All The Claims

1. An apparatus for optically pumping a laser-active solid body with pumping light coupled into the solid body through an end surface of the solid body, the apparatus comprising:
a laser-active solid body including an end surface though which pumping light is coupled into the solid body and a lateral surface through which pumping light exits the solid body;
a reflector surrounding the laser-active solid body at a distance from the lateral surface of the solid body for reflecting light that exists the solid body back towards the solid body; and
a surface for diffusing light that is coupled into the solid body through the end surface of the solid body and that exits the solid body through the lateral surface, wherein the surface is selected from the group consisting of the lateral surface and a surface of the reflector.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface for diffusing light is the lateral surface.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the reflector has a surface that diffusely reflects the exiting pumping light.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the reflector has a mirror-like reflecting smooth surface for reflecting the exiting pumping light.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface for diffusing light is the surface of the reflector.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the lateral surface of the solid body also has a surface that diffuses the exiting pumping light.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the lateral surface of the solid body has a mirror-like smooth surface.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a medium disposed on the outside of the lateral surface having a higher refractive index than the solid body.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the medium is disposed in the form a layer on the lateral surface.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the reflector has a surface that diffusely reflects exiting pumping light.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a cooling medium flows through a gap between the solid body and the reflector.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cooling medium is water.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least 3% of the pumping light coupled into the solid body though the end surface is diffusely distributed in the solid body.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least 20% of the pumping light coupled into the solid body though the front side is diffusely distributed in the solid body.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least 40% of the pumping light coupled into the solid body though the front side is diffusely distributed in the solid body.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A non-naturally occurring bifunctional molecule of less than about 5000 daltons consisting of a drug moiety and a presenter protein ligand, wherein said drug moiety and said presenter protein ligand are optionally joined by a linking group and said drug moiety has enhanced activity as compared to a free drug control.
2. The bifunctional molecule according to claim 1, wherein said bifunctional molecule comprises a linking group.
3. The bifunctional molecule according to claim 1, wherein said drug moiety exhibits at least one of enhanced affinity, specificity or selectivity for its target as compared to a free drug control.
4. The bifunctional molecule according to claim 1, wherein said drug moiety binds to a protein target.
5. The bifunctional molecule according to claim 1, wherein said presenter protein ligand binds to an extracellular protein.
6. The bifunctional molecule according to claim 1, wherein said presenter protein ligand binds to an intracellular protein.
7. The bifunctional molecule according to claim 6, wherein said presenter protein ligand is a ligand for a peptidyl prolyl isomerase.
8. A synthetic bifunctional molecule of less than about 5000 daltons of the formula:
ZLX
wherein:
X is a drug moiety;
L is a bond or a linking group; and
Z is a ligand for an endogenous presenter protein ligand;
wherein X and Z are different and said drug moiety has enhanced activity as compared to a free drug control.
9. The bifunctional molecule according to claim 8, wherein said drug moiety exhibits at least one of enhanced affinity, specificity or selectivity for its target as compared to a free drug control.
10. The bifunctional molecule according to claim 8, wherein said drug moiety has a molecular weight of from about 50 to 2000 D.
11. The bifunctional molecule according to claim 8, wherein said drug moiety binds to a protein target.
12. The bifunctional molecule according to claim 8, wherein said presenter protein ligand binds to an extracellular protein.
13. The bifunctional molecule according to claim 8, wherein said presenter protein ligand binds to an intracellular protein.
14. The bifunctional molecule according to claim 13, wherein said presenter protein ligand is a ligand for a peptidyl prolyl isomerase.
15. The bifunctional molecule according to claim 8, wherein said presenter protein ligand has substantially no pharmacologic activity apart from binding to a presenter protein ligand.
16. A method for producing a binary complex in a host, said method comprising:
administering to said host an effective amount of a bifunctional molecule of less than about 5000 daltons consisting of a drug moiety and a ligand for a presenter protein endogenous to said host, wherein said drug moiety and ligand are optionally joined by a linking group;
whereby a binary complex comprising said bifunctional molecule and presenter protein is produced that exhibits enhanced drug activity as compared to a free drug control.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said enhanced drug activity comprises at least one of enhanced affinity, specificity or selectivity of said drug moiety for a target of said drug moiety.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein said drug moiety binds to a protein target.
19. The method according to claim 16, wherein said presenter protein endogenous to said host is naturally present at least in the region of said target.
20. The method according to claim 16, wherein a tripartite complex is produced between said bifunctional molecule, presenter protein and a target of said drug moiety, wherein said tripartite complex is characterized by the presence of presenter protein target binding interactions.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said tripartite complex is produced intracellularly.
