Abstract: An air booster system (10) for use with a gas turbine to deliver compressed air to a combustion chamber (14) includes a first cylinder (24) with a first piston (52) reciprocal therein and a second cylinder (26) having a second piston (54) reciprocal therein. The first piston (52) is connected to the second piston (54) by a connecting rod (56) such that the first and second pistons (52, 54) reciprocate together. The air booster system (10) also includes a third cylinder (28) having a third piston (58) reciprocal therein and a fourth cylinder (30) having a fourth piston (60) reciprocal therein. The third piston (58) is connected to the fourth piston (60) by a connecting rod (62) such that the third piston (58) and the fourth piston (60) reciprocate together. Each of the cylinders (24, 26, 28, 30) are in fluid communication with a compressor (12) to receive preliminarily compressed air therefrom.

Abstract: A chemiluminescent assay method and compositions are described which use a dialkyl-substituted dioxetane which is deprotected to trigger a chemiluminescent reaction. Chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetane compounds substituted on the dioxetane ring with two nonspirofused alkyl groups which can be triggered by a reagent to generate light are disclosed. Dialkyl-substituted dioxetanes are useful for the detection of triggering agents including enzymes. The enzyme may be present alone or linked to a member of a specific binding pair in an immunoassay, DNA probe assay or other assay where the enzyme is bound to a reporter molecule.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of viral induced hepatitis B in mammals, particularly humans, by injecting a thymosin is described. The method is particularly effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B using bovine calf thymosin fraction 5 which contains thymosin alpha.sub.1 or bovine calf or synthetic thymosin alpha.sub.1.

Abstract: A method of treating Hepatitis C by administering an immune system-potentiating dose of at least one Thymosin or system-potentiating Thymosin fragment to a mammal infected with Hepatitis C virus, which Hepatitis C infection in the mammal is non-responsive to treatment with interferon alone.

Abstract: The present invention includes purified and isolated quassinoids and synthetically derived quassinoid analogs based on a picrasane carbon skeleton. Novel sidechains at C-15 incorporating water solubilizing agents such as glycine are discussed. Therapeutic methods taking advantage of anticancer, antiviral, and herbistatic properties of these quassinoids are disclosed, including use against solid tumors and human immunodeficiency virus infected cells.

Abstract: Alkene precursors for preparing dialkyl-substituted dioxetanes. The dioxetanes are useful for the detection of triggering agents including enzymes.

Abstract: Dioxetanes which couple with organic and biological molecules of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is a leaving group which is removed by an `activating agent to produce light, wherein A is a coupling substituent, Ar is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenyl and naphthyl to provide a label are described. R.sub.1 is an optional linker substituent and can have between 1 and 30 carbon atoms with some of the carbon atoms being oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen or phosphorus. Ar as phenyl is preferred. The dioxetane coupled molecules are useful in assays of all types where luminescence can be used as an indicator.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of use for treating hepatitis C virus-infected mammals are disclosed. The compositions include one or more thymosins alone or in combination with one or more interferons. Methods of treatment include use of thymosins alone, or together, or sequentially with interferon.

Abstract: Dioxetanes which couple with organic and biological molecules of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is a leaving group which is removed by an activating agent to produce light, wherein A is a coupling substituent, Ar is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenyl and naphthyl to provide a label are described. R.sub.1 is an optional linker substituent and can have between 1 and 30 carbon atoms with some of the carbon atoms being oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen or phosphorus. Ar as phenyl is preferred. The dioxetane coupled molecules are useful in assays of all types where luminescence can be used as an indicator.

Abstract: Dioxetanes which couple with organic and biological molecules of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is a leaving group which is removed by an activating agent other than an enzyme which is removed by an activating agent to produce light, wherein A is a coupling substituent, Ar is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenyl and naphthyl to provide a label are described. R.sub.1 is an optional linker substituent and can have between 1 and 30 carbon atoms with some of the carbon atoms being oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen or phosphorus. Ar as phenyl is preferred. The dioxetane coupled molecules are useful in assays of all types where luminescence can be used as an indicator.

