Abstract: The present application discloses a method for preparing a homogeneous ternary or quaternary alloy from a quaternary melt. The method includes providing a family of phase diagrams for the quaternary melt which shows (i) composition/temperature data, (ii) tie lines connecting equilibrium liquid and solid compositions, and (iii) isotherms representing boundaries of a miscibility gap. Based on the family of phase diagrams, a quaternary melt composition and an alloy growth temperature is selected. A quaternary melt having the selected quaternary melt composition is provided and a ternary or quaternary alloy is grown from the quaternary melt at the selected alloy growth temperature. A method for making homogeneous ternary or quaternary alloy from a ternary or quaternary melt is also disclosed, as are homogeneous quaternary single-crystal alloys which are substantially free from crystal defects and which have the formula AxB1−xCyD1−y, x and y being the same or different and in the range of 0.001 to 0.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to chromophores having novel electron withdrawing groups and novel bivalent cyclic bridges and to optical waveguides and optical devices having polymeric thin films which contain the novel chromophores.

Abstract: Provided is the active site of human gamma glutamyl hydrolase. The active site resides in amino acid residues 110, 171, 220 and 222 of SEQ ID NO:1. Thus provided is an inactive gamma glutamyl hydrolase protein, as well as a fragment thereof. A method of inactivating a gamma glutamyl hydrolase protein is also provided, as is a molecule capable of binding to one or more of amino acid residues 110, 171, 220 or 222 of SEQ ID NO:1 which can be used in such a method. A method for identifying a molecule that inactivates gamma glutamyl hydrolase is provided, as is a nucleic acid molecule encoding the inactive gamma glutamyl hydrolase.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of increasing expression of p21WAF1/Cip 1 in cells to decrease proliferation of the cells, the method comprising decreasing levels of PP5 protein in the cells. The invention further provides a method of treating or preventing an abnormal condition resulting from a defect in a tumor suppressor gene in a subject that results in decreased induction of p21WAF1/Cip 1 in the cells of the subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an amount of a compound effective to decrease levels of PP5 protein in the cells of the subject.

Abstract: Composites which include a polymer matrix having natural free volume therein and an inorganic or organic material disposed in the natural free volume of the polymer matrix are disclosed. In addition, methods for making a composite are described. A polymer matrix having free volume therein is provided. The free volume is evacuated, and inorganic or organic molecules are infused into the evacuated free volume of the polymer matrix. The inorganic or organic molecules can then be polymerized under conditions effective to cause the polymerized inorganic or organic molecules to assemble into macromolecular networks. Alternatively, where the polymer matrix contains a functionality, the inorganic or organic molecules can be treated under conditions effective to cause the inorganic or organic molecules to interact with the polymer matrix's functionality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sealing an end of a pipe, to an external sealing surface. The method includes providing a pipe assembly which includes a pipe and a flange. The pipe includes a proximal pipe end and a flared end region. The flared end region is integral with the pipe and is proximate to and continuous with the proximal pipe end. The flange is non-integrally disposed around the pipe distal to the pipe's flared end region. The method further includes securing, non-integrally and distally to the pipe's flared end region, the flange to the pipe so that proximal movement of the flange relative to the pipe is restricted. The flange is drawn toward the external sealing surface, which causes the flange sealing surface to bias the pipe's flared end region into sealing contact with the external sealing surface. Pipe assemblies which include a backup ring having a tapered inside surfaces and a flange having tapered outside surfaces are also discussed.

Abstract: A diamond-like carbon-containing material useful as a coating for electronic devices including field emission devices and color television tubes, the coatings having both low secondary electron emission coefficients of less than unity and electrical resistivity tunable over a range of from about 10e−2 to about 10e16.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluorine-doped coatings which include a diamond-like composition containing carbon, silicon, oxygen, hydrogen, and fluorine on various substrates. Preferred substrates include flexible substrates, precision-edged substrates, and electrosurgical instruments. The present invention also relates to a method of making a substrate coated with a fluorine-doped diamond-like coating which includes positioning the substrate in a vacuum coating chamber and depositing a diamond-like composition containing carbon, silicon, oxygen, hydrogen, and fluorine onto the substrate by co-deposition of clusterless particle beams comprised of ions, atoms, or radicals of the carbon, silicon, oxygen, hydrogen, and fluorine, the mean free path of each particle species being in excess of the distance between its source and the growing particle coating surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A composition for human or animal consumption for supplying folate which includes a natural isomer of reduced folate, such as (6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5-methyl-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5-formyl-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 10-formyl-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5,10-methylene-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5,10-methenyl-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5-formimino-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, and their polyglutamyl derivatives is disclosed. Such compositions include multivitamin preparations (with or without minerals and other nutrients); breakfast foods such as prepared cereals, toaster pastries and breakfast bars; infant formulas; dietary supplements and complete diet and weight-loss formulas and bars; animal feed (for example pet foods) and animal feed supplements (such as for poultry feed). The amount of the natural isomer of a reduced folate in a composition for human consumption can range between about 5% and about 200% of the daily requirement for folic acid per serving or dose.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula: are disclosed. M1 and M2 are the same or different and are transition metal atoms or ions; Z2 and Z3, independently, are the atoms necessary to complete a 3-12 membered heterocyclic ring; Z1 is an alkylene or arylene group; Q1 and Q2 are the same or different and are electron withdrawing groups; L1 and L3, taken together, represent —O—CR13—O—; L2 and L4, taken together, represent —O—CR14—O—; and R13 and R14 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and aryl groups or R13 and R14 represent alkylene or arylene groups that are directly or indirectly bonded to one another. Methods for making such compounds are also disclosed, as are intermediates which can be used in their preparation. Also disclosed are methods for carrying out C—H insertion reactions using bis-transition metal catalysts, such as the above compounds.

