Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining somatostatin receptors. The invention relates as well to the DNA sequences encoding somatostatin receptors, the recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, and recombinant somatostatin receptor polypeptides. By way of example, the invention discloses the cloning and functional expression of at least three different somatostatin receptors, SSTR1, SSTR2 and SSTR3 from two different mammalian sources. The invention includes as well, methods for using the isolated, recombinant receptor polypeptides in assays designed to select and improve substances capable of interacting with somatostatin receptor polypeptides for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein that edits apo B RNA. A polynucleotide that comprises a DNA sequence that encodes an apo B RNA editing protein and an expression vector comprising such a polynucleotide are also provided. Processes for producing an apo B RNA editing protein, editing apo B RNA and altering apo B protein production are also provided.

Abstract: Lubricating compositions including crystalline boric acid and a base lubricant selected from oils, greases and the like. The lubricity of conventional oils and greases can also be improved by adding concentrates of boric acid.

Abstract: An electrocatalytic device for sensing gases. The gas sensing device includes a substrate layer, a reference electrode disposed on the substrate layer comprised of a nonstoichiometric chemical compound enabling oxygen diffusion therethrough, a lower reference electrode coupled to the reference electrode, a solid electrolyte coupled to the lower reference electrode and an upper catalytically active electrode coupled to the solid electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrical lead having one end for connection to an apparatus in a cryogenic environment and the other end for connection to an apparatus outside the cryogenic environment. The electrical lead includes a high temperature superconductor wire and an electrically conductive material distributed therein, where the conductive material is present at the one end of the lead at a concentration in the range of from 0 to about 3% by volume, and at the other end of the lead at a concentration of less than about 20% by volume. Various embodiments are shown for groups of high temperature superconductor wires and sheaths.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel class of anti-androgenic compounds including saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, their derivatives, and synthetic analogs, according to the following formula:CH.sub.3 --(CH.sub.2).sub.a --(CR.sub.1 R.sub.2 CH.dbd.CH).sub.b --(CH.sub.2).sub.c --COOH,wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each either hydrogen or a halogen; wherein a and c are integers from 0-9; wherein b is an integer from 1-6, provided that12<a+c+(3.times.b).ltoreq.22.Also disclose are methods of synthesis of these compounds, and their use in treating disorders associated with androgenic activities. Also disclosed is the use of known compounds not previously known for their anti-androgenic activity in treating disorders related to androgenic activities.

Abstract: A Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. A system includes a non-imaging concentrator coupled to an infrared detector enabling optimized detection of a signal in the Fourier transform infrared spectrometer.

Abstract: A process for aqueous biphasic extraction of metallic oxides and the like from substances containing silica. Control of media pH enables efficient and effective partition of mixture components. The inventive method may be employed to remove excess silica from kaolin clay.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a set of data from an industrial process and/or a sensor. The method and system can include processing data from either real or calculated data related to an industrial process variable. One of the data sets can be an artificial signal data set generated by an autoregressive moving average technique. After obtaining two data sets associated with one physical variable, a difference function data set is obtained by determining the arithmetic difference between the two pairs of data sets over time. A frequency domain transformation is made of the difference function data set to obtain Fourier modes describing a composite function data set. A residual function data set is obtained by subtracting the composite function data set from the difference function data set and the residual function data set (free of nonwhite noise) is analyzed by a statistical probability ratio test to provide a validated data base.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to polymers exhibiting second order nonlinear optical properties, and characterized by high thermal stability. Disclosed are polymers prepared by a polycondensation reaction between an aromatic dianhydride and a compound selected from the group consisting of a di(alkylamino)amine and an aromatic diamine. Most preferred are polymers that are the products of a polycondensation reaction between 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic dianhydride and nitro(N,N-diethylamino)stilbene, wherein the polymer is imidized by further heat treatment.

Abstract: A semiconstrained prosthetic knee for surgical replacement of a dysfunctional knee includes a tibial platform, a movable bearing element, and a femoral component. The femoral and tibial components are typically constructed of a cobalt-chromium alloy and each includes an extension for securing the component to the bone. The femoral component includes a polycentric convex bearing which slidably engages a movable bearing, typically constructed of high molecular weight polyethylene. The superior surface of the bearing element is designed to congruently slidably engage the inferior surface of the bearing portion of the femoral component throughout the flexion/extension range of the knee. The inferior surface of the femoral component is generally convex with two or more offset portions of varying radii of curvature matching complimentary superior surfaces of the bearing element. The inferior surface of the femoral component may have more than one radii of curvature at different points along the convex surface.

