Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel polypeptide which has secretion enhancing activity on lacrimal and parotid gland cells, monoclonal antibodies thereto, and methods of diagnosising Sjorgren's syndrome using these antibodies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning an electronic component with a base member where a pattern of contacts on the component are to be bonded to an identical pattern of contacts on the base member. Templates having indentations along one edge shaped to align with the contact pattern on the component and base member can be positioned in alignment with the base member contact pattern along two sides of the pattern and releasably secured in place, such as by tape. The component is placed over the base member with its contacts aligned with the template. This assures precise alignment of the two contact patterns. The assembly can be heated to the melting point of the solder and cooled to bond all of the contacts together. The templates are removed for reuse. With ball grid array components, the template indentations are preferably partially-circular to align with the edge row of round solder contact pads.

Abstract: A high speed totem pole FET driver circuit with differential cross-conduction prevention. The driver circuit includes first and second switching elements coupled to a first node, and third and fourth switching elements coupled to a second node. The first node is coupled to a first current source, a pulldown circuit, and the input of the third switching element. The second node is coupled to a second current source, a pullup circuit, and the input of the second switching element. Trigger inputs are applied to the inputs of the first and fourth switching elements to switch the first and fourth switches ON and OFF, wherein the two trigger inputs are of opposite phase so that when one input is HIGH (LOW) the other input is LOW (HIGH). The second switching element may include a comparator circuit with its non-inverting input coupled to the second node, its inverting input coupled to a power source via a V.sub.

Abstract: In a telecommunications system interconnection is made between a broadband network and a narrowband PABX by an interworking unit providing conversion between the cell based switching of the broadband network and the circuit switching of the narrowband PABX, whereby broadband network users have access to PABX telephony facilities. The broadband network may be ATM based.

Abstract: A slitting assembly (10) is disclosed in the preferred form of a rotary cutter including a shaft (50) upon which relatively thin, large diameter annular blades (56) are slid. Relatively large diameter hubs (60) are provided having inner surfaces for receipt on the shaft (50) and having axial ends which flushly abut with the axial faces of the blades (56) for holding the blades (56) in axially spaced relations on the shaft (50). An axial bore (54) is provided through the shaft (50) for circulating a coolant in fluid communication therewith by rotary unions (74, 78). Thus, the blades (56) are cooled below ambient temperature by conduction through hubs (60) and shaft (50) for imparting continuous longitudinal cuts in a band (12) of fat-free brownie products having an internal temperature higher than ambient. The outer periphery of the blades (56) rotate against a back-up roll (22) rotatable about a parallel axis below the band (12).

Abstract: A box handling apparatus having particular application in the packaging of semiconductor wafers, includes a box opening assembly which can unlatch a lid from a bottom of the box and separate the lid from the bottom. Arms can grip an article, such as a wafer cassette, in the bottom of the box and lift it out. The cassette can be loaded, or wafers already in the cassette unloaded. The apparatus can replace the loaded cassette in the bottom of the box and latchingly re-engage the lid.

Abstract: A high performance, high voltage non-epi bipolar transistor including a substrate (12) with an n-type conductivity well (13) and an insulative layer (14) with first (15), second (17) and third (18) openings exposing the substrate in the well. A first p-type volume (19) surrounding the first and second openings (15, 17) beneath the insulative layer (14), and a second n-type volume (22) surrounding the third opening (18) beneath the insulative layer (14). A p-type intrinsic base (25) in the first opening (15) and in contact with the first volume (19). A p-type extrinsic base (30) in the second opening (17) and in contact with the first volume (19). An n-type collector (32) in the third opening (18) and in contact with the second volume (22), and an n-type emitter layer (27) in the first opening in overlying contact with the intrinsic base (25).

Abstract: An aligned electronic circuit component assembly for attaching components onto larger mounting members at predetermined positions thereon are provided. The mounting or heat spreader members include shift resistant regions which are disposed in close proximity or substantially aligned with peripheral portions or edges of the component die when the die is placed in its predetermined position on an associated mounting or base member. The shift resistant regions can include non-linear edge surfaces, such as the edge surfaces around notches in the members, so as to provide areas on the base or heat spreader member which do not have solder thereon. It has been found that the surface tension of the liquid solder during reflow acts to provide a restraining force at the edge surfaces so as to restrain the electronic component from shifting from the desired position on the base member.

Abstract: A device and method for increasing integrated circuit density comprising at least a pair of superimposed dice, wherein at least one of the superimposed dice has at least one bond pad variably positioned on an active surface of the die. A plurality of lead fingers from a leadframe extend between the dice. The leadframe comprises at least one lead with leads of non-uniform length and configuration to attach to the differently positioned bond pads of the multiple dice. An advantage of the present invention is that it allows dice with differing bond pad arrangements to be used in a superimposed configuration to increase circuit density, while eliminating the use of bond wires in such a configuration.

Abstract: In brief, an object oriented thread context manager, a method and computer program product are provided for object oriented thread context management, particularly for relational databases working with distributed transactions. A context manager is provided for managing a plurality of ContextControl objects. Each ContextControl object comprises a plurality of methods for creating, resuming and suspending context on a thread for a target object. A ContextCoordinator class is provided for managing calls to the plurality of ContextControl objects. A ContextHandleList is provided for storing context information for the ContextControl objects. A specialized ContextCoordinator is provided for managing calls to a specialized ones of the ContextControl objects. A DatabaseContextCoordinator is an example of the specialized ContextCoordinator. The specialized ones of the ContextControl objects are registered and unregistered with the ContextCoordinator class and then registered DatabaseContextCoordinator.

