Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a first wire level, a second wire level and a via level. The first wire level comprises a first conductive feature. The second wire level is disposed on the first wire level. The second wire level comprises a second conductive feature and a third conductive feature. The via level is disposed between the first wire level and the second wire level. The via level comprises a via connecting the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature. There is a first air gap between the first conductive feature and the second conductive feature. There is a second air gap between the second conductive feature and the third conductive feature. The first air gap and the second air gap are linked.

Abstract: Methods and devices of the invention perform an optical concentration by an expansion of usable spectral width of the incident energy. Preferred methods and devices of the invention concentrate optical energy by tuning it into a narrow spectral width to match the bandgap of another system component, such as an optical fiber, an optical sensor or a photovoltaic device that converts the optical energy. Embodiments of the invention include methods and devices for the spectral concentration of multi-wavelength light and subsequent transport of the concentrated output light.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated strain of Hepatitis B virus designated Human Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen-‘S’-133 Oon Strain (Methionine to Threonine) which constituent viral genome is deposited under Accession Nos. P97121501, P97121502 and P97121503 with the European Collection of Cell Culture on 15th Dec. 1997. This invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide which is a mutant major surface antigen of a strain of hepatitis B virus, such polypeptide having an amino acid sequence which differs from the amino acid sequence of a major surface antigen of a wild type hepatitis B virus in that the amino acid at position number 133 of such polypeptide is a threonine rather than a methionine. This invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid which encodes a peptide, wherein the peptide is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule comprising nucleotides 527 through 595 of SEQ. I.D. No. 1 and the purified peptide.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated strain of Hepatitis B virus designated Human Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen-'?-145 Singapore Strain (Glycine to Arginine) which constituent viral genome is deposited under Accession Nos. P97121504, P97121505 and P97121506 with the European Collection of Cell Culture on 15th Dec. 1997. This invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide which is a mutant major surface antigen of a strain of hepatitis B virus, such polypeptide having an amino acid sequence which differs from the amino acid sequence of a major surface antigen of a wild type hepatitis B virus in that the amino acid at position number 145 of such polypeptide is an arginine rather than a glycine, and the purified peptide. This invention further provides an isolated nucleic acid which encodes a peptide, wherein the peptide is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule comprising nucleotides 527 through 595 of SEQ. ID. No. 1, and the purified peptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro activity assay for human hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA polymerase, which comprises using, as the 5? oligonucleotide in PCR amplification of HBV DNA polymerase from a sample, an oligonucleotide into which has been incorporated the SP6 viral polymerase promoter, directly transcribing and translating the PCR products in the presence of a radio-labelled agent and measuring the priming of the HBV DNA polymerase. The present invention also provides the use of such an assay to assay activity of various serum samples, to screen for inhibitors of the HBV DNA polymerase and to test and/or screen potential anti-HBV drugs for their ability to inhibit DNA priming activity of human HBV DNA polymerase.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated strain of Hepatitis B virus designated Human Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen-‘S’-133 Oon Strain (Methionine to Threonine) which constituent viral genome is deposited under Accession Nos. P97121501, P97121502 and P97121503 with the European Collection of Cell Culture on 15th Dec. 1997. This invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide which is a mutant major surface antigen of a strain of hepatitis B virus, such polypeptide having an amino acid sequence which differs from the amino acid sequence of a major surface antigen of a wild type hepatitis B virus in that the amino acid at position number 133 of such polypeptide is a threonine rather than a methionine. This invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid which encodes a peptide, wherein the peptide is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule comprising nucleotides 527 through 595 of SEQ. I.D. No. 1 and the purified peptide.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated strain of Hepatitis B virus designated Human Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen-‘S’-133 Oon Strain (Methionine to Threonine) which constituent viral genome is deposited under Accession Nos. P97121501, P97121502 and P97121503 with the European Collection of Cell Culture on 15th December 1997. This invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide which is a mutant major surface antigen of a strain of hepatitis B virus, such polypeptide having an amino acid sequence which differs from the amino acid sequence of a major surface antigen of a wild type hepatitis B virus in that the amino acid at position number 133 of such polypeptide is a threonine rather than a methionine. This invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid which encodes a peptide, wherein the peptide is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule comprising nucleotides 527 through 595 of SEQ. I.D. No. 1 and the purified peptide.

