Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing arachidonic acid. In one embodiment, Mortierella sect. schmuckeri microorganisms are cultured in fermentation medium, preferably containing a component of a complex nitrogen source. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Mortierella sect. schmuckeri microorganisms or lipid isolated from such microorganisms to enhance the arachidonic acid content of the food product.

Abstract: A magnetic recording device for recording data onto a magnetic disk in the form of a spiral track. A spindle motor rotates the disk about a pivot point. A transducer writes the data onto the disk as a digital bit stream. The transducer is positioned radially over the disk by a servomechanism. As the servomechanism positions the transducer radially across the spinning disk relative to the rotation of the disk, a spiral track is described upon the disk. A dedicated or an embedded servo system can be utilized with the spiral data track. Furthermore, the servo tracks can take the form of either concentric circles or a spiral. By recording data as a spiral rather than as concentric circles, cumulative seek time delays are minimized.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an expandable stent for use in blood vessels. The length of the stent after expansion is substantially the same as the stent length before expansion. The stent is annealed at high temperatures to permit stent deformation at relatively low pressures to conform to the blood vessel shape and diameter.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling electrical properties and morphology of a p-type material of a photovoltaic device. The p-type material, such as p-type cadmium telluride, is first subjected to heat treatment in an oxidizing environment, followed by recrystallization in an environment substantially free of oxidants. In one embodiment, the heat treatment step comprises first subjecting the p-type material to an oxidizing atmosphere at a first temperature to getter impurities, followed by second subjecting the p-type material to an oxidizing atmosphere at a second temperature, higher than the first temperature, to develop a desired oxidation gradient through the p-type material.

Abstract: A method for preserving a food product, such as meat, is provided. The method comprises the steps of inoculating meat with an effective amount of non-pathogenic, non-spoilage bacteria in order to competitively inhibit the growth of undesired pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. Preferably, either L. delbrueckii or Hafnia alvei bacteria are used to inoculate a meat product. Bacteria present on a meat product is first reduced to a number below about 5000 bacteria per gram of meat, e.g. by dehairing an animal and then spraying the meat with an organic acid prior to inoculation with bacteria. The meat product is then vacuum packaged and stored in a refrigerated environment of about -1.degree. C. to about 7.degree. C. Meat products preserved in accordance with the method of the invention can enjoy a refrigerated shelf life of up to about 150 days without surface discoloration or the generation of undesirable gaseous by-products.

Abstract: An assembly performing for performing both material removal and sewing operations on stitchable material. In one embodiment, the assembly includes sewing and material removal units which are interconnected in a manner such that the sewing unit's sewing area is isolated from the material removal unit. Preferably, the material removal unit is separable from the sewing unit. In another embodiment, the assembly includes sewing and material removal units, the material removal unit including a material removal device, a receiving table with an aperture aligned with the material removal device, and an alignment device which is movable through the aperture to align stitchable material relative to the material removal device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for providing an indication relating to certain faults that can occur during data storing operations in an array storage system. In connection with providing the indication, a code byte having a number of code bits is appended to data that is stored on storage devices of the array storage system. When such a fault occurs, predetermined code bits are set to indicate the data operation that was taking place when the fault occurred. In a preferred embodiment, there are two data storing related operations for which predetermined code bits are set when a fault occurs, namely, a data reconstruction operation and a data reassignment operation. Since these operations are typically initiated automatically and are transparent to any host system connected to the array storage system, such a fault indication enables the user to determine the identity of the data storing related operation that was in progress when the fault occurred.

Abstract: An article storage device including a storage member having first and second opposing end portions, a padded member, and a mechanism for suspending said storage member directly underneath a seat. The mechanism for suspending includes a connecting member for interconnecting the padded member adjacent the second end portion utilizing a first securing mechanism. The mechanism for suspending includes a mechanism for accommodating a range of seat dimensions. In addition, the connecting member further includes a second securing mechanism for securing the connecting member to a back surface of the storage member to facilitate folding of the device for transport.

