Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for protecting a power supply from ground faults. The present invention operates substantially independently of the current drawn by the load. In addition, the present invention includes a time delay circuitry for preventing false detection of ground faults when the power source is connecting to the load. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention includes a control relay for connecting the power supply to the load. The apparatus also preferably includes a sensor diode for detecting ground faults and triggering the control relay to disconnect the power source from the ground fault as well as the load when a ground fault is detected. The apparatus also preferably includes a time delay relay to prevent false detection of ground faults by shielding the sensor diode from any current spikes that may occur when the power source is connecting to the load.

Abstract: A superconducting structure that includes a mesoscopic phase device and a mesoscopic charge device. The superconducting structure further includes a mechanism for coupling the mesoscopic phase device and the mesoscopic charge device so that the quantum state of the mesoscopic phase device and the quantum state of the mesoscopic charge device interact. In another aspect, the superconducting structure includes a mechanism for reading out the quantum state of the mesoscopic charge device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carbon fiber-reinforced carbon composite body, characterized in that the inner region of the carbon fiber-reinforced carbon composite material is doped with silicon boride.

Abstract: A method for spray-coating a medical device by using a nozzle apparatus having a chamber that is connected to at least one opening for dispensing a coating formulation. Such method comprises (a) grounding the surface of the medical device that is to be coated and (b) applying a coating formulation, which comprises a polymeric material and a solvent, by (1) providing the nozzle apparatus comprising a chamber connected to at least one opening for dispensing the coating formulation; (2) placing the coating formulation into the chamber; (3) electrically charging the coating formulation; (4) creating droplets of the electrically charged coating formulation; and (5) depositing the droplets of coating formulation onto the grounded surface to form a coating on the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to attenuated negative-strand RNA viruses having an impaired ability to antagonize the cellular interferon (IFN) response, and the use of such attenuated viruses in vaccine and pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also relates to the development and use of IFN-deficient systems for selection of such attenuated viruses. In particular, the invention relates to attenuated influenza viruses having modifications to the NS1 gene that diminish or eliminate the ability of the NS1 gene product to antagonize the cellular IFN response. The mutant viruses replicate in vivo but demonstrate reduced pathogenicity, and therefore are well suited for live virus vaccines, and pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: A hood hinging structure of a vehicle is disclosed to minimize the level of an impact to be made on a pedestrian by changing a hinge structure that allows a hood to be rotatively opened or closed at a vehicle body when the pedestrian is hit by a hood having its hinge structure when the pedestrian is hit by the hinge structure.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector characterized as being capable of delivering and expressing at least one mammalian gene into a genome of a mammalian host cell such that the expression of the gene is regulated in a tissue specific manner by cis-acting regulatory and promoter elements of the gene. A method of using this recombinant adeno-associated virus vector for therapeutic purposes is also provided.

Abstract: A control device has an input section which inputs a predetermined signal, an amplification section of a variable gain type which amplifies the predetermined signal, and a feedback loop which inputs a signal output from the amplification section and adjusts a gain of the amplification section to keep the output signal constant.

Abstract: The proximity sensor includes a magnetic field source (first object) configured to generate a magnetic field, a switch plate (second object) made from a ferrous material, and a magnetic field sensor (detector). The magnetic field source and the switch plate are moveable relative to each another. The magnetic field sensor is disposed close enough to the magnetic field source to detect the magnetic field. In use, when the magnetic field source and the switch plate come into proximity of each another, the magnetic field flows from the magnetic field source to the switch plate, thereby disabling detection of the magnetic field and signaling the proximity.

Abstract: A bone plate includes an upper surface, a bone contacting surface, and at least one hole extending through the upper and bone contacting surfaces for receiving a bone screw. The at least one hole includes a first portion and a second portion that overlap one another. The first portion defines a substantially circular outer periphery and the second portion defines an elongated outer periphery that is elongated in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate. The first portion may have threads configured to engage threads on the head of a bone screw, and the second portion may be configured to cooperate with the head of a different bone screw to provide compression to the fracture.

