Abstract: Lamprey LHRH-III is a potent FSH-releasing factor, and may be used to enhance fertility. Antagonists to lamprey LHRH-III may be used to inhibit fertility.

Abstract: A dental device is disclosed for dispensing a slurry-like dental compound, such as MTA, into a tooth cavity. The device comprises a delivery tool with a dispensing tip and a plastic tubing sleeve, for example, polyethylene, TEFLON®, TYGON®, or other inert tubing. The inner diameter of the sleeve is approximately the same as or slightly less than the outer diameter of the dispensing tip, thereby creating a tight seal between the sleeve and the dispensing tip, but still allowing the sleeve to slide along the dispensing tip when pressure is exerted. The outer diameter of the sleeve is chosen so that the sleeve rim forms a seal around the insertion point on the tooth. The sleeve length is long enough to allow a hydrated filling compound such as MTA to be loaded within the bore of the sleeve between the end of the sleeve and the displacing shaft, but short enough to withstand pressure applied to the dispensing tip to extrude the compound.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dramatically increasing the imaging rate of optical tomography are disclosed. The novel technique is based on precise, time-resolved measurements. Measurements may optionally be taken at different wavelengths more-or-less simultaneously with a single device. A stationary array of emitters and a stationary array of detectors are located around the sample. High bandwidth is achieved by rapidly delivering light signals (single pulses or bursts of periodic pulses) in sequence from discrete, stationary emitters positioned around the sample, and rapidly detecting signals transmitted through the sample by discrete, stationary detectors . Bandwidths on the order of megahertz are possible in imaging biolgical sample. By selecting appropriate illuminating wavelengths, the system may be used, for example, to rapidly image the state of, and changes in, such characteristics as blood volume, blood flow, oxygen saturation, cellular depolarization, cellular repolarization, and tissue redox state.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical scanner is disclosed for the efficient, controlled deflection of light beams. The device comprises a moving rotor, a suspension system, and a stator. The rotor comprises a closed-circuit coil and a mirror. The suspension system may be, for example, a set of torsion bars on which the rotor is mounted. The stator may be, for example, a rectangular frame holding the suspension system. When placed in a constant magnetic field and excited by an alternating magnet field, the rotor oscillates at the frequency of the alternating magnetic field, All else being equal, the highest deflection angles occur at the natural mechanical resonance frequency of the rotor-suspension combination. Compared to conventional devices, the novel device can be smaller, can be less expensive, can consume less power, and may exhibit higher deflection angles over a given time scale than other micromechanical devices operating on different actuation principles.

Abstract: Properties of mechanical bearings and mechanical seals can be significantly improved by covering the load-bearing surfaces with fields of high aspect ratio microstructures (HARMs), such as microchannels or microposts. The HARMs can substantially enhance heat transfer capability and lubricant flow. The present invention uses microstructures and micro-channels manufactured by a modified LIGA process to enhance the performance of load bearing surfaces. Benefits include reduced operating temperatures, precise metering of lubricant flow to all affected surfaces, increased reliability, increased life, higher maximum rotational speed, and the ability of the seal or bearing to run “dry,” that is, without periodic re-application of lubricant.

Abstract: A thermochemical process is disclosed that readily produces significantly roughened surfaces on densely sintered alumina. The alumina is reacted with cryolite (Na3AlF6) at a temperature of 300° C.-2075° C. for a time sufficient to produce the desired degree of roughness. This treatment causes controlled dissolution of alumina, controlled cavitation of grain boundaries, and formation of a thin film-reaction product. The resulting surface irregularities enhance subsequent micromechanical or chemical bonding of the densely sintered alumina component. The resulting roughened alumina components have numerous uses in the dental restorative and orthodontic fields, including orthodontic brackets, crowns, onlays, inlays, veneers, and the like. The technique is readily adapted to be used in either a dental office or a laboratory environment.

