Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that enable exclusive rights in generic goods to be transferred from one party to another. A party holds an exclusive right to a good through a rescindable capability. When two parties agree on a transfer of the exclusive right to the good, a goods description memorializing the agreement is created which is in synergy with the rescindable capability. The goods description includes an acquire method that is the only method that can extract rights from the rescindable capability with which it is in synergy. The object from which the generic right is being transferred sends a message to the recipient with a reference to the rescindable capability. Upon receiving the message, the recipient invokes the acquire method of the referenced goods description, which returns a new rescindable capability that encompasses the generic right just transferred. Once the recipient holds a reference to the new rescindable capability, the sender has had its rights rescinded.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for a genetic system of detecting protein--protein interactions in a mammalian host cell. Two fusion proteins are made in the host cell. The first fusion protein contains a DNA binding domain which is fused to a so-called bait protein. The second fusion protein consists of a transcriptional activation domain fused to a so-called test protein. The transcriptional activation domain is recruited to the promoter through the functional interaction between the bait protein and the test protein. Subsequently the transcriptional activation domain interacts with the basal transcription machinery to activate expression of one or more reporter genes which can be identified and characterized. The individual compositions are useful for analyzing protein--protein interactions between known proteins and to isolate, clone and characterize unknown proteins. The individual compositions can be used to express the fusion proteins either transiently or stably.

Abstract: The ethyl ester of derivatives of benzoyl ecgonine are provided having a linking group at the para position of the benzoyl group. The derivatives are used to bond to immunogenic polypeptides for production of antisera and monoclonal antibodies. The antisera and antibodies find use in assays, for treatment of cocaine overdose and detoxification.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided relating to novel IgE isoforms and their use in immune hypersensitivity diagnosis and treatment. The compositions include transcription and translation products of the immunoglobulin epsilon locus, specific probes for epsilon transcription products, and compounds that specifically bind epitopes of epsilon translation products. Novel products of the epsilon locus include the following transcription products and translation products thereof: CH4-M2", CH4'-CH5-M1'-M2, CH4'-CH5-M2', CH4'-CH5-M2.increment. and CH4-M2'. Such epsilon products, specific probes and binding compounds find use in methods and kits for immune hypersensitivity diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic controller for a endometrium ablator heat a liquid to 85.degree. C. which is continuously circulated into the uterus to ablate the endometrium. The fluid temperature is maintained by the fuzzy logic controller which has as its inputs the temperature of the fluid and its rate of change of temperature. Associated membership functions, cold, cool, warm, hot for temperature, and negative and zero and positive for rate are respectively provided. Appropriate rules are then provided and defuzzification with the use of a singleton output function yields an output signal which controls temperature by pulse width modulation.

Abstract: Novel peptide analogues of platelet-derived growth factor, for use in inhibiting or stimulating growth and/or chemotaxis of cells, e.g., smooth muscle cells, are provided. Also provided are compositions of matter comprising those peptide analogues.

Abstract: This invention concerns novel receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase polypeptides. Specifically, this invention concerns the novel receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase .lambda. which is related to the homotypically adhering receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases .kappa. and .mu.. The invention further relates to analogs of these polypeptides in other mammals, functional derivatives thereof, antibodies which are capable of specifically binding to these polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding these polypeptides, vectors containing and capable of expressing such nucleic acid and recombinant host cells transformed with such nucleic acid. Methods for the recombinant production of these receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase polypeptides and assays for identifying agonists and antagonists of these polypeptides are also within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: Methodology which avoids the problems associated with interference from whole blood is provided for instrumented determination of platelet binding function. Particularly, small particles to which fibrinogen is bound, and which contain an infrared light absorbing dye, are used to determine the binding of platelets in a whole blood sample to the fibrinogen. Agglutination of the platelets with the coated particles is determined by a change in infrared light absorption characteristics.

Abstract: A non-rotating portable voltage sag generator includes for each phase a pair of cascaded standard industrial auto-transformers each having, for example, six taps and when they are cascaded the final output voltage of each phase is a product of the per unit value of each individual auto-transformer. Closed transition switching is provided to switch the auto-transformer into and out of the circuit effectively only during the time a voltage sag is desired. All of the switches and auto-transformers are conveniently carried in a single portable enclosure. There are no moving parts or diesel engines; thus, the non-rotating sag generator is useable in any part of an industrial plant.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an improved bifunctional cation-exchange composition has been formed which comprises synthetic resin support particles and both crown ether and non-crown ether functional groups attached thereto. The compositions of the present invention provide for novel, enhanced cation separation capabilities and, depending upon the type of functional groups employed, permit effective separation of cations which elute at approximately the same time off standard and commonly used cation-exchange columns. The presently described bifunctional cation-exchange compositions also permit the effective separation of one cation from a mixture comprising another cation that is present at a significantly greater concentration. Formed articles and methods employing the bifunctional cation-exchange composition are also provided.

