Abstract: The present invention relates to an oral pharmaceutical preparation which contains an acid or base labile pharmaceutical ingredient which is embedded in an oily matrix which is controlled at neutral pH. The oily matrix-embedded pharmaceutical ingredient is encapsulated and then being coated by an enteric coating. The enteric coating enables the pharmaceutical ingredient to reach the small intestine for absorption. The oily matrix has the advantages of avoiding acidic or basic conditions. It can also isolate moisture and oxygen so as to allow for greater absorption and bioavailability of the pharmaceutical ingredient in vivo.

Abstract: A method of making finger capacitors in an integrated circuit comprises forming a plurality of conductive strips in a substrate having a first dielectric constant, removing a portion of the substrate material between the conductive strips to define a space and then filling the space with a material having a second dielectric constant which is greater than the first dielectric constant. By selecting the proportion of the high and low dielectric constant materials, the capacitance of the finger capacitors can be selected to have any value from a minimum, in which very little of the original, first dielectric constant material is removed and replaced by the second dielectric constant material, to a maximum, in which all of the first dielectric constant material between the conductive strips is removed and replaced with the second dielectric constant material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the veracity of data. The method includes at least one comparison of manually input data and data generated by an automated process. The data generated by the automated process is typically the result of optical character recognition (OCR) and includes the generation of both classification of the optically read data as well as confidences for the data. For each piece of data processed by the OCR, the OCR program will generate a classification, which is a guess by the OCR program as to what that piece of data is, and a confidence level, which is the OCR's evaluation of how good the classification guess was. Depending on whether it is desired to check the accuracy of the manually input data or the results of the optical character recognition determines how the data is compared. The low confidence data is typically re-keyed into the system manually.

Abstract: This invention relates to the methods of detecting Penaeus monodon baculovirus (MBV). Two methods are established: the first one is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the second one is an ELISA. For the PCR method, two sets of primers are designed. The first set of primers is designed from the conserved sequences of nuclear polyhedrosis viruses (NPVs) DNA polymerase genes. The second set of primers is designed from the genomic DNA of MBV. The antibody for ELISA is an antiserum against the occlusion bodies of MBV.

Abstract: The invention discloses a combination driving hub for a bicycle. The hub has a pair of cups mating together at end faces thereof thus forming a housing. A central opening is defined in each cup through both of which a spindle having a first and a second end is inserted. A first and a second tube fitted respectively the first end and the second end of the spindle, are inserted in the two central openings. A freewheel gear is securely affixed on the second end of the second tube, and a driving means is provided between the first tube and an electric motor to drive the first tube. By increasing a rotational speed of either the first or the second driving bevel gear, a rotational speed of the hub will be increased by a half of this increase. Additionally, when a greater force is needed during riding, it will be obtained by adding electric motor force to the pedaling, or vice versa.

Abstract: A coin operated amusement device that includes a coin acceptor that directs coins down a coin chute and delivers the coins to a playing surface. A series of moveable pushers are oriented on the playing surface and push coins on the surface toward a ledge. The distance the pusher will travel toward the ledge is dependent on the timing of the insertion of the coin into the acceptor with respect to a moving indicator that constantly sweeps back and forth across a gauge. The pushers may be advanced independently or in unison. The object of the game is to time the insertion of coins so that the pusher will travel a maximum distance and push coins off the ledge.