22. The method according to claim 20, wherein said tripartite complex is produced extracellularly.
23. A method for producing a tripartite complex in a mammalian host, said method comprising:
administering to said mammalian host an effective amount of a bifunctional molecule of less than about 5000 daltons consisting of a drug moiety and a ligand for a presenter protein endogenous to said mammalian host, wherein said drug moiety and ligand are optionally joined by a linking group;
whereby said bifunctional molecule binds to a target of said drug and said presenter protein to produce said tripartite complex in said mammalian host, wherein said tripartite complex is characterized by the presence of presenter protein target binding interactions which result in enhanced drug activity as compared to a free drug control.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein said tripartite complex is produced intracellularly.
25. The method according to claim 23, wherein said tripartite complex is produced extracellularly.
26. The method according to claim 23, wherein said drug target is a protein.
27. The met hod according to claim 23, wherein said endogenous presenter protein is selected from the group consisting of: peptidyl-prolyl isomerases, Hsp90, steroid hormone receptors, cytoskeletal proteins, albumin and vitamin receptors.
28. The method according to claim 23, wherein said bifunctional molecule is administered as a pharmaceutical preparation.
29. A method for producing an intracellular tripartite complex in a mammalian host, said method comprising:
administering to said mammalian host an effective amount of a bifunctional molecule comprising a drug moiety and an endogenous presenter protein ligand, wherein the target of said drug and said endogenous presenter protein are intracellular proteins;
whereby said bifunctional molecule binds to said drug target and endogenous presenter protein to intracellularly produce said tripartite complex, wherein said tripartite complex is characterized by the presence of presenter protein target binding interactions which result in enhanced drug activity as compared to a free drug control.
30. The method according to claim 29, wherein said target protein is an enzyme
31. The method according to claim 29, wherein said endogenous presenter protein is selected from the group consisting of: peptidyl prolyl isomerases, Hsp90, steroid hormone receptors and cytoskeletal proteins.
32. The method according to claim 31, wherein said endogenous presenter protein is a peptidyl prolyl isomerase.
33. A method for producing a binary complex in a host, said method comprising:
administering to said host an effective amount of a bifunctional molecule comprising a drug moiety and a ligand for a presenter protein endogenous to said host;
whereby a binary complex comprising said bifunctional molecule and presenter protein is produced that exhibits enhanced specificity for a target of said drug moiety target as compared to a free drug control.
34. The method according to claim 33, wherein said ligand for a presenter protein is a peptidyl prolyl isomerase.
35. A method for enhancing the selectivity of a drug for a target in a first cell as compared to a second cell, said method comprising:
contacting said first and second cells with a bifunctional molecule comprising said drug and a ligand for a presenter protein present in said second cell but not in said first cell;
whereby a binary complex comprising said bifunctional molecule and presenter protein is produced in said second cell but not said first cell.
36. The method according to claim 35, wherein said drug moiety is an antimicrobial agent.
37. The method according to claim 35, wherein said ligand is a peptidyl prolyl isomerase ligand.
38. In a method of administering a drug to a host in need of said drug, the improvement comprising:
administering to said host an effective amount of a bifunctional molecule of less than about 5000 daltons consisting of said drug or a fragment thereof covalently linked, either directly or through an optional linking group, to a ligand for a presenter protein endogenous to said host.
39. The method according to claim 38, wherein said host is a mammalian host.
40. The method according to claim 39, wherein said mammalian host is human.
41. The method according to claim 38, wherein said drug is a small molecule.
42. The method according to claim 38, wherein said drug binds to an extracellular target.
43. The method according to claim 38, wherein said drug binds to an intracellular target.
44. The method according to claim 43, wherein said presenter protein ligand is a peptidyl prolyl isomerase.
45. A method of making a bifunctional molecule comprising a drug moiety that exhibits at least one of enhanced affinity, specificity or selectivity as compared to the corresponding free drug, said method comprising:
identifying a drug moiety;
preparing a library of bifunctional molecules comprising said drug moiety and a ligand for a presenter protein, wherein each bifunctional molecule shares a common ligand and drug moiety separated by a variable linking; and
screening said library to identify those members having at least one of enhanced affinity, specificity or selectivity as compared to the corresponding free drug.
46. A pharmaceutical preparation comprising a bifunctional molecule according to claim 1.
47. A kit comprising the pharmaceutical preparation according to claim 46 and instructions for use in a therapeutic method.

1. A contact structure, comprising:
(a) a contact; and
(b) a sheet comprising an insulating layer, including at least one band configured to partially cover a first portion of the contact, and to leave a second portion of the contact exposed so as to allow light to pass therethrough.
2. The contact structure of claim 1, wherein the sheet includes at least one opening formed therein and configured to expose the second portion of the contact.
3. The contact structure of claim 2, further comprising:
a transparent layer on the sheet, the second portion of the contact being exposed through the transparent layer and the at least one opening in the sheet.
