Abstract: An ultrasonic dental tool for use with an ultrasonic transducer, comprises a substantially elongate tool defined by a shaft having a proximal end with a connector for attachment to an ultrasonic transducer, a distal end having a tip configured for performing a dental procedure, a portion of straight cylindrical wall from the tip inward toward the proximal end, and a contra-angle portion of substantially uniform diameter on the proximal end, and a uniform gradual tapered portion intermediate the distal end and the proximal end.

Abstract: A dental tool apparatus for use in the removal of a dental post and other intercanal obstructions comprises a pliers having a first end for mounting a post connector and a second end for applying a force to the connector a substantially elongate post connector defined by a shaft having a proximal for attachment to a lever device, and a distal end having an open bore having a stepped diameter and self taping threads in the bore at the end for engaging and threading onto a dental post.

Abstract: A glioblastoma derived angiogenesis inhibiting factor is described. The material is induced in presence of wild type p53, but not by several mutated forms of p53. Various uses of the material are described.

Abstract: A recycled fiber reinforced, moldable, settable cementitious composition which comprises cementitious material, recycled fibers, accelerator (optional), and water and a cured product therefrom, as well as a method for its preparation by suction-dewatering are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mammalian artificial chromosome (MAC), comprising a centromere and a unique cloning site, said MAC containing less than 0.1% of the DNA present in a normal haploid genome of the mammalian cell from which the centromere was obtained. The invention further provides a MAC, wherein the unique cloning site is a nucleic acid sequence encoding a selectable marker. The invention also provides methods of preparing a MAC. In addition, the invention provides methods of stably expressing a selectable marker in a cell, comprising introducing a MAC containing the selectable marker into the cell. The invention also provides a cell containing a MAC expressing an exogenous nucleic acid sequence and a transgenic mammal expressing a selectable marker.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dental tip that is hardened by a novel process that includes roughing the tip and then applying a metal nitride coating, such as titanium nitride (Ti--N) or zirconium nitride (Zr--N). The roughing is preferably accomplished by sandblasting the tip with a microblaster. Optionally the tip may be heat treated after it has been roughened and prior to being coated in order to further increase its hardness.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for treatment of humans suffering from the symptoms of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or its precursors, lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS) or AIDS-related complex (ARC) or secondary diseases relating thereto and other immunodeficiency pathologies or tumors resulting exclusively from immune deficiency and others such as H.I.V. The compositions contain a therapeutically active amount of phospholipase A.sub.2 and giroxina, preferably where the phospholipase A.sub.2 is isolated from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus or form the venom of Micrurus frontalis altirostris and the giroxina is isolated from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus. Also disclosed is the process for preparing such pharmaceutical composition and the process for treating patients suffering from the aforementioned afflictions.

Abstract: A novel method of tumor immunotherapy is described comprising the genetic modification of cells resulting in the secretion of cytokine gene products to stimulate a patient's immune response to tumor antigens. In one embodiment, autologous fibroblasts genetically modified to secrete at least one cytokine gene product are utilized to immunize the patient in a formulation with tumor antigens at a site other than an active tumor site. In another embodiment, cells genetically modified to express at least one tumor antigen gene product and to secrete at least one cytokine gene product are utilized in a formulation to immunize the patient at a site other than an active tumor site.

Abstract: A holder assembly for a surgical blade includes a handle assembly and a wrench for loosening/tightening the blade from/to the handle of the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a collet having two longitudinal slits that enable the collet to secure the blade in a first and second direction to prevent slippage during operation. The collet fits in the handle and is secured by a retaining member that fits over the collet with the blade intact. The retaining member is loosened/tightened by a wrench that is part of the holder assembly. The wrench is configured to cover the blade completely when the wrench is placed in operation. Part of the cover is removable for cleaning by inserting the closed end of the wrench into the wrench body and pushing the cover's cap off.

