Abstract: It has been determined that allergens, which are characterized by both humoral (IgE) and cellular (T cell) binding sites, can be modified to be less allergenic by modifying the IgE binding sites. The IgE binding sites can be converted to non-IgE binding sites by masking the site with a compound that prevents IgE binding or by altering as little as a single amino acid within the protein, most typically a hydrophobic residue towards the center of the IgE-binding epitope, to eliminate IgE binding. The method allows the protein to be altered as minimally as possible, other than-within the IgE-binding sites, while retaining the ability of the protein to activate T cells, and, in some embodiments by not significantly altering or decreasing IgG binding capacity The examples use peanut allergens to demonstrate alteration of IgE binding sites. The critical amino acids within each of the IgE binding epitopes of the peanut protein that are important to immunoglobulin binding have been determined.

Abstract: A cargo restraint system comprising, a tie-down assembly of restraining tie-down arms having interconnected common proximal extremities and a plurality of distal extremities, the tie-down assembly arranged to form an angle between each arm, the vertex of the angle being congruent with the common proximal extremities, with a first fastener secured to the arms at the vertex of the angle and a second fastener secured to each of the distal extremities of the arms. Preferably, each of the arms carries a third fastener or connecting eye intermediate the first and second fasteners.

Abstract: A measurement system is provided for a ball joint of a crash test dummy. The measurement system includes a light source operatively supported by a movable ball of the ball joint and a position sensitive detector operatively supported by a fixed member of the ball joint. The measurement system also includes a controller electrically connected to the light source to provide power to the light source for emitting light and electrically connected to the position sensitive detector that receives the emitted light to measure at least two angles between the ball and the fixed member.

Abstract: A cargo restraint system comprising, a network of restraining tie-down arms having interconnected common proximal extremities and a plurality of distal extremities, said network arranged to form an angle between each arm, the vertex of said angle being congruent with the common proximal extremities, with a first fastener secured to the arms at the vertex of the angle and a second fastener secured to each of the distal extremities of the arms. Preferably, each of the arms carries a third fastener or connecting eye intermediate the first and second fasteners.

Abstract: An electron beam pumped semiconductor laser screen and an associated fabrication method are described which provide a display screen that has a relatively long operating lifetime, is less expensive to produce, and operates at lower electron voltages and near room temperature conditions. The laser screen includes a multi quantum well active gain region having quantum wells of GaInP and barrier layers of (AlxGa1−x)InP, thereby permitting operation in the visible, red spectrum. Moreover, the first layer epitaxially grown on the sacrificial substrate is an etch stop layer of (GaxAl1−x)yIn1−yP that acts as an etch stop during the subsequent etching of the sacrificial substrate and may also be used to adjust the cavity length to the correct resonance condition. The laser screen also includes an output mirror having alternating layers of two different compositions of GaxAl1−xAs that are epitaxially grown on the multi quantum well active gain region.

Abstract: A cargo restraint system comprising, a network of restraining tie-down arms having interconnected common proximal extremities and a plurality of distal extremities, said network arranged to form an angle between each arm, the vertex of said angle being congruent with the common proximal extremities, with a first fastener secured to the arms at the vertex of the angle and a second fastener secured to each of the distal extremities of the arms. Preferably, each of the arms carries a third fastener or connecting eye intermediate the first and second fasteners.

Abstract: A measurement system is provided for a ball joint of a crash test dummy. The measurement system includes a light source operatively supported by a movable ball of the ball joint and a position sensitive detector operatively supported by a fixed member of the ball joint. The measurement system also includes a controller electrically connected to the light source to provide power to the light source for emitting light and electrically connected to the position sensitive detector that receives the emitted light to measure at least two angles between the ball and the fixed member.

Abstract: An electron beam pumped semiconductor laser screen and an associated fabrication method are described which provide a display screen that has a relatively long operating lifetime, is less expensive to produce, and operates at lower electron voltages and near room temperature conditions. The laser screen includes a multi quantum well active gain region having quantum wells of GaInP and barrier layers of (AlxGa1−x)Inp, thereby permitting operation in the visible, red spectrum. Moreover, the first layer epitaxially grown on the sacrificial substrate is an etch stop layer of (GaxAl1−x)yIn1−yP that acts as an etch stop during the subsequent etching of the sacrificial substrate and may also be used to adjust the cavity length to the correct resonance condition. The laser screen also includes an output mirror having alternating layers of two different compositions of GaxAl1−xAs that are epitaxially grown on the multi quantum well active gain region.

Abstract: An implantable sensor for use in the detection or quantitative measurement of an analyte in subcutaneous fluid, the sensor being biodegradable or hydrolysable in vivo. The sensor incorporates an assay for the analyte, the readout of which is a detectable or measurable optical signal which can, when the sensor is in operation in a subcutaneous location, be interrogated transcutaneously by external optical means.

