Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a low dielectric constant polymeric film on a substrate, by liquid delivery of a parylene precursor reagent, in the form of an organic solution or a neat liquid, subsequent flash vaporization of the neat liquid or organic solution, pyrolytic "cracking" of the precursor to form the reactive monomer and/or reactive radical species, and condensation and polymerization of the monomer and/or reactive radical species to form a low dielectric constant polymeric film on the substrate. The low dielectric constant polymeric film may comprise a parylene film, formed from a precursor such as [2.2]paracyclophane, an alkyl- and/or halo-substituted derivative thereof, or an analogous compound of a p-xylene derivative.

Abstract: A laser system utilizing a fluid as the excitatory medium for stimulated light emission, wherein the fluid is supplied from a sorbent-based fluid storage and dispensing system coupled in fluid-supplying relationship with the laser apparatus. The laser may be an excimer laser utilizing as the laser working fluid a rare gas halide compound such as fluorides and/or chlorides of krypton, xenon and argon, as well as fluorine and/or chlorine per se. The laser system may alternatively be a far infrared gas laser utilizing a gas such as CO.sub.2, N.sub.2 O, CD.sub.3 OD, CH.sub.3 OD, CH.sub.3 OH, CH.sub.3 NH.sub.2, C.sub.2 H.sub.2 F.sub.2, HCOOH, CD.sub.3 I, CH.sub.3 F, and C.sup.13 H.sub.3 F.

Abstract: A bone buttress plate and a method of using the same to fixate a lateral surface of a fractured hindfoot calcaneus. The plate includes a main body, a first and a second leg, and an extension member. Each leg attaches to and extends from the main body. The extension member includes a yoke, a first arm, and a second arm. The yoke attaches to the main body and extends from the main body opposite to the legs. Each arm attaches to and extends from the yoke. The invention further includes a surgical method of fixating a fractured calcaneus exposed in a surgical theater, which includes providing a bone buttress plate including a main body, a first and a second leg, and an extension member. Each leg attaches to and extends from the main body. The extension member includes a yoke, a first arm, and a second arm. The yoke attaches to the main body and extends from the main body opposite to the legs. Each arm attaches to and extends from the yoke.

Abstract: A method of forming an A site deficient thin film manganate material on a substrate from corresponding precursor(s), comprising liquid delivery and flash vaporization thereof to yield a precursor vapor, and transporting the precursor vapor to a chemical vapor deposition reactor for formation of an A site deficient manganate thin film on a substrate. The invention also contemplates a device comprising an A site deficient manganate thin film, wherein the manganate layer is formed on the substrate by such a process and is of the formula La.sub.x M.sub.y MnO.sub.3, where M=Mg, Ca, Sr, or Ba, and (x+y)<1.0, and preferably from about 0.5 to about 0.99.

Abstract: A low concentration gas delivery system utilizing a sorbent-based gas storage and delivery unit including a gas storage and dispensing vessel joined in flow communication with a permeation structure. The storage and dispensing vessel contains a solid-phase physical sorbent medium holding a fluid, which is selectively dispensed from the vessel by pressure differential, concentration differential and/or thermal desorption techniques. The dispensed gas flows to the permeation structure, wherein the desorbed fluid is diffusionally released either as a neat fluid, or into a carrier gas in which the desorbed fluid has a precisely maintained concentration, for applications such as calibration of instruments monitoring fluid concentrations, delivery of dopants for fabrication of microelectronic device structures, or other end use application requiring a precise low concentration of fluid.

Abstract: Novel Group II metal MOCVD precursor compositions are described having utility for MOCVD of the corresponding Group II metal-containing films. The complexes are Group II metal .beta.-diketonate Lewis base adducts having ligands such as: (i) amines bearing terminal NH.sub.2 groups; (ii) imine ligands formed as amine (i)/carbonyl reaction products; (iii) combination of two or more of the foregoing ligands (i)-(ii), and (iv) combination of one or more of the foregoing ligands (i)-(ii) with one or more other ligands or solvents. The source reagent complexes of barium and strontium are usefully employed in the formation of barium strontium titanate and other Group II doped thin-films on substrates for microelectronic device applications, such as intearated circuits, ferroelectric memories, switches, radiation detectors, thin-film capacitors, microelectromechanical structures (MEMS) and holoaraphic storage media.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus for storing and sequentially translating support articles. The assembly can be constructed, arranged, and adapted to be removeably positioned in operative relation to a support article labeling device. The assembly includes a sequencing mechanism and a housing containing the sequencing mechanism. The assembly can optionally include a preloaded removable magazine. The sequencing mechanism captures a stacked array of support articles and translates a lower-most positioned support article from the stacked array to the labeling device. The housing can also include at least one adjustable stop element. The adjustable stop element cooperates with the sequencing mechanism to prevent misregistration of the bottom-positioned support article.

Abstract: A leak detection device securable in detection proximity to a fluid vessel. The leak detection device includes a sensor element and a monitoring assembly. The sensor element has a monitorable characteristic, and the monitorable characteristic changes upon contact, immerson or in exposure to the fluid contained in the vessel. The monotoring assembly is responsive to the monitorable characteristic and produces an changing electrical output in response to change in the monitorable characteristic. The vessel and leak detection device may form an assembly including a shroud or cover over the detection device and a leak-susceptible portion of the vessel, to provide a microenvironment in which the detection device is operated.