Abstract: A bi-directional translator is disclosed which translates between low level substantially binary records of a data repository (such as a data log) and substantially equivalent high level English-like terms. Thus, the translator is used to translate English-like queries for the data repository into equivalent binary records which can, in turn, be used in retrieving appropriately matching records from the data repository where the data repository records are redundant and have both time related dependencies between the records and have a plurality of different binary formats. Subsequently, the translator is used to translate the retrieved records into substantially equivalent non-redundant English-like terms having no time related dependencies between terms and such that the data format for the terms is substantially uniform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring the sharpness of cutting edges. The apparatus includes gripper assemblies for securing a cutting medium that allows for adjustment of a cutting medium to specific angular orientations, a sleeve for holding an edge so that the edge is capable of contacting the cutting medium, an electric actuator for relatively moving the edge relative to the cutting medium and a force strain gauge for quantitatively measuring the sharpness of the edge as the edge relatively moves relative to the cutting medium.

Abstract: The disclosed system (10) employs an MRI device to identify the location of an area of interest within a patient's breast (28) and guide a medical instrument (26) for insertion to the identified location. The patient (30) is positioned on a table top (18) having an opening (52) through which the patient's breast (28) pendulantly projects. The pendulant breast (28) is immobilized by a basket (36). The table top (18) and patient (30) are then introduced into magnetic field generator (12) and MRI signals are received by receiver (14). The location of an area of interest within the patient's breast (28) is determined based on the received signals. A guidance assembly (24) can then be used to aim the medical instrument (26) towards the location of interest via a penetration path selected so as to avoid the receiver (14) and basket (36).

Abstract: The present invention relates to D. immitis Gp29 proteins, nucleic acid molecules having sequences that encode such proteins, antibodies raised against such proteins and inhibitors of D. immitis glutathione peroxidase. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such nucleic acid molecules, proteins, antibodies and inhibitors. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such nucleic acid molecules, proteins, antibodies and inhibitors as well as their use to protect animals from disease caused by parasitic helminths, such as heartworm.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel banding tool which, prior to being used to provide a securing lock for a band clamp, can extract an unspecified length of excess band from the band clamp during a band clamp tightening operation without the banding tool itself expanding. The tightening is accomplished by the cranking or rotating of a tensioning rod for moving a band gripping assembly along the length of the tensioning rod whereby the band gripping assembly extracts a length of band from the band clamp. The present invention also includes a novel manual tension activation assembly for use in cranking the tension rod. The tension activation assembly can be attached to an end of the tensioning rod at a plurality of torque varying positions according to operator convenience and cranking space restrictions. Alternatively, cranking can be provided by a power drive rather than the manual tension activation assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing inflammation in an animal which includes analyzing cells to assess glucocorticoid receptor binding affinity or glucocorticoid receptor number. A low binding affinity and high receptor number are each indicative of inflammation. Also disclosed is a method for treating inflammation in an animal, which inflammation causes glucocorticoid receptor alteration which includes suppressing the activity or expression of cytokines which, in the absence of suppression, alter glucocorticoid receptors. Also disclosed are methods for identifying Type II glucocorticoid receptor binding abnormality and for distinguishing Type I glucocorticoid receptor binding abnormalities from Type II. Further disclosed are treatments for steroid-resistant inflammatory disorders induced by IL-2 and IL-4 which are associated with glucocorticoid receptor binding abnormalities. The treatment includes administering an agent which is an IL-2 suppressor and/or an IL-4 suppressor.

Abstract: A dispersion strengthened copper alloy and a method for producing the alloy are provided. The alloy preferably comprises aluminum, titanium and hafnium as alloying elements that are internally oxidized under controlled conditions to produce a dispersion strengthened copper material having good hardness and high conductivity. A method for reducing the adverse effects of hydrogen on such materials is also provided. The dispersion strengthened material can be useful in many applications, including welding electrodes and electrical contacts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer memory device having a sleep mode characterized by extremely low current consumption and relatively large turn on delay. The invention includes circuitry for disabling current sinking elements internal to said device in response to a sleep signal. In one embodiment, the invention includes circuitry for disconnecting the bit lines and memory cell loads of a nonvolatile static random access memory (nvSRAM) array from a source of power in response to a sleep signal. This embodiment is capable of first transferring the data stored in a volatile portion of the array to a nonvolatile portion of the array before entering sleep mode to prevent loss of the data.