Abstract: The present invention provides methods for use in bone tissue regeneration containing a barrier material and a graft material. The barrier material can be calcium sulfate, while the graft material can be any suitable material, including a composite graft material containing demineralized, freeze-dried, allogenic bone (DFDBA) and calcium sulfate. Alternatively, the barrier material can be any suitable material, while the graft material can be a composition of DFDBA and calcium sulfate.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a class of polycyclic fused ring compounds which are modulators of acetylcholine receptors. The compounds of the invention displace acetylcholine receptor ligands from their binding sites. Invention compounds may act as agonists, partial agonists, antagonists or allosteric modulators of acetylcholine receptors.

Abstract: A bootstrapped audio line receiver that receives a differential-mode input signal from first and second differential lines and outputs a single-ended signal on an output line. The line receiver includes a differential amplifier and an input amplifier having differential output terminals and differential input terminals. The input amplifier is connected between the differential lines and the differential amplifier. The input amplifier provides a dc current path to a ground terminal while maintaining a high input impedance to ac signals at audio frequencies. The input amplifier also includes an rf filter that removes rf noise without adversely affecting the line receiver's common-mode noise rejection at audio frequencies. In one embodiment, the input amplifier includes two operational amplifiers connected for unity gain and having two bias resistors connected in series between each input terminals of the input amplifier and a ground terminal.

Abstract: A fluid handling machine having a shaft, a radially disposed housing, and a backup seal. During normal operation, the backup seal is concentric with and radially spaced from the shaft. The backup seal includes a first annular portion located adjacent the backup seal chamber and a second annular portion preferably made of carbon graphite. The backup seal is configured to engage the housing such that when the fluid pressure in the backup seal chamber exceeds a predetermined level, a sufficient axial force is applied to the first annular portion and transmitted therethrough to the second annular portion to cause the second annular portion to close radially into sealing engagement with the shaft.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided prosthetic articles having polyurethane coatings with biologically active compounds incorporated within the interstices of the polymer. Methods for the preparation of such articles are also provided. Thus, a polyurethane coating is applied to a prosthetic article, the coating then swelled (without significantly dissolving the polymer) so that substantial quantities of biologically active compounds can be incorporated within the interstices of the polymer. Upon long term exposure of a prosthetic article of the invention to physiological conditions, the biologically active compound is slowly released by the treated polymer. The biologically active compound is, therefore, released only at the site where it is desired, i.e., where the prosthetic article is positioned.

Abstract: Disclosed is a game ticket with a base card displaying play results on a playing surface, an inner exposure device, and an outer exposure device. The inner exposure device is located so as to conceal at least one of the play results, and is removable to reveal the play results it conceals. The outer exposure device is located so as to conceal both the inner exposure device and the play results not covered by the inner exposure device, and is removable to reveal the inner exposure device and play results that it conceals.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided compositions for the in vivo delivery of substantially water insoluble pharmacologically active agents (such as the anticancer drug taxol) in which the pharmacologically active agent is delivered in a soluble form or in the form of suspended particles. In particular, the soluble form may comprise a solution of pharmacologically active agent in a biocompatible dispersing agent contained within a protein walled shell. Alternatively, the protein walled shell may contain particles of taxol. In another aspect, the suspended form comprises particles of pharmacologically active agent in a biocompatible aqueous liquid.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for the thermal analysis of a substance. The method comprises suspending a substance sample on a substrate in a reactor using a temperature sensor positioned at the center of the reactor. The reactor is then heated by two laser beams focused on the reactor. The resulting temperature dependence of the sample/substance during heating is measured. Additionally, the sample/substrate is heated to a temperature above the reactor temperature with a third laser beam. The rate at which the sample/substance temperature relaxes to the temperature of the reactor is measured. This additional heating of the sample/substance is preferably achieved by a laser focused on the sample/substance itself. All of the measured information can then be fed into a computer through an electronic interface to provide data on the particular substance undergoing thermal analysis.

Abstract: A mechanical seal assembly having a rotatable seal ring connected to the shaft and a non-rotatable seal ring connected to the housing. A cylindrical drive ring encircles the rotatable seal ring and an annular shroud is mounted to the cylindrical drive ring and extends from it terminating in an annular lip that is disposed in contacting relationship with the rotatable seal ring adjacent the seal face of the rotatable seal ring. The shroud may be provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots. A connection is provided for moving the end of the shroud toward the non-rotatable seal ring when the shaft moves toward the non-rotatable seal ring.

Abstract: A threshold calibration method and apparatus calibrates a reference voltage representing a selected threshold and compares the reference voltage with a measurement voltage representing a variable parameter to indicate the condition of the variable parameter. The reference voltage is set by causing the variable parameter to assume a predetermined high value and adjusting a first potentiometer to provide a first calibration voltage equal to the measurement voltage representing the high value. The variable parameter is then caused to assume a predetermined low value and a second potentiometer is adjusted to provide a second calibration voltage equal to the measurement voltage representing the low value. The first and second calibration voltages are then combined using passive resistive components to provide a reference voltage representing the selected threshold.

