Abstract: Surface-modified nanoparticles of boehmite, and methods for preparing the same. Aluminum oxyhydroxide nanoparticles are surface modified by reaction with selected amounts of organic acids. In particular, the nanoparticle surface is modified by reactions with two or more different carboxylic acids, at least one of which is an organic carboxylic acid. The product is a surface modified boehmite nanoparticle that has an inorganic aluminum oxyhydroxide core, or part aluminum oxyhydroxide core and a surface-bonded organic shell. Organic carboxylic acids of this invention contain at least one carboxylic acid group and one carbon-hydrogen bond. One embodiment of this invention provides boehmite nanoparticles that have been surface modified with two or more acids one of which additional carries at least one reactive functional group.

Abstract: The invention provides a choke system with hydraulic circuits which provide choke valve positioning that can be varied by the use of incremental steps. The incremental movement action in either the opening or closing direction is accomplished through the use of one of the two hydraulic slave cylinders which can either add or subtract a fixed volume of hydraulic fluid from the choke actuator. A series of check valves provides direction for flow in the hydraulic lines, locking of the choke actuator, and re-filling of the slave cylinders during operation. The system eliminates excessive lines or solenoid valves and avoids the need for mechanical locking mechanisms. Preferred embodiments include a “fast close” system which, instead of running through a series of steps to close the valve, provides valve control in a fast close line to move the choke actuator to the full closed position from anywhere in the travel over a shorter period of time than through normal stepping operation.

Abstract: A fluidic waveguide comprising a container and a fluid that fills said container, wherein said fluid has a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the wall of said container and wherein said fluid can act as a waveguide for electromagnetic radiation when contacted therewith is disclosed. A corresponding fluidic lightguide along with devices that function as composite waveguides and lightguides are described. Assays utilizing this waveguide for biochemical, chemical, and other kinds of analyzes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of separating a first and a second set of fullerenes in a fullerene mixture. In the method of the invention, a stable fullerene cation is formed of one of the first or the second set of fullerenes. The fullerene cation is then separated from the other set of fullerenes. Optionally, the fullerene cation may be returned to its neutral state. The method of the invention is particularly useful for the purification and separation of endohedral fullerenes from empty fullerenes. However, the method may be applied to the purification of a broad range of endohedral and empty fullerene materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices and device components for fabricating patterns on substrate surfaces, particularly patterns comprising structures having microsized and/or nanosized features of selected lengths in one, two or three dimensions. The present invention provides composite patterning devices comprising a plurality of polymer layers each having selected mechanical properties, such as Young's Modulus and flexural rigidity, selected physical dimensions, such as thickness, surface area and relief pattern dimensions, and selected thermal properties, such as coefficients of thermal expansion, to provide high resolution patterning on a variety of substrate surfaces and surface morphologies.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for the prophylaxis and treatment of parasitic infections in animals and birds. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a method for the prophylaxis and treatment of Plasmodium infection in mammals and the prophylaxis and treatment of disease conditions caused or exacerbated by Plasmodium. Even more particularly, the present invention is directed to a method for the prophylaxis and treatment of malaria including ameliorating the clinical effects of malaria and agents useful for same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to animals that express exogenous growth factors in their milk, and in particular to pigs that express exogenous IGF-I in their milk. The present invention also relates to methods for increasing piglet weight gain and intestinal lactase activity. The present invention thus provides a method of facilitating piglet development and decreasing piglet mortality.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling a fluid separation system, preferably a blood apheresis system having a leukocyte reduction chamber. The method utilizes a three-level alarm system. A first-level alarm condition is triggered in response to a pressure drop in the system to less than or equal to a specified system pressure and pauses fluid flow in at least a portion of the system. A second-level alarm condition is triggered in response to a specified number of said pressure drops within a specified period and reduces the flow rate of the fluid in the system. The alarm conditions may also trigger a visible and/or audible alarm. These alarm levels permit flow through the leukocyte reduction chamber to continue when the pressure drop is caused by a non-serious, self-resolving or easily-correctable condition such as misalignment of system components.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for making unsubstituted carborane anions and monosubstituted carborane anions of formula: (R—CBn—Hm?)? where n is an integer ranging from 5 to about 11 and m? is an integer ranging from 5 to 16 where the relative values of n and m? depend upon the exact structure of the carborane and the presence of a non-hydrogen substituent. m as used herein is an integer ranging from 5 to 16. When R is hydrogen the anion is unsubstituted. When R is a halogen, a phenyl, a substituted phenyl group, such as fluorophenyl group, or any other substituent, the carborane is substituted. The method is particularly useful for preparation of twelve-vertex carborane anions R—CB11H11?, where R is a defined above, and is specifically useful for preparation of the unsubstituted carborane CB11H12-??, where R is H.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combustion apparatus for the production of carbon nanomaterials including fullerenes and fullerenic soot. Most generally the combustion apparatus comprises one or more inlets for introducing an oxygen-containing gas and a hydrocarbon fuel gas in the combustion system such that a flame can be established from the mixed gases, a droplet delivery apparatus for introducing droplets of a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock into the flame, and a collector apparatus for collecting condensable products containing carbon nanomaterials that are generated in the combustion system. The combustion system optionally has a reaction zone downstream of the flame. If this reaction zone is present the hydrocarbon feedstock can be introduced into the flame, the reaction zone or both.

