Abstract: The present invention provides methods of inducing immune responses by recombinant antigen-enterotoxin chimeric mucosal immunogens that contain the A2/B subunits of cholera toxin or heat-labile type II toxins. These chimeric immunogens differentially enhance antibody secretion, cytokine production, as well as B7-dependent co-stimulation of T cells and CD40L expression on CD4+ T cells.

Abstract: The invention is a method for analyzing spatially-varying noise in seismic data. Transitions between data values at adjacent data locations in a seismic data set are represented by Markov chains. Transition probability matrices are constructed from the Markov chains. Data values are predicted from the calculated transition probabilities. Noise values are determined from the predicted data values.

Abstract: This invention discloses (20S)-1?-hydroxy-2?-methyl-19-nor-vitamin D3 and (20S)-1?-hydroxy-25-methyl-19-nor-vitamin D3 and pharmaceutical uses therefor. These compounds exhibit pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an anticancer agent and for the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis as well as skin conditions such as wrinkles, slack skin, dry skin and insufficient sebum secretion. These compounds also have very significant calcemic activity and therefore may be used to treat immune disorders in humans as well as metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon wax product from a hydrocarbon synthesis slurry comprising liquid synthesis product and catalyst particles is purified by introducing a portion of hydrocarbon synthesis slurry from a hydrocarbon synthesis zone to a treatment zone in which a treatment gas contacts the hydrocarbon synthesis slurry. Hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas is useful as the treatment gas. The gas treatment removes impurities from the hydrocarbon wax portion of the hydrocarbon synthesis slurry. Purified wax product is separated and removed in situ via wax withdrawal means. This avoids or minimizes the need for further treating the wax product.

Abstract: A system is described that includes a system for correcting modal dispersion and errors in an optical fiber system. The system includes a multisegment photodetector coupled to an end of an optical fiber for detecting optical signals exiting the optical fiber and for converting the optical signals to an electrical output, the multisegment photodetector including a plurality of photodetector regions configured such that one of the plurality of photodetectors regions intercepts a mode in a manner distinct from another of the plurality of photodetectors. The system also includes logic configured to receive a resultant signal output from the photodetector regions and provide forward error correction decoding of the resultant signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of enabling a user to designate, in a computer system, at least one geographic location, the method including the steps of printing a map of a geographic area, the geographic area including the at least one geographic location, the map including coded data indicative of an identity of the map and of a plurality of reference points of the map; receiving, in the computer system, indicating data from a sensing device operated by the user, the indicating data regarding the identity of the map and a position of the sensing device relative to the map, the sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the map, sensing the indicating data using at least some of the coded data; and identifying, in the computer system and from the indicating data, the at least one geographic location.

Abstract: The microelectrode machining device disclosed by the invention mainly comprises a platform, a wire supply mechanism, a wire guide, and two (electric conductor)elements, wherein the platform can be fixed at an EDM machine and the wire supply mechanism is arranged on the platform for providing the wire needed in the EDM process, and the wire guide disposed on the platform has an arch-slide arranged thereon and a groove arranged at a position corresponding to the middle of the arch-slide on the wire guide, in addition, the two (electric conductor)elements are arranged on the platform to supply the power needed in the EDM process, and the two (electric conductor)elements are disposed respectively at the side of wire guide, and the altitudes of the bottom of both the wheel-shaped (electric conductor)element are lower than that of the wire exit and wire entrance of the arch-slide of the wire guide, in respective.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microbial composition for the neutralization of alkaline waste waters by biological means and a method of neutralization of alkaline waste waters using a synergistic mixture of the bacterial strains of Bacillus alkalophilus and Bacillus sp.

