Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to compensate for distortions in lithography by locally heating the membrane in a lithographic mask. The techniques may be used both to shrink and to expand areas of the mask locally, in order to adjust for varying magnitudes and signs of distortion. In one embodiment the correction method comprises two steps: (1) A send-ahead wafer is exposed and measured by conventional means to determine the overlay errors at several points throughout the field. (2) During exposure of subsequent wafers, calibrated beams of light are focused on the mask. The heating from the absorbed light produces displacements that compensate for the overlay errors measured with the send-ahead wafer. Any source of distortion may be corrected—for example, distortion appearing on the mask initially, distortion that only develops on the mask over time, or distortion on the wafer.

Abstract: A novel growth medium called “H15” is disclosed that supports much higher E. coli cell densities and, concomitantly, a much higher yield of plasmid than previously reported for small-scale applications. The high-yield growth medium contains two buffers with different pKa values and an additional nucleotide source. On a unit volume basis, E. coli cultures grown in this medium consistently produce 5-10 times, and sometimes up to 30 times, more recombinant plasmid than in conventional rich media, paralleling the increase in cell density. This phenomenon is independent of E. coli host strain, DNA insert size and plasmid copy number. H15 medium is economical and high yields can be achieved using standard research laboratory equipment.

Abstract: Nitric oxide adversely affects survival and development of cells such as oocytes and embryos in vitro, particularly in a co-culture system. The addition of a nitric oxide inhibitor such as hemoglobin to such systems eliminates this toxic effect, and promotes mammalian oocytes, embryos, or other cells in vitro.

Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed for administering pyruvate in high doses to mammals, including humans. The method and composition do not produce an excessive acid load, salt load, or nitrogen load. Bioavailability of pyruvate from the composition is high.

Abstract: An extremely high efficiency, crossflow, fluid-fluid, micro heat exchanger is disclosed. To concurrently achieve the goals of high mass flow rate, low pressure drop, and high heat transfer rates, the heat exchanger comprises numerous parallel, but relatively short microchannels. The performance of these heat exchangers is superior to the performance of previously available heat exchangers. Typical channel heights are from a few hundred micrometers to about 2000 micrometers, and typical channel widths are from around 50 micrometers to a few hundred micrometers. The micro heat exchangers offer substantial advantages over conventional, larger heat exchangers in performance, weight, size, and cost. The heat exchangers are especially useful for enhancing gas-side heat exchange. Some of the many possible applications include aircraft heat exchange, air conditioning, portable cooling systems, and micro combustion chambers for fuel cells.

Abstract: Lamprey LHRH-III is a potent FSH-releasing factor, and may be used to enhance fertility. Antagonists to lamprey LHRH-III may be used to inhibit fertility.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to compensate for distortions in lithography by locally heating the membrane in a lithographic mask. The techniques may be used both to shrink and to expand areas of the mask locally, in order to adjust for varying magnitudes and signs of distortion. In one embodiment the correction method comprises two steps: (1) A send-ahead wafer is exposed and measured by conventional means to determine the overlay errors at several points throughout the field. (2) During exposure of subsequent wafers, calibrated beams of light are focused on the mask. The heating from the absorbed light produces displacements that compensate for the overlay errors measured with the send-ahead wafer. Any source of distortion may be corrected—for example, distortion appearing on the mask initially, distortion that only develops on the mask over time, or distortion on the wafer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for rapidly carbonating large cement structures, by forming and hardening cement in a mold under high carbon dioxide density, such as supercritical or near-supercritical conditions. The method is more reliable, efficient, and effective than are post-molding treatments with high-pressure CO2. Cements molded in the presence of high-pressure CO2 are significantly denser than otherwise comparable cements having no CO2 treatment, and are also significantly denser than otherwise comparable cements treated with CO2 after hardening. Bulk carbonation of cementitious materials produces several beneficial effects, including reducing permeability of the cement, increasing its compressive strength, and reducing its pH. These effects are produced rapidly, and extend throughout the bulk of the cement—they are not limited to a surface layer, as are prior methods of post-hardening CO2 treatment.

Abstract: A method to decrease the surface roughness of exposed PMMA surfaces has been discovered. PMMA surface roughness was decreased by a post-exposure heat treatment of less than 70° C. The optimum post-exposure heat treatment to produce a PMMA microstructures with a smooth surface was found to be about 60° C. for about 30 min. The structural features of post-exposure heat-treated PMMA patterns were not statistically different from otherwise identical features of untreated PMMA patterns. This method produces a smoother PMMA structure that may then optionally be glued on a substrate or that may be assembled with other PMMA structures into a three-dimensional or multilayer microstructure.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive ramp and cargo system is described that is easily mounted to a standard trailer hitch socket of a vehicle with a rear door or hatch, including a minivan. The ramp can be used to load small sized wheeled vehicles, including occupied wheelchairs, into the interior of the vehicle. The ramp and cargo system is carried outside the vehicle and does not decrease the interior space of the vehicle. The ramp and cargo system can optionally serve as a deck attached to the rear of the vehicle to provide additional cargo space. This external deck can be expanded and partially enclosed with two platform pieces and sidewalls. The ramp and cargo system is inexpensive, light-weight, easy to install and remove, and easy to deploy as a ramp.

