Abstract: A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) comprising a semiconductor region and a plurality of metal contacts, located on a top surface of the semiconductor region, where the plurality of metal contacts comprise one or more first metal contacts that are in contact with one or more emitter regions and one or more second metal contacts that are in contact with an upper surface of a body region of the semiconductor region. One or more insulating structures are located on the top surface of the semiconductor region, where the insulating structures isolate the one or more first metal contacts from the one or more second metal contacts. A metal layer is located over the insulating structures, where the metal layer is in contact with one or more first metal contacts and is isolated from the one or more second metal contacts by the insulating structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to three isolated DNA molecules that encode for proteins, BigL1, BigL2 and BigL3, in the Leptospira sp bacterium which have repetitive Bacterial-Ig-like (Big) domains and their use in diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine applications. According to the present invention, the isolated molecules encoding for BigL1, BigL2 and BigL3 proteins are used for the diagnosis and prevention of infection with Leptospira species that are capable of producing disease in humans and other mammals, including those of veterinary importance.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, comprising a trench extending into the device from a surface. The trench has sidewalls extending along the length of the trench, a depth and a width defined at said surface between said sidewalls. The trench is at least partly filled with a material. At least one of the sidewalls is provided with at least one lateral recess, the or each recess providing a discrete localised increase in said trench width.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ablation of a resection plane in an organ of the body, is disclosed. A linear-array probe with a plurality of tines penetrates a cross-section of the organ. A radio frequency generator is connected to the linear-array probe via wire conductors. The radio frequency generator generates a current that produces radio frequency thermal energy at the tines to ablate a plane of the cross-section of the organ along a line of the tines. Size of the ablated plane depends on the plurality of tines in the linear-array probe. The resection plane is dependent on alignment of the tines in the linear-array probe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the delivery of agents for sustained release. In particular, the present invention allows for site-specific delivery of therapeutic agents to the tissue, retention of the agents in the tissue, and sustain release of the agents from the site of delivery. The method consists of ablating the tissue and injecting an agent into the ablated tissue for sustained release.