Abstract: A poker game is simulatively performed on a display device 34 every time a pinball enters into a special prize-winning port 42. That is, before one-unit poker game is started, an array of five cards are displayed in lateral alignment with one another with four cards placed face up and a fifth card placed face down. The opening/closing frequency or time of a variable prize-winning port 40 is changed in accordance with a prize-winning card set of the poker game. After the one unit poker game is completed, the card array of the five cards is shifted in the lateral direction by one card, and the card at one end and a new card is added and displayed face down at the other end for a subsequent poker game.

Abstract: An analog-signal to square-wave-signal reshaping system for threshold-dependent reshaping of an analog input signal to a square wave signal; comprising an offset-inflicted reshaping circuit having a signal input adapted to be fed with the analog input signal, a reference input adapted to be fed with a reference voltage determining the reshaping threshold, and a signal output from which the square wave signal is available; an offset storage circuit connected to the signal input of the reshaping circuit and adapted to store a charging voltage corresponding to the offset voltage of the reshaping circuit, with this charging voltage being adapted to be superimposed on the analog input signal for offset compensation; a controllable switch circuit which in a first switching state takes no influence on the reshaping function of the reshaping circuit and, for the purpose of offset compensation, in a second switching state interrupts the reshaping operation of reshaping circuit and effects charging of the offset storag

Abstract: A colloidal silver solution is introduced as a disinfectant to the blood and dialysate sides of a hemodialysis system at the conclusion of a dialysis session and is not flushed from the system until another dialysis is to be performed.

Abstract: A foldable infant mattress system with a sleeping recess. A head mattress section is hingedly connected to a foot mattress section. Each mattress sections include an end wall and two laterally spaced apart sidewalls traversed to the end wall. The foldable infant mattress system is deployed in a flat position for sleeping and foldable into a closed position for carrying. In the flat position, the end wall and sidewalls of each mattress section together form the recess which contains an infant to a sleeping area. The walls are of sufficient thickness to allow for sound structural support and effective restraint of the infant. In the closed position, the mattress sections form a compact, easily carried assembly. A closing device such as a combination of straps and a snap is used which also forms a handle for carrying the mattress system. The mattress system is constructed of a foam material which is air permeable.

Abstract: A sample preparation procedure for mitochondrial (mt) DNA analysis is described. The present method for isolating mtDNA uses sedimentation techniques for separating erythrocytes from lymphocytes and platelets (crude buffy coat fraction), followed by DNA extraction from the crude buffy coat fraction by boiling in water. This approach improves the yield of mutant DNA, enhancing the sensitivity of subsequent mutation interrogation techniques and allowing for meaningful statistical treatment of the degree of heteroplasmy within the mitochondrial DNA.

Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting the binding of a first member to a second member of a ligand pair, comprising the steps of (a) combining a set of first tagged members with a biological sample which may contain one or more second members, under conditions, and for a time sufficient to permit binding of a first member to a second member, wherein said tag is correlative with a particular first member and detectable by non-fluorescent spectrometry, or potentiometry, (b) separating bound first and second members from unbound members, (c) cleaving the tag from the tagged first member, and (d) detecting the tag by non-fluorescent spectrometry, or potentiometry, and therefrom detecting the binding of the first member to the second member.

Abstract: A level shift circuit for a voltage input signal (S, SN) presenting at least a first and a second high-voltage levels, the circuit comprising two parallel branches, each formed by a current modulator and a signal converter. The current modulators are supplied with two signals in phase opposition to each other, and generate current signals whose value depends on the level of the respective input signal; and the signal converters convert the current signals into ground-related voltage signals. The signal converters together form a single-ended differential circuit, the output of which therefore presents a low-voltage digital signal which can be processed by normal digital circuits and is unaffected by noise or variations in supply voltage.

Abstract: A computer-based method and system for digital 3-dimensional imaging of an object which allows for viewing images of the object from arbitrary vantage points. The system, referred to as the Lumigraph system, collects a complete appearance of either a synthetic or real object (or a scene), stores a representation of the appearance, and uses the representation to render images of the object from any vantage point. The appearance of an object is a collection of light rays that emanate from the object in all directions. The system stores the representation of the appearance as a set of coefficients of a 4-dimensional function, referred to as the Lumigraph function. From the Lumigraph function with these coefficients, the Lumigraph system can generate 2-dimensional images of the object from any vantage point. The Lumigraph system generates an image by evaluating the Lumigraph function to identify the intensity values of light rays that would emanate from the object to form the image.

Abstract: To manufacture integrated semiconductor devices comprising chemoresistive gas microsensors, a semiconductor material body is first formed, on the semiconductor material body are successively formed, reciprocally superimposed, a sacrificial region of metallic material, formed at the same time and on the same level as metallic connection regions for the sensor, a heater element, electrically and physically separated from the sacrificial region and a gas sensitive element, electrically and physically separated from the heater element; openings are formed laterally with respect to the heater element and to the gas sensitive element, which extend as far as the sacrificial region and through which the sacrificial region is removed at the end of the manufacturing process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a driving circuit for row decoding which is also useful in non-volatile memory devices of the multi-level Flash type and the multi-level EPROM type and allows the overall capacitive loads as seen from the program voltage generator and the read/verify voltage generator, to be drastically reduced without involving segmentation of the decoding circuit.

