Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hermetically sealed conductive feedthrough, particularly for use in ceramic substrates or housing, comprises the steps of inserting an active alloy containing preform into a predetermined insertion hole in a presintered ceramic article and heating the assembly to a temperature to achieve a brazing reaction at the interface of the article and active alloy to produce a hermetically sealed conductive feedthrough. The invention further discloses a non-melting connector pin which may be fixed to the active alloy feedthrough during the above heating step.

Abstract: A permanent hair setting apparatus is disclosed wherein infrared radiation is used to heat the hair in conjunction with a permanent setting composition to a temperature of 100.degree. C. Heating of the hair occurs by winding the hair on infrared generating formers. The apparatus allows for the attainment of permanent setting with a heating time of only 5-60 seconds. Relatively dilute solutions of permanent setting composition are required, which dispenses with the need to neutralize the hair after setting. The use of the apparatus thereby permits permanent setting of the hair to be completed within about 30 minutes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancement of phytate phosphorus utilization and treatment and prevention of tibial dyschondroplasia in animals, particularly poultry, by administering to animals a feed composition containing a hydroxylated vitamin D.sub.3 derivative. The vitamin D.sub.3 derivative is preferably administered to animals in feed containing reduced levels of calcium and phosphorus for enhancement of phytate phosphorus utilization. The vitamin D.sub.

Abstract: This invention concerns a relief valve for use in a swimming pool cleaner hose and has a body with an outlet for connection into the nose. A tubular inlet to the body carries a spider supporting a clamping flange which secures the outer periphery of a resilient annular diaphragm to the end of the body. The diaphragm has its inner periphery in frictional engagement with the inlet. The inlet may be mounted for axial movement against a resilient bias to engage the diaphragm only while a predetermined minimum flow passes through the valve.

Abstract: A method for joining a metal body to a ceramic body in abutting relationship is disclosed. This method includes the steps of directly applying a brazing paste to a bonding area of a ceramic body without the use of a brazing preform, contacting a metal body to the bonding area of the ceramic body, and heating and cooling to form a braze fillet between the metal and ceramic bodies. The particular feature of the method is that the brazing pastes will wet and coat the entire bonding area of the ceramic body which is to be joined to the metal body.

Abstract: A hybrid human/porcine coagulation factor VIII is produced by isolation and recombination of human and porcine factor VIII subunits, or by genetic engineering of the human and porcine factor VIII genes. Subunits of factor VIII that have been purified from human or porcine plasma are isolated, and hybrid human/porcine factor VIII is produced by mixing either porcine heavy chain subunits with human light chain subunits or by mixing human heavy chain subunits with porcine light chain subunits, thereby producing human light chain/porcine heavy chain and human heavy chain/porcine light chain hybrid molecules. These hybrid molecules are isolated by ion exchange chromatography. Alternatively, recombinant DNA methods are used to swap elements of porcine factor VIII for the corresponding elements of human factor VIII to produce hybrid human/porcine factor VIII.

Abstract: A wooden jewelry case having sides joined at their ends by miters locked together with brass compression splines having a twibill cross sectional shape. A top and bottom are each attached to the sides with locking splines having a cross sectional shape similar to the figure "8," which locking splines permit the top and bottom to float within the frame provided by the sides and thereby accommodate wood movement. After assembly of the sides, they are typically cut longitudinally to separate the body of the case from a lid assembly that may be hinged to the body with pin type hinges.

Abstract: 2,5-Diaryl tetrahydrofurans, 2,5-diaryl terahydrothiophenes, 2,4-diaryl tetrahydrofurans, 2,4-diaryl tetrahydrothiphenes, 1,3-diaryl cyclopentanes, 2,4-diaryl pyrrolidines, and 2,5-diaryl pyrrolidines are disclosed that reduce the chemotaxis and respiratory burst leading to the formation of damaging oxygen radicals of polymorphonuclear leukocytes during an inflammatory or immune response. The compounds exhibit this biological activity by acting as PAF receptor antagonists, by inhibiting the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase, or by exhibiting dual activity, i.e., by acting as both a PAF receptor antagonist and inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase.A method to treat disorders mediated by PAF or leukotrienes is also disclosed, that includes administering an effective amount of one or more of the above-identified compounds or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A composition and method for controlled release of water-soluble proteins comprising a surface-eroding polymer matrix and water-soluble bioactive factors is described. The composition bioerodes in the biological environment of the subject at a controlled rate, thereby releasing the water soluble proteins at a rate which allows them to interact with local cell populations.

