Abstract: Recessed isolation oxide is deposited in shallow trenches simultaneoulsy with oxide deposition in deep isolation trenches. A single planarization of both trench fillings provides efficient recessed isolation oxide without bird's beak or bird's head problems of LOCOS isolation oxide. Self-aligned trench filling by successive conformal depositions of oxide and polysilicon followed by planarization to remove polysilicon away from the trenches. The the remaining polysilicon may be used as an oxide etch mask to remove all of the oxide except in the trenches.

Abstract: This invention relates to the determination of in vivo exposure to dioxinlike compounds and the in vitro quantitation of dioxinlike compounds based on protein tyrosine phosphorylation as mediated by the Ah receptor. The extent of protein tyrosine phosphorylation is determined by monoclonal antibodies to protein tyrosine phosphate. The amount and nature of protein tyrosylphosphate is quantitatively related to the in vivo or in vitro concentration of dioxin to which animals or cells were exposed. This method permits detection of dioxinlike compounds at concentrations in the parts per trillion and parts per billion range.

Abstract: A battery connector assembly in accordance with the present invention has a cable end, terminal end, and sleeve. The cable end has a first connector detachably connected to an end of a cable and also has a pin having an outer surface extending out from the cable end. The terminal end has a second connector detachably connected to a battery terminal and has a post with a threaded exterior and a tubular pocket having an inner surface. The sleeve is rotatably seated on the pin and has a threaded interior. The threaded interior of the sleeve is engaged with the threaded exterior of the post so that when the sleeve is fully engaged on the post substantially the entire outer surface of the pin is engaged with substantially the entire inner surface of the tubular pocket in the post.

Abstract: A method for determining one member of an enzyme-substrate pair (the analyte), comprises bringing the members of the pair into contact so as to form, directly or indirectly, a soluble reaction product at or adjacent the surface of an optical waveguide biosensor. The biosensor is preferably a resonant optical biosensor based on the principle of frustrated total reflection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cloning of the gene of a thermophilic DNA ligase, from Thermus aquaticus strain HB8, and the use of this ligase in a ligase chain reaction (LCR) assay for the detection of specific sequences of nucleotides in a variety of nucleic acid samples, and more particularly in those samples containing a DNA sequence characterized by a difference in the nucleic acid sequence from a standard sequence including single nucleic acid base pair changes, deletions, insertions or translocations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for nuclear waste disposal. In it, a glass forming mixture including an aqueous solution of one or more metal alkoxides, alcohol, and solubilized, low level radioactive waste having a pH effective to hydrolyze the one or more metal alkoxides is formed. The one or more metal alkoxides in the glass forming mixture are converted to a network of corresponding one or more metal oxides. A gel is then formed from the glass forming mixture containing the network of one or more metal oxides. The gel is dried and sintered under conditions effective to form a densified glass.

Abstract: The subject invention provides purified polypeptides encoded by naturally-occurring wild-type platelet glycoprotein Ib alpha having a mutation which renders the polypeptide less reactive with von Willebrand factor. Preferably, the mutation is in the leucine rich region of GPIb.alpha., such as the substitution of phenylalanine for leucine at residue 57. DNA encoding the mutant polypeptides, as well as expression systems for the production of the mutant polypeptides, are also provided. Methods and compositions using the mutant polypeptides and DNA oligomers complementary to the mutant polypeptides are further provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for the determination of a chemical or biochemical species comprises a resonant optical biosensor (1-4) disposed in a light path between a pivotally-mounted source (5) of monochromatic light and a stationary detector (12) adapted to monitor some characteristic of the light. There is provided means (7) for causing pivotal motion of the light source (5) so as to vary the angle of incidence of the light on the sensor (1-4). Also provided is means for monitoring the instantaneous angle of incidence. The means for varying the angle of incidence of the light on the sensor may be a cam arrangement (7) acting on a pivoting member (6) carrying the light source (5), and the means for monitoring the instantaneous angle of incidence of the light on the sensor (1-4) may comprise means for monitoring the number of steps performed by a stepper motor driving the cam arrangement (7).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembled steam turbine with at least one balancing ring. The assembled steam turbine includes a shaft rotatable about an axis and a housing, defining a machine interior. The housing has first and second axially-spaced end walls, with the shaft extending through the first end wall. A first bearing and a second bearing rotatably support the shaft. The first and second bearings are axially spaced along the shaft and at least the first bearing is positioned outside the machine interior, proximate the first end wall of the housing. At least one balancing ring which has a plurality of radial holes is coaxially-mounted on the shaft outside the machine interior between the first end wall of the housing and the first bearing. A method for balancing the assembled steam turbine disclosed above includes several steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the isolation of genomic DNA fragments from Drosophila melanogaster encoding conserved amino acid sequence elements unique to the ligand-gated chloride channel gene family. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based homology probing strategy was utilized to isolate the genomic DNA fragments. Using the PCR strategy, three discrete amplified sequence elements designated LCCH1, LCCH2 and LCCH3, were isolated, LCCH2 and LCCH3 being novel. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided the cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding a novel member of the ligand-gated chloride channel gene family of insects isolated from Drosophila melanogaster. The cDNA corresponds to the LCCH3 genomic sequence of the invention.

