Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for preparing temperature activated gaseous precursor-filled liposomes are described. Gaseous precursor-filled liposomes prepared by these methods are particularly usefull for example, in ultrasonic imaging applications and in therapeutic drug delivery systems. Gas, gaseous precursors and perfluorocarbons are presented as novel potentiators for ultrasonic hyper-thermia. The gas, gaseous precursors and perfluorocarbons which may be administered into the vasculature, interstitially or into any body cavity are designed to accumulate in cancerous and diseased tissues. When therapeutic ultrasonic energy is applied to the diseased region heating is increased because of the greater effectiveness of sound energy absorption caused by these agents.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive resin composition comprising (A) a photoacid generator such as 2,4,6-trimethylphenyldiphenylsulfonium 2,4-difluorobenzenesulfonate or 2,4,6-trimethylphenyldiphenylsulfonium 4-trifluoromethylbenzenesulfonate and (B) a resin having an acetal structure typified by a poly(p-hydroxystyrene) resin in which a part of hydrogen atoms of phenolic hydroxyl groups have been replaced by 1-ethoxyethyl groups, 1-ethoxyethyl groups and t-butoxycarbonyl groups, or 1-ethoxyethyl groups and t-butyl groups. The resin composition is sensitive to deep ultraviolet rays and charged particles such as electron beams, exhibits excellent resolution performance and pattern shape-forming capability, and suppresses a nano-edge roughness phenomenon to a minimal extent.

Abstract: Detection of members of a conserved, dispersed gene family is used to ascertain levels of host cell genomic DNA in a sample.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for identifying compounds having a specified activity of interest, which process comprises (i) introducing interacting molecules into a host cell under conditions to generate or repress a detectable signal; and (ii) introducing a third compound or gene or genes encoding a third compound into the host cell from (i); and (iii) screening said host cell utilizing a method for detecting the inhibition or enhancement of interaction of proteins or other molecules in an in vivo or in vitro system. Another aspect of the present invention provides a process for identifying compounds of interest, which process comprises (i) generating one or more expression libraries derived from nucleic acid directly isolated from the environment; and (ii) screening said libraries utilizing a method for detecting the inhibition or enhancement of interaction of proteins or other molecules in an in vivo or in vitro system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for reserving data channels in an optical burst-switched network. A data channel (or a multiple of data channels) along an optical path in an optical burst-switched network is reserved by first transmitting a data channel reservation request from an electronic ingress edge router to a reservation termination node. Next, the data channel reservation request is processed at all nodes along the optical path, including the reservation termination node. A data channel reservation acknowledgement is then transmitted from the reservation termination node to the electronic ingress edge router. Finally, the data channel path is reserved once an initial burst(s) which contains a reserve data channel bit reaches the reservation termination node.

Abstract: A tag is attached to an unlicensed object indicating that a user does not have an appropriate license for using the object. The tag partially obscures the object while allowing the object to function as a licensed object. The tag may be indicia that indicates the unlicensed status of the object. Drawings created with unlicensed objects may also be partially obscured with a tag.

Abstract: A high speed phase detector utilizes an integrated XOR/MUX circuit having a higher bandwidth and lower power than conventional designs. The XOR/MUX circuit combines the functionality of an XOR device in series with a multiplexer in a manner that increases the bandwidth of the function. In a practical implementation, the XOR/MUX circuit includes an XOR arrangement having a plurality of transistors implemented at a first transistor level and a plurality of transistors implemented at a second transistor level. The XOR/MUX circuit also includes transistors implemented at a third transistor level; these transistors are utilized by the multiplexer feature of the circuit.

Abstract: A linear array of light emitting diodes with a lens stripe for evenly illuminating signs, which includes a linear array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for producing a light output, and an elongated lens stripe. The linear array of LEDs includes an elongated mounting member and a plurality of LEDs mounted along the length of the mounting member. The elongated lens stripe is attached to the linear array of LEDs, and includes a reflector portion and a lens portion. The reflector portion has two elongated and opposing side walls that form an elongated channel. The side walls are light reflective. The LEDs are disposed inside the channel. The channel side walls reflect the light output from the LEDs toward the elongated open end of the channel. The lens portion has an elongated lens disposed along the open end of the channel for focusing the light output from the LEDs.

Abstract: The present invention is a three-dimensional tapered waveguide coupler capable of interconnecting electro-optical devices with differing optical mode profiles. The ends of the waveguide are configured to match the optical mode profiles of the electro-optical devices that the waveguide interconnects. The waveguide adiabatically transmits the fundamental mode of the photo-optic signal from the electro-optical device at the waveguide's input end to a different electro-optical device at the waveguide's output end. A single coupler can be configured with one or more waveguides, each waveguide having different optical mode profiles at either end and different optical transmission characteristics.

