Abstract: Methods and compounds for the measurement in vivo of oxygen in living tissue. The compounds preferably comprise a substituted porphyrin which is soluble in aqueous solution which is capable of absorbing an amount of energy and subsequently releasing the energy as phosphorescent light. In preferred embodiments, the porphyrin has an absorption band which is at a wavelength in the near infra-red window of living tissue and the phosphorescence is quenched by molecular oxygen according to the Stern-Volmer relationship.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to amino acid sequences for ethylene insensitive, EIN loci in the ethylene response in plant systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the encapsulation of biologically important proteins into transparent, porous silica matrices by an alcohol-free, aqueous, colloidal sol-gel process, and to the biological materials encapsulated thereby. The process is exemplified by studies involving encapsulated cytochrome c, catalase, myoglobin, and hemoglobin, although non-proteinaceous biomaterials, such as active DNA or RNA fragments, cells or even tissues, may also be encapsulated in accordance with the present methods. Conformation, and hence activity of the biomaterial, is successfully retained after encapsulation as demonstrated by optical characterization of the molecules, even after long-term storage. The retained conformation of the biomaterial is strongly correlated to both the rate of gelation and the subsequent drying speed of the encapsulatng matrix.

Abstract: A computer system and method for a lessor to determine correct use tax on moveable equipment which may be subject to tax by more than one tax authority comprising inventory records for each individual item of equipment comprising an equipment identifier, equipment category, acquisition cost, depreciation, net book value, and branch; updating the inventory records to reflect each modification, improvement, disposition, and change in equipment category, and use tax paid; activity records comprising each lease event pertaining to each item of equipment; and a set of tax rules, which are periodically updated, for each taxing authority where any of the items of equipment may be leased or used, comprising sets of formulas reflecting relationships between tax due and acquisition of equipment, first leasing of equipment, subsequent leasing of equipment, length of lease term, age of equipment, and/or equipment categories.

Abstract: An external catheter for attachment to the urethra is disclosed which includes a flow tube having a first and second end, the flow tube at the first end being funnel shaped, a spongy covering attached to the funnel shaped end for sealing an area around the urethra, said spongy covering being shaped so as to conform to the area surrounding the urethra, a skin adhesive for securing the spongy covering to the area surrounding the urethra and a fluid collector connected to said second end of said flow tube.

Abstract: A detection device for three-dimensional tissue oxygen measurement in animals and humans comprising an array of fiber optics effective for transmitting emitted phosphorescent light, and further comprising an array of phosphorescent detectors and an excitation light emitter, forming a matrix and effective for sequential introduction of pulses of excitation light from a plurality of sites in said matrix.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating and using product data to enhance the safety of a medical or non-medical products. The systems receive vast amounts of data regarding adverse events associated with a particular product and analyze the data in light of already known adverse events associated with the product. The system develops at least one proprietary database of newly discovered adverse event information and new uses for the product and may catalog adverse event information for a large number of population sub-groups. The system may also be programmed to incorporate the information into intellectual property and contract documents. Manufacturers can include the information in consumer product information which they provide to consumers or, in the case of certain medical products, prescribers of the medical products.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for growth detection and identification of microorganisms in a culture medium comprising providing a culture medium comprising a solubilized oxygen-quenchable phosphorescent compound, inoculating said culture medium with a substrate suspected of being associated with one or more microorganism, and detecting microorganism growth and identifying said microorganism by causing said phosphorescent compound to phosphoresce and observing quenching of oxygen in said culture of said compound.

Abstract: The invention includes an isolated DNA encoding a plant GS-X pump polypeptide and an isolated preparation of a plant GS-X pump polypeptide. Also included is an isolated preparation of a nucleic acid which is antisense in orientation to a portion or all of a plant GS-X pump gene. The invention also includes a cells, vectors and transgenic plants having an isolated DNA encoding a plant GS-X pump and methods of use thereof. In addition, the invention relates to plant GS-X pump promoter sequences and the uses thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for transporting and storing nuclear fuel rods comprising a basket having storage cells formed from a honeycomb gridwork of metal plates in a rectilinear configuration, the plates welded to each other at their intersections so that all contiguous corners of the storage cells formed by the gridwork are completely connected so as to allow conduction heat transfer, the metal plates having neutron absorber material positioned in areas which form walls of the storage cells.