Abstract: A method and apparatus for screening an array of test compounds for bioactivity by contacting an array of test compounds with a detector layer capable of detecting bioactivity, and detecting a detector layer response. The detector layer is comprised of physiologically viable cells. The method and apparatus allow a large number of test compounds to be simultaneously assayed in parallel without the need for complex fluidic devices.

Abstract: To resolve the problems of the manufacturing costs of an optoelectronic connector, an optoelectronic coupling integrated circuit chip (4) is mounted directly (12) into a package (1) of the connector. This package has an internal shielding metallization and metallizations (11) connected by microconnection techniques to pads (10) of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit has laser diodes (8) on its surface also connected (13) to the pads (14) of this integrated circuit. These laser diodes are spaced out with respect to one another by a distance corresponding to a distance (21) between the optical fiber terminations (17, 20) in a standardized optical connector (16). The number of elements of the connector is reduced whereas, at the same time, its efficiency in terms of electrical consumption and in terms of transmission quality of a signal is improved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for screening an array of test compounds for bioactivity by contacting an array of test compounds with a detector layer capable of detecting bioactivity, and detecting a detector layer response. The detector layer is comprised of physiologically viable cells. The method and apparatus allow a large number of test compounds to be simultaneously assayed in parallel without the need for complex fluidic devices.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method for heat treatment of lignocellulosic material. The apparatus comprises a treatment chamber and devices for circulating and recovering gases from the treatment chamber such as to provide a uniform temperature within the chamber and allow efficient drying of the material. This is achieved by injecting and recovering the gases from at least two sides of the treatment chamber.

Abstract: To resolve the problems of the manufacturing costs of an optoclectronic connector, and optoelectronic coupling integrated circuit chip (4) is mounted directly (12) into a package (1) of the connector. This package has an internal shielding metallization and metallizations (11) connected by microconnection techniques to pads (10) of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit has laser diodes (8) on its surface also connected (13) to the pads (14) of this integrated circuit. These laser diodes are spaced out with respect to one another by a distance corresponding to a distance (21) between the optical fiber terminations (17, 20) in a standardized optical connector (16). The number of elements of the connector is reduced whereas, at the same time, its efficiency in terms of electrical consumption and in terms of transmission quality of a signal is improved.

Abstract: An enhanced output impedance current mirror in which the operational amplifier includes a set of four MOSFETs having a common gate that is connected to a drain terminal of one of the differential pairs. Two of the MOSFETs reside in parallel in the current path of each of the MOSFETs of the differential pair. The differential pair MOSFET that has its drain terminal connected to the common gate also has a gate terminal that is connected to the common node between the two other MOSFETs in its current path.

Abstract: A method is described to assay for protein interactions in living cells, e.g. by the introduction of two heterologous conjugates into the cell. The method uses the measurement of cellular distribution of a detectable component (e.g. a GFP-labelled fluorescent probe) to indicate the presence or absence of an interaction between that component and a second component of interest. The method uses the knowledge that certain components can be stimulated to redistribute within the cell to defined locations. Inducible redistribution systems make it possible to determine if specific interactions occur between components. Inducible systems are described where it is demonstrated that the redistribution stimuli are essentially “null”, in that they affect no other system in the cell during the assay period, other than the component whose redistribution can be induced.

Abstract: In order to switch, especially aerials, between two channels while at the same time ensuring pressure contact with a sufficiently wide contact area, a connector (1) is made which includes a resilient switching blade (3) provided with a side arm (4). This side arm (4) ensures linear contact with a pin (7) of another connector, especially a coaxial connector (70). This improvement means that such a connector is simple to use, to mount on a printed circuit.

Abstract: Fluorescence complementation products with intensity levels mimicking the full length intensities are obtained by introduction of improved folding capabilities with a mutation in position 1 preceding the chromophore. This is particularly seen with the yellow variant of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). An additive increase is obtained by splitting the GFP between amino acids 172 and 173. Screening for drugs capable of preventing interaction between proteins is performed by selecting the cells with the highest dynamic range through Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS), as illustrated with the ability of FK506 to break the rapamycin induced interaction between FRB and FKBP.

Abstract: A bandgap reference that generates a temperature stable DC voltage by using a corrective current. The corrective current is generated by a series of differential pairs that are controlled by both positive temperature shift gate voltage on one transistor, as well as a negative temperature shift gate voltage on the other transistor. As temperature changes and crosses the crossing point at which the current is split evenly through both transistors, the current change is more abrupt. The crossing points of each of the differential pairs may be appropriately selected so as to generate a high resolution corrective current. The various current contributions are summed to form the total corrective current, which tends to be quite accurate due to the abrupt crossing points. The corrective current is then fed back into the circuit so as to compensate for much of the temperature error.

