Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a multilayer structure made from semiconducting materials that include an active layer, a support layer and an electrically insulating layer between the active layer and the support layer. The process includes the step of modifying the density of carrier traps or the electrical charge within the electrically insulating layer in order to minimize electrical losses in the structure support layer.

Abstract: A method for determining antigen content in a region of interest of a sample is disclosed. The method includes a sequential immunomarking resulting in two chromogenic signals, which are respectively provided by a labile and a stabile chromogenic product. The method further involves acquisition, analysis and evaluation of digital images from such signals. A kit for determining antigen content in a region of interest of a sample is also described.

Abstract: The compound (W-Z-M) according to the invention comprises a component (M) chosen from the group consisting of markers and therapeutic agents possessing an intracellular active site (A.S.), linked to a ligand (W-Z) comprising an arm (Z) linked to a terminal group (W), characterized in that the linkage between the arm (Z) of the ligand (W-Z) and the component (M) prevents intracellular entry of the compound (W-Z-M) and/or inhibits expression of the marker (M), in that said linkage can be selectively cleaved by factors secreted by target cells so as to permit expression of the marker (M) or entry of the therapeutic agent (M) into said target cells, and in that the terminal group (W) provides for the stability of the compound (W-Z-M) in the serum and circulating blood.

Abstract: Isolated liver progenitor stem cells and cell populations of isolated liver progenitor stem cells are disclosed. The progenitor stem cells originate from adult liver, especially human adult liver. The isolated progenitor stem cells have uses in medicine, hepatology, inborn errors of liver metabolism transplantation, infectious diseases and liver failure. Methods of isolating these cells and their culture is described. The isolated cells are characterized before and after differentiation. Their use for transplantation and as animal models of human disease, toxicology and pharmacology is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in first subjecting the polyimide sheet to ionic bombardment, followed by an irradiation in the visible domain and finally a relatively brief chemical etching. Said method enables a thin polyimide sheet comprising pores, of nanometric to micrometric size, having a substantially cylindrical shape and substantially equal diameters to be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a column for performing analytical temperature rising elution fractionation (ATREF) characterized in that the packing of said column comprises elastic wires having a good elasticity and a good thermal conductivity. The present invention also relates to a device comprising the column according to the invention, a temperature controlling system for controlling the temperature of said column, a sample injector for injecting a polymer sample solution into said column, a pump for eluting the polymer fractions from said column and a detector for detecting eluting fractions of said sample solution. The present invention further relates to a method for performing ATREF analyses using the column according to the invention.

Abstract: Methods of screening and identifying tumor-activated prodrug forms of therapeutic agents are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low swing current mode logic circuit including: a current mode logic block having data inputs and outputs; a pre-charging circuit for pre-charging the outputs; a dynamic current source; an evaluation circuit for evaluating the logic block during an evaluation phase; and, a feedback path arranged between the outputs and the dynamic current source which is responsive to a difference between the outputs. The simplicity of generating the low swing, achieved by the feedback which may be implemented by only two transistors, is in contrast with the complexity introduced by some methods used by other logic styles for achieving low swing.

Abstract: An assay for detecting and identifying micro-organisms, particularly bacteria, is disclosed. In particular, an assay for detecting bacteria in a sample is disclosed. Bacteria are identified according to Gram-, genus- species- and strain-specificity based on multigenotypic testing of bacterial DNA from human, animal or environmental samples.

