Abstract: The sequence of the protein coding regions of the bcl-2 gene are provided as well as bacterial clones which produce the proteins. Assays are provided for detecting a class of B-cell neoplasms associated with a chromosome translocation between chromosomes 14 and 18. This translocation is involved in the majority of cases of human follicular lymphomas. One assay employs an antibody which is immunoreactive with a human protein which is over-expressed due to the chromosome translocation. Another assay involves measurement of the amount of mRNA which hybridizes to the gene proximal to the translocation break-point.

Abstract: An oil filter wrench dimensioned and constructed in a fashion which will accommodate a broad range of sizes of cylindrical oil filters. The handles and jaws of the oil filter wrench are substantially identical. One of the jaws, however, has a pin and the other jaw has a pair of openings to define first and second pivot axes for the pliers.

Abstract: An athletic shoe including an upper and a sole. The sole includes a cushioning bladder including a sealed, fluid-filled tube disposed about the perimeter of the shoe. In one embodiment, the bladder includes lateral and medial portions extending about the heel and forwardly towards the forefoot to define a central region occupying a substantial portion of the heel and forefoot of the shoe. No portion of the tube extends within the central region, which may be occupied by ambient air or by a second bladder or chamber which is not in fluid communication with the tube. In an alternative embodiment, the bladder includes a tube having lateral, medial and transverse portions, with the transverse portion extending between the medial and lateral portions at the instep area of the shoe, to define a central forefoot region. In a further alternative embodiment, both a central forefoot and a central heel area may be defined.

Abstract: A method for implanting cells is disclosed which employs a chamber having a wall forming porous boundary between the host and implanted cells. According to the method, a given number of cells (N) is placed within the porous boundary of a given area (A) such that the quantity A/N is less than about 200 .mu.m.sup.2 /cell. The porous boundary has a pore size, an ultimate strength, and a metabolic transit value that assures the survival of the cells during the critical ischemic period and afterward.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of the human D.sub.4 dopamine receptor. The nucleotide sequence of the gene corresponding to this receptor is provided by the invention. The invention also includes a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector capable of expressing the human D.sub.4 dopamine receptor in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells and such cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells which synthesize the human D.sub.4 dopamine receptor.

Abstract: The human MSH2 gene, responsible for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, was identified by virtue of its homology to the MutS class of genes, which are involved in DNA mismatch repair. The sequence of cDNA clones of the human gene are provided, and the sequence of the gene can be used to demonstrate the existence of germ line mutations in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) kindreds, as well as in replication error.sup.+ (RER.sup.+) tumor cells.

Abstract: An antenna tracking controller for generating signals used to position an antenna for tracking a moving signal source includes a first Kalman filter for estimating parameters of a first model of the motion of the moving signal source a second Kalman filter for estimating parameters of a second model of the motion of the moving signal source. The second Kalman filter uses the parameters estimated by the first Kalman filter as initial values. A model quality charge/discharge is also provided to monitor the status of the data base.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating the blade extension of a microkeratome includes a magnifying device and a fixture for holding the microkeratome assembly adjacent thereto. The magnifying device defines a line of sight and includes a reticle visible in the line of sight. The fixture supports the bottom surface of the shim of the microkeratome in a plane parallel to the line of sight of the magnifying device. In measuring the blade extension, the reticle is first aligned with either the cutting edge of the blade or the bottom surface of the gauge member. Relative movement between the reticle and the fixture is effected until the reticle is aligned with the other of the cutting edge and bottom surface of the gauge member. A measuring device monitors the relative movement. The reading of the measuring device equals the blade extension of the microkeratome.

Abstract: A method for treating circadian rhythm phase disorders is described. The invention provides methods to specifically advance or delay the phase of certain circadian rhythms in humans. The disclosed methods relate to the administration of melatonin at times determined with relation to the time of dim light endogenous melatonin onset. Embodiments capable of alleviating the effects of jet lag, winter depression and shift-work sleep disturbance are provided.

Abstract: A subscription television system is provided that transmits a plurality of television signals to a plurality of subscribers. The television signals include pay-per-view programs (purchased by feature) or near-video-on-demand programs (purchased for a period of time for unlimited viewing) that are provided only to subscribers that purchase the programs. Data representing an electronic programming guide is also transmitted. The electronic programming guide can be displayed by a subscriber terminal at the subscriber's location. The electronic programming guide is a grid listing television programs by date, time and channel. A subscriber can select programs for watching or recording from the electronic program guide. Moreover, the subscriber can purchase pay-per-view or near-video-on-demand programs from the electronic programming guide.

Abstract: A novel method of diagnosing cerebral infarction using a neural network, wherein plural sets of data previously obtained from healthy and sick persons, each including an age, measured values of coagulo-fibrinolytic molecular markers ( e.g., D-dimer, TAT and PAP) , an index indicative of the state of cerebral infarction (e.g., 0 for healthy persons and 1 for sick persons) and the like, are repeatedly input into a neural network to let it learn the correlation of these characteristics and, thereafter, a set of data of a person to be diagnosed, including his age, measured values of the coagulo-fibrinolytic molecular markers and the like, are input in the neural network to obtain an index indicative of his state of cerebral infarction as a degree of dangerousness of cerebral infarction. This method is significantly higher in accuracy as compared with the prior art methods using the same data.

Abstract: An improved monitor stand assembly is disclosed having an upper stand portion with a horizontal locking aperture and first and second guide ribs protrudently formed on the underside of the upper stand portion. The assembly also includes a stand base portion having a coupler bar and rotation controlling ribs and an integral resilient tab. Cooperation of the guide ribs with the controlling ribs and a rib on the resilient tab provides an adjustment and control mechanism which prevents the upper stand portion and stand base portion from dislocating by reducing the resistance to adjustment. The present invention also prevents any deformation of the resilient tab structure or limiting structure thereby enhancing product reliability.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises column decoders of the number greater than the number of column addresses of a memory cell array and logical circuits of the same number as that of the column addresses. A column gate of a column is controlled by means of a logical OR between outputs from a plurality of column decoders for decoding different column addresses. As a result, even a column located at an end of the memory cell array can be accessed by means of a logical OR between outputs from a column decoder corresponding to the column and another column decoder.

Abstract: A soil or rock nail retaining wall with an outer face is provided. A method of constructing such a wall is also set forth. A cut is excavated in successive sections to form exposed cut faces. The exposed cut face of each successively excavated section is temporarily supported with a temporary support means comprised of a nail installed through the exposed cut face into the ground. Shotcrete or a layer of barrier material may also be used in forming the temporary support means. Next, an outer face is formed. Facing elements are attached to the nail-supported cut via an isolated reinforced concrete closure. Formwork is used in placing the reinforced concrete closure. The reinforced concrete closure ties together the facing elements and the nail. Finally, free-draining granular backfill material, such as porous concrete, gravel or crushed rock, is placed along the remainder of the retaining wall between the exposed cut face and the facing elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides capable of stimulating neutrophils. In particular, the peptides prime neutrophils for a respiratory burst following treatment with N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-Lphenylalanine. The peptides have an amino acid sequence substantially corresponding to amino acids 54 to 94 of FIG. 1 or a part thereof. These peptides may also be used in the treatment of a subject having depressed neutrophil function.