage references, and having their drain terminals in common to form a first internal circuit node; third and fourth MOS transistors, also connected in series with each other between the first and second voltage references, and having their drain terminals in common to form a second internal circuit node; wherein the first and second transistors have their control terminals connected together and to the second internal circuit node, and the third and fourth transistors have their control terminals connected together and to the first internal circuit node; and fifth and sixth MOS transistors, respectively connected between first and second input terminals of the RAM cell and the first and second internal circuit nodes, and having respective control terminals connected to a third input terminal of the RA

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and devices of preparing acids, such as adipic acid for example, by oxidizing a hydrocarbon, such as cyclohexane for example, with a gas containing an oxidant, preferably oxygen. A respective hydrocarbon is reacted, preferably at a steady state, with a gaseous oxidant to form an acid in a liquid mixture which preferably contains a solvent, a catalyst, water, and an initiator. The ratio of solvent to hydrocarbon may be controlled in a manner to maintain in the reaction zone maximum reaction rate and/or reactivity, or reaction rate and/or reactivity within a desired range, or reaction rate and/or reactivity directed toward a desired range. In addition, the ratio of solvent to hydrocarbon is controlled in a manner to maintain in the reaction zone substantially maximum selectivity and/or yield, or selectivity and/or yield within a desired range, or selectivity and/or yield directed toward a desired range.

Abstract: Preparations of conjugates of a receptor-binding internalized ligand and a cytocide-encoding agent and compositions containing such preparations are provided. The conjugates contain a polypeptide that is reactive with an FGF receptor, such as bFGF, or another heparin-binding growth factor, cytokine, or growth factor coupled to a nucleic acid binding domain. One or more linkers may be used in the conjugation. The linker is selected to increase the specificity, toxicity, solubility, serum stability, or intracellular availability, and promote nucleic acid condensation of the targeted moiety. The conjugates are complexed with a cytocide-encoding agent, such as DNA encoding saporin. Conjugates of a receptor-binding internalized ligand to a nucleic acid molecule are also provided.

Abstract: For use with vacuum cleaner bags of the type having a substantially rigid collar surrounding the bag opening, and with vacuum cleaners of the type having a dirty air outlet nozzle, a vacuum bag docking assembly is shown and described. The assembly incorporates an anchor member having a central opening for closely receiving the dirty air outlet nozzle. The assembly also incorporates a mounting member which engages the collar on the vacuum bag to secure the bag to the bag mounting member. The bag mounting member is pivotally connected to the anchor member, and moves between a loading position in which the bag can be inserted or removed from the mounting member, and a working position in which the bag opening engages the dirty air outlet nozzle.

Abstract: The reading circuit comprises a current source, which, via a current reflection circuit, supplies a constant predetermined current to a cell to be read, an operational amplifier with a non-inverting input connected to the drain terminal of the cell, and an output connected to the gate terminal of the cell. The source terminal of the cell is connected to ground. Thereby the output voltage of the operational amplifier supplies directly (at the set current) the threshold voltage of the cell, and the drain terminal of the cell is biased to a positive voltage.

Abstract: A method and system for actively and rapidly collecting reference waveforms from a large number of cellular telephones is provided. The reference waveforms are used to generate fingerprints which are used to distinguish between authorized cellular telephones and unauthorized cellular telephones. Initially, the system selects a cellular telephone whose reference waveform is desired. The selected cellular telephone is then sent a polling message such as a page or registration request. The cellular telephone receives the polling message and transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal containing a reference waveform that contains certain transmission characteristics unique to the selected cellular telephone. From the received RF signal, the reference waveform is extracted and stored. Preferably, the selected cellular telephone is polled repeatedly in order to receive a sufficiently large number of reference waveforms to be able to generate an accurate fingerprint.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control circuit for semiconductor devices which is formed on a substrate (1) doped by a first dopant type, the integrated circuit comprising a first epitaxial layer (2) grown on the substrate (1) and doped by the first dopant type, and an isolation well (3) doped by a second dopant type, the control circuit comprising at least a first control transistor (M1) formed in a first well (8) doped by the second dopant type and formed in the insulation well (3). Thus, the control circuit comprises at least one N-channel MOS transistor accommodated within a well in direct contact with the isolation well to eliminate a buried layer that, in prior art arrangements, involved the presence of an undesired parasitic component.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to prevent or ameliorate hyperacute or acute rejection of a human donor organ transplanted to a human recipient. Hyperacute rejection would normally occur after a human subject receives a transplanted human organ against which the subject has preformed anti-HLA antibodies. Acute rejection occurs when the recipient of a human organ forms antibodies against that organ after transplant. The invention method comprises passing the plasma of the recipient over a sterile and pyrogen-free column coupled to anti-human immunoglobulin antibodies which bind to and remove a significant portion of the immunoglobulin from the subject's plasma.

Abstract: Hair regeneration compositions containing T.alpha.1, T.beta.4, or a combination thereof for treating alopecia on the scalp of a patient in need thereof are disclosed. Teatment methods include (1) cleansing the scalp with a cleansing agent; (2) treating the cleansed scalp with a keratin solvent system; (3) applying a topical anesthetic (optional); (4) applying an acid peel solution; (5) applying a hyperactive urea gel formula (optional) and (6) applying a hair regeneration composition.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a junction-isolated semiconductor device is provided which includes the following steps. Within a first P-type buried region second N-type buried regions are formed. Over the first and second buried regions, an N-type epitaxial layer defining a surface of the device is grown. In the epitaxial layer, P-type isolation regions extending from the surface down to and in electric continuity with the first buried region and defining, with the first buried region, N-type wells incorporating the second buried regions is formed. And, P-type annular border regions in the epitaxial layer and to the side of the isolation regions are formed. The steps of forming isolation regions and annular border regions semiconducting regions being performed in a single step of selectively introducing doping ions.