Abstract: A two-step analog-to-digital converter and BiCMOS fabrication method. The fabrication method provides pseudosubstrate isolation of digital CMOS devices from the analog devices. The converter uses NPN current switching in a flash analog-to-digital converter and in a digital-to-analog converter for low noise operation. CMOS digital error correction and BiCMOS output drivers provide high packing density plus large output load handling. Timing control aggregates switching events and puts them into intervals when noise sensitive operations are inactive. The fabrication method uses a thin epitaxial layer with limited thermal processing to provide NPN and PNP devices with large breakdown and Early voltages. Laser trimmed resistors provide small long term drift due to dopant stabilization in underlying BPSG and low hydrogen nitride passivation.

Abstract: An acceptor material for printing by ink-jet printers forms quick-drying, water-resistant, light-stable ink records with aqueous ink jet inks. The material comprises a support such as polyester film and a coated layer containing a water-soluble mordant that forms insoluble compounds with and immobilizes the dyestuffs of the ink jet inks and a hardened water managing polymer, preferably, hardened gelatin, which contains polymeric beads that protrude from the layer.

Abstract: An apparatus to permit the sharing of interrupts between resident devices and removable PCMCIA peripherals overcomes a deficiency in the PCMCIA standards. By permitting interrupt sharing, the apparatus allows standard application software, which assumes the interrupt sharing capability of standard built-in peripherals to operate with PCMCIA cards. The invention is particularly suited to serial communication ports, where interrupts are routinely shared. An interface component 20 is coupled to an interrupt controller 12. A serial port COM1 is connected to a host interrupt IRQ4, which is shared by a PCMCIA card serial port 22, configured as COM3, through the interface controller 20. Through the use of an open-drain output and a conversion in the controller 20 of the level mode interrupt from the PCMCIA card to a low-going pulse of sufficient voltage swing and duration, the host interrupt is shared between the permanently installed COM1 and the removable COM3 serial ports.

Abstract: A photographic processing apparatus which incorporates a drum arrangement to form a low volume processing tank. The arrangement comprises a processing tank in which a central rotatable drum is mounted and a pair of rollers at the inlet and outlet of the processing tank convey the photographic material through the tank. A clearance, of less than 5 mm, is provided between the tank and the drum, which defines a low volume for the processing solution. The drum is rotated at a speed independent of the speed of the rollers. The processing apparatus may be used with unstable or single use chemistry.

Abstract: The analog to digital converter 300 has voltage reference circuitry 326 which includes a bandgap generator and a correction circuit 5300. The bandgap generator includes first and second NPN transistors 5211-5224, 5231-5232 of differing emitter areas and an operational amplifier 5202 with inputs sensing the collector current of the first and second NPN transistors 5211-5224, 5231-5232. First and second NPN transistors 5211-5224, 5231-5232 have their bases tied together. The output of the amplifier 5202 drives the bases of the NPN transistors 5211-5224, 5231-5232 through a resistor divider 5251-5253.

Abstract: A class of nanocomposite amorphous materials consisting of interpenetrating random networks of predominantly sp.sup.3 bonded carbon stabilized by hydrogen, silicon stabilized by oxygen, and, optionally, random networks of metal elements from groups 1-7b and 8b of the periodic table.

Abstract: A photographic processing apparatus for processing photographic material including a drum rotatable about an axis and forming a drum-material interface with the material being processed, at least one reservoir for storing processing solution, and application means for applying processing solution to the surface of the drum for transmittal to the material being processed. The apparatus being characterized in that the surface of the drum has at least one spiral form thereon along its length to distribute processing solution at least along the length of the drum-material interface, each spiral having an axis which lies substantial coincident with the axis of the drum.

Abstract: In a microelectronic device formed on a substrate 12, a pair of trenches 30, 36 branch at their intersection to provide branches 31-34 surrounding a sacrificial island 42. Sacrificial island 42 may comprise substrate material or other material or a void for absorbing the axial stresses propagated along the lengths of trenches 30, 36.

Abstract: Outer and inner endwall sections are so profiled that, essentially, the flowpath is straight or flat in the direction of flow. The profiles are defined by lines of revolution about a centerline of a turbine, and shaped as projections upstream from blade tips or bases, tangent to such blade tips or bases, axially, and radially, conforming to a mean obtaining between convex and concave surfaces of the nozzle.

Abstract: A symmetrical current source 10 has a pnp current source 11 including four npn transistors Q1-Q4 and a pnp output transistor Q28 and an npn current sink 12 including pnp transistors Q5-Q8 and an output transistors Q29. In current source 11 cross coupled transistors Q3, Q4 establish a predetermined bias for source 11; cross coupled transistors Q7, Q8 establish a predtermined bias for sink 12.