Abstract: A liquid chiller refrigeration system with two bypass valves (a condenser bypass valve and a vapor bypass valve), a chiller control valve downstream from the vapor bypass valve, and a remote condenser in addition to a primary heat reclaim condenser so that the recovered heat may be directed to alternate locations. The condenser bypass valve facilitates rapid system start up in low ambient temperature; the vapor bypass valve and chiller control valve facilitate steady performance under varying load conditions; and the remote condenser and heat reclaim condenser provide a choice of discharging the heat to a remote location (typically, outdoors), or to the immediate surroundings of the refrigeration system.

Abstract: A superior unitary one quarter mile long railroad rail and system and method for manufacturing the same. The method of manufacture is characterized by the use of a continuous rolling process and the in-line controlled cooling of the rail. The system produces very long rails without any weld seams.

Abstract: A portable medication dispenser aids and monitors regimen-conforming use of medications provided in standard as-marketed blister packages. A standard blister package and a separate, disposable sensor sheet are simply and easily loaded into a compact housing containing supervisory electronics, visual indicators, and an audible alarm. The sensor sheet consists of electrical or optical sensing regions corresponding to each individual compartment of the blister package. A compliant, electrically conductive or optical connector in the dispenser housing allows periodic scanning of the sensor sheet circuitry by the control circuitry in the dispenser housing without adding connector components to the low cost, disposable sensor sheet. When a medication is ejected through the backing layer of the standard blister package, an electrical or optical parameter associated with a corresponding region of the sensor sheet is altered, thereby permitting the control circuitry to monitor the dispensing event.

Abstract: A system for packaging and using granulated solid dialysate concentrate. A bag is constructed to hold granulated or powder concentrate, having a V-shaped bottom with an access port in the bottom. Water is flowed through the access port and into the bag using suitable water control means. The incoming water lifts and suspends the granules or powder in a turbulent flow, thereby filling the container simultaneous with dissolving the granules or powder. The water with dissolve concentrate then constitutes the dialysis solution and is ready for use or transfer to a dialysate delivery machine.

Abstract: A method of reactive ion etching both a lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric dielectric and a RuO.sub.2 electrode, and a semiconductor device produced in accordance with such process. The dielectric and electrode are etched in an etching gas of O.sub.2 mixed with either CHCl.sub.2 CF.sub.3 or CHClFCF.sub.3.

Abstract: A device for establishing an adjustable and flexible loop to act as releasable cuffs to restrain a person or to act as a releasable tie for bundles of wire or cable. A strap includes a free end and a lock end to receive the free end to establish a loop. The lock has a ratchet with a set of pawls engageable with the teeth spaced along the free end of the strap. The ratchet is hingedly mounted in the lock so that urging the strap into the lock causes the teeth to apply a rotational force to the pawls which rotates the ratchet about the hinge to disengage the pawls from the teeth to allow the strap to be inserted into the lock, while urging the strap out of the lock causes the teeth to apply an opposite rotational force to the pawls which rotates the ratchet about the hinge in the opposite direction to engage the pawls with the teeth to prevent the strap from being withdrawn.

Abstract: A method for screening and distinguishing between cobalamin deficiency and folic acid deficiency by relating elevated levels of cystathionine to cobalamin or folic acid deficiency and relating elevated levels of 2-methylcitric acid to cobalamin deficiency but not folic acid deficiency. The methods can be used alone or in combination with other methods for detecting and distinguishing between cobalamin deficiency and folic acid deficiency.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell and method for producing the same having superior recharge and discharge characteristics through the use of thin non-perforated lead films.

Abstract: A joint for a hip brace or prosthetic which allows adjustable degrees of pivoting of the leg, rotation of the leg and abduction/adduction of the leg.

Abstract: Variable valve lift in an engine is achieved by varying the location of the pivot of the rocker arm or finger follower. The pivot shaft and rocker arm or finger follower have engaging teeth that mate. The pivot shaft rolls across a stationary rack of teeth to change the ratio of valve lift to cam lift, while, for a given position of the pivot shaft, preventing the pivot shaft from rotating. The pivot shaft rides in a bearing block whose movement is constrained by a bearing guide of the same shape as the stationary rack. The shape of the toothed rack on the rocker arm or finger follower is part of a circular cylinder whose radius is determined by the position and angles of the cam and valve. The shape of the stationary rack and bearing guide may vary from that of the rocker arm to allow for altered adjustment clearance with different valve lifts. The relationship between adjustment clearance and pivot shaft position yields controlled variation of phase and duration.

