Abstract: A plant micropropagation apparatus (100) and process is provided in which a support platform (110) for vessels (12) containing a liquid growth media are periodically pivoted which brings about an intermittent immersion of the plant tissue/growth substrate in the growth media. The motion of the support platform (110) may optionally be used to engage a piston operated dispenser (14) for supplying aseptic media to the sealed vessel (12). The intermittent immersion also provides for an improved method of separating viable embryos from culture materials using a separation matrix in conjunction with the intermittent wave motion of the plant media when suspended in a liquid culture.

Abstract: The apparatus and methods employ momentum separation to implement a particle beam (PB) sampling scheme for the introduction of particulate matter into low pressure (e.g., glow discharge) plasma sources for subsequent atomic emission and mass spectrometry chemical analysis in real time, whether the particles are provided in a continuous stream during the analysis or are collected in situ and analyzed periodically upon obtaining a suitable number of particles to be analyzed. The particulate matter in the particle beam (PB) is subjected to low-power laser scattering to effect particle size analysis. Gases removed by momentum separation are also analyzed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to open-framework and microporous solids well suited for use in catalysis and ion exchange. The microporous solids are constructed by using a salt template which can be readily removed without destroying the framework of the micropore. Various microporous solids can be formed having different geometric structures depending upon the templating salt used and the concentration. Examples of two compounds include Na2Cs[Mn3(P2O7)2]Cl and K2.02Cs2.90[Cu3(P2O7)2]Cl2.92. Both compounds have 3-D (Mn,Cu)—P—O frameworks.

Abstract: Fluoropolymers consisting of alternating perfluorocyclobutane and aryl ether linkages possess suitable properties for optical waveguides and other devices using refractive properties of the polymers. Perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) polymers having aryl groups alternating on an ether chain have shown useful physical properties for optical waveguide applications. Processes for micromolding such polymeric films by replicating a pattern or image directly from a silicon master, rather than from a polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) mold, are disclosed.

Abstract: Optical waveguides interconnect optical information processing devices, or connect such devices with other optical communication links such as glass optical fibers. Fluoropolymers consisting of alternating perfluorocyclobutane and aryl ether linkages possess suitable properties for optical waveguides and other devices due to tunability in optical properties of the copolymers. Perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) copolymer may be employed in solutions that exhibit a high solids content. Such solutions show useful physical properties for optical waveguide devices since the solutions are capable of achieving single step film thicknesses, when applied to a substrate, of greater than about 0.6 microns, and sometimes may achieve a thickness of 10 microns or more.

Abstract: Fluoropolymers consisting of alternating perfluorocyclobutane and aryl ether linkages possess suitable properties for optical waveguides and other devices using refractive properties of the polymers. Perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) polymers having aryl groups alternating on an ether chain have shown useful physical properties for optical waveguide applications. Processes for micromolding such polymeric films by replicating a pattern or image directly from a silicon master, rather than from a polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) mold) are disclosed.

Abstract: Fluoropolymers consisting of alternating perfluorocyclobutane and aryl ether linkages possess suitable properties for optical waveguides and other devices using refractive properties of the polymers. Perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) polymers having aryl groups alternating on an ether chain have shown useful physical properties for optical waveguide applications. Processes for micromolding such polymeric films by replicating a pattern or image directly from a silicon master, rather than from a polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) mold, are disclosed.

Abstract: Vascular biomaterial structures may be coated with a plasma-induced layer on their surface. Vascular biomaterial structures may include cardiovascular devices such as heart valves, stents, vascular graphs, and the like. Devices coated with a plasma polymerized coating may show reduced amounts of undesirable coagulation of blood at the surface of the device. A reduced amount of thrombosis may be observed for such plasma coated medical devices.

Abstract: The ability to transport body liquids in consumer products such as diapers, incontinents and feminine napkins is a key factor in their performance. This invention is designed to provide specific high fluxes (volume of liquid/(time*mass of polymer) of aqueous liquids in designated directions using bundles of new specially designed fibers. The key factors for the bundles are a high specific adhesion for the liquid of interest, a high specific volume of the bundle itself, and alignment of the fibers within the bundle. The invention includes novel liquid acquisition/distribution systems and absorbent products that include a liquid acquisition/distribution system which may incorporate the novel bundles of fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensitive test for objectively diagnosing the presence of Didymella bryoniae, the causative agent of gummy stem blight, and differentiating it from similar, nonpathogenic Phoma species. The assay is applicable to DNA isolated from extracts from plant leaves, stem or seed. The detection method employs a polymerase chain reaction technique, using specific oligonucleotide primers for amplification. PCR Products can be visualized using an ELISA-based calorimetric detection system.

Abstract: The ability to transport body liquids in consumer products such as diapers, incontinents and feminine napkins is a key factor in their performance. This invention is designed to provide specific high fluxes (volume of liquid/(time*mass of polymer) of aqueous liquids in designated directions using bundles of new specially designed fibers. The key factors for the bundles are a high specific adhesion for the liquid of interest, a high specific volume of the bundle itself, and alignment of the fibers within the bundle. The invention includes novel liquid acquisition/distribution systems and absorbent products that include a liquid acquisition/distribution system which may incorporate the novel bundles of fibers.

