Abstract: A biofeedback system provides measurement of bioelectric signals in up to about a 1 hertz window of particular bandwidths. A bioelectric signal is amplified by a preamplifier. The composite amplitude of the signal is determined by performing a fast Fourier transform on the amplified signal. Particular bandwidths can be displayed and monitored on a computer. The display permits training of the person being monitored with audio or verbal feedback.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new taxane having the structure (1), which is isolatable from root bark of plants of the Taxus genus. The compound (1) is endowed with antitumor activity higher than the one of taxol, the former being active, unlike the latter, also against adriamicine resistant cells and as antileukemic drug.

Abstract: A locking sterile water valve system releasably couples a sterile water valve to a cage. The water valve is releasably coupled to an outside water supply while maintaining a barrier condition. A locking member is attached to the animal cage. A raised portion of the locking member is received in a recessed portion of the sterile water valve assembly. The water valve can be rotated for snapping the water valve into locking engagement with the locking member connecting the water valve assembly to the cage. An internal cup can be used with the water valve for collecting water leaking from the valve to prevent water from leaking into the cage and jeopardizing the animals and maintaining barrier condition.

Abstract: A vanadium/phosphorus oxide oxidation catalyst suitable for catalytic oxidation of C.sub.4 feed stock in the preparation of maleic anhydride is formed by calcining an intercalation complex of the formula VOHPO.sub.4 .multidot.0.5H.sub.2 O.multidot.({C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 }--X).sub.z in which n has a value of from 0 to 20, z has a value of from about 1.5 to about 1.9; and X is an oxygen- or nitrogen-containing functional group operable to form hydrogen bonds with the structural P--OH and water groups of the complex.

Abstract: A nuclear spectrometer employs asymmetrical weighting functions to optimize energy resolution and throughput. Photons striking a semi-conductor detector generate current which is amplified, converted to a voltage step, and fed to a fast analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for pile-up rejection and a slow ADC whose output is examined for low-energy pile-up, slope corrected, and buffered for photon energy measurement. Pile-up is detected with a unique pair of leading and trailing weighting functions whose outputs have sharp rising and falling edges respectively, nearly independent of photon energy. Digital triangular shaping is used to locate the step in the buffer. Asymmetry of the triangular response is used to reject very low-energy pile-up. The step is also rejected if the average noise nearby exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Compounds of the structure ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl radicals of 1-6 carbon atoms, the phenyl radical, and the benzyl radical; and wherein R' is selected from the group consisting of the phthalimido radical and the succinimido radical and of the structure ##STR2## wherein X is CH.sub.2 or C.dbd.O; R" is H, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, --C.sub.6 H.sub.5, --CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5, --CH.sub.2 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, or ##STR3## and hydrolysis products of said compounds wherein R" is H and the piperidino ring or both the piperidino and the imido ring are hydrolyzed are useful for the control of abnormal concentrations of TNF .alpha. manifested in septic shock, cachexia and HIV infection without substantially effecting the concentration of other cytokines.

Abstract: A water quick disconnect assembly for improving removal of cages from an outside water supply. The assembly automatically turns off a water supply and disconnects a cage from a cage rack system. A water line connector attaches to an outside water supply. A water valve positioned within a cage barrier is locked to the water line connector when water is supplied to the cage. A linking member pivotally attaches to the water line for closing the water line. A knob assembly attaches the linking member to a pull cable. When the pull cable is pulled away from the cage, the water line connector is pivoted in a clockwise direction for disconnecting the water supply to the cage. The knob assembly provides positive visual indication of whether the cage is connected to the water supply or disengaged from the water supply. The quick disconnect system is a positive unlocking system.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions for the treatment of superfluous fat deposits contain (a) vegetable active principles having adenylate cyclase agonistic activity or (b) vegetable active principles having antiphosphodiesterase activity or a combination of the two kinds of active principles (a) and (b).

Abstract: A hand-held combined spectrophotometer and gloss meter quickly and effectively measures the appearance of a color sample. Light generated by a krypton-filled tungsten bulb shines on the sample and is reflected at 45.degree. into twenty-one photodiodes spaced at staggered intervals around the sample stage. A diffuser in the light path reflects a portion of the light back onto a pair of red and blue sensitive reference photodiodes. The output of the red and blue reference diodes compensates for changes in the output of the bulb. An LED produces light which shines on the color sample at an angle of 30.degree.. The reflected light is received by a large-area photodetector which determines the gloss of the sample. A viewing port permits the user to view the sample prior to measurement. When the viewing port door is opened, it automatically actuates the light and illuminates the sample for viewing. The viewing port door is automatically closed by a return spring.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel apparatus and method for preventing offsetting in a stack of sheets from a printer device. Air is directed towards the sheets of paper at which offset occurs. Preferably, a nozzle directs air to about 100 to about 200 sheets of the stack. The apparatus can be used with a high speed printing device without interrupting the operation of the printing device.

