Abstract: Metering pulses from a local exchange are received by a wireless local loop (WLL) which computes the metering pulse rate. A value indicative of the metering pulse rate is then placed into a message which is transmitted from the WLL to a wireless public office (PCO), also referred to as a village public telephone. The wireless PCO reads the message to determine the metering pulse rate value and then generates PCO metering pulses at the metering pulse rate value. Advantageously, once the wireless PCO has properly received the metering pulse rate value, no additional metering pulse information is required to be sent to the PCO unless the metering pulse rate value changes during the call. Therefore, there are no further interruptions to the speech or data on the forward voice channel in order to transmit metering pulse information to the PCO.

Abstract: A network service access system and method for intelligent networks uses a network element called a mediation point between network service switching points (SSP) and third party service provider service control points (SCP). The mediation point acts as a gateway to the AIN network for the service provider SCPs. The mediation point at the boundary of the intelligent network has ports for connection to service providers SCPs and a list of SSPs within the intelligent network to which each respective service provider is allowed access.

Abstract: Purified HNF3.delta. proteins and processes for producing them are disclosed. DNA molecules encoding the HNF3.delta. proteins are also disclosed. The proteins may be used in regulating the transcription of one or more genes involved in the formation, differentiation, proliferation and maintenance of cells which form organ tissues, particularly pancreatic cells, as well as other tissue repair.

Abstract: A system for creating and manipulating groups of graphic objects using enclosures. A persistent graphic object, such as a closed loop is drawn around a set of graphic objects as an enclosure. When the enclosure is selected the enclosure and the set of graphic objects within are grouped. Besides moving graphic objects into and out of the enclosure, the contents of a group can then be modified by 1) graphically altering the enclosure loop to include or remove graphic objects, 2) fusing groups by moving one of them so that their enclosure loops overlap (i.e., they "fuse" into one), 3) fusing groups through gestures which "touch" enclosure loops of the groups to be fused or 4) splitting the group into multiple groups through a splitting gesture.

Abstract: Tumor cells modified to express one or more T cell costimulatory molecules are disclosed. Preferred costimulatory molecules are B7-2 and B7-3. The tumor cells of the invention can be modified by transfection with nucleic acid encoding B7-2 and/or B7-3, by using an agent which induces or increases expression of B7-2 and/or B7-3 on the tumor cell or by coupling B7-2 and/or B7-3 to the tumor cell. Tumor cells modified to express B7-2 and/or B7-3 can be further modified to express B7. Tumor cells further modified to express MHC class I and/or class II molecules or in which expression of an MHC associated protein, the invariant chain, is inhibited are also disclosed. The modified tumor cells of the invention can be used in methods for treating a patient with a tumor, preventing or inhibiting metastatic spread of a tumor or preventing or inhibiting recurrence of a tumor. A method for specifically inducing a CD4.sup.

Abstract: A method and device for highly accurate corneal topographical mapping and a device for effecting the mapping for use in effecting vision correction by removal of corneal tissue. The method and device involve use of a modified optical interferometer with directing of a coherent light beam, such as from a laser, to the anterior surface of a cornea; splitting the beam so that half the beam is directed to a reference object having a predetermined shape; capturing the reflected light from the cornea and the reference object so as to form an interference pattern; and using the interference pattern to determine deviations or displacements of the corneal surface from the known reference shape. The deviations are then utilized in corneal tissue removing procedures, such as RK, PRK and RLK, by determination of the extent and position of tissue removal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a geo-positional treading sphere (10) having a sphere (12) rotatably cradled within a base (14). The base (14) has at least one base pylon (14A) having a base pylon driver to rotate the sphere (12) longitudinally and/or latidudinally in response to an instant position which the user (16) is located within the sphere (12). The base (14) has a plurality of base bearings (14D) attached thereto which function to facilitate the sphere's (12) rotation. The user (16) adorns a user control (18) consisting of a user control backpack (18A) and a user control helmet (18B). The user control backpack (18A) has at least one user control backpack infrared distance sensor to send and receive signals to the inner wall of the sphere (12). The received signals by the at least one user control backpack infrared distance sensor is relayed to the geo-positional treading sphere operating system (110).

Abstract: A method for determining a flow rate of a substance or a thermo-contrast agent in an object including a surface and an upstream region, and the method comprising the steps of (a) providing the upstream region with a thermo-contrast agent; (b) obtaining successive temperature readings of at least a part of the surface of the object; (c) generating a temperature response curve from the temperature readings; (d) extracting a parameter from the temperature response curve; and (e) determining the flow rate from the parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accumulation of hyperpolarized .sup.129 Xe is disclosed. The method and apparatus of the invention enable the continuous or episodic accumulation of flowing hyperpolarized .sup.129 Xe in frozen form. The method also permits the accumulation of hyperpolarized .sup.129 Xe to the substantial exclusion of other gases, thereby enabling the purification of hyperpolarized .sup.129 Xe. The invention further includes .sup.129 Xe accumulation means which is integrated with .sup.129 Xe hyperpolarization means in a continuous or pulsed flow arrangement. The method and apparatus enable large scale production, storage, and usage of hyperpolarized .sup.129 Xe for numerous purposes, including imaging of human and animal subjects through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.

Abstract: A canting device adjusts the angle of a shoe and/or a pedal in an upward and inward direction to position a bicyclist's foot to maximize the muscle power to be applied by the foot. The device has a tapered thickness and in one instance, is inserted between the sole of the shoe and a cleat, the larger of the tapered thickness being positioned toward the inside of the foot.

