Abstract: A flexible guard is provided that can be easily attached to the side skirt of an escalator or other moving walkway or conveyor system, the attachment of the guard occurring either during initial manufacture or during subsequent system modification. The flexible guard minimizes the possibility of side step entrapment without unduly limiting the usable width of the escalator/walkway/conveyor. Additionally, the flexible guard can be mounted close enough to the moving portions of the escalator/walkway/conveyor to minimize the possibility of guard entrapment. The flexible guard includes one or more bristle strips integrated into a flexible base. The base is attached to the escalator/walkway/conveyor using any of a variety of mounting means such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc. One or more light sources can be integrated into the flexible base in order to provide additional illumination of the escalator steps walkway/conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for humidifying a fuel cell flows moisture-containing fuel cell exhaust against a first side of a humidification membrane. A second side of the humidification membrane is in physical contact with the inlet air flow. Moisture from the exhaust air is transferred across the humidification membrane to the inlet air flow. The humidified inlet air flow conveys moisture to the power section of the fuel cell. In this manner, fuel cell components requiring humidification, for example a proton exchange membrane, are prevented from becoming dehydrated and inoperable.

Abstract: Disclosed are fused ring bridge, ring-locked dyes that form thermally stable photorefractive compositions. The fused ring bridge structures are &pgr;-conjugated bonds in benzene-, naphthalene- or anthracene-derived fused ring systems that connect donor and acceptor groups. The donor and acceptor groups contribute to a high molecular dipole moment and linear polarizability anisotropy. The polarization characteristics of the dye molecules are stabilized since the bonds in the fused ring bridge are not susceptible to rotation, reducing the opportunity for photoisomerization. The dyes are compatible with polymeric compositions, including thermoplastics. The dyes are electrically neutral but have charge transport, electronic and orientational properties such that upon illumination of a composition containing the dye, the dye facilitates refractive index modulation and a photorefractive effect that can be utilized advantageously in numerous applications such as in optical quality devices and biological imaging.

Abstract: A device that is a simple means to secure an equipment having a threaded hole and a localizer such as a wire cable, chain or padlock. The device consists of an attachment connector having a threaded rod and attached to the attachment connector. The attachment connector includes an obstructor, which when the device is tightened in place, interferes with the equipment such that the attachment rod can not be rotated and the device removed. A localizer, such as a cable for example, attached to the attachment plate, constrains movement of the attachment plate (and the attached equipment) to be within a predetermined distance from an object other than the equipment.

Abstract: This present invention identifies mutations in several androgen-metabolic genes (SRD5A2, CYP17, HSD3B2, and HSD17B3) and methods of using such mutations in the diagnosis and treatment of inheritable prostate cancer susceptibility. Isolation of genomic DNA of various racial/ethnic populations followed by SSCP scanning and direct PCR sequencing of the aberrant SSCP (single-strand conformation dependent DNA polymorphism) patterns allows for identification of the disclosed polymorphisms. Screening for the disclosed mutations establishes a differential distribution among various racial/ethnic groups as well as altered in vivo enzyme activity that parallels prostate cancer risk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified enzymes with one or more amino acid residues from an enzyme being replaced by cysteine residues, where at least some of the cysteine residues are modified by replacing thiol hydrogen in the cysteine residue with a thiol side chain to form a modified enzyme, wherein the modified enzyme has high esterase and low amidase activity. Also, a method of producing the modified enzymes is provided. The present invention also relates to a method for using the modified enzymes in peptide synthesis.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for identifying potential therapeutic agents by contacting a target cell with a candidate therapeutic agent which is a selective substrate for an endogenous, intracellular enzyme in the cell which is enhanced in its expression as a result of selection by biologic or chemotherapy. This invention also provides methods and examples of molecules for selectively killing a pathological cell by contacting the cell with a prodrug that is a selective substrate for an endogenous, intracellular enzyme. The prodrug is subsequently converted to a cellular toxin. Further provided by this invention is a method for treating a pathology characterized by pathological, hyperproliferative cells in a subject by administering to the subject a prodrug that is a selective substrate for an endogenous, overexpressed, intracellular enzyme, and converted by the enzyme to a cellular toxin in the hyperproliferative cell.

Abstract: This invention provides modified enzymes comprising one or more amino acid residues replaced by cysteine residues, where the cysteine residues are modified by replacing the thiol hydrogen in the cysteine residues with a substituent group providing a thiol side chain comprising a multiply charged moiety. The enzymes show improved interaction and/or specificity and/or activity with charged substrates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which allows one toy to identify a plurality of objects is provided. The system relies on the inductive coupling of the toy with a tank circuit contained within the object to be identified and therefore does not require physical contact between the toy and the object. The sensing circuit includes a variable frequency RF oscillator and an air wound coil to radiate a magnetic flux which couples to the air surrounding the coil. The resonant frequency of a tank circuit inductively coupled to the sensing circuit serves as the signature for the object. In one approach, the frequency of the RF oscillator is varied over a range of frequencies while the current drawn by the oscillator is monitored. The current draw provides a means of identifying an object since the current will be at a minimum when the oscillator frequency substantially corresponds to the resonant frequency of the inductively coupled tank circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which allows one toy to identify a plurality of objects is provided. The system relies on the inductive coupling of the toy with a tank circuit contained within the object to be identified and therefore does not require physical contact between the toy and the object. The sensing circuit includes a variable frequency RF oscillator and an air wound coil to radiate a magnetic flux which couples to the air surrounding the coil. The resonant frequency of a tank circuit inductively coupled to the sensing circuit serves as the signature for the object. In one approach, the frequency of the RF oscillator is varied over a range of frequencies while the current drawn by the oscillator is monitored. The current draw provides a means of identifying an object since the current will be at a minimum when the oscillator frequency substantially corresponds to the resonant frequency of the inductively coupled tank circuit.

