Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating sleep disorders in a patient in need thereof comprising the administration of a hypnotically effective amount of a non-allosteric GABA.sub.A agonist.

Abstract: Mutant Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) nucleic acid sequences useful for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications, kits for using the HBV nucleic acid sequences, HBV immunogenic particles, and a method for producing antibodies to HBV. Also provided are methods for producing antibodies, polyclonal or monoclonal, from the HBV nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: Improved methods and novel compositions for identifying peptides and single-chain antibodies that bind to predetermined receptors or epitopes. Such peptides and antibodies are identified by improved and novel methods for affinity screening of polysomes displaying nascent peptides.

Abstract: Peptide sequences are provided which are capable of mimicking proteins encoded by HCV for use as reagents for screening of blood and blood products for prior exposure to HCV. The peptides are at least 5 amino acids long and can be used in various specific assays for the detection of antibodies to HCV, for the detection of HCV antigens, or as immunogens.

Abstract: Method for semiconductor processing comprising etching of oxide layers, especially etching thick SiO.sub.2 layers and/or last step in the cleaning process wherein the oxide layers are etched in the gas phase with a mixture of hydrogen fluoride and one or more carboxylic acids, eventually in admixture with water.

Abstract: A method for the detection of a selected protein is provided wherein mRNA levels are correlated with the presence of protein using the technique referred to herein as immuno-aRNA.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of delivering an emulsion or suspension containing a supersaturated gas into a gas-depleted environment. The method generally comprises the steps of preparing an emulsion or suspension, exposing the emulsion or suspension to a gas at a pressure greater than 2 bar, and delivering the emulsion or suspension to a gas-depleted environment at ambient pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides papillomavirus polypeptides and antibodies against said polypeptides. The peptides and antibodies of the present invention are particularly useful for in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infections caused by distinct papillomaviruses. These papillomaviruses are linked to distinct infectious states. The polypeptides of the present invention are derived from L2 genes of different papillomaviruses (or from a portion of said genes). The present invention further provides kits containing one or more antibodies according to the present invention, and a method for the detection and identification of papillomaviruses in biological samples by immunological reaction with said antibodies. The diagnostic kits of the present invention are suitable for diagnosis of the specific infection affecting the donor subject of the biological sample, or infections to which the subject risks being exposed.

Abstract: A lower insulating member 13 is arranged around a suscepter 6 as a lower electrode, and an upper insulating member 31 is arranged around an upper electrode 21. An outer end portion 31a of the upper insulating member is positioned outside an lower insulating member 13, to be lower than the upper surface of a wafer W. The narrowest distance between the lower insulating member 13 and the upper insulating member 31 is arranged to be smaller than a gap G between electrodes. Diffusion of a plasma generated between electrodes is restricted and prevented from spreading to the sides, so that inner walls of a processing container 3 are not sputtered.

Abstract: A liposome or microsphere containing guaiac or other reagent is used in an immunoassay to detect an antigen or antibody. The guaiac or other reagent reacts with hemoglobin or other blood constituent to produce color indicating a positive result.

Abstract: A photo-catalyzer for deodorizing, cleaning, sterilizing, and water purifying operations includes a substrate, a titanium dioxide film disposed on the substrate and functioning as a photo-catalyst, and a light-emitting diode disposed adjacent to the titanium dioxide film and producing ultraviolet light having a wavelength from 360 to 400 nm onto the titanium dioxide film. The photo-catalyzer can be used in places where there is no sunlight because it is optionally provided with a light-emitting diode. The light-emitting diode does not require a large installation space because it is an extremely small light-emitting device. Hence, the photo-catalyzer has a compact structure and can be used easily anywhere, including small places. The substrate can be fabricated into a variety of useful appliances to take advantage of the strong oxidizing properties of the photo-catalyzer.

Abstract: Proteinaceous food product is heated by immersing the product in a liquid bath and maintaining the bath at a controlled temperature within a range that treats the proteinaceous food product without substantial loss of functionality.

