Abstract: A method and composition for destruction of infectious prion proteins in tissue, by thermal/enzymatic treatment of the tissue with a prion-destructive protease. The method and composition are applicable to treatment of tissue containing or contaminated with prion protein strains associated with transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) and/or other prion protein-mediated diseases.

Abstract: This invention relates to a remote shut-off valve, and in particular to a valve for the remote shutting-off of a fluid such as a main water supply. The remote shut-off valve comprises a diaphragm valve and a pilot valve which are connected together by way of flexible tubes so that that pilot valve can be located in a desired location remote from the diaphragm valve. Part of the flow channels between the diaphragm valve and the pilot valve, and also the flow channel to the control chamber of the diaphragm valve are located within the body of the diaphragm valve. Quick-release connectors can be provided to connect the flexible tubes to the pilot valve and to the diaphragm valve.

Abstract: A procedure to continuously produce a suspension of cellulose in aqueous N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide is characterized in that: (a) The cellulose is conveyed through a first shearing zone in the absence of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide and is homogenized, and (b) the homogenized cellulose is conveyed through a second shearing zone after adding enough aqueous N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide for a suspension to result in a N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide content in the liquid phase of 70-80 weight percent after mixing, whereby the cellulose or suspension almost completely fills the available content cross-section in the shearing zones.

Abstract: An apparatus (10′) for detecting the surface topography of a cornea (24) of an eye (22) by dynamic or static projection of a pattern onto the surface of the cornea and detection of the pattern reflected by the cornea, providing preferably simultaneous detection of at least one optical property of a layer disposed beneath the cornea.

Abstract: An indium precursor composition having utility for incorporation of indium in a microelectronic device structure, e.g., as an indium-containing film on a device substrate by bubbler or liquid delivery MOCVD techniques, or as a dopant species incorporated in a device substrate by ion implantation techniques. The precursor composition includes a precursor of the formula R1R2InL wherein: R1 and R2 may be same or different and are independently selected from C6-C10 aryl, C6-C10 fluoroaryl, C6-C10 perfluoroaryl, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 fluoroalkyl, or C1-C6 perfluoroalkyl; and L is &bgr;-diketonato or carboxylate. Indium-containing metal films may be formed on a substrate, such as indium-copper metallization, and shallow junction indium ion-implanted structures may be formed in integrated circuitry, using the precursors of the invention.

Abstract: A light emitting assembly comprising a solid state device coupleable with a power supply constructed and arranged to power the solid state device to emit from the solid state device a first, relatively shorter wavelength radiation, and a down-converting luminophoric medium arranged in receiving relationship to said first, relatively shorter wavelength radiation, and which in exposure to said first, relatively shorter wavelength radiation, is excited to responsively emit second, relatively longer wavelength radiation. In a specific embodiment, monochromatic blue or UV light output from a light-emitting diode is down-converted to white light by packaging the diode with fluorescent organic and/or inorganic fluorescers and phosphors in a polymeric matrix.

Abstract: A Zr-doped (Ba,Sr)TiO3 perovskite crystal material dielectric thin film. Such dielectric thin film is characterized by at least one of the characteristics including: (a) a breakdown strength of at least 1.3 MV/cm; (b) a leakage current of not more than 1×10−3 A/cm2 under applied voltage of about ±3V or above and at temperature of about 100° C. or above; and (c) an energy storage density of at least 15 J/cc. The dielectric thin film comprises zirconium dopant in the amount of 0.5% to 50% by total weight of the Zr-doped (Ba,Sr)TiO3 perovskite crystal material, preferably 2-15%, more preferably 4% to 14%, and most preferably 5% to 12%. Such dielectric thin film in a preferred aspect is deposited by a MOCVD process using metal precursors Ba(thd)2-polyamine, Sr(thd)2-polyamine, Zr(thd)4, and Ti(OiPr)2(thd)2 at a deposition temperature in the range from about 560° C. to 700° C.

Abstract: The present invention comprises formulations for stripping wafer residues which originate from a halogen based plasma metal etching followed by oxygen plasma ashing. The formulations contain the following general components (percentages are by weight): Boric Acid  2-17% Organic amine or mixture of amines 35-70% Water 20-45% Glycol solvent (optional)  0-5% Chelating agent (optional)  0-17% The preferred amines are: Monoethanolamine (MEA) Triethanolamine (TEA).

Abstract: A method for detecting mutated alleles in an excess of wild type alleles in a sample by isolating sample DNA; amplifying a target DNA sequence; and separating mutated DNA sequences from wild type DNA sequences by virtue of the preferential binding of the wild type sequences to carrier-bound complementary oligonucleotides. The amplification and separation steps may be iterated through one or more additional cycles to enhance sensitivity.

