Abstract: An immunotherapeutic agent is prepared from cells of E. coli or members of the genus Mycobacterium. The material is effective as an anti-tumor agent, an immunostimulant, and an adjuvant. Also disclosed is a method of evoking an immunostimulatory response through the activation of the RAS gene.

Abstract: A data detector is disclosed which includes a source of a data signal representing a sequence of symbols. A maximum likelihood sequence detector, is coupled to the data signal source, and produces a most likely survivor sequence, which includes a plurality of symbols. A decision feedback equalizer and a phase detector, controlling the timing of the sampling of the data signal, are made responsive to the most likely survivor sequence.

Abstract: A system for processing a plurality of tests or syntheses in parallel comprising a sample channel for moving samples into a microlaboratory array of a plurality of wells connected by one or more channels for the testing or synthesis of samples, a station for housing the array and an optical system comprising at least one light source and at least one light detector for measuring the samples in the array, and a means of electrically connecting said array to an apparatus capable of monitoring and controlling the flow of fluids into the array.Samples are loaded from a common loading channel into the array, processed in the wells and measurements taken by the optical system. The array can process many samples, or synthesize many compounds in parallel, reducing the time required for such processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting electrical charge with a long integration time and in particular to a sampling method which reduces noise that affects the accuracy of the measurement of the total charge. The apparatus samples the charge on the capacitor at the start of the integration period to obtain a sample proportional to a first noise component. It then samples the charge on the capacitor at the end of an integration period and subtracts the noise component sample from the integrated charge sample to obtain a measure of integrated charge to the relative exclusion of the noise component. The circuit uses a folded cascode amplifier and at least one correlated double sampling circuit. The charge detector can be used with any apparatus which generates electrical charge in response to an input including for example, a photodetector, photomultiplier, ion detector, e beam detector and piezoelectric charge detector and arrays of such devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acoustic dispenser for propelling objects toward a substrate, together with methods of use of the dispenser. The acoustic dispenser uses a source of acoustic vibration and a membrane for the application of acoustic vibration wherein the objects are propelled from the membrane to a substrate. The acoustic dispenser and the methods of the invention can be used with numerous types of objects. In some embodiments, the objects are particles in a dry powder, which can include, for example, a pharmaceutically active ingredient. In other embodiments, the objects are beads, which preferably have an average diameter of about 100 to about 300 microns. Additionally, the acoustic dispenser can be used with more than one type of object, for example, two types of objects such as beads and dry powder.

Abstract: A braking system for in-line skates activated by a cuff articulated to a shell that delivers significant braking power to one or more wheels of the skate in precise and evenly applied amounts without the need for difficult toe-up skating maneuvers. Wheel lockup is avoided by conveying braking force evenly to multiple load-bearing wheels. In a single braking wheel configuration, articulation of the cuff manipulates a lever arm rotating about the axle of the rear wheel by means of a rod attached to the cuff on one end and to the lever arm on the other end. Longitudinal movement of the cuff and the attached lever induces lateral movement of brake discs on either side of the rear wheel into contact with brake pad surfaces fixed to the side walls of the braking wheel. Considerable braking power is produced due to the mechanical advantage achieved by the large range of motion of the lever arm moving the brake discs over a relatively short distance.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) immediate early protein ICP47, nucleic acid sequences coding for ICP47, and homologous proteins and nucleic acid sequences, to inhibit presentation of viral and cellular antigens associated with major histocompatibility class I (MHC class I) proteins to CD8+ T lymphocytes; this inhibition effectively increases infective persistence, which can, for example, improve the utility of viral gene therapy vectors. This invention also pertains to a method for the treatment of herpesvirus infections, wherein expression and/or activity of the ICP47 protein or its homologue is inhibited in order to increase immune recognition of herpesvirus-infected cells and other cells. This invention also pertains to a method for identifying drugs that interfere with the expression or function of ICP47 and its homologues, and which are useful in treating herpesvirus infections, and also pertains to the drugs so identified.

Abstract: Iris recognition is achieved by (1) iris acquisition that permits a user to self-position his or her eye into an imager's field of view without the need for any physical contact, (2) spatially locating the data defining that portion of a digitized video image of the user's eye that defines solely the iris thereof without any initial spatial condition of the iris being provided, and (3) pattern matching the spatially located data defining the iris of the user's eye with stored data defining a model iris by employing normalized spatial correlation for first comparing, at each of a plurality of spatial scales, each of distinctive spatial characteristics of the respective irises that are spatially registered with one another to quantitatively determine, at each of the plurality of spatial scales, a goodness value of match at that spatial scale, and then judging whether or not the pattern which manifests solely the iris of the user's eye matches the digital data which manifests solely the model iris in accordance

Abstract: The present invention provides a detection or imaging device and method that measures an effect upon the path traveled by a radiative wave through a medium where scattering of the radiative wave is strong, and uses this measured path effect to detect, localize, or characterize inhomogeneities in the medium, as well as of the medium itself, over time or space. In this embodiment, a radiative source (43), temporally modulated or intensity quantitated, is emitted into the medium (47). A detector (48) records radiative effects detected after travel through said medium, and the detected signal is measured for a path effect (45). Based upon one or more of these path effects, such as the distance the latest arriving photons have traveled, a quantifiable parameter of the medium is determined (49). This parameter can be the location, distance, speed, or other characteristic of the medium or inhomogeneity.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of bonding a glass substrate and a nonconductive substrate comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a surface of the nonconductive substrate which is coated with a field-assist bonding material with a conforming surface of the glass substrate; and (b) applying sufficient heat to the two substrates and sufficient voltage across the two substrates to bond the two substrates together.

