Abstract: A process for preparing nanoparticles and microparticles is provided. The process involves forming a mixture of a polymer and a solvent, wherein the solvent is present in a continuous phase and introducing the mixture into an effective amount of a nonsolvent to cause the spontaneous formation of microparticles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for classifying population states based on shape characterizations of sub-manifolds of points, curves, surfaces, or sub-volumes. A structure is examined using, for example, clinical imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, or Ultrasound. The image is then subjected to a transform function to generate a map of the new image. The new image map which contains information regarding the shape of the structure is compared to average shapes characterizing population groups. If the shape of the new image falls within a best match probability with an average shape, the new image is classified as a member of the population characterized by the average shape. Each population represents a specific classification state. Thus, if the shape of the new structure resembles the average shape of a population group, the new shape is classified as the same population state as the other structures displaying the same shape characteristics.

Abstract: A method for removing ammonia from fly ash employs water mist (a water fog) or a flowing warm humid air stream to rid the fly ash of ammonia. Ozone alone or with other co-oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide are also used to rid fly ash of ammonia.

Abstract: New aerogels are disclosed which comprise silica, at least one organic polymer having polar functional groups, and at least one metal ion. Also disclosed are methods for making such aerogels. The present invention further concerns printable objects comprising these aerogels, specifically when the print media are imaged by the absorption of liquid and the spatial localization of pigments or dyes.

Abstract: A method for removing ammonia from fly ash employs water mist (a water fog) or a flowing warm humid air stream to rid the fly ash of ammonia. Ozone alone or with other co-oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide are also used to rid fly ash of ammonia.

Abstract: A process is provided for making dry, micronized particles of an agent, such as a drug. The method includes (a) dissolving a macromolecular material, preferably a polymer, in an effective amount of a solvent, to form a solution; (b) dissolving or dispersing the agent in the solution to form a mixture; (c) freezing the mixture; and (d) drying by vacuum the mixture to form solid particles of the agent dispersed in solid macromolecular material. The micronization in this process occurs directly in a macromolecular matrix and hardening of the particles of agent by solvent removal takes place by lyophilization of the bulk matrix, which stabilizes the drug particles during hardening and prevents coalesence, thereby resulting in smaller final drug particles. The method is particularly preferred for protein agents. The process can be used in conjunction with a standard microencapsulation technique, typically following separation of the agent from the macromolecular matrix.

Abstract: A method for the determination of grain orientation in a film sample is provided comprising the steps of measuring a first transient optical response of the film and determining the contribution to the transient optical response arising from a change in the energy distribution of the electrons in the sample, determining the contribution to the transient optical response arising from a propagating strain pulse within the sample, and determining the contribution to the transient optical response arising from a change in sample temperature of the sample. The grain orientation of the sample may be determined using the contributions to the transient optical response arising from the change in the energy distribution of the electrons, the propagating strain pulse, and the change in sample temperature. Additionally, a method for determination of the thickness of a film sample is provided. The grain orientation of the sample is first determined.

Abstract: A recognition system is disclosed, including a representation of an object in terms of its constituent parts that is translationally invariant, and which provides scale invariant recognition. The system further provides effective recognition of patterns that are partially present in the input signal, or that are partially occluded, and also provides an effective representation for sequences within the input signal. The system utilizes dynamically determined, context based expectations, for identifying individual features/parts of an object to be recognized. The system is computationally efficient, and capable of highly parallel implementation, and further includes a mechanism for improving the preprocessing of individual sections of an input pattern, either by applying one or more preprocessors selected from a set of several preprocessors, or by changing the parameters within a single preprocessor.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for enhancing the bioadhesive properties of polymers used in drug delivery systems. The bioadhesive properties of a base polymer are enhanced by incorporating a short chain polymer with one or more free carboxylic groups into the base polymer to enhance the ability of the base polymer to adhere to a tissue surface such as a mucosal membrane. The short chain polymers can be incorporated within a wide range of base polymers including proteins, polysaccharides and synthetic biocompatible polymers. In one embodiment, short chain polymers can be incorporated within base polymers used to form or coat drug delivery systems, such as microspheres, which contain a drug or diagnostic agent. The short chain polymers can either be solubilized and blended with the base polymer before manufacture or else used as a coating with base polymers over existing systems.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating a preform suitable for use in manufacturing a wide bandwidth multi-mode optical fiber. The method includes steps of employing a liquid phase spray pyrolysis technique for generating silica soot at a high rate, in combination with a non-chlorine containing liquid silica precursor and a refractory, index of refraction raising additive that overcomes the problems inherent in the use of germanium-based chemistry at typical sintering temperatures. The refractory, index of refraction raising additive is preferably comprised of a Group VB element oxide, such as a tantalum oxide. The liquid precursor is preferably comprised of a polymethylsiloxane, such as hexamethyl di-siloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (OMCCTS), or tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane.

Abstract: Cell-free systems which effect the production of polyketides employing modular polyketide synthases are described. Libraries of new and/or known polyketides may also be produced in cell-free systems employing aromatic PKS, modular PKS or both.