Abstract: A system for the generation of live Bimavirus such as infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), a segmented double-stranded (ds) RNA virus of the Bimaviridae family, using synthetic transcripts derived from cloned DNA has been developed. Independent full-length cDNA clones were constructed which contained the entire coding and non-coding regions of RNA segments A and B of IBDV, respectively. Synthetic RNAs of both segments were produced by in vitro transcriptions of linearized plasmids with T7 RNA polymerase. Transfection of Vero cells with combined plus-sense transcripts of both segments generated infectious virus as early as 36 hours post-transfection. The development of a reverse genetics system for dsRNA viruses will greatly facilitate studies of the regulation of viral gene expression pathogenesis, and design of a new generation of live and inactivated vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides of one or more portions of the human chorionic gonadotropin &bgr;-chain as well as methods of promoting hematopoiesis, using human chorionic gonadotropin, employing the &bgr;-chain of human chorionic gonadotropin, peptides containing a sequence of one or more portions of the &bgr;-chain of human chorionic gonadotropin and derivatives and analogues thereof. The invention further relates to fractions of sources and or perparations of human chorionic gonadotropin, such as fractions of humna early pregnancy urine, which fractions have pro-hematopoietic activity. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions for promoting hematopoiesis.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for purifying one or more target substances from a source liquid, employing one or more cross-flow filter elements, and one or more types of chromatography resins, in combination, to provide purification with advantageous yield, product purity, and cost- and time-efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen sensor including a thin film sensor element formed by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) or physical vapor deposition (PVD), on a micro-hotplate structure. The thin film sensor element includes a film of a hydrogen-interactive metal film that reversibly interacts with hydrogen to provide a correspondingly altered response characteristic, such as optical transmissivity, electrical conductance, electrical resistance, electrical capacitance, magneto resistance, photoconductivity, etc., relative to the response characteristic of the film in the absence of hydrogen. The hydrogen-interactive metal film may be overcoated with a thin film hydrogen-permeable barrier layer to protect the hydrogen-interactive film from deleterious interaction with non-hydrogen species. The hydrogen permeable barrier may comprise species to scavenge oxygen and other like species.

Abstract: A boule formed by high rate vapor phase growth of Group III-V nitride boules (ingots) on native nitride seeds, from which wafers may be derived for fabrication of microelectronic device structures. The boule is of microelectronic device quality, e.g., having a transverse dimension greater than 1 centimeter, a length greater than 1 millimeter, and a top surface defect density of less than 107 defects cm−2. The Group III-V nitride boule may be formed by growing a Group III-V nitride material on a corresponding native Group III-V nitride seed crystal by vapor phase epitaxy at a growth rate above 20 micrometers per hour.

Abstract: The present inventors have found that certain preparations containing LPS and/or lipid A variants, derivatives, and/or analogs demonstrate non-pyrogenic properties and exhibit anti-viral activities. In particular, non-pyrogenic preparations of LPS, lipid A, LPS antagonists and lipid A antagonists, and derivatives thereof induce &bgr; chemokine secretion, such as MIP-1&bgr;, but not proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF&agr;, IL-1&bgr; and IL-6. Non-pyrogenic preparations of the invention have been demonstrated by the Applicant to suppress HIV replication in human peripheral blood monocytes, as described by way of example herein. The present invention provides preparations of LPS or lipid A variants, analogs and derivatives of decreased or absent pyrogenicity which can be used as therapeutics for the treatment or prevention of immunodeficiency virus infection and its consequences.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the indirect determination of concentrations of additives in metal plating electrolyte solutions, particularly organic additives in Cu-metalization baths for semiconductor manufacturing. Plating potentials between the reference and test electrodes are measured and plotted for each of the solution mixtures, and data are extrapolated to determine the concentration of the additive in the sample. A multi-cycle method determines the concentration of both accelerator and suppressor organic additives in Cu plating solution in a single test suite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vector which is suitable for gene prophylaxis/gene therapy, containing a nucleic acid fragment coding for a mutated prion protein. The invention further relates to a vaccination agent which contains the vector in addition to the usual auxiliary agents, and to the use of the vector or vaccination agent in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of prion diseases. The invention further relates to non-human mammals, e.g. working animals, which are resistant to prion infections.

Abstract: Novel pest control compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, and methods for using such compounds and compositions against a variety of pests, including pests of agricultural crops.

Abstract: Compositions useful for chemical vapor delivery (CVD) formation of copper layers in semiconductor integrated circuits, e.g., interconnect metallization in semiconductor device structures, as an adhesive seed layer for plating, for the deposition of a thin-film recording head or for circuitization of packaging components. The copper precursor formulation may include one or more copper precursors, e.g., a precursor of the formula hfac(Cu)L where L is a low-cost ligand such as an alkene and/or alkyne such as [(hfac)Cu]2 (DMDVS). The formulation may include in addition to the copper precursor(s) one or more low-cost ligand species such as alkenes, alkynes, dienes and combinations thereof, to increase thermal stability of the formulation and provide enhanced vaporization properties for CVD.

Abstract: An FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly electrically coupleable with an MP3 player. The assembly includes a modular docking unit having a main body portion with a docking cavity therein, wherein the main body portion contains the FM transmitter and power/charging circuitry, with coupling means in the docking cavity for connecting the MP3 player with the FM transmitter and power/charging circuitry, to accommodate FM transmission by the FM transmitter of audio content when played by the MP3 player in the docking cavity of the modular docking unit, and adapted for transmitting electrical power through the modular docking unit and the power/charging circuitry therein, for charging of a battery of the MP3 player and/or powering of the MP3 player.