Abstract: A quantitative, sensitive, One-Step In Situ hybridization assay is provided which will detect as few as 1-5 copies of target biopolymer per cell and may be accomplished in 5 minutes to 4 hours. There is provided a simultaneous assay for detecting multiple biopolymers within the same cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for an early stage detection of three specific pregnancy-related disorders: preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation and preterm delivery. According to the method, an antigen consisting of a specific human-derived placental soluble protein, known as PP-13, is determined by radioimmunoassay or ELISA. In the radioimmunoassay method, the PP-13 is labelled by a radioactive iodine and the bounded iodine is counted and correlated with standard curves. The best results are obtained when the protein to be labelled by radioactive iodine is present at a concentration of above 0.71 mg/ml. In case of the ELISA method, the quantitative determination of PP-13 is carried out with an alkaline phosphatase substrate and measured at an optical density of 405 nm.

Abstract: The measurement of integrated densities of irregularly shaped areas of a subject specimen is accomplished by using a video camera to derive an analog video image signal representative of the optical intensity of light associated with the specimen. A modified low cost high speed video digitizer converts the video image signal into a digital format which an interactive computer program converts into digital optical density values that are used to determine the net integrated density of each irregularly shaped area within the specimen.

Abstract: An improved, rapid method for preparing substantially spherical multilamellar liposomes of a defined and adjustable size within the range of 2 to 100 micrometers, suitable for encapsulation and targeting of drugs.

Abstract: An implantable carbon composite finger joint prosthesis having first and second members rotatably attached forming a single axis joint. The joint has a core which includes a three directionally woven high density carbon-carbon composite for strength, and a base for supporting stems which includes a porous vitreous carbon to promote bony tissue ingrowth, and the coacting joint surfaces include carbide which is wear resistant and will not support fibrous tissue.

Abstract: A method is described for treating high strength metals selected from zirconium, titanium and alloyed steels, against hydrogen embrittlement. The method involves the immersion of the metal in an electrolyte solution and subjecting it to an anodic potential having a value of up to 600 volts on the hydrogen scale. According to a preferred embodiment prior to the immersion, the metal is coated with a substance possessing a low hydrogen over-potential and high affinity towards hydrogen. The method removes continuously or periodically the hydrogen from the metal by anodic oxidation and minimizes the penetration of hydrogen into the core of the metal.

Abstract: A displacement or power mechanical oscillator comprises an oscillation space constituted by a sector of an annular cavity, having a rectangular cross-section in a plane through the axis of the cavity and vertically oriented plane of symmetry. The cavity contains a sealing liquid and a vane in closed matching relationship with the inner walls of the cavity. The vane is symmetrically oscillatable with the liquid in the narrow gaps between vane and cavity walls providing a liquid dynamic seal.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a mask for X-ray lithography having a thin oxidized metal membrane supported on an annular silicon base. The method consists of the following steps: (a) deposition of a metal layer on a silicon wafer; (b) oxidation of the metal layer to form a continuous thin oxide layer; (c) etching selectively a portion of the backside of said substrate, obtaining a thin membrane of oxidized metal at the etched portion; and (d) obtaining a pattern delineation through a photoresist on said membrane framed by the silicon substrate. A most preferred deposited metal is aluminum which is converted to aluminum oxide. Then a portion of the silicon substrate is removed in order to expose the aluminum oxide membrane attached to the remaining silicon substrate. The mask prepared according to the present invention does not suffer from any distortion and preserves its accuracy even under the stresses incurred during the mask preparation and use.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a mask for X-ray lithography having a thin oxide film supported on an annular silicon base includes the following steps:(a) deposition of an oxide layer such as titania or zirconia, on a silicon or copper substrate;(b) etching selectively a portion of the backside of the substrate, obtaining a membrane on the etched portion; and(c) obtaining a pattern delineation through a photoresist on the membrane framed by the silicon or copper substrate.The mask prepared according to the present invention does not suffer from any distortion and preserves its accuracy even under the stresses incurred during the mask preparation and use.

Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous aerosol droplets containing liposome or interacted liposome-drug or medication combination particles in a continuous phase of air or oxygen-enriched air advantageous for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases. The drug or medication is interacted with the liposome membrane so that on its rupture the drug or medication is not lost from the liposome. Different methods of preparation of the aerosol particles containing the liposome and interacted liposome-drug combination particles are described which can be used in small particle aerosol treatment. The majority of the aerosol droplets containing the liposome particles alone or with drugs has a diameter less than 5 microns and has an aerodynamic mass median diameter ranging from about 1 to 3 microns, and the liposome and interacted-liposome drug particles are substantially uniform in size and less than 1 micron in diameter.

Abstract: A urethral magnetic valve for insertion into the urethra of a person suffering from incontinence includes a plastic tube of a diameter suitable for insertion close to the bladder. It forms a valve seat in its distal portion to be normally closed by an elongate valve member of a ferro-magnetic, non-corrosive material. The valve member has a surface corresponding to the valve seat at its proximal end, tapers towards its distal end, and is urged onto the seat by a spring attached at its distal end to the proximal valve end. The spring extends inside the tube and is fastened to the latter at its proximal end; it is so dimensioned that it will keep the valve closed at normal pressure and permit the valve member to be lifted off the seat by overpressure in the bladder. The person wishing to urinate holds a permanent or electro-magnet close to the skin over the pubic area, which attracts and tilts the ferro-magnetic valve member, thereby opening the passage through the tube and through the urethra.

