Abstract: This invention is a specific set of oligonucleotide PCR primers (pg50 and pg3) and a specific oligonucleotide probe (pBA273) for detection of PCR-amplified DNA from pathogenic strains of Campylobacter, specifically C. coli and C. jejuni, in fecal specimens.

Abstract: An artificial horizon altitude warning system is provided for helping to prevent a controlled flight of an aircraft into the ground. The artificial horizon altitude warning system comprises an altimeter for gathering altitude information about the aircraft and generating an altitude signal; a laser assembly for producing a light in a cockpit of the aircraft; and a controller for receiving the altitude signal and for positioning the light in the cockpit to form an artificial line based on the altitude signal, the artificial line being positioned so as to be disposed along tin arcuate length corresponding to the location of an actual horizon as viewed by a pilot of the aircraft.

Abstract: This invention is a manually tunable underwater breathing apparatus (UBA) which the resonant frequency of the UBA may be adjusted to meet the diver's breathing frequency by controlling the inertance component of the UBA impedance. The principles of the present invention may be adapted to existing UBA by adding a tuning apparatus comprising a valve, a tee and a tuned length of hose. Water displaced by volume change in the breathing bag due to exhalation/inhalation is partly diverted through the valve. Depending on the valve opening set by the diver the inertance and resonant frequency of the UBA can be altered to reduce breathing load.

Abstract: An eye piece focusing aid provides improved focusing of an eye onto an intensified image screen of a NVG. A lens cap or blocking screen has two small holes (approximately one to two millimeters in diameter) which appear as a single hole when the retina of the eye is focused on the intensified image screen.

Abstract: The advanced care system for use in a hyperbaric chamber is a self-contai, rapidly transportable unit which contains a ventilator, patient suction, and vital signs monitor. It was developed to increase the level of life support available to an injured diver who might require advanced care, along with recompression therapy while being decompressed in an older model decompression chamber or other hyperbaric chamber not equipped with treatment equipment.

Abstract: A device and method for advising an individual (diver or aviator or caisson orker) how to proceed from a high ambient pressure to a lower one in a minimum amount of time without exceeding a specified acceptable risk of suffering decompression sickness. The central algorithm is calibrated to reliably estimate instantaneous risk for the pressure exposures and functions to rapidly provide the optimum (fastest) return to lower pressure.

Abstract: This invention comprises a tunable underwater breathing apparatus (UBA) in hich the resonant frequency of the UBA may be adjusted to meet the diver's breathing frequency by controlling the inertance component of the UBA impedance. The principles of the present invention may be adapted to existing UBA with minor redesign and some additions.

Abstract: A CVD process for forming a layer or layers of superconducting materials on a semiconductor substrate in which volatile organometallic compounds of bismuth, strontium, calcium and copper are heated in the presence of a carrier gas in a first chamber free of hydrolyzing agents. Under conditions free of hydrolyzing agents, the carrier gas transports a predetermined quantity of the volatile organometallic compounds of the bismuth, strontium, calcium and copper to a deposition chamber. The compounds are decomposed and deposit mixed oxides on the substrate. Subsequent to deposition of the mixed oxides of the desired elements the layer is sintered in an oxygen-rich atmosphere, and formed into a superconducting film by subsequent slow cooling still in an oxygen-rich atmosphere.

Abstract: A three point extension splint device for correcting flexion contractures about limb synovial hinge joints. The splint device comprises a proximal contact means for contacting the proximal portion of an extremity above the flexion crease of a synovial joint and a distal contact means for contacting the distal portion of an extremity below the flexion crease of a synovial hinge joint. A springy, resilient bridge joins the proximal and distal extremity contact means. These three parts form a anterior assembly. A cupping means that forms the posterior assembly protects the bony prominence of the joint.

Abstract: This invention comprises a minimal elastance underwater breathing apparatus UBA) in which the elastance component of UBA impedance is substantially eliminated by forcing the breathing bag to expand and contract in a horizontal plane with small vertical displacements and hence minimal elastance. The invention further includes a servo-mechanism operating with a microprocessor, 3-axis position sensor and rotatable joints which act to keep the breathing bag oriented horizontally no matter what the diver's position. The principles of the present invention may be adapted to existing UBA with redesign and additions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a light producing microemulsion formed in the resence of a surfactant/cosurfactant pair from an oil phase medium having at least an oxalate derivative and a fluorescer compound dissolved in it and an aqueous phase medium containing at least an oxidant dissolved in it. The light produced in such a microemulsion can be used to analyze aqueous oxidant-containing samples by comparing the amount of light produced by a microemulsion formed from a known quantity of an oxidant to a similar sample containing an unknown quantity of an oxidant. The comparison can be made by any well known photosensitive means and can be computerized.

