Abstract: Methods and materials for treating and preventing autoimmune diseases, in particular, multiple sclerosis (MS) including small peptides are capable of interacting with CD40, thereby altering and/or modulating the ability of CD40 to interact with CD154, which apparently affects inflammation; and/or the use of such peptides in reducing the inflammatory response, and in particular, the autoimmune inflammatory response; and/or the use of such short peptides to prevent or reverse autoimmune disease, and particularly, multiple sclerosis, in individuals; and/or methods and materials for detecting T-cells that express CD40 (Th40 cells). Also provided are kits for reducing inflammation, treating autoimmune diseases, or detecting Th40 cells. Additionally, methods and apparatuses to administer the peptide are provided.

Abstract: A battery operated portable communication device is provided with improved transmitter current limit stabilization via a current limit stabilization circuit operatively coupled to the battery and a DC-to-DC converter of the transmitter. The current limit stabilization circuit provides a variable stabilizing reference voltage which is directly proportional to the supply voltage. The current limit stabilization circuit generates a voltage limit output voltage that controls both the power to the transmitter (120) and limits current to the transmitter.

Abstract: A configurable and modular probe device for electrical connections. The probe device has multiple blocks capable of inter-fitting into various layouts. Each block has four sidewalls. Two adjacent sidewalls have a protrusion and the respective opposite sidewalls have a cavity corresponding to the protrusion. The protrusion of one block can removably mate with the cavity of a neighboring block. Each block further has a central cavity extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the block. A probe snugly fits into the central cavity.

Abstract: A configurable and modular probe device for electrical connections. The probe device has multiple blocks capable of inter-fitting into various layouts. Each block has four sidewalls. Two adjacent sidewalls have a protrusion and the respective opposite sidewalls have a cavity corresponding to the protrusion. The protrusion of one block can removably mate with the cavity of a neighboring block. Each block further has a central cavity extending from a top surface to a bottom surface of the block. A probe snugly fits into the central cavity.

Abstract: A test contact may include a first portion having an open-ended rounded shape. The first portion may define an opening therethrough. The test contact may include a second portion having a curved structure. The first portion and the second portion may be formed integrally, and the second portion may be configured to contact a portion of a device lead.

Abstract: A test contact may include a first portion having an open-ended rounded shape. The first portion may define an opening therethrough. The test contact may include a second portion having a curved structure. The first portion and the second portion may be formed integrally, and the second portion may be configured to contact a portion of a device lead.

Abstract: An adjustable test socket for aligning an electronic device with spring probes in a test fixture is provided having two adjustable walls or four adjustable walls.

Abstract: An antenna to increase VHF bandwidth comprises an inner and an outer helical element separated by a comb-like spacer. The inner helical element has a dual pitch and is fed a radio frequency driving signal while the outer helical element has a uniform pitch and is coupled to ground. The dual pitch inner helical element coupled with the uniform pitch outer helical element provides an increase in bandwidth without a corresponding increase in the length of antenna, and, in fact, allows for a shorter antenna for communication devices than is currently available, without loss of signal strength or quality.

Abstract: A test contact may include a first portion having an open-ended rounded shape. The first portion may define an opening therethrough. The test contact may include a second portion having a curved structure. The first portion and the second portion may be formed integrally, and the second portion may be configured to contact a portion of a device lead.

Abstract: An adjustable test socket for aligning an electronic device with spring probes in a test fixture is provided having two adjustable walls or four adjustable walls.

Abstract: An adjustable test socket for aligning an electronic device with spring probes in a test fixture is provided having two adjustable walls or four adjustable walls.

Abstract: A probe array wafer includes a substrate upon which a plurality of compliant probes are mounted. Pairs of axially aligned probes may be electrically connected together to provide a pass through power connection from the test equipment to the device under test. Likewise, pairs of axially aligned probes may be electrically connected together to provide a ground connection from the test equipment to the device under test.

Abstract: A spring probe having a barrel, plunger, spring and contact ring is provided in which the contact ring provides electrical contact between the plunger and the barrel. Two or more contact rings may be provided to improve the pointing accuracy of the probe.

Abstract: A probe array wafer includes a substrate upon which a plurality of compliant probes are mounted. Pairs of axially aligned probes may be electrically connected together to provide a pass through power connection from the test equipment to the device under test. Likewise, pairs of axially aligned probes may be electrically connected together to provide a ground connection from the test equipment to the device under test.

Abstract: A spring probe having a barrel, plunger, spring and contact ring is provided in which the contact ring provides electrical contact between the plunger and the barrel. Two or more contact rings may be provided to improve the pointing accuracy of the probe.

Abstract: An electrical contact spring probe for testing circuit continuity attaches to the end of a shielded cable for RF (radio frequency) transmission. The probe has a collapsible shield surrounding a contact plunger to prevent leakage of RF energy to or from neighboring circuit points.

Abstract: A probe and test socket assembly wherein spring biased plunger probes of extraordinarily small diameter, such as 0.02 inch, are densely packed into a test socket for testing of integrated circuit chips. The socket is constructed in upper and lower halves with bores to receive the probes. To manufacture probes of such small diameter and to provide minimal and constant electrical resistance, the plungers and barrel of the probes are not crimped or otherwise secured together. The configuration of the socket bore walls in combination with the probe maintains the probe plunger and barrel together. The assembly is particularly useful in densely packed arrays of extremely fine diameter probes for testing densely packed test sites.

Abstract: A portable shelter structure (10) of variable size consisting of an even number of individual, folding, modular units (12) which, in their folded condition, serve as shipping containers for the shelter. Rigid floor and rigid sidewall sections (22, 28) are hinged (24) along an adjacent edge allowing rotation of the sidewall section from a closed position to an upright position so that the sidewall is substantially perpendicular. Collapsible roof support beams (72) and flexible, collapsible roof covering units (14) are stored in a cavity created between the floor (22) and sidewall (28) sections when they are in their closed state. Collapsible end walls (16) having a door structure (17) therein can be stored in the modular unit cavity or in a separate vestibule packing unit (18) which attaches to the end wall as a separate closed space outside the end wall door.

Abstract: Mesoionic anhydro-5-amino-1,2,3,4-oxatriazolium hydroxides and methods of using the same in the treatment of cancer, said compositions containing, as an active ingredient, one or more compounds having the structure ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a phenyl or substituted phenyl group and R.sup.2 represents hydrogen or a methyl group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a lens blank upon a lens blocking device. The apparatus comprises a transparent aligning member, attached by arm means to a stanchion on the lens blocking machine. Vertically aligned perpendicular intersecting linear indicia are imprinted upon the upper and lower surfaces of the transparent member for vertically aligning an underlying lens without introducing a parallax error. A lens retaining member is also carried by the stanchion and is selectively pivoted into position to retain the aligned lens blank for blocking. The method consists of rotating a lens blank upon a lens blocking machine until perpendicularly intersecting linear indicia on the surface of the lens are vertically aligned with perpendicularly intersecting indicia on the upper and lower surfaces of a transparent aligning member.