Abstract: A family of somatotropin vectors with which micro-organisms, preferably bacteria such as, but not limited to E. coli, can be transformed to enable the expression of bovine somatotropin at high levels using conventional fermentation and induction conditions.

Abstract: A method of extracting a mesh representation of a surface from a volumetric representation of at least a portion of an object is provided. A surface is derived from the volumetric representation. A seed point on the surface is then selected, and a neighborhood of the seed point is grown over at least a portion of the surface. These selection and growing steps are iteratively repeated until the entire surface is substantially completely covered. Seed points are then selectively connected to form polygons which comprise the mesh representation.

Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid includes an oleaginous continuous phase; a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase; a biodegradable surfactant including a di-fatty acid ester of triglycerol; and a weighting agent. It is preferred that the fatty acid have the formula RCO2H in which R is an alkyl or alkenyl having 10 to 20 carbon atoms. The oleaginous fluid is selected from diesel oil, mineral oil, synthetic oil, ester oils, glycerides of fatty acids, aliphatic esters, aliphatic ethers, aliphatic acetals, or other such hydrocarbons and combinations of these and similar compounds. The non-oleaginous phase is selected from fresh water, sea water, brine, aqueous solutions containing water soluble organic salts, water soluble alcohols or water soluble glycols or combinations of these and similar compounds.

Abstract: An electronically conducting fuel cell component is composed of a porous metal flow field, an intermediate layer bonded directly to the flow field and an electrode bonded directly to the intermediate layer. The direct bonding eliminates the need for tie rods or other mechanical pressure to maintain the electrical contact of the fuel cell component layers.

Abstract: This application is directed to electrophoretic displays and semi-finished display panels comprising display cells prepared from the microcup and top-sealing technologies.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a plastic composite comprising color images printed onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate using thermal transfer (TT) printing technology. The PET layer is then bonded to a second PET layer using a thermally activated adhesive, preferably ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). The bonded PET layers are then disposed between two layers of plasticized PVB, forming the plastic composite. The plastic composite can then be placed between two sheets of glass forming the final laminated glass product.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition effective for preventing and alleviating bronchoconstriction, lung allergy(ies) and inflammation comprises a surfactant and an oligonucleotide anti-sense to an adenosine receptor gene, flanking regions or regions bridging the intro/exon borders, analogues which bind thymidine but have low adenosine content or exhibit lower or no adenosine receptor agonist activity, or antisense to the corresponding mRNA, combinations, sales or mixtures thereof, and a carrier, and optionally other therapeutic agents and formulation products.

Abstract: A method of managing well file records includes storing a well file on a first computer at a home base location and communicating the well file to a second computer at a remote well site. The well file serves as a blueprint that describes the well and its various components, and can be a valuable a reference tool for crews doing repair or service work on the well. When the work involves replacing or changing any of the well components, the crew can immediately update the well file using the computer at the well site. In some cases, part numbers and other information are scanned into the computer to minimize human error. Information between the two computers is accomplished by way of a wireless communication link and the Internet.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel synthetically-modified B. thuringiensis nucleic acid segments encoding &dgr;-endotoxins having insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. Also disclosed are synthetic crystal proteins encoded by these novel nucleic acid sequences. Methods of making and using these genes and proteins are disclosed as well as methods for the recombinant expression, and transformation of suitable host cells. Transformed host cells and transgenic plants expressing the modified endotoxin are also aspects of the invention. Also disclosed are methods for modifying, altering, and mutagenizing specific loop regions between the &agr; helices in domain 1 of these crystal proteins, including Cry1C, to produce genetically-engineered recombinant cry* genes, and the proteins they encode which have improved insecticidal activity. In preferred embodiments, novel Cry1C* amino acid segments and the modified cry1C* nucleic acid sequences which encode them are disclosed.