Abstract: An alignment method and system for aligning an anti-scatter grid with an x-ray source of a radiographic apparatus, to facilitate accurate alignment of the central x-ray beam of the x-ray source of the radiographic apparatus with a focused grid. The present invention uses a first light projector that is substantially fixed relative to the x-ray source, which produces a first alignment image that is substantially fixed relative to the grid. Also included is a second light projector that is substantially fixed relative to the grid, and that produces a second alignment image that is substantially fixed relative to the x-ray source. The first light projector is preferably the collimator light included within the collimator housing of the x-ray apparatus, and the second light projector is preferably a laser light source, that is attachable to a grid cassette holding the grid.

Abstract: An apparatus for confining molten metal with a horizontal alternating magnetic field. In particular, this invention employs a magnet that can produce a horizontal alternating magnetic field to confine a molten metal at the edges of parallel horizontal rollers as a solid metal sheet is cast by counter-rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to sodium channel proteins and more particularly to mammalian cardiac sodium channel proteins, to DNA sequences encoding sodium channel proteins, to the polypeptide products of recombinant expression of these DNA sequences, to peptides whose sequences are based on amino acid sequences deduced from these DNA sequences, to antibodies specific for such proteins and peptides, and to procedures for detection and quantitation of such proteins and nucleic acids related thereto, as well as to procedures relating to the development of anti-arrhythmic and cardiotonic drugs.

Abstract: A constrained prosthetic knee for surgical replacement of a dysfunctional knee includes a tibial platform, a movable bearing element, a hinge portion, and a femoral component.In one embodiment of the invention, the femoral component is typically constructed of a cobalt-chromium or titanium alloy and includes an upward extension for securing the femoral component to the femur. The femoral component, in this embodiment, includes a convex curve which rotatably and/or slidably engages the movable bearing, typically constructed of high molecular weight polyethylene. The superior surface of the bearing element is designed to congruently slidably engage the inferior surface of the curved portion of the femoral component. The inferior surface of the femoral component is generally convex with a radius of curvature matching the superior surface of the bearing element. The inferior surface of the femoral component may have more than one radii of curvature at different points along the convex surface.

Abstract: A water and UV light degradable copolymer of monomers of lactic acid and a modifying monomer selected from the class consisting of ethylene and polyethylene glycols, propylene and polypropylene glycols, P-dioxanone, 1,5 dioxepan-2-one, 1,4 -oxathialan-2-one, 1,4-dioxide and mixtures thereof. These copolymers are useful for waste disposal and agricultural purposes. Also disclosed is a water degradable blend of polylactic acid or modified polylactic acid and high molecular weight polyethylene oxide wherein the high molecular weight polyethylene oxide is present in the range of from about 2% by weight to about 50% by weight, suitable for films. A method of applying an active material selected from the class of seeds, seedlings, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and mixtures thereof to an agricultural site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A computerized scheme for the analysis of digitized medical images which provides enhancement of interval changes occurring in a pair of temporally sequential images. In the method and apparatus of the invention, a pair of images are digitized and then are subjected to image registration including a nonlinear warping of one of the images so that corresponding locations in the two images are aligned with each other. Subsequent to image registration, a subtraction process is performed in order to generate a difference between the warped and unwarped images. In this manner, slight opacities which are only present in the later image may be detected based on the subtraction of the registered images.

Abstract: Powder of a ceramic superconducting material is synthesized such that each particle of the powder is a single crystal having a flake-like, nonsymmetric morphology such that the c-axis is aligned parallel to the short dimension of the flake. Nonflake powder is synthesized by the normal methods and is pressed into pellets or other shapes and fired for excessive times to produce a coarse grained structure. The fired products are then crushed and ground producing the flake-like powder particles which exhibit superconducting characteristics when aligned with the crystal lattice.

Abstract: A time of flight direct recoil and ion scattering spectrometer beam line (10). The beam line (10) includes an ion source (12) which injects ions into pulse deflection regions (14) and (16) separated by a drift space (18). A final optics stage includes an ion lens and deflection plate assembly (22). The ion pulse length and pulse interval are determined by computerized adjustment of the timing between the voltage pulses applied to the pulsed deflection regions (14) and (16).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting strontium and technetium values from biological, industrial and environmental sample solutions using a chromatographic column is described. An extractant medium for the column is prepared by generating a solution of a diluent containing a Crown ether and dispersing the solution on a resin substrate material. The sample solution is highly acidic and is introduced directed to the chromatographic column and strontium or technetium is eluted using deionized water.