Abstract: Disclosed are human interleukin-1 &bgr; converting enzyme like apoptosis proteases-3 and 4 and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques and antibodies and antagonists against such polypeptides. Also provided are methods of using the polypeptides, for example, as an antitumor agent, and antiviral agent, and antibodies and antagonists against such polypeptides for example, for treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and head injury. Diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention for detecting diseases are also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an article comprising a nanoscale surface pattern, such as a grating, is provided with a nanoscale patterns of reduced edge and/or sidewall roughness. Smooth featured articles, can be fabricated by nanoimprint lithography using a mold having sloped profile molding features. Another approach uses a mold especially fabricated to provide smooth sidewalls of reduced roughness, and a third approach adds a post-imprint smoothing step. These approaches can be utilized individually or in various combinations to make the novel articles.

Abstract: A method for strengthening an existing concrete column having a concrete body and a plurality of parallel longitudinal steel reinforcements includes the steps of preparing a steel wire cable that includes strands of steel filaments, winding the steel wire cable on the longitudinal steel reinforcements in a spiral manner relative to a centerline of the concrete body, fastening two opposite ends of the steel wire cable to the longitudinal steel reinforcements, and casting a structural material around the steel wire cable, the longitudinal steel reinforcements, and the concrete body.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for compensating for optical sensor data corrupted by angular acceleration is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining an angular acceleration of the optical sensor and modifying the optical sensor data according to the determined angular acceleration of the optical sensor. The apparatus comprises a sensor for determining an angular acceleration of the optical sensor and a navigation system for modifying the optical sensor data according to the determined angular acceleration of the optical sensor.

Abstract: The present invention to a system for positioning staff in an office, which comprises a plurality of fixed identification reader devices, a plurality of identification devices and a host computer. Each staff carries the identification device. The identification reader devices are places at fixed points of the terminal of the system to record and identify staff near the terminal. The host computer is used for collecting and recording the information read by the reader devices. Thereby, the system for position staff in an office according to the present invention could manage the staff in an office efficiently.

Abstract: Attitude acquisition methods and systems are provided which reduce the time generally required to acquire spacecraft attitude estimates and enhance the probability of realizing such estimates. The methods and systems receive, over a time span &Dgr;t, successive frames of star-sensor signals that correspond to successive stellar fields-of-view, estimate spacecraft rotation &Dgr;r throughout at least a portion of the time span &Dgr;t, and, in response to the spacecraft rotation &Dgr;r, process the star-sensor signals into a processed set of star-sensor signals that denote star positions across an expanded field-of-view that exceeds any of the successive fields-of-view. The expanded field-of-view facilitates identification of the stars that generated the processed set of star-sensor signals to thereby acquire an initial attitude estimate.

Abstract: Human choline acetyltransferase polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for the treatment of cognitive and neurological deficiencies or mental disturbances such as degenerative nervous system disorders, for example, Alzheimer's Disease, ALS and other cholinergic defects, and antagonists for treating Parkinson's Disease and other disorders relating to an over-expression of acetylcholine. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting a mutation in the human Choline Acetyltransferase nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: An automatic focusing projector comprises a rangefinder, microprocessor, stepping motor and zoom lens. The rangefinder is used to measure a distance between the projector and a projection screen. The table look-up method is used to obtain a position that the stepping motor should be rotated after the microprocessor read the distance. And then, the stepping motor is commanded to drive the zoom lens to the position. Thereby, the automatic focusing method can be performed on a projector device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a semi-fixed type bookmark, which comprises a fixing clamp and a rope ribbon fixed thereon. The rope ribbon is capable of inserting between two adjacent pages of a book in order to mark a reading point when the book is closed. Also, the clamp can be fixed on a certain place of the book to prevent the bookmark from missing when book is being read.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a SRG filter is fabricated by disposing a moldable layer on the unpatterned grating layer, pressing a patterned molding surface into the moldable layer to produce an appropriate pattern of reduced thickness regions, removing material from the reduced thickness regions to expose the grating layer and processing the exposed grating layer to form a grating array. In a preferred embodiment the grating layer is adjacent a planar waveguiding layer overlying a substrate and the moldable material is a polymer resist. The waveguide layer advantageously has a refractive index greater than both the grating layer and the underlying substrate. And the pattern can be a one or two-dimensional array of grating elements.

