Abstract: The present invention provides isolated peptides relating to the autoimmune diseases pemphigus vulgaris and multiple sclerosis. The peptides relating to pemphigus vulgaris are self epitopes and those relating to multiple sclerosis are foreign antigens derived from human pathogens which are implicated in the aetiology and remissions of the disease. Pharamaceutical preparations for tolerizing and/or immunizing individuals are provided as well as methods relating thereto. Methods are provided for identifying other self and non-self epitopes involved in human autoimmune disease and similar pharamaceutical preparations and methods of use for these epitopes are also provided.

Abstract: Nanoelectromechanical switch systems (NEMSS) that are structured around the mechanical manipulation of nanotubes are provided. Such NEMSS can realize the functionality of, for example, automatic switches, adjustable diodes, amplifiers, inverters, variable resistors, pulse position modulators (PPMs), and transistors. In one embodiment, a nanotube is anchored at one end to a base member. The nanotube is also coupled to a voltage source. This voltage source creates an electric charge at the tip of the free-moving-end of the nanotube that is representative of the polarity and intensity of the voltage source. The free-moving end of this nanotube can be electrically controlled by applying an electric charge to a nearby charge member layer that is either of the same (repelling) or opposite (attracting) polarity of the nanotube.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing acoustic, wind or other background noise that may interfere with sensing of a seismic signal is provided. More specifically, a shield is provided to enclose a geophone and thereby protect it from harmful noise. The shield may comprise a rigid shell, a structural damping material, an acoustically absorptive material, and a compliant seal for coupling the shield to the ground or reference surface.

Abstract: An interactive program guide system is provided in which an interactive program guide is implemented on user multi-media equipment of a user for displaying programming for a plurality of channels on the user equipment, wherein each channel carries primarily one of a plurality of media types. In the interactive program guide system, program listings data and information on the media types that are associated with each of the channels is supplied to the interactive program guide. The program guide system provides for designating a preferred media type which reflects the user's interests. The program guide system provides the user with the option of designating favorite channels, and with the option of channel selection, while constraining channel selection to the favorite channels of the preferred media type. The user is provided with the option of displaying program listings, tuning to channels, or browsing among channels, constrained to favorite channels of the preferred media type.

Abstract: A delay-locked loop (DLL) with feedback compensation is provided to increase the speed and accuracy of the DLL. After the variable delay line of the DLL is adjusted to minimize phase error, multiple clock cycles may be required before the adjusted signal is fed back to the phase detector. During this time, a signal replicating the adjusted signal is temporarily fed to the phase detector until the adjusted signal reaches the phase detector.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve structure including a structure of tissue which is an intact, mammalian heart valve that has been harvested and treated to preserve it. A conventional fabric sleeve is typically disposed concentrically around the outside of the tissue structure. A support structure is included to facilitate implanting the heart valve by somewhat increasing the stability of the heart valve structure, but without unduly rigidifying it. An annular sewing cuff may be added adjacent the blood inflow end of the valve structure to facilitate making the annular suture line that is required at that end.

Abstract: A customizable environment is disclosed including an interactive presentation having a plurality of object placeholders, each for holding a presentable object or a presentable reference to an object. Each placeholder has a selector for selecting the presentable object or reference held therein and a selector for selecting the placeholder. The customizable interface further includes a data store for storing the presentable objects. The presentable objects are linked to indicate the relationship between the objects whereby the arrangement of the presentable objects, references, or both within the placeholders corresponds at least in part to the manner in which the presented objects and references are linked.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module may be stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process.

Abstract: The application discloses novel polypeptides and nucleic acids involved in a variety of biological processes, including viral reproduction. Related methods and compositions are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for performing time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. A TOF mass spectrometer of the present invention comprises one or more ion focusing electric sectors. At least one of the electric sectors is associated with an ion optical element. The ion optical elements comprise at least one adjustable electrode, such that the adjustable electrode is able to modify the potential experienced by an ion entering or exiting the electric sector with which it is associated.

Abstract: The invention relates to preserving the properties of active particles through use of an encapsulant which may be removable. The encapsulant may protect the active particles against premature deactivation. If desired, the encapsulant may be removed to rejuvenate the active particles. Various processes can be implemented to introduce encapsulated particles to embedding substances which may be used in various products.

Abstract: A system (400) for reducing non-acoustic noise includes a primary sensor (420), at least one secondary sensor (410), a filter (415), and a summation unit (425). The primary sensor (420) measures pressure and produces a primary pressure signal. The at least one secondary sensor (410) measures pressure and produce a secondary pressure signal. The filter (415) processes the secondary pressure signal to produce a filtered pressure signal. The summation unit (425) subtracts the filtered pressure signal from the primary pressure signal to reduce non-acoustic noise in the primary pressure signal.

Abstract: A memory READ command triggered clock synchronization mode turns on a clock synchronization circuit only for memory READ operations. The clock synchronization circuit achieves a signal lock with the reference clock signal in less time than the column address strobe latency. Precise memory READ operations are thus possible without wasting power when such operations are not performed by allowing the clock synchronization circuitry to be turned off.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for winding wire coils on a plurality of poles to be assembled to form a dynamo-electric machine component are provided. A plurality of holding members that each hold a respective pole while the wire coils are wound may be provided. Each holding member may be configured to rotate its respective pole about a central axis of the holding member. A plurality of wire dispensing members may be provided that each dispense wire onto a respective pole as each pole rotates about the central axis of its respective holding member. A support structure configured to support the plurality of wire dispensing members may be provided. The wire may be stratified on each pole by the simultaneous radial movement of the plurality of wire dispensers with respect to a central axis of the support structure.

Abstract: Structured ASICs that are equivalent to FPGA logic designs are produced by making use of a library of known structured ASIC equivalents to FPGA logic functions. Such a library is expanded by a process that searches new FPGA logic designs for logic functions that either do not already have structured ASIC equivalents in the library or for which possibly improved structured ASIC equivalents can now be devised. The new and/or improved structured ASIC equivalents are added to the library, preferably with version information in the case of FPGA logic functions for which more than one structured ASIC equivalent is known.

Abstract: An economical method of detecting and suppressing ringing artifacts during digital image resizing is presented. The economical method substitutes costly division calculations with cost effective comparator operations. The method also includes improved image sharpening when up-sampling an image.

Abstract: A dielectric layer (e.g., an interpoly dielectric layer) is deposited over low and high voltage devices of a peripheral memory device. The dielectric behaves as an oxidation and wet oxide etch barrier. The dielectric prevents the devices from being stripped by a wet oxide etch that can result in the exposure of the silicon corners. The exposure of a silicon corner may increase thinning of a gate oxide at the field edge. This causes variability and unreliability in the device. The dielectric is not removed from a device until the device is ready for processing. That is, the dielectric remains on a device until the growing of a gate oxide on that device has begun. This reduces the exposure of the silicon corner. Hedges that result may be removed by exposing a trench in the field oxide at the hedge.