Abstract: Methods are provided to regulate the trafficking of nuclear proteins, including the high molecular weight forms of FGF-2, to the nucleus. A nuclear trafficking component, which is approximately 29 kD, is identified as binding to and regulating nuclear localization of FGF-2. Inhibitors of the binding of the 29 kD component and FGF-2 are provided.

Abstract: An electric circuit having a switchable feedback branch switchable between a first feedback state, in which the circuit arrangement has a frequency response that is stable with respect to an oscillation tendency, and a second feedback state, in which the circuit arrangement has a frequency response that is unstable with respect to an oscillation tendency. The circuit includes a switchable frequency response compensation circuit which during the first feedback state of the feedback branch can be controlled to an ineffective state and during the second feedback state of the feedback branch can be controlled to an effective state, and in the effective state causes such compensation of the frequency response of the circuit arrangement in the second feedback state that the circuit arrangement in the second feedback state remains stable with respect to an oscillation tendency.

Abstract: A printhead having multiple print lines of conventional design and a printhead control system for using the multiple print lines in a variety of operations. In one embodiment, the printhead control system prints an image by superimposing the printing from multiple print lines. In another embodiment, the image is printed by alternating the energization of one print line so that each print line is used to print only 1/3 of the image lines. As a result, the print lines are allowed a relatively long time to cool, thus allowing the printhead to be operated at a faster speed. In another embodiment, the printing elements of each print line print with a different image density, and images printed by superimposing the printing elements in the print lines with a variety of combinations depending upon the desired magnitude of the image density.

Abstract: The present invention provides aromatic amine substituted metal chelating compounds, chelates and chelate-targeting moiety conjugates formed from the chelating compounds, and methods for making and using these compounds. Metals capable of being chelated by the chelating compounds include radionuclides, such as .sup.99m Tc and .sup.186188 Re.

Abstract: Methods, compounds, compositions and kits that relate to pretargeted delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents are disclosed. In particular, methods for radiometal labeling of biotin, as well as related compounds, are described. Articles of manufacture useful in pretargeting methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A computer-based method and system for digital 3-dimensional imaging of an object which allows for viewing images of the object from arbitrary vantage points. The system, referred to as the Lumigraph system, collects a complete appearance of either a synthetic or real object (or a scene), stores a representation of the appearance, and uses the representation to render images of the object from any vantage point. The appearance of an object is a collection of light rays that emanate from the object in all directions. The system stores the representation of the appearance as a set of coefficients of a 4-dimensional function, referred to as the Lumigraph function. From the Lumigraph function with these coefficients, the Lumigraph system can generate 2-dimensional images of the object from any vantage point. The Lumigraph system generates an image by evaluating the Lumigraph function to identify the intensity values of light rays that would emanate from the object to form the image.

Abstract: A process for the manufacturing of an integrated circuit having DMOS-technology power devices and non-volatile memory cells provides for forming respective laterally displaced isolated semiconductor regions, electrically insulated from each other and from a common semiconductor substrate, inside which the devices will be formed; forming conductive gate regions for the DMOS-technology power devices and for the memory cells over the respective isolated semiconductor regions. Inside the isolated semiconductor regions for the DMOS-technology power devices, channel regions extending under the insulated gate regions are formed. The channel regions are formed by an implantation of a dopant along directions tilted of a prescribed angle with respect to a direction orthogonal to a top surface of the integrated circuit, in a dose and with an energy such that the channel regions are formed directly after the implantation of the dopant without performing a thermal diffusion at a high temperature of the dopant.

Abstract: Light-colored phenolic-modified rosin esters, suitable for use as, for example, tackifiers in adhesive compositions, are prepared by reacting together rosin, a phenolic compound, formaldehyde or a reactive equivalent thereof, and a non-phenolic hydroxyl-containing organic compound in the presence of at least one lightening agent selected from phenol sulfide compounds, phosphorous acid, esters of phosphorous acid, and hypophosphite salts. The formaldehyde or reactive equivalent is present in an amount ranging from about 1.1 to about 3.5 equivalents of --CHO moieties per 1 equivalent of Ar--OH moiety of the phenolic compound, in order to obtain rosin esters having desirably low color, and adequately low molecular weight to effectively function as tackifiers.

Abstract: A system and method for testing wireless communication devices uses a waveguide designed for operation beyond cutoff for frequencies used by the wireless communication device to be tested. The waveguide has first and second ends with at least an opened first end to permit the easy insertion and removal of the wireless communication device. An antenna located within the waveguide and coupled to an external test system permits wireless communication between the external test system and the wireless communication device when inserted in the waveguide. Radio frequency (RF) signals propagate between the antenna located within the waveguide and the wireless communication device when inserted into the waveguide. The length of the waveguide is designed to provide sufficient attenuation of RF transmissions when measured at the opened end of the waveguide.

Abstract: A sense circuit for reading EPROM and ROM type memory cells employs a circuit for generating an offsetting current which is exempt of error during transients and which thus permits to achieve a reduced access time. On the other hand, the sense circuit maintains the intrinsic advantages of a current-offset sensing architecture which is represented by a substantially unlimited operating voltage range toward the maximum value VCC.sub.max. The current generating circuit is driven by means of a supplementary row of cells which is decoded at every reading and which replicates, during transients, the behaviour of the row selected for the reading.