Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) from biological samples, for example, from human pituitary glands or human postmenopausal urine, wherein the FSH is contaminated with other proteins, by use of dye-ligand affinity chromatography (DAC). This process may be used to generate affinity pure FSH suitable for therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A wheelchair with adjustable swivel castors is described. The wheelchair includes a mechanism to limit the swivel range of the castors. The swivel range may be limited manually or automatically as a function of the terrain or the speed of the chair.

Abstract: A speed rack guard for use in the field of restaurant and bar service is disclosed. The speed rack guard helps to reduce injuries to bartenders and other individuals working around speed racks.

Abstract: A method and system are described for the treatment of aircraft toilet waste water to permit discharge of the treated water to the atmosphere during flight, utilizing the pressure differential that is created between the aircraft's cabin pressure and the external atmosphere. The system includes a filter to remove suspended solids and other contaminants from the waste water, and may also include means to purify the water to potable water standards and means to recirculate the treated water for re-use on the aircraft.

Abstract: Disclosed are new methods comprising the use of in situ hybridization to detect abnormal nucleic acid sequence copy numbers in one or more genomes wherein repetitive sequences that bind to multiple loci in a reference chromosome spread are either substantially removed and/or their hybridization signals suppressed. The invention termed Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) provides for methods of determining the relative number of copies of nucleic acid sequences in one or more subject genomes or portions thereof (for example, a tumor cell) as a function of the location of those sequences in a reference genome (for example, a normal human genome). The intensity(ies) of the signals from each labeled subject nucleic acid and/or the differences in the ratios between different signals from the labeled subject nucleic acid sequences are compared to determine the relative copy numbers of the nucleic acid sequences in the one or more subject genomes as a function of position along the reference chromosome spread.

Abstract: A flexible support structure shaped to conform to the cup portion of breast-supporting garments is described. The support structure may be constructed from a polyurethane foam or similar material and comprises a rib molded onto the lower U-shaped edge to provide support and yet sufficient flexibility. The present support structure thus eliminates the need for underwire structures and allows ease of manufacture, eliminates damage caused to the fabric by conventional underwire structures, and also provides enhanced comfort to a user.

Abstract: A system for providing efficient constant bit rate distribution of variable bit-rate encoded video programs while facilitating the distribution of encoded video programs, along with Auxiliary Data of a general character, to one or more receivers. At a particular receiver, a customized augmented video program is created by inserting selected portions of the Auxiliary Data into a selected encoded video program. The encoded video portion of the augmented video program can be transmitted, decoded and displayed in real time, while the Auxiliary Data need not be transmitted in real time but can be stored locally at the receiver for real-time presentation at a later time. Real time presentation might include insertion into the video program while non real-time presentation might include insertion into non-video applications separate from the video program.

Abstract: A method for increasing channel utilization for a data channel transmitting a multiplex of a set of one or more encoded program streams, each program stream in being decodeable by a corresponding decoder, each corresponding decoder including a corresponding decoder buffer, the decoder buffers having a maximum allowable size, the method comprising selecting encoded pictures to be modified, said selecting according to a criterion which includes preventing any underflow of any decoder buffer, modifying each said selected encoded picture to form a corresponding modified encoded picture, said modified encoded picture having less data than said selected encoded picture, and transmitting the corresponding modified encoded pictures through the channel in place of the selected encoded pictures.

Abstract: Methods for identifying nucleic acid sequences that affect a cellular phenotype are disclosed. The method uses a reporter gene whose level of expression correlates with the phenotype in conjunction with a method or device for measuring the level of reporter expression. An expression library is introduced into the cells, and those cells exhibiting changes in reporter expression level are selected. Expression library inserts from the selected cells are isolated, thereby providing a sub-library enriched for sequences that affect the phenotype reflected by the reporter. Further rounds of sub-library introduction and cell selection may be carried out to provide additional enrichment Sequences identified using this method may be used to ascertain the identity of additional molecules involved in generating the cellular phenotype.

Abstract: Methods for preparing homogeneous magnetic fluid compositions capable of forming ordered one dimensional structures or two dimensional lattices in response to externally applied magnetic fields are disclosed. The compositions are prepared using improved co-precipitation methods in which the steps of the procedure have been tuned to reduce sample heterogeneity. Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 particles are coated with a surfactant and dispersed in a continuous carrier phase to form these homogeneous magnetic fluid compositions. The ability of these compositions to generate ordered structures can be tested by holding a magnet near a thin film of the compositions and observing the formation of colors in the region near the magnet. Methods for controlling the characteristic spacing of the ordered structures formed by the composition also are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and credit or debit card systems are disclosed that allow the available credit to be determined by someone other than the card issuer and that allow a limit to be set on the number of expenditures that can be made. The methods and systems can be used to provide a mechanism for supervising credit or debit card usage. Methods and systems are disclosed which include a child's credit card account linked to a parent's credit or debit card account. The parent may change the child's available credit without changing the total combined available credit for the child's and the parent's accounts. In addition, an expenditure counter figure associated with the child's account is disclosed which can be used by the parent to enable the child to make an unlimited number of purchases, a limited number of purchases, or no purchases. The parent may make a single payment for both the child's and the parent's credit card accounts.

