Abstract: The present invention describes a dissociated cell culture system comprising cells of the hippocampus, one of the brain areas affected by Alzheimer's Disease (AD) or amyloid beta-related diseases. This culture system comprises hippocampal neuronal and glial cells from animal models of AD, particularly, but not limited to, double transgenic mice expressing both the human APP mutation (K670N:M671L) (mAPP), and the human PS1 mutation (M146L) (mPS1), and serves as a powerful tool for the screening and testing of compounds and substances, e.g., drugs, for their ability to affect, treat, or prevent AD or ?-amyloid-related diseases. The effects of a test substance on the cells in this culture system can be quantitatively assessed to determine if the test substance affects the cells biochemically and/or electrophysiologically, and/or optically, and/or immunocytochemically. The present in vitro culture system is advantageous for AD drug screening, because it is rapid and efficient.

Abstract: A non-contact fader control uses a movable permanent magnet and one or two Hall-effect sensors to provide a constant, direct current voltage output. Signal conditioning and digital control circuitry linearize the output and otherwise precondition the output for application to a voltage controlled amplifier for the control of audio output in an audio mixing board.

Abstract: Collision avoidance apparatus (28, 30) is mounted on a host vehicle (20) to detect the presence of an adjacent vehicle (22) within a monitored zone (24, 26). A sensor module (30) includes a plurality of discrete sensor systems for monitoring unique portions of the monitored zone (24, 26), each of which comprises an emitter (52) emitting a fixed frequency modulated beam (58) of light energy (54) with a predetermined burst length into its unique portion of the monitored zone (24, 26), and a receiver (68) having a field of view (62), substantially aligned with emitted beam (58) to produce a fixed optical overlap area (A), and for sensing light energy (66) and generating a received signal. A frequency generator (48) produces two or more predetermined different fixed frequencies for use by the emitter (52) to emit beams (58) at each frequency. A phase shifter (70) produces a phase shifted reference signal with a different predetermined phase delay relationship to each fixed frequency.

Abstract: A multiple-chip probe assembly suitable for wafer testing over a wide temperature range includes a plurality of individual buckling beam probe elements. A support structure supports the plurality of buckling beam probe elements in an arrangement in accordance with an electrical contact footprint for use in electrically contacting multiple chips of a wafer under test and enables buckling movement in a contacting direction of the plurality of buckling beams. The support structure includes a principal support material having a thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) matched with the wafer under test and a second material other than the principal support material, wherein a contact positioning of the plurality of buckling beam probe elements upon the wafer under test during a testing operation is maintained. The second material prevents an individual probe element from electrically contacting the principal support material.

Abstract: A call-center ACD switch and queuing method are modified either to respond to an arriving call by determining, for those splits that could handle the call, the present values of a parameter that defines what is a best split for handling the call, determining from those present values which split is the best split for handling the call, and then enqueuing the call in the call queue of the best split, or to respond to a call that overflows the call queue of its primary agent split by determining which backup split in which call center is the best backup split for the call, and enqueuing the call in the call queue of the best backup split. Any desirable criteria may be used to determine the best split. A preferred criterion is queue waiting time: the best split is the one whose call queue offers the shortest in-queue waiting time.

Abstract: A socket assembly designed to hold an IC module during testing or burn-in is described. The apparatus includes: a base, an integrated or a modular interposer, a printed circuit board, and an optional stiffener. The interposer is provided with an array of contacts to provide electrical signals to the IC module. The base upon which the module rests is provided with a plate having holes that match the contacts in the interposer. Two jaws, positioned on opposite sides of the socket, are attached to shafts which limit the jaws to a vertical movement. The jaws are further controlled by a U-shaped actuation lever, which ends are connected to off-center cams pinned to the jaws. The jaws are able to move up sufficiently to enable the module to be inserted without requiring added lateral motion. When the socket is in a closed position, the jaws urge the module against the electrical contacts. The design accommodates variable module thicknesses, and is further designed to optimize the forced convective cooling effect.

Abstract: A call-center ACD switch and queuing method are modified either to respond to a call that overflows the call queue of its primary agent split by determining which backup split in which call center is the best backup split for the call, and enqueuing the call in the call queue of the best backup split, or to respond to an arriving call by determining, for those splits that could handle the call, the present values of a parameter that defines what is a best split for handling the call, determining from those present values which split is the best split for handling the call, and then enqueuing the call in the call queue of the best split. Any desirable criteria may be used to determine the best split or the best back-up split. A preferred criterion is queue waiting time: the best split or the best backup split is the one whose call queue offers the shortest in-queue waiting time. The waiting time may be either the real estimated waiting time (EWT), or the EWT weighted for other factors (WEWT).

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus (12) for handling calls in a call center predicts (206, 312, 410) a caller's level of motivation for making the call and uses (208-212, 314-330, 412-416) the prediction as a basis for determining how to handle the call. The method and apparatus respond to a call coming in to the call center by determining (206, 306, 404) a number of call attempts--either all call attempts whether answered or unanswered by an agent, or only unanswered call attempts--made by the caller to the call center within a predetermined elapsed period of time, and possibly also by determining (308-310, 406) other predictors of the level of motivation of the caller in making the call, prior to the call being answered.

Abstract: A method of defining a sensing system for detecting the presence of an object in a volume of space under surveillance by determining the optimal placement of a plurality of energy beams which are projected into the volume which comprises the steps of (A) placing the object at a preselected position within the space; (B) directing a plurality of sample beams of energy, which have a predetermined orientation, from a source onto the object; (C) detecting the reflections of the sample beam energy from points on the object by energy detectors; (D) recording the preselected position of the object, the predetermined orientation of sample beams, and the detection status of the energy detectors; (E) changing the equatorial and azimuthal angles of each of the beams and repeating steps (B), (C) and (D); (F) moving the source of the sample beams relative to the object; (G) repeating steps (B) through (F) to produce spatial maps of the locations at which the object is positioned when each of the energy detectors detect re

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which allow for the detection of an object (14) by the generation of a radiated beam (18) and a subsequent reflection by the object (14) of a portion (20) thereof. The detection of particulate object material (16) due to a reflection of a portion (22) of the generated beam (18) is minimized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which allow for the detection of an object (14) by the generation of a radiated beam (18) and a subsequent reflection by the object (14) of a portion (20) thereof. The detection of particulate object material (16) due to a reflection of a portion (22) of the generated beam (18) is minimized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which allow for the detection of an object (14) by the generation of a radiated beam (18) and a subsequent reflection by the object (14) of a portion (20) thereof. The detection of particulate object material (16) due to a reflection of a portion (22) of the generated beam (18) is minimized.

Abstract: A device for filtering stack gases, such as produced by a coal fired electric generating plant, includes a plurality of movable dual filter elements positioned downstream from the point of combustion where dry solid waste including calcium sulphite (CaSO.sub.3) and fly ash are present in the flue gas, the multiple dual filters being arranged for reciprocation into and out of the flue gas stream so that they may be alternately loaded in filtering the dry solid waste from the flue gas and cleaned by a vacuum system, each of the reciprocable dual filters being arranged to actuate a valve controlling communication with the vaccum cleaning system.