Abstract: A keratin hydrogel-filled implantable prosthetic device. One device is a breast implant for augmenting or reconstructing a human breast including an envelope containing a keratin hydrogel. One keratin hydrogel is formed from a solid precursor which forms a keratin hydrogel upon addition of water. One source of keratin is human hair. In one method, an envelope suitable for implantation and a solid keratin hydrogel precursor are provided. The solid can be in fibrous or powder form. The solid precursor can be inserted into the envelope interior. A small incision near the breast can be made and the envelope inserted into the incision. After insertion, water can be injected into the envelope interior, preferably through the incision and through a self-sealing port in the envelope. In one method, the implant is provided as a kit, with the envelope and keratin hydrogel provided. The hydrogel can be injected into the envelope either before or after insertion into the breast area.

Abstract: A backlight system for use in display devices including liquid crystal displays, or in advertising means or in lighting devices includes one or more light sources, a light-glide panel, a light reflecting film, an anisotropic light diffusing film, and a light collimating film. A light source is positioned at one or more edges of the light-guide panel in a predetermined direction. A light reflecting film is placed below the light-guide panel. An anisotropic light diffusing film is placed over the light-guide panel. The anisotropic light diffusing film has directionally different diffusing properties. The light collimating film has a top surface and a smooth bottom surface. The top surface of the light collimating film includes a lenticular layer extending in a predetermined direction. The lenticular layer has a plurality of linear prisms. A reflective polarizer can be employed over the light collimating film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of heat dispersion from the bottom side of an integrated circuit package mounted on a printed circuit board (“PCB”). In operation, a heat slug is thermally coupled to the underside of an integrated circuit (“IC”) package. In one embodiment, the heat slug comprises a disc made of copper or other thermally conductive material in between two layers of elastomeric, conductive material such as silicone imbedded with aluminum particles. The thermal pad extends through each layer of the PCB, including the ground layer. In this way, the ground layer of the PCB is utilized for heat dispersion.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for using desmethylselegiline. In particular, the present invention provides novel compositions and methods for using desmethylselegiline for selegiline-responsive diseases and conditions. Diseases and conditions responsive to selegiline include those produced by neuronal degeneration or neuronal trauma and those due to immune system dysfunction. Desmethylselegiline is the R-(−) enantiomer of N-methyl-N-(prop-2-ynyl)-2-aminophenylpropane. Claimed compositions include both the R-(−) isomer and mixtures of the R-(−) and S(+) isomers. Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts may also be used. Effective dosages are a daily dose of at least about 0.015 mg/kg of body weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for using the S-(+) enantiomer of desmethylselegiline (N-methyl-N-(prop-2-ynyl)-2-aminophenylpropane), for the treatment of selegiline-responsive diseases and conditions. Diseases and conditions responsive to selegiline include those produced by neuronal degeneration or neuronal trauma and those due to immune system dysfunction. Effective dosages are a daily dose of at least about 0.0015 mg/kg of body weight.

Abstract: A hydratable, highly absorbent keratin solid fiber or powder capable of absorbing a large weight excess of water may be produced by partially oxidizing hair keratin disulfide bonds to sulfonic acid residues and reacting the sulfonic acid residues with a cation. The neutralized suspension can be filtered, washed, and dried, leaving keratin solid which can be shredded into fibers and further ground into powder. Addition of water to the solid produces a hydrogel. The powder or hydrogel may be useful as an absorbent material, as a therapeutic for skin, or as an excipient. Another use for the hydrogel is as a biocompatible viscoelastic filler for implant applications.

Abstract: Apparel is disclosed, including an elastomeric electroluminescent (EL) lamp in which an electroluminescent system, advantageously monolithic, is provided in an elastomeric structure. As a result, the lamp is thin, pliable and membrane-like. A first envelope layer is applied advantageously by screen printing to transfer release paper. An EL system is then applied, again advantageously by screen printing to the first envelope layer, and then a second envelope layer is applied to seal the EL system within the envelope. Appropriate windows are cut or left open to allow electrical contact with the EL system. An optional adhesive layer then may be applied if the lamp is to be used in transfer form for later affixation to the apparel.

Abstract: The application is directed to the treatment of one or more symptoms associated with drug withdrawal by administering desmethylselegiline.

Abstract: A hydratable, highly absorbent keratin solid fiber or powder capable of absorbing a large weight excess of water may be produced by partially oxidizing hair keratin disulfide bonds to sulfonic acid residues and reacting the sulfonic acid residues with a cation. The neutralized suspension can be filtered, washed, and dried, leaving keratin solid which can be shredded into fibers and further ground into powder. Addition of water to the solid produces a hydrogel. The powder or hydrogel may be useful as an absorbent material, as a therapeutic for skin, or as an excipient. The keratin materials can be incorporated into nonwoven films. Another use for the hydrogel is as a biocompatible viscoelastic filler for implant applications.

Abstract: A keratinous wound healing material, preferably derived from the hair of the patient or a compatible donor. Keratin powder can be derived from hair using processing steps including cleaning, suspending in a liquid carrier, homogenizing and removing the liquid. The keratinous material may be applied to the wound in powder form. The keratin can also be applied in sheet form. The keratinous material can be bound with polymeric binder and formed into a sheet by pouring the polymer/binder solution into a mold and flashing off the solvent.

