Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a waveguide structure for differential transmission lines. The waveguide structure includes a first ground structure, a first signal line, a second ground structure, a second signal line, a third ground structure. The first signal line is typically positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to the first ground structure. The second ground structure has a first separation distance from the first ground structure and is typically positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to the first signal line. The first signal line is typically positioned between both the first and second ground structures. The second signal line typically a has a second separation distance from the first signal line and is positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to the second ground structure. The second ground structure is typically positioned between both the first and second signal lines.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring and predicting information on the position of approaching aircraft are disclosed. The system features a processor, an interrogating antenna, a receiving antenna, and a data link. The processor schedules interrogations and suppression pulses. Both of the antennas and the data link are in signal communication with the processor. The interrogating antenna transmits interrogations to a plurality of approaching aircraft. At least some of the interrogations include suppression pulses. The receiving antenna comprises at least three fixed, broad azimuth, array elements. The receiving antenna receives replies from each of the plurality of approaching aircraft and communicates the replies to the processor. The processor determines a state for each of the plurality of approaching aircraft based on the replies. The data link communicates information on the state of each of the plurality of approaching aircraft from the processor.

Abstract: A vacuum electron device with a photonic bandgap structure that provides the ability to tune the behavior of the device to a particular mode of a plurality of modes of propagation. The photonic bandgap structure comprises a plurality of members, at least one of which is movable, and at least one of which is temperature controlled. The photonic bandgap structure makes possible the selection of one mode of propagation without the necessity to build structures having dimensions comparable to the wavelength of the propagation mode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of treating mammalian, for example, human, skin afflicted with a sebaceous follicle disorder, for example, acne. The method involves cooling an exposed surface of a region afflicted with the disorder and applying energy, for example, energy from a coherent or incoherent light source, to the region. The applied energy reduces the size and/or density of lesions associated with the disorder in the treated region, and can reduce or otherwise alleviate lesion-associated skin inflammation in the treated region. Cooling preserves the surface, for example, epidermis, of the skin. The method, therefore, is effective at treating the disorder while at the same time avoiding or minimizing thermal damage to the exposed surface of the skin.

Abstract: A non-invasive apparatus and method for treating open angle glaucoma in a human eye comprises thermally ablating a targeted region of the trabecular meshwork of a human eye by irradiating the region with a beam of pulsed laser radiation. The beam of pulsed radiation has a wavelength between 350 and 1300 nanometers, energy of 10 to 500 millijoules per pulse, and pulse duration of 0.1 to 50 microseconds. The beam is non-invasively delivered gonioscopically through the cornea onto a targeted region of the trabecular meshwork. The targeted region of the trabecular meshwork is illuminated at a spot size of between 50 and 300 microns in diameter.

Abstract: Methods of the invention comprise assays for markers indicative of cancer, precancer, and other diseases or disorders. Assays of the invention are preformed on heterogeneous samples obtained from patients by non-invasive or minimally-invasive methods. Such assays may be employed alone or in combination with other disease screening techniques.

Abstract: A deflectable interstitial ablation device includes an elongated housing, an electrode mounted within the elongated housing, a driver coupled to the electrode, an imaging device integrally mounted within the elongated housing and a deflection system disposed within the elongated housing. The elongated housing has a proximal end, a distal end, and a deflectable segment. The electrode is deployable from a first position within the elongated housing to a second position a predetermined distance beyond the distal end of the elongated housing. The electrode further has a flexible portion capable of deflecting with the deflectable segment of the elongated housing, and can be deployed by the driver with a sufficient force such that penetration of the urethral wall occurs in a single motion. The imaging device further has a flexible portion capable of deflecting with the deflectable segment of the elongated housing.

Abstract: A method is provided for elevating the stability of peptides containing the sequence -Asp-Gly- or -Asn-Gly- by preventing these sequences from changing into succinimide compounds or &bgr;-transition compounds. The method comprises adding an organic acid to a solution of peptides containing these sequences to bring the pH value of the solution to a pH of between 5 and 6.5 followed by freeze-drying. In one embodiment, sucrose or mannitol is added together with the organic acid. Freeze-dried medicinal compositions obtained by using the method have excellent stability. In one embodiment of the invention, compositions produced by the method are provided and comprise hirudin or hirudin variants.

Abstract: A synthetic aperture system for producing a non-periodic pattern in a region of overlap. The system includes a source of electromagnetic radiation producing a plurality of electromagnetic beams, a plurality of beam controllers positioned to receive a respective one of the plurality of electromagnetic beams and direct the respective electromagnetic beam into the region of overlap; and a system controller in electrical communication with each of the plurality of the beam controllers. Each beam controller controls at least one of the phase, amplitude and polarization of a respective one of the plurality of electromagnetic beams in response to control signals from the system controller. The result is a non-periodic pattern formed within the region of overlap by the interference of a plurality of electromagnetic beams in response to the control signals from the system controller.The invention also relates to a method for producing a non-periodic pattern in a region of overlap.

Abstract: An end effector in a transport module includes a body and a web defined by a panel and first and second flanges at opposite panel ends. The first flange is attached to the body. The second flange is displaced from, and transverse to, the panel. Rods extending through the flanges into the body rigidify the web. Springs disposed in holes in the body and extending between the first flange and the body balance the web relative to the body. The second flange and a ledge on the body adjacent the first flange support the substrate opposite ends with the central portion of the substrate displaced from the body and the web. A robotic assembly formed from a plurality of arms is coupled to the body. The arms are pivotable relative to one another and to the body between contracted and expanded relationships. With the arms contracted, the body and the web are rotatable in the transport module between positions facing the cassette module or the process module.