Abstract: Rice plants are disclosed with two separate, but synergistic mechanisms for resistance to herbicides that normally inhibit a plant's acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) enzyme. The herbicide resistance of plants with both resistance mechanisms is substantially greater than one would expect from a simple combination of the two types of resistance. The first of the two resistance mechanisms is a metabolic pathway that is not fully understood, but that does not itself involve a mutant AHAS enzyme. The second resistance mechanism is a mutant AHAS enzyme, an enzyme that shows direct resistance to levels of herbicide that normally inhibit the enzyme, in both in vivo and in vitro assays. Besides controlling red rice, many AHAS-inhibiting herbicides also effectively control other weeds that are common in rice fields. Several of these herbicides have residual activity, so that a treatment controls both existing weeds as well as weeds that sprout later.

Abstract: A proteoglycan (“azaftig”) with a molecular weight of approximately 24,000 Dalton has been isolated and partially characterized from the urine of cachectic cancer and non-cancer patients. Azaftig has been shown to bind to receptors on fat cell membranes, and to cause lipolysis. Azaftig does not bind to muscle cell membranes, or cause proteolysis in muscle tissue. Azaftig detection in urine or other body fluids will allow early identification of patients in which weight loss may become a problem. Azaftig may also aid fat loss in humans in which obesity is a threat to health.

Abstract: Chiral separations can be enhanced through the use of polymerized dipeptide-surfactant or oligopeptide-surfactant chiral micelles. Because polymerized micelles eliminate much of the complex dynamic behavior associated with conventional micelles, polymerized chiral micelles have stronger chiral recognition properties than do otherwise-identical, “conventional” or non-polymerized chiral micelles. Recovery of chiral ligands from polymerized chiral micelles is often easier, as the chiral ligands may typically be recovered by simple extraction with an appropriate organic solvent. By contrast, recovering the solute from a conventional, non-polymerized micellar medium by extraction with an organic solvent frequently results in the formation of troublesome emulsion systems. Polymerized chiral micelle systems are therefore beneficial in both preparative-scale and process-scale separations.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive signal device indicates the presence of wood-destroying insects, particularly subterranean termites. The signal device comprises a triggering mechanism and a signaling mechanism. The device can be adapted to fit almost all commercially available monitors or bait stations. The triggering mechanism is designed to be released upon destruction by feeding by termites or other wood-eating insects. Upon release, the triggering mechanism is designed to either pull or push a visual signal out of the housing, producing a signal that can be seen from a distance. Using this signal device, the presence of termites can be detected without disturbing the monitor or bait station. Moreover, because the signal is seen outside the housing, the housing is not required to be transparent.

Abstract: Vaccines against facultative intracellular pathogens are disclosed. A host is vaccinated with non-viable but metabolically active agents. The non-viable agents produce immunogenic components that elicit protective host immune responses, with minimal likelihood of host infection by the vaccine agent. Living agents, either attenuated or virulent, are exposed to a dose of gamma irradiation (or other strong mutagen) that is sufficient to limit or prevent the replication of the agents within the host, but that is insufficient to stop the metabolic activities of the agent. In vitro exposure of a microbial agent to the damaging effects of gamma irradiation or of another strong mutagen induces certain stress responses in the infectious agent. These stress responses are similar to the stress responses that the virulent agent would produce within the tissues of the host.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for rapidly carbonating large cement structures, by forming and hardening cement in a mold under high carbon dioxide density, such as supercritical or near-supercritical conditions. The method is more reliable, efficient, and effective than are post-molding treatments with high-pressure CO2. Cements molded in the presence of high-pressure CO2 are significantly denser than otherwise comparable cements having no CO2 treatment, and are also significantly denser than otherwise comparable cements treated with CO2 after hardening. Bulk carbonation of cementitious materials produces several beneficial effects, including reducing permeability of the cement, increasing its compressive strength, and reducing its pH. These effects are produced rapidly, and extend throughout the bulk of the cement—they are not limited to a surface layer, as are prior methods of post-hardening CO2 treatment.