Abstract: This invention provides improved methods for combustion synthesis of carbon nanomaterials, including fullerenes, employing multiple-ring aromatic hydrocarbon fuels selected for high carbon conversion to extractable fullerenes. The multiple-ring aromatic hydrocarbon fuels include those that contain polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. More specifically, multiple-ring aromatic hydrocarbon fuels contain a substantial amount of indene, methylnapthalenes or mixtures thereof. Coal tar and petroleum distillate fractions provide low cost hydrocarbon fuels containing polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, including without limitation, indene, methylnapthalenes or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for reducing the width of a plurality of longitudinal slots or other openings spaced circumferentially around a slotted tubular member. The invention includes a seaming roller positioned to contact the outer surface of the slotted tubular member for transverse movement across the plurality of slots, and adapted to apply a force onto the slotted tubular member so as to reduce the slot width. The width of the plurality of slots is detected and compared to a set value indicative of a desired end slot width and based on this comparison, an adjustor connected to the seaming roller, adjusts the force applied by the seaming roller to the plurality of slots. Each opening is adjusted by the seaming roller to have a profile with a width that throughout the length of the slot profile, varies no more than a given tolerance from the desired end slot width.

Abstract: Forms for display of clothing and the like with magnetically attachable parts are provided. The magnetic joints comprise a magnetic assembly with a depth-of-pull sufficient to cause the attachable part to begin to pull toward the form at a distance preferably greater than one-half inch, preferably about one inch. Preferably the magnetic assembly has a depth-of-pull of at least about 120 gauss at a distance of one inch. A metallic plate is arranged in mating configuration with the magnetic assembly. Mating pins may be provided, as well as indexing pins. If the manikin is knocked over, or if the attached part is pulled or bumped, it will come loose rather than breaking off; and the mating parts are self-seeking in use, so that they will come together in proper orientation even when being mated beneath clothes. A bump to the manikin sufficient to overcome the on-contact strength of the magnetic attachment may not result in detachment of the limb because of the depth-of-pull strength of the magnetic assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple, cost-effective, universal method for determining and/or quantifying differences in nucleic acid levels between two or more test mixtures without prior knowledge of the sequence of the nucleic acids of interest. The method involves providing a universal microarray containing a plurality of spots, where each spot contains a plurality, or pool, of different oligonucleotide probes having at least three distinct portions: a universal sequence portion, a short central variable “wobble” sequence portion, and a unique sequence portion. A set of probes is synthesized such that the universal sequence portion is the same for every probe, and all possible permutations of the wobble sequence and unique sequence portions are represented in approximately equal concentrations in the set.

Abstract: An animal trap is provided with an enclosure, inside of which a pivoting member, referred to herein as a “Confinement Activating Teeter-totter” (CAT), is pivotally disposed so that its front end pivots downward when an animal enters the trap and steps on it. A blocking member on the front of the CAT then blocks the entrance, forcing the animal to go toward a bait near the exit at the back of the trap. The CAT then pivots under the weight of the mouse, thereby resetting. If, instead of exiting, the animal goes back toward the front, the CAT will again pivot and block the entrance. The animal will also step on a shelf projecting from the front of the pivoting member, ensuring that the CAT will not pivot again until the animal again proceeds toward the exist. The trap is composed of only one moving part (excluding a door flap, and one access part), namely the CAT on its pivot. It is easily molded from plastic such that only two parts are needed: a base and a CAT. After molding a door flap may be attached.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a compound of general Formula: or pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives and salts, racemates, isomers and/or tautomers thereof comprising cyclizing an azomethine ylide of general Formula: wherein, A is a cyclic or non-cyclic group; Z is a carbon or a heteroatom; n is selected from 0, 1, 2 or 3; W, X and Y may be the same or different and each are selected from hydrogen; optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, alkoxy, alkenoxy, alkynoxy, aryl, alkylthio, heterocyclyl; carboxy, carboxy ester, carboxamido, acyl, acyloxy, mercapto, halogen, nitro, sulfate, phosphate, cyano and optionally protected hydroxy; or W and X, together with the nitrogen and carbon atoms to which they are attached, form a saturated or unsaturated nitrogen containing heterocyclic group which may be optionally substituted or optionally fused to a saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic group, aryl group or heterocyclic group is provided.

Abstract: A simple and highly efficient method for cloning cDNAs including CD27 (SEQ ID NO:28) from mammalian expression libraries based on transient expression in mammalian host cells has been discovered. Novel expression vectors allowing highly efficient construction of mammalian cDNA libraries are disclosed. The cloning method of the invention which has been used to clone genes for cell surface antigens of human lymphocytes, has general application in gene cloning. Cell surface antigens cloned according to the present invention have been purified, and the nucleotide and amino acid sequences determined. These antigens have diagnostic and therapeutic utility in immune-mediated infections in mammals, including humans.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for treating fluids to inactivate microorganisms which may be present therein, said fluid containing one or more components selected from the group consisting of protein, blood and blood constituents are provided. The methods comprise adjusting the percentage of plasma in said fluid to a desired value; mixing an inactivation-effective, substantially non-toxic amount of an endogenous photosensitizer or endogenously-based derivative photosensitizer to said fluid; exposing said fluid to photoradiation of sufficient wavelength and energy to activate the photosensitizer, whereby said microorganisms are inactivated.

Abstract: Pennisetum purpureum ‘Princess’ is a dwarf, purple-foliaged napiergrass. It is a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 8-10, and a vigorous annual in more northern zones.