Abstract: A waste treatment apparatus (10) including one or more vertically oriented curtains (11) each formed of mesh material having a minimal aperture size of 0.001 mm, means for applying liquid waste to said curtain(s) located above said curtain (17, 15) and collection means (20A) for collection of treated waste after passage through said one or more curtains (12). There is also provided a method of treatment of waste using the waste treatment apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method/system of monitoring in real time changes in concentration of glucose in tissues. Laser-induced profiles of absorbed optical energy distribution in tissues are determined via measurements of spatial (in-depth) profile of optically-induced acoustic (pressure) transients using a wide-band optoacoustic transducer. Such technique can be applied for monitoring of glucose concentration in various human or nonhuman tissues, cell cultures, solutions or emulsions.

Abstract: The compounds of formula (I) are hydrophilic aryl phosphate, thiophosphate, and aminophosphate intestinal apical membrane Na-mediated phosphate co-transportation inhibitors. The compounds can be administered orally, where they act to inhibit Na-dependent phosphate uptake in the intestines, or internally, where they interact with the phosphate control functions of the kidneys and parathyroid. They are therefore useful for inhibiting sodium-mediated phosphate uptake, reducing serum PTH, calcium, calcitriol, and phosphate, and treating renal disease in an animal, including a human.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of stabilizing a taxane in a dispersed system, which method comprises exposing the taxane to a molecule which improves physical stability of the taxane in the dispersed system. By improving physical stability of the taxane in the dispersed system, higher taxane content can be achieved. The invention thus further provides a stable taxane-containing liposome preparation comprising a liposome containing one or more taxanes present in the liposome in an amount of less than 20 mol % total taxane to liposome, wherein the liposome is suspended in a glycerol:water composition having at least 30% glycerol.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new family of materials that exhibits improved stability to the chemical environment used in metal ore reduction, and thus provides an opportunity for improving the energy use and efficiency of such processes by their use. More specifically, the inventions relates to an electrode, used in the construction and/or operation of a reduction cell use to produce metal from ore, which is comprised of a compound or compounds described by the chemical formulas M3NX2 or M2NX, where M is a transition metal, N is a group 3a, 4a or 5a element, and X is carbon or nitrogen; or a composite containing in part, at least one of such compounds.

Abstract: Provided is a method of stimulating a class I-restricted immune response to a protein of interest or antigenic portion thereof in a host, as well as a protein delivery vehicle for use in the method. A nucleic acid molecule encoding the protein of interest or antigenic portion thereof is introduced into an avirulent Salmonella spp., such that the resulting Salmonella encodes a chimeric protein comprising the protein of interest or antigenic portion thereof and an injectable protein which is a target of a type III secretion system or an injectable portion thereof. This resulting Salmonella can be introduced into a host, in which the Salmonella will inject the chimeric protein into the cytosol of the cells of the host. The injection of the chimeric protein results in the stimulation of a class I-restricted immune response to the protein of interest or antigenic portion thereof in the host.

Abstract: The invention provides a recombinant keratinocyte having nucleic acid encoding a human &bgr;3 integrin subunit introduced therein. This recombinant keratinocyte is able to adhere to fibrin/fibrinogen, and therefore when used in a graft procedure the recombinant keratinocyte is able to adhere to fibrin/fibrinogen present in any fibrin clot in the wound. The invention thus further provides a method of enhancing wound healing in a graft procedure by using the recombinant keratinocytes.

Abstract: A device useful for draining fluid from the pleural cavity of a patient includes two enclosed chambers. The first chamber has at its upper end a one-way directional valve. The valve, which is provided with a connector for connection with a catheter draining fluid from the patient's pleural cavity, operates only to allow fluid to flow into the first chamber. The lower end of the first chamber, which is releasably connected to the second chamber, is optionally provided with a second one-way directional valve that operates only to allow fluid to flow from the first chamber into the second chamber. The second enclosed chamber of the device of the invention has an upper end and a closed lower end. The upper end of the second chamber is releasably connected to the lower end of the first chamber to provide a substantially fluid-tight connection. The device is provided with an outlet to the ambient atmosphere; the outlet can be disposed in either the first or the second enclosed chamber.

Abstract: A composition for human or animal consumption for supplying folate which includes a natural isomer of reduced folate, such as (6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5-methyl-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5-formyl-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 10-formyl-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5,10-methylene-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5,10-methenyl-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5-formimino-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, and their polyglutamyl derivatives is disclosed. Such compositions include multivitamin preparations (with or without minerals and other nutrients); breakfast foods such as prepared cereals, toaster pastries and breakfast bars; infant formulas; dietary supplements and complete diet and weight-loss formulas and bars; animal feed (for example pet foods) and animal feed supplements (such as for poultry feed). The amount of the natural isomer of a reduced folate in a composition for human consumption can range between about 5% and about 200% of the daily requirement for folic acid per serving or dose.

Abstract: A composition comprises a glucocorticoid receptor agonist and a compound which decreases levels of active human serine/threonine protein phosphatase 5 protein in cells. The glucocorticoid receptor agonist is dexamethasone and the compound is an antisense oligonucleotide of about 8 to 50 nucleotides in length which is targeted to a nucleic acid encoding human serine/threonine protein phosphatase 5. The composition is useful in a method of enhancing glucocorticoid activity, and in a method of enhancing the inhibition of hyperproliferation of cells where the inhibition is by contacting the cells with a compound which decreases levels of active human serine/threonine protein phosphatase 5 protein in cells. The compound is thus useful to enhance glucocorticoid therapy and to enhance inhibition of hyperproliferation relating to PP5.