Abstract: A dual-purpose pen has a barrel, a cap engaged with the barrel, and a ball point that is extendable from the end of the barrel, and a key-pressing point that is extendable from the end of the cap. The pen can be used for writing when the ball point is extended and for pressing keys when the key-pressing point is extended.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-purpose traveling luggage which comprises a case body with an associated cover at front and a backboard in the back. When the luggage is positioned in an erect position, the outer comers at the bottom of the associated cover has two caster wheels and the lower portion of the backboard is connected to a pair of leg supports. The lower portions of the leg supports comprise a pair of leg wheels, and the upper portions of the leg supports are connected to the outer edges at the midportion of the backboard. There is a pair of drive rod members having their lower portions connected to the lower outer edges of the backboard and their upper portions connected to each other by a connecting rod member. The drive rod members are connected to the leg supports through the engagement of elongated scissor grooves on the leg supports and scissor pins on the drive rod members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the finding and construction of fish insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) cDNAs which can be cloned and expressed in cells. This invention also relates to the production of biologically active fish IGF-II polypeptides by a gene expression system using fish IGF-II cDNAs. The fish IGF-II cDNAs have 1977 bp which transcribe into a prepeptide (signal peptide), and B, C, A, D, E domain peptides. The fish mature IGF-II is a single polypeptide containing the NH2—B—C—A—D—COOH domains. The mature IGF-II polypeptide is 7 kDa in weight and has 70 amino acids. The fish recombinant IGF-II cDNA can be cloned and expressed in E. coli, yeast, baculovirus, and fish cells. The isolated and purified IGF-II E domain peptide has mitogenic and anti-tumor activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations which contain (a) an inert core of sugar, sugar and starch, or microcrystalline cellulose, (b) a drug emulsion layer which is made from mixing a free base of benzimidazole derivative (such as omeprazole or lansoprazole) with a nonionic surfactant and water, (c) a protective coating which is made of a film-forming compound, and optionally a plasticizer or excipient, and (d) an enteric coating which is made of a pharmaceutically acceptable polymer and a plasticizer. Optionally, a basic amino acid can be added to the drug emulsion layer or the protective coating. The present invention also provides the method for making the pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: A filter is provided within a transparent drinking straw. The filter has a dense core region and a less dense outer peripherial region. The filter is retained in place within the straw by frictional forces under static conditions. The frictional forces which maintain the filter in place under static conditions may be overcome by fluid flowing through the straw causing the filter to move within the conduit. The filter may support particulate matter which may be a medication or drug. Accordingly, the device may be used as delivery device for drugs administered by oral ingestion. Movement of the filter from a first to a second position provides a visual indication that a predetemined volume of fluid has passed through the conduit.

Abstract: A method of forming spatially offset storage nodes for deep trench-based DRAMs on a semiconductor substrate. The method involves etching trenches in the surface of the substrate, masking adjacent trenches with a resist material, etching exposed trenches to a depth of about 1 micron. Removing the masking and etching all the trenches to form bulbulous regions in the sidewall of the trenches. The adjacent trenches having vertically spaced bulbulous regions are filled with dielectric material to form high capacitance storage nodes.

Abstract: This present invention relates to the findings of the DNA sequences of fish insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) promoter regions and recombinant IGF-II promoters. These DNA sequences are capable of being expressed in eukaryotic cells and fish embryos of another fish species. The integration of the IGF-II promoter regions or recombinant IGF-II promoters into fish of another species results in the creation of a transgenic fish. The results of this invention illustrate that a fish IGF-II promoter not only can act as a growth factor to stimulate the growth and development of fish, but also is capable of being expressed in other eukaryotic cells such as in human cells.

Abstract: A putting practice device for practicing the velocity of a putt which has a ramp section and two trough sections. A ball having a predetermined speed will travel up the ramp and fall into the first trough section. If the ball has insufficient velocity to climb a ridge which defines the rear of the trough, it will be momentarily retained in the first trough section and fed to a lateral side of the device. Balls traveling with greater velocity may pass over the ridge and enter a second trough area where they will be momentarily retained and fed to a lateral side of the device.

Abstract: The invention discloses a toy brick game having at least two toy bricks and at least one connector for connecting the above at least two toy bricks together. The toy bricks can be one of a variety of geometrical shapes but have at least three side edges. Each side edge has a notch and two cylindrical stubs formed on the surface defining the notch. The connector can connect two or more toy bricks together by engaging a slit defined in a pole thereof with the cylindrical stub. The engagement is not only easily achieved and strong enough to allow robust models to be constructed, it also allows one toy brick to be able to rotate in two directions with respect to another toy brick connected thereto by the connector thus providing the user interest and pleasure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fast-release as well as a prolonged release type of nifedipine pellets and the process for the preparation thereof. The fast-release type of nifedipine pellets comprises a particulate core which is covered by a nifedipine coating layer. The particulate core comprises water-soluble or water-insoluble excipient(s) and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier. The nifedipine coating layer comprises an effective amount of nifedipine dissolved in organic solvent(s). This nifedipine coating layer can further be mixed with a suspension which comprises an adhesive, an emulsifier, and a dispersant. The preferred composition of the fast-release type of nifedipine includes 20-70% of the particulate core, 3-15% of nifedipine, 1-20% of emulsifier, 1-20% of adhesive, and 1-30% of dispersant.

Abstract: A vehicle horn activation system which is triggered by the forward movement of the vehicle operator's head. An array of light sources and photo detectors create a light curtain which is positioned in a location that allows the driver to move his head into the light curtain, thereby interrupting the emitted light. When the light curtain is broken a signal is generated which activates the horn.