Abstract: The present invention encompasses compounds of the formula: ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salts thereof wherein: A represents nitrogen or C--H, andB represents nitrogen or C--H, with the proviso that when A is nitrogen, B is C--H, and when B is nitrogen, A is C--H;n is 0, 1, or 2;Y represents nitrogen or carbon, each of which is substituted with various organic or inorganic substituents;W represents an aromatic group unsubstituted or substituted with various organic or inorganic substituents; andR1 and R2 are the same or different and represent hydrogen or lower alkyl.These compounds are highly selective agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists for GABAa brain receptors or prodrugs thereof and are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety, sleep, and seizure disorders, overdose with benzodiazepine type drugs, and enhancement of alertness.

Abstract: A method of site-directed alteration (removal or removal followed by replacement) of selected nucleotides in an RNA molecule, as well as to mixed phosphate backbone oligonucleotides useful in the method. It further relates to a method of producing polypeptides or proteins encoded by the RNA molecule altered by the present method. Through use of the present method, site-directed cleavage of an RNA molecule is effected, followed by excision of the selected or target segment of the RNA molecule.

Abstract: A coin dispenser adapted for use with an electronic cash register or point-of-sale terminal which includes a key sensor for accepting a coded identification key which identifies a particular sales clerk and which maintains a record of the number of coins dispensed during that clerk's job shift. At the end of an appropriate accounting period, the stored information may be transferred to a host computer, either by a conventional data channel through a connected point-of-sale terminal, or by using a "manager's key" which serves as a data carrier between the dispenser and the host computer. The accounting functions in the automated dispenser provide the data needed to successfully employ "cash drawer accounting" procedures preferred by many retailers.

Abstract: A data transmission among the exchange modules in the building block type exchanger with improved efficiency, reliability and simplicity of implementation. An ATM connector is connected to the STM exchange module connector through at least one STM transmission line containing logical transmission paths provided in correspondence to the logical STM transmission path for transmission of specific data connected from each exchange module to the STM exchange module connector and fixedly switched by the STM exchange module connector to the logical transmission paths of the STM transmission line connected to the ATM connector. The specific data to be transmitted from each exchange module are transmitted in a form of ATM cells to the ATM connector, while all the specific data to be transmitted to each exchange module are multiplexed in a form of multiplexed ATM cells at the ATM connector and the multiplexed ATM cells are transmitted from the ATM connector to each exchange module.

Abstract: A screed rail assembly for use in the construction of concrete slabs includes an elongated rail having a plurality of locking members that extend outward from the sides of the rail. The locking members provide a positive mechanical connection between the concrete slab and the screed rail, preventing structural damage due to external forces exerted against the slab. An elongated protective strip extends along the top surface of the elongated rail, further protecting the junction between the slab and the rail from damage due to external forces.

Abstract: This invention is a device for microvascular injection and a method for treating glaucoma using the device. The device comprises a reservoir attached to a blunted needle connected to a flexible tapered tubing, at the end of which is positioned a microneedle or micropipette for inserting into small blood vessels. The invention also provides a method for treating glaucoma and other diseases wherein microinjection of disease-ameliorating drugs into small blood vessels and their capillary beds would be therapeutically effective.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of low-modified polyethylene terephthalate for food packaging in which, while maintaining specific processing conditions, a precondensate is polycondensed in the melt, the polycondensate is pelletized, and the pellets are first hardened, then crystallized and subjected to dealdehydization. The process results in a polyester having a very low acetaldehyde content.

Abstract: A microphone for use in a harsh environment of intense vibration and sound pressure. A microphone transducer and an acceleration transducer are located adjacent each other inside of a housing. The microphone transducer substantially blocks much of the acoustic signal from reaching the acceleration transducer. Accordingly, the acceleration transducer provides a signal substantially related only to the movement of the microphone, while the microphone transducer provides a signal related to both the movement of the microphone and the acoustic signal applied to it. The acceleration signal may then be removed from the microphone signal, providing a electrical signal substantially representative only of the acoustic signal.

