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: 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: 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.

Abstract: In a process for reducing the sulfur and ash contents of coal, coal is sequentially contacted with fused alkali metal caustic, wash water, and acid. Contacting the coal with the caustic produces water-soluble compounds. Sufficient wash water is used to reduce the temperature of the caustic treated coal and dissolve the bulk of the water-soluble compounds before the water-soluble compounds convert to water-insoluble compounds that precipitate on the caustic-treated coal. Caustic removed from the coal by the water is recovered as anhydrous caustic for again contacting coal.

Abstract: In a process for reducing the sulfur and ash contents of coal, coal is sequentially contacted with fused alkali metal caustic, water, carbonic acid, and a strong acid. Caustic removed from the coal by the water and the carbonic acid is recovered as anhydrous caustic for again contacting coal.

Abstract: An improved method for selectively targeting a substance either to the parenchymal cells or the non-parenchymal cells of the liver makes use of the property that there are two pathways for uptake of liposomes by the liver: a saturable pathway involving phagocytosis and mediated by the Kupffer cells, and a non-saturable pathway involving pinocytosis and mediated by the parenchymal cells. The substance to be targeted is administered in carrier liposomes having a diameter of less than about 200 nm and a half-life in the circulation of at least about 5 hours as measured at an injection dose of about 30-50 micrograms of lipid per gram of body weight. The substance can be targeted to the parenchymal cells by administering it in carrier liposomes at a liposomal lipid dose expressed in micrograms of lipid per gram of body weight at least equal to a critical liposomal lipid dose, typically about 7 micrograms per gram of body weight to about 10 micrograms per gram of body weight.

Abstract: A solid phase binding member for the detection of an analyte in a test sample is described. The binding member comprises: (1) a solid support having micropores; (2) a polymer reversibly water-soluble before its application to the solid support; and (3) a ligand covalently attached to the polymer, the ligand interacting specifically with the analyte. The solid support can have micropores throughout or on its surface, and can be rayon, paper, fabric, plastic, agarose or polyacrylamide beads, glass, microcrystalline cellulose, or acid-treated plastic. The polymer can be carrageenan or sodium alginate. The ligand can be an antibody, a univalent antigen-binding fragment of an antibody, an antigen, a hapten, an enzyme, a hormone, or a single-stranded nucleic acid. Methods of use of the binding member are also described involving incorporation into a test device. The test device can be a dip stick, a hollow vessel, a slide, or a porous bead.

Abstract: A contrast enhancing, substantially transparent touch panel device comprises a static element, a dynamic element and a microweave screen of a fine mesh of fine dark-colored filaments embedded within a clear adhesive layer and incorporated as an integral part of the dynamic element of the panel. Preferably there is no air gap between the front of the device and the conductive surface of the dynamic element. The device can comprise at least one layer of transparent colored coating for light attentuation, color-selective light filtering, and tint correction.