Abstract: A deformable, shrinkable fiber that is dimensionally stable at normal body temperatures of approximately 37° C. in the dry state, but is dimensionally unstable (i.e. shrinks and distorts) when wet at the same temperature. The fiber comprises a fiber forming polymer that has a dry glass transition temperature (“dry Tg”) of greater than or equal to 42° C. and a wet glass transition temperature (“wet Tg”) of less than or equal to 32° C. A method of making said fiber and absorbent article(s) made therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process and system for treating animal waste. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a process and system for treating animal waste effluent with ozone to decompose the organic material within and improve the odor of the animal waste. The process of the present invention also reduces biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total bacterial content and coliform bacterial count of the animal waste. The process of this present invention comprises collecting an animal waste solution, containing a mixture of water and animal fecal material; contacting the waste solution with ozone in an amount sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of the organic material contained within; and feeding the ozone treated waste solution to a solids separating device prior to collecting the waste solution in a biobasin or, alternatively, recycling the ozone treated waste solution for use as a source of irrigation or flushwater.

Abstract: Lymphocytes from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients have been found to be readily killed by ultra-violet light-C (UVC) radiation. Cells from healthy donors were minimally affected by doses of UVC 10 times higher than those which caused dramatic drops in the metabolism of CLL cells and eventual death. Irradiated cells from CLL patients and from healthy individuals all demonstrated a number of single strand DNA breaks and alkali-labile sites compared to unirradiated control cells. The extent of DNA damage to both healthy and CLL cells is dose dependent. However, the CLL cells demonstrated more extensive DNA fragmentation and an inability to undergo self-repair. The heightened sensitivity to UVC radiation of lymphocytes from CLL patients is used to provide an excorporeal treatment of CLL lymphocytes followed by the re-introduction of the treated lymphocytes to the patient.

Abstract: A plant propagation apparatus is disclosed which comprises a flexible transparent enclosure. The enclosure is disposable, and could be formed of a polymer such as polyethylene. The enclosure would have at least two walls, formed of flexible material that facilitates transmission of light through the walls. Plant material is sealed within the enclosure, and nutrient solution is made available within the sealed enclosure for the plant. The enclosure is a low cost and effective method for propagating young plants and transporting them between the laboratory environment and a greenhouse or field. The enclosure may be configured to receive gas or carbon dioxide on its inner surface to a predetermined level of pressure, thereby affording the enclosure a flexible but stiff mechanical resistance that protects the young plant while it is growing.

Abstract: An article of manufacture particularly suitable as wallboard, the article comprising a bonded nonwoven structure sandwiched between two layers of paper, wherein the bonded nonwoven structure comprises a binder and a load-bearing fiber wherein the load-bearing fiber has a shape factor between about 2 and 6, a short range distortion factor (SRDF) between about 5 and 70, a long range distortion factor (LRDF) between about 0.1 and 0.6, and a denier per filament (dpf) between about 3 and 200. A method of making the article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A broadband loaded antenna and matching network with related methods for design optimization are disclosed. The loaded antenna structures may preferably be either monopole or dipole antennas, but the particular methods and techniques presented herein may be applied to additional antenna configurations. The load circuits positioned along an antenna may comprise parallel inductor-resistor configurations or other combinations of passive circuit elements. A matching network for connecting an antenna to a transmission line or other medium preferably includes at least a transmission line transformer and a parallel inductor. Various optimization techniques are presented to optimize the design of such broadband monopole antennas. These techniques include implementation of simple genetic algorithms (GAs) or micro-GAs. Component modeling for selected components may be effected through either lumped element representation or curved wire representation.

Abstract: An improved method for preparing low density ceramics is described wherein the process incorporates paper residuals which are a by-product of the paper recycling process. The method for making a low density-ceramic comprises the steps of: a) providing a paper residual comprising from about 0.5 to about 99 percent, by weight, of at least one filler, from about 0 to about 20 percent, by weight, of a dye, from about 0 to about 10 percent, by weight, of an ink, from about 0.5 to about 99.5 percent, by weight, of paper fiber, and from about 0 to about 30 percent, by weight, of other components, based on a dry weight of the residual; b) admixing a ceramic material with the paper residual, the ceramic material comprising up to about 90%, by weight, of the admixture, based on a dry weight of the admixture; c) forming the admixture into a desired shape; and d) firing the admixture to a temperature ranging from about 1850° F. to about 2900° F.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to various processes and systems for forming layers and coatings on substrates, such as semiconductor wafers and solar cells. In one embodiment, the process of the present invention is directed to forming a layer on a substrate from a liquid precursor. The liquid precursor is atomized and exposed to light energy. Besides light energy, the parent material may also be exposed to an electric field and/or to sonic energy. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention a stress measurement device monitors stress in the substrate as a layer is deposited on the substrate. This stress measurement information is then sent to a controller for automatically controlling the amount of energy, such as light energy being emitted onto the substrate.

Abstract: An intraurethral device that can be used to inhibit leakage of urine due to incontinence is provided. The intraurethral device can include a urethral plug made from a biocompatible, flexible material. The intraurethral device can also include a first insertion element in operative communication with a second insertion element to facilitate self-insertion of the urethral plug into the urethra. Furthermore, in some instances, various mechanisms can be provided to keep the intraurethral device substantially sterile and/or clean prior to and/or during the insertion process.