Abstract: A semiconductor laser apparatus comprising: a semiconductor laser chip with a first light-emitting facet and a second light-emitting facet containing an interference effect-creating means therein for creating an interference effect within the resonator(s) thereof, a laser light-reflecting means for returning a part of the laser light emitted from the first light-emitting facet of said semiconductor laser chip to the first light-emitting facet, and a mounting base on which said semiconductor laser chip and said laser light-reflecting means are fixed in a parallel manner.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser device in which a double-heterostructure multi-layered crystal containing an active layer for laser oscillation is formed on a single crystal substrate having a channel composed of alternate channel portions with different widths and lengths, resulting in a plurality of alternate optical waveguides in said active layer corresponding to said alternate channel portions, said optical waveguides being optically coupled therebetween but being electrically separated from each other.

Abstract: Polymorphisms in genes related to lipid metabolism, specifically apolipoproteins B, CII, E, and apoAIV, have been identified. Presence or absence of these polymorphisms in particular individuals may be correlated with propensity to show symptoms of atherosclerosis. Also thus correlated are two insertion polymorphisms 5' of the insulin gene.

Abstract: An electrochromic display device is provided in which a high molecular weight conductive membrane is formed on a conductive, transparent base, and an opposing electrode is arranged thereunder via a liquid electrolyte. The conductive, electrochromic membrane is a polyisothianaphthene, a chemically and physically stable material which gives the device superior electrochromic switching characteristics, including a fast response time and a high contrast color change upon oxidation and reduction. Other applications which rely on the electrochromic properties of the polyisothianaphthene are disclosed as well.

Abstract: Storage-stable, low temperature-active liquid hydrogen peroxide laundry bleaching compositions are provided. The compositions contain a dispersion of a solid particulate peracid activator in acidic aqueous hydrogen peroxide. The activator is insoluble at the acidic conditions of storage but dissolves and activates the hydrogen peroxide at the alkaline conditions of use in laundry. Optionally the bleaching compositions can contain optical brighteners, surfactants, and/or fabric softeners.

Abstract: An improved soft tissue implant which resists capsule formation and contracture is described. The implant is coated with a non-immunogenic collagen preparation optionally stabilized by crosslinking.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser array device comprising a plurality of index-guided active waveguides optically and smoothly coupled with each other in a parallel manner, wherein the reflective index of the center area of at least one facet of said semiconductor laser array device corresponding to said active waveguides is higher than that of the other area of said facet corresponding to said active waveguides.

Abstract: Novel liquid crystalline extended chain polymer compositions comprising a high concentration of one or more extended chain homopolymer(s), copolymer(s), or block polymer(s) and certain strong acids are prepared by admixing a high concentration of one or more selected homo- or hetero-bifunctional monomer(s) with or without oxidation protecting atoms or groups and one or more of a substantially non-oxidizing strong acid(s) having a high or low P.sub.2 O.sub.5 content. Such compositions are capable of exhibiting excellent cohesive strength, and are especially suited to the production of high molecular weight ordered polymer fibers by dry-jet wet spinning. These liquid crystalline compositions are capable of being drawn through long air gap distances and spun at exceptionally high spin draw ratios. Fibers, films and other articles formed from these liquid crystalline compositions exhibit exceptionally high physical and heat resistant properties.