4. The contact structure of claim 1, wherein the sheet is a white sheet.
5. The contract structure of claim 4, wherein the at least one opening is semicircular.
6. The contact structure of claim 1, wherein the contact comprises a dome shape.
7. The contact structure of claim 1, wherein the sheet has a light hole.
8. A keypad, comprising:
(a) a printed circuit board having a pair of switch contact points;
(b) a contact; and
(c) a sheet comprising an insulating layer, including at least one band only partially covering the contact so as to allow light to pass through exposed portions of the contact.
9. The keypad of claim 8, wherein the sheet has an opening exposing the contact.
10. The keypad of claim 9, wherein the opening has a semicircular shape.
11. The keypad of claim 8, wherein the sheet includes a light hole, said light hole allowing light to reflect from said at least one band.
12. The keypad of claim 9, further comprising:
a film on the sheet, the contact exposed through the opening.
13. The keypad of claim 8, wherein the sheet is a white sheet.
14. A contact structure, comprising:
a contact; and
an insulating layer at least partially covering a surface of the contact so as to allow light generated beneath the insulating layer to pass therethrough.
15. The contract structure of claim 14, wherein the insulating layer includes at least one opening which exposes a surface of the contact.
16. The contact structure of claim 15, wherein the at least one opening exposes a peripheral surface of the contact.
17. The contact structure of claim 15, wherein the at least one opening has a shape which is substantially semicircular.
18. The contact structure of claim 14, wherein the insulating layer has a light color.
19. The contact structure of claim 18, wherein the insulating layer is white.
20. The contact structure of claim 14, wherein the insulating layer has a light-diffusing color.
21. The contact structure of claim 14, further comprising:
a layer formed over the insulating layer.
22. The contact structure of claim 14, wherein the contact has at least substantially a dome shape.
23. The contact structure of claim 14, wherein the insulating layer includes a portion which forms a band across a surface of the contact, wherein a width of the band is less than a width of the contact.
24. The contact structure of claim 14, wherein the insulating layer completely covers the contact.
25. A keypad, comprising:
a key switch; and
a contact structure adjacent the key switch, said contact structure including:
(a) a contact, and
(b) an insulating layer at least partially covering a surface of the contact so as to allow light to pass therethrough.
26. The keypad of claim 25, further comprising:
a key, wherein the contact structure is located between the key and the key switch.
27. The keypad of claim 26, further comprising:
a light source, wherein the key has a window for emitting light from the light source.
28. The keypad of claim 27, wherein the window is in a shape of a symbol or character.
29. The keypad of claim 28, wherein the character is an alphanumeric character.
30. The keypad of claim 27, wherein the insulating layer has a light-reflecting color and wherein at least a portion of the insulating layer and the window of the key are aligned along a predetermined axis.
31. The keypad of claim 30, wherein the light-reflecting color is white.
32. The keypad of claim 30, wherein the light source is located at a position which allows the portion of the insulating layer at least partially covering the contact to reflect light from the light source through the window in the key.
33. The keypad of claim 30, further comprising:
at least a second key having a window, wherein said second key is adjacent another contact structure which includes a second contact which is at least partially covered by a light reflecting layer, and wherein the light source is located at a position which allows the light reflecting layer at least partially covering the second contact to reflect light from the light source through the window in said second key.
34. The keypad of claim 26, wherein the contact has a thickness which allows the contact to deflect under an application of pressure.
35. The keypad of claim 34, wherein the key switch includes a first contact point and a second contact point, and wherein the contact is at a location relative to the key switch which allows the contact to connect the first contact point and the second contact point when the contact deflects under said application of pressure.
36. The keypad of claim 35, wherein the first contact point is substantially in a shape of a circle and the second contact point is substantially in a shape of a ring.
37. The keypad of claim 36, wherein the first contact point is located at a center of the ring formed by the second contact point.
38. The keypad of claim 26, wherein the insulating layer includes at least one opening which exposes a surface of the contact.
39. The keypad of claim 38, wherein the opening exposes a peripheral surface of the contact.
40. The keypad of claim 38, wherein the opening has a shape which is substantially semicircular.
41. The keypad of claim 26, wherein the insulating layer completely covers the contact.
42. A terminal including a keypad as recited in claim 25.
43. A contact structure, comprising:
a contact;
a sheet, comprising a band partially covering the contact, and an opening exposing a portion of the contact; and
a transparent layer on the sheet, the contact being exposed through the transparent layer and the opening in the sheet.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A new variety of grapevine to be known as Sheegene-2 and parts thereof, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized principally by its production of large, green-colored seedless grapes that mature at least ten to fourteen days earlier in the season of ripening than does Thompson Seedless (unpatented) that is resembles.