Abstract: Materials and methods of use thereof are presented for the treatment of diabetes and other diseases. Therapeutic compositions including regulated aptamer therapeutic compositions with specificity to components of diabetes disease are presented with methods of administering these therapeutic compositions.

Abstract: Compositions which recognize and report on the concentration selectively adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and methods of making and using them are provided. The invention further relates to methods of using the compositions to monitor function of biological agents. Reagents and systems for performing the methods are also provided. The methods of the invention are useful in diagnostic applications and drug optimization.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method of treating disorders of the eye, and, in particular, to a method of inducing posterior vitreous detachment.

Abstract: A computer-based method represents a subset of a dataset table of rows and columns. The method includes selecting a set of blocking variables corresponding to blocking columns of the dataset table. For each row in the dataset table, a tuple of values for the blocking columns uniquely identifies the row within the dataset table. The method also includes selecting a set of non-blocking variables that correspond to columns of the subset. The set of non-blocking variables does not intersect the set of blocking variables. The method also includes creating a block information structure that includes both the set of non-blocking variables and, for each blocking variable in the set of blocking variables, a set of values.

Abstract: This invention provides a computer-method for parsing by enabling scripts to be expressed in a language which is syntax-compatible with the document surrounding them. A document is loaded having script and non-script components. Script components are identified and delineated, and are then passed to an interpreter, which returns an object corresponding to each script component. Then, script elements in the original document are replaced with the last returned object from the interpreter. If the returned object is a suitable Document Object Model (DOM) Node, it replaces the script element in the document structure. If the object is not a DOM node, the server invokes its string conversion method to obtain a textual representation, and replaces the script element with that text. After all BML markup block elements in the document have been processed, the altered document is delivered to the client.

Abstract: This invention provides for the implementation of dynamic “event to method” adapter class generation. Event to method adapter classes and objects are automatically and dynamically generated and wired to source and target objects as required using a runtime environments language such as the Beans Markup Language (BML). Adapter classes and objects are automatically and dynamically generated as required while the application program loads and runs. Dynamically generated classes and objects need to exist only at the time that a running application calls for the adapters use, and can be dynamically modified or exchanged in order to optimize the running application or modify application functionality.

Abstract: Methods for engineering a target activated biosensor are provided. Biosensors comprise a plurality of nucleic acid sensor molecules labeled with a first signaling moiety and a second signaling moiety. The nucleic acid sensor molecules recognizes target molecules which do not naturally bind to DNA. Binding of a target molecule to the sensor molecules triggers a change in the proximity of the signaling moieties which leads to a change in the optical properties of the nucleic acid sensor molecules on the biosensor. Reagents and systems for performing the method are also provided. The method is useful in diagnostic applications and drug optimization.

Abstract: A uniform mechanism for building containment hierarchies separates the code/method which actually perform the containment insertion operations on the components from the specification of the containment and then provides an automatic way of obtaining and executing that code when containment hierarchies need to be created. The mechanism consists of an abstract syntax for describing the containment relationships, processing mechanism for creating the containment mechanism, and a registry containing the mechanisms for implementing specific containment policies. Having this abstraction allows an application programmer to be able to construct hierarchies of objects without having to be concerned about the specific details of how that containment is performed. In fact, the details may be deferred until run-time (and even downloaded from elsewhere).

Abstract: A detachable display unit for portable devices is field replaceable and can be interchanged rapidly for service, upgrade or more flexible use. The display is a simple field replaceable unit that can be replaced in a matter of a few seconds in a routine way, allowing more cost effective service both for the repair organization and the consumer. This is made possible by a set of electrical interfaces and connectors for portable devices such that high cost and fragile displays can be quickly changed in the field by the consumer. The specific sets of interfaces and connectors for different classes of portable devices utilize as much as possible common electrical and physical components, thereby standardizing the electrical interfaces and connectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides which comprise the ligand binding domain of Cdc25, crystalline forms of these polypeptides and the use of these crystalline forms to determine the three dimensional structure of the catalytic domain of Cdc25. The invention also relates to the use of the three dimensional structure of the Cdc25 catalytic domain in methods of designing and/or identifying potential inhibitors of Cdc25 activity, for example, compounds which inhibit the binding of a native substrate to the Cdc25 catalytic domain.

Abstract: A method and apparatus aids consistent, high-quality input of meta-information associated with items inserted into a database by coupling a hierarchical subject taxonomy, used to definitively assign an element, with sets of attributes appropriate for each category. Each attribute in turn is itself associated with a set of legal values drawn from a universe of appropriately typed values. The method and apparatus can be used to enable a user of a database management system to input or augment a set of semantically relevant and consistent meta-information associated with content in or being placed into the database management system. The content in the database system is placed into one or more of a set of hierarchical taxonomic categories. Zero or more semantically relevant attributes are associated with each taxonomic category. Relevant sets of values for each attribute, drawn from a universe of appropriate values, are associated with each attribute at each level in the taxonomic hierarchy.