Abstract: Novel DNA probe sequences for detection, by polymerase chain reaction, of human hepatitis B virus surface antigen mutant 145 (Glycine to Arginine) from serum samples. As a direct application, these specific DNA probes are immobilized on solid glass supports (gene chip) for detection of human hepatitis B virus surface antigen mutant 145 (Glycine to Arginine) by fluorescence.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a nucleic acid-based assay to detect the presence of a viral pathogen and, in particular, hepatitis B virus. More particularly, the present invention provides a single-step amplification assay to detect hepatitis B viral nucleic acid sequences. The assay of the present invention is readily adaptable for automation and permits the rapid through-put of samples to be tested. The present invention further provides agents useful for performing a nucleic acid-based detection assay for hepatitis B virus and a kit comprising said agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro activity assay for human hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA polymerase, which comprises using, as the 5′ oligonucleotide in PCR amplification of HBV DNA polymerase from a sample, an oligonucleotide into which has been incorporated the SP6 viral polymerase promoter, directly transcribing and translating the PCR products in the presence of a radio-labelled agent and measuring the priming of the HBV DNA polymerase. The present invention also provides the use of such an assay to assay activity of various serum samples, to screen for inhibitors of the HBV DNA polymerase and to test and/or screen potential anti-HBV drugs for their ability to inhibit DNA priming activity of human HBV DNA polymerase.

Abstract: An isolated strain of Hepatitis B virus designated Human Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen-‘S’-133 Oon Strain (Methionine to Threonine) of Cell. Also, an isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide which is a mutant major surface antigen of a strain of hepatitis B virus, such polypeptide having an amino acid sequence which differs from the amino acid sequence of a major surface antigen of a wild type hepatitis B virus in that the amino acid at position number 133 of such polypeptide is a threonine rather than methionine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro activity assay for human hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA polymerase, which comprises using, as the 5′ oligonucleotide in PCR amplification of HBV DNA polymerase from a sample, an oligonucleotide into which has been incorporated the SP6 viral polymerase promoter, directly transcribing and translating the PCR products in the presence of a radio-labelled agent and measuring the priming of the HBV DNA polymerase. The present invention also provides the use of such an assay to assay activity of various serum samples, to screen for inhibitors of the HBV DNA polymerase and to test and/or screen potential anti-HBV drugs for their ability to inhibit DNA priming activity of human HBV DNA polymerase.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a nucleic acid-based assay to detect the presence of a viral pathogen and, in particular, hepatitis B virus. More particularly, the present invention provides a single-step amplification assay to detect hepatitis B viral nucleic acid sequences. The assay of the present invention is readily adaptable for automation and permits the rapid through-put of samples to be tested. The present invention further provides agents useful for performing a nucleic acid-based detection assay for hepatitis B virus and a kit comprising said agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a nucleic acid-based assay to detect the presence of a viral pathogen and, in particular, hepatitis B virus. More particularly, the present invention provides a single-step amplification assay to detect hepatitis B viral nucleic acid sequences. The assay of the present invention is readily adaptable for automation and permits the rapid through-put of samples to be tested. The present invention further provides agents useful for performing a nucleic acid-based detection assay for hepatitis B virus and a kit comprising said agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a nucleic acid-based assay to detect the presence of a viral pathogen and, in particular, hepatitis B virus. More particularly, the present invention provides a single-step amplification assay to detect hepatitis B viral nucleic acid sequences. The assay of the present invention is readily adaptable for automation and permits the rapid through-put of samples to be tested. The present invention further provides agents useful for performing a nucleic acid-based detection assay for hepatitis B virus and a kit comprising said agents.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated strain of Hepatitis B virus designated Human Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen-‘S’-133 Oon Strain (Methionine to Threonine) which constituent viral genome is deposited under Accession Nos. P97121501, P97121502 and P97121503 with the European Collection of Cell Culture on 15th December 1997. This invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide which is a mutant major surface antigen of a strain of hepatitis B virus, such polypeptide having an amino acid sequence which differs from the amino acid sequence of a major surface antigen of a wild type hepatitis B virus in that the amino acid at position number 133 of such polypeptide is a threonine rather than a methionine. This invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid which encodes a peptide, wherein the peptide is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule comprising nucleotides 527 through 595 of SEQ. I.D. No. 1 and the purified peptide.

Abstract: Novel DNA probe sequences for detection, by polymerase chain reaction, of human hepatitis B virus surface antigen mutant 145 (Glycine to Arginine) from serum samples. As a direct application, these specific DNA probes are immobilized on solid glass supports (gene chip) for detection of human hepatitis B virus surface antigen mutant 145 (Glycine to Arginine) by fluorescence.