Abstract: The invention provides a system for the extraction of energy from an underwaterflow stream in a body of water. The system comprises a support frame which comprises a plurality of receptacles for mounting functional modules on the support frame. The plurality of receptacles are arranged to form a horizontally-distributed two-dimensional array on the support frame. The plurality of vertical axis turbine units is configured to be interchangeably mounted in the receptacles.

Abstract: The present invention is a surfactant(s) for use as a cleaner and freshener as well as methods for the production/use of such surfactants/cleaners/fresheners. The surfactant is produced using and relying upon properties of the Liquidambar tree, particularly the Liquidambar leaf, by creating a liquid solution useful for cleaning and freshening purposes by soaking or steeping the leaves of Liquidambar in a solvent, preferably water. The solutions formed have been found to be effective for general cleaning and freshening purposes including, but not limited to, all known household cleaning/freshening purposes as well as for personal bodily cleaning/freshening purposes including, but not limited to, body washing, hair washing, tooth brushing, mouth washing, and the like. It is non-allergenic, non-toxic, and will cause no adverse environmental effects.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for the extraction of energy from an underwaterflow stream in a body of water. The system comprises a support frame which comprises a plurality of receptacles for mounting functional modules on the support frame. The plurality of receptacles are arranged to form a horizontally-distributed two-dimensional array on the support frame. The plurality of vertical axis turbine units is configured to be interchangeably mounted in the receptacles.

Abstract: The present invention is a surfactant(s) for use as a cleaner and freshener as well as methods for the production/use of such surfactants/cleaners/fresheners. The surfactant is produced using and relying upon properties of the Liquidambar tree, particularly the Liquidambar leaf, by creating a liquid solution useful for cleaning and freshening purposes by soaking or steeping the leaves of Liquidambar in a solvent, preferably water. The solutions formed have been found to be effective for general cleaning and freshening purposes including, but not limited to, all known household cleaning/freshening purposes as well as for personal bodily cleaning/freshening purposes including, but not limited to, body washing, hair washing, tooth brushing, mouth washing, and the like. It is non-allergenic, non-toxic, and will cause no adverse environmental effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for diagnosing cancer, particularly bladder or prostate cancer using compounds of general formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 X, Y and z are as defined herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a subsea well assembly; wherein in an example embodiment the subsea well assembly includes an umbilical attached to a power source. The power source can be on a platform. Also included is a connector for connecting the umbilical to a receptacle included with the subsea well assembly and a subsea control module delivering power and control signals to the subsea well assembly. An impressed current protection module is integrated in the subsea control module that receives power from the umbilical.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a subsea well assembly; wherein in an example embodiment the subsea well assembly includes an umbilical attached to a power source. The power source can be on a platform. Also included is a connector for connecting the umbilical to a receptacle included with the subsea well assembly and a subsea control module delivering power and control signals to the subsea well assembly. An impressed current protection module is integrated in the subsea control module that receives power from the umbilical.

Abstract: A compound comprising a target cell-specific portion and human NAD(P)H:quinone reductase 2 (NQO2) or a variant or fragment or fusion or derivative thereof which has substantially the same activity as NQO2 towards a given prodrug, or a polynucleotide encoding said NQO2 or said variant or fragment or fusion or derivative. A recombinant polynucleotide comprising a target cell-specific promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding human NAD(P)H:quinone reductase 2 (NQO2) or a variant or fragment or fusion or derivative thereof which has substantially the same activity as NQO2 towards a given prodrug. The compounds and polynucleotides are useful in a method of treating a patient in conjunction with a suitable prodrug.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing illumination suitable for imaging devices such as laser projection systems, wherein the illumination pattern is adjustable by modifying one or more characteristics of a controlled angle diffuser. In one embodiment, a highly collimated (e.g., laser light) beam is passed through a holographic diffuser to create a well defined cone angle for the light emanating from each point on the diffuser. This light is focused into an illumination image that is controlled by the prescription of the diffuser. In one embodiment, the diffuser can be positioned to alternately place different regions having different prescriptions in the optical path corresponding to the illumination image. In one embodiment, the diffuser can be continually moved to eliminate speckling and “worminess” in the illumination image.

Abstract: The invention provides metallocene compounds of formula 1 for use as medicaments in the treatment of cancer. wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 represent a combination of H, alkyl, aryl or trimethylsilyl; L represents side chain substituents, at least one of which contains a group which enables the compound to become water-solubilised; X is halo, alkoxy, acetate or H2O; Y is a counter-ion; M is a metal; and n=1 or 2. The invention also provides novel compounds of the formula 1 wherein at least one of the groups L comprises a quaternary tetraalkylammonium group. The compounds have been shown to have significantly greater activity in the treatment of cancer than the compounds known from the prior art.

Abstract: A prodrug of the formula (I): ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is a group such that the compound R.sup.1 NH.sub.2 represents actinomycin D, doxorubicin, mitomycin C, or a nitrogen mustard of the formula (IV): ##STR2## a prodrug of the formula (II): ##STR3## where R.sup.2 is a group such that the compound R.sup.2 OH is a phenolic nitrogen mustard; and processes whereby the prodrugs shown above are made in which a prodrug precursor compound is reacted with 4-nitrobenzyl chloroformate under anhydrous conditions.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which comprises: (i) a viral vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a nitroreductase, which nitroreductase is capable of converting a prodrug into a cytotoxic drug; and (ii) a prodrug capable of being converted into a cytotoxic drug by the nitroreductase encoded by the vector. The disclosed invention also includes methods for killing cancerous and/or non-cancerous cells using the system described above. Included in the invention are methods for killing cells in vitro by introducing a vector encoding a nitroreductase into the cells, and then by providing a prodrug to the cells growing in vitro. Also included are methods in which cancerous and/or non-cancerous cells are killed in vivo in an animal or human by administering the vector and prodrug directly to cells of the animal or human.

Abstract: A prodrug of the formula (I): ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is a group such that the compound R--NH.sub.2 represents actinomycin D, doxorubicin, mitomycin C, or a nitrogen mustard of the formula (IV): ##STR2## a prodrug of the formula (II): ##STR3## where R.sup.1 is a group such that the compound R.sup.2 OH is a phenolic nitrogen mustard; and processes whereby the prodrugs shown above are made in which a prodrug precursor compound is reacted with 4-nitrobenzyl chloroformate under anhydrous conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a nitroreductase, obtainable from a bacterium having the following characteristics as exemplified by examples isolated from Escherichia coli B and Bacillus amyloliquifaciens: 1) it is flavoprotein having a molecular weight in the range of 20-60 Kilodaltons; 2) it requires either NADH or NAD(P)H or analogues thereof as a cofactor; 3) it has a Km for NADH or NAD(P)H in the range of 1-100 .mu.M; and 4) it is capable of reducing either or both nitro groups of CB1954 and analogues thereof to a cytotoxic form e.g. the hydroxylamine. The sequence of one such nitroreductase is shown in Seq. ID No. 1. The nitroreductase may be conjugated to a tumor targeting agent such as a monoclonal antibody and used to convert prodrugs into active antitumor agents. Such prodrugs and drugs are also provided.