Abstract: A plasma display includes a front panel having a glass body secured to a surface of a substrate. The glass body has a plurality of channels in the exposed surface thereof with upstanding ribs being between the channels. Conductive first electrodes are on the body with each electrode extending along the bottom of a separate channel. The first electrodes are preferably embedded in the glass body. A transparent front panel is over the back panel and is seated on and secured to the glass body. A plurality of spaced, parallel second electrodes extend between the front panel and the back panel substantially orthogonally to the first electrodes. Phosphors which emit different colors are coated on the channels and the channels are filled with a plasma gas. The back panel is formed of at least one and preferably a plurality of layers of a green tape of glass particles in a binder. The layers are stacked one on top of each other and the channels are formed in the surface of one of the layers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterile dispensing of product from an aseptic source is described. There is provided a valve device adapted for mounting at the outlet of the source, mounting the valve device on the outlet, providing sterilizing medium and sterilizing the outlet and valve with the medium prior to dispensing the product. There is provided a sterilizing chamber between a valve member and the valve device for continuously sterilizing part of the valve member in the chamber while product delivery occurs to create an aseptic barrier between the product and the environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting how any given spatio-temporal light distribution would change an observer's pupil diameter. The method generates the instantaneous effect of luminance driving the pupil diameter, the cumulative driving function of the pupil diameter, and the evolving pupil diameter. Using the evolving pupil diameter together with the input luminance, the method computes the retinal illuminance distribution for the given input illuminance. The method is implemented as a software routine executed by a general purpose computer.

Abstract: A column driver for a matrix addressed display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) is disclosed. The column driver accepts 10-bit inputs, provides 1024 distinct output levels, and is compatible with digital gamma correction by way of, for example, an EPROM lookup table. A complete column driver includes a group of chips which are serially interconnected and receive all the external signals applied in parallel. Only one chip is made active at any instant of time, in order to save power. In each IC, selective polarity inversion of the 10-bit data is carried out before feeding it to a switched capacitor digital to analog converter (CAPDAC) which operates in either a high or low voltage range. All CAPDACs are loaded simultaneously and present a precise output for approximately 95% of each linetime. Each CAPDAC output is connected to a buffer opamp via two CMOS switches which cause the CAPDAC to simultaneously yet transparently change range and allow the opamp buffer to continue driving.

Abstract: The method for comparing the sonic characteristics of two pair of audio interconnect cables includes the step of, in a first instance, switching, electrically connecting and transferring the analog electrical signals from an audio source to an amplifier driving a pair of speakers (sometimes speakers in a headphone set) via a pair of reference interconnect cables (sometimes referred to as a reference cable set). In a second instance, the method includes switching, electrically connecting and transferring the analog electrical signals from the audio source to the amplifier and speakers via a test interconnect cables set. The designation of cables as "reference" or "test" cables is not important. The steps of switching, electrically connecting, and transferring the analog signals to and from the reference cables and the test cables are conducted with substantially identical electrical losses and electrical signal distortion.

Abstract: In an active matrix electroluminescent display, a pixel containing a grounded conductive electric field shield between an EL cell and the switching electronics for the EL cell. In a method of fabricating the pixel, first, an EL cell switching circuit is formed, then an insulating layer is formed over the switching circuit and a conductive layer (the field shield) is formed over the insulating layer. A through hole is provided in the field shield such that an electrical connection can be made between the switching circuit and an EL cell. The EL cell is then conventionally formed on top of the shield layer. Consequently, the shield isolates the switching circuit from the EL cell and ensures that any electric fields produced in the EL cell do not interfere with the operation of the switching electronics. Furthermore, the switching circuitry for each cell contains two transistors; a low voltage MOS transistor and a high voltage MOS transistor.

Abstract: A method and thermostat for controlling comfort in an area with temperature altering equipment, but no specific humidity altering equipment. An on-off thermostat which mechanically combines temperature and humidity measurements in a predetermined ratio based on a user's perception of comfort. The thermostat does not require an anticipator when used with an air conditioner in a warm and humid climate.

Abstract: A document support stand may be located at a computer workstation and positioned to either side of a monitor to support a projected document or document holder. The stand combines a first support apparatus, a support stand, and a second support apparatus, a document holder. The support stand can support articles at various spatial locations without the use of mechanical balancing devices and includes a main support body, an arm, and a bracket which can be adapted to function alone or in combination with a second support apparatus, a document holder. The viewing side of the document holder can position a mounted document or document holder in rotation and inclination about three axes of rotation. The viewing side is fitted with rotatable first and second sections.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer including a fixed frequency oscillator providing a plurality of waveforms having a first frequency, each waveform being delayed in time with respect to another of the waveforms, and a waveform selector, the waveform selector operable to continuously select as an output waveform a waveform from the plurality of waveforms. In an embodiment, the selection of the waveform is made to provide an output waveform having low jitter with respect to an ideal waveform.