Abstract: The topical administration of a plasmid encoding a Type I interferon such as interferon &agr;1 (IFN-&agr;1) to the cornea has potent anti-herpes activity. The expression of the interferon transgene in the corneas of infected individuals is transient and short-lived. The plasmid protected mice from HSV-1-induced encephalitis in a dose- and time-dependent manner when applied to the cornea prior to infection. The method may be used to treat or prevent herpes infections not only in the eye, but also in other portions of the oropharyngeal region, and in other mucous membranes including the genitalia. Patients presenting with acute or reactivated herpes infections are topically treated with DNA encoding a Type I interferon, where the DNA is not designed to integrate into the genome, but is placed under the control of a promoter that will cause expression of the interferon while the DNA persists in the cells that take it up.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the nondestructive inspection of dielectric materials are disclosed. Monochromatic, phase coherent electromagnetic radiation, preferably in the 5-50 gigahertz frequency range (i.e., microwaves) impinges on the sample. In accordance with Snell's law, the microwaves are partly transmitted and partly reflected at each interface where the dielectric constant changes (e.g., where there are delaminations, cracks, holes, impurities, or other defects.) A portion of the reflected beam is combined with the signal reflected by the specimen being inspected. These two signals have the same frequency, but may differ in amplitude and phase. The signals combine to produce an interference pattern, a pattern that changes as the specimen changes, or as the position of the specimen changes relative to that of the detector. Appropriate processing of the interference signal can greatly improve the signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A device and surgical method for promoting arthrodesis of an equine fetlock joint. The device is a rigid bone pin-plate that is implanted at the fetlock joint and attached to the tension band surface of the first phalanx. The surgical method is a palmar surgical approach for implanting a bone pin-plate device that provides access to the medullary canal of the third metacarpal bone.

Abstract: Significant concentrations of naphthalene were detected in carton nests of Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, collected from Florida, Hawaii, and Louisiana. This is the first report of naphthalene being associated with termites or any other insects. Naphthalene and other compounds associated with termite carton nests may be used to increase termite bait acceptance. New attractant molecules include 2-phenoxyethanol. New feeding stimulants include ergosterol. A list of volatile compounds associated with termite nests is presented, compounds that may be used to detect termite nests.

Abstract: Live-attenuated vaccines against Edwardsiella ictaluri or against Pasteurella piscicida are disclosed. Both vaccines are incapable of reversion to virulence, because both are made by deletion mutations in the aroA gene, the purA gene, or both. These vaccines may be used not only to vaccinate fish against Edwardsiella ictaluri or Pasteurela piscicida, but also to serve as vectors to present antigens from other pathogens to the fish, thereby serving as vaccines against other pathogens as well, with no risk of infection by reversion to the virulent form of the pathogen in which the antigen occurs naturally.

Abstract: Optical slab waveguides are used as high-speed, high-capacity interconnects for parallel or other devices. Optical slab interconnects can connect to many more elements than can conventional electrical or fiber optic buses. A multiplexing scheme called “mode division multiplexing” greatly increases the number of independent channels that a single slab can support. Optical slab waveguides have a potential capacity of over one million independent channels, each channel operating at 1 GHz in a single physical medium, with each channel capable of receiving input from over 1000 ports and sustaining a load of over 1000.

Abstract: A method has been discovered for using lysostaphin as an effective antibiotic for topical treatment of Staphylococcus corneal infections (keratitis). Lysostaphin applied topically to the cornea by eye drops killed bacteria within the cornea; lysostaphin reduced the number of bacteria from approximately 10,000,000 viable bacteria colony forming units (“CFU”) in the untreated eye to essentially no viable bacteria in the treated eyes. Treatment by lysostaphin was more potent than any of the smaller antibiotics that have been previously tested (e.g., tetracyclines, erythromycins, cephalosporins, vancomycin, aminoglycosides, or fluoroquinolones). Moreover, topical application of lysostaphin was effective against the highly antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus strains.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the efficiency of producing chitin and chitosan, particularly biocompatible chitosan. Crustacean shells are maintained at a high temperature for a sufficient time to convert most of the chitin in the shells to an amorphous form. The shells are then rapidly cooled, for example by plunging into liquid nitrogen, so that most of the chitin in the shells remains in the amorphous form. These “quenched” shells are then deproteinized and demineralized to produce chitin. The chitin may be deacetylated to produce chitosan. High purity chitin or chitosan is thereby produced at a lower cost than has been possible using previous methods. Biocompatible chitosan produced by this process may be used for the delivery of cells or bioactive agents, or for other applications.

Abstract: An automated transplanter has been designed for seedlings previously loaded and correctly spaced on a low tensile-strength, biodegradable tape wound on a spool. The transplanter design allowed for rapid planting of the tape with the attached seedlings while minimizing the tension placed on the tape. The design linked the unspooling of the tape directly to the ground speed of the tractor and provides for an anti-backlash mechanism to prevent the spool from free-wheeling when the tractor speed slowed quickly. Using this design, synthetic seedlings attached to a low tensile-strength tape were successfully planted at speeds up to 7.5 mph.

Abstract: 3-trimethylammonium-2-hydroxypropyl-N-chitosan (CHI-Q188) and related chitosan derivatives exhibit antimicrobial activity at concentrations as low as 10-20 &mgr;g/mL, an order of magnitude lower than the concentrations at which any previous chitosan derivative has been reported to exhibit antimicrobial activity. These compounds may be used as preservatives in cosmetic formulations, and as antimicrobial pharmaceutical agents.