Abstract: A method for fabricating a transformer of linearly polarized light to elliptically polarized light is presented. The method involves twisting a birefringent fiber through angles that depend on the polarization desired. This technique obviates the need to splice fibers, as in common approaches. In the final step of the method, the polarization can be fine tuned by heating the fiber to cause the core of the fiber to diffuse into the cladding. Using this transformer of polarized light, a current sensor is presented that exploits the Faraday Effect in a Sagnac interferometer.

Abstract: A composition of a hedgehog protein which includes as an additive cyclodextrin, a non-ionic detergent, an anionic saccharide and/or ionic salt containing zinc ions, magnesium ions, calcium ions and/or sulfate ions is especially stable at room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical preparations that inhibit the growth of bacterial microorganisms. Additionally, the present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical preparations that kill bacterial microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides bicyclic metabotropic glutamate receptor ligands, as well as compositions comprising such ligands, and and methods for their use.

Abstract: A method of semiconductor eutectic alloy metal (SEAM) technology for integration of heterogeneous materials and fabrication of compliant composite substrates takes advantage of eutectic properties of alloys. Sub1 and Sub2 are used to represent the two heterogeneous materials to be bonded or composed into a compliant composite substrate. For the purpose of fabricating compliant composite substrate, the first substrate material (Sub1) combines with the second substrate material (Sub2) to form a composite substrate that controls the stress in the epitaxial layers during cooling. The second substrate material (Sub2) controls the stress in the epitaxial layer grown thereon so that it is compressive during annealing. A joint metal (JM) with a melting point of Tm is chosen to offer variable joint stiffness at different temperatures. JM and Sub1 form a first eutectic alloy at a first eutectic temperature Teu1 while JM and Sub2 form a second eutectic alloy at a second eutectic temperature Teu2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery in eukaryotic cells, particularly mammalian cells, of novel a transcriptional regulatory factor, referred to hereinafter as “Insulin Promoter Factor 1” or “Ipf1”.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for virtual memory mapping and transaction management in an object-oriented database system having permanent storage for storing data in at least one database, at least one cache memory for temporarily storing data, and a processing unit which runs application programs which request data using virtual addresses. The system performs data transfers in response to memory faults resulting from requested data not being available at specified virtual addressed and performs mapping of data in cache memory. The data in the database may include pointers containing persistent addresses, which pointers are relocated between persistent addresses and virtual addresses.

Abstract: A clap skate include a forefoot support which is adapted for fastening the sole portion of said skating shoe thereon. The forefoot support is pivotally connected to the front part of a skate frame about a transverse pivot pin, so as to allow said forefoot support with the skating shoe thereon to tilt about the pivot pin forwardly from a normal position, so that the skating shoe is lifted with its heel portion from the rear portion of the skate frame. The pivot pin is held between two bracket flanges extending upwardly from the front part of the skate frame. A spring mechanism tending to cause the forefoot support to return into the normal position comprises a U-shaped spring wire, the cross portion of which engages the upper face of the forefoot support and the legs of which are provided with a helically wound portion. The helically wound portions are each positioned around the pivot pin in an intermediary space between a flange and one lateral end of said forefoot support.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing membrane flow-through assays to provide more rapid testing. The systems include a plate for receiving a cartridge having a membrane which, for example, can be a membrane with antigens or antibodies fixed thereon. The agents can be pipetted onto the membrane and the systems can be activated to agitate the cartridge to evenly distribute the agents over the membrane, and a vacuum source can apply negative pressure to one side of the membrane to draw the agent therethrough.