Abstract: A 134 kDa, calcium-independent, chitin-binding lectin called chitovibrin is secreted by marine bacteria of the genus Vibrio. The secretion of chitovibrin is inducible by chitin or chitin-oligomers. Chitovibrin shows no apparent enzymatic activity, but has a strong affinity for chitin and for chito-oligomers dp9 and larger. The protein has an isoelectric pH of 3.6, shows thermal tolerance, binds chitin with an optimum at pH 6 and is active in 0-4 M NaCl. Chitovibrin is useful as a stain for fungi and other chitin-containing organisms. Chitovibrin may be used to detect the presence of chitin, particularly in diagnosing fungal infections in humans, animals, and plant materials. Fungal infections are a particular problem in immunocompromised hosts such as AIDS patients and bone marrow transplant patients, because they can cause opportunistic infections. The chitovibrin diagnostic method allows the convenient, broad spectrum diagnosis of fungal infections in tissue samples or in body fluids.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a conductive thin film provided on a surface of a microwave introducing member which is exposed to a processing chamber, in which an object to be processed is placed. The conductive thin film is provided at the entire portion excluding a transmission portion, through which microwaves pass into the processing chamber. The conductive thin film is grounded to act as an electrode.

Abstract: The present invention includes novel barrier webs that have certain desirable physical qualities such as water resistance, increased durability, improved barrier qualities and the like. The present invention further comprises a barrier web comprising a web that has been treated with a curable shear thinned thixotropic polymer composition, the fabric being adapted to be substantially impermeable to liquids, permeable to gases and impermeable to microorganisms. The barrier webs of the present invention are either impermeable to all microorganisms or are impermeable to microorganisms of certain sizes. The present invention also includes fabrics that are capable of either selective binding certain microorganisms, particles or molecules depending upon what binding partners are incorporated into the polymer before application to the fabric.

Abstract: Peptide sequences are provided which are capable of mimicking proteins encoded by HCV for use as reagents for screening of blood and blood products for prior exposure to HCV. The peptides are at least 5 amino acids long and can be used in various specific assays for the detection of antibodies to HCV, for the detection of HCV antigens, or as immunogens.

Abstract: A method of rounding corners of isolating trenches formed in a substrate with a planar surface includes a first step of forming a masking material on the planar surface. Edges of the masking material are offset from the corners of the isolating trenches. The second method step includes growing an oxide on an exposed portion of the substrate under high temperature. The oxidation under high temperature causes the corners of the isolating trenches to become rounded.

Abstract: Nitrogen atoms on the surface of a first body are terminated by hydrogen atoms after the surfaces of the first body and a second body to which it is to be bonded are cleaned. The surface of the first body terminated by the hydrogen atoms and the surface of the second body are bonded to each other so that hydrogen bonds are formed between the nitrogen atoms and the bonded hydrogen atoms on the surface of the first body and the atoms on the surface of the second body. Using these hydrogen bonds, the surface of the first body and the surface of the second body are strongly bonded to each other. When the surface of the second body is formed with nitride or oxide, strong hydrogen bonds of N--H .sup.- - - N or N--H .sup.- - - O are formed between the first body and the second body. Thus, the method does not require bonding under high temperature or high pressure.

Abstract: A method for localizing and quantitating a target substance in a biological sample is disclosed. The method utilizes an enzyme-linked probe that binds to the target substance and generates a depositable chromogenic or fluorogenic substance which detects position and a soluble chromogenic or fluorogenic substance which allows quantitation in the medium bathing the sample.

Abstract: The presence or absence of an organism in a sample is detected by isolating the organism from the sample by a suitable affinity matrix, releasing the organism from the affinity matrix, rupturing the cells of the organism to release total nucleic acid and hydrolyzing or digesting the total nucleic acid to form mononucleotides or individual free nucleic acid basic and inorganic phosphate to form an analyte solution, and assaying the analyte solution for the at least one presence of free nucleic acid base or inorganic phosphate to thereby determine whether the organism was present in the sample.