Abstract: The surface of a high molecular weight polymer such as high molecular weight polyethylene is modified in a localized manner by treatment with a plasma gas. The treatment produces a variety of useful results, depending on the gas used and the treatment conditions. One such result is crosslinking of the polymer in a localized manner at the surface to improve the durability of the surface against detrimental processes such as reorientation and alignment of the crystalline lamellae parallel to the contact surface which renders the surface susceptible to disintegration into particles. Another result is the chemical transformation of the surface for purposes such as increasing the hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of the surface or coupling functional groups to the surface.

Abstract: Nanocrystals are synthesized with a high degree of control over reaction conditions and hence product quality in a flow-through reactor in which the reaction conditions are maintained by on-line detection of characteristic properties of the product and by adjusting the reaction conditions accordingly. The coating of nanocrystals is achieved in an analogous manner.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a pharmaceutical tablet for oral administration, the tablet combining both immediate-release and prolonged-release modes of drug delivery and using an immediate-release drug that is either insoluble in water or only sparingly soluble and is present in a very small amount compared to the prolonged-release drug. The method involves the use of particles of the immediate-release drug that are equal to or less than 10 microns in diameter, applied as a layer or coating over a core of the prolonged-release drug, the layer or coating being either the drug particles themselves, applied as an aqueous suspension, or a solid mixture containing the drug in admixture with a material that disintegrates rapidly in gastric fluid.

Abstract: Analyses of serum samples for the presence and amount of either of the two subunits of human Factor XIII protein are used as a means of eliminating a significant source of error that arises in the testing of serum and plasma. For serum samples, a negative result of an analysis for the presence of subunit a is a means of verifying that a sample is indeed serum, while a negative or positive result for subunit a serves to distinguish serum (negative) from plasma (positive). A positive result for the presence of subunit b is a means of verifying that the sample is either serum or plasma and not any other biological fluid. A quantitative analysis of subunit b is a means of verifying that the sample is of the intended volume rather than having been reduced in volume due to improper sampling. A quantitative analysis of subunit b is also a means of verifying the dilution of a sample of either serum or plasma.

Abstract: Isoelectric focusing gels are cast in a rod-shaped casting mold split longitudinally into two halves, each half having a half-circle profile so that the combined halves form a completed mold that is tubular in shape with a circular cross section. Flat grooves are cut into the flat contacting surfaces of each of the mold halves, the grooves in direct opposition to one another to form a chamber of rectangular cross section extending the full length of the mold and open at both ends. One groove receives a flexible backing strip for the gel and the other serves as the casting chamber for the gel. Once the gel is cast in this mold, isoelectric focusing can be performed as if the gel were a tube gel, and the two mold halves are then readily separated to permit removal of the gel and its transfer if desired to a second dimension separation.

Abstract: Ultrasonic horns of titanium are made corrosion resistant in aqueous media by the providing the horns with a silver end surface, either as a portion of the end surface or as the entire end surface.

Abstract: An effective barrier function for the lips is restored and maintained by the topical administration of various formulations, including mixtures of ceramides and essential and nonessential free fatty acids, and mixtures of a &bgr;-glucocerebrosidase and a phospholipase A2.

Abstract: The chloride corrosion threshold of a metal embedded in a cementitious structure is determined in an accelerated manner by using an electric field to increase the rate of migration of chloride ion into the structure and monitoring the interface between the metal and the cementitious material to detect the onset of corrosion, then determining the chloride corrosion threshold, which is defined as the chloride content of the cementitious material once corrosion has begun. This determination can be performed over a time period of as little as 2 to 3 weeks rather than the months or years required by conventional chloride corrosion test procedures.

Abstract: Drugs are formulated as unit oral dosage forms by incorporating them into polymeric matrices comprised of hydrophilic polymers that swell upon imbibition of water to a size that is large enough to promote retention of the dosage form in the stomach during the fed mode. The oral formulation is designed for gastric retention and controlled delivery of an incorporated drug into the gastric cavity, and thus administered, the drug is released from the matrix into the gastric fluid by solution diffusion. The swollen polymeric matrix, having achieved sufficient size, remains in the gastric cavity for several hours if administered while the patient is in the fed mode, and remains intact long enough for substantially all of the drug to be released before substantial dissolution of the matrix occurs. The swelling matrix lowers the accessibility of the gastric fluid to the drug and thereby reduces the drug release rate.

Abstract: The components of this invention are chosen because of their complementarity for the prevention or treatment of diseases caused by the herpes simplex virus. L-Lysine favorably increases the physiologic immunomodulation necessary for defense against this virus. Zinc improves and maintains a normal immune response. 2-Deoxy-2-D-glucose and heparin sodium alter the surface interaction between the herpes virus and the cell, preventing fusion and infectivity. N-Acetyl-L-cysteine increases glutathione levels thereby creating a thiol redox barrier to the virus at the cell membrane. Quercetin reduces intracellular replication of the herpes virus and viral infectivity. Ascorbate, in concert with copper and D-&agr;-tocopherol, provides an antioxidant defense against the herpes virus, which tends to lose latency during period of oxidative, free radical excess. Selenium and quercetin also participate in reducing various oxidative stresses.