Abstract: Novel alkene intermediates useful in the preparation of 1,2-dioxetanes.

Abstract: Alkene adamantane compounds useful as intermediates for producing the corresponding 1,2-dioxetanes which are useful in chemiluminescent assays.

Abstract: Triggerable dioxetanes with a fluorescent substituent bonded or tethered in the dioxetane so as to produce fluorescence from the group are described. The compounds are of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are carbon containing groups and wherein one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is a tethered fluorescent substitutent. The compounds are useful in immunoassays and in probes using enzymes or other chemicals for triggering the dioxetanes to produce light from the fluorescent molecule in the group as a signal.

Abstract: An improved connection between a conical shank and conical receptacle is provided. A plurality of uniform resilient elements are mounted in a circumferential band arrangement adjacent the surface of the end of one of the shank or receptacle opposite to the end at which the shank is inserted into the receptacle. The uniform elements protrude from the surface by a dimension at least equal to the maximum clearance between the shank and receptacle. Therefore, when the shank is inserted into the receptacle, the resilient elements will contact the opposing surface to provide for accurate positioning of the shank. When the shank is fully inserted into the receptacle, reliable contact will be maintained along the entire length of the shank.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the scratch or surface wear resistance of substrates by embedding discrete, hard particles within the surface layer of the substrate. Discrete, hard particles are applied to the substrate surface and then embedded within and bonded to the surface layer of the substrate by softening the substrate surface layer by either thermal or solvent means. Suitable substrate materials include thermoplastics, thermoset plastics, polymers, glass, soft metals, and composites. Suitable hard particles include diamond, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, cubic boron nitride, boron carbide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, tantalum carbide, titanium carbide, titanium nitride, tungsten carbide, and zirconia alloys containing at least one phase stabilization additive selected from the group yttrium, hafnium, calcium, magnesium, and cesium. Scratch resistant substrates or articles having discrete, hard particles embedded within the surface layer of the substrate or article are also provided.

Abstract: A novel method of forming large area single crystal cubic boron nitride films on a silicon substrate by first treating the surface of the substrate with atomic hydrogen and then depositing a cubic boron nitride film by a reactive biased laser ablation technique.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive force sensor in which magnetically conductive support members are interposed between magnetically conductive end plates. The support members have magnetic properties which vary in accordance with the compressive or tensile load applied to them. The support members and end plates magnetically cooperate to create a magnetic circuit in which magnetic flux is induced by applying an alternating-current signal to a coil wound around one of the support members or by placing a permanent magnet into the magnetic circuit. When a load is applied to the magnetically conductive end plates, the magnetic properties of the support members vary to cause a change in the flux established in the magnetic circuit. The flux is detected by a second coil wound around the second support member, and the output signal detected by the detection coil is decoded to determine the load applied to the force sensor.

Abstract: Triggerable dioxetanes with a fluorescent molecule containing group bonded or tethered in the dioxetane so as to produce fluorescence from the group are described. The compounds are useful in immunoassays and in probes using enzymes or other chemicals for triggering the dioxetanes to produce light from the fluorescent molecule in the group as a signal.

Abstract: Novel alkenes leading to light producing 1,2-dioxetanes of the formula ##STR1## wherein ArOX is an aryl ring substituted with an X oxy group and A are passive organic groups which allow the 1,2-dioxetane to produce light when triggered by removing X. X is a chemically labile group which is removed by an activating agent. The 1,2-dioxetane compounds can be triggered to produce light at room temperatures.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of R.alpha.-cyclopentenoids and then R.alpha., R.omega.-cyclopentanoids is described. The process involves the reaction of a compound of the formula ##STR1## where X is halo, particularly Br or I and P is a protecting group with an alkylborane to produce the R.alpha.-cyclopentenone. The R.alpha.-cyclopentenone is reacted with a R.omega. cuprate to produce the R.alpha., R.omega.-cyclopentenoid. The process is used for the preparation of prostaglandins which are known pharmaceutically active compounds.