Abstract: Bioaffinity separation is carried out in a cascade of column segments under control of a computer which selectively connects each column segment to a collector so that the individual bioactive components which are selectively retained by a biospecific sorbent can be individually collected. The volume and flow rate of eluate collected following each segment serve as the measure for the addition of makeup eluant between that column segment of the cascade and the next column segment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a soft tissue augmentation material from human placenta homogenized to pass through a surgical needle, preferably a 30 gauge surgical needle, and cross-linking collagen molecules of the material by gamma irradiation. Also disclosed are methods of making the injectable soft tissue augmentation material and using it in human beings.

Abstract: A method of controlling the inflation of a body support, such as a mattress, having a plurality of air cells. The user is placed on the mattress and the air cells are inflated to provide the desired support in each of a plurality of positions. The height distance of all of the air cells are measured in each of the positions and respective positions. The position of the user on the mattress is determined from the height measurements and the inflation of the air cells is controlled to use the stored standards for the position of the user.

Abstract: Soft soldering compositions posessing equal or better melting, wetting and strength properties than conventional straight tin-lead solders but with a reduced tin content are disclosed. The compositions consist of 1-35 wt % tin, 5-30 wt % cadmium 0.05-2.5 wt % antimony, balance essentially lead with 5-30 wt % cadmium, and/or 1-15 wt % bismuth. The solder alloys are characterized by their improved properties concerning solidification temperature gap, spread percentage, wetting time and shear strength. Specific compositions are disclosed having the necessary properties to successfully replace the tradional tin-lead solders containing 30, 40 and 50 wt % tin. The high temperature performance of bonds made with these new alloys are better because of their reduced tendency of intermetallic compounds formation with the substrate due to their lower tin content.

Abstract: A head position detector system includes a cue definition apparatus arranged to be securely mounted on a head whose position is to be monitored, a single camera electro-optical detector arranged to view the cue definition apparatus, a cue processing apparatus receiving an output of the detector and a memory apparatus for storing updated cue addresses for providing an output indication of head position to utilization apparatus.

Abstract: An intelligent scan image sensor including a two-dimensional solid-state array of addressable imaging cells arranged for exposure to an image, where each cell includes a photosensitive diode and a sample and hold unit. The diode accumulates an electrical quantity having a value in relation to the image light intensity falling thereupon during successive integration periods and the sample and hold unit repeatedly samples and stores the accumulated quantities as analog video data values at the end of each of the successive integration periods.

Abstract: A hydraulic-mechanical transmission for a heavy vehicle as shown in FIG. 5 includes a hydraulic variable-displacement pump (I) supplying fluid under pressure to two hydraulic, variable-displacement motors (II, III), controlled by valves (64, 65). It further includes a planetary gear (IV) enclosed in a casing (1) which can be driven by one of the motors (II) through a pinion (51) and an external ring gear (10). The second motor (III) can drive the casing (1) which latter is mounted direct on the motor shaft (40). A planet carrier (2) can be coupled to the casing (1) by a clutch (33) or is freely movable in the casing. A sun gear (31) is mounted on an output shaft (3), while the planet gears (20) engage with an internal gear (11) of the casing. Three speeds and torques are available by respectively driving the planetary gear by either motor or by both motors together and by alternately coupling the planet carrier to the casing or having it freely rotating by operation of the clutch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new technique and device for mass transport operation and physical separation, being substantially quantitative and involving selective barriers. According to the new technique, the mass transport through the selective barrier and physical separation are carried out in the same device. The device consists of a mixing-reservoir into which is fitted snugly a mixer-separator, having a channel in the vertical axis of the mixer-separator, the mixer-separator being provided with means for accumulating a gas pocket to decrease the pressure exerted on the barrier. The completely solid-free liquid passing through the selective barrier is removed by pushing in the mixer-separator, said liquid being accumulated in a collecting container. Typical examples of such selective barriers are: membrane, bed of adsorbent material, paper, plastic, glass and metal filters or any other porous material, and hollow fibers.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and method for measuring the diffusion length in an insulating photoconductor or a semiconductor sample material, that includes a source of coherent light; means for splitting the light source and providing transmitted and reflected beams each having a variable light intensity, one of the transmitted and reflected beams being incident as a background beam at a location on the sample material, means for directing the other of the transmitted and reflected beams so as to be incident at the location as a probe beam, the directing apparatus establishing a predetermined angle between the background and probe beams at the location, polarizing means disposed in the path of the background beam and having one of two predetermined orientations corresponding to polarized and non-polarized states of the beam passing therethrough, means disposed in the path of the probe beam for periodically blocking the passage thereof; and means for measuring changes in the periodic photocurrent supplied by a power