Abstract: A cutting device for removing the upper part of capsules covering the cork in bottles of wine and the like, including a body made of rigid plastics that is substantially shaped externally like a parallelepiped and substantially has the profile of a stylized uppercase U, the internal opposite faces of the wings of said U having two opposite and identical step-like recesses, on each whereof two raised portions or teeth are provided which support, in a recessed position with respect to the inner edge of the wings, a sharp metal cutting blade that is substantially curved in a semicircular shape so as to allow the mutually opposite and co-planar blades to form, therebetween, the space for insertion on the capsule that is anchored to the bottle neck, thinner regions being furthermore provided on the wings that support the laminae and being adapted to make the wings flexible, so as to allow to clamp them on the capsule and cut the upper part of the capsule by a rotation of the wings through approximately 180.degree.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially purified cellular factor that can regulate the expression of genes that encode proteins involved in cholesterol metabolism. The invention also provides methods of obtaining the cellular factors of the invention in a substantially purified form. The invention further provides a method of using a cellular factor of the invention to reduce cholesterol levels in a subject having hypercholesterolemia comprising administering a cellular factor to the subject.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using either two or three input laser beams in a nonlinear degenerate four-wave mixing arrangement for ultrasensative analytical measurements of an analyte. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a two input beam F-D4WM arrangement is used to generate two phase conjugate signal beams. The input beams are narrowly focused to intersect within a very small volume of an analyte. The analyte may be in any physical state (e.g., liquid, solid, or gas). The intensity of the signal beam is used to detect trace concentrations of particular substances. The beam spot of each of the input beams can be focused to less than 34 .mu.m, thus allowing the present invention to directly focus the input beams within a capillary tube of a HPCE or a column of a HPLC system. In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, the input laser beams of a F-D4WM method are directed to points on a lens by immobilized fiber optic cables.

Abstract: Anti-neoplastic compositions consisting of one or more pterins, or derivatives or analogs thereof, selected from the group consisting of xanthopterin, isoxanthopterin and/or neopterin, and/or a derivative or analog thereof, and a method for the application thereof to a living creature in an amount and composition which, in the preferred embodiment, consists of substantially about 32 micrograms per milliliter xanthopterin and substantially about 16 micrograms per milliliter isoxanthopterin suspension diluted in an inert carrier and administered subcutaneously into the vicinity of the neoplasm with a frequency sufficient to inhibit the growth of the neoplasm.

Abstract: A structural glazing system for obtaining continuous glazed facades, comprising a supporting structural framing including a plurality of uprights and transoms securable to the supporting structure of a building to be glazed, a plurality of panels, concealed support and mounting means arranged to secure each panel to the structural framing to form, in use, a mosaic of co-planar panels forming a continuous glazed facade, each panel being separated from the others by gaps, and a plurality of gap-covering slates designed to be removably secured to the structural framing and to provide uniformity and continuity in the panel mosaic.

Abstract: An anchor for supporting guy wires for transmission towers and other structures. The anchor includes a cradle or base skid which supports a plurality of modular deadweight bodies which may interlock to increase the overall stability of the anchor.

Abstract: An electrical connector for temporary attachment to two sets of linearly arrayed electrical contacts on opposite exposed sides of a rectangular-block-shaped electrical component, such as an integrated circuit chip, mounted on a circuit board. The electrical connector includes two sets of lineraly arrayed conductive pins for connection to the first and second sets of contacts of the board-mounted component. Each set of pins is held by a slab of circuit-board material. When the connector is positioned over the board-mounted component for attachment thereto, a first end portion of each pin is disposed beneath its respective slab for connection to a corresponding contact of the electrical component, and the other end portion of each pin is exposed for connection to some other electrical component.

Abstract: A hydraulic swivel connector which includes a block and a stem with a female quick disconnect coupler extending from the stem. Such an arrangement has a very compact design which allows the connector to be used to provide a swivel connection between a hydraulic hose and a tool head for constricted working environments.

Abstract: A pulse width modulated inverter system includes a comparator for comparing an output voltage with the sum of a reference voltage and a maximum allowable ripple voltage. The comparator further includes an input from the ripple current in a filter capacitor to determine when to switch between two DC voltage buses such that the maximum allowable ripple voltage will not be exceeded. The ripple voltage is constrained such that when the current is switched to maintain the ripple voltage within the set limits, the pulse width modulation frequency is maintained at a desired frequency.

Abstract: A heated bed module for use by animals, consists of a box-like unit having an animal supporting top panel and a shallow liquid containing chamber immediately below the top panel. A thermostatically controlled heater is installed below the liquid chamber with suitable support and insulation and access is provided for filling and draining the chamber. The unit is completely self-contained and used alone or coupled to other units to make a heated assembly for any size of animal.