Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus including a die having at least one applicator slot for translating an applicator liquid through the die. The slot is in flow communication with a die cavity. An expansible chamber device is disposed within the die cavity and changes volume in response to changes in fluid pressure within the expansible chamber device, which may be regulated by a means for controlling the volume of the expansible chamber device. The applicator liquid is translated through the die and delivered from the applicator slot at intervals corresponding to actuation of the expansible chamber device. In some embodiments, the die has a single rectangular applicator slot, and the expansible chamber device is an expandable cylindrical tube disposed within the die cavity. In other embodiments, the fluid within the expansible chamber device is an incompressible liquid.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to fixed abrasive articles having a plurality of three-dimensional abrasive composites including abrasive particles dispersed in a matrix material including a polymeric binder and a plurality of nanoparticulate inorganic filler particles having a volume mean diameter no greater than 1000 nanometers (nm). In some embodiments, the volume mean diameter of the abrasive particles is less than 500 nm, and the volume mean diameter of the inorganic filler particles is no greater than 200 nm. In other embodiments using non-ceria abrasive particles, the ratio of the amount of matrix material to the amount of non-ceria abrasive particles on a volumetric basis is at least 2. In alternate embodiments using non-ceria abrasive particles, the ratio of the amount of non-ceria abrasive particles to the amount of inorganic filler particles on a volumetric basis is no greater than 3. Also provided are methods of making and using fixed abrasive articles according to the disclosure.

Abstract: Provided is a method of polishing comprising providing a workpiece, providing a fixed abrasive article, providing conditioning particles, and relatively moving the workpiece and the fixed abrasive article in the presence of the conditioning particles to modify the surface of the workpiece and to condition the fixed abrasive. The fixed abrasive article comprises a substrate having a first surface and a region of abrasive composites distributed on the first surface of the substrate. The abrasive composites include a composite binder and abrasive particles, which may be in abrasive agglomerates together with a matrix material. The abrasive particles are harder than the workpiece. The conditioning particles are sufficient to condition one or more of the composite binder, matrix material, and abrasive agglomerates. The hardness of the conditioning particles is less than the hardness of the workpiece and they do not substantially polish the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention provides electronic articles and methods of making said articles. The electronic articles comprise an electronic component bonded and electrically connected to a substrate using an underfill adhesive comprising the reaction product of a thermosetting resin, curing catalyst, and surface-treated nanoparticles that are substantially spherical, non-agglomerated, amorphous, and solid.

Abstract: A method for polishing a wafer comprising an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 6 to 8, wherein the aqueous solution comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a polymethacrylic acid, a polysulfonic acid, and combinations thereof, and wherein the compound is present in the range of 1.5 to 4 percent by weight of the aqueous solution. The wafer polishing solution can be adjusted to control cut rate and selectivity for modifying semiconductor wafers using a fixed abrasive CMP process.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process of DNA typing performed on human specimens utilizing a specific multiplex reaction which amplifies GATA short tandem repeats in the loci D18S535, D22S683, and D9S302 for the purpose of producing STR genotypes which may be used for identification purposes. This multiplex is an improvement over existing multiplex amplifications for STR typing in that it possesses an extremely high individualization potential for forensic studies and power of exclusion for parentage testing.

