Abstract: An apparatus for determining electrical conductivity of a surface of an object. The apparatus comprises a first polarizer for polarizing light incident upon the surface of the object. The apparatus also comprises a camera mechanism for receiving the polarized light reflected from the surface of the object and identifying the electrical conductivity of the surface of the object from phase retardance of polarization of the polarized light upon reflection from the surface of the object. The present invention pertains to a method for determining electrical conductivity of a surface of an object. The method comprises the steps of polarizing light. Next there is the step of reflecting the polarized light off the surface of the object. Then there is the step of receiving the reflected polarized light at a camera mechanism. Next there is the step of converting the received polarized light into a corresponding electrical signal with the camera mechanism.

Abstract: This invention discloses a durable catalyst for internal combustion engine or power plant exhaust gas purification which is comprised of a zeolite as the support and Fe (II) base-exchanged cation as the active component for the NO.sub.x selective catalytic reduction (SCR). It has stable activity with up to 20% H.sub.2 O and up to 250 ppm SO.sub.2 and combinations thereof over many hours in the exhaust stream. It is resistant to temperature excursions up to about 1,000.degree. C. The method of producing this catalyst preferably comprises ion-exchanging the zeolite with Fe (II) in an aqueous solution of iron (II) oxalate, iron (II) citrate or iron (II) formate, or a mixture of oxalic acid, citric acid/salts, formic acid/salts, 2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyl caproic acid/salts and iron (II) salts, for example, sulfate, nitrate, chloride, carboxylate, chloride acetate, phosphate and carbonate, in the pH range from 3 to 13 under anaerobic conditions.

Abstract: The method for controlling termites includes providing a plurality of bait stations disposed within or adjacent to a region to be controlled and delivering water to zones around the bait stations to provide a greater moisture content within the soil within the zones than in adjacent areas in order to attract termites to said bait stations. The delivery of water to the zones may be effected by an elongated hose having discharge openings adjacent to or within the high moisture zones. Periodically, the moisture content of the soil within the zones may be measured and an adjustment in the water delivery rate made if the moisture content departs from a desired range. The bait station may consist of an apertured container containing termite food and a termiticide. Associated apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A chromogenic receptor comprises a self-assembled chromogenic compound having at least one intrinsic binding site. The chromogenic compound is characterized by the property of producing a reversible color change responsive to binding a target substrate to the receptor. The chromogenic compound has a transition metal ion and at least one ligand bound to the transition metal ion. The ligand is selected from the group consisting of substituted phenanthroline, substituted 2,2'-bipyridine and substituted 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine. The transition metal is selected from the group consisting of Cu(I), Cu(II), Ag(I), Ni(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), Ru(II), Co(III), and Os(II). Self-assembly can be effected in the presence of Cu(I) to form receptors for dicarboxylic acids, carbohydrate, amino acids, steroids and pyrophosphates. The receptors are characterized by the formation of a 2:1 complex of the target substrate with the receptor producing a visible color change from orange to red and a measurable change in its luminescence.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) fluid including magnetically soft particles suspended in a carrier solvent is disclosed. The MR fluid also includes additive particles of smaller size than the magnetically soft particles and a bridging polymer. The additive particles and polymer form a gel-like material which provides a blanket or coating around the magnetically soft particles. The MR fluids possess improved stability and redispersibility, as well as favorable mechanical properties.

Abstract: A support device for supporting and/or immobilizing the articulated or non-articulated areas of an anatomy. The support device comprises a flexible member having connecting ends, intermediate portions, a central portion, a pad member containing a viscous substance in the central portion, and a permanently deformable sheet. The deformable sheet is deformed in situ and is insertable into the central portion adjacent to the pad member and outwardly thereof so that the pad member is positioned toward the anatomy and conforms to the shape of the deformable sheet and provides comfort to the user. Slots are provided in the flexible member for receiving the deformable sheet and for optionally receiving a chin support which in conjunction with an occipital support which is supported by the deformable sheet enables the support device to be used as a cervical brace. The deformable sheet may be a one-piece member or it may be several interconnected curved members, and it may be a simple curve or a compound curve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling ants and other pests are provided. A micromachine has a battery and a remotely actuatable electrical switch operatively associated therewith. The micromachine has at least a portion thereof covered by an ant attractant such as food or bait, for example. The micromachine is of such size and weight as to be readily transportable by a fire ant or carpenter ant or other pest. In one embodiment, a resistance heating element is energized by the battery when the switch is closed thereby causing communication between a recess containing a pheromone or fungus or other ant controllant substance and the exterior of the micromachine. A thermally deformable bimetallic element may be employed for this purpose. Alternatively, a plastic film, which will degrade under the influence of heat, may be employed.

Abstract: A medical device and method for predicting life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias (LTCA) by gathering electrocardiographic data such as intervals between heart beats (RR-series) or other signal, mathematically decomposing or compressing the signal into several elements or components that contain the most significant information and tracking the changes in the several elements. The signal may be divided into time windows, and the signals decomposed into a plurality of coefficients or components such as Karhunen Loeve Transformation (KLT) coefficients that are predictive of the occurrence of LTCA. The electrocardiographic data may be generated real-time, on-line, or be prerecorded data.

Abstract: An assembly of interconnected containers includes a plurality of containers each of which has an upper portion connected to a lower portion by a hinge or hinges with the upper portion having a pair of elongated generally parallel upwardly open channels. The container also has a pair of generally parallel generally downwardly projecting flanges structured to engage an upwardly open channel of an adjacent container and adjacent containers have either at least one of the channels engaged by a flange of an adjacent container or at least one of its flanges engaged in a channel of an adjacent container or both. The channels are preferably open at at least one end so as to permit relative sliding removal and insertion of the containers from and into the assembly. The channels are disposed closer to each other than are the flanges. In one embodiment the upper portion has the upper sidewalls diverging downwardly therefrom and the lower wall has a pair of lower sidewalls diverging upwardly therefrom.

