Abstract: An ion transfer assembly for transferring ions from an atmospheric pressure ion source into an ion trap mass spectrometer with reduced random noise during analysis of the transferred ions. A method of reducing noise due to charged particles, undesolvated charged droplets, or ions in an ion trap mass spectrometer connected to an atmospheric pressure ionization source.

Abstract: The invention provides shuttle vectors, and methods of using shuttle vectors, capable of expression in, at least, a mammalian cell. Furthermore, the shuttle vectors are capable of replication in at least yeast, and optionally, bacterial cells. Also provided is a method wherein yeast are transformed with a shuttle vector as provided herein. Heterologous nucleic acids flanked by 5′ and 3′ ends identical to a homologous recombination site within the shuttle vector are introduced to the transformed yeast and allowed to homologously recombine with the shuttle vector such that they are inserted into the vector by the yeast organism. The shuttle vector is then recovered and transferred to a mammalian cell for expression.

Abstract: An arthroscopic probe with a distally orientated concave curve which constrains tissue is disclosed. It is particularly adapted to cutting ligaments and tendons. Also disclosed is a thermal energy delivery apparatus that includes (a) a probe with a distal end and a proximal end, (b) a first electrode positioned at the distal end of the probe and (c) a cabling coupled to the proximal end of the probe.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for identifying and diagnosing individuals at risk for a disease state associated with aberrant Rad41 foci.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method of trench isolation used in the fabrication of semiconductor devices, wafers and the like. More specifically, the present invention related to a method of trench isolation using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with TEOS and ozone to deposit a trench fill oxide prior to growing a thermal oxide layer or liner on sidewalls of the trench. The method provides void-free as-deposited dielectric CVD films into gaps or trenches with non-vertical, vertical and or re-entrant profiles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides, nucleic acids and related molecules which have an effect on or are related to the cell cycle. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Further provided by the present invention are methods for identifying novel compositions which mediate cell cycle bioactivity, and the use of such compositions in diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel chimeric VEGF receptor proteins comprising amino acid sequences derived from the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors flt-1 and KDR, including the murine homologue to the human KDR receptor FLK-1, wherein said chimeric VEGF receptor proteins bind to VEGF and antagonize the endothelial cell proliferative and angiogenic activity thereof. The present invention is also directed to nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding these chimeric VEGF receptor proteins, host cells harboring such expression vectors, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising such proteins, methods of preparing such proteins and to methods utilizing such proteins for the treatment of conditions associated with undesired vascularization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a standing device for a stroller having an upper cross bar, a lower cross bar, and two rear wheels includes a pivotal rod having a first end and a second end respectively provided with a first C-shaped tube holder and a second C-shaped tube holder and a pivotal frame having a first end provided with a third C-shaped tube holder and a second end defined with a pivotal pin having a radial stop boss slanting to the first end of the frame. The second C-shaped tube holder of the pivotal rod is pivotally connected to the pivotal pin of the pivotal frame. The first C-shaped tube holder of the pivotal rod and the third C-shaped tube holder of the pivotal frame are respectively connected to the lower crossing bar and the upper cross bar such that the pivotal rod and the pivotal frame fold and support the stroller in cooperation with the rear wheels of the stroller when the stroller is in a collapsed and upright position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of calcium ion and/or sugars to minimize thermal aggregation of DNase and to the use of calcium ion to stabilize liquid solutions of DNase, the solutions having a pH of less than neutral. DNase is the active pharmaceutical principle and the solutions may contain other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients making them suitable for pharmaceutical administration. In the first instance, calcium ion/sugar minimizes the effects of thermal aggregation in the solution. In the second aspect, calcium ion stabilizes the lower pH solutions from protein precipitation.

Abstract: An electrostatic microactuator comprising a substrate and at least one comb drive assembly having a first comb member mounted on the substrate and a second comb member overlying the substrate. The first comb member has a plurality of first comb fingers. The second comb member has a plurality of second comb fingers. The second comb member is movable between a first position in which each second comb finger is not substantially fully interdigitated with an adjacent pair of first comb fingers and a second position in which each such second comb finger is substantially fully interdigitated with such adjacent pair of first comb fingers. Each of the second comb fingers is offset relative to the midpoint between the adjacent pair of first comb fingers when in the first position and is substantially centered on such midpoint when in the second position.

Abstract: Novel vectors are disclosed for expressing and secreting heterologous polypeptides from filamentous fungi. Such vectors are used in novel processes to express and secrete such heterologous polypeptides. The vectors used for transforming a filamentous fungus to express and secrete a heterologous polypeptide include a DNA sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide and a DNA sequence encoding a signal sequence which is functional in a secretory system in a given filamentous fungus and which is operably linked to the sequence encoding the heterologous polypeptide. Such signal sequences may be the signal sequence normally associated with the heterologous polypeptides or may be derived from other sources. The vector may also contain DNA sequences encoding a promoter sequence which is functionally recognized by the filamentous fungus and which is operably linked to the DNA sequence encoding the signal sequence.

Abstract: A cellular network includes a receiver configured to receive inbound information from a mobile station. A correlator is coupled to the receiver and configured to correlate the inbound information against expected information to generate a correlator signal. An interpolator is coupled to the correlator and configured to interpolate the correlator signal to generate an interpolator signal. A memory is coupled to the interpolator and configured to store the interpolator signal. A processor is coupled to the memory and configured to process the interpolator signal to determine a position of the mobile station. Additional embodiments track the position of the mobile station based on cellular hand off and mobile station position over time. The cellular network can transfer the mobile station from the microcellular network to the macrocellular network if the mobile station is moving rapidly.