Abstract: A diagnostic drug and a diagnostic kit for autoimmune diseases including at least one of a polypeptide selected from an HMG-1 family, a polypeptide selected from an HMG-2 family, a fragment thereof which is reactable with an antibody of an autoimmune disease patient, and a method for detecting an antibody of an autoimmune disease patient using the same are provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns modified hydrophobic polyelectrolytes by amide formation of a hydrophilic skeleton by n-alkylamines whereof the alkyl chain comprises 6 to 22 carbon atoms. Preferably, the amide formation is obtained by di-n-dodecylamine. The hydrophilic skeleton is preferably a sodium polyacrylate or polyacrylic acid corresponding to a statistical acrylate-AMPS copolymer. Said polymers can be used for stabilising direct or invert emulsions likely to be destabilised or inverted by a modification in the degree of salinity of the aqueous phase or a pH modification. The invention is particularly useful for stabilising oil drilling fluids or the like in particular drilling, fracturation, acidification or completion fluids.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring volumetric changes in cement as the cement is exposed to pressures and temperatures to simulate down-hole conditions, in a high-pressure high-temperature chamber is described. The apparatus is described as a mold having a first section adjacent a base and a second section movably attached to the first section and adjacent the base in which cement may be placed. The apparatus includes a sensor to measure the movement of the first and second sections relative to one another in response to volumetric changes in the cement. Also described is a method of measuring the volumetric changes in cement as the cement is exposed to simulated down-hole pressures and temperatures in a high-pressure, high-temperature chamber.

Abstract: A method of the preparation and utilization of polymerized alpha-hydroxycarboxylic-acid-coated proppants for gravel pack and removal of filter cake that was deposited by reservoir drilling fluid. In a preferred example, polyglycolic-acid-coated sand is used to replace conventional gravel pack sand typically used for gravel packing. Under downhole conditions, the acidic by-product generated from the hydration of polyglycolic-acid-coated sand can break down acid-soluble and/or acid-breakable components embedded in the filter cake. This reaction enhances the filter cake removal and the flow of hydrocarbon from the producing formation. The polyglycolic-acid-coated sand may be produced by polymerizing a glycolic acid with a natural or synthetic proppant like 20-40 mesh commercial sand, at temperatures of about 210° F. or higher.

Abstract: A multi-port optical coupler applies the transition loss principle to exchange light among optical fibers through optical fiber bends. In a four-port embodiment, the coupler includes first and second injector fibers located in precise optical alignment on a substrate. A continuous fiber segment is configured so that a portion thereof is positioned on the substrate between and in optical alignment with the injector fibers. This portion of the fiber segment can be moved to a second position out of alignment with the injector fibers. First and second depressors impart first and second bends to portions of the fiber segment adjacent to and in optical alignment with the first and second injector fibers. Light can be injected into or extracted from the fiber segment through these bends by the injector fibers when the fiber bend is severe enough to create a transition loss and when the bends are in optical alignment with the injector fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating edematous retinal disorders. The method comprises administration of a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a hydrolysis-resistant P2Y receptor agonist to stimulate the removal of pathological extraneous fluid from the subretinal and retinal spaces and thereby reduce the accumulation of said fluid associated with retinal detachment and retinal edema. The P2Y receptor agonist can be administered with therapeutic and adjuvant agents commonly used to treat edematous retinal disorders. The pharmaceutical formulation useful in this invention comprises a P2Y receptor agonist with enhanced resistance to extracellular hydrolysis, such as dinucleoside polyphosphate compounds, or hydrolysis-resistant mononucleoside triphosphates.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of manufacture for use in a fluxless brazing process is disclosed. The method comprises the step of applying a braze-promoting layer including one or more metals selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and iron, onto a bonding layer which comprises one or more metals selected from the group consisting of zinc, tin, lead, bismuth, nickel, antimony and thallium and which is disposed on a substrate including aluminum.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for separation of suspended solid particles from fluids, for separation and mixing of fluids, and for dissolving gases in aqueous fluids. The apparatus employs a grooved ring to divide the fluid stream and impart a high velocity on each of the divided or sub-streams. A grooved ring with any number of grooves that may be spiral in shape is used to create a high velocity circular motion on a divided stream for separation of suspended solid particles by centrifugal force in a cyclone filter and for saturation of liquid with gases in a fluid mixer where gases are introduced through a diffuser. A grooved ring with any number of grooves that may be radial is used in a fluid mixer to divide a stream of fluid, produce a high velocity flow through each groove, introduce a second fluid through an orifice into the first fluid flowing through each groove, and direct the fluid mixture to a center impact zone where the various streams collide to complete the mixing.

Abstract: A new variety of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Mega Time Pure White,’ having a good uniform canopy of white single flowers and a light green disc. The new variety has a medium tall vigor, free branching, uniform spreading habit and good foliage presentation.

Abstract: A new variety of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Steps,’ has a good uniform canopy of large dark pink flowers with a yellow/green disc. The new variety has a medium vigor and a free branching and uniform spreading habit with good foliage presentation.