Abstract: An in vitro method of evaluating the antagonistic versus agonistic effects of a receptor-binding test substance on a selected type of cells containing endogenous intra-cellular hormone receptors, is disclosed. Said test substance, and separately a reference substance, known to be either an antagonist or an agonist, are incubated with said selected type of cells, and the magnitude of the selected cellular response resulting from hormone/receptor interaction, is analyzed. In case the method is performed on at least two selected types of cells which derive from different kinds of tissues, it is possible to evaluate the pattern of antagonistic versus agonistic effects of the selected test substance on said kinds of tissues.

Abstract: A display system for the on screen display of information for a subscriber terminal of a subscription television system includes a display processor which can display information in the form of a display screen stored in a display memory. The display processor can be preprogrammed by the control processor with a plurality of display attributes including different symbol sets, different color palettes, whether the screen is to be a text screen, graphic screen or a combination of a text and graphics system, and the size and location of each screen display on the display area. The display processor includes a digital processor and an analog processor. The digital processor controls accessing the display data from the memory and converting it into timed digital pixels. The analog processor includes a digital to analog pixel converter which produces analog pixels from the digital pixels in a timed relation to an input video signal.

Abstract: An earthen work bulk form construction has a wire mesh facing and granular compactable fill with stabilizing members projecting horizontally into the fill from the front facing. The front facing is comprised of modular shaped panels which form a mosaic pattern that enables construction of the wall with non-adjacent panels serving to facilitate and support adjacent panels. Connection of the stabilizing members to the front panels is effected through a quick engagement and locking handle bar connector.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an actuating device for a power switch of a monitor, in which an actuator member for activating the power switch is slidably coupled either internally or externally, to a supporting plate of a frame which holds a printed circuit board. The coupling of the actuating device to the supporting plate of the frame holds the actuating device in alignment independent of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A full-duplex modem having improved transmission speeds over voice grade telephone circuits that extends the concepts of asymmetric transmission to include echo cancellation techniques. The preferred modem has a high speed forward channel and an overlapping low speed back channel and is capable of transmitting or receiving over either of the channels, depending on the relative data rates. A narrow band echo canceler substantially cancels all or part of reflected transmit signals. Because the echo cancellation technique employed is narrow band, there is a significant reduction in the complexity and computational requirements for the modem.

Abstract: The present invention relates to erbB-2 ligands and functional derivatives thereof which are capable of binding to the erbB-2 oncogene product. The present invention further pertains to anti-ligand molecules capable of recognizing and binding to the erbB-2 ligand molecule and to screening assays for such ligands. The present invention additionally relates to uses for the erbB-2 ligand, the anti-ligand molecules and the screening assays.A method for inhibiting the growth of adenocarcinoma cells in a human, which cells overexpress the oncogene erbB-2, which entails administering to said human an amount of a 30 kDa glycoprotein effective to inhibit the growth of said cells.

Abstract: A new human gene termed MCC is disclosed. Methods and kits are provided for assessing mutations of the MCC gene in human tissues and body samples. Gross rearrangement and point mutations in MCC are observed in human tumor cells. MCC is expressed in most normal tissues. These results suggest that MCC is a tumor suppressor. A MCC protein and antibody are disclosed.

Abstract: Reusable plastic trays for storing and transporting beverage containers, such as twelve-ounce metal cans and two-liter PET bottles. The tray floor has thereon an array of support areas for the containers. The tray rail band thereof is spaced high enough above the floor to prevent container tipping and in a "low-depth" configuration. The outside rail band faces are vertical on both sides and are against the containers, and thereby add little to the outside tray dimensions. The inside face contacts and supports the peripheral containers. Columns between adjacent support areas interconnect the rail and the floor, angle downwardly and inwardly therebetween, open outwardly and form vertical nesting slots. The trays when empty can thereby be stacked in a deeply nesting position whereby each additional tray adds only the height of its narrow rail to the nested tray stack height. When the tray is a can tray, the bottom surface of the floor has a pattern of protuberances and recessed areas therebetween.

Abstract: A method of processing incoming digital telephone calls from remotely located call originators which are destined for receipt by a host computer system. The host computer system is linked to the telephone network by a network access server. The call originators may be any type of data terminal, such as a personal computer or a credit card swipe, which is connected to a modem. The network access server extracts control signals imparted onto the telephone line and correlates the control signals with particular communications, routing or applications protocols identified with the call originators. The modem in the network access server which answers the call is configured during the call connect process and placed in a compatible format for the communications protocol of the incoming call. This dynamic custom configuration of the modem reduces the overall telephone call connection and processing time.

Abstract: A portable storage assembly includes a bottom tub container, a series of at least two trays which nest one within the other and which collectively nest in the tub container and a cover. The assembly is retained in assembled condition by latches along the sides of the container that cooperate with the cover and the trays. The latches are pivotally supported on the tub container. The top of the cover includes a handle which bridges a recess in the top surface. A workpiece retaining groove is defined in the cover and the handle. The cover further includes storage retaining elements molded on the underside of the cover. The nesting trays include a handle in the lower tray which projects through an opening in the upper tray and nests in an aligned handle associated with the upper tray. The handles of the separate trays nest one within the other so that the trays may be simultaneously transported.

Abstract: A modular rail car unloading pit which supports railroad tracks and facilitates the removal and transfer of aggregate, particulate, or other material from rail cars. The modular unloading pit is comprised of a set of precast concrete panels enabling the unloading pit to be environmentally friendly, reusable, and reducing installation time and cost. The set of panels includes one or more floor panels, four equally spaced vertical lateral walls oriented perpendicular to the railroad tracks, and a vertical longitudinal wall oriented parallel to the railroad tracks. Each lateral wall includes rail support plates at the top and anchors protruding from the bottom. The anchors are inserted into corresponding anchor receiving orifices in the floor for connecting the lateral walls to the floor. The lower end of the lateral walls are capped by metal channel members which are welded to metal plates on the top surface of the floor.

Abstract: Lesions supplied by abnormal aggregations of vascular tissue or neovascular tissues are treated with photodynamic therapy by application of photosensitizing agent followed by precisely directed and calibrated laser activation to induce photothrombosis within target vascular tissue. The treatment forms a blood clot within the supply vessels thereby reducing the blood supply to the target lesion. Treated tissues atrophy or recede with low regrowth of vessels. The lower energy levels required significantly reduce damage to the surrounding tissues.

Abstract: Process for generating a vacuum and separating the condensable components of the vapors of melt-phase polycondensation in the production of polycarbonate, where at least one or two vapor jets with a downstream spray condenser are connected to the intake side of the polycondensation reactor to be evacuated, and the motive vapor is diphenyl carbonate vapor, and the spray liquid is liquid diphenyl carbonate.

Abstract: A television signal format converter is provided for converting without loss of picture information a television format to or from a given recorder/player format. An interface converts between RGB and luminance/chrominance inputs and between analog and digital inputs. The interface couples a source television format to a plurality of pairs of memories. A clock and control circuit controls addressing of the memories for reading and writing so that conversion is performed with an improved luminance signal-to-noise ratio between a source television format and the format required for a given high definition digital video tape recorder or any other comparable recorder.