Abstract: The resin content of an organic resin-matrix composite material is measured nondestructively by nuclear magnetic resonance. A specimen of the composite material is placed into a constant magnetic field and subjected to a radio-frequency magnetic field pulse. The response of the material is indicative of the amount of organic resin that is present. The response may be used as a feedback signal to control the operation of a manufacturing machine.

Abstract: HGBV-C oligonucleotides from the 5' end of HGBV-C useful for the detection and genotyping of HGBV-C isolates. Also provided are assays which utilize these oligonucleotides.

Abstract: Architecture for a programmable logic device is described which can operate at substantially faster clock rates than present programmable logic devices. The PLD uses BiCMOS circuit elements to make use of the speed advantages of bipolar technology while also enjoying the limited power consumption of CMOS technology.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind to either Hepatitis C Virus C-100 protein, Hepatitis C Virus 33C protein and Hepatitis C Virus CORE protein, and hybridomas which produce these monoclonal antibodies. Also provided are methods for using these monoclonal antibodies and assay kits containing these antibodies.

Abstract: Architecture for a programmable logic device is described which can operate at substantially faster clock rates than present programmable logic devices. The PLD uses BiCMOS circuit elements to make use of the speed advantages of bipolar technology while also enjoying the limited power consumption of CMOS technology.

Abstract: Nucleic oligomer probes useful for detection of HGBV in test samples. Also provided are assays which utilize these probes and test kits which contain these oligomer probes.

Abstract: Mammalian expression systems for the production of HCV proteins. Such expression systems provide high yields of HCV proteins, and enable the development of diagnostic and therapeutic reagents which contain glycosylated structural antigens and also allow for the isolation of the HCV etiological agent.

Abstract: A biasing system for a differential amplifier includes an NMOS current source and a gate bias voltage generator. The gate bias voltage generator produces a bias voltage VNCS to control the NMOS current source. The gate bias generator includes a reference current generator to produce a reference current relatively independent of supply voltage variations. A temperature compensator regulates the reference current to provide a temperature compensated current. A current mirror duplicates the temperature compensated current to a bias voltage generator. The bias voltage generator generates the bias voltage.

Abstract: Architecture for a programmable logic device is described which can operate at substantially faster clock rates than present programmable logic devices. The PLD uses BiCMOS circuit elements to make use of the speed advantages of bipolar technology while also enjoying the limited power consumption of CMOS technology.

Abstract: Mammalian expression systems for the production of HCV E1-E2 fusion proteins. Such expression systems provide high yields of HCV proteins extracelluarly, and enable the development of diagnostic, vaccine and therapeutic reagents which contain glycosylated structural antigens and also allow for the isolation of the HCV etiological agent.

Abstract: Method and system for monitoring the operation of a machine having a traversing tool or die member, based on a plurality of features extracted from a process signature. The method includes defining the plurality of features, each feature representing a parameter associated with the process of forming the parts, and operating the machine so as to produce a predetermined number of production parts while collecting a production operating signature. The method also includes extracting the feature values from the production operating signature to obtain production feature values, and comparing the production feature values to predetermined operating limits which represent limits within which acceptable parts are formed.

Abstract: A programmable logic device includes a plurality of logic cells in which logic functions are performed, a plurality of input lines for supplying signals to be processed by the logic cells, a plurality of output lines for receiving signals that have been processed by the logic cells, and a plurality of repeater circuits combining bipolar and CMOS transistor technologies for transferring data from one point in the PLD to another point. Unidirectional repeater circuits transfer data from a first data bus in the PLD to a second data bus in the PLD. Bidirectional repeater circuits maintain signal integrity by transferring data along the length of a single PLD data bus. The bipolar technology in the repeater circuits provides superior speed in data transfer, while the CMOS technology limits power consumption of the repeater circuits.

Abstract: Method of and system for monitoring the operation of a stamping press including a punch and a die for forming parts from a blank based on processed punch tonnages measurements at predetermined locations in the working stroke. The method includes selecting at least two punch locations at which a press variable measurement will be made and operating the stamping press so as to produce production parts to measure a production press operating variable at the locations for each production part produced. The method also includes processing the production press operating variables to obtain production operating parameters and comparing the production operating parameters to predetermined operating limits representing limits within which the variation in blank thickness and work hardening coefficient of the sheet metal are in control and acceptable stampings are being produced.

Abstract: A mouse monoclonal antibody is provided which detects HIV-2 seropositive individuals and differentiates them from HIV-1 seropositive individuals. The monoclonal antibody is specific for an epitope of HIV-2 gp41 which lies outside the characterized immunodominant region. The epitope recognized by the monoclonal antibody has the amino acid sequence HTTVPW.

Abstract: Improved methods for detecting antibodies in test samples. The improvement comprises uses CKS-fusion proteins specific for the antibodies in assays such as screening assays, competitive assays, confirmatory assays and immunodot assays. Test kits which contain these CKS-fusion proteins useful in such assays also are provided.

Abstract: Method and system for monitoring the operation of a stamping press preferably for forming automobile parts, such as fenders and quarter panels, based on a plurality of features extracted from a press signature. The method includes defining the plurality of features, each feature representing a parameter associated with the process of forming the parts, and operating the stamping press so as to produce a predetermined number of production parts while collecting a production operating signature. The method also includes extracting the feature values from the production operating signature to obtain production feature values, and comparing the production feature values to predetermined operating limits which represent limits within which acceptable parts are formed.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) E2/NS1 antigen. Also provided are hybridoma cell lines which secrete these monoclonal antibodies, methods for using these monoclonal antibodies, and assay kits for assays which contain these monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: An adaptive method of detecting a misfiring cylinder in a spark-ignited internal combustion engine during substantially all engine operating conditions, including most no-load operation. The method includes the step of normalizing an engine acceleration-independent and engine speed-independent power cycle time differential signal for a particular cylinder of the engine, obtained from consecutive power cycle time periods of an engine cycle, utilizing a calibration parameter stored in the memory for the particular cylinder, to obtain a normalized power cycle time differential signal for the particular cylinder. The method also includes the step of comparing the normalized power cycle time differential signal to a misfire threshold signal stored in the memory to determine if the cylinder is misfiring. Preferably, the misfire threshold signal is based on at least one engine operating parameter.

Abstract: The present invention minimizes the noise voltage associated with the switching of output driver transistors of integrated cicruits caused by the rapid change in value of the current, expressed by the term di/dt, from the load into the driver transistors through the package leads. The present invention uses a programmable coarse current control (CCC) circuit and a programmable fine current control (FCC) circuit that control the pull-down output transistors. The FCC creates two time periods, after which it prevents the CCC from controlling an output pull-down transistor. The FCC and the CCC are used to reduce the di/dt dependent voltage noise by controlling the slope and the shape of the output voltage pull-down characteristics.

Abstract: A method is provided for quantitatively monitoring the deprotection and coupling reactions employed in the solid phase synthesis of peptides. The method entails synthesizing a peptide on a support matrix that has a first marker associated therewith. The amino acids employed in the peptide synthesis procedure have a second marker attached thereto, which can be the blocking group used for the amino acid. After the coupling or deprotection step a portion of the support matrix is processed to release first and second identifers from the first and second markers, respectively. The completeness of the coupling or deprotection step can be determined by comparing the relative amounts of the detected first and second identifiers. Novel compositions of matter are used in or produced during this method, including support matrixes having pyrolyzable markers attached thereto.