Abstract: An absorbent dressing for absorbing exudate from a wound is disclosed. The absorbent dressing contains a plurality of dried absorbent hydrogel particles sealed within a porous container. The porous container is non-adherent to the wound, and the hydrogel particles remained sealed within the container after absorbing the wound exudate. In a preferred embodiment, the particles are dried polyacrylonitrile hydrogel particles, and the porous container is in the form of a sachet bag made from nylon, cotton, polyester, polypropylene and the like.

Abstract: A transition detection circuit includes a low-to-high detector and a high-to-low detector. Each of the detectors includes a normally closed switch that directly transmits an input signal and a delay block that transmits the input signal to control input of the switch after a delay. The delayed input signal opens the switch to block further transmission of the signal and closes a second switch to supply a high voltage in place of the input signal. The transition detector thus provides a short pulse in response to signal transitions with very little delay. To balance a response of the low-to-high detector and the high-to-low detector, the output of the low-to-high detector, which is the slower detector, is applied to the faster input of an output NOR gate. The difference in response time of the NOR gate inputs offsets the difference in response time of the transition detectors.

Abstract: Methods for targeting cytotoxins to target sites by administration of a combination of conjugates are provided. Novel cytotoxic combinations for use in such methods are also provided.

Abstract: A translator circuit for a drive circuit of a power transistor connected to an electric load. The translator circuit includes a first current generator placed between a supply voltage reference and an input terminal of the drive circuit, a controlled switch placed between the input terminal and a ground reference, and a second current generator interposed between the controlled switch and the ground reference. The translator circuit further includes a circuit leg in the form of a current mirror connected in parallel with the second current generator. The translator circuit avoids phenomena of false switching.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of detecting genetic mutations in mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c genes that segregate with Alzheimer's Disease and methods for determining the amount of heteroplasmy of mitochondrial nucleic acid. The invention provides methods for detecting such mutations, as a diagnostic for Alzheimer's Disease, either before or after the onset of clinical symptoms.

Abstract: During compression mode testing of a semiconductor memory device, a memory address is compressed to free up 2 or more bits in the address (e.g., an 11-bit address is compressed to 9-bits, freeing up 2 bits). Redundant element enable circuitry is coupled to one or more pins on a packaged chip that are unused during the compression mode testing. The circuitry receives control signals from external testing circuitry to select between the primary memory array in the chip, and redundant rows and columns of memory in the chip. As a result, during compressed address mode testing of the chip, a full 11-bit word is input to test the circuitry, but where 2 of the 11 bits allow the external circuitry to toggle between, and thereby selectively access, the rows and columns of primary and redundant memory in the chip. Alternatively, the circuitry can also be coupled to a non-connected pin on the packaged chip so as to operate during a non-compression mode testing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data processing system for processing natural product information entered into the system using a standardized entry protocol. The data processing system stores data such as chemical structures, geographic locations, taxonomy, genus synonyms, and textual descriptions and related natural products images such as images of the organisms, and geographic maps. The natural product images are correlated with the natural products data to allow display of the images with the related data. The data processing system further correlates the data products data and images stored in the system with remote databases, such as those containing existing commercially available data, linking the remote data thus correlated for display.

Abstract: A method for locating possible defects on an opaque layer deposited on a production wafer of a semiconductor circuit, consisting in locally radiating an upper surface of the wafer by means of a laser, and detecting the occurrence of a current in a diode constituted by a PN junction placed under the opaque layer to be examined.

Abstract: A computer system and method concurrently process transactions directed to computer devices coupled to a bus agent. The method transmits first and second transaction requests from one or more computer processors across a computer bus to the bus agent. The bus agent transmits the first transaction request to a first computer device coupled to the bus agent. In addition, the bus agent transmits the second transaction request to a second computer device before the bus agent has received a transaction response to the first transaction request from the first computer device, thereby concurrently processing the transaction requests. The bus agent includes plural device managers each uniquely associated with one of the computer devices. Each device manager employs a queue pointer into a transaction queue to track each transaction involving the computer device associated with the device. manager.

Abstract: A computer-based uniform data interface (UDI) system for accessing in a uniform manner data from a data source with an arbitrary organization. The UDI system provides a UDI application programming interface (API) with functions for creating and accessing data organized into containers that contain one or more folders. Each folder optionally contains sub-folders and scalars. The UDI system also provides a UDI registry for registering types of containers and folders supported by a data source, for enumerating the types of containers and folders supported by the data source, and for instantiating container and folder objects corresponding to the data of the data source.