Abstract: A process for producing spin-oriented continuous filaments at a draw-off speed of more than 2400 m/min, whereby the filaments extruded through the spinnerets of the spinning heads are cooled in cooling shafts by the ambient air entrained as a result of the suction action of the filaments and the filaments leaving the cooling shafts enter a chamber that is separate from the intake environment where the air pressure is regulated at a lower pressure in comparison with the air pressure in the intake environment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solvent system for enhancing the solubility of an acidic, basic, or amphoteric pharmaceutical agent to produce a highly concentrated solution suitable for softgel filling or two piece encapsulation. The solvent system comprises polyethylene glycol containing 0.2-1.0 mole equivalents of an ionizing agent per mole equivalent pharmaceutical agent and 1-20% water. Glycerin or polyvinylpyrrolidone may be added to further enhance the solubility of certain drugs. The disclosed solvent system is capable of enhancing solubilities of pharmaceutical agents 40-400%.The ionizing agent functions by causing partial ionization (neutralization) of the free pharmaceutical agent. When the pharmaceutical agent is acidic, the ionizing agent is preferably a hydroxide ion species, whereas when the pharmaceutical agent is basic, the ionizing agent is preferably a hydrogen ion species.

Abstract: During radiotherapy for malignant conditions, healthy tissues can suffer from radiation damage. Traditional radiation shields designed to protect healthy tissues are prepared by a lengthy, multi-step complex procedure. Materials are described for preparation of a radiation shield for use during radiation therapy, especially therapy of the head and neck, where the material comprises a composite of non-radioactive, non-toxic high atomic density metal or metal alloy spherical particles dispersed in a manually moldable elastomeric material. Custom radiation shields are formulated of this material without the need for use of impressions or molds. Healthy tissues may then be shielded during radiation therapy by positioning the custom-fitted radiation shield in the desired location on the patient's body.

Abstract: A microcontroller based multiple access unit for use in interconnecting a plurality of computers with a token ring data network. The microcontroller monitors a phantom voltage applied by a computer to determine whether the computer should be inserted into, or withdrawn from, the network. The microcontroller also monitors a manual activation device to determine whether any computer that is not providing a phantom voltage is still interconnected to the network. In such a case, the microprocessor withdraws the computer from the network. A coil-pair is directly interconnected to a plurality of microprocessor gates. The microcontroller activates the coil-pair in one manner to cause the computer to be brought into the network and reverses the plurality of the coil-pair so as to withdraw the computer from the network. The controller further includes a circuit to inhibit operation of the microcontroller when the supply voltage is unstable.

Abstract: A stepped-edge blister pack for containing and dispensing unit doses of medication such as capsules, tablets, caplets or fast-dissolving dosage forms (FDDF) is disclosed. The invention is comprised of a base sheet and a substantially planar lidding sheet. The base sheet has a plurality of blister compartments and a plurality of steps along its edges, one step being adjacent to each blister compartment. The substantially planar lidding sheet is peelably sealed to the base sheet except at extended edge regions, thus forming edge peel tabs, and the lidding sheet is scored with lines of weakening about each blister compartment. The steps along the edges underlay the unsealed extended edge regions of the lidding sheet, thus providing a series of finger accesses to thereby ease the process of grasping a given edge peel tab and ultimately opening a given blister compartment.

Abstract: A cable cutting apparatus incorporating a mechanism for preventing the erroneous cutting of the cables in use, which is both inexpensive and simple. This cable cutting apparatus includes a cutting mechanism having cutting blades for cutting a cable; a core potential recognition unit for recognizing a potential of the cutting blades brought into contact with a core of the cable as one of a potential for a cable in use and a potential for a cable out of use; and a locking mechanism for locking cutting movements of the cutting blades of the cutting mechanism whenever the core potential recognition unit recognizes the potential of the cutting blades in contact with the core of the cable as the potential for a cable in use.

Abstract: A two to four wire hybrid converter for use in a telephone system that allows other telephone equipment, such as a caller identification device, to more readily decipher signals. The converter controls noise by using a digital to analog converter, hybrid circuit, interface circuit, and controller. The digital to analog converter accepts a receive digital data signal from a transmission line and converts it to a receive analog signal. The hybrid circuit accepts the receive analog signal and provides it to the customer telephone line, as well as accepting a transmit telephone analog signal from the customer telephone line. Such transmit telephone analog signals are then converted to digital signals and provided to the carrier transmission lines. The hybrid circuit includes an inverter, variable amplifiers, and summing circuit. The inverter inverts the transmit telephone analog signal with respect to the receive analog signal.

Abstract: An ionizing radiation converter 10 comprises a vacuum tight enclosure 12; a cathode 16; an anode 18 defining a pinhole 20 and comprising an output phosphor layer facing away from the cathode; and focusing electrodes 26 and 30. The focusing electrodes, anode and cathode, in use, force photoelectrons, emitted by the cathode as a result of input ionizing radiation, to move through the pinhole, and back to the anode, so that the photoelectrons impinge on the output phosphor layer to provide an intensified signal representative of the input radiation.

Abstract: An all-optical polarization independent optical time division multiplexer and demultiplexer which are stable as well as very fast, while being independent of the polarization state of the input optical signal pulses.