Abstract: This invention discloses compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, useful in therapeutically and/or prophylactically treating patients with an illness. Such illnesses include cancer, and secondary infections caused by Pneumocystis carinii and Toxoplasmosis gondii in immunocompromised patients. The compounds themselves, methods of making these compounds, and methods of using these compounds are all disclosed. More specifically, the compounds include pyrrolo?2,3-d!pyrimidines and furo?2,3-d!pyrimides and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Peptidyl prodrugs of therapeutic agents having an activating function are sclosed. These therapeutic agents having activating functions include those having an amino, thiol, or hydroxyl function. Methods of making and using these prodrugs are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to prophylactic and therapeutic methods of anti-tumor immunization. These methods are based on cross-priming a mammalian host to natural MHC class I restricted tumor antigens with an artificial tumor antigen. A primary tumor is resected from the patient and a population of tumor cells are cultured in vitro. These cultured tumor cells are loaded with an artificial target antigen. The loaded tumor cells are inactivated and introduced into the patient either simultaneous or subsequent to a direct immunization of the patient with the same or substantially the same artificial target antigen. This method of coupled host immunization promotes a tumor specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) immune response against multiple, undefined natural tumor antigens expressed on the unmodified tumor cell surface.

Abstract: A vehicular validation tab has an outer film provided with an outer surface and an inner surface. Adhesive enhancing tie coat means are secured to the inner surface in some but not all portions thereof. A layer of adhesive is secured to an inner surface of the outer film with identifying information interposed therebetween. A stripable film may be secured over the adhesive which may be pressure-sensitive adhesive and a write-resistant material may be secured to the outer surface of the outer film. Portions of the inner surface of the outer film not having the tie coat are provided with a release material to provide for differential bonding of the identifying information. The tie coat and release coat portions facilitate destruction of portions of the identifying material when the outer film is separated from the adhesive.

Abstract: Methods for preparing low free resorcinol resins are disclosed. These methods generally comprise reacting a resin with an aromatic olefinic compound; suitable resins include one or more resins selected from the group consisting of a dihydric phenol, a polyhydric phenol, a dihydric phenolic novolak resin and a polyhydric phenolic novolak resin; the addition product of at least one of these resins and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a monooxirane compound and a polyoxirane compound; and a phenol or alkyl or aralkyl substituted mono- or dihydric phenol modified form of these resins. The resins produced by this method are also disclosed, as are rubber compositions utilizing the resin produced by this method.

Abstract: Pyrrolo?2,3-d!pyrimidine derivatives, and pharmaceutical acceptable salts thereof, useful in therapeutically and/or prophylactically treating patients with an illness are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for preparing low free resorcinol resins are disclosed. These methods generally comprise reacting a resin with an aromatic olefinic compound; suitable resins include one or more resins selected from the group consisting of a dihydric phenol, a polyhydric phenol, a dihydric phenolic novolak resin and a polyhydric phenolic novolak resin; the addition product of at least one of these resins and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a monooxirane compound and a polyoxirane compound; and a phenol or alkyl or aralkyl substituted mono- or dihydric phenol modified form of these resins. The resins produced by this method are also disclosed, as are rubber compositions utilizing the resin produced by this method.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopic analysis of a specimen which includes positioning the specimen within a main magnetic field and introducing an antenna having a loopless antenna portion in close proximity to the specimen. Radio frequency pulses are provided to the region of interest to excite magnetic resonance signals, gradient magnetic pulses are applied to the region of interest with the antenna receiving magnetic resonance signals and emitting responsive output signals. A processor processes the responsive output signals to provide image information for display in a desired manner. The method in a preferred form involves employing a flexible antenna. The method in another preferred form involves employing an impedance matching circuit electrically interposed between the loopless antenna and the processor to enhance radio frequency power transfer and magnetic resonance signal-to-noise ratio from the loopless antenna to the processor.

Abstract: A portable male urinal has a hollow urinal body with an inlet in communication with a reservoir. The urinal body has a flat stabilizer on the bottom of the reservoir having a greater width than the width of the adjacent urinal body and structured to underlie the legs of a male patient lying on his back.The stabilizer base preferably has a generally flat undersurface and a pair of spaced urinal body engaging walls projecting upwardly therefrom. The stabilizer base preferably has an undersurface which contains friction enhancing material. The stabilizer may have a top wall connecting the sidewalls and an end wall. A handle may be provided on the stabilizer to facilitate removal of the stabilizer from the urinal. In one embodiment, the stabilizer is secured to the urinal by friction. In another embodiment mechanical securement above and beyond frictional retention is provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of creating a monolithic wasteform consisting of a binder which chemically immobilizes heavy metals and radioactive materials so as to render them environmentally safe. An apatite or apatite-like material may be employed in immobilizing the hazardous material. A preferred practice of the invention employs a hydroxyapatite or a calcium depleted hydroxyapatite into which the waste materials are substituted and immobilized. The stoichiometric apatite or calcium deficient hydroxyapatite may be formed in the aqueous solution containing heavy metals or radioactive materials, or both, wherein binding of the latter is effected. Alternatively, a preformed calcium deficient phosphate may be introduced into the solution having heavy metals or radioactive materials, or both, dissolved therein in effecting the desired binding in situ. A high strength monolithic wasteform which may be stored or buried for long-term, safe storage of the hazardous materials is produced.