Abstract: Alloys of transition metal suicides that contain one or more alloying elements are fabricated by a two-stage process involving mechanical activation as the first stage and densification and field-activated reaction as the second stage. Mechanical activation, preferably performed by high-energy planetary milling, results in the incorporation of atoms of the alloying element(s) into the crystal lattice of the transition metal, while the densification and field-activated reaction, preferably performed by spark plasma sintering, result in the formation of the alloyed transition metal silicide. Among the many advantages of the process are its ability to accommodate materials that are incompatible in other alloying methods.

Abstract: A finger suffering from contracture of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint is treated by application of a device that includes two pivotally joined sections, one of which is securable to the middle phalanx of the finger and the other to another portion of the patient's finger, hand or wrist, with an element that applies torque to the sections. The pivot axis of the two sections is dorsal to the finger, and the torque-producing element and the pivot axis define a moment arm whose length varies in inverse relation to the tension applied to the tensioning element. Torque is applied to the PIP joint without a functionally significant torque being applied to the metacarpal phalangeal (MP) joint, and the device requires attachment only to the dorsal aspect of the phalanx that is distal to the joint being treated rather than to both the distal phalanx and the proximal phalanx.

Abstract: A bait station for attracting and killing insects with a nithiazine-type insecticide is constructed in a substantially flat configuration, with the insecticide formulated as a solid coating on the surface of a solid sheet of moisture-free nonabsorptive material, the station further containing one or more ampoules of an attractant composition. The coated sheet and ampoules are held in a housing, with the ampoules in a compressible portion of the housing permitting them to be manually broken to discharge their contents on command, the housing containing appropriately positioned openings to both expose the insecticide surface and to permit release of the attractant vapors.

Abstract: Novel S-benzyl thiolcarbamates are disclosed, having the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methoxy,R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, and allyl, andR.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of straight-chain C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkyl optionally substituted with one or two methyl groups, and allyl.The compounds are particularly effective in the control of weeds associated with rice crops.

Abstract: Herbicidally active thiolcarbamates are employed in combination with certain 4-phenyl-1,2,3-thiadiazoles having the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethyl and ##STR2## in which R.sup.5 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, phenyl, and phenyl substituted with one or more members selected from the group consisting of halogen and trifluoromethyl. In a typical application, the 4-phenyl-1,2,3-thiadiazole is included in sufficient quantity to lessen the rate of soil degradation of the thiolcarbamate. As a result, the herbicidal effectiveness of the thiolcarbamate is enhanced and prolonged, rendering a single application of the herbicide effective over a longer period of time.

Abstract: Herbicidally active thiolcarbamates are employed in combination with certain halogenated allylthioisopropyl N-methylcarbamates having the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, and R.sup.9 are independently halogen. In a typical application, the N-methylcarbamate is included in sufficient quantity to lessen the rate of soil degradation of the thiolcarbamate. As a result, the herbicidal effectiveness of the thiolcarbamate is enhanced and prolonged, rendering a single application of the herbicide effective over a longer period of time.

Abstract: Herbicidally active thiolcarbamates are employed in combination with certain 4-phenyl-1,2,3-thiadiazoles having the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethyl and ##STR2## in which R.sup.5 is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, phenyl, and phenyl substituted with one or more members selected from the group consisting of halogen and trifluoromethyl. In a typical application, the 4-phenyl-1,2,3-thiadiazole is included in sufficient quantity to lessen the rate of soil degradation of the thiolcarbamate. As a result, the herbicidal effectiveness of the thiolcarbamate is enhanced and prolonged, rendering a single application of the herbicide effective over a longer period of time.

Abstract: Synergistic herbicidal activity is displayed by compositions comprising the following two components:(a) a pyrrolidone of the formula ##STR1## in which X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chlorine and methyl; Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chlorine and bromine; Z is selected from the group consisting of chlorine and bromine; R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl; R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, acetyl, trifluoromethyl, nitro, cyano, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylthio, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylsulfinyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylsulfonyl, trifluoromethylsulfinyl, trifluoromethylsulfonyl, pentafluoropropionamido, and 3-methylureido; and R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, chlorine and trifluoromethyl; and(b) a phosphonic acid of the formula ##STR2## in which R.sup.4 is selected from the group consisting of C.

Abstract: Novel polyurea and urea-formaldehyde microcapsules are disclosed which enclose a chelsating agent selected from .beta.-diketones, 8-hydroxyquinolines and their thiol analogs, and oximes. The microcapsules are capable of removing metal ions from water.

Abstract: Herbicidally active thiolcarbamates are employed in combination with certain substituted carbamates having the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each methyl,R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 conjointly form C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylenedioxy,R.sup.4 is --CF.sub.3 and R.sup.5 is hydrogen, orR.sup.4 is --CH.sub.2 Br and R.sup.5 is hydrogen.In a typical application, the carbamate is included in sufficient quantity to lessen the rate of soil degradation of the thiolcarbamate. As a result, the herbicidal effectiveness of the thiolcarbamate is enhanced and prolonged, rendering a single application of the herbicide effective over a longer period of time.