Abstract: A method of fabricating devices incorporating microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) using UV curable tapes includes providing a silicon substrate 12 with a MEMS layer 14 arranged on one side of the substrate 12. A first UV curable tape 22 is applied to the MEMS layer 14. At least one operation is performed on the substrate 14 via an opposed side of the substrate 14. A second UV curable tape 32 is applied to the opposed side of the substrate 14 and the first tape 22 is removed by exposing it to UV light. At least one operation is performed on the MEMS layer to form individual MEMS chips which are able to be removed individually from the second UV tape 32 by localised exposure of the tape 32 to UV light.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a semiconductor substrate is provided. In embodiment of the present invention, a megasonic cleaner capable of providing localized heating is provided. The megasonic cleaner includes a transducer and a resonator. The resonator is configured to propagate energy from the transducer. The resonator has a first and a second end, the first end is operatively coupled to the transducer and the second end is configured to provide localized heating while propagating the energy from the transducer. A system for cleaning a semiconductor substrate through megasonic cleaning and a method for cleaning a semiconductor substrate is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated mammalian receptor which specifically binds a high density lipoprotein holoparticle, comprising a subunit of approximately 45-600 kDa molecular weight and one or more subunits selected from the group consisting of a subunit of approximately 40-50 kDa molecular weight, a subunit of approximately 120 kDa molecular weight and a subunit of approximately 400 kDa molecular weight.

Abstract: Silicon parts of a semiconductor processing apparatus containing low levels of metal impurities that are highly mobile in silicon are provided. The silicon parts include, for example, rings, electrodes and electrode assemblies. The silicon parts can reduce metal contamination of wafers processed in plasma atmospheres.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process of treating or alleviating the symptoms of pathological conditions in which bone density is decreased, which comprises inhibiting, in a mammalian patient suffering from such a condition, the formation in vivo of a tertiary complex of IL-11, its cell surface membrane receptor and the cell surface glycoprotein gp130. Examples of such substances are recombinant soluble IL-11 receptor mutants modified, as compared with native IL-11 receptor, at their gp130 binding site, and peptides which can interact with IL-11. The process of the invention not only inhibits bone resorption and hence bone loss, but also increases the process of bone formation to increase bone density.

Abstract: Fibrous monolith composites suitable for use in high temperature environments and/or harsh chemical environments are provided, along with methods of preparation thereof. The fibrous monolith composites exhibit such beneficial properties as enhanced strength, corrosion resistance, thermal shock resistance and thermal cycling tolerance.

Abstract: Frequency translation of microelectromechanical vibration signals such as a tip vibration signal in a scanning force microscopy system expands the versatility of existing control systems and enables new signal processing techniques. The vibration signal such as the cantilever probe tip vibration signal of a scanning force microscopy is frequency converted to a lower or higher frequency signal that is utilized to provide a control signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a silicon substrate having a monolayer formed by an electrochemically-induced reaction between silicon hydride moieties on the silicon surface and optionally substituted alkynes covalently bound to the surface of the silicon substrate and to a method for electrochemically producing such a functionalized silicon substrate. The method of forming a covalently bound monolayer on a silicon surface comprises the steps of contacting the silicon surface with a C2-C24 alkyne and electrografting optionally substituted alkynes to the silicon surface.

Abstract: An RF device comprising a plurality of drift tubes, each drift tube having a plurality of gaps defining resonant cavities, is immersed in an axial magnetic field. RF energy is introduced at an input RF port at one of these resonant cavities and collected at an output RF port at a different RF cavity. A plurality of electron beams passes through these drift tubes, and each electron beam has an individual magnetic shaping applied which enables confined beam transport through the drift tubes.

Abstract: A page binding device for binding pages 11 from an inkjet printhead assembly 13. The device has an adhesive applicator 16 for applying adhesive to printed pages 11. The adhesive applicator 16 is adapted to eject adhesive onto the pages 11 as they are fed to the support tray. A page conveyor 12 for sequentially feeding pages 11 from the printhead assembly 13 to the support tray via the adhesive applicator 16. An air flow generator for generating an air flow 14 that prevents the pages 11 from contacting the adhesive applicator 16. Using an air cushion and a non-contact adhesive applicator avoids the paper buckling problems associated with contact adhesive applicators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bacterial strain of accession number MTCC 5098 useful for reducing the Total dissolved solids (TDS) levels from pulp and paper waste water effluents, and a process for the preparation of innoculum of the strain and also, a method of reducing Total dissolved solids (TDS) from pulp and paper waste water effluents using the said strain.

Abstract: Novel photochromic diarylethenes substituted with an isoxazole group and the method of preparation are disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions made with the photochromic diarylethenes. The preparation of thin films with the photochromic diarylethenes or compositions thereof are disclosed. The photochromic diarylethenes or compositions thereof may be used, for example in recording materials, photochromic windows, indicating elements, plastic mirrors, photochromic filters, photo switches, photosensitive drums, recording elements, solar cells, lens, fibers and optical elements.