Abstract: A voltage source converter for high power application containing a plurality of valves, each valve containing a plurality of extinguishable semiconducting elements, and a valve control unit containing a computer and a pulse-width modulator providing an executing control signal for controlling the semiconducting elements. The valve control unit includes a first control containing a first pulse-width modulator for providing a first pulse-width modulation signal, a second control containing a second pulse-width modulator for providing, a second pulse-width modulation signal, a mode detector, and a selector connected to the first and second pulse-width modulator for selecting in dependence of the mode detector the executing pulse-width modulation signal.

Abstract: Star polymers of soft segment forming monomers are useful in forming surgical devices. The star polymers can be endcapped with diketene acetals, mixed with a filler and/or cross-linked. The polymer compositions are useful, for example, as fiber coatings, surgical adhesives or bone putty, or tissue growth substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a voltage source converter with at least two bridges of semiconducting self commutating elements connected in anti-parallel with a diode, including circuitry for producing a switching control pulse train to form a fundamental frequency, circuitry for effecting a switching order and circuitry for detecting a switching event.

Abstract: Star polymers of soft segment forming monomers are useful in forming surgical devices. The star polymers can be endcapped with isocyanate, mixed with a filler and/or cross-linked. The polymer compositions are useful, for example, as fiber coatings, surgical adhesives or bone putty, or tissue growth substrate.

Abstract: Star polymers of soft segment forming monomers are useful in forming surgical devices. The star polymers can be endcapped with isocyanate, mixed with a filler and/or cross-linked. The polymer compositions are useful, for example, as fiber coatings, surgical adhesives or bone putty, or tissue growth substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a voltage source converter with at least two bridges (V1, V2) of semiconducting self commutating elements (11) connected in anti-parallel with a diode (12), comprising means (OPWM) for producing a switching control pulse train (19) to form a fundamental frequency (18), means (C) for effecting a switching order (CP) and means (VCU) for detecting a switching event.

Abstract: Star polymers of soft segment forming monomers are useful in forming surgical devices. The star polymers can be endcapped with isocyanate, mixed with a filler and/or cross-linked. The polymer compositions are useful, for example, as fiber coatings, surgical adhesives or bone putty, or tissue growth substrate.

Abstract: The present invention describes cell-based screening methods that allow for the elimination of false-positive results due to nonspecific toxicity of test compounds, while detecting those compounds that specifically modulate cellular metabolites in metabolic pathways associated with diseases and disorders, with particular regard to Alzheimer's disease. The methods are particularly suited to high-throughput screening techniques to identify compounds (drugs) that are effective in a cell-based system. The methods of the invention involve determining within a cell system the levels of both a metabolic precursor and a metabolite of interest and have broad application in high-throughput drug discovery and identification, particularly for precursor and metabolite molecules which are associated with disease and disease progression, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Star polymers of soft segment forming monomers are useful in forming surgical devices. The star polymers can be endcapped with isocyanate, mixed with a filler and/or cross-linked. The polymer compositions are useful, for example, as fiber coatings, surgical adhesives or bone putty, or tissue growth substrate.

Abstract: Plasma ashing and/or etching using a solid sapphire disk is disclosed. A plasma etcher/asher of one embodiment of the invention includes at least a chamber body, upper and lower baffles, and a solid sapphire disk. The chamber body defines an interior chamber in which a semiconductor wafer is positionable for etching or ashing. The baffles are positioned over the semiconductor wafer, and distribute gas onto the semiconductor wafer. The solid sapphire disk has no holes, and is positioned over one of the baffles to affect distribution of the gas onto the semiconductor wafer. The solid sapphire disk of the invention provides for more uniform distribution of the gas onto the semiconductor wafer. As a result, etching or ashing of the semiconductor wafers occurs more uniformly, providing for more uniformly thick wafers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RF-amide peptides and their use for treating, preventing and curing neurological and metabolic medical disorders. The invention also relates to methods for modulating a G-protein coupled receptor and for identifying substances which modulate the receptor.

Abstract: A synthetic absorbable monofilament comprising glycolide and epsilon caprolactone is provided. The monofilament exhibits physical characteristics equivalent to or superior than gut sutures. The monofilaments can be fabricated into a wide variety of surgical devices such as sutures, meshes, and the like.

Abstract: A high voltage direct current transmission system has a first and a second converter station coupled to each other via a direct current link, each converter station with a voltage source converter. The first converter station has a first voltage sensing device for sensing its direct voltage, and a voltage controller for control of its direct voltage. The second converter station has an active power controller for control of its active power flow in dependence on a reference value therefor. The voltage controller controls the direct voltage of the first converter station in dependence on only a sensed instantaneous value of the direct voltage and a first voltage reference value therefor, for a voltage control that is independent of the flow of active power through the first converter. The second converter station includes a second voltage device for sensing its direct voltage.

Abstract: A converter station (STN1, STN2) having a voltage source converter (CON1, CON2) is coupled between a direct current link (W1, W2) and an alternating current network (N1, N2) in a high voltage direct current transmission system. A control system (CTRL1, CTRL2) for the converter station has means for control of active power flow (P) between the direct current link and the alternating current network by influencing the phase displacement (&ggr;) between a bus voltage (UL1, UL2, UL) in the alternating current network and a bridge voltage (UV1, UV2, UV) of the voltage source converter.

Abstract: Star polymers of soft segment forming monomers are useful in forming surgical devices. The star polymers can be endcapped with isocyanate, mixed with a filler and/or cross-linked. The polymer compositions are useful, for example, as fiber coatings, surgical adhesives or bone putty, or tissue growth substrate.

Abstract: A converter station (STN1, STN2) having a voltage source converter (CON1, CON2) is coupled between a direct current link (W1, W2) and an alternating current network (N1, N2) in a high voltage direct current transmission system. A control system (CTRL1, CTRL2) for the converter station has means for control of active power flow (P) between the direct current link and the alternating current network by influencing the phase displacement (&ggr;) between a bus voltage (UL1, UL2, UL) in the alternating current network and a bridge voltage (UV1, UV2, UV) of the voltage source converter.

Abstract: Star polymers of soft segment forming monomers are useful in forming surgical devices. The star polymers can be endcapped with isocyanate, mixed with a filler and/or cross-linked. The polymer compositions are useful, for example, as fiber coatings, surgical adhesives or bone putty, or tissue growth substrate.

Abstract: Block copolymers wherein the first block contains from about 20 to about 80 mole percent of repeating units derived from lactide randomly combined with from about 20 to 80 mole percent of repeating units derived from glycolide and the second block contains repeating units derived from lactide and repeating units derived from other bioabsorbable monomeric units, such as glycolide, the second block containing a higher proportion of repeating units derived from lactide than the first block, with units derived from lactide constituting from about 40 to about 90 mole percent of the entire block copolymer are useful in forming surgical articles, including sutures.

Abstract: Star polymers of soft segment forming monomers are useful in forming surgical devices. The star polymers can be encapped with isocyanate, mixed with a filler and/or cross-linked. The polymer compositions are useful, for example, as fiber coatings, surgical adhesives or bone putty, or tissue growth substrate.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable blend is provided which comprises the reaction product of 1) a bioabsorbable copolymer obtained by polymerizing a major amount of epsilon-caprolactone and a minor amount of at least one other copolymerizable monomer in the presence of a polyhydric alcohol initiator and 2) the reaction product obtained by mixing polyalkylene glycol and a coplymer of glycolide/lactide copolymer. The blend has many uses, including that of a coating for a surgical suture.