Abstract: A refrigerant reclaim system includes a compressor, a heat exchanger, an oil separator, a condenser, a chill tank, a filter-dryer and a cooling coil in the chill tank. Refrigerant to be reclaimed is drawn through the cold side of the heat exchanger, converted to a gas which is discharged into the oil separator where the gas is directed upwardly in an expanding stream. The flow of the stream is abruptly interrupted to separate oil from refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant is passed from the oil separator through the compressor, the hot side of the heat exchanger, a condenser and into the chill tank in a liquid state. Liquid refrigerant flows from the bottom of the chill tank through a filter-dryer, an expansion device, converting it to gas, through a cooling coil, submerged in liquid refrigerant in the chill tank, into the stream exiting the oil separator and back to the compressor.

Abstract: A novel biocompatible anion exchange membrane is prepared by reacting the hydroxyl groups of a chromatographic support material with a polyester-cellulose solution containing glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and bis glycidyl polyethylene oxide.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in bracing or exercising a knee joint in a manner that allows bending of the joint only along a predetermined path which approximates the natural bending of the joint. On one side of the joint are upper and lower struts that run along and are attached to the upper and lower leg and are attached to one another near the joint by a connecting mechanism which includes a set of linkage arms and telescoping elements that allow the struts to pivot relative to one another along the prescribed pivot line. On the other side of the joint are other upper and lower struts that run along and are attached to the upper and lower leg and are attached to one another near the joint by a ball and socket connector. The apparatus may be used as a brace or, alternatively, may be used with a cycling mechanism to cyclically flex and extend the joint or with a force-applying mechanism to apply a constant force urging the extension or flexing of the joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the synthesis of .beta.-diketonates such as Pb(fod).sub.2 and Pb(thd).sub.2 for use as precursors in metalorganic chemical vapor deposition processes. Lead oxide and a medium of pentane and a protonated ligand (H-fod or H-thd) are combined in a flask and subjected to reaction-promoting ultrasonic waves. The flask is immersed in a water bath to maintain a constant cool temperature, and the flask may include one or more arms for cooling and circulation of the medium during the reaction.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and method for operating the same wherein the combustion chamber volume can be varied depending on throttle position by a member that is inserted into the combustion chamber, and wherein the intake valve is closed before the piston completes its intake stroke so that the expansion stroke is effectively lengthened. In the case of a two-stroke engine, some of the intake gas is expelled before combustion to achieve an effective lengthening of the expansion stroke.

Abstract: The invention teaches a method for determining levels of T-cell surface antigens in humans, specifically, V.beta. molecules. Measurement of such levels allows for diagnosis of pathological conditions, such as infections, where changes in these levels are indicative of a superantigen initiated pathological condition.

Abstract: A tubing set for performing peritoneal dialysis and a method of operating the same. The tubing set includes elements for administering CCPD as well as elements for administering CAPD wherein preferably the CCPD and CAPD elements share a common reservoir bag and solution bags. The two sets of elements are separable by a releasable coupling. The CCPD elements may include multiple patient connectors in series to allow for multiple separate CCPD therapies. The solution bag and drain bag are separable from the other elements so that the empty solution bag from one tubing set can be used as the drain bag for the next tubing set.

Abstract: High molecular weight forms of therapeutic proteins are disclosed which are single-polypeptide-chain proteins that contain the same or similar therapeutic activity as the therapeutic protein. In particular, high molecular weight forms of the human bFGF angiogenic factor are disclosed which are single-polypeptide-chain proteins having at least one active site possessing an activity selected from the group consisting of mitogenic activity, chemotactic activity, angiogenic activity, neurotrophic activity, the ability to stimulate protease synthesis and combinations thereof. The high molecular weight angiogenic factors exhibit substantial homology to and are immunologically equivalent to the native high molecular weight forms isolatable from human hepatoma cells. The high molecular weight angiogenic factors are produced by DNA translation initiating at non-ATG codons and incorporate additional polypeptide sequences N-terminal to the human bFGF factor.

Abstract: A cyclic photocatalytic process for treating waste water containing metal and organic contaminants. In one embodiment of the method, metal ions are photoreduced onto the photocatalyst and the metal concentrated by resolubilization in a smaller volume. In another embodiment of the method, contaminant organics are first oxidized, then metal ions removed by photoreductive deposition. The present invention allows the photocatalyst to be recycled until nearly complete removal of metal ions and organic contaminants is achieved.

Abstract: A machine or apparatus for producing ice cubes comprising flexible membranes which are flexed into and out of thermal contact with a refrigerated evaporator core upon which conductive areas define discrete freezing sites which determine the location on the flexible membrane where the ice cubes are formed. The ice cubes are removed by flexing the flexible membrane. The flexing of the flexible membranes into and out of contact with the evaporator core may be accomplished with a fluid source which applies fluid to and removes fluid from collapsible spaces between the evaporator core and the membranes.