Abstract: An adjustable radius form assembly is provided which includes a plurality of vertical strongbacks and a plurality of horizontal walers. Each of the walers are pre-rolled to a desired radius. The walers are then connected to one another by ball and socket type adjusters which enable the end to end arrangement of the walers to accommodate an overall form assembly having a wide range of curvatures or radii. The plurality of end to end walers and plurality of corresponding strongbacks may define a gang form length. A number of gang form lengths may be connected to one another to create the desired form assembly for the structure to be constructed. The vertical strongbacks may be placed at desired spacings along the horizontal lengths of the corresponding walers by adjustment of connectors on said strongbacks extending through slotted plates on the walers.

Abstract: This application relates to the use of non-estrogen compounds having a terminal phenol group in a four-ring cyclopentanophenanthrene compound structure for conferring neuroprotection to cells and for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: A magneto-optic recording system employing near-field optics which includes a read/write head having a stylus comprising a pair of crossed tapered prisms made of a material having a high index of refraction closely adjacent to the recording medium to provide light coupling between slits at the ends of the prisms and the recording medium. The length of the prism slits being greater than one-half the effective wavelength inside the material filling the prism of the light transmitted by the prisms to transmit all light entering the waveguide to the tapered end and the width being a fraction of a wavelength of the light.

Abstract: Digital data is encoded using a modulus m converter to produce fractionally encoded words, where m is the nearest integer larger than 2.sup.c and c is a noninteger. The fractionally encoded words are mapped into a symbol constellation having m symbols to produce a two dimensional data signal. The data signal is added to a two dimensional analog signal, which was obtained by encoding an input analog signal, to produce a combined two dimensional signal. The combined signal is modulated using QAM and then transmitted over a communication channel.

Abstract: Methods for inducing a population of T cells to proliferate by activating the population of T cells and stimulating an accessory molecule on the surface of the T cells with a ligand which binds the accessory molecule are described. T cell proliferation occurs in the absence of exogenous growth factors or accessory cells. T cell activation is accomplished by stimulating the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex or the CD2 surface protein. To induce proliferation of an activated population T cells, an accessory molecule on the surface of the T cells, such as CD28 or CD9, is stimulated with a ligand which binds the accessory molecule. The T cell population expanded by the method of the invention can be genetically transduced and used for immunotherapy or can be used in methods of diagnosis.

Abstract: Plant volatile oils have been found to have certain beneficial effects on the body of a human or non-human. The effects described relate to the maintenance of levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), the prevention or mitigation of deleterious changes in nervous tissue, elevation of protein levels, and the prevention or mitigation of retinal degeneration.

Abstract: Tumor cells modified to express a T cell costimulatory molecule are disclosed. In one embodiment, the costimulatory molecule is a CD28/CTLA4 ligand, preferably a B lymphocyte antigen B7. The tumor cells of the invention can be modified by transfection with nucleic acid encoding a T cell costimulatory molecule, by using an agent which induces or increases expression of a T cell costimulatory molecule on the tumor cell surface or by coupling a T cell costimulatory molecule to the tumor cell surface. Tumor cells further modified to express MHC class I and/or class II molecules or in which expression of an MHC associated protein, the invariant chain, is inhibited are also disclosed. The modified tumor cells of the invention can be used in methods for treating a patient with a tumor, preventing or inhibiting metastatic spread of a tumor or preventing or inhibiting recurrence of a tumor. A method for specifically inducing a CD4.sup.

Abstract: A first frame member and a second frame member are pivotally joined at respective ends thereof for movement towards each other into a collapsed disposition and for movement away from each other into an erected condition wherein the members are at right angles to each other. One of the members supports to each of its sides an articulating wheel support and wheel and carries within its hollow a slide which is connected by pivots to each of said wheel supports and by pivoting straps to the other frame member so that when the frame members pivot apart the wheels move out and so that when the frame members pivot towards each other the wheels are drawn in so that the entire device assumes a collapsed condition. The frame members carry supports for a golf bag and may carry a battery tank (for a battery when the wheels are driven by motors that are battery powered) storage containers, seats, an umbrella stand and similar articles useful to a golfer. A number of wheel support configurations are provided.

Abstract: A data processor has at least one output terminal which a user of the data processor can vary the output impedance thereof depending upon the application environment of the data processor. A first output buffer of an output buffer stage has a predetermined output impedance and is coupled between an input of the stage and the output terminal. The first output buffer provides a first output terminal impedance. A second output buffer having a lower output impedance than the first output buffer may be selectively coupled in parallel to the first output buffer to reduce the output impedance of the output terminal. The coupling of the output buffers is controlled by a user of the data processor who provides a control input for selecting one of a plurality of predetermined output terminal impedance values.

Abstract: Carbomer or cross-polyacrylate polymers which are conventionally provided in a powdered form are converted to a granulated, pelletized or tablet form for subsequent use, in combination with a liquid medium, to form a gel from which products such as liquid detergents, cosmetics and toiletries can be produced. Conversion of the polymer into a granular, pelletized or tablet form has been demonstrated to improve handling of the dry polymer, thereby mitigating against many of the problems incurred with the use of conventional powders, as well as to improve the rate of blending of the polymer with a liquid medium. In some embodiments, the polymer is blended with an electrolyte which may be a salt, acid or acid salt having a pK which is at least 1 unit, and preferably 2 units, greater than the pK of the polymer.