Abstract: An adjustable beading and grooving tool having a combination handle and fence within which a blade holder telescopes. The holder is a longitudinally slotted cylinder having two holder arms, or may be two half-cylinders, between which a blade may be fixed to project a desired distance from the holder, thereby establishing the depth of workpiece surface penetration. The blade holder is separately, adjustably fixed in the handle with the blade located a desired distance from the fence surface to establish the location of the profile to be formed with respect to the workpiece edge against which the fence bears during use.

Abstract: Drug delivery systems have been developed based on the formation of diketopiperazine (or analogs) microparticles. In the preferred embodiment the microparticle is stable at low pH and disintegrates at physiological pH, and is particularly useful for oral drug delivery. In the most preferred embodiment the microparticles are formed in the presence of the drug to be delivered, for example, insulin or heparin. The diketopiperazine synthetic intermediates are preferably formed by cyclodimerization to form diketopiperazine derivatives at elevated conditions under dehydrating conditions, then precipitated with drug to be incorporated into microparticles.

Abstract: A flexible hose particularly suitable for use with automatically operated swimming pool cleaners, the hose being blow moulded from suitable plastics material such that separate lengths can be cut with each length having an integral coupling component at each end. Preferably there will be a male component at one end and a female component at the other end.

Abstract: A swab having an absorbent end comprising a material strip of tubular knit fabric wrapped with a first blind end, helically to a tip and reverse helically to a termination point distal from the tip provides low contamination for use in clean room processes. Lost fibers or lint are precluded by the trapped fiber edges of the material strip forming the absorbent tip of the swab while burying of the first end of the material strip in the blind wrap and combined sealing, severing, and adhering of the second end of the material strip to complete the swab distal from the tip, further precludes fiber contamination.

Abstract: Solid, water-insoluble lipospheres including a solid hydrophobic core, having a layer of a phospholipid embedded on the surface of the core, that contain an antigen are disclosed for use in immunizing an animal. The antigen (or "immunogen"), alone or in combination with a carrier, can form the core, be attached to or within the phospholipid, or both. Lipospheres containing antigens are prepared by two general procedures, either melt preparation or solvent preparation. The resulting lipospheres have several advantages over other delivery systems, including emulsions, vesicles and liposomes, including stability, low cost of reagents, ease of manufacture, high dispersibility in an aqueous medium, a release rate for the entrapped substance that is controlled by the phospholipid coating and the carrier.

Abstract: A heparinase derived from Flavobacterium heparinum which meets all requirements for a clinical reagent that can eliminate heparin interference of normal blood function has been developed. The heparinase, derived from Flavobacterium heparinum, is free of a component that inhibits coagulation wherein the anticoagulant component does not bind, and the heparinase does bind, to a polysulfated resin having a pH of 7.0 and a conductivity between 3 and 12 mmhos. It is stable under normal manufacturing, shipping and clinical storage conditions for at least one year. The heparinase in useful in vitro to eliminate the interference in hematological assays due to the presence of heparin. The heparinase is also useful for the in vivo neutralization of heparin during surgical procedures. Advantages of this enzyme are that it achieves neutralization faster and more completely than previously available enzymes and is stable for long periods of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for subjectively (and in some cases at least partially objectively) determining the proper positioning of progressive power or other corrective lenses are disclosed. The apparatus includes a target such as a small fiber optic or other light source and one or more marking rods which may be activated by the patient (or, in some cases, by the practitioner). While wearing pre-fitted frames and fixating on a remote target, the patient (or practitioner) places the light source against or immediately adjacent the exterior surface of the simulated or other lens within either of the frames and positions the light so that it is centered in the patient's line of sight. Once the light is centered the marking rod is activated which contacts, and marks, the exterior surface of the lens.