Abstract: A bradykinin analog which contains nine or ten amino acid residues and at least one [CH.sub.2 NH] pseudopeptide bond, the analog being useful as an antagonist or agonist of the naturally occuring bradykinin.

Abstract: A relatively small and low-cost system is provided for projecting a large and bright television image onto a screen. A minature liquid crystal array is driven by video circuitry to produce a pattern of transparencies in the array corresponding to a television image. Light is directed against the rear surface of the array to illuminate it, while a projection lens lies in front of the array to project the image of the array onto a large screen. Grid lines in the liquid crystal array are eliminated by a spacial filter which comprises a negative of the Fourier transform of the grid.

Abstract: A releasable fastening apparatus includes a connecting member and a housing, the housing supporting a gripping mechanism adapted to engage the connecting member. A triggering member is movable within the housing between a first position in which it constrains the gripping mechanism in locked engagement with the connecting member, and a second position in which the gripping mechanism is disengaged from the connecting member. A shaped memory alloy actuator is employed for translating the triggering member from its first to its second position, the actuator being operable to expand longitudinally when transitioned from a martensitic to an austenitic state.

Abstract: Density measurements can be made in a gas contained in a flow through enclosure by measuring the sound pressure level at a receiver or microphone located near a dipole sound source which is driven at constant velocity amplitude at low frequencies. Analytical results, which are provided in terms of geometrical parameters, wave numbers and sound source type for systems of this invention, agree well with published data. The relatively simple designs feature a transmitter transducer at the closed end of a small tube and a receiver transducer on the circumference of the small tube located a small distance away from the transmitter. The transmitter should be a dipole operated at low frequency with the kL value preferably less than about 0.3.

Abstract: The invention is a method of forming a multiple layer dielectric for use in a hot-film laminar separation sensor 21. The multiple layer dielectric substrate is formed by depositing a first layer 22 of a thermoplastic polymer such as on an electrically conductive substrate such as the metal surface 23 of a model 24 to be tested under cryogenic conditions and high Reynolds numbers. Next, a second dielectric layer 26 of fused silica is formed on the first dielectric layer 22 of thermoplastic polymer. A resistive metal film is deposited on selected areas of the multiple layer dielectric substrate to form one or more hot-film sensor elements 27 to which aluminum electrical circuits 28 deposited upon the multiple layered dielectric substrate are connected.

Abstract: A latching device which is lever operated sequentially to actuate a set of collet fingers to provide a radial expansion and to actuate a force mechanism to provide a compressive gripping force for attaching first and second devices to one another. The latching device includes a body member having elongated collet fingers which, in a deactuated condition, are insertable through bores on the first and second devices so that gripping terminal portions on the collet fingers are proximate to the end of the bore of the first device while a spring assembly on the body member is located proximate to the outer surface of a second device. A lever is rotatable through 90.degree. to move a latching rod to sequentially actuate and expand collet fingers and to actuate the spring assembly by compressing it. During the first 30.degree. of movement of the lever, the collet fingers are actuated by the latching rod to provide a radial expansion and during the last 60.degree.

Abstract: A surface emitting laser or SEL having a pair of vertical oscillator mirrors and a pair of integrated 45.degree. beam deflectors etched in a pair of parallel grooves in a broad-area multilayered wafer by tilted ion beam etching. Each SEL has high output power, low threshold current density, relatively high efficiency, and is compatible with large scale optoelectronic integrated circuit technology. One embodiment includes a lattice matched, unstrained AlGaAs/GaAs single quantum well (SQW) optical cavity in a graded index separate confinement heterostructure (GRINSCH). A second embodiment is a 945 nm lattice-mismatched or pseudomorphic In.sub.0.15 Ga.sub.0.85 As/AlGaAs SQW optical cavity SEL in a GRINSCH configuration in which the lattice mismatch is accommodated by elastic deformation of the lattice. Strain-induced reduction of valence band non-parabolicity and effective density states permits operation with a relatively low threshold current and improved spectral and dynamic properties.

Abstract: A three-stage sorption type cryogenic refrigeration system, each stage containing a fluid having a respectively different boiling point. Each stage includes a compressor in which a respective fluid is heated to be placed in a high pressure gaseous state. The compressor for that fluid which is heated to the highest temperature is enclosed by the other two compressors to permit heat to be transferred from the inner compressor to the surrounding compressors. The system may include two sets of compressors, each having the structure described above, with the interior compressors of the two sets coupled together to permit selective heat transfer therebetween, resulting in more efficient utilization of input power.

Abstract: A spectral imaging system having an integrated filter and photodetector array. The filter has narrow transmission bands which vary in frequency along the photodetector array. The frequency variation of the transmission bands is matched to, and aligned with, the frequency variation of a received spectral image. The filter is deposited directly on the photodetector array by a low temperature deposition process. By depositing the filter directly on the photodetector array, permanent alignment is achieved for all temperatures, spectral crosstalk is substantially eliminated, and a high signal-to-noise ratio is achieved.

