Abstract: The present invention describes methods for the production of oligonucleotides under conditions which exploit the desirable characteristics, such as the property of sustaining high degrees of substitution, of functionalized organic polymeric supports while avoiding the sluggish kinetics and low rates of conversion which normally plague syntheses involving such solid supports. By employing the methods and materials disclosed, functionalized support, substituted to a degree of about 250 &mgr;mol/g, can be utilized at greater than 98% conversion levels for each sequential nucleotide coupling cycle, to provide unprecedented amounts of isolated oligonucleotide per gram of solid support.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved mushroom cultivation materials which are amenable to improved uniformity of application to mushroom beds. The invention features such materials having particulate indicator therein having a color which is discernable from the organic substrates of the cultivation materials. The application may be followed under incandescent, fluorescent or ultraviolet light or in accordance with other means.

Abstract: A pledge-based resource allocation system is provided in a client/server environment. In this system, resources, such as database objects, are allocated to clients for a limited time period. Allocating resources to clients for a limited time period ensures that a client cannot allocate a resource for so long as to affect other client's use of the resource. This limited use of resources also has other benefits, such as preventing concurrency problems like deadlock. Additionally, using this scheme, a client knows for how long it can utilize a resource since it knows for how long the resource will be valid (i.e., how long it integrity can be guaranteed) and can plan accordingly. Another aspect of the pledge-based resource allocation system is that it efficiently stores a directory structure containing allocation-related information for all resources in the system. This aspect provides that when accessing resource information, all related information of related resources are grouped closely together (i.e.

Abstract: A system and method of positioning an eye of a subject at a selected point in space uses a holographic optical element containing indicia. The indicia are selectively visible to a user when the user is outside a volume surrounding the selected point and direct the user toward the volume. This system can be used with a camera to take an image of the eye from which the subject can be identified.

Abstract: Methods of and compositions for killing or inhibiting the growth of a bacteria are disclosed. The methods comprise the use of peptide nucleic acid that is targeted to mRNA and/or rRNA. In certain embodiments, methods include the use of one or more separate antibiotics.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved ingress of therapeutic and other moieties into cellular targets. In accordance with preferred embodiments, complexes are provided which carry primary moieties, chiefly therapeutic moieties, to such target cells. Such complexes preferably feature cell surface receptor ligands to provide specificity. Such ligands are preferably bound to primary moieties through polyfunctional manifold compounds.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for modulating c-jun expression using inhibitors of PKC-&agr;. In preferred embodiments, the specific inhibitors are antisense oligonucleotides hybridizable to PKC-&agr;. In preferred embodiments, the oligonucleotides contain one or more chemical modifications.

Abstract: An improved disk drive actuator for moving read/write heads to interface with a storage medium of a disk cartridge has an improved head lifting tab. The head lifting tab has first and second curved portions. The first portion may be curved about the longitudinal axis of the lifting tab. The second portion is curved about a line that is in angular relationship with the longitudinal axis, and about the longitudinal axis. The curved first portion increases the stiffness of the actuator, and the curved second portion defines a camming surface for slidably engaging the load ramp and lifting the heads away from a disk cartridge.

Abstract: In a discharge pulsation damping apparatus of a compressor according to this invention, an expansion muffler 46 and a resonance muffler 58 each having a predetermined capacity are defined inside cylinder blocks 11 and 12 through partitions 59 and 60 so that the resonance muffler 58 is situated at a position higher than the expansion muffler 46 in a gravitational direction (vertical direction). The expansion muffler 46is connected to discharge chambers 38 and 39 and to an outlet 48, and both mufflers 46 and 58 are communicated by a communication passage 61 formed in the partitions 59and 60. The capacity of the resonance muffler 58, the open sectional area of the communication passage 61 and its passage length are set to values such that a pressure change capable of offsetting specific frequency components of the discharge pulsation inside the expansion muffler 46 can be generated inside the resonance muffler 58.