Abstract: An electric power generation system combines a gas turbine generator with a solar power plant and utilizes the gas turbine exhaust for steam superheating and feed water heating only. The solar heater is only utilized for boiling or evaporation of feed water into steam, the feed water having previously been heated by a downstream portion of the turbine exhaust. In order to balance the disparity between the specific heats of water and steam to thus optimize the system, the steam is superheated by an upstream portion of the turbine exhaust to first drive a high pressure steam turbine and then reheated by the same exhaust over the same temperature range to drive a low pressure steam turbine.

Abstract: An antifuse structure is formed between two metal contacts in which a thin oxide layer is formed on the first or bottom metal, a shallow via is provided oxide layer and a layer of amorphous silicon is deposited over the thin oxide and into the shallow via without leaving the usual furrows in the amorphous silicon and thereby eliminating the step coverage problems of cusps forming in the subsequently applied second or top metal.

Abstract: Cellular components are quantitated using stained cell samples, computerized image analysis, and cellular standards, where the computerized image analysis value can be translated into the amount of the component per cell. The methodology is demonstrated with breast cancer cells and quantitation of the HER-2/neu gene. The quantitation is shown to have prognostic capability as to the future course of the disease.

Abstract: Isolated polypeptides useful in ameliorating GAD-associated autoimmune disease as well as diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the peptides are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel formulations of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) having improved stability during storage over extended periods of time as liquids, which retain significant pharmaceutical activity during such storage and/or which are physiologically compatible. The formulations of the present invention comprise (a) a pharmaceutically effective concentration of CRF, (b) a buffer to maintain the pH of the formulation between about 2.0 to about 5.0 or about 6.0 to about 9.0 when in liquid form and (c) an alcohol such as mannitol, sorbitol, methanol, glycerol, or the like. Other aspects of the present invention involve addition of various other components to the formulations described herein for the purpose of decreasing the rate of degradation of the CRF peptide or increasing its solubility in solution.

Abstract: Outdoor shower and accessory holder of flexible plastic construction with a chamber for holding water to be heated by solar energy, and a plurality of pockets for holding accessory items for use by a bather.

Abstract: Collagen-like polymers having repetitive triads are produced having reduced proline content, where glycine is the initial amino acid and the subsequent amino acids are varied, while retaining at least a minimum percentage of prolines. The resulting polymers have collagen-like properties, but are capable of being produced in unicellular microorganisms at high molecular weights and in high efficiency. The polymers, while retaining collagen-like characteristics, include various novel sequences which impart new characteristics, finding wide use in photographic, medical, structural and fiber applications.

Abstract: Ultrasonic transducer with a selectable beamwidth comprising a body of piezoelectric material in the form of an annulus having an outer diameter D and a thickness T. The body has proximal and distal generally planar parallel surfaces and a centrally disposed hole extending therethrough. The body has a cylindrical wall with a width W extending from the hole to the outer diameter. The transducer is capable-of operating at low and high resonance frequencies with the low frequency resonance being determined by the diameter D and an aspect ratio of D/T and the high frequency resonance being determined by the thickness T and an aspect ratio of W/T.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle assembly for use with an injection device. The needle assembly includes a sheath having a front end and a recess extending inwardly from the front end of the sheath, and a needle carriage positioned in the sheath. A needle is mounted to the carriage. The needle carriage is movable along the recess between a forward position with the needle projecting from the front end of the sheath and a retracted position with the needle positioned inside of the sheath. The sheath has a plurality of first locking members and the needle carriage has at least one second locking member cooperable with the first locking members for selectively retaining the needle carriage in each of the forward position and the retracted position when the second locking member and one of the first locking members are engaged and for moving the needle carriage relative to the sheath when the second locking member and the first locking members are disengaged.

Abstract: A plant is described which includes a continuous heat processing autoclave (1) for cooking and sterilizing food measured into tray-like containers (9). The open containers (9), loaded on to trays (12), are advanced through the autoclave (1) by a conveyor (40) operated stepwise. A cooling chamber (6) communicates at one end with the autoclave (1) through a pre-cooling and air-lock tunnel (7) and at the other with a sterile environment in which a sterile closure unit seals the containers (9) of cooked food.