Abstract: An end effector in a transport module includes a body and a web defined by a panel and first and second flanges at opposite panel ends. The first flange is attached to the body. The second flange is displaced from, and transverse to, the panel. Rods extending through the flanges into the body rigidity the web. Springs disposed in holes in the body and extending between the first flange and the body balance the web relative to the body. The second flange and a ledge on the body adjacent the first flange support the substrate opposite ends with the central portion of the substrate displaced from the body and the web. A robotic assembly formed from a plurality of arms is coupled to the body. The arms are pivotable relative to one another and to the body between contracted and expanded relationships. With the arms contracted, the body and the web are rotatable in the transport module between positions facing the cassette module or the process module.

Abstract: An end effector in a transport module includes a body and a web defined by a panel and first and second flanges at opposite panel ends. The first flange is attached to the body. The second flange is displaced from, and transverse to, the panel. Rods extending through the flanges into the body rigidify the web. Springs disposed in holes in the body and extending between the first flange and the body balance the web relative to the body. The second flange and a ledge on the body adjacent the first flange support the substrate opposite ends with the central portion of the substrate displaced from the body and the web. A robotic assembly formed from a plurality of arms is coupled to the body. The arms are pivotable relative to one another and to the body between contracted and expanded relationships. With the arms contracted, the body and the web are rotatable in the transport module between positions facing the cassette module or the process module.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated peptides relating to the autoimmune diseases pemphigus vulgaris and multiple sclerosis. The peptides relating to pemphigus vulgaris are self epitopes and those relating to multiple sclerosis are foreign antigens derived from human pathogens which are implicated in the aetiology and remissions of the disease. Pharamaceutical preparations for tolerizing and/or immunizing individuals are provided as well as methods relating thereto. Methods are provided for identifying other self and non-self epitopes involved in human autoimmune disease and similar pharamaceutical preparations and methods of use for these epitopes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptide having a primary structure of amino acid sequence shown by Sequence List Sequence No. 1 and DNA encoding for the polypeptide. The polypeptide is obtainable by following steps (1)-(3):Step (1): extracting small granule fraction of homocytes of horseshoe crab with a buffer containing protein denaturing agent and chelating agent,Step (2): subjecting said extract to reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography,Step (3): eluting by concentration gradient elution with a hydrophobic organic solvent.Also, the polypeptide is produced by chemical synthesis. The polypeptide has similar chemical structure to defensin and is useful as gargles, disinfectants, antiseptics or antimicrobials.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for a novel morphogenic protein; (2) methods for producing and expressing the protein in a biologically active form; and (3) methods for utilizing the protein to induce tissue morphogenesis in a mammal, including methods for increasing a progenitor cell population in a mammal, methods for stimulating progenitor cells to differentiate and maintain their differentiated phenotype in vivo or in vitro, methods for inducing tissue-specific growth in vivo and methods for the replacement of diseased or damaged tissue in vivo.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing increased amounts of a protein of interest in a cell by induction. The method includes transfecting a cell with multiple copies of an expression vector, each copy of which includes an expressible gene encoding an enzymatically functional dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and an expressible gene encoding a protein of interest. Transfected cells are cultured in the presence of methotrexate (MTX) to produce a plurality of clones. A clone containing plural copy number of the vectors which co-express DHFR and the protein of interest is then selected and cultured. The cultured clone is treated with MTX to enhance the expression of the protein of interest by inducing an increase in transcription without substantially amplifying the genes encoding the protein of interest and DHFR.

Abstract: Disclosed is an osteogenic device capable of inducing the formation of endochondral bone in a shape conforming substantially to the shape of the device when implanted in a mammalian host. The device includes an osteogenic protein dispersed within a porous matrix comprising a polymer of collagen and glycosaminoglycan cross-linked to an M.sub.c value of about 800 to about 60,000. Also disclosed are a method of inducing mammalian bone growth, and a method of inducing conductive bone growth from viable mammalian bone.

Abstract: A class-D pulse width modulated amplifier. The amplifier includes a current switch, an integrator and a comparator connected in a feedback loop. The feedback loop generates an ultrasonic frequency carrier which is utilized in the pulse width modulation of an audio input signal. In one embodiment a current switch and an audio input source are in electrical communication with an integrator. The output signal of the integrator is the input signal to a phase split differential output comparator having hysteresis. The differential output signals of the comparator are the input signals both to a load and to the current switch, thereby completing the feedback loop. In one embodiment the current switch includes compression circuitry.

Abstract: Disclosed are 1) compositions comprising isolated monomeric subunits of chaperonin-60 or truncated fragments thereof that promote the folding of a polypeptide chain in vitro, 2) monomeric subunits of chaperonin-60 or truncated fragments thereof, immobilized on a solid surface, that promote also the folding of a polypeptide chain in vitro, 3) methods for preparing and/or immobilizing the monomeric subunits of chaperonin-60 or truncated fragments thereof, and 4) methods for folding polypeptide chains, specifically polypeptide chains expressed in a heterologous expression system, in vitro using the monomeric subunits of chaperonin-60 or truncated fragments thereof.

Abstract: A biochemical procedure for identification and characterization of cells in a biopsy or sample of a body fluid. The method can be used to determine cell type, i.e. epidermal, neuronal; tissue of origin, i.e. breast tissue, liver tissue; and degree of abnormality. The procedure can also be used to make antibodies and hybridization probes to detect cell or tissue specific antigens and nuclear matrix associated nucleic acids in cellular material and body fluids.The procedure is based on the isolation and analysis of the components of a specific subcellular protein fraction referred to here as the "nuclear matrix". The nuclear matrix includes proteins and nuclear matrix associated DNA specific to different cell types. These proteins and nucleic acids are altered or new ones expressed as a result of viral infection, genetic defects or malignancy.