Abstract: A film correction system adjusts a relative position of film containing an area for information and a scanner of the film area. The system includes a scanner for scanning the film area at a film plane. A film drive moves the film along the film plane. A focused beam separate from the film area scanner scans a film edge in the film for determining a location of the film edge. A circuit is coupled to the focused beam scanner for changing a relative position of the film area scanner and the film area. The film edge scanner is a flying spot scanner, and the apparatus includes signal processors for processing the sprocket information. The system may be retrofit to an existing telecine apparatus. A separate coil may be used to provide deflection of a flying spot scanner used to scan the picture information on the film.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for defatting meat, comprising adjusting the temperature of raw meat material up to its corresponding species body temperature in the substantial absence of added reagents, and feeding said temperature adjusted raw material to a decanter centrifuge maintained under suitable conditions to form a meat layer, an intermediate boundary layer containing particles of fat tissue, meat and moisture, and a fat layer within the centrifuge. Liquid is metered into the temperature adjusted raw material entering the centrifuge in an amount sufficient to separate the meat layer form the other layers. Subsequently, a defatted meat is recovered.

Abstract: Crosslinked biocompatible compositions comprising an ionically crosslinked component and a covalently crosslinked component for encapsulating biologics are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, also disclosed are crosslinkable biocompatible mixtures comprising an ionically crosslinkable component and a covalently crosslinkable component. Methods for encapsulating biologics with the crosslinked and cross-linkable biocompatible compositions are provided. Also, retrievable macrocapsules for encapsulating microcapsules or biologics are disclosed.

Abstract: A human retinoic acid receptor alpha protein is disclosed. The receptor is encoded by the cDNA insert of plasmid phRAR1, which has been deposited with ATCC. Methods employing chimeric receptors derived from the retinoic acid receptor are illustrated which demonstrate that the ligand for the new receptor is the retinoid, retinoic acid.

Abstract: A latch guard for protecting a door latch installed in a door comprises a removable cover plate with a cylinder pivot hole and two mounting holes located generally above and below the cylinder pivot hole. Adjacent to each mounting hole are two slots that extend from the mounting hole. When installed, the cover plate extends over the space between the door and an adjacent door frame in the area of the latch to protect the latch. The cover plate is mounted to the door by first and second mounting bolts that extend through the slots in the cover plate and completely through the door. Each mounting bolt includes a spacer that spaces the enlarged head of the respective mounting bolt so that the cover plate can rotate about the cylinder pivot hole to allow easy installation and removal of the cover plate. The cover plate may also include anti-spread pins.

Abstract: A continuous liquid level measuring system having a guarded capacitance probe and related drive circuit for providing accurate level measurements, even when measuring the level of ionic and highly viscous fluids. The capacitance probe has two parallel electrodes, each constructed of a half-tube section, that are separated from each other by an insulated guard wire. The probe is excited by a 1 MHz excitation signal applied across the electrodes. The current through the electrodes is a function of the capacitance between the electrodes, which is affected by the relative permitivity of the surrounding liquid. The effects of highly viscous ionic liquids that adhere to the probe are reduced by exciting the guard wire with a guard signal that is 180.degree. out of phase from the probe's excitation signal. The guard signal changes the electric field existing in the space adjacent the junctions of the two electrodes to reduce any liquid coating effects on the level measurement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a shelf-stable, packaged, legume-containing product, said process comprising: (a) preconditioning dry legumes by contacting said dry legumes with a sufficient amount of an initial water source and for a sufficient period of time to produce pretreated legumes having a moisture content in the range of from about 15 wt. % to about 35 wt. %; (b) hydrating said pretreated legumes by contacting said pretreated legumes with a sufficient amount of a secondary water source for a sufficient period of time to produce hydrated legumes having a moisture content in the range of from about 35 wt. % to about 55 wt. %, wherein said secondary water source is at a temperature in the range of from about 60.degree. C. to about 95.degree. C.; (c) combining said hydrated legumes with a vehicle, thereby producing a legume-containing mixture comprising from about 10 wt. % to about 55 wt.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a macrocapsule for encapsulating microcapsules containing biologically active material, such as living cells or free living cells, to make the system more biocompatible by decreasing the surface area and surface roughness of microencapsulated biological materials; increasing mechanical stability of microencapsulated biological materials; enhancing cytoprotectivity by increasing diffusion distance of encapsulated biological material from cytotoxins secreted in vivo; providing retrievability of microencapsulated material; and providing a system of sustained release of the cellular products. The method for producing such a macrocapsule containing the microcapsules is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved lighting fixture for projecting a high-intensity beam of light that is imaged at a distant location, with reduced manufacturing cost and with reduced weight, but greater efficiency. Various structures are disclosed for eliminating infrared light from the projected beam, whereby the fixture's lens can advantageously be formed of a suitable plastic material and be configured as an aspheric fresnel lens or a stepped aspheric lens.