Abstract: The invention relates to indicator ink compositions that contain a water-based dispersion of a phenol-formaldehyde resin, at least one colorant and an amine-terminated catalyst. These indicator ink compositions are fixed to a surface, such as by drying, and respond to specific conditions of time, temperature, humidity, pressure and the presence or absence of certain chemicals by changing color. Compositions provide a means for detecting exposure to a predetermined condition and can be fixed or otherwise attached to nearly any article or designed into patterns on materials. Exposure of the indicator ink to the specific condition, the indicator ink provides a permanent detectable record of the event. Further, by varying the amount of amine-terminated catalyst in the formulation, the specific conditions at which the indicator composition will change color can be altered. Such compositions are specifically useful for determining the effectiveness of a sterilization process.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel apparatus and methods for inserting and positioning a compressible material into a container and for using the container for detecting a specific environmental parameter or combination of parameters, or for determining the effectiveness of a sterilization procedure. Precise positioning of a plug of compressible material in a container has been discovered to provide flexibility necessary for production of indicator systems that vary in their response to sterilizing conditions to reflect the efficacy of sterilizers based on different modes of sterilization and reproduceability necessary for accurate monitoring of each mode. The invention also relates to test indicators containing controlled volumes of compressed, gas-permeable materials and to methods for using test indicators for determining the efficacy of different types of sterilization processes. The test indicator consists of a plurality of interactive enzymes in a container with at least one opening.

Abstract: A method of making a hollow fiber membrane comprises extruding a membrane-forming polymer solution through the annulus of a tube-in-orifice spinneret (12) to form a nascent hollow membrane (32), there being a lumen coagulant in the lumen of the nascent membrane, and the outside of the nascent membrane being contacted with an external coagulant (34). The external coagulant has a solvent content which is such that, at the interface between the nascent membrane and the external coagulant, liquid--liquid phase separation rather than gelation is thermodynamically the favored process, and the membrane is then subjected to a vapor-phase non-solvent environment to induce precipitation of the phase-separated polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the replication of probe arrays and methods for replicating arrays of probes which are useful for the large scale manufacture of diagnostic aids used to screen biological samples for specific target sequences. Arrays created using PCR technology may comprise probes with 5'- and/or 3'-overhangs.

Abstract: Methods are provided for transforming Musa plants. In particular, methods for wounding meristematic Musa plant tissue to facilitate access of Agrobacterium tumefaciens comprising genetically-engineered T-DNA is provided. The methods may be used to transform the plant to produce pharmaceutical products or to alter the phenotypic trait of the fruit of the plant.

Abstract: The invention comprises a low temperature method for the in situ derivatization and coupling of thermally and hydrolytically labile organic compounds such as spectinomycin to immunogenic carrier substances. The compound coupled to the immunogenic carrier is utilized to produce antibodies selective for the organic compound. Such methods allow for the quantitative analysis of the target organic compound and may be competitive or non-competitive immunoassays in which the dose response is directly or indirectly proportional to the concentration of spectinomycin-related substances. Such assays may be used to detect the presence of or to quantitate the amount of the organic compound in a complex and varied immunological background such as a sample of a biomass material. Detection of organic compound in the sample occurs through binding to a specific antibody.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for rapidly determining the sequence and/or length a target sequence. The target sequence may be a series of known or unknown repeat sequences which are hybridized to an array of probes. The hybridized array is digested with a single-strand nuclease and free 3'-hydroxyl groups extended with a nucleic acid polymerase. Nuclease cleaved heteroduplexes can be easily distinguish from nuclease uncleaved heteroduplexes by differential labeling. Probes and target can be differentially labeled with detectable labels. Matched target can be detected by cleaving resulting loops from the hybridized target and creating free 3-hydroxyl groups. These groups are recognized and extended by polymerases added into the reaction system which also adds or releases one label into solution. Analysis of the resulting products using either solid phase or solution.