Abstract: A compressed video playback system which eliminates playback mode transition artifacts. Transitions between various playback modes are effected in such a manner that transition artifacts are eliminated by delaying playback mode transitions until appropriate frames of data are detected for propagation to the compressed video decoder. In addition, compressed video data retrieval methods are improved for supporting multi-speed playback modes in both forward and reverse directions in an optimal manner.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a dual manifold filtering system. The dual manifold filtering system of the present invention, unlike the currently available filtering systems, allows the filter elements to be cleaned from both ends of the filter elements during backwashing operations. A flow restriction device is also placed in the grid main channel of the filter elements to force more of the liquid to flow out radially from the grid main channel during backwashing. Valve and piping means are provided to enable liquid to be directed into one or the other manifold during backwashing operations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel class of 4,5,6,7-substituted non-nucleoside, non-phosphorylatable pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines which exhibit both significantly lower levels of cytotoxicity and superior antiviral activity than known nucleoside, non-nucleoside, and non-nucleoside, non-phosphorylatable pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives, particularly against human DNA viruses such as cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

Abstract: A system and method for operating a computer based targeted payment system discount program. Consumer information from consumer payment system institutions is used to match qualified consumers to targeted merchant discount offers. Offers are automatically prioritized based on their expected value to consumers and consumers receive the highest priority offers for which they qualify. The default prioritization can be altered or overridden by the consumer's payment systems institution. Discounts are automatically applied during the processing of the qualifying purchase without the need for coupons or additional actions by either the merchant or consumer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inter-antenna baseline determination that uses an antenna configuration comprising a pair of relatively closely spaced antennas and other pairs of distant antennas. The closely spaced pair provides a short baseline having an integer ambiguity that may be searched exhaustively to identify the correct set of integers. This baseline is then used as a priori information to aid the determination of longer baselines that, once determined, may be used for accurate run time attitude determination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the fluorescence, luminescence, or absorption of a sample is provided. The sample may either be contained within a cuvette or within one or more sample wells within a multi-assay plate. A combination of a broadband source, a monochromator, and a series of optical filters are used to tune the excitation wavelength to a predetermined value within a relatively wide wavelength band. A similar optical configuration is used to tune the detection wavelength. In one aspect, multiple optical fibers are coupled to the excitation source subassembly, thus allowing the system to be quickly converted from one optical configuration to another. In another aspect, the excitation light and the detected sample emissions pass to and from an optical head assembly via a pair of optical fibers. The optical head assembly is scanned across one axis of the sample multi-assy plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that a user to specify “master borders” that are normally a part of each web page on a web site. A preferred embodiment of the present invention allows the user to define the size of top, left, right, and bottom margins for each master border. The master borders are used for each page on the web site, unless the user chooses not to use the default master border on a particular page. Each master border has display elements defined therein. Initially, all pages in a site have the same master border. The master border for each page may be changed by the user. Changes to a master border, such as the addition of display elements to a master border on one page, are reflected in all pages using the master border. The user can also, for each page, specify whether one or more margins of the master borders is implemented as an HTML frame. The editor generates an HTML table representing each web page (or each frame of the web page).

Abstract: A device for fastening to equipment subject to theft and having an outer shell provided with a security slot. The device is inserted in the security slot located in the shell of the equipment. The device includes two similarly-shaped, mirror-imaged insert members having a hooked tang protruding therefrom. The tangs are inserted through the security slot so that the hooks grip the inside surface of the equipment shell proximate the security slot, and the insert members are mated in juxtaposition. The insert members further include a cylindrical portion, that, when juxtaposed, creates a channel through which a cable or padlock may be passed to hold the insert members together. The device may include a sleeve to slidably cover the insert members.

Abstract: An digital home video system providing recording and playback of compressed video programs using an archival storage medium; simultaneous recording and playback using the same archival medium; storage of multiple programs on a single videotape; a full array of trick mode functions; efficient management of the contents of a video tape or other archival storage medium; and real-time random access to video program content, enabling truly interactive playback. These capabilities are provided by combining the best features of an archival storage medium such as digital video tape: namely, potentially large storage capacity, but low tolerance for variable data rate, and essentially linear program access; with the complementary features of a relatively high-access storage device such as a fixed disk drive: namely, tolerance for a highly variable data rate, and random access capability, but relatively lower storage capacity.

Abstract: A method of making an integrated circuit (IC) includes establishing an initial design for a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to be included in the IC that includes programmable connections that can be programmed to implement a desired function; establishing an underlying physical template for the IC wherein at least a portion of the template is based on the initial design for the FPGA; selecting a specific configuration of the programmable connections in the FPGA; performing a manufacturing process of the IC using the underlying physical template, and, during the manufacturing process of the IC, bypassing selected on-state transistors in the FPGA used to implement the specific configuration of the programmable connections with metal connections while conserving the underlying physical template. An IC includes a semiconductor substrate and an FPGA fabricated on the semiconductor substrate.