Abstract: A barrier of a vacuum pump prevents contamination from entering a vacuum pump air line. The barrier separates parts of the pump and is moveable between an initial state and a distended state. The barrier is assembled within the pump with a pre-load. When the vacuum source is applied to the barrier, the barrier achieves a distended state and when the vacuum source is released, the barrier incrementally self returns to an initial state. The geometry and material construction of the barrier, along with the pre-load, assists in returning the barrier on its own to the initial state from the distended state.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by successively solidifying layers of a building material at positions in the respective layer corresponding to the cross-section of the object is provided, wherein at least a partial region of a layer is solidified such that a pattern is generated, which pattern contains a plurality of substantially parallel solidification lines (V, S), and at least a partial region of a subsequent layer is exposed such that a pattern is generated, which pattern contains a plurality of substantially parallel solidification lines (V, S) that are rotated with respect to the solidification lines of the pattern of the previous layer by an angle (?) that differs from 180°, 90° and 45°.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for obtaining antigens that are expressed by pathogenic microorganism during an infection process, as well as the antigens so obtained. Also disclosed are isolated polynucleotides encoding said antigens, recombinant polypeptides expressed from the isolated polypeptides, antibodies capable of forming immune complexes with the obtained antigens, and various other compositions useful in the detection, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of a microbial infection. The methods of the invention utilize pooled sera from patients who have partly or completely undergone infection by a microbial organism in order to obtain genes that are expressed during in vivo but not during in vitro growth of the microbial organism.

Abstract: Domino wagering games are disclosed in which a player or players place a wager on which domino will be selected, the domino being selected with a domino roulette style wheel or by being revealed after selection from a boneyard. The wagers are based on a bet type as provided in a bet table that comprises a matrix of dominos arranged in columns and rows with paylines corresponding to particular bet types. The paylines are based on the odds that a first domino will be in a particular group as shown on the bet table.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyridyl substituted heterocycles and hydro isomers thereof and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that inhibit replication and/or proliferation of HCV virus. The present invention also relates to the use of the pyridyl heterocycles and hydro isomers thereof and/or pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds to treat or prevent HCV infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the recording and reading of data with a holographic write/read apparatus onto a holographic recording medium with a thin holographic recording layer. The medium is preferably an optical card (2). The recording of the information is in the form of data pages stored as thin Fourier holograms (61). According to the invention, it is foreseen to use reflected transmission and polarisation holography with different write and read wavelengths, and to correct during reading the distortion in the readout channel caused by the difference between the write and read wavelengths. The invention further relates to an apparatus and system for performing the method. There is also disclosed a method of coding the recorded information.

Abstract: The present invention provides silicon based thin-film structures that can be used to form high frequency optical modulators. Devices of the invention are formed as layered structures that have a thin-film dielectric layer, such as silicon dioxide, sandwiched between silicon layers. The silicon layers have high free carrier mobility. In one aspect of the invention a high mobility silicon layer can be provided by crystallizing an amorphous silicon layer. In another aspect of the invention, a high mobility silicon layer can be provided by using selective epitaxial growth and extended lateral overgrowth thereof.

Abstract: Method for the production of airgaps in a semiconductor device, the semiconductor device comprising a stack of layers, the stack of layers comprising at least one iteration of a sub-stack of layers.