Abstract: Skin-growth-enhancing compounds and compositions including a therapeutically effective amount of at least one electron active compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, that has at least two polyvalent cations, at least one of which has a first valence state and at least one of which has a second, different valence state. Preferred compounds include Bi(III,V) oxide, Co(II,III) oxide, Cu(I,III) oxide, Fe(II,III) oxide, Mn(II,III) oxide, and Pr(III,IV) oxide, and Ag(I,III) oxide, or a combination thereof. These compounds may be in a crystalline state having metallic cations of two different valences, or electronic states, in the inorganic crystal. Also included are articles containing such compositions, such as wound dressings, and methods for facilitating or enhancing skin growth using these compounds, compositions, and articles, such as for the treatment or management of burns or skin grafts.

Abstract: A vehicular glass antenna wherein the antenna is formed of transparent material and is mounted at a front windshield glass where receptive performance of broadcasting signals is best without obstructing a driver's view.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the distraction of bones or bone segments. The device comprises an anchoring screw having a longitudinal axis, a screw tip, a screw end with means for rotatably driving the anchoring screw, a threaded shank which adjoins the screw tip and has a screw thread, and a screw shank adjoining the screw end; and a distraction sleeve axially displaceable on the screw shank including a rear end, a front end, a through-bore extending coaxially therebetween, an external thread adjoining the front end, and a coupler portion formed in the rear end for receiving a driving tool. The anchoring screw comprises a collar positioned between the threaded shank and the screw shank that radially projects at least from the screw shank and which serves as an axial stop for the front end of the distraction sleeve when the distraction sleeve is positioned over the screw shank.

Abstract: The nozzle has a conical wall with injection orifices; the pin has a tip activated by an axial force to engage the wall and close the orifices; the tip has a truncated-cone-shaped portion having an outer surface which rests entirely on the wall, possibly as a result of elastic deformation of the outer surface; and the outer surface forms with the wall a substantially zero angle with a tolerance of 0′ to ±10′.

Abstract: A shelving unit comprises a shelf and a shelf anchor for securing the shelf to an adjacent wall. The shelf has a peripheral rim that extends along at least a portion of the length of the shelf. The shelf has at least one internal lateral support member extending generally perpendicularly to the rim. The shelf anchor includes a base and a shelf-retainer. The base is adapted to be mounted to the wall. The shelf-retainer extends from the base. A retaining portion of the shelf-retainer is spaced from a front side of the base to define a rim-receiving recess between the base and the retaining portion of the shelf-retainer. The shelf anchor is positioned relative to the shelf so that at least a portion of the peripheral rim is received within the rim-receiving recess in a manner to prevent the shelf from moving outwardly from the wall when the shelf anchor is mounted to the wall. The shelf-retainer includes a lateral positioner.

Abstract: Methods and reagents for quantitating the expression of mRNA which encodes an active hTERT protein, which is useful for the diagnosis and the prognosis of cancer.

Abstract: A laser system and method for cleanly trimming or severing resistive links fabricated on in undoped gallium arsenide substrate without damaging or affecting adjacent circuit structures or the underlying or surrounding substrate is disclosed. The system includes a laser source adapted to generate an output at a wavelength within the range of 0.9 to 1.5 &mgr;m, a resistive film structure formed on an undoped gallium arsenide substrate, and a beam positioner and alignment system to align the laser source with the target structure. The method includes generating a laser output at a wavelength in a range of about 0.9 to 1.5 &mgr;m and directing the laser output to illuminate a resistive thin-film structure fabricated on a gallium arsenide substrate. The resistive film structure includes a first layer of protective dielectric and a layer of resistive thin-film material. Preferably, a second layer of protective dielectric lies upon the layer of resistive thin-film material.

Abstract: The invention relates to method, wherein the number of repeat sequences which are present in a sample is detemined by means of melting temperature analysis. More precisely, the invention relates to a method for analysis of a target nucleic acid consisting of repetitive and non repetitive sequences comprising (i) hybridization of at least one polynucleotide hybridization probe comprising a first segment which is complementary to a non repetitive region and a second segment which is compementary to an adjacent repetitive region, said second segment consisting of a defined number of repeats and (ii) determination of the melting point temperature of the hybrid which has been formed between the target nucleic acid and the at least one hybridization probe.