Abstract: A coupler for connecting the service port of a refrigeration fluid-containing system to an exit conduit has a stem threadably for axial movement within the coupling body between a first open position when fully advanced and a second closed position when fully retracted. A plunger axially extends from sealing means in the stem into a service port collar and unseats spring biased sealing means, permitting passage of refrigeration fluid, when the stem is in a substantially fully advanced position and the service port of a refrigeration fluid-containing system is positioned in a service port collar. When the stem is threadably retracted from a substantially fully advanced position, the plunger assumes a retracted position insufficient to unseat the spring biased sealing means and thereby prevents passage of refrigeration fluid.

Abstract: A solid phase extraction device has a solvent-compatible permeable membrane with a bubble point greater than the normal operating pressure differential used and a sorbent material retained by two disks or frits so that when pressure is applied, the sample to be processed will pass through the membrane, but the membrane will not permit air to pass therethrough, and the sorbent remains wet throughout the process. The device has an input port and an output port and operates to maintain a pressure differential between the ports. Sorbent material is entrapped between two disks or frits. Located above the sorbent material is a support having a grid surface. The support prevents the frit from "riding up" the column of the barrel. Ultrasonically welded to the support is a solvent-compatible permeable membrane. The membrane is hermetically sealed to the support and the support is self-locked to the interior barrel of the device.

Abstract: One chiral form of a 1-aryl-2-aminopropane is produced in preference to its enantiomer by allowing a 1-arylpropan-2-one to react with a 1-amino-1-phenylethane of predominantly one chiral form and reducing the resultant 1-(1-arylprop-2-ylideneimino)-1-phenylethane to yield phenylethane and a mixture of 1-aryl-2-aminopropanes in which one chiral form thereof is present in preference to its enantiomer. The mixture of 1-aryl-2-aminopropanes then is subjected to the action of an omega-amino acid transaminase which converts one of the two chiral forms of 1-aryl-2-aminopropane into the corresponding arylpropanone which can be separated from the remaining chiral form of the 1-aryl-2-aminopropane.

Abstract: The present invention includes an umbrella which converts to at least two separate canopy configurations. The umbrella has a closed position, from which it can be opened and latched into at least one middle position. Such a middle position can be used as a car window shade to shade the car from sun entering the front windshield. Alternatively, the middle position can be a partially opened position latched in place for use as an umbrella in restricted places such as a seat in an open air stadium.

Abstract: Cross-linked labelled antibody conjugates are described which have at least one non-disulphide interchain bridge. The bridge may be the residue of a homo- or heterofunctional cross-linking reagent, and is located away from the antigen binding domains of the antibody. The antibody conjugates have an enhanced binding capacity and in vivo have good blood clearance and, in the presence of a tumour high tumour: blood and tumour: bone ratios. The conjugates are of use in the diagnosis and therapy of e.g. tumours and may be prepared by reaction of a cross-linking reagent with an antibody.

Abstract: An actuator system provides force feedback to a master support. A first, second and third digit support are connectable by a finger mount to the thumb, index and middle, and ring digits, respectively. First, second, third and fourth actuators comprising pneumatic cylinders extend between the first, second, third and fourth digit supports and an "L" shaped palm support mountable on the palm of the glove. Sensors are mounted to the pneumatic cylinders to provide electrical signals on the positioning of the fingers. The signals are forwarded by a stand alone feature to a host computer. The host computer computes the positioning of the finger and provides feedback through interface to the first, second and third actuators. Azimuthal mounts connect the first, second, third and fourth actuators to the palm support for increased movement of the digits.

Abstract: A nuclear spectrometer employs asymmetrical weighting functions to optimize energy resolution and throughput. Photons striking a semi-conductor detector generate current which is amplified, converted to a voltage step, and fed to a fast analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for pile-up rejection and a slow ADC whose output is examined for low-energy pile-up, slope corrected, and buffered for photon energy measurement. Pile-up is detected with a unique pair of leading and trailing weighting functions whose outputs have sharp rising and falling edges respectively, nearly independent of photon energy. Digital triangular shaping is used to locate the step in the buffer. Asymmetry of the triangular response is used to reject very low-energy pile-up. The step is also rejected if the average noise nearby exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Mixtures of enantiomeric D,L-threo 2-amino-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionic acids can be stereoisomerically enriched by contacting the mixture with a D-threonine aldolase. In a typical embodiment, D- and L-threo 2-amino-3-hydroxy-3-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)propionic acid is treated with D-threonine aldolase to produce L-threo 2-amino-3-hydroxy-3-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)propionic acid with a high ee. The benzaldehyde and amino acid formed from the D-threo isomer can be recycled.