Abstract: This invention includes a circuit for displaying charge status to a user. The circuit includes circuitry for comparing a supply or reference voltage to a cell voltage, circuitry for sensing charging current and circuitry for displaying at least one of three charging states to a user. The circuit compares the supply or reference voltage to the cell voltage while sensing current. If the difference between the supply or reference voltage is great, and current is small, the circuit indicates a trickle charging mode. If the charging current is large, the circuit indicates rapid charge. If the difference between the supply or reference voltage is small, and the current is small, the circuit indicates a top off mode. The circuit preferably includes a plurality of comparators for both sensing and comparing the voltages and currents. A pair of light emitting diodes preferably indicates the state of charge to the user.

Abstract: This invention includes a charging circuit employing an off-the-shelf battery protection circuit. The invention offers an improvement to the battery protection circuit by providing means to accommodate trickle charging during undervoltage conditions. A pass transistor is provided with a trickle resistor coupled in parallel. The pass transistor is driven by a drooping voltage circuit that causes the pass transistor to open in undervoltage conditions, thus forcing charging current through the trickle resistor. Indicating means are also included to tell the user whether the circuit is in trickle mode or normal charging mode.

Abstract: This invention includes a charging circuit employing an off-the-shelf battery protection circuit. The invention offers an improvement to the battery protection circuit by providing means to accommodate trickle charging during undervoltage conditions. A pass transistor is provided with a trickle resistor coupled in parallel. The pass transistor is driven by a drooping voltage circuit that causes the pass transistor to open in undervoltage conditions, thus forcing charging current through the trickle resistor. Indicating means are also included to tell the user whether the circuit is in trickle mode or normal charging mode.

Abstract: Hepatitis B virus core antigen nucleic acid vaccines and their use are disclosed. In the vaccines and methods of the invention, precore sequences in the 5′ untranslated region of the core antigen mRNA are not present.

Abstract: A method of producing an effective immune response in an animal against a first rotavirus, by (1) identifying an animal susceptible to or having a first rotavirus infection; and (2) administering to the animal an isolated VP6 polypeptide of a second rotavirus sufficient to produce an effective immune response against the first rotavirus, the second rotavirus capable of infecting a different species than the first rotavirus.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of eliciting an immune response and/or protective immunity in a vertebrate by introducing into the vertebrate a DNA vaccine which consists essentially of DNA encoding an antigen or antigens, e.g., capsid proteins or polypeptides, of rotavirus. The uptake of the DNA vaccine by a host vertebrate results in the expression of the capsid protein, thereby eliciting humoral or cell-mediated immune responses, or both, which can provide protection against infection and/or prevent clinically significant rotavirus-caused disease. In addition, the invention demonstrates that an internal viral antigen provides protective immunity in a host. The host can be any vertebrate, including birds, piglets, and humans.

Abstract: An adapter system comprising an adapter with plug prongs on its front face and apertures on its back face, and adapter contacts within it, and a power supply with power supply prongs disposed outwardly, which prongs have undercuts at their distal ends; where the power supply contacts can be inserted into the apertures of the adapter, and the adapter is then rotated around the axis of insertion, mechanically securing the adapter to the power supply and simultaneously making electrical contact between the adapter and the power supply.

Abstract: A charger for an item to be charged is described which comprises a base fitting into an automobile beverage holder; a means for securing the base of the beverage holder, a first electrical contact on the base to supply power to the charger; a second electrical contact on the base to supply power to the item to be charged, and a receptacle in the base for holding the item to be charged. In one embodiment of the invention, the top portion of the charger has the receptacle and the first and second electrical contacts, and may be detached from the base for use as a desk charger.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies and their use in assays to determine the presence of Norwalk virus, Norwalk virus particles, or Norwalk virus-specific IgM, in a biological sample. One assay includes the steps of contacting the sample with a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to Norwalk virus particles in human stool; reacting the sample and the antibody for a time and under conditions that allow the formation of an immunocomplex between the antibody and any Norwalk virus in the sample; and detecting the immunocomplex, the presence of the immunocomplex indicating the presence of human Norwalk virus in the sample. Another assay is an IgM capture antibody immunoassay.