Abstract: An improved charging system for preventing battery deterioration and for accurate indication of the remaining battery charge level includes an electric power tool (2) and a charger (1). The electric power tool (2) is provided with an internal rechargeable batteries (6) and a second controller (9). The charger (1) is provided with circuitry for charging, a microcomputer (19), and discharge circuitry which is comprised of a manually-operated battery refreshing button (25), a discharge relay (23) and a discharge resistor (24). Upon depression of the battery refreshing button (25), the microcomputer (19) causes the batteries (6) of the electric power tool (2) to be charged to a full level and discharged to a predetermined level twice. When the two-cycle operation of full charge and discharge is completed, the second controller (9) of the electric power tool (2) updates the remaining charge level of the batteries (6).

Abstract: The invention provides tumor imaging agents comprising a radionuclide in association with a nucleotide polyphosphate targeting molecule. Methods for using the tumor imaging agents and kits containing the tumor imaging agents or components suitable for production of the tumor imaging agents are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of evaluating transplant rejection in a host comprising determining a heightened magnitude of gene expression of two out of three immune activation marker genes perforin, granzyme B and Fas ligand, in a tissue biopsy or peripheral blood mononuclear cell sample, particularly using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; methods of assessing antirejection therapy; and kits for use in evaluating transplant rejection.

Abstract: Novel synthetic transcriptional modulators having at least one selected ligand linked to at least one transcriptional modulating portion are described. The transcriptional modulators of the present invention can include a ligand linked to a chemical moiety. These transcriptional modulators can be used to selectively control gene expression and to identify components of the transcriptional machinery.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to certain N-amino- and N-hydroxy-quinazolinone compounds and synthetic methods for synthesis thereof, which compounds may find use in combinatorial libraries. More specifically, the invention is directed to the synthesis of 3-hydroxy- and 3-amino-4(1H)-quinazolinones via the reaction of an appropriate 2-aminobenzamide compound with a carboxylic acid or acyl halide at ambient temperature performed on a solid support or in solution.

Abstract: An implantable medical device according to the present invention comprises a body, such as a stent or a wire, and an isotope having a high neutron activation cross-section, such as 168Yb or 124Xe, ion-implanted onto the surface of the body. The use of isotopes having high neutron activation cross-sections allows a wider choice of substrates to be employed, including stainless steel, nickel, titanium, and alloys including these metals, because the time required for neutron activation of the device is reduced. A coating of high-density material may be incorporated to serve several useful purposes, including containment of undesirable beta particles from long-lived radioactive species, creation of a biologically inert surface, and enhancement of x-ray radiopacity to improve the visibility of an implanted medical device. The implantable medical devices of the present invention also comprise radioactive medical devices which include radioisotopes such as 169Yb and 125I.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical preparations that inhibit the growth of bacterial microorganisms. Additionally, the present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical preparations that kill bacterial microorganisms.

Abstract: An incubator with an external gas feed is disclosed, wherein a gas is supplied to an interior space of the incubator to maintain an interior atmosphere with a constant gas-to-air ratio. The gas is supplied to the interior space through a gas nozzle forming a gas jet. The gas jet draws in the interior atmosphere through an injector effect, thereby thoroughly mixing the gas with the interior atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, and Y have any of the meanings defined in the specification; as well a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I; intermediates and methods useful for preparing a compound of formula I; and therapeutic methods for treating drug addiction, Parkinson's disease or depression comprising administering a compound of formula I, to a mammal in need of such treatment.

Abstract: A power-driven hammer drill 1 includes a rotary lever 8 for transmitting and disabling the transmission of the rotation of a motor 5 to a tool bit 4 and a slide lever 9 for transmitting and disabling the transmission of hammer blows to the tool bit 4. The rotary lever 8 is formed with a chamfer 52, whereas the slide lever 9 is formed with a straight portion 54 and a cut-out 53 which conforms to the circular edge of the rotary lever 8. When the slide lever 9 is in the lowermost position with the rotary lever 8 fitted in the cut-out 53, the rotary lever 8 is in the position to disconnect the rotation of the motor 5 to the tool bit 4, and while in this position, the slide lever 9 cannot be slid to its uppermost position, in which hammer blows cannot be transmitted to the tool bit 4.