Abstract: A front-load syringe injector system includes a front-load injector apparatus having mounted on a front face thereof a detachably engageable adapter. A driving head is engaged with a drive mechanism of the injector and the driving head disengageably engages a plunger mounted in an angiographic syringe mounted on the adapter. At least one of the plunger and driving head and syringe elements interacts with the adapter to effect engagement and disengagement of the plunger and driving head and syringe with respect to one another.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction system for determining stress in integrated circuit materials includes a source of x-rays (3) that are directed toward a sample holding mechanism for diffracting from the test sample (8). An x-ray detector (14) is arranged for detecting high back reflected diffracted x-ray intensity data representing stress in the test sample. A two-dimensional detection and storage arrangement (24) is arranged for detecting and storing the data representing stress in the test sample. A data processor (2) accesses the stored data from the two-dimensional detection and storage arrangement and processes the data representing stress in the test sample to determine stress in the test sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for preventing and controlling toilet odors. The compositions generally comprise a hypochlorite compound and a hydrogen peroxide compound. The compositions are useful for preventing, reducing and/or eliminating the odor emitting capacity of human or animal excrement in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A whole body stereotaxis apparatus comprising a base plate (2) to accommoe a patient, two side strips (4, 6) which are attached to the base plate (2) at the marginal or side edges thereof and laterally delimit the base plate (2) and to which arches (10, 12) extending over the base plate (2) can be attached, characterized in that a central strip (8) is mounted on the base plate (2) and comprises bores (22) to accommodate accessories.

Abstract: A multi-arm spider fitting including a central hub from which such arms radiate. The arms are adapted at their extremities for coupling with filter modules, so that multiple filter modules can be secured to a single spider fitting, with the filter modules being arranged in a compact array to minimize the volumetric and spatial requirements of the filtration system. The multi-module filter assembly may be mounted on a motive cart, to provide for ready transport of the filter assembly between locations in a process plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing cancer by administration of human chorionic gonadotropin, .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin or a peptide containing a sequence of a portion of .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides methods of treating or preventing Kaposi's Sarcoma, breast cancer or prostate cancer. in another preferred embodiment, the invention relates to .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin peptides for treatment or prevention of cancer. The invention further provides assays for the utility of particular human chorionic gonadotropin preparations in the treatment or prevention of cancer. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of administration are also provided.

Abstract: A printing device wherein top frontal positioning of motor and drive train is avoided so that the size of the top portion can be reduced thereby improving the ability of the operator to view the alignment of a printable article in relation to the printer. The device includes a printer rack having a vertical support member and a base; a moving clamping piece movably mounted on the printer rack permitting the clamping piece to move towards and away from the base; a printer movably mounted on the clamping piece; a cam shaft rotatably mounted on the printer rack and provided thereon with a cylindrical cam for moving the printer towards and away from the vertical support member and further provided thereon with means for raising and lowering the clamping piece so that the clamping piece clamps the article during printing and releases the article upon completion of printing; and a motor mounted on the printer rack for turning the cam shaft.

Abstract: A method of reducing, treating or preventing drug-mediated respiratory depression in an animal, incident to the administration to said animal of a respiratory depression-mediating drug, comprising administering to the animal receiving said drug an effective amount of a .delta. receptor agonist compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing diseases or disorders associated with hematopoietic deficiency by administration of human chorionic gonadotropin, .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin or a peptide containing a sequence of a portion of .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin. The invention also relates to methods of treating or preventing diseases or disorders associated with hematopoietic deficiency by administration of hematopoietic cells, the numbers of which have been increased by contacting the cells with human chorionic gonadotropin, .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin or a peptide containing a sequence of a portion of .beta.-human chorionic gonadotropin. The invention also provides assays for the utility of particular human chorionic gonadotropin preparations in the treatment or prevention of hematopoietic deficiencies or in the increasing of hematopoietic cell numbers in vitro. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of administration of are also provided.

Abstract: An angiographic syringe and plunger therefor, having utility in a power-driven angiographic syringe injector apparatus comprising an axially extending drive shaft and a frustoconical-shaped driving head attached to the shaft. The plunger is constructed to engage the driving head, with a circumferentially extended array of circumferentially spaced-apart flexible resilient engagement members which compressively bear on the side and rear surfaces of the frustoconical driving head. The flexible resilient engagement members are radially inwardly offset from the edge of the plunger, to avoid contact with inner surfaces of the syringe barrel contamination of the interior volume of the syringe. The syringe is mounted on the injector apparatus by a face plate adapter assembly serving to position the flexible resilient engagement members for coupling to the driving head.

Abstract: The invention relates to an edge protector, method and fitted article, and in particular to an edge protector for use on generally flat faced, panel-like products such as doors, worktops, table-tops and the like. There is disclosed an edge protector (10) having a base (14), two opposed sides (16), each side including a leg (20) and an arm (22), the legs and arms comprising corrugated paper joined to plain paper, characterised in that the arms (22) extend between the legs (20), and in that the plain paper on tan arm faces plain paper on the other arm and in that plain paper on a leg faces away from plain paper on the other leg. There is further disclosed such edge protector wherein the legs and arms are of paper having fluting on one face and include resilient biassing means (24) acting to urge parts of the respective sides towards each other. There is also disclosed a method for making such an edge protector and an edge protector fitted therewith.

Abstract: Fungi and fungal spores which are modified to confer a transmissible hypovirulent phenotype, related polynucleotides, and use of these fungi to control fungal diseases.