Abstract: A light pipe assembly (10) for an electrical device comprises a holder (12) made of a compliant material, and light pipes (14) which transmit light. The light pipes are seated in channels (16) formed in the holder. The holder has compressible ridges (22) formed on the portion of the holder where light enters (18). The light pipe assembly is seated in the device such that the light receiving face (34) of each light pipe is in proximity to a surface mounted LED (50). The compressible ridges keep light from bleeding from the LED to adjacent light pipes and compensates for the slight variations in dimensions between the housing (42) and the circuit board (44) of the device. The top portion (30) of each light pipe protrudes above the holder and through openings in the housing so that the signal of the LED can be seen.

Abstract: A leaded component (10) is provided with first and second leads (14 & 16). The leads are formed with stopping deviations (26 & 28) which prevent the leads from being inserted into a circuit board (38) beyond the stopping deviations. The leads may also be provided with retaining deviations (34 & 36) which function to retain the component on the circuit board. Further, the stopping deviations may be formed so as to indicate the polarity of a component, and finally, the stopping deviations may be provided with mounting portions (50 & 52) so that the leaded component may be surface mounted on a circuit board (54).

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of eliciting an immune response and/or protective immunity in a vertebrate by introducing into the vertebrate a DNA vaccine which consists essentially of DNA encoding an antigen or antigens, e.g., capsid proteins or polypeptides, of rotavirus. The uptake of the DNA vaccine by a host vertebrate results in the expression of the capsid protein, thereby eliciting humoral or cell-mediated immune responses, or both, which can provide protection against infection and/or prevent clinically significant rotavirus-caused disease. In addition, the invention demonstrates that an internal vital antigen provides protective immunity in a host. The host can be any vertebrate, including birds, piglets, and humans.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon the discovery of a group antigen common to various types of astroviruses and the production of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies reactive with this group antigen. The present invention encompasses the polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, hybridoma cell lines which produce these monoclonal antibodies, and methods of using the monoclonal antibodies for diagnosing and treating gastroenteritis.

Abstract: The present invention provides for automatic control of the performance of a transportation vehicle based on the vehicle's geographic location. This is accomplished by determining the geographic location of the vehicle by employing a navigation system (107) and comparing its location output to a predetermined performance control requirement then modifying the control of the vehicle as a result. Such control modification includes control of a vehicle's lights by a vehicle lights controller (109).

Abstract: In a three phase full wave type brushless DC motor control system, the neutral (common) terminal (15) is connected to the positive terminal (14A) of a battery (14) with the negative battery terminal (14B) connected to ground comprising a reference terminal (27) for the control system. Pairs of upper and lower controllable switching drive devices (21A-22A, 23B-24B, 25C-26C) are utilized to control current in windings (13A-13C) of the motor (13). Diodes (29-34) are connected across each of the switching devices for handling inductive transient signals. An effective storage capacitor, preferably comprising individual storage capacitors (36-38) connected across each pair of switching devices, is used to store a boost voltage, above battery voltage, which is generated by inductive transient signals.

Abstract: A DC power switch (10) for a capacitive load (11) has a main transistor (Q1) in series with the load between positive and negative DC bus terminals (B.sup.+, B.sup.-). A secondary transistor (Q2) and a resistor (R.sub.1) are connected in series and this series connection is connected in parallel to the main transistor (Q1). A control circuit (20; 50) is connected to the main and secondary transistors (Q1, Q2) and controls them. In response to an enable signal (26), the secondary transistor (Q2) is initially turned on such that it and the resistor provide the initial charging current for the capacitor load (11) and subsequently the secondary transistor is turned off and the main transistor is turned on such that it provides the subsequent current required by the load. This configuration minimizes the power dissipation ratings required for the transistors while balancing this requirement with the relative rapid providing of charging current for the capacitive load.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid phase immunoassay for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigens in a clinical specimen, wherein the Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigens to be determined are coated or adsorbed on the solid phase.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid phase immunoassay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis antigens in a clinical specimen, wherein the Chlamydia trachomatis antigens to be determined are coated or adsorbed on the solid phase.