Abstract: Polynucleotides useful for improvement of plants are provided. In particular, polynucleotide sequences are provided from plant sources. Polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotide sequences are also provided. The disclosed polynucleotides and polypeptides find use in production of transgenic plants to produce plants having improved properties.

Abstract: A flexible graphite felt heating element and a process for radiating infrared is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a liquid crystal display (LCD). Active layers of N-type and P-type low temperature polysilicon thin film transistors and a bottom electrode of a storage capacitor are formed first. Then a N-type source/drain is formed and the bottom electrode is doped with dopants. A gate insulator, a gate electrode, a capacitor dielectric, and a top electrode are thereafter formed. After that, a P-type source/drain is formed. Finally, a source interconnect, a drain interconnect, and a pixel electrode of the liquid crystal display are formed.

Abstract: Attitude acquisition methods and systems are provided which reduce the time generally required to acquire spacecraft attitude estimates and enhance the probability of realizing such estimates. The methods and systems receive, over a time span &Dgr;t, successive frames of star-sensor signals that correspond to successive stellar fields-of-view, estimate spacecraft rotation &Dgr;r throughout at least a portion of the time span &Dgr;t, and, in response to the spacecraft rotation &Dgr;r, process the star-sensor signals into a processed set of star-sensor signals that denote star positions across an expanded field-of-view that exceeds any of the successive fields-of-view. The expanded field-of-view facilitates identification of the stars that generated the processed set of star-sensor signals to thereby acquire an initial attitude estimate.

Abstract: Disclosed are human interlude-1 &bgr; converting enzyme like apoptosis proteases-3 and 4 and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques and antibodies and antagonists against such polypeptides. Also provided are methods of using the polypeptides, for example, as an antitumor agent, and antiviral agent, and antibodies and antagonists against such polypeptides for example, for treating Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and head injury.

Abstract: A six mask-steps method for fabricating liquid crystal display is described. A driving area and a pixel area are defined by a first mask step. Gates on the driving/pixel area and upper electrodes of capacitors on the pixel area are defined by a second mask step. Then, using the gates and the upper electrodes as a mask, a source/drain, channel region and lower electrode are formed in the driving/pixel area by an ion-doping process. A second insulation layer is formed and covers the insulation substrate. A plurality of first openings is formed by the third mask step and the gate and the source/drain are exposed. A second conductive layer is formed and covers the second insulation layer and the first opening is filled. Then, the second conductive layer is patterned, and a source/drain line is formed and contacts electrically with the source/drain by the fourth mask step. A dielectric layer is formed and covers the second insulation layer and the second conductive layer; the dielectric layer has a planar surface.

Abstract: A method for forming contact window is disclosed. Essential concept of the invention comprises over coating layer formed over surface before forming contact window is formed and the etching rate of over coating layer is higher than etching rate of underlying layer. The method comprises following steps: First, forming semiconductor structures on surface of wafer. Second, forming a coating layer over the surface and covering these semiconductor structures. Third, forming an over coating layer on the coating layer, where etching rate of over coating layer is higher than etching rate of coating layer. Finally, form contact window with outwardly winded shape. Thus, contact window formed by the invention is more convenient for filling material than contact window formed by conventional method. In addition, because width of contact window is not obviously increased, this invention is more beneficial for deep-submicron fabrication.

Abstract: A double-sided LCD panel is comprised of a transflective LCD panel and a light-emitting device. One surface of the transflective panel is used in the transparent mode, and the other surface is used in the reflective mode, achieving the goal of double-sided display. The light-emitting device may function as the front light source of the display surface in the reflective mode and the backlit source of the display surface in the transparent mode. In this manner, one can use a single panel for double screen display. This can simultaneously satisfy the requirements of light-weighted products and lowering the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A method and system to decode neural activity in the motor cortex to infer at least the position and velocity of a subject's hand from neural spiking activity of some number of nerve cells. In one embodiment the method includes simultaneously recording electrical activity of the nerve cells in the primary motor cortex to obtain neural data; and modeling the encoding and decoding of the neural data using a Kalman filter, where a measurement model assumes a cell firing rate to be a stochastic linear function of at least the position and velocity of the hand, and where the measurement model is learned from training data in conjunction with a system model that encodes a manner in which the hand moves.