Abstract: A freestanding cover for a food tray has a flange section and a support section extending downwardly from the flange section. The support section supports the cover independently of the tray, with the flange section positioned above the tray opening. The freestanding cover is inserted into a heated compartment in a food warming cabinet and is supported on a retaining mechanism positioned on the shelf of the food warming cabinet. The retaining mechanism, in the form of a wire rack, prevents the cover from moving forward or backward. With the cover retained by the wire rack, a tray containing previously cooked food portions may be inserted into and removed from a receiving space in the cover, leaving the cover inside of the compartment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds which are capable of inhibiting the activity of tryptase. Such compounds are useful in the treatment or prevention of inflammatory disease, particularly those disease states which are mediated by mast cell activation. Also encompassed by the invention are formulations comprising the noted compounds, processes for preparing such compounds and methods for treating or preventing an inflammatory disease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for supplying power to multiple devices using a single voltage regulator. The present invention includes a comparator that compares the voltage identification codes from multiple devices in a system. If all the devices have the same value for the voltage identification code, then the comparator forwards the code to a voltage identification input of a programmable voltage regulator, which then outputs a power supply voltage at a level corresponding to the voltage identification code value of the devices. If any device present in the system has a different value for its voltage identification code, then the comparator outputs a predetermined value to the programmable voltage regulator that prevents the voltage regulator from outputting a power supply voltage.

Abstract: The present invention teaches method for culturing nematode pesticidal compositions, to produce at a high yield, and generate biotic compositions that are effective as insecticides with high pesticidal activity and preventive effects.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula: ##STR1## or pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts thereof wherein: Y represents oxygen or sulfur; Z is nitrogen or CH;R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 independently represent organic or inorganic substituents;R.sub.4 and R.sub.4 ' independently represent hydrogen, alkyl or form a ring with the atom to which they are attached;R.sub.5 represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, or alkylthio, and R.sub.6 represents hydrogen or alkyl; or R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 form a ring together with the atoms to which they are attached; andR.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10 and R.sub.11 independently represent hydrogen or alkyl,which compounds are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of neuropsychological disorders including, but not limited to, schizophrenia, mania, dementia, depression, anxiety, compulsive behavior, substance abuse, Parkinson-like motor disorders and motion disorders related to the use of neuroleptic agents.

Abstract: An isolated and substantially pure polynucleotide encoding 238 amino acids of the carboxy terminal end of the triple helical domain and all 233 amino acids of the carboxy terminal noncollageneous domain of the bovine .alpha.3 chain of type IV collagen. An isolated and substantially pure polynucleotide encoding 218 amino acids of the carboxy terminal noncollagenous domain of the human .alpha.3 chain of type IV collagen. Such polynucleotides are useful to express large amounts of proteins in vectors and such expressed proteins are useful to detect Goodpasture antibodies in blood and to remove Goodpasture antibodies from the bloodstream of patients suffering from Goodpasture syndrome.

Abstract: Post consumer recyclable plastics are combined with a ethylene-octene copolymer and a polyamide to prepare a resin composition that can be used in conventional molding processes to fabricate new and useful plastic articles of manufacture.

Abstract: A fluid collection, filtration, and storage device is described. The device has a first tube with a closed first end, an open second end, inner tube-wall surfaces, and an internal diameter; a second tube with a first end porously closed by a filter and an open second end and having an external diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the first tube, the second tube slidably contacting the inner tube-wall surfaces of the first tube at the first end of the second tube when the second tube is inserted in the first tube; and a cap adapted to seal the open second end of the first tube and the open second end of the second tube in a single closing operation while the second tube is inserted into the first tube. The kit is particularly adapted for collecting and storing viscous biologic samples, such as saliva, in the inner tube after the sample has been mixed with a preservative or other substance initially located in the filter.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula: ##STR1## or the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof wherein: R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, and R.sub.7 are the same or different and represent hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy; --O.sub.2 CR', --NHCOR', --COR', --SO.sub.m R', where R' is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl and wherein m is 0, 1 or 2; orR.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, and R.sub.7 independently represent --CONR'R", or --NR'R" where R' and R" independently represent hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl;R.sub.

Abstract: 6,7-disubstituted-2-aminotetralines of general formula (1) ##STR1## and their pharmacologically acceptable salts, wherein X and Y, identical or different are selected from the group consisting of methoxy, acetoxy and fluoro; and R and R.sub.1, identical or different, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, ethyl, propyl, cyclopropylmethyl, 2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl, 2-hydroxy-2-(4-methylphenyl)ethyl and 2-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxyphenoxy)propyl are endowed with immunomodulator activity.