Abstract: Apparatus and method for evaluating platelet functionality of a blood sample. A cartridge includes a plurality of test cells. Each cell receives an aliquot part of a blood sample. A measured amount of clotting reagent is provided in each cell. A measured amount of platelet activation reagent is provided in each cell, the amount of such reagent in each cell differing from the amount of such reagent in each other cell. The relative clotting times of the aliquot samples in the cells are determinative of the platelet functionality of the blood sample.

Abstract: An improved pigment composition containing an anthocyanin pigment and a pigment-improving agent selected from the group consisting of flavonoid glycuronides, flavonoid glucuronides, and caffeic acid derivatives. The pigment-improving agents deepen and improve the intensity of the anthocyanin pigment and increase its stability in the presence of light, heat and/or pH.

Abstract: A densitometer (10) includes a gas sample plenum (40) that is connected to a gas supply pipe (26) via a flow-restricted inlet duct (42) to at least partially isolate and damp the sample plenum (40) from shocks and noises, turbulences, and abrupt pressure changes in the gas supply. A cantilevered vane (110) is positioned in the sample plenum (40) for gas density determinations on the principle that resonant frequency of the vane (110) is a function of the density of the gas in the sample plenum (40). The resonant frequency of the vane (110) in the gas is determined by applying a magnetic field generated by a driver assembly 120 against the vane (110) and detecting the resonant frequency with a vibration detector (117), which is connected to the driver assembly 120 in a phase locked loop.

Abstract: A bipolar blood coagulator probe has a coaxial or other bipolar arrangement for use submerged in a sterile fluid during arthroscopy of joints, with an elongated outer electrode positioned in juxtaposition to an elongated inner electrode and with an elongated electrical inner insulation layer positioned between the outer electrode and the inner electrode. The outer electrode, inner electric, and inner insulation can be concentric to each other or in other configurations, including sandwiched or laminated together. The bipolar probe also has an elongated outer electrical insulation sleeve over the outer electrode and a proximal end outer housing terminating in a plug with two prongs that are electrically connected in the housing to outer electrode and inner electrode. The prongs of the plug are adapted to plug into a suitable receptacle for connection to an RF generator.

Abstract: An antitumor compound of formula (5) ##STR1## in which R is Ac or H, and R.sub.1, R.sub.2 is an alkyl group such as Me, Et, Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu or t-Bu, R.sub.3 is H; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are H; R.sub.1 is an alkyl group such as Me, Et, Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu or t-Bu, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 is H; R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are H, R.sub.2 is an alkyl group such as Me, Et, Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu or t-Bu; R.sub.1 is H, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are an alkyl group such as Me, Et, Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu or t-Bu; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are an alkyl group Me, Et, Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu or t-Bu. Me is an abbreviation for methyl, Et is ethyl, Pr is propyl, i-Pr is isopropyl, n-Bu is n-butyl, and t-Bu is tert-butyl. Also provided by the invention is a one step method of preparing a compound of formula (5) whereby a taxane having a tiglate group attached to the side chain is contacted with an oxidizing reagent resulting in the formation of an epoxide having antitumor activity.

Abstract: A frame carrier including a soft body portion and a frame formed of a resin material. The soft body portion includes a front portion, a back portion, side portions and a seat portion connected to the back portion. The seat portion includes a forward end with an adjustment strap attached to the frame wherein the adjustment of the length of the adjustment strap may be used to adjust the height of the seat portion. A pivoted leg stand is provided including a pivot connection which defines two predetermined positions for the leg stand. The pivot connection includes cooperating cam and detent members wherein the two positions for the leg stand are defined by movement of the cam relative to the detent. The carrier further includes an adjustable waist belt including a pair of clips engaged in vertically extending slots in the frame. A plurality of mounting points for the clips are defined along the slots to thereby define different height positions for the waist belt.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for the delivery of pharmacologically active proteins are provided by the present invention. The compositions of the present invention comprise a polymeric matrix having thermal gelation properties in which is incorporated a discrete suspension of at least one biologically active macromolecular polypeptide which retains greater than 90 percent of its biological activity. Furthermore, the concentration of the macromolecular polypeptide is greater than 0.5 percent by weight of the composition.

Abstract: A process for the extraction and isolation of concentrated carnosic acid from plant matter of the Labiatae family including contacting the plant matter with a water-miscible solvent to form a plant extract and adjusting the pH of the plant extract to a level between 7 and 10 while adding water in an amount sufficient to cause precipitation of impurities while retaining the carnosic acid salt in solution. The impurities are separated and the remaining aqueous solution is acidified to precipitate a highly purified carnosic acid product which is essentially odorless, flavorless and colorless.

Abstract: Novel artemisinin dimers of structure ##STR1## which possess anticancer activity.

Abstract: Described herein are novel trioxane dimers of structure ##STR1## which possess antiproliferative and antitumor activities.

