Abstract: A program which can dynamically and realistically express an impact which a game character rendered by motion data receives is provided. In bullet ball-related processing (S114), determination is made about whether a bullet ball hits either one of node assigned balls. When the determination is affirmative, a torque at a hit point is calculated as an impact magnitude and the node assigned balls are disposed, through calculation of a rotation angle per frame, to nodes whose coordinate positions are corrected in metaball update processing (S120), density is calculated for each vertex of voxels from a reference position of each metaball towards the minimum direction and the maximum direction of a voxel index of the voxels according to a calculation equation expressing a solid shape in density distribution processing (S122), and vertex coordinates of polygons are calculated based upon density of each metaball at the vertex coordinates of the voxels and a predetermined threshold in marching cube processing (S124).

Abstract: A program which can render an object dynamically by using metaballs in a three-dimensional imaginary space is provided. All metaballs MB are disposed in an imaginary box IB, (r/R)2 is calculated according to a calculation equation expressing a given solid shape of a metaball MB from a center of the metaball MB towards the minimum direction and the maximum direction of a voxel index of a voxel Vx for each vertex of the voxel Vx. At this time, a second-order divided difference is calculated, based upon the second-order divided difference and a first-order divided difference calculated last time the first-order divided difference is updated, and (r/R)2 is calculated (S618 and S634) Only two times of addition are performed by utilizing information on vertexes of the adjacent voxels Vx calculated last time, thereby a computation time for (r/R)2 can be shortened.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers, the resulting polymers, and in vivo implants made from such polymers. One aspect of this invention presents a method whereby a polymer is irradiated, preferably with gamma radiation, then thermally treated, such as by remelting of annealing. The resulting polymeric composition preferably has its most oxidized surface layer removed. Another aspect of the invention presents a general method for optimizing the wear resistance and desirable physical and/or chemical properties of a polymer by crosslinking and thermally treating it. The resulting polymeric compositions is wear-resistant and may be fabricated into an in vivo implant.

Abstract: A swaging device is provided, including a die holder assembly including a head and a die block adapted to hold a first die and a second die respectively, and an actuator assembly, including a housing and a piston connected to the die block. In addition, a separate, removable strut cap is included, which is engaged to both the housing and the head. The strut cap is structured to secure the head during the compression of a workpiece.

Abstract: A character-group battle method, recording medium and game device for realistically expressing a group battle through a series of operations are provided. It is determined whether or not there is an enemy horse soldier belonging to an enemy army inside the enemy-search area that has been preset as the range of view of the object horse soldier (S406), and when it is determined that there is an enemy horse soldier (S410, 416, 428), then it is determined whether or not that enemy horse soldier is capable of engaging in battle with the object horse soldier, and when it is determined that battle is possible, then that enemy horse soldier is identified as an enemy that the object horse soldier must do battle (S440), so the object horse soldier approaches the enemy horse soldier until the enemy horse soldier is inside the battle area of the object horse soldier.

Abstract: A character group battle method which can express uneven distribution of attack power, defense strength or the like that is unevenly distributed in a group comprising a plurality of characters is provided. Within a predetermined time period, the position of each character in a 3-dimensional virtual space is calculated, the character number of other friend characters existing in a predetermined region about the character is calculated (S304), an attack value and a defense value expressing the attack power and the defense strength of the character are calculated on the basis of the character number (S310, S312), and a color correction value is calculated for changing color tone of the character according to the attack value (defense value) (S314).

Abstract: A 5-methyltryptophan resistant Nicotiana anthranilate synthase genes are disclosed, in particular the ASA2 gene of Nicotiana tabacum. Constructs containing the genes are also disclosed. This genes are useful for transforming plant cells and producing transformed plants and progenies which, compared to untransformed plant cells and plants, are more resistant to tryptophan analogs and/or produce increased levels of tryptophan. The transformed seeds are also disclosed. The genes are also useful as selectable markers. The amino acid sequence of ASA2, purified ASA2, and recombinant ASA2 are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for improving the wear resistance of an implant, made of polyethylene, by crosslinking its bearing surface layer, while leaving its non-bearing interior uncrosslinked. Such crosslinking may be achieved by electron-beam irradiation or by chemical crosslinking of the implant or the polyethylene from which the implant is made. The resulting implant or polyethylene may be further treated to remove the residual free radicals (generated by the electron beam crosslinking process); to remove residual chemicals (generated by the chemical crosslinking process); to remove its most oxidized layer; to stabilize its size and shape; to improve, by remelting, its oxidation resistance; and/or to reshape it into the final implant. Also presented are the resulting implant and polyethylene.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers by crosslinking them, especially before irradiation sterilization. In particular, this invention presents the use of chemically crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene in in vivo implants.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers, the resulting polymers, and in vivo implants made from such polymers. One aspect of this invention presents a method whereby a polymer is irradiated, preferably with gamma radiation, then thermally treated, such as by remelting of annealing. The resulting polymeric composition preferably has its most oxidized surface layer removed. Another aspect of the invention presents a general method for optimizing the wear resistance and desirable physical and/or chemical properties of a polymer by crosslinking and thermally treating it. The resulting polymeric compositions is wear-resistant and may be fabricated into an in vivo implant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of immunoassays for metal ions. The invention presents: chelators, chelates, antibodies specific for the chelates, tracers comprising chelates conjugated to detectable labels, and immunoassays utilizing the foregoing.