Abstract: Lignocellulose-containing materials are treated with lime (calcium hydroxide) and water at a relatively high temperature and for a certain period of time under certain conditions. The process variables were: lime loading which ranged from about 2 to about g Ca(OH).sub.2 /100 g dry material; water loading which ranged from about 6 to about 19 g water/g dry material; treatment temperature which varied from about 50.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.; and treatment time which varied from about 1 to about 36 hours. The effects of treatment time and temperature were interdependent.A process for lime recovery is developed. The soluble Ca(OH).sub.2 was washed out of the pretreated material with water and converted to insoluble CaCO.sub.3, by reacting with CO.sub.2, and was thus separated. The CaCO.sub.3 can be heated to produce CaO and CO.sub.2. The CaO is hydrated to Ca(OH).sub.2 which can be reused as the lignocellulose treatment agent. Carbon dioxide is reused for lime recovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic containment systems which express a biotin-binding component that can be used for selectively destroying recombinant cells such as genetically engineered microorganisms. These systems may comprise a streptavidin or an avidin gene whose expression is controlled by a regulatable promoter. The regulatory agent such as a transcriptional effector is expressed from another gene which may also be expressed and its expression controlled by the containment system. Expression of the agent can be designed to respond to physiological changes in the environment. The invention also relates to containment systems and methods for the selective detection or tracking of recombinant cells and to eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells which contain these genetic containment systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic containment systems which express a biotin-binding component that can be used for selectively destroying recombinant cells such as genetically engineered microorganisms. These systems may comprise a streptavidin or an avidin gene whose expression is controlled by a regulatable promoter. The regulatory agent such as a transcriptional effector is expressed from another gene which may also be expressed and its expression controlled by the containment system. Expression of the agent can be designed to respond to physiological changes in the environment. The invention also relates to containment systems and methods for the selective detection or tracking of recombinant cells and to eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells which contain these genetic containment systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions comprising an adenosine derivative and a deaminase inhibitor for the prevention and treatment of fungal and fungal-like infections. Infections which are treatable and preventable with these compositions are responsible for fungal diseases such as candidiasis, cryptococcosis, blastomycosis, aspergillosis, paracoccidiodomycosis and coccidioidomycosis, and the fungal-like diseases nocardiosis and actinomycosis. The invention also relates to methods for utilizing these compositions in treatment regiments. Treatments may be either in vivo or in vitro. In vivo treatments involve administration of compositions of the invention to mammals suspected or at risk of being infected with a fungal or fungal-like organism. In vitro treatments involve incubation of cells, tissues, food products, biological products derived from living materials or foods with compositions of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to agents that regulate the proliferation of cells such as smooth muscle cells. Proliferation of smooth muscle cells may be increased or decreased by affecting the activity or concentration of a transcription factor. The factor comprises two domains of about 50 kD and about 70 kD which together have an approximate molecular weight of 120 kD and specifically binds to the nucleic acid sequence 5'-GGGTTTTCCCC-3' (SEQ ID NO 2). This factor represents a novel member of the family of rel-related factors. This invention also relates to methods for the treatment and prevention of diseases and disorders associated with proliferation of smooth muscle cells such as arteriosclerosis, fibrosis and wound healing, which involve regulation of the smooth muscle cell transcription factor.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising an adenosine derivative and a deaminase inhibitor for the prevention and treatment of parasitic infections by eukaryotic organisms. Parasitic infections which are treatable and preventable with these compositions include malaria, trypanosomiasis, leishmania, toxoplasmosis, sarcocystis, pneumocystis, schistosomiasis, blood flukes and elephantiasis. The invention also relates to methods for utilizing these compositions in treatment regiments. Treatments may be either in vivo or in vitro. In vivo treatments involve administration of compositions of the invention to mammals suspected or at risk of being infected with a parasitic organism. In vitro treatments involve incubation of cells, tissues, biological products derived from living materials or foods with compositions of the invention to inhibit or prevent further infection.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the measurement of distances between adherent particles and the surface to which the particles are adhered. The particles may be artificial such as beads or natural such as cells and are labeled with a detectable label. The surface may be a biological surface such as a cell, a membrane or a biological structure, or an artificial surface such as plastic or glass. The factor by which a signal emitted from particles adherent to the surface differs from the detected signal is directly related to a factor specific for each medium which can be calculated. Knowing this factor and the value of the amount of label detectable from the particles, the distance between the particle and the surface can be determined. Such methods can be used to monitor the degree of spreading of cells along a surface such as an extracellular matrix, to determine the physical nature of the cell surface, or to determine the nature of cell-to-cell and cell-to-ligand receptor bridges.