Abstract: An alternative therapeutic approach for PDE4 inhibition is disclosed. PDE4 dislocators, will remove the PDE4 away from the native location in the cell and thereby increase the concentration of cAMP in this location. By dislocating the PDE4, and thereby not acting directly on the catalytic, among phosphodiesterase inhibitors, well conserved site, the compound will act e.g. at the binding domain of the PDE4, thereby providing isoform-specific ‘inhibitors’ of PDE4. The dislocation of PDE4s are visualised with fusions to GFP. The native location is induced by treatment with Rolipram.

Abstract: A bandgap voltage reference uses multiple PTAT voltage reference circuits (also called PTAT sources) coupled in series to generate a final PTAT voltage. A current-biased base-emitter region of a bipolar transistor is coupled between the final PTAT voltage and an output terminal of the bandgap voltage reference so as to add the base-emitter voltage to the final PTAT voltage to thereby generate a stable bandgap voltage reference. By using multiple PTAT voltage reference in series, the need for a resistor ratio is reduced (or even eliminated) thereby reducing the size of the resistors that generate the resistor ratio (or eliminate the need for the resistors entirely).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a 3-part hybrid system for detection protein interactions in live mammalian cells and screening for compounds modulating such interactions. The method is fully compatible with HTS. The three hybrids are a first heterologous conjugate comprising an anchor protein that specifically binds to an internal structure within the cell conjugated to an interactor protein of type A, a second heterologous conjugate comprising an interactor protein of type B conjugated to the first protein of interest, a third heterologous conjugate comprising a second protein of interest conjugated to a detectable group. When applying a dimerizer compound, interactor proteins A and B bind to each other and if the two proteins of interest interact, the distribution of the detectable group will mimic the distribution of the anchor protein. However, if there is no interaction, the distribution of the detectable group will mimic the distribution of the second protein of interest.

Abstract: A storage carriage for longitudinal components. The storage carriage has a pair of continuous belts. The belts are arranged to form a nested zigzag pattern. As the component is feed through the nested zigzag pattern, substantially the entire length of the component within the storage carriage is subjected to the same tension and compression. The component is fed into one corner of the carriage and is removed from the opposing corner of the carriage. The component travels through the carriage in a “first-in/first-out” system.

Abstract: A group operated overhead switch for high voltage power lines includes a rotatable overtoggle mechanism linked to a control shaft and a plurality of switch phases secured to a crossarm support. The overtoggle mechanism may be rotated to and from a closed position and an open position, either or both of which may be overtoggled, that provides the operator with an affirmative snap when the switch is moved into an overtoggled position. The use of switch assemblies made of rotatable switch phases and a corresponding immobile electrical connector mounted on the same assembly support allows factory manufacture of modular switch assembly components for high quality control, consistent performance, and accurate component alignment. The supported switch assemblies are then mounted under factory controlled conditions on a dimensionally stable support crossarm and linked by group operated linkages with a switch overtoggle mechanism for actuation.

Abstract: A group operated overhead switch for high voltage power lines includes a rotatable overtoggle mechanism linked to a control shaft and a plurality of switch phases secured to a crossarm support. The overtoggle mechanism can be rotated to and from a closed position and an open position, either of which can be overtoggled, that provides the operator with an affirmative snap when the switch is moved into an overtoggled position. The use of switch assemblies made of rotatable switch phases and a corresponding immobile electrical connector mounted on the same assembly support allows factory manufacture of modular switch assembly components for high quality control, consistent performance, and accurate component alignment. These supported switch assemblies are then mounted under factory controlled conditions on a dimensionally stable support crossarm and linked by group operated linkages with a switch overtoggle mechanism for actuation.

Abstract: A base spacer that is useful for securing a horizontal member to a vertical support with accurate vertical and horizontal position has an extended horizontal surface and at least one deformable finger extending vertically from this horizontal surface. The horizontal surface also has: (a) a pair of oval openings dimensioned to receive securing bolts, wherein the deformable finger extends from the horizontal surface at less that a right angle for a distance sufficient to contact a horizontal member secured by the spacer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a storage carriage for longitudinal components. The storage carriage is comprised of a pair of continuous belts. The belts are arranged to form a nested zigzag pattern. As the component is feed through the nested zigzag pattern, substantially the entire length of the component within the storage carriage is subjected to the same tension and compression. The component is fed into one corner of the carriage and is removed from the opposing corner of the carriage. The component travels through the carriage in a “first-in/first-out” system.

Abstract: A pivoting connection is described that uses an H-shaped connector secured within the X-shaped opening of a base. One end of the H shaped connector can be inserted into the X-shaped opening at an angle corresponding to one leg of the X but is secured in the opening when twisted to a vertical position. This pivoting connection provides a reliable connection that is durable, weather resistant, and does not readily seize.

Abstract: The active connector for a chip card is made up of a component (1) for control of the reading-writing operations of the chip card (20) and a reading frame for the chip card comprising a support component (2) made of insulating material and receiving contact terminals of a first type (3) projecting from an upper plane (4) of the support made of insulating material in order to be in electrical contact with contact areas (5) of the chip card.