Abstract: A method for improving the wear resistance of an implant by crosslinking its bearing surface layer, while leaving its non-bearing interior uncrosslinked. Such crosslinking may be achieved by electron-beam irradiation or by chemical crosslinking of the implant. The resulting implant may be further treated to remove the residual free radicals (generated by the electron beam crosslinking process), to remove its most oxidized layer, and/or to stabilize its size. In the case of chemical crosslinking, the resulting implant may be further treated to remove residual chemicals from the crosslinked surface layer.

Abstract: A selectable marker, the ASA2 gene of Nicotiana tabacum, is provided for transforming plant cells. The ASA2 promoter sequence is also provided which is capable of directing tissue culture specific transcription of a downstream structural gene. Also disclosed are truncated forms of the ASA2 promoter which are capable of directing high level constitutive transcription of downstream structural genes. Constructs containing the above genes and promoters are also disclosed.

Abstract: Immunoassay methods and reagents for the specific quantification of thyroxine in a test sample are disclosed employing antibodies prepared with thyroxine derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein P is an immunogenic carrier material and X is a linking moiety. The present invention also describes the synthesis of unique labelled reagent of the formula: ##STR2## wherein Q is a detectable moiety and W is a linking moiety, preferably fluorescein or a fluorescein derivative.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the measurement of estradiol using competitive immunoassay methods. The inventors unexpectedly discovered that estrone and its derivatives conjugated to a label is a particularly effective tracer when used in conjunction with estradiol specific antibodies to determine estradiol levels in fluid samples. The present invention also utilizes 5.alpha.-dihydrotestosterone to enhance the assay performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunoassay methods for detecting and measuring the amount of an analyte in a sample by means of generic anti-hapten antibodies. Also disclosed are multi-analyte immunoassay methods. Reagents, devices, and kits using the anti-hapten antibodies are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to dyed erythrocytes, preferably fixed, which are coated with antibodies. Also disclosed is the use of these dyed erythrocytes in agglutination assays to detect and measure the presence of an analyte in a sample. The analyte can be a hapten, an antigen, or an antibody. Also included are agglutination assays, compositions and kits using these dyed and coated erythrocytes.

Abstract: Succinylacetone derived or related medicaments and methods of synthesis of the same are shown wherein the medicaments consists of succinylacetonyl-proline-PEG, succinylacetonyl-NH-PEG, or compounds that have the formula: ##STR1## wherein n=1-6R=CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3, --CO.sub.2 R.sup.IV, ##STR2## R.sup.I, R.sup.II =H, F, CH.sub.3, or ##STR3## R.sup.III =H, ##STR4## or tetrazolyl R.sup.IV =H, or alkyland that have immunosuppressive activity both in vivo and in vitro based on their activities in cellular immunologic assays and adjuvant induced arthritis in rats, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides linear, cyclic and trifurcate tri- and tetramine backbone multidentate chelating agents based on the 8-hydroxyquinoline chelating unit. The chelating agents may optionally be substituted with a substrate reactive moiety and antibody-metal ion conjugates may be produced for in vivo diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal ion scavenging procedure and antibody compositions for radioimmunoscintigraphy and cytotoxic radioimmunotherapy having chelator concentrations of greater than about 10.sup.-4 M which are optimized with respect to their metal binding capacity such that highly efficient labelling of the antibody is achieved in a simple one step procedure using readily available sources of radiometal ions.

Abstract: Succinylacetone derived or related medicaments and methods of synthesis of the same are shown wherein the medicaments consists of succinylacetonyl-proline-PEG, succinylacetonyl-NH-PEG, or compounds that have the formula: ##STR1## and that have immunosuppressive activity both in vivo and in vitro based on their activities in cellular immunologic assays and adjuvant induced arthritis in rats, respectively.