Abstract: Disclosed are DNA sequences encoding novel DNA binding proteins implicated in regulation of early stages of cell growth. Illustratively provided are human and mouse origin DNA sequences encoding early growth regulatory ("Egr") proteins which include "zinc finger" regions of the type involved in DNA binding. Also disclosed are immunological methods and materials for detection of Egr proteins and hybridization methods and materials for detection and quantification of Egr protein related nucleic acids.

Abstract: A bipolar battery having a plurality of cells. The bipolar battery includes: a negative electrode; a positive electrode and a separator element disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, the separator element electrically insulating the electrodes from one another; an electrolyte disposed within at least one of the negative electrode, the positive electrode and the separator element; and an electrode containment structure including a cup-like electrode holder.

Abstract: A method of preparing a high temperature superconductor from an amorphous phase. The method involves preparing a starting material of a composition of Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 Ca.sub.3 Cu.sub.4 Ox or Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 Ca.sub.4 Cu.sub.5 Ox, forming an amorphous phase of the composition and heat treating the amorphous phase for particular time and temperature ranges to achieve a single phase high temperature superconductor.

Abstract: A method and system for quantitation of blood flow rates by using digital subtraction angiographic (DSA) images, wherein the spatial shift of the distribution of contrast material injected into an opacified vessel in the acquired angiographic images is analyzed as a bolus of the contrast material proceeds through the vessel. In order to determine the distance that the bolus travels between image acquisitions, there is obtained from the DSA images the distribution of vessel contrast along the length of the vessel, called and "distance-density" curve. The distance that the contrast material travels during the time between two images acquisitions is determined by means of cross correlation of the two respective distance-density curves. The flow rate between the image acquisitions is calculated by multiplying this distance by the frame rate and the vessel cross-sectional area which is estimated from the vessel size assuming a circular cross section.

Abstract: A method of producing autocrine growth factors from kidney epithelial cells by lowering the extracellular sodium concentration. The invention also concerns new growth factors, a method of producing the new growth factors, and the medium used to produce these new growth factors.

Abstract: A method for automated analysis of abnormalities in the form of lesions and parenchymal distortions using digital images, including generating image data from respective of digital images derived from at least one selected portion of an object, for example, from mammographical digital images of the left and right breasts. The image data from each of the digital images are then correlated to produce correlated data in which normal anatomical structured background is removed. The correlated data is then searched using one or more predetermined criteria to identify in at least one of the digital images an abnormal region represented by a portion of the correlated data which meets the predetermined criteria. The location of the abnormal region is then indicated, and the indicated location is then subjected to classification processing to determine whether or not the abnormal region is benign or malignant. Classification is performed based on the degree of spiculations of the identified abnormal region.

Abstract: Method of making selected phases of nanocrystalline ceramic materials. Various methods of controlling the production of nanocrystalline alpha alumina and titanium oxygen phases are described. Control of the gas atmosphere and use of particular oxidation treatments give rise to the ability to control the particular phases provided in the aluminum/oxygen and titanium/oxygen system.

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.

Abstract: A method for preventing or relieving nausea and emesis associated with the use of an emesis-causing agent in warm-blooded animals comprises administering to the animal both a narcotic analgesic and a quaternary derivative of noroxymorphone prior to, simultaneously with of after administering the emesis-causing agent. A particularly preferred noroxymorphone derivative is methylnaltrexone. The method is highly effective in preventing or relieving nausea and emesis induced by anticancer drugs, and by apomorphine.

Abstract: A thin film structure for providing predetermined electric field boundary conditions. A thin film configuration is disposed on an insulator substrate in a selected spatial pattern with substantially uniform electrically resistive character in each of the different areas of the spatial pattern.

Abstract: A method for displaying three dimensional images starts by initially forming a "stripped" partition of a view window by passing a contractible, vertical attachment through each scene vertex in the view window. Faces from the scene are chosen and added to a planar partition by selecting a vertex of the chosen face; locating its corresponding vertical attachment and traveling along the line segment which is initiated at that vertex. As the line segment traverses each region and makes region to region transitions, the partitions are updated. Concurrently, each new region in the partition has a visibility pointer assigned to it. When an entire scene face has been added, a set of visibility pointers associated with regions interior to the added scene face enable depth comparisons to be carried out.

Abstract: A mixture of a di- or polyphosphonic acid and a reductant wherein each is present in a sufficient amount to provide a synergistic effect with respect to the dissolution of metal oxides and optionally containing corrosion inhibitors and pH adjusting agents.