Abstract: A transgenic non-human aquatic organisms, such as piscine, crustacea, mollusks, and the like, having a transgene which results in disrupting the production of and/or activity of growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) chromosomally integrated into the germ cells of the animal is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for making such organisms and nucleic acid sequences encoding GDF-8 polypeptides from such aquatic organisms.

Abstract: A system add method for controlling the execution or display to one or more pieces of software developed using the developer's software is provided. The system permits the developer to receive revenue for use of the software without inconveniencing the customer or the user. In more detail, the system has a customer site with one or more locations containing one or more assets wherein a master key is purchased by the customer from the developer that specifies the one or more locations on the site of the customer where the software is located. The master key is stored at a particular location on the site of the customer and each asset contains a content key that identifies the location of the master key. The system further includes a user computer that determines if the execution or display of the asset downloaded from the customer's site is authorized by the developer.

Abstract: Growth differentiation factor Lefty-1 polypeptide and polynucleotides are provided herein. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the Lefty-1 polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived from the archael bacterium Thermococcus GU5L5. The enzyme has a molecular weight of about 68.5 kilodaltons and has cellulase activity. The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used for the removal of arginine, phenylalanine, or methionine amino acids from the N-terminal end of peptides in peptide or peptidomimetic synthesis. The enzyme is selective for the L, or ‘natural’ enantiomer of the amino acid derivatives and is therefore useful for the production of optically active compounds. These reactions can be performed in the presence of the chemically more reactive ester functionally, a step which is very difficult to achieve with nonenzymatic methods.

Abstract: An antenna for use at UHF and upwards has a cylindrical ceramic core with a relative dielectric constant of at least 5. A three-dimensional radiating element structure, including helical antenna elements on the cylindrical surface of the core and connecting radial elements on a distal end face of the core, is formed by conductor tracks plated directly on the core surfaces. At the distal end face, the elements are connected to an axially located feed structure in a plated axial passage of the core. The antenna elements are grounded on a plated sleeve covering a proximal part of the core which, in conjunction with the feeder structure, forms an integral balun for matching to an unbalanced feeder. Since the ceramic core fills the major part of the interior volume defined by the radiating element structure, the antenna is very much smaller than an air-cored antenna.

Abstract: A bandage for autolytic debridement includes a fluid-impermeable enclosure having a sidewall forming a margin defining an opening, and a skin-facing surface that surrounds the opening. An attachment means is disposed on the skin-facing to attach the enclosure to the skin, with the margin extending outside of and surrounding at least the bed of a wound. When the enclosure is attached to the skin it creates a closed, fluid-impermeable chamber over a wound, substantially without contacting the wound. The bandage includes a fluid absorbent material disposed in the fluid-impermeable enclosure at or near the continuous margin, and out of the opening. The fluid absorbent material is thus positioned to receive and retain exudated fluid that originates in the wound, thereby by promoting autolytic debridement. The closed, fluid-impermeable chamber maintains a near-100% humid atmosphere about the wound, thereby promoting healing of the wound.

Abstract: This invention relates to chemical compositions useful in protecting amino functional groups, e.g., during synthetic organic chemistry procedures or in the formulation and/or delivery of prodrugs. The present invention relates particularly to amino-protecting species comprising an acyl group that can form an amide bond with an amino group. The protecting groups of the present invention can be conveniently removed under a wide variety of conditions.

Abstract: A differential signal current-mode logic (CML) circuit is provided which provides an equal delay output. Convention differential logic CML circuits have upper stage and lower stage transistors pairs. Input signals that are provided to the lower stage are necessarily delayed with respect to inputs provided to the upper stage. The present invention provides parallel upper stage sections so that each input signal is translated to the output through the same number of transistors. Thus, the delay associated with each input signal is made equal. Specific examples of exclusive OR, OR, and AND circuits are provided.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly for use in a magnetic disk drive includes a magnetic head constituted by a magnetoresistive element for reading data and a head element for writing data, a slider for holding the magnetic head above a surface of a rotating magnetic recording medium, a suspension for supporting the slider, and a head integrated circuit mounted on the suspension. The head integrated circuit having a built-in protection circuit electrically connected with the magnetoresistive element to protect the magnetoresistive element from electrostatic breakdown. Thereby, the magnetic head can be efficiently prevented from suffering electrostatic breakdown due to, e.g., electrostatic discharge occurring during the assembly process of incorporating the head suspension assembly into the magnetic disk drive.

Abstract: Growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) is disclosed along with its polynucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the GDF-9 polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences.

Abstract: A universal track interface stores a plurality of pre-defined track types for automatically configuring the interface according to the required timing, electrical and hardware configuration for a plurality of different tracks used in semiconductor processing operations. To interface a pump to a track, a predefined track type, comprising interface parameters stored in a track table, is accessed by a microprocessor and used to generate control signals for configuring the interface. An operator input device allows custom interfaces to be defined and stored in the table for use as needed to interface either to non-standard tracks or to vary this track interface according to processing requirements.