Abstract: Methods for preparing homogeneous magnetic fluid compositions capable of forming ordered one dimensional structures or two dimensional lattices in response to externally applied magnetic fields are disclosed. The compositions are prepared using improved co-precipitation methods in which the steps of the procedure have been tuned to reduce sample heterogeneity. Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 particles are coated with a surfactant and dispersed in a continuous carrier phase to form a homogeneous magnetic fluid composition. The ability of the composition to generate ordered structures can be tested by holding a magnet near a thin film of the compositions and observing the formation of colors in the region near the magnet. Methods for controlling the characteristic spacing of the ordered structures formed by the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compressed video playback system which eliminates playback mode transition artifacts. Transitions between various playback modes are effected in such a manner that transition artifacts are eliminated by delaying playback mode transitions until appropriate frames of data are detected for propagation to the compressed video decoder. In addition, compressed video data retrieval methods are improved for supporting multi-speed playback modes in both forward and reverse directions in an optimal manner.

Abstract: A scanning force microscope is disclosed which includes integrated optics for viewing the optical lever arm, probe and sample to be examined. The scanning force microscope includes a simplified mounting of laser and related adjustments and the locating of a detector independent of the scanner, to improve ease of handling and providing convenient locations for adjustments. In one preferred embodiment of the scanning force microscope, the surface of samples may be imaged while the cantilever portion of the scanner is immersed in liquids without special set-up or special adapters.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for removing the skins of fruits and vegetables by explosive vaporization of the moisture in the fruit or vegetable under the skin. The fruit or vegetable is placed in a peeling vessel, and the pressure in the vessel is rapidly lowered, below atmospheric pressure, so as to cause explosive vaporization of the moisture. Some of the air in the peeling vessel may be removed prior to explosive vaporization, so that it can be carried out by mere condensation of water vapour present in the peeling chamber (without the aid of a vacuum pump or other vacuum device, for instance). In addition, the fruit or vegetable may be cooled prior to explosive vaporization, so that it can be carried out at a lower temperature than without such cooling, which is favorable to preserving the physical consistency and other qualities of some fruits and vegetables.

Abstract: Selective video-on-demand access is provided to a virtually unlimited number of subscribers by partitioning the video program into an ordered sequence of N segments and providing the subscribers concurrent access to each of the N segments. A data stream representative of the video program is partitioned into N subsequences, each representative of one of the N segments. The data of each of the N subsequences is organized as an ordered sequence of elements. The elements of each of the N subsequences are interleaved and the interleaved data stream is continuously transmitted over a video program distribution medium at a rate which renders the data representing each segment concurrently available to any subscriber having a receiver capable of selecting, assembling, and displaying the data of a particular segment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the size of data rate fluctuations that occur in forming a multiplex of a set of program streams, each program stream in said set being decodeable by a corresponding decoder, each corresponding decoder including a corresponding decoder buffer, said decoder buffers having a maximum allowable size, said method comprising varying the formation of the different program streams in said set to minimize the memory requirement of the decoder buffers. In one embodiment, for the case of the streams being segments of a program, varying includes varying the segment length. In another embodiment, varying includes adjusting the relative alignment of the program streams. Different embodiments of adjusting include inserting program material such as a pause at selected points in time, causing decoder buffers to underflow at selected points in time, and varying the rate of decoding and display at selected points in time.

Abstract: An adjustable intrastromal device adapted for implantation in the cornea and formed of a flexible hollow shell composed of a material such as a silicone or urethane polymer, with a chamber that may be filled with a biocompatible material such as saline or gel. Preferably, the device has more than one compartment, each of which is water-tight and distinct from the other compartments. Each compartment contains a predetermined amount of the biocompatible fluid described, and the device is implanted in the cornea in surrounding relation to the optical zone of the cornea. Increased volume displaced by the ring results in greater flattening of the central anterior corneal curvature thus correcting myopia. Preferably, the myopia is slightly overcorrected resulting in more flattening of the cornea than necessary for optimal vision.

Abstract: A class of molecules and methods that alter cell adhesion, inhibit cancer metastasis, and induce apoptosis. A method according to the present invention comprises bringing cells into contact with compounds that essentially consist of an amino acid linked to a carbohydrate wherein the amino acid and the carbohydrate are linked to form a compound chosen from the group consisting of Schiff bases, N-glycosides, esters, and Amadori products. The carbohydrate is preferably a monosaccharide or a small oligosaccharide. The carbohydrate and amino acid sub-units may be chemically modified. For example, the amino acid may be modified by covalently bonding other groups to the amino group, carboxyl group, or side chain group of the amino acid. The carbohydrate sub-unit is preferably a pentose such as arabinose, xylose, ribose, ribulose, a hexose such as fructose, deoxyfructose, galactose, glucose, mannose, tagatose, rhamnose, or a disaccharide based on two of the above such as maltose, lactose, maltulose, or lactulose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to porous crosslinked polymeric microbeads having cavities joined by interconnecting pores wherein at least some of the cavities at the interior of each microbead communicate with the surface of the microbead. The present invention also relates to a process for producing a porous, crosslinked polymeric microbead as well as the product of this process. This process involves combining an oil phase with an aqueous discontinuous phase to form an emulsion, adding the emulsion to an aqueous suspension medium to form an oil-in-water suspension of dispersed emulsion droplets, and polymerizing the emulsion droplets to form microbeads. At least 10% of the microbeads produced in accordance with the present invention are substantially spherical or substantially ellipsoidal or a combination of the two.