Abstract: Recombinant mycobacterial vaccine vehicles capable of expressing DNA of interest which encodes at least one protein antigen for at least one pathogen against which an immune response is desired and which can be incorporated into the mycobacteria or stably integrated into the mycobacterial genome. The vaccine vehicles are useful for administration to mammalian hosts for purposes of immunization. A recombinant vector which replicates in E. coli but not in mycobacteria is also disclosed. The recombinant vector includes 1) a mycobacterial gene or portions thereof, necessary for recombination with homologous sequences in the genome of mycobacteria transformed with the recombinant plasmid; 2) all or a portion of a gene which encodes a polypeptide or protein whose expression is desired in mycobacteria transformed with the recombinant plasmid; 3) DNA sequences necessary for replication and selection in E. coli; and 4) DNA sequences necessary for selection in mycobacteria (e.g., drug resistance).

Abstract: TSG101 is a tumor susceptibility gene whose homozygous functional knock out in fibroblasts leads to transformation and the ability of these cells to form metastatic tumors in nude mice. The cellular transformation that results from inactivation of TSG101 is reversible by restoration of TSG101 function. Decreased expression of TSG101 is associated with the occurrence of certain human cancers, including breast carcinomas. The TSG101 nucleic acid compositions find use in identifying homologous or related proteins and the DNA sequences encoding such proteins; in producing compositions that modulate the expression or function of the protein; and in studying associated physiological pathways. In addition, modulation of the gene activity in vivo is used for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes, such as treatment of cancer, identification of cell type based on expression, and the like.

Abstract: Catalysts, catalyst systems and processes for production of alternating copolymers of ethylene and alpha olefins, and to novel classes of atactic and isotactic alternating copolymers of ethylene and alpha olefins, which copolymers include a wide range of crystallinity and exhibit commercially useful properties. Appropriate selection of ligand substituents permit the catalysts to be symmetric or assymetric, resulting in atactic, or isotactic or atactic, respectively, alternatingf copolymers of ethylene with alpha olefins. The novel class of bridged flourenyl metallocene catalysts of the invention is assymetric structural form interconvert between states during polymerization of ethylene with alpha olefins to produce alternating isotactic or atactic copolymers.

Abstract: Dimerization and oligomerization of proteins are general biological control mechanisms that contribute to the activation of cell membrane receptors, transcription factors, vesicle fusion proteins, and other classes of intra- and extracellular proteins. We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins. In principle, any two target proteins can be induced to associate by treating the cells or organisms that harbor them with cell permeable, synthetic ligands. To illustrate the practice of this invention, we have induced: (1) the intracellular aggregation of the cytoplasmic tail of the .zeta.

Abstract: An optical fiber has two or more cores with respective faces on the fiber's ends. The faces are preferably oriented so that optical radiation can be coupled into or out of the individual cores, thereby permitting, for example, optical radiation from the various cores to be spatially resolved in the far field. The faces can be formed on the fiber by polishing the fiber at an angle with respect to the cores, i.e., with respect to the optical paths traversed by the optical radiation passing through the fiber.

Abstract: A method of patterning domains within a body of a ferroelectric material includes the application of an electric field thereto via spaced conductors. Prior to applying the electric field to the material effects on the patterning of the existence of fringe electric field components which will be created in said body by said application of an electric field, surface treatments, and relative geometries of the body and the conductors are examined.

Abstract: Dimerization and oligomerization of proteins are general biological control mechanisms that contribute to the activation of cell membrane receptors, transcription factors, vesicle fusion proteins, and other classes of intra- and extracellular proteins. We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins. In principle, any two target proteins can be induced to associate by treating the cells or organisms that harbor them with cell permeable, synthetic ligands. To illustrate the practice of this invention, we have induced: (1) the intracellular aggregation of the cytoplasmic tail of the .xi.

Abstract: The human DNA polymerase .alpha. catalytic polypeptide has been functionally over-expressed by a recombinant baculovirus in insect cells at >1000 fold higher levels than that found in cultured normal human cells.

Abstract: A method for forming an adaptive phased array transmission beam pattern at a base station without any knowledge of array geometry or mobile feedback is described. The approach is immune to the problems which plague methods which attempt to identify received angles of arrival from the mobile and map this information to an optimum transmit beam pattern. In addition, this approach does not suffer the capacity penalty and mobile handset complexity increase associated with mobile feedback. Estimates of the receive vector propagation channels are used to estimate transmit vector channel covariance matrices which form objectives and constraints in quadratic optimization problems leading to optimum beam former solutions for the single user case, and multiple user case. The new invention in capable of substantial frequency re-use capacity improvement in a multiple user cellular network.

Abstract: The human DNA polymerase .alpha. catalytic polypeptide has been functionally over-expressed by a recombinant baculovirus in insect cells at >1000 fold higher levels than that found in cultured normal human cells.

Abstract: Voice activation of functions on a network such as the Internet are accomplished using a speech recognition system running synchronously with standard desktop-based Internet functions. This synchronous operation allows voice-based control to be exercised for all operations on the Internet. System functions are based on a unique combination of a local web browser, a remotely-located speech/web server, and control links between a web browser and a speech/web server. The control links provide a mechanism for controlling a speech server from a web page and a mechanism for driving both the local, as well as a remote, web browser.

