Abstract: Insect pests can be controlled by treating the pests or their loci with a combination of recombinant virus and organic insecticide. The recombinant virus preferably is a baculovirus. Combinations of recombinant baculovirus with chemical insecticides provide a dose-response in pests, such as insects, that is greater than additive. Preferred treatments of the invention are uses of recombinant baculoviruses that express a foreign protein or toxin, with pyrethroid insecticides. Treatments against pyrethroid resistant pests are especially useful.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for transferring a selected solute species from a fluid mixture to a fluid media. The system of the present invention includes a convergent channel for passing a fluid mixture containing a selected species tangentially across the first surface of a porous membrane. A fluid media is directed to flow tangentially over the second surface of the membrane. As the fluid mixture and the fluid media flow on opposite sides of the membrane, the selected species traverses the membrane leaving the fluid mixture and entering the fluid media. The volumetric loss to the fluid mixture associated with the loss of the selected species is compensated for by the convergency of the channel. As a result a constant velocity is maintained over the membrane, maximizing the selectivity of the filtration process.

Abstract: An electrosurgical biopsy device includes a stylet and a cannula movably mounted on a base. The stylet has a shaft with a head at its distal end and a stylet ablation element extending distally from the head. The stylet shaft is disposed through the cannula for axial translation therein between withdrawn and extended positions. The cannula has an opening at its distal end and a cannula ablation element adjacent the opening. Both ablation elements are activatable with energy that ablates adjacent tissue. A translation mechanism controllably moves (a) the stylet between the withdrawn and extended positions and (b) the cannula between a proximal position and a distal position relative to the base. In use, with the stylet in the withdrawn position against the distal end of the cannula, and with the stylet ablation element activated, the stylet and the cannula are pushed through the skin and the underlying tissue until the stylet head is adjacent a targeted tissue mass.

Abstract: A guiding catheter system for delivering an elongated therapeutic or diagnostic device into a patient's left ventricle which includes a first guiding catheter with a shaped distal extremity configured to be aligned with or parallel to a longitudinal axis or long dimension of the patient's left ventricle and a second guiding catheter slidably and rotatably disposed within an inner lumen of the first guiding catheter which has a shaped distal shaft section and an inner lumen configured to slidably receive an elongated therapeutic or diagnostic device such as a tissue ablation device, e.g. an optical fiber connected to a laser source, an ultrasonic energy emitting device or a radio frequency energy emitting device. The shaped distal section of the first guiding catheter is shaped or is shapable within the patient's heart chamber.

Abstract: Optical components have a material-distribution gradient due to nanometer-size particles embedded in a solid matrix. The components are manufactured by forming a dispersion of nanometer-size particles in a liquid, curable matrix material, causing the particles to migrate in the matrix material on the basis of a potential difference to form a distribution gradient, and subsequently curing the matrix material, retaining the distribution gradient. The method is suitable for use in the manufacture of optical lenses with a refractive index gradient.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved surfactant mixture which permits use of lower concentrations of polyphenolics including natural vegetable polyphenolic extracts and/or synthetic phenolic resins to produce stable anionic slow-setting asphalt-in-water emulsion compositions suitable for use as pavement sealers and coatings. The polyphenolics are selected from natural vegetable polyphenolic extracts including Chestnut A, Chestnut N and Sumac-K10; or from synthetic phenolic resins including phenol-formaldehyde, resorcinol-formaldehyde and novolak resins; or mixtures thereof; in amounts of about 0.1% to 10% polyphenolics in the final emulsion, to form and stabilize the emulsion. The emulsions employ a surfactant mixture comprising a nonionic surfactant with a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance index of from about 16 to about 20, and an anionic lignin sulfonate, in amounts of about 0.1% to 3.0% surfactant mixture in the final emulsion. Optionally 0.02% to 2.00% w/w of sodium borate decahydrate may be included.

Abstract: A combination of polymeric components provides desired characteristics in forming medical instruments such as catheters and balloons for dilatation catheters. For example, a balloon material is formed from a blend of polymeric components, including a first crystalline polymeric component and a second softening polymeric component. Where the first two components are generally incompatible, the balloon material can also include a third compatibilizing agent to facilitate blending the first two polymeric components together. The first polymeric component can be a branched or straight chain polyamide having a molecular weight of at least about 5000, or a polyester prepared from aromatic dicarboxylic acids having 8 to 14 carbon atoms or aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and at least one glycol having the formula HO(CH.sub.2).sub.n OH, where n is an integer from 2 to 10, neopentyl glycol and cyclohexane dimethanol.

Abstract: Advanced vehicle-transportable field emergency medical systems comprising surgical suites deployable from core modules, each expanding to form an enclosed surgical or treatment room with perimeter tenting spaces, supplies and equipment. Two system versions are disclosed, each containing operating rooms, post operative beds, and a twenty plus bed triage capacity with unidirectional patient flow. The first surgical procedure can begin within one hour of delivery with a twenty patient cycle for twenty four hours. The surgical/treatment modules may also be deployed independently. Both system versions are transportable in a single C130 transport aircraft. Version AZ1 has smaller modules deployable by utility helicopter that include two operating suites, two post operative units, and also supply/communications and power units. Version AZ2 includes two modules each forming a combined surgical/post-operative unit, and also supply/communications and power units.

Abstract: Methods of use of compounds and compounds for the treatment of disorders characterized by the cerebral deposition of amyloid are provided. Among the compounds are those of formulae (I), (II) and (III): ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is preferably 2-methyl propene, 2-butene, norleucine; R.sub.2, R.sub.4, and R.sub.8 are each independently methyl or ethyl; R.sub.3 is preferably iso-butyl or phenyl; R.sub.5 is preferably iso-butyl; R.sub.6 is H or methyl; R.sub.7 -(Q).sub.n is preferably benzyloxycarbonyl or acetyl; Q is preferably --C(O)--; RB is preferbly iso-butyl; R.sub.A =--(T).sub.m --(D).sub.m --R.sub.1, is which T is preferably oxygen or carbon, and D is preferably a mono-unsaturated C.sub.3-4 alkenyl being more preferred; and X is an alcohol, particularly a secondary alcohol.