Abstract: An electrosurgical aspiration instrument that permits aspiration of an area being treated by the instrument. The instrument is coupled at a proximal end to a power source and includes an energy application surface area at a distal end. The power source supplied energy to the energy application surface area such that the distal end of the instrument may apply energy to the treatment area to modify the characteristics of biological material, such as biological tissue in the area. An aspiration lumen is formed through the instrument with an opening through the energy application surface area. The energy application surface area is configured to reduce blockage of the opening. Accordingly, aspiration may be performed simultaneously with electrosurgical treatment whereby unwanted matter such as by-products, biological debris and excess fluid is removed from the treatment area.

Abstract: A standing device is used with a collapsible stroller that has an upper cross bar and a lower cross bar. The standing device includes a connecting rod having a first end pivotally connected to the stroller upper cross bar and a second end, a radial pivotal pin secured on a central portion of the stroller lower cross bar and extending in a horizontal direction, and a leg pivotally connected to the pivotal pin, extending in a slant direction from the pivotal pin down to the ground, and having a pivotal joint pivotally connected to the second end of the connecting rod. Connection is such that the leg is retracted to a position parallel to the lower cross bar when the stroller is unfolded, and the leg is pivotally moved to contact the ground by the connecting rod when the stroller is collapsed.

Abstract: Method and compositions are provided which are useful for delivering a biologically active substance to a localized site in vivo and for altering the physical dimensions of a body tissue. These method and compositions employ protein polymers having varying ratios of elastin-like collagen-like, keratin-like repeating units and repeating units which promote protein crystallization such as silk-like repeating units. By varying the length of segments of the repeating units and/or the concentration of the protein polymers in the composition, the rate of delivery of a biologically active substance to a localized site can be greatly varied. Moreover, because the compositions are capable of acquiring a non-liquid form under normal physiological conditions, they find use as biocompatible tissue augmentation products.

Abstract: During the formation of a spherical cavity in a substrate, self-limiting etching behavior of an isotropic etchant can be utilized when a tape is used as an etch mask. Such a self-limiting behavior is due to the presence of gas bubbles (consisted of SiF4 and NO, etch by-products) which close the etch window and limit the mass transport of the etchant to this silicon surface. Because of that, the spherical cavity size depends mostly on the size of the etch-mask opening, and is independent of the etching time. This self-limiting etching behavior precisely controls the dimension and uniformity of the spherical cavity.

Abstract: A four-port Wavelength-Division-Multiplexing (WDM) element is disclosed that can be employed for various purposes in optical communication networks, particularly in bi-directional fiber optic lines. In one embodiment, one four-port WDM element is used with one optical amplifier to provide bi-directional propagation on the same fiber. In another embodiment, the four-port element is used in conjunction with optical attenuators to provide for gain equalization of channels and the flexibility to add or remove channels. In yet another embodiment, input and output ports are added to current-art elements thereby enabling bi-directional operation to be achieved with equipment that does not provide such capabilities.

Abstract: A plastic wheel (22) and wheel mounting sleeve (27, 27a, 27b, 27c) used to releasably secure the wheel (22) onto an axle (23). The wheel mounting sleeve (27) preferably includes two resilient, radially displaceable, axially extending, cantilevered fingers (46, 47) which are cantilevered from and extend axially in opposite directions on the sleeve (27). An axle-engaging shoulder (42) is provided on a radially inwardly extending lug (55) on one finger (46), while a wheel-engaging shoulder (43) is provided on a radially outwardly extending lug (61) on the other resilient finger (47). The respective shoulders (42, 43) cooperate with oppositely facing shoulders (58, 62) so as to releasably latch the sleeve (27) to the axle (23) and the wheel (22) to the sleeve (27). Assembly can be accomplished without any tools and a screwdriver can be used to disassemble the components.

Abstract: An apparatus (21, 221, 231) for forming a butt seam (33, 233, 354) between opposed edges (32, 33, 231, 232) of resiliently compressible, fully cured, elastomeric, fabric sheets (28, 29, 228, 229, 351, 352), such as foamed neoprene for wet suits and dry suits. In some embodiments (21, 221) the apparatus includes fabric manipulating assembly (23, 223) which continuously compresses the sheets proximate and inwardly of the edges, preferably by a roller assembly (26, 27, 226, 227), to firmly press the opposed edges of the flexible and compressible sheets (28, 29, 228, 229) tightly together during movement and bonding along the seam (33, 233). The apparatus (21, 221, 331) preferably includes adhesive activation device in the form of an ultrasonic transducer (24, 222, 322) which contacts the neoprene pieces to activate a dry neoprene cement carried on the edges of the fabric pieces.

Abstract: A biosensor, sensor array, sensing method and sensing apparatus are provided in which individual cells or randomly mixed populations of cells, having unique response characteristics to chemical and biological materials, are deployed in a plurality of discrete sites on a substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the discrete sites comprise microwells formed at the distal end of individual fibers within a fiber optic array. The biosensor array utilizes an optically interrogatable encoding scheme for determining the identity and location of each cell type in the array and provides for simultaneous measurements of large numbers of individual cell responses to target analytes. The sensing method utilizes the unique ability of cell populations to respond to biologically significant compounds in a characteristic and detectable manner.