Abstract: A shaker table (10) for testing and quality control of devices attached to the table is shown. The mounting table has pneumatic exciters attached (50) thereto. The exciters (50) are attached to the mounting table (20) with a mounting bolt (128) and spacers (132, 132') that comprise an insulating material to inhibit thermal transfer between the device and the exciters (50) and between the mounting table (20) and the exciters (50). The mounting table (20) provides uniform distribution of forces applied by the pneumatic exciters (50). The forces are evenly distributed in all directions from the impact of the exciters on the mounting table. The mounting table (20) is supported on a foundation (2) by adjustable supports (4). The exciters are supplied with pressurized air from a source (12) through an airline (14).

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser radar (ladar) imaging system in which both the range of an object being imaged and the velocity of the object can be measured simultaneously and accurately with superior range resolution and with minimal ambiguity. Use is made of a ladar system based on matched-filter cross-correlation of light pulse waveforms that have multiple, simultaneous frequency components with phase variation and incommensurate spectral frequency spacing between frequency components.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing the deposition and build-up of chains of polymerized TEOS molecules in the pipes downstream from a reaction furnace in a semiconductor manufacturing process includes an annular nozzle assembly positioned inside the pipes such that a plenum is formed between the annular nozzle assembly and the pipes and such that the annular nozzle forms a hollow tubular conduit for conducting effluent from the reaction furnace. The annular nozzle assembly preferably includes three hollow and generally cylindrical sections, an upstream collar, a downstream spacer ring, and a middle section(s) positioned between the upstream collar and the downstream spacer ring. The annular nozzle assembly is placed within the pipes downstream of the reaction furnace during operation and is modularly constructed so that the length of the annular nozzle assembly can be varied, depending on the length of the downstream pipes from the reaction furnace.

Abstract: The liquid cooled trap for effectively and efficiently collecting condensable vapor in a chemical vapor reaction system includes two stages. The first stage includes an entrance area to the trap that is purposely designed to be large in space and a very poor heat exchanger in order to avoid condensation and resulting solid deposits that could clog the entrance port to the trap. The second stage comprises a better heat exchanger to spread the condensation and deposits efficiently over a larger surface area and a longer flow path. The second stage is a very efficient heat exchanger to clean up and remove whatever small amount of the condensable vapor remains after the first stage of the trap. The second stage includes cooling coil tubes and cooling cones or fins to increase the overall efficiency of the trap be increasing the interior surfaces upon which the flowing condensable vapor can condense, while not significantly reducing the flow conductance of the trap.

Abstract: A strap or band worn on the swimmer's head that is attached to a pair of swimming goggles includes two ear restrainers, one for each of the swimmer's ears, that restrain and at least partially cover the swimmer's ears and pin the ears tightly against the swimmer's head to reduce the swimmer's hydrodynamic drag. When the strap is stretched or elongated around the swimmer's head during use, the top and bottom edges of the ear restrainers curve inward toward the swimmer's head. The strap reduces the swimmer's hydrodynamic drag by reducing the barrier created by the ears when the ears extend outward from the swimmer's head. In addition, the strap creates a smooth surface over the swimmer's ears so that the water passes more easily and quickly over the ears as the swimmer moves through the water.

Abstract: A screening apparatus including a testing chamber and a control console for environmental screening and vibrational testing of manufactured products placed inside the testing chamber. The control console is used to control and monitor the operation of the screening apparatus. The control console is supported on an articulated arm so that the control console can be optimally positioned. The articulated arm also protects the control console from the thermal and vibrational stimuli applied to the product being tested. The system wiring between the testing chamber and the control console can be enclosed in or attached to the articulated arm so that the wires do not impede the mobility of the articulated arm and do not pose a hazard to people working near the screening apparatus. Optional rigid bars can be placed with the walls of the testing chamber to increase the resonance frequency of the testing chamber to further protect the control console from the vibrational stimuli applied to the product being tested.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting Taxol A, B and C to Taxol primary amine which can then be easily and efficiently converted to Taxol A or docetaxel, thereby significantly increasing the yield of these products from biomass. The method includes the removal of the amide from the side-chain with Schwartz's reagent to form an imine, followed by the hydrolysis of the imine to the primary amine. The primary amine can then be converted to Taxol A or docetaxel. New Taxol imine compounds and primary amine salts have been formed by this process.

Abstract: A capacitor assembled in the form of a lightweight structural panel and including isolated capacitor cells. Each of the cells includes a honeycomb structure wherein each film-like layer in the honeycomb structure is an electrode stack. Each of the electrode stacks includes an elongated cathode, an elongated separator, and an elongated anode. The separator is wetted with an electrolyte solution to enhance the dielectric properties of the separator. Alternatively, the capacitor cell could be composed of a foam-like cathode, foam-like separator, and a foam-like anode. With either embodiment, the invention achieves the storage of electrostatic energy in a structure with a multitude of voids defined therein so that the structure is relatively stiff, yet light weight.

Abstract: An improved speech recognition system with at least two speech recognition engines which may or may not be identical. Each of the speech recognition engines supply a recognized-text output signal each of which are provided to a text comparator. The comparator compares the recognized-text output signals and accepts or rejects the text based on the degree of agreement between the output signals from each of the engines. Completely different types of speech recognition engines can be employed. Alternatively, identical speech recognition engines could be employed with a slight perturbation added to one of the engines or the input signal of one of the engines. Alternatively, the very same speech recognition engine could be used at two different points in time, with one receiving some type of perturbation.