Abstract: In order to protect the eyes or other sensor, from light produced, e.g., by odern laser weapons which have extremely fast onset times and high power per pulse, a protective shutter device is provided which is based on the integrative property of such sensors. The sensor is shielded for a large proportion of the time and only exposed after a light detector associated with the protective device has assured a safe environment. The normal exposure provided is a series of rapid image-views that integrate over time within the sensor. In an eye goggles embodiment, clear vision is maintained and a fast-response variable-density "sunglass" is perceived by the wearer. Only one eye is exposed and thus at risk at any one time, and that eye only about 10% of the total time. A high-speed mechanical shutter controls the exposure experienced by the sensor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a light producing microemulsion formed in the resence of a surfactant/cosurfactant pair from an oil phase medium having at least an oxalate derivative and a fluorescer compound dissolved in it and an aqueous phase medium containing at least an oxidant dissolved in it. The light produced in such a microemulsion can be used to analyze aqueous oxidant-containing samples by comparing the amount of light produced by a microemulsion formed from a known quantity of an oxidant to a similar sample containing an unknown quantity of an oxidant. The comparison can be made by any well known photosensitive means and can be computerized.

Abstract: This invention relates to a semiconductor substrate having a porous surface nd to the amperometric receptor-based sensors formed with the substrate. More specifically, this invention pertains to the substrate in the form of a bipolar junction transistor having a porous hydrophilic surface directly on its base wherein the surface forms a support for an amperometric sensor. The invention also pertains to the methods of making and using the substrate and sensor.

Abstract: A Scheiner-principle optometer for automated assessment of accommodative state is disclosed. The specific advantages of the instant invention over earlier ones are: a) simplicity of design, b) hand held, portable implementation, c) light weight, d) small size, e) low manufacturing cost, and, f) the use of a monochromatic light source to eliminate the effects of chromatic aberrations in the subject's eye.

Abstract: Nitrato alkyl oxetanes are synthesized directly from the corresponding hyxy alkyl oxetanes by nitrating the hydroxy alkyl oxetane under non-acidic anhydrous conditions. A hydroxy alkyl oxetane is reacted with an anhydrous nitrate ester of a carboxylic acid at temperatures below about 10.degree. C. The product of the method, nitrato alkyl oxetane, is produced in relatively high yield without opening of the oxetane ring.

Abstract: Antigens or antibodies are detected using a novel membrane based immunoassay. Known antigens or antibodies which will form complexes with antigens/antibodies to be assayed are spot filtered with pressure through a membrane. The membrane, either by itself or attached to a base material as a test strip, is incubated with a test fluid. Consequently, the resulting antibody-antigen complex is incubated directly or after an intermediate anti-antibody incubation with enzyme conjugated immunoglobulin and exposed to substrate which produces a colored insoluble product if the test target is present.

Abstract: A protein antigen (SSP2) on the surface of Plasmodium sporozoites is disclosed as a candidate immunogen for vaccination against malaria. This use of this protein, which is distinct from the extensively characterized circumsporozoite (CS) protein, will also facilitate research into host immunological responses to malaria. This antigen is detected by a monoclonal antibody (NYS4) which is specific for a 140 kilodalton (kD) protein on the sporozoite cell surface. Immunoreactive genomic clones are described which express this surface antigen gene and the primary nucleic acid sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence derived from this DNA sequence are disclosed. Unique repetitive sequences of amino acids are described which further demonstrate the distinction between SSP2 and the CS protein. A synthetic peptide containing repeating epitopes of SSP2 derived protein antigen and which are substantially shorter in length than the intact antigen are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a method and algorithm for rapidly quantifying phagocytic functions using computer image analysis (CIA) of video light microscopic images. The method and algorithm involve sequential acquisition of bright field or phase contrast and epi-fluorescence video microscopic images of respective field, addition of the images, decision making, object referencing, morphological feature extraction, arithmetic operations, and statistical analysis. This invention provides significantly faster phagocytic functions analysis than manual microscopic examination and more detailed quantitative morphological data than flow cytometery.

Abstract: An agent and treatment for a subject susceptible to septic shock. The subject is treated with a PKC inhibitor, preferably wit a PKC inhibitor selected from the group consisting of lipid analogues. Preferred among the lipid analogues are sphingosine and its analogues. The inhibitors of this invention are administered, preferably by infusion in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier, in a range of 0.1 to 50 mg/Kg body weight preferably in the range of 0.5 to 25 mg/Kg body weight and most preferably in the range of 1 to 5 mg/Kg body weight.