Abstract: A system and method for processing electronic mail status rendezvous. A system for processing electronic mail status rendezvous includes an object for receiving a status message having incomplete reported recipient information; an object for initiating a candidate list of a plurality of candidates, the candidates being selected according to an identification in the status message; an object for preparing a search list of object identifiers; an object for eliminating non-matching candidates; and an object for selecting a matching candidate. A method for processing electronic mail status rendezvous includes the steps of receiving a status message having incomplete reported recipient information; preparing a candidate list of a plurality of candidates; the candidates selected according to an identification in the status message, preparing a search list of object identifiers; eliminating non-matching candidates; and selecting a matching candidate.

Abstract: A unique odor filtration device (10) which continuously removes odor causing gas phase contaminants from an air stream through the use of partially hollow wicking fibers (20) impregnated with a selected liquid (18) which can capture odor causing gas phase contaminants. The odor removing liquid (18) is a chemical composition including sodium permanganate in combination with either sodium carbonate or sodium phosphate. The odor absorbing liquid (18) can include specialized additives such as transition metal salts and other agents such as sodium iodide for additional and broader odor removal coverage. The wicking fibers (20) are formed into a filter element (12) which extends from a chamber (16) through which the air stream to be cleaned is directed into a stripping chamber (19). The odor causing contaminants are conveyed to from chamber (16) to chamber (19) by a concentration factor induced molecular migration.

Abstract: A welding torch (10) for gas tungsten arc (tungsten inert gas) welding includes a housing (12) and an electrode holder (50, 52) which is mounted on the housing so as to project therefrom, and which is adapted to hold an electrode (54) such that the electrode projects from an end of the holder remote from the housing. A shroud (14) is mounted on, or forms part of, the housing (12) and extends around but is spaced from the electrode holder (50, 52). Electrically conductive means (46, 48) extends within the housing (12) for electrically connecting the electrode holder (50, 52) to one terminal of an electric power source. The torch (10) is adapted for connection to a source of an inert gas for generating a flow of gas through the shroud (14), around the electrode holder (50, 52).

Abstract: The information management and database system of the present invention comprises a flexible, self-referential table that stores data. The table of the present invention may store any type of data, both structured and unstructured, and provides an interface to other application programs. The table of the present invention comprises a plurality of rows and columns. Each row has an object identification number (OID) and each column also has an OID. A row corresponds to a record and a column corresponds to a field such that the intersection of a row and a column comprises a cell that may contain data for a particular record related to a particular field, a cell may also point to another record. To enhance searching and to provide for synchronization between columns, columns are entered as rows in the table and the record corresponding to a column contains various information about the column. The table includes an index structure for extended queries.

Abstract: A method for preparing and isolating a transformation vector containing CSF/cDNA is described. The method comprises:preparing RNA from a cell that produces CSF;preparing polyadenylated messenger RNA from said RNA;preparing single stranded cDNA from said messenger RNA;converting the single stranded cDNA to double stranded cDNA;inserting the double stranded cDNA into transformation vectors and transforming bacteria with said vector to form colonies;picking pools of 200 to 500 colonies each and isolating plasmid DNA from each pool;transfecting the plasmid DNA into suitable host cells for expressing CSF protein;culturing the transfected cells and assaying the supernatant for CSF activity; andselecting CSF positive pools and screening the colonies used to make the pool to identify a colony having CSF activity. Also described are a cDNA coding for a protein having CSF activity (i.e.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting an optical inspection of a biological, chemical, or biochemical sample supported by an optical transparent disc. The disc is mounted for rotation about its central axis whilst a light source and detector are mounted on an arm for rotation in an arc crossing the surface of the disc. The source is arranged above the disc and the detector below the disc with the optical axes of the two being aligned so that the entire usable surface of the disc can be scanned by the light source and detector. The disc is provided with a calibration marking which interrupts the passage of the light beam when the beam passes over it, thus allowing the scan to be aligned relative to the disc. The optical properties of the sample supported on the substrate can be automatically and rapidly inspected by analyzing the output of the light detector.

Abstract: A new treatment schedule for administration of N-?2-(dimethylamino)ethyl!acridine-4-carboxamide and other related carboxamide anticancer drugs in which the drug is administered in a divided-dose schedule comprising two or more administrations at frequent intervals, for example every hour. Schedules to produce cyclic peaks/troughs in plasma levels are mentioned. The compounds can be used for circumventing multidrug resistance in cancers and may, for example, be used in combination with other cytotoxic drugs, especially non-topo II inhibitors. Treatment of melanoma and advanced colon cancer is included.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surfaces used to reflect light, and particularly to highly light reflectant surfaces that provide even diffusion of light for the purpose of maximizing light efficiency and/or uniformity in a luminaire. By employing an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) comprising a microstructure of polymeric nodes and fibrils, the material of the present invention demonstrates exceptional diffuse reflectivity across a wide spectrum of visible light. Additionally, the material of the present invention provides many properties that have been previously unavailable in highly diffuse reflective material, including a high degree of malleability, moldability and flexibility, and effective reflectivity even at relatively thin cross-sections.

Abstract: A process for thermal transfer printing on plastic films incorporating a coating composition is provided. The process includes providing plastic film having a coating composition including a binder of a polymer and/or copoylmer of carboxylic acid containing vinylic unsaturation, at least one finely divided particulate filler, and a surface active agent. A thermographic element such as a ribbon which includes a dye layer is then heated in the form of an image to be printed onto the plastic film, with the heating causing the dye layer to melt in the form of the image. The plastic film coated with the coating composition is contacted with the thermographic ribbon, and the dye layer is transferred from the ribbon to the plastic film. Such thermal transfer printing on coated plastic films provides for a multitude of uses such as plastic labels for outdoor use.