Abstract: Composites consisting of aluminum or an aluminum alloy reinforced with Invar or stainless Invar have anisotropic coefficients of thermal expansion and also anisotropic thermal conductivities. They can be used as heat sinks for electronic devices.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which binds to baboon and human CD2, and in particular LO-CD2b antibody. The antibody may be employed to prevent and inhibit an immune response in human patients, such as when the immune response is mediated by the activation and proliferation of T-cells or natural killer cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric target molecule having an activity which can be regulated or modulated by a binding molecule. The invention also relates to methods of using the chimeric target molecule to detect the presence and/or amount of a desired analyte in a sample. The analyte is a binding molecule, or a competitor of a binding molecule, which binding molecule, upon binding to the target molecule, alters the activity of the target molecule in a detectable way. In one aspect of the invention, a binding molecule binds to the chimeric molecule, inactivating it. An analyte in a test sample competes and/or displaces the binding molecule from the chimera, reactivating it. The reappearance of activity in the presence of the analyte indicates its existence in the test sample existence and amount. Another aspect of the invention relates to a binding molecule which regulates a chimeric target molecule and methods of producing it.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for fabricating nanometer range, thin multilayers, multilayered nanowires and nonocomposites by multiple bath electro-deposition of a plurality of thin lazers on a substrate, with the purpose to complete the actually developing nanotechnologies, are described. A closed electrochemical system with multiple baths, protected by inert gas, where the chemical solutions are transferred there and back between different chemical tanks and an electrochemical cell, are used to produce thin, in nanometerrange, multiple layer depositions on a substrate which stays on a fix position for all the deposition cycles inside the electrochemical cell. The transfer method protects the system against the cross contamination between different chemical solutions and the risk of contamination of the chemical solutions on their way to and from the chemical tanks. The cleaning method protects the deposited layers aginst undersirable surface reactions.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment of prophylaxis of autoimmune inner ear disease, in particular, deafness caused by autoimmune inner ear disease, which comprises administering to a host in need thereof a vaccine comprising peripheral myelin protein zero. The invention further provides diagnostic methods and kits derived from the protein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for TnpI-mediated genetic engineering using the Bacillus thuringiensis recombinase TnpI and the TnpI recombination substrates TRT or TRT?, and variants thereof. In particular, the invention relates to TRT or TRT? sequences, and variants thereof, vectors, cells and kits useful for TnpI-mediated genetic recombination, as well as methods for the use of TRT or TRT? sequences for TnpI-mediated genetic engineering.

Abstract: The compound (W-Z-M) according to the invention comprises a component (M) chosen from the group consisting of markers and therapeutic agents possessing an intracellular active site (A.S.), linked to a ligand (W-Z) comprising an arm (Z) linked to a terminal group (W), characterized in that the linkage between the arm (Z) of the ligand (W-Z) and the component (M) prevents intracellular entry of the compound (W-Z-M) and/or inhibits expression of the marker (M), in that said linkage can be selectively cleaved by factors secreted by target cells so as to permit expression of the marker (M) or entry of the therapeutic agent (M) into said target cells, and in that the terminal group (W) provides for the stability of the compound (W-Z-M) in the serum and circulating blood.

Abstract: The invention concerns a semipermeable chamber for encapsulation of cells producing at least a biological substance of interest, characterised in that it consists of a porous polycarbonate biocompatible film modified at the surface by generated polar sites and covered with at least a layer of hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: The compound (W-Z-M) according to the invention comprises a component (M) chosen from the group consisting of markers and therapeutic agents possessing an intracellular active site (A.S.), linked to a ligand (W-Z) comprising an arm (Z) linked to a terminal group (W), characterized in that the linkage between the arm (Z) of the ligand (W-Z) and the component (M) prevents intracellular entry of the compound (W-Z-M) and/or inhibits expression of the marker (M), in that said linkage can be selectively cleaved by factors secreted by target cells so as to permit expression of the marker (M) or entry of the therapeutic agent (M) into said target cells, and in that the terminal group (W) provides for the stability of the compound (W-Z-M) in the serum and circulating blood.

Abstract: The invention is in particular related to a method for the selective survival or selective growth of a target cell comprising the steps of: a) contacting the target cell with a conjugate compound A-B, wherein A is a selective antibody or antibody derivative recognizing the target cell and B is a biotic agent able to at least partially inactivate an anti-bios agent, said anti-bios agent is able to inhibit the growth of cells; and b) contacting the target cell with the anti-bios agent. The present invention also relates to said conjugate on its own, a selection medium for cells comprising said conjugate and cells that are selected or recognized using a method or conjugate according to the present invention.

Abstract: Device for controlling a musical instrument, in particular a carillon, comprising a first set of keys, each key being equipped with a sensor and force regulating means, said device has a second set of striking elements, each key of the first set has assigned to it a striking element of the second set, the keys and the striking elements are mechanically dissociated from one another, said force regulating means being arranged to impose on the key with which they are associated a static force substantially identical to that which would have been imposed by the striking element if it had been connected to the key, and wherein each sensor is arranged to measure a rate of displacement of the key with which it is associated, each sensor being connected to a first signal generator arranged to receive said rate of displacement and convert it into a first signal comprising said rate and an identification of the key associated with the sensor, said first generator being connected to a transmitter arranged to transmit th