Abstract: A PCI/ISA computer system architecture is disclosed in which the ISA legacy circuitry (such as the interrupt request controller, DMA controller, and timer counter unit) is integrated within the system controller coupling the processor and PCI buses. Accordingly, the ISA bridge coupling the PCI and ISA buses is simplified relative to prior art PCI-ISA bridges. A high speed communications channel between the system controller and the ISA bridge is established by first placing an address on the PCI bus which is recognizable only by the system controller and the ISA bridge. Data transfer then occurs within standard PCI protocols, but need only require a subset of the A/D lines. Backwards compatibility is maintained, while system performance is improved and system cost is reduced.

Abstract: A method for chemical-mechanical planarization of a substrate on a fixed-abrasive polishing pad in which a planarizing solution is dispensed onto the fixed-abrasive polishing pad. The planarizing solution is preferably an abrasive-free planarizing solution that oxidizes a surface layer on the substrate without passing the surface layer into solution, and the fixed-abrasive pad has a substantially uniform distribution of abrasive particles fixedly bonded to a suspension medium. The surface layer of the substrate is then pressed against the fixed-abrasive pad in the presence of planarizing solution, and at least one of the fixed-abrasive pad or the substrate moves relative to the other to remove material from the surface of the substrate. In operation, the planarizing solution forms a rough, scabrous layer of non-soluble oxides on the surface layer that are readily removed by the abrasive surface of the polishing pad.

Abstract: A reading circuit comprises a current mirror circuit connected, at a first and a second output node, to the drain terminals of an array cell and of a reference cell; a comparator whose inputs are connected to the output nodes of the current mirror circuit; a ramp generator having an enabling input connected to the output of the comparator and an output connected to the control terminal of the reference cell. Biasing the gate terminal of the array cell to a constant voltage, when the currents flowing in the array cell and in the reference cell are equal, the value assumed by the ramp voltage is proportional to the threshold value of the array cell; at that time the comparator is triggered and discontinues the ramp increase, supplying as output the desired threshold value.

Abstract: A snap-on antenna and connector mounting assembly for a hand-held electronic device, such as a hand-held computer. The hand-held electronic device has a housing with a sidewall and a jack-receiving aperture therein, an antenna jack extending through the jack-receiving aperture, and a flexible bushing positioned in the jack-receiving aperture between the antenna jack and the sidewall. The bushing isolates the antenna jack from the sidewall, so the antenna jack is deflectable relative to the sidewall without being damaged. The snap-on antenna has a substantially rigid base having an interior area therein and having a housing-attachment portion with an aperture communicating with the interior area. A plug connector contained within the interior area has a jack-connecting portion positioned to removably receive the antenna jack such that the antenna can be snapped into and off of the hand-held electronic device between installed and removed positions, respectively.

Abstract: A method of analysing nucleic acid sequences comprises measuring by surface sensitive detection technique the binding interaction between a first nucleic acid sequence and a second nucleic acid sequence, one of the first and second nucleic acid sequences being immobilized to a solid phase surface, to determine the affinity or an affinity related parameter for the binding reaction as indicative of the extent of complementary between the first and second nucleic acid sequences. The method is characterized in that the measurement of the binding interaction is performed at annealing conditions adjusted such that the dissociation rate constant for the binding interaction corresponding to full complementarity between the first and second nucleic acid sequences is greater than about 10.sup.- per second, thereby permitting equilibrium for the interaction to be rapidly attained.

Abstract: A control circuit adapted to be switched to a standby mode during periods without control requirement and to be repeatedly reset during the standby mode of operation for a short wake-up period each to a full mode of operation. The control circuit comprises a standby oscillator that is operative also in the standby mode and that is adjusted during wake-up periods.

Abstract: A valve comprises a valve body having an inlet and an outlet defining a flow passage through the valve body. A piston is mounted in a bore intersecting the flow passage and the piston divides the bore into first and second chambers. The piston remains substantially motionless during upstream pressure fluctuations after the desired fluid flow rate through the valve has been established. A reference pressure passage communicates with the inlet and the first chamber of the bore. Springs in the second chamber bias the piston against the fluid pressure from the first chamber. A sleeve on the piston is configured to variably sheath a cover over the outlet such that reciprocation of the piston during initiation of fluid flow through the valve varies the effective area of openings in the cover to achieve the desired differential pressure across the flow control throttle, thus setting the flow rate constant unless the throttle position is changed.

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor junction antifuse is formed from either adjacent regions of opposite doping types or spaced apart regions of similar doping type within a substrate. In its unblown state, the junction antifuse forms an open circuit that blocks current from flowing while in the blown state, the junction antifuse conducts current. The junction antifuse is blown by applying a breakdown voltage sufficient to overcome a semiconductor junction so that current flows across the reverse-biased semiconductor junction. As current flows across the reverse-biased junction, dopant migration forms a conductive path so that the junction antifuse no longer forms an open circuit.