Abstract: Described is a simple and robust method and system for generating new views from arbitrary camera positions without depth information or feature matching, simply by combining and resampling the available images. This technique interprets input images as two-dimensional slices of a four dimensional function--the light field. This function completely characterizes the flow of light through unobstructed space in a static scene with fixed illumination. A sampled representation for light fields allows for both efficient creation and display of inward and outward looking views. Light fields may be created from large arrays of both rendered and digitized image. The latter are acquired with a video camera mounted on a computer-controlled gantry. Once a light field has been created, new views may be constructed in real time by extracting slices in appropriate directions.

Abstract: A cavity ring-down system for performing cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) using optical heterodyne detection of a ring-down wave E.sub.RD during a ring-down phase or a ring-up wave E.sub.RU during a ring up phase. The system sends a local oscillator wave E.sub.LO and a signal wave E.sub.SIGNAL to the cavity, preferably a ring resonator, and derives an interference signal from the combined local oscillator wave E.sub.LO and the ring-down wave E.sub.RD (or ring-up wave E.sub.RU). The local oscillator wave E.sub.LO has a first polarization and the ring-down wave E.sub.RD has a second polarization different from the first polarization. The system has a combining arrangement for combining or overlapping local oscillator wave E.sub.LO and the ring-down wave E.sub.RD at a photodetector, which receives the interference signal and generates a heterodyne current I.sub.H therefrom. Frequency and phase differences between the waves are adjustable.

Abstract: A probe for a scanning probe microscope includes a cantilever having a length defined between a free end and a base end. The base end is connected to a support. The free end includes a sharp tip, and is free to oscillate at a selected frequency. The probe also includes a knife-edge structure that is positioned adjacent to the cantilever and perpendicular to the length of the cantilever. The knife edge inhibits the cantilever from vibrating at a first-order resonant frequency of the cantilever, and instead encourages the cantilever to vibrate at third or higher order resonant frequencies.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for monitoring cells and to a method for monitoring changes in cells upon addition of an analyte to the cell's environment, comprising a device which includes an array of microelectrodes disposed in a cell culture chamber, upon which array a portion of cells adhere to the surfaces of the microelectrodes. The diameter of the cells are larger than the diameters of the microelectrodes. A voltage signal is applied across each of the microelectrodes and a reference electrode. Detection and monitoring of the signals resulting from the application of the voltage signal provides information regarding the electrical characteristics of the individual cells, including impedance (combined cell membrane capacitance and conductance), action potential parameters, cell membrane capacitance, cell membrane conductance, and cell/substrate seal resistance. Such an invention is useful in detecting or screening a variety of biological and chemical agents.

Abstract: Dimerization and oligomerization of proteins are general biological control mechanisms that contribute to the activation of cell membrane receptors, transcription factors, vesicle fusion proteins, and other classes of intra- and extracellular proteins. We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins. In principle, any two target proteins can be induced to associate by treating the cells or organisms that harbor them with cell permeable, synthetic ligands. To illustrate the practice of tis invention, we have induced: (1) the intracellular aggregation of the cytoplasmic tail of the .zeta.

Abstract: This microscope apparatus comprises two probes. The first probe is configured to interact with and measure characteristics of surfaces within an effective measurement distance of the first probe. This probe could be contact type, non-contact type, constant force mode, or constant height mode. A combination of actuation devices positions the first probe over a surface of a sample. The surface is scanned at high speeds in search of a target area. When a target area is found, a scanner moves the sample so that a second contact type probe with a sharp tip is positioned over the target area. The second probe is activated and the target area is scanned at low speeds and high resolution. The first and second probes are part of the same probe assembly. The probe assembly of the present invention does not require probe replacement as frequently as current assemblies because the sharp tip is used only at low speeds and high resolution configurations.

Abstract: Dimerization and oligomerization of proteins are general biological control mechanisms that contribute to the activation of cell membrane receptors, transcription factors, vesicle fusion proteins, and other classes of intra- and extracellular proteins. We have developed a general procedure for the regulated (inducible) dimerization or oligomerization of intracellular proteins. In principle, any two target proteins can be induced to associate by treating the cells or organisms that harbor them with cell permeable, synthetic ligands. To illustrate the practice of this invention, we have induced: (1) the intracellular aggregation of the cytoplasmic tail of the .zeta.

Abstract: Activation of NF-AT-dependent transcription, including agents which interfere with the production, modification of the nuclear or cytoplasmic subunits, or the nuclear import of the cytoplasmic subunits. In particular, screening tests for novel immunosuppressants are provided based upon the ability of NF-AT to activate transcription.

Abstract: Layered structures (e.g., Al-Si/Ti/Al-Si . . . ) and homogeneous alloys of aluminum and aluminum/1 at. % silicon with titanium and tungsten and other refractory metals have been found to significantly reduce hillock densities in the films when small amounts of titanium or tungsten are homogeneously added. However, the resistivity of the films can become excessive. In addition, a new type of low density hillock can form. Layering of the films eliminates all hillocks and results in films of low resistivity. Such layered and homogeneous films made with Al-Si and Ti were found to be dry etchable. Electrical shorts in test structures with two levels of metal and LPCVD SiO2 as an interlayer dielectric have been characterized and layered films using Al-Si and Ti gave excellent results.