Abstract: Sustained delivery compositions which modulate the release of incorporated prophylactic, therapeutic, and/or diagnostic agents, and methods of preparation and use thereof, are disclosed. The compositions include a biocompatible polymeric matrix; a prophylactic, therapeutic, and/or diagnostic agent dispersed within the polymeric matrix; and a monovalent cation component which is separately dispersed within the polymeric matrix. The monovalent cation component modulates the release of the incorporated agent from the polymeric matrix. The compositions can be prepared by dissolving a biocompatible polymer in a solvent to form a polymer solution, and separately dispersing a monovalent cation and a prophylactic, therapeutic, and/or diagnostic agent within the polymer solution. The polymer solution is then solidified to form a polymeric matrix, wherein a significant amount of the monovalent cations is dispersed in the polymeric matrix separately from the incorporated agent.

Abstract: Two or more hydrophilic polymers that are not soluble in each other at a particular concentration and temperature, but which have a positive spreading coefficient in solution, are used to form multi-layered polymeric microspheres. The multi-layer microspheres produced by the method are distinguished by extremely uniform dimensioned polymer layers and actual incorporation of a substance to be delivered into the polymer layers. In the preferred embodiment of the method, two polymers are dissolved in an aqueous solvent, the substance to be incorporated is dispersed or dissolved in the polymer solution, the mixture is suspended in an organic solvent or polymer/water mixture and stirred, and the solvent is slowly evaporated, creating microspheres with an inner core formed by one polymer and an outer layer formed by the second polymer.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the invention include systems and techniques for controlling a turbulent boundary layer flow with a transverse traveling wave, oscillating at certain selected frequencies, amplitudes and wavelengths, to provide substantial reductions of drag. To this end, the systems and processes can include a boundary layer control system having an object with at least one surface exposed to a medium flowing over the surface. A plurality of excitation elements may be arranged on the surface and these elements are capable of exciting a traveling wave force field in a span-wise direction that is substantially parallel to the surface and perpendicular to direction of the flow. A first component of the traveling wave force field in the span-wise direction is substantially greater than a second component of the traveling wave force field, that is substantially perpendicular to the span-wise direction.

Abstract: Carbon-containing fly ash has been treated with optimum amounts of ozone. There is homogenous treatment of the fly ash with ozone and oversaturation with ozone is avoided.

Abstract: Phthalocyanine compounds of the formulas I and II: wherein X1-8 are each halogen and R1-8 are each independently halogen or an anti-stacking moiety; and [MxLySz]Cw  (II) wherein M is a metal, L is an anion of a phthalocyanine compound of formula I as defined above, S is an organic or inorganic ligand, C is a counterion, x and y are numbers greater than zero, and z and w are numbers zero or greater, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and methods of using the compounds, for example for treatment of cancer, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for determining at least one characteristic of a sample that contains a substrate and at least one film disposed on or over a surface of the substrate. The method includes a first step of placing a mask over a free surface of the at least one film, where the mask has a top surface and a bottom surface that is placed adjacent to the free surface of the film. The bottom surface of the mask has formed therein or thereon a plurality of features for forming at least one grating. A next step directs optical pump pulses through the mask to the free surface of the film, where individual ones of the pump pulses are followed by at least one optical probe pulse. The pump pulses are spatially distributed by the grating for launching a plurality of spatially distributed, time varying strain pulses within the film, which cause a detectable change in optical constants of the film.

Abstract: Two or more hydrophilic polymers that are not soluble in each other at a particular concentration and temperature, but which have a positive spreading coefficient in solution, are used to form multi-layered polymeric microspheres. The multi-layer microspheres produced by the method are distinguished by extremely uniform dimensioned polymer layers and actual incorporation of a substance to be delivered into the polymer layers. In the preferred embodiment of the method, two polymers are dissolved in an aqueous solvent, the substance to be incorporated is dispersed or dissolved in the polymer solution, the mixture is suspended in an organic solvent or polymer/water mixture and stirred, and the solvent is slowly evaporated, creating microspheres with an inner core formed by one polymer and an outer layer formed by the second polymer.

Abstract: Modified PKS gene clusters which produce novel polyketides in an efficient system in a host cell or in a cell free extract are described. The novel polyketides result from the incorporation of diketides of the formula wherein A is a moiety that activates the diketide, and at least one of R1 and R2 is a substituent other than that natively occurring in the diketide normally processed by the modified PKS cluster. The polyketides may also be glycosylated to provide antibiotics.

Abstract: Methods for inducing a thermoplastic polymer, which can be non-mesogenic, to exhibit liquid crystalline properties have been developed. The method includes the steps of (a) heating the polymer from an initial temperature below its glass transition temperature (Tg) to a temperature greater than its Tg and below its melting temperature (Tm); (b) exposing the polymer to a pressure greater than about 2 metric tons/in2, preferably between about 2 and 10 metric tons/in2, preferably for at least about one minute, while maintaining the temperature greater than its Tg; and (c) cooling the polymer below the Tg while maintaining the elevated pressure. Unlike many prior art transition processes which are reversible, this process provides a liquid crystal state that can be maintained for years at ambient conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the plastics are bioerodible thermoplastic polymers, such as polyanhydrides, some polyesters, polyamides, and polyaromatics.