Abstract: A new Component oriented programming (COP) language enables the explicit definition of the multi-component structure of a system. The syntax of the language is based on a structured markup language, such as XML (eXtensible Markup Lanugage). The language elements are designed to support the important intra- and inter-component relationships of creating and locating components, setting components' properties, associating events between components and arbitrarily configuring components via method calls. These operations form an orthogonal basis for the space of multi-component structures. The COP language abstracts the concept of a component so that there is no difference in specifying any type of component, whether visual or non-visual.

Abstract: A generalized mechanism manages ad-hoc type conversions in computer software. A management framework improves type conversion tasks by enabling the modularization of this task by partitioning the work of defining an individual type convertor from the task of identifying and locating type convertors on demand. The details of how type convertors are applied on demand are also a function of the management framework.

Abstract: A multi-tool with an assembly of tool instruments particularly useful for the field maintenance of chain saws. The multi-tool includes a hollow handle with a spark plug socket connected at one and a plurality of tool instruments pivotally connected at the end opposite the spark plug socket. The tool instruments include a raker gauge, small tooth file, large tooth file, small screw driver, large screw driver, air filter brush and serrated knife. The tools pivot about the handle end into the hollow handle. Included with the tool is a sliver tweezer which is insertable into an aperture formed within the multi-tool handle. The spark plug socket is pivoted about one end of the multi-tool handle and locked in place in a keyed-portion of the handle, thereby providing a tool acting as a socket wrench capable of applying substantial torque to a work piece, e.g., spark plug.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently evaluating and executing unresolved data variables used as input for functional processes in a previously defined acyclic dataflow graph (or sequence of instructions which may be so represented). Embodiments of the present invention also contemplate maintaining previously computed values of data elements so that re-evaluation of the entire data flow graph or portions thereof may not be necessary.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for generating displayable information expressive of a three dimensional solid object. The apparatus includes a processor (12,16) for expressing the object in a Constructive Solid Geometry representation thereof so as to be comprised of one or more primitive objects. The apparatus further includes a processor (18, 20) for repetitively evaluating the one or more primitive objects to determine displayable faces thereof. A depth interval buffer (20) is responsive to the operation of a scan conversion processor (18) for detecting when a predetermined number of repetitive evaluations occur without causing a change in the determination of a displayable face and for causing the operation of the evaluation processor to terminate. Toleranced depth tests are used to remove dangling faces or edges and to properly handle coincident faces. Pixel-centering is employed to improve the accuracy of depth tests and to identify pixels upon which a product projects.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use in a digital data processing system that evaluates functional networks. A method operates to assign a unique signature to each input constant of the network, assign a unique signature to each output of a network Function, and to store each of the constants and function outputs along with their assigned signatures. The signatures operate as an access key to the associated stored constants and function outputs, thereby eliminating a requirement to reevaluate a Function if its outputs already exist. A storage element, or Dictionary (20), stores data units, such as input data, intermediate values, and/or pointers to same, each with a unique signature. The storage element, in concert with a Dictionary Controller (18), provides for the deletion of a stored data unit that is associated with a specified signature and the retrieval of a stored data unit that is associated with a specified signature.

Abstract: A CSG solid modelling system 10 has a triple z-buffer architecture. For each pixel stored in a pixel memory 12 there are five storage entries grouped into five buffers including a front z-buffer (F) 16 which is employed to store the depths of a front face for a currently processed z-connected product, a back z-buffer (B) 18 which is employed to store the depths of a back face for the currently processed z-connected product and a final z-buffer (Z) 20 which stores the front faces of a displayed solid. Two other buffers are an intensity buffer (T) 22 for storing the intensities associated with the front face of the current z-connected product and a final intensity buffer (I) 24 for storing the intensities of the visible faces of the displayed solid. A bus 26 couples these various buffers together and to a processor 28 which may be a central processing unit or a peripheral processor.

Abstract: A rear view mirror for mounting on the windshield of a motor vehicle which mirror provides a one position, relatively continuous, panoramic rear view without significant distortion of distance perspective, which mirror comprises a central flat surface mirror and two side or wing mirrors having a flat surface but a convexly curved surface toward the exterior peripheral horizontal edge area thereof and vertically hinged in line with the vertical plane of the central mirror on the interior edge to provide a substantially continuous reflecting rear view, the side or wing mirrors adjustably hinged at the rear and an extension lever to provide for the horizontal adjustment of the mirrors about a horizontal axis, the mirror and the motor vehicle having a windshield which includes the rear view panoramic mirror.

Abstract: It is not always easy for a beginner to control the hitting of a ball with a tennis racket. Thus, there is only a small central area known as the sweep spot on which the ball has to impinge if it is to be hit consistently and accurately. The racket of the invention has a head with an elongated oval shape with the major axis of the oval being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle and so a sweep spot is provided which is elongated in the direction of the axis of the handle. With such a racket, a beginner can usually hit a ball more accurately and effectively. Preferably, the racket frame has two sides which are substantially straight and parallel to one another and to the axis of the handle. A preferred manner of stringing such a racket is to use two sets of interwoven parallel strings, each set being oriented at an angle of about 45.degree. to the axis of the handle.