Abstract: An elastomeric electroluminescent (EL) lamp is provided wherein an electroluminescent system, advantageously monolithic, is provided in an elastomeric structure. As a result, the lamp is thin, pliable and membrane-like. A first envelope layer is applied advantageously by screen printing to transfer release paper. An EL system is then applied, again advantageously by screen printing to the first envelope layer, and then a second envelope layer is applied to seal the EL system within the envelope. Appropriate windows are cut or left open to allow electrical contact with the EL system. An optional adhesive layer then may be applied if the lamp is to be used in transfer form for later affixation to a substrate. Alternatively, the lamp may be used as a self-contained membraneous component installed in another product such as a telephone handset.

Abstract: An elastomeric electroluminescent (EL) lamp is provided wherein an electroluminescent system, advantageously monolithic, is provided in an elastomeric structure. As a result, the lamp is thin, pliable and membrane-like. A first envelope layer is applied advantageously by screen printing to transfer release paper. An EL system is then applied, again advantageously by screen printing to the first envelope layer, and then a second envelope layer is applied to seal the EL system within the envelope. Appropriate windows are cut or left open to allow electrical contact with the EL system. An optional adhesive layer then may be applied if the lamp is to be used in transfer form for later affixation to a substrate. Alternatively, the lamp may be used as a self-contained elastomeric component installed in another product.

Abstract: A hydratable, highly absorbent keratin solid fiber or powder capable of absorbing a large weight excess of water may be produced by partially oxidizing hair keratin disulfide bonds to sulfonic acid residues and reacting the sulfonic acid residues with a cation. The neutralized suspension can be filtered, washed, and dried, leaving keratin solid which can be shredded into fibers and further ground into powder. Addition of water to the solid produces a hydrogel. The powder or hydrogel may be useful as an absorbent material, as a therapeutic for skin, or as an excipient. The keratin materials can be incorporated into nonwoven films. Another use for the hydrogel is as a biocompatible viscoelastic filler for implant applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new process for more efficient separation and recovery of light olefins such as ethylene and propylene from a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The new process invention for recovering olefins from a mixture of cracked hydrocarbons from a fluid catalytic cracker comprises the steps of: (a) providing a mixture of cracked hydrocarbons including methane, ethylene, ethane, propylene, propane, butylene, butane and heavier hydrocarbons such as naphtha produced in a fluid catalytic cracker; (b) separating said mixture into (i) a first stream comprising substantially all of said ethane, ethylene, and methane and a major portion of said propane and propylene and (ii) a second stream comprising a portion of said butylene and butane, and a major portion of said heavier hydrocarbons; and (c) processing said first stream to recover the ethylene and propylene therefrom, and the details of such process described herein.

Abstract: A peptide derived from keratin, which can be used as a wound-healing agent. In one method for making the peptide, a keratin source such as human hair is washed, dried, and treated with an oxidizing agent such as peracetic acid for a time and temperature sufficient to swell the keratin and oxidize some of the disulfide bonds to form sulfonic acid groups. The oxidation is believed to form a series of water-soluble peptides. The oxidized hair can be filtered, and the filtrate collected and concentrated under vacuum distillation to a viscous syrup, which can be neutralized with base. The concentrate can be mixed with an excess of a water-miscible organic solvent such as methanol, and the precipitate collected and dried to form the wound-healing agent. The wound-healing agent is believed to include peptides having a molecular weight centered around 850 daltons and having at least one ionizeable group such as sulfonic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides broadband multimedia communication over the standard circuit-switched public switched telephone network infrastructure (PSTN) and other physical or virtual circuit-switched infrastructures while simultaneously and transparently interoperating with the public Internet packet-switched infrastructure to effectively merge the capabilities of the two types of infrastructures into a seamless capability that can bring the benefits of using both types of existing switching infrastructures to large groups of users under the control of the same common and simple interface tools such as web browsers. The invention enables users to establish both packet-switched connections for sending or receiving content for which low-latency and unpredictable response times are not a problem (i.e.

Abstract: An electroluminescent system in which neighboring layers are suspended, prior to application, in advantageously a unitary carrier compound, so that after curing, the layers form active strata within a monolithic mass. The carrier compound in a preferred embodiment is a vinyl resin in gel form. The invention enables several manufacturing advantages, including the ability to silk-screen print the entire electroluminescent system on a variety of substrates, including cloth, metals, plastics, wood or even stone.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel sulfenate esters and thiosulfinate esters that induce the expression of metabolic enzymes, particularly Phase II enzymes such as glutathione-s-transferase, DT-diaphorase and Ferritin H when administered to a subject. Also disclosed, such compounds are effective to displace a zinc ion from retroviral zinc finger nucleocapsid proteins effective to inhibit HIV replication. The present invention is further directed to novel methods of making these compounds, and any compounds produced by the process of making these novel compounds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for alleviating the symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy. The neuropathy may be the result of a genetically inherited condition, systemic disease or exposure to a toxic agent. A reduction or elimination of symptoms is obtained by administering the drug selegiline. The invention is also directed to a method for treating patients with cancer by administering a chemotherapeutic agent known to have a toxic affect on peripheral nerves together with selegiline.

Abstract: A well, such as a natural gas well, may be treated to increase production of gas by inserting into the tubing string a water soluble carrier containing a well treating chemical adapted to aerate fluids standing in the tubing string. The dissolvable carrier contains a compressed swab adapted, upon dissolution of the carrier, to expand to fill the diameter of the tubing string, and well treating chemicals adapted to aerate the standing fluid in the well above and below the swab. The presence of the aerating fluids in the well lighten the hydrostatic head, permitting a plug of fluid above the swab to be displaced from the well as the swab is urged upward due to pressure exerted on the swab by the formation and by the aerating effect of well treating chemicals released below the swab.