Abstract: Nitric oxide adversely affects survival and development of cells such as oocytes and embryos in vitro, particularly in a co-culture system. The addition of a nitric oxide inhibitor such as hemoglobin to such systems eliminates this toxic effect, and promotes mammalian oocytes, embryos, or other cells in vitro.

Abstract: A novel growth medium called “H15” is disclosed that supports much higher E. coli cell densities and, concomitantly, a much higher yield of plasmid than previously reported for small-scale applications. The high-yield growth medium contains two buffers with different pKa values and an additional nucleotide source. On a unit volume basis, E. coli cultures grown in this medium consistently produce 5-10 times, and sometimes up to 30 times, more recombinant plasmid than in conventional rich media, paralleling the increase in cell density. This phenomenon is independent of E. coli host strain, DNA insert size and plasmid copy number. H15 medium is economical and high yields can be achieved using standard research laboratory equipment.

Abstract: A scanning microscope is disclosed that uses an optical phase shift technique for high optical resolution, without reducing either the depth of focus or the working distance. The technique minimizes, for example, error in the location of edges of features on lithographic masks or wafers. The technique also permits the accurate determination of edges on features that would otherwise be too narrow to be measured. The microscope is useful in any field where optical microscopes are employed, including for example both semiconductor and biological applications. It is also useful in optical data storage applications. In addition, a small numerical aperture in the optical system allows a high depth of focus, while maintaining the resolution. The microscopes use standard components to produce high intensity images with large working distances and large depths of focus, without substantial mechanical complexity.

Abstract: An efficient synthesis for the selective and efficient 1′-N derivatization of biotin is reported. The derivatized biotin acts as a stable analog of the carboxyphosphate intermediate in naturally-occurring biotin-mediated CO2 transfer. The synthesis may readily be scaled up to perform large-scale, selective acylations of biotin. The stable analog of the intermediate can inhibit the activity of the biotin carboxylase enzymes such as acetyl CoA carboxylase, and HIV protease. The functionalization at the 1′-N of biotin results in the attachment of an electrophilic “handle” amenable to reaction with a wide variety of nucleophiles to generate a new family of biotin analogs.

Abstract: Nanofiltration is used to decolorize sugar juice or syrup. The resulting permeate may be used directly to crystallize white sugar without an intermediate step of producing a raw sugar, even though the color of the permeate is substantially higher than the highest color that is acceptable in a conventionally decolorized syrup used to crystallize white sugar. Significant cost savings are thus achieved in producing white sugar.

Abstract: An intracorneal astigmatic, rectangular onlay has been discovered that can correct for astigmatism by physically adjusting the shape of the cornea. This astigmatic onlay can be narrow or wide and can easily be placed in the stroma of the cornea. The onlay can be placed on top of a laser ablation or on a spherical lens, which in turn was implanted either under a tissue flap or in a stromal pocket. The astigmatic onlay is easy to position at precisely the correct angle to compensate for the astigmatism-causing meridional distortion. This invention greatly increases the utility and practicality of intracorneal spherical lenses and makes it easy to position the astigmatic correcting ridge at precisely the correct angle to compensate for the astigmatism. The invention greatly decreases the inventory needed to compensate for both spherical and astigmatic corrections. For example, spherical corrections from +5 D to −5 D at 0.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making microstructures. In one method, the resist layer is reversibly deformed during exposure. When the resist is flattened and developed after exposure, non-vertical features result that are not obtainable through other existing means. One application of this method is to make nested cones suitable for use as a highly efficient x-ray lens. In another disclosed method, “halftone” lithography is used to generate microstructures having features whose height may vary continuously. One application of this method is to make a novel telescope array, a thin film having telescopic magnification properties.

Abstract: Elongational viscosity may be easily and accurately measured by observing the flow characteristics of a high viscosity fluid through a hyperbolic or semi-hyperbolic die, without lubrication of the fluid flowing through the die. The effects of developing orientation in the fluid during converging elongational flow are so strong that the shearing contribution becomes negligible in comparison, eliminating the need for lubrication during measurements.