Abstract: A magnetic electron focusing lens including a first pole piece, from a back side of which low-energy electrons are injected, and a second pole piece located on a front side of the first pole piece. The first and second pole pieces are coupled to form a single magnetic circuit. The first pole piece is shaped to maximize the magnetic field at a its front side at a peak much closer to the first then to the second pole piece. The specimen is located between the first and second pole pieces near the peak of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite by providing a ceramic capable of having zero electrical resistance and complete diamagnetism at superconducting temperatures, bonding a thin layer of Ag, Au or alloys thereof with the ceramic. Thereafter, there is bonded a first metal to the ceramic surface at a temperature less than about 400.degree. C., and then a second metal is bonded to the first metal at a temperature less than about 400.degree. C. to form a composite wherein the first metal is selected from the class consisting of In, Ga, Sn, Bi, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ti and alloys thereof and wherein the second metal is selected from the class consisting of Al, Cu, Pb and Zn and alloys thereof.

Abstract: An automated method and system to determine a number of parameters related to the size and shape of the heart as well as parameters related to the lungs from data derived from digital chest radiographs. A cardiac rectangle enclosing the heart and portions of the surrounding lung tissue is determined, and within the cardiac rectangle, horizontal and vertical profiles, and the first derivatives thereof, are determined. Based on these derivatives, cardiac boundary points on the left and right sides of the cardiac contour are determined, as well as diaphragm edge points. A predetermined model function is then fitted to selected of the determined cardiac boundary points to determine the cardiac contour. Tests are performed to determine whether or not the heart has an abnormal size or is a "tall" heart, and if so, corrective measures are taken. In a preferred embodiment, a shift-variant cosine function is used as a model function fitted to the selected cardiac boundary points.

Abstract: A method capable of detecting low concentrations of a pollutant or other component in air or other gas, utilizing a combination of a heating filament having a catalytic surface of a noble metal for exposure to the gas and producing a derivative chemical product from the component, and an electrochemical sensor responsive to the derivative chemical product for providing a signal indicative of the product. At concentrations in the order of about 1-100 ppm of tetrachloroethylene, neither the heating filament nor the electrochemical sensor is individually capable of sensing the pollutant. In the combination, the heating filament converts the benzyl chloride to one or more derivative chemical products which may be detected by the electrochemical sensor.

Abstract: A polycrystalline metal oxide such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-X (where 0<X<0.5) exhibits superconducting properties and is capable of conducting very large current densities. By aligning the two-dimensional Cu-O layers which carry the current in the superconducting state in the a- and b-directions, i.e., within the basal plane, a high degree of crystalline axes alignment is provided between adjacent grains permitting the conduction of high current densities.

Abstract: A portable instrument for use in the field in detecting, identifying, and quantifying a component of a sampled fluid includes a sensor which chemically reacts with the component of interest or a derivative thereof, an electrical heating filament for heating the sample before it is applied to the sensor, and modulator for continuously varying the temperature of the filament (and hence the reaction rate) between two values sufficient to produce the chemical reaction. In response to this thermal modulation, the sensor produces a modulated output signal, the modulation of which is a function of the activation energy of the chemical reaction, which activation energy is specific to the particular component of interest and its concentration. Microprocessor which compares the modulated output signal with standard responses for a plurality of components to identify and quantify the particular component of interest.

Abstract: A polycrystalline metal oxide such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-X (where 0<X<0.5) exhibits superconducting properties and is capable of conducting very large current densities. By aligning the two-dimensional Cu-O layers which carry the current in the superconducting state in the a- and b-directions, i.e., within the basal plane, a high degree of crystalline axes alignment is provided between adjacent grains permitting the conduction of high current densities. With the superconducting metal oxide in the form of a ceramic slip which has not yet set, orientation of the crystal basal planes parallel with the direction of desired current flow is accomplished by an applied acoustic plane wave in the acoustic or ultrasonic frequency range (either progressive or standing) in applying a torque to each crystal particle. The ceramic slip is then set and fired by conventional methods to produce a conductor with preferentially oriented grains and substantially enhanced current carrying capacity.

Abstract: An interactive medical test selector for use by a patient is about the size of a book and has a screen for displaying questions to a patient, a limited number of keys by which the patient can enter answers, and a memory device for storing the patient's answers. The test selector is battery-powered for portability and uses a low-power liquid crystal display or the like to display instructions and medical questions to the patient. Only four keys are seen or used by the patient for answering the questions: YES, NO, NOT SURE, and NEXT QUESTION. Additional control keys used by the medical staff are hidden from the patient. The device is controlled by a pre-programmed microcomputer on a chip, and a ROM-based, removable and replaceable control program which not only collects, but also analyzes the patient's answers and makes appropriate recommendations based on those answers, and drives a remote printer or computer terminal.