Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, nanometer-scale reversible electronic switches are provided that can be assembled to make cross-bar circuits that provide memory, logic, and communications functions. The electronic switches, or crossed-wire devices, comprise a pair of crossed wires that form a junction where one wire crosses another at an angle other than zero degrees and at least one connector species connecting the pair of crossed wires in the junction. The junction has a functional dimension in nanometers, wherein at least one connector species and the pair of crossed wires forms an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A molecular system is provided for nanometer-scale reversible electronic and optical switches, specifically, electric field-activated molecular switches that have an electric field induced band gap change that occurs via a molecular conformation change or a tautomerization. Changing of extended conjugation via chemical bonding change to change the band gap is accomplished by providing the molecular system with one rotating portion (rotor) and two or more stationary portions (stators), between which the rotor is attached. The molecular system of the present invention has three branches (first, second, and third branches) with one end of each branch connected to a junction unit to form a “Y” configuration. The first and second branches are on one side of the junction unit and the third branch is on the opposite side of the junction unit.

Abstract: A route to the fabrication of electronic devices is provided, in which the devices consist of two crossed wires sandwiching an electrically addressable molecular species. The approach is extremely simple and inexpensive to implement, and scales from wire dimensions of several micrometers down to nanometer-scale dimensions. The electronic devices can be used to produce crossbar switch arrays, logic devices, memory devices, and communication and signal routing devices. The construction of molecular electronic devices is achieved on a length scale than can range from micrometers to nanometers via a straightforward and inexpensive chemical assembly procedure. The molecular switchable devices in the cross-bar geometry are configurable while the conformational change is controlled by intramolecular forces that are stronger than hydrogen bonding.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel neuregulin related ligand (NRG3) including fragments and variants thereof, as new members of the neuregulin family of compounds. The invention also concerns methods and means for producing NRG3. The native polypeptides of the invention are characterized by containing an extracellular domain including an EGF-like domain; a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic domain. Isolated nucleotide sequences encoding such polypeptides, expression vectors containing the nucleotide sequences, recombinant host cells transformed with the vectors, and methods for the recombinant production for the novel NRG3s are also within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: An electric field activated bi-stable molecular system configured within an electric field generated by a pair of electrodes is provided for use, e.g., as electronic ink or other visual displays. The molecular system has at least one rotor portion connected to at least one stator portion, wherein the rotor portion rotates with respect to the stator portion between at least two different states upon application of the electric field, thereby inducing a band gap change in the molecular system, wherein in a first state, there is extended conjugation throughout the major portion of the molecular system, resulting in a relatively smaller band gap, and wherein in a second state, the extended conjugation is destroyed, resulting in a relatively larger band gap. A primary advantage of the molecular system is improved contrast. Because the colorant of the present invention is molecular and thus effectively monoplanar, there should be no backside reflection or scattering from the colorant.

Abstract: An electric field activated molecular system, preferably bi-stable, configured within an electric field generated by a pair of electrodes is provided for use, e.g., as electronic ink or other visual displays. The molecular system has an electric field induced band gap change that occurs via a change (reversible or irreversible) of the extent of the electron conjugation via chemical bonding change to change the band gap, wherein in a first state, there is substantial conjugation throughout the molecular system, resulting in a relatively smaller band gap, and wherein in a second state, the substantial conjugation is destroyed, resulting in a relatively larger band gap. The changing of substantial conjugation may be accomplished in one of the following ways: (1) charge separation or recombination accompanied by increasing or decreasing electron localization in the molecule; or (2) change of substantial conjugation via charge separation or recombination and &pgr;-bond breaking or making.

Abstract: The invention concerns a human interferon-&egr;, originally designated PRO655, and its variants and derivatives. The interferon is related to but distinct from members of the IFN-&agr; family and from IFNs-&bgr; and -&ggr;. Nucleic acid encoding the polpypeptide, and methods and means for their recombinant production are also included.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel human interferon-&egr;, originally designated PRO655, and its variants and derivatives. The novel interferon is related to but distinct from members of the IFN-&agr; family and from IFNs-&bgr; and -&ggr;. Nucleic acid encoding the novel polypeptide, and methods and means for their recombinant production are also included.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel neuregulin related ligand (NRG3) including fragments and variants thereof, as new members of the neuregulin family of compounds. The invention also concerns methods and means for producing NRG3. The native polypeptides of the invention are characterized by containing an extracellular domain including an EGF-like domain, a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic domain. Isolated nucleotide sequences encoding such polypeptides, expression vectors containing the nucleotide sequences, recombinant host cells transformed with the vectors, and methods for the recombinant production for the novel NRG3s are also within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a molded ophthalmic lens having at least first and second optical components, wherein the first optical component is cast molded to encapsulate the second optical component such that the first optical component provides an optical function and the second optical component provides an additional optical function. The invention additionally provides a process for producing a molded composite ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel human interferon-&egr;, originally designated PRO655, and its variants and derivatives. The novel interferon is related to but distinct from members of the IFN-&agr; family and from IFNs-&bgr; and -&ggr;. Nucleic acid encoding the novel polypeptide, and methods and means for their recombinant production are also included.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel neuregulin related ligand (NRG3) including fragments and variants thereof, as new members of the neuregulin family of compounds. The invention also concerns methods and means for producing NRG3. The native polypeptides of the invention are characterized by containing an extracellular domain including an EGF-like domain, a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic domain. Isolated nucleotide sequences encoding such polypeptides, expression vectors containing the nucleotide sequences, recombinant host cells transformed with the vectors, and methods for the recombinant production for the novel NRG3s are also within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: Method of reducing power consumption in a disk drive system by controlling movement time of a read/write head from a present track and present sector to a target track and target sector. The method includes the steps of determining a first variable indicative of a first time period in which to move the actuator head from the present track to the target track along a radial arc traced by the movement of the actuator head and determining a second variable indicative of a second time period measured from the present servo sector to when the target servo sector advances to the radial arc. The actuator head is moved at a first rate substantially equal to the first time period if the first variable and the second variable are equal. The actuator head is moved at a second, slower rate if the first variable and the second variable are not equal. Moving the actuator head at a slower rate reduces power consumption and increases battery life.