Abstract: Ultrasonic techniques are applied to the measurement of wooden members to detect splitting during sawing operations and thereby allow modification of sawing technique or change in saw cut placement.

Abstract: A system and method which is used to identify and discriminate the type of data storage cartridge that has been inserted into a disk drive. A system for identifying a type of data storage cartridge having a marker comprises a light source for emitting light to illuminate the marker, a first photodetector for measuring a first intensity of light received from the marker, a second photodetector for measuring a second intensity of light received from the marker; and a microprocessor for determining the type of data storage cartridge responsive to said first intensity and said second intensity. The determination is made responsive to a comparison of the first and second intensities. An optical detection mechanism is provided so that it can be ascertained with near certainty that an inserted object is an appropriate disk cartridge of a certain type or generation. Sensor comparison (e.g.

Abstract: A disk drive has an improved ability to detect the presence of a disk cartridge inserted into the drive. The improved disk drive comprises a source of irradiance and a detector of irradiance. When a disk cartridge is inserted into the drive, the detector is optically connected to the source of irradiance by a reflective marker on the cartridge. The emitting surface of the source is oriented such that the irradiance strikes the reflective marker at an angle substantially less than 90 degrees. The detector surface which receives the reflected irradiance is oriented in a manner similar to the emitting surface. This detection system exploits the relatively unique characteristic of certain reflective markers to reflect light in a direction opposite the incident path when the angle of incidence with the reflecting surface is substantially less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A mold assembly for making a polymeric container that is shaped to exhibit superior characteristics of light weighting, stability against toppling and resistance to stress cracking includes a conventional cylindrical body portion having a longitudinal axis and a circumferential sidewall and a novel bottom portion. The bottom portion includes a central pushup area of uniformity that is substantially uniform within a spatial rotation about the longitudinal axis. The area of uniformity has a radius RG. The bottom also includes a plurality of support feet that surround and protrude downwardly from the pushup area. Each of the support feet have a bottom support surface with an inner point of contact and an outer point of contact. The outer points of contact together define an outer contact radius ROC. The bottom portion as a whole has a radius of maximum width RBASE. A plurality of ribs are positioned in valleys between the support feet.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula (1) are described wherein W is a ═N—, and Z and L are described in the specifications. These compounds are phosphodiesterase type IV inhibitors and are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases such as asthma where an unwanted inflammatory response or muscular spasm is present.

Abstract: A chip detector includes a probe having a locking portion and a housing that receives the probe. The housing comprises two lugs. The lugs engage a corresponding pair of slots defined in the locking portion when the probe is fully inserted in the housing. In particular, a first contact surface on the locking portion abuts a first sidewall on the lug when the probe is fully inserted, thereby securely coupling the probe to the housing. A second contact surface on the locking portion abuts a second sidewall on the lug when the probe is fully inserted, thus preventing the probe from rotating in relation to the housing.

Abstract: A method for measuring a fundamental frequency of a power system comprises sampling voltage and current waveforms associated with the power system, wherein the voltage and current waveforms are characterized by a fundamental frequency component that may vary over time. Next, determine whether, according to a prescribed frequency tracking criterion, a present value of the fundamental frequency can be measured using voltage samples. If so, measure the fundamental frequency using the voltage samples, and set a best available value (“freq”) equal to the measured value based on voltage samples. If the fundamental frequency cannot be measured using the voltage samples, determine whether, according to the prescribed frequency tracking criterion, the present value of the fundamental frequency can be measured using current samples. If so, measure the fundamental frequency using the current samples and set the best available value equal to the measured value based on current samples.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamic modeling of an object having material points. The method includes receiving signals from a sensor which correspond to respective material points; providing a volumetric model, having functions as parameters, representative of the object; and adapting the parameters to fit a changing model shape. This method of dynamic shape modeling dynamic motion modeling or both includes shape estimation and motion analysis. The apparatus includes a signal processor for receiving signals from a sensor, a second signal processor for providing a volumetric model having functions as parameters representative of the object and a third signal processor for receiving sensed signals and adapting the model and providing a dynamic representation.