Abstract: A process is described for denaturing native double-stranded nucleic acid material into its individual strands in an electrochemical cell. The process disclosed is an electrical treatment of the nucleic acid with a voltage applied to the nucleic acid material by an electrode. The process may also employ a promoter compound such as methyl viologen to speed denaturation. The process may be used in the detection of nucleic acid by hybridizing with a labelled probe or in the amplification of DNA by a polymerase chain reaction or ligase chain reaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the heating of adsorbent materials in a vessel including the utilization of electrodes in direct contact with the adsorbent material to induce a current in the material. The electrical contacts are spaced apart and receive a potential for inducing the electrical current; one of the electrodes is a different size to thereby induce a radial component in the electrical current to thus modify the current density flowing through the adsorbent material as the current traverses the distance between the electrodes. The resulting modified current density causes the temperature gradient across the transverse section of the vessel to decrease, thus rendering the temperature more uniform across the vessel.

Abstract: An electron beam pumped semiconductor laser screen and an associated fabrication method are described which provide a display screen that has a relatively long operating lifetime, is less expensive to produce, and operates at lower electron voltages and near room temperature conditions. The laser screen includes a multi quantum well active gain region having quantum wells of GaInP and barrier layers of (AlxGa1-x)InP, thereby permitting operation in the visible, red spectrum. Moreover, the first layer epitaxially grown on the sacrificial substrate is an etch stop layer of (GaxAl1-x)yIn1-yP that acts as an etch stop during the subsequent etching of the sacrificial substrate and may also be used to adjust the cavity length to the correct resonance condition. The laser screen also includes an output mirror having alternating layers of two different compositions of GaxAl1-xAs that are epitaxially grown on the multi quantum well active gain region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the heating of adsorbent materials in a vessel including the utilization of electrodes in direct contact with the adsorbent material to induce a current in the material. The electrical contacts are spaced apart and receive a potential for inducing the electrical current; one of the electrodes is a different size to thereby induce a radial component in the electrical current to thus modify the current density flowing through the adsorbent material as the current traverses the distance between the electrodes. The resulting modified current density causes the temperature gradient across the transverse section of the vessel to decrease, thus rendering the temperature more uniform across the vessel.

Abstract: A laser activated switch includes a substrate, such as a sapphire or a silicon carbide substrate, with two opposed major surfaces including a ground layer on one surface. Extending laterally across the first surface of the substrate, the laser activated switch includes at least one pair of first and second electrically conductive electrodes. Each electrode of the pair of electrodes is spaced apart from one another to thereby define a gap. Additionally, the laser activated switch includes at least one III-nitride-based photoconductor extending laterally across at least part of the surface of the substrate opposite the ground layer, and extending across the gap defined between the pairs of electrodes. Upon being illuminated, the photoconductor becomes conductive and changes the switch from an “off” state to an “on” state. In one embodiment, the laser activated switch further includes first and second terminals electrically connected to the first and second electrodes, respectively.

Abstract: A process for the selective hydrogenation of the methyl acetylene and propadiene (MAPD) in a propylene rich stream is disclosed wherein the selective hydrogenation is carried out stepwise (a) first in a single pass fixed bed reactor and then (b) in a distillation column reactor containing a supported PdO hydrogenation catalyst which serves as a component of a distillation structure. Conversion and selectivity to propylene in improved over the use of the single pass fixed bed reactor alone.

Abstract: An electron beam pumped semiconductor laser screen and an associated fabrication method are described which provide a display screen that has a relatively long operating lifetime, is less expensive to produce, and operates at lower electron voltages and near room temperature conditions. The laser screen includes a multi quantum well active gain region having quantum wells of GaInP and barrier layers of (AlxGa1−x)InP, thereby permitting operation in the visible, red spectrum. Moreover, the first layer epitaxially grown on the sacrificial substrate is an etch stop layer of (GaxAl1−x)yIn1−yP that acts as an etch stop during the subsequent etching of the sacrificial substrate and may also be used to adjust the cavity length to the correct resonance condition. The laser screen also includes an output mirror having alternating layers of two different compositions of GaxAl1−xAs that are epitaxially grown on the multi quantum well active gain region.

Abstract: A process is described for denaturing native double-stranded nucleic acid material into its individual strands in an electrochemical cell. The process disclosed is an electrical treatment of the nucleic acid with a voltage applied to the nucleic acid material by an electrode. The process may also employ a promoter compound such as methyl viologen to speed denaturation. The process may be used in the detection of nucleic acid by hybridizing with a labelled probe or in the amplification of DNA by a polymerase chain reaction or ligase chain reaction.