Abstract: There is disclosed a receptacle for a plug on the end of a fiber optic light guide probe used for projecting light into an area in which a surgeon is operating, said receptacle serving to prevent heat transfer from light source to the plug of said probe. A shoulder in the bore of the receptacle engages another shoulder on the plug with minimal area of contact to minimize the area of potential heat transfer. The dimensions of the central bore of the receptacle relative to the plug are such that an air gap exists all around the plug when inserted in the receptacle. The plug is provided with an insulating sleeve behind the plug shoulder, and this sleeve is mechanically supported by a Delrin plate and insert which give the system mechanical support and which minimizes heat transfer between the mechanical support of the receptacle and the plug because of the poor heat conductivity of plastic.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser apparatus comprising a laser-oscillating area and a light-detecting area, both of which are formed on a single substrate, wherein said laser-oscillating area and said light-detecting area have a common semiconductor layer with a first polarity disposed on said substrate and a common active layer disposed on said semiconductor layer, and said layer-oscillating area of said laser-oscillating area and/or said light-detecting area has a cladding layer with a second polarity disposed on said active layer, said laser-oscillating area and said light-detecting area being separated by a groove formed from the upper face of said cladding layer to the region below said active layer, and the active layer of said laser-oscillation area being flat while the active layer of said light-detecting area is sloped.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser comprising a middle-positioned active layer sandwiched between the lower-positioned active layer and the upper-positioned active layer, the refractivity of each of said lower- and upper- positioned active layers being slightly different from that of the middle-positioned active layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser device comprising a laser oscillation-operating area containing a first cladding layer, an active layer, an optical guiding layer and a second cladding layer in that order, wherein a striped impurity-diffusion region is formed into said second cladding layer from one facet to the other facet and a plurality of narrow strips of GaAs with a spaced pitch are formed in parallel with both facets in the region, except for the region corresponding to said striped diffusion region, which is positioned at the interface between the optical guiding layer and the second cladding layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthesis of HBsAg in yeast. Yeast expression vectors comprising a yeast promoter, ADHl, have been constructed. The region of the HBV genome coding for the S-protein, excluding a possible 163 amino acid presequence, has been transferred to the yeast expression vector.Using the described yeast vector, the successful synthesis of HBsAg by yeast has been achieved. The product is antigenic (reactive with anti-HBsAg), and a substantial portion is found associated with particles identical in electron microscopic appearance to those found in the serum of HBV-infected patients and in Alexander cells but having a smaller particle size diameter. The HBsAg synthesized by yeast has identical sedimentation behavior to purified, naturally-occurring HBsAg particles purified from Alexander cells as measured by sucrose gradient sedimentation.

Abstract: Processes are provided for the synthesis of the human T-antigenic determinant 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(.beta.-D-galactopyranosyl)-.alpha.-D-galactopyran oside containing an .alpha.-O-glycosidically linked bridging arm O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n COR. The determinant is coupled to carrier molecules to form artificial T-antigens, and to insoluble supports to form T-immunoadsorbents. The artifical T-antigen is shown to elicit a delayed type hypersensitivity reaction as a diagnostic for the presence of cancer in humans.

Abstract: A dehydrated liposome/amphotericin B composition which, upon addition of an aqueous medium, forms a suspension of liposomes (a) having a predetermined size distribution in size range less than about 1 micron, and (b) containing at least about 1 mole percent amphotericin B. The composition is prepared by forming a suspension of heterogeneous size amphotericin B liposomes in an aqueous solution containing at least about 0.5% of a membrane-stabilizing agent. The suspension is sized--for example, by extrusion through a small-pore polycarbonate membrane--to produce liposomes having the selected size distribution, and dehydrated.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for inducing natriuresis, diuresis and vasodilatation in mammalian hosts by administering atrial natriuretic/vasodilator polypeptides to said host. Also provided are methods for producing such polypeptides, and antibodies which are capable of recognizing and specifically binding to them.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser array device comprising two or more array portions, which are composed of a plurality of main parallel waveguides with an optical phase coupling in between, and one or more branching portions, each of which is positioned between the array portions and which are composed of two branching waveguides branching symmetrically with regard to the main waveguide direction from each of the main parallel waveguides of the array portions, each of the two branching waveguides positioned at the outer sides of each of the branching portions being disconnected with the adjacent branching waveguides and the other branching waveguides from the main parallel waveguides of one of the array portions being optically connected with the corresponding branching waveguides from the main parallel waveguides of the adjacent array portion.

Abstract: A correlation has been demonstrated between the ability of an antibody to block the inhibitory action of somatostatin on the gastric inhibitory peptide(GIP)-stimulated release of insulin from the pancreas in vitro and the ability to stimulate growth in vivo. Antibodies which are identified in the GIP-stimulated insulin release assay are also capable of elevating the levels of growth hormone in vivo.

Abstract: A human monoclonal antibody that directly agglutinates type A human red blood cells is described. The exemplified antibody is an IgM and is produced by hybrid cells lines S-H22 and HHA1. The antibody is useful as an ABO typing reagent.