Abstract: A pyramid electric generator for harvesting the vibrational energies of Earth's atomic oscillators according to the present invention comprises: (1) an antenna/waveguide that is geometrically optimized; (2) a secondary coil wound with an insulated conductor on a nonconductive coil form, the coil being attached electrically to the conducting surface of the antenna/waveguide such that the secondary coil is attached near the point at which the electric field contacts the antenna/waveguide; (3) the antenna/waveguide connected with the secondary coil serving as a quasi-capacitive series element to provide a specific resonant frequency; and (4) a primary coil of a few turns wound around the secondary coil, the secondary coil being positioned coaxially within the primary coil and acting as a resonant step-up transformer winding, inductively coupled with the primary coil. The generator resonantly couples into specific frequencies of Earth's atomic oscillators and extracts electric energy therefrom.

Abstract: A composition for application to the skin can stimulate the in vivo synthesis of collagen and proteoglycans and improve the appearance of the skin, increasing its elasticity and fullness. In general, a composition according to the present invention comprises: (1) an antioxidant compound in a quantity sufficient to enhance collagen synthesis in the skin; (2) an organic penetrant in which the antioxidant compound is soluble in a sufficient quantity that a concentration of the antioxidant compound sufficient to enhance collagen synthesis can be applied topically and penetrate the skin; (3) a mixture of essential amino acids; (4) a supplemental source of sulfur; and (5) a topical pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The antioxidant compound can be lipoic acid, a lipoic acid analogue or derivative, a bioflavonoid, a constituent of ginkgo, or an isoflavone. The organic penetrant is preferably benzyl alcohol. Other ingredients, such as esters of tocopherol and ascorbic acid, can be included.

Abstract: An IgG1 ? monoclonal antibody to the immunosuppressive drug tacrolimus has improved properties. In particular, this monoclonal antibody, designated 1H6, has reduced cross-reactivity to several tacrolimus metabolites. This antibody is suitable for performance of immunoassays such as homogeneous immunoassays to detect or determine the presence or concentration of tacrolimus in samples such as blood samples. The invention further includes derivatives of tacrolimus derivatized at a non-binding portion of the molecule useful in immunizing antibody-producing animals and in producing such monoclonal antibodies, as well as labeled derivatives of tacrolimus useful as tacrolimus analogues in such assays. The invention further includes immunoassay methods for the detection of tacrolimus and test kits useful in performing such immunoassays.

Abstract: In general, a method for removal of pyrogens from plasma or blood according to the present invention comprises: (1) passing the biological fluid through a resin comprising two components: (a) a first component comprising a polymeric support with a multiplicity of ligands comprising a C10-C24 alkylamino group, the ligands specifically binding endotoxin; and (b) a second component comprising a halogenated quinolone moiety immobilized on an amino-group-containing solid support by the formation of an amide linkage, the first component and the second component being present in the resin at a ratio of from about 20:80 (v/v) to about 80:20 (v/v); and (2) collecting the biological fluid from which pyrogens have been removed. Preferably, the alkylamino group is a stearylamino group, and the ligands are cross-linked and quaternized by reaction with a dibromoalkanol. Preferably, the polymeric support of the first component is agarose in particulate form.

Abstract: A number of peptides of from 28 to 44 amino acids, including therein a sequence of L-K-E-K-K (SEQ ID NO: 1), have a physiological activity that can be wound healing activity, immunostimulant activity, or growth factor activity. The peptides can be linear or circular, and, if linear, its amino terminus can be optionally acetylated. The invention also includes nucleic acids encoding these peptides, vectors incorporating these nucleic acid sequences, and host cells transfected with these vectors, as well as methods for producing these peptides by culturing these host cells and purifying the peptides. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions and methods for using these peptides.

Abstract: A new method is described to produce large volumes of low cost sterile, Water-for-Injection (WFI) grade water on-line, on-demand from potable water in order to meet the needs of dialysis therapies and other biological applications for sterile, injectable grade water. The source water is processed by a combination of membrane and column chromatographic methods including reverse osmosis, chemical sterilization, reduction of iodine sterilant to iodide, deionization, endotoxin-specific adsorption and polishing filtration in order to reduce contaminant levels below those specified by the US Pharmacopoeia.

Abstract: A method of removing both Sr and Cs from an alkaline solution having a pH between about 9 to 14 includes providing a keratin protein from essentially a fiber portion separated from a quill portion of a poultry feather. A slurry is made of the keratin protein and the alkaline solution and is treated ultrasonically. The Sr and Cs may each be present in the alkaline solution at least at about 5 ppb. The keratin protein is contacted with the Sr and Cs by mechanical agitation at a temperature between about 20 to 90° C. and at a pressure not greater than about 10 psi. A supernatant produced in the step of contacting is then filtered.

Abstract: A method for alleviating arthritis in mammals by the oral administration of a pharmaceutical composition compound of native Type II collagen in helical form and sulfated polysaccharides found in mammalian cartilage, the Type II collagen and sulfated polysaccharides being ionically bound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and associated compositions and medicaments directed generally to the control of cellular and neural activity and for selectively and controllably inducing the in vivo genetic expression of one or more naturally occurring genetically encoded molecules in mammals. More particularly, the present invention selectively activates or derepresses genes encoding for specific naturally occurring molecules such as proteins or neurotrophic factors and induces the endogenous production of such naturally occurring compounds through the administration of carbon monoxide dependent guanylyl cyclase modulating purine derivatives. The methods of the present invention may be used to affect a variety of cellular and neurological functions and activities and to therapeutically or prophylactically treat a wide variety of neurodegenerative, neurological, cellular, and physiological disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods directed generally to the control of neural activity and for selectively and controllably inducing the in vivo genetic expression of one or more naturally occurring genetically encoded molecules in mammals. More particularly, the present invention selectively activates or derepresses genes encoding for specific naturally occurring molecules such as neurotrophic factors through the administration of carbon monoxide dependent guanylyl cyclase modulating purine derivatives. The methods of the present invention may be used to affect a variety of cellular and neurological activities and to therapeutically or prophylactically treat a wide variety of neurodegenerative, neurological, and cellular disorders.