Abstract: This invention is a semi-interpenetrating polymer network which includes a high performance thermosetting polyimide having a nadic end group acting as a crosslinking site and a high performance linear thermoplastic polyimide having the following repeating unit. ##STR1## wherein Z=C or SO.sub.2. Provided is an improved high temperature matrix resin which is capable of performing in the 200.degree. to 300.degree. C. range. This resin has significantly improved toughness and microcracking resistance, excellent processability, mechanical performance and moisture and solvent resistances.

Abstract: Arrays of actuators are affixed to structural elements to impede the transmission of vibrational energy. A single pair is used to provide control of bending and extensional waves and two pairs are used to control torsional motion in addition to these two types of wave motion. The arrays are applied to a wide variety of structural elements such as a beam structure that is part of larger framework that may or may not support a rigid or non-rigid skin. Electrical excitation is applied to the actuators that generate forces on the structure. These electrical inputs may be adjusted in their amplitude and phase by a controller in communication with appropriate vibrational wave sensors to impede the flow of vibrational power in all of the above mentioned wave forms beyond the actuator location. Additional sensor elements can be used to monitor the performance and adjust the electrical inputs to maximize the attenuation of vibrational energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a 3-dimensional cell to tissue and maintenance process, more particularly to methods of culturing cells in a culture environment, either in space or in a gravity field, with minimum fluid shear stress, freedom for 3-dimensional spatial orientation of the suspended particles and localization of particles with differing or similar sedimentation properties in a similar spatial region.

Abstract: A bio-reactor system wherein a tubular housing contains an internal circularly disposed set of blade members and a central tubular filter all mounted for rotation about a common horizontal axis and each having independent rotational support and rotational drive mechanisms. The housing, blade members and filter preferably are driven at a constant slow speed for placing a fluid culture medium with discrete microbeads and cell cultures in a discrete spatial suspension in the housing. Replacement fluid medium is symmetrically input and fluid medium is symmetrically output from the housing where the input and the output are part of a loop providing a constant or intermittent flow of fluid medium in a closed loop.

Abstract: A suspension cell culture system where a culture chamber is rotatable about a horizontal axis and has a vertical large area oxygen transmissible membrane spaced a distance about 0.25 inches less than 1.0 inches from a facing vertical wall surface for effective transmission of oxygen to cells in suspension in the culture chamber. The facing vertical wall surface can be a dialysis membrane for exchange of fresh nutrient from a dialysis chamber with cell waste product in the culture chamber.

Abstract: The process of the present invention relates to a three dimensional co-culture process. Wherein two distinct types of mammalian cells are co-cultured in a rotating bioreactor which is completely filled with culture media and cell attachment substrates. As the size of the tissue assemblies formed on the attachment substrates changes the rotation of the bioreactor is adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A velocimeter measures flow characteristics of a flow travelling through a chamber in a given direction. Tracer particles are entrained in the flow and a source of radiant energy produces an output stream directed transverse the chamber and having a sufficient intensity to vaporize the particles as they pass through the output stream. Each of the vaporized particles exploding to produce a shock wave and a hot core, and a flow visualization system tracks the motion of the hot cores and shock waves to thereby measure velocity of each tracer particle, and temperature of the flow around the tracer.

Abstract: A method is described for determining the return stroke polarity of distant lightning for distances beyond 600 km by detecting the electric field associated with a return stroke of distant lightning, and processing the electric field signal to determine the polarity of the slow tail of the VLF waveform signal associated with the detected electric field. The polarity of the return stroke of distant lightning is determined based upon the polarity of the slow tail portion of the waveform.

Abstract: A bio-reactor system where cell growth microcarrier beads are suspended in a zero head space fluid medium by rotation about a horizontal axis and where the fluid is continuously oxygenated from a tubular membrane which rotates on a shaft together with rotation of the culture vessel. The oxygen is continuously throughput through the membrane and disbursed into the fluid medium along the length of the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of recertifying a loaded bearing member using ultrasound testing to compensate for different equipment configurations and temperature conditions. The standard frequency F1 of a reference block is determined via an ultrasound tone burst generated by a first pulsed phase locked loop (P2L2) equipment configuration. Once a lock point number s is determined for F1, the reference frequency F1a of the reference block is determined at this lock point number via a second P2L2 equipment configuration to permit an equipment offset compensation factor Fo1=((F1-F1a)/F1)(1000000) to be determined. Next, a reference frequency F2 of the unloaded bearing member is determined using the second P2L2 equipment configuration and is then compensated for equipment offset errors via the relationship F2c=F2+F2(Fo1)/1000000. A lock point number b is also determined for F2.

Abstract: A linear mass actuator includes an upper housing and a lower housing connectable to each other and having a central passageway passing axially therethrough a mass linearly movable in the central passageway, rollers mounted in the upper and lower housings and being in frictional engagement with the mass, for translating the mass linearly in the central passageway and drive motors operatively coupled to the roller means, for rotating the rollers and thus driving the mass axially in the central passageway.