Abstract: A method of identifying embryonic or fetal red blood cells in a sample containiing maternal blood cells and embryonic or fetal red blood cells or both, the method comprising determining which cell or cells contain or express an adult liver component. A method of isolating embryonic or fetal red blood cells from a sample containing maternal blood cells and embryonic or fetal red blood cells or both, the method comprising isolating the cells which contain or express an adult liver component. A method of determining a fetal abnormality the method comprising identifying or isolating embryonic or fetal cells according to the above methods and analysing said embryonic or early fetal cells for said abnormality. Use of a means for determining whether a cell contains or expresses an adult liver component for identifying or isolating an embryonic or fetal red blood cell.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of stimulating regeneration or survival of a mammalian motor neuron or of a mammalian sensory neuron comprising administering to a mammal an effective amount of a compound that is a 9-substituted hypoxanthine derivative linked through a linker to a p-aminobenzoic acid moiety or of a salt or prodrug ester of such a compound. Preferably, the compound is N-4-carboxyphenyl-3-(6-oxohydropurin-9-yl) propanamide. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions formulated for stimulation of regeneration of a mammalian motor neuron comprising the 9-substituted hypoxanthine derivative and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A system for receiving and subsequently either transforming or transceiving signals between the MIDI domain and the IR domain. MIDI devices are cable connected to a transceiver which translates MIDI signals into selected IR signals to operate IR devices. A computer through a MIDI interface connected with the transceiver can operate IR devices. The transceiver can also control the operation of selected devices as a result of IR signals presented to the transceiver's infrared input.

Abstract: An improved solid-state ion-selective electrode has greater uniformity of asymmetric potential and high sensitivity and selectivity for the cation of interest. The electrode comprises: (1) a porous element comprising graphite; (2) an electrochemical reference in substantially dry form on at least a portion of the element, the reference comprising: (a) an oxidant and (b) a reductant that is the conjugate of the oxidant, the oxidant and reductant being present in about equimolar quantities; and (3) a polymeric membrane comprising an ion-selective ionophore in electrochemical contact with the electrochemical reference. The electrode can be prepared to be selective for one of a number of cations, including lithium and ammonium. Methods for preparing these electrodes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A skin cream composition of the present invention comprises: water, and emulsified and dispersed in the water: (1) a protein complex comprising serum proteins and hydrolyzed animal proteins; (2) a protein-amino acid-vitamin-nucleotide complex comprising proplylene glycol, serum proteins, niacinamide, water, adenosine phosphate, and arginine; and (3) dimethylsilanoyl hyaluronate complex, and the dimethylsilanoyl hyaluronate are each present in cosmetically effective quantities. Preferably, the skin cream composition further comprises a highly stable micellar complex.

Abstract: Terminal hair follicles of the human scalp in the anagen phase of growth are distinguished from non-terminal follicles or from terminal follicles in phases of growth other than anagen by the presence of L-fucose on the cell membranes of the infrainfundibular portion of suprabasal keratinocytes of the follicles. L-fucose can be detected by a lectin specific for it. Accordingly, a method for identifying terminal hair follicles in the anagen phase of growth in the human scalp comprises the steps of: (1) contacting the cell membrane of the infrainfundibular portion of suprabasal keratinocytes with a lectin capable of specifically binding L-fucose on the cell membrane of the infrainfundibular portion of the keratinocytes; and (2) identifying terminal hair follicles by determining the lectin bound, the lectin preferentially binding to terminal hair follicles in the anagen phase of growth as opposed to terminal hair follicles in phases of growth other than anagen or non-terminal hair follicles.

Abstract: An improved process for disposal of aqueous hazardous waste is based on the finding that caustic-treated coal that is substantially hydrophilic and self-combusting can combine with contaminants present in water, including organic contaminants and metal ion contaminants. Contacting of the coal with contaminant-containing water results in the production of contaminant-containing coal and reduction of the content of contaminant in the water by at least about 80% by weight. When the contaminant-containing coal is burned in the presence of a slagging agent, the organic contaminants are destroyed by combustion and the metal ion contaminants are encapsulated in slag, for safe disposal. Several integrated treatment methods are disclosed for aqueous waste, such as ground water, based on this finding.

Abstract: A ski hat has an outer substantially tubular shell of flexible laminated fabric having top and bottom apertures to be placed over the head. The laminated fabric comprises three layers, an outer layer and inner layer each of spandex fabric, and a middle layer of microporous polyurethane laminate. The shell has top and bottom apertures. The hat has a flexible outer band surrounding the top aperture and a drawstring for reversibly tightening the flexible outer band surrounding the top aperture. The hat further can have protrusions integral with the substantially tubular shell and adjacent to the bottom aperture of the shell for covering the ears. The ear flaps can be lined with a layer of insulating fabric such as fleece-knit polyester bunting. The ski hat can further comprise a head covering for covering the top of the head joined to the cylindrical shell and made of insulating fabric.