Abstract: A system and a related method for non-destructive evaluation of the surface characteristics of a magnetic material. The sample is excited by an alternating magnetic field. The field frequency, amplitude and offset are controlled according to a predetermined protocol. The Barkhausen response of the sample is detected for the various fields and offsets and is analyzed. The system produces information relating to the frequency content, the amplitude content, the average or RMS energy content, as well as count rate information, for each of the Barkhausen responses at each of the excitation levels applied during the protocol. That information provides a contiguous body of data, heretofore unavailable, which can be analyzed to deduce information about the surface characteristics of the material at various depths below the surface.

Abstract: A rotary displacement measuring apparatus includes an axle whose rotary displacement is to be determined, with the axle being mounted to rotate about its long axis. An emitter is mounted on the axle to define a plurality of concentric tracks circumscribing the axle to rotate as the axle rotates, with each of the tracks being segmented to define a plurality of spaced-apart, conductive sections for producing electric fields when energized. Also included is a voltage source for energizing the conductive sections. A detector is disposed adjacent to the tracks of the emitter and includes a plurality of sensors, each positioned adjacent a respective track to detect the electric fields of the respective track as the axle and tracks are rotated. The detector produces signals representing the variation in the electric fields as the emitter is rotated, and these signals provide an indication of the rotary displacement of the tracks and thus of the axle.

Abstract: A control area is imaged on photo-sensitive graphic arts material to be evaluated for the sharpness of images printed on the material through the various stages of the reproduction process. The control area includes a light transmitting image divided into a plurality of segments where the image is a sharp-edged line element of a fixed preselected width. The line element is repeated from segment to segment in a preselected pattern of line elements separated a preselected distance apart by a space. The first segment of a control area has a solid optical density. At the opposite end of the control area is positioned a second segment having a substrate optical density. An intermediate segment includes a plurality of sections in which the line elements in each section are spaced apart the same distance, and the spacing between line elements varies from one section to the next. Thus, a range of spatial frequencies of repeating line elements is provided in the control area.

Abstract: Compounds containing .alpha.-discarbonyl groups are rendered capable of fluorescent emission by conjugation with carboxylic acid-terminated ortho-diaminoaryl reagents. The carboxylic acid groups serve as ionizable moieties which facilitate the conjugation reaction, and are retained in the conjugation product to enable, or enhance the ability of, the conjugated compounds to be separated in chromatographic and electromigration separation processes, notably electrophoresis. Ortho-dinitro derivatives of the reagents are also disclosed, these derivatives offering the advantage of stability as well as the ability to be used directly in the reaction in the presence of a reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention features a process and a resulting article in which copper-based multilevel interconnects are fabricated. The copper-based multilevel interconnect formed by the inventive process first includes the process step of depositing a pattern of copper lines upon or in an applicable substrate, such as silicon dioxide. The copper lines are approximately one micron thick. The lines are coated with approximately 50 to 100 nm of titanium by sputter deposition, and undergo subsequent annealing at approximately 300.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. in an argon ambient. The titanium and copper layers are annealed to provide a Cu.sub.3 Ti alloy at the copper/titanium junction. The unreacted titanium between the copper features is then stripped away by dry etching with fluorine-based etch. The remaining Cu.sub.3 Ti alloy is subsequently transformed into TiN(O) and copper by a rapid thermal annealing in an NH.sub.3 atmosphere at an approximate temperature of below 650.degree. C.

Abstract: A patient's head is anchored (16) at one end of a patient support (10). An array of receivers (50) are mounted on a frame (12) which is fixed to the patient support. The frame carries at least one reference transmitter (52). A wand (42) has at least two emitters (44, 46) mounted thereto. By measuring relative travel time of the signals from the wand emitters to the receiver array and comparing the travel time with travel time over a known distance from the reference transmitter to one or more of the receivers, the position of the wand in a coordinate system of the patient support is determined (80). A three-dimensional array of diagnostic image data was taken through the anchored portion of the patient and at least three markers (114) affixed to the patient. By positioning the wand on the markers after the patient is secured to the patient support, a transform (110) between the patient support coordinate system and the image data coordinate system is derived.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the diagnosis of autosomal muscular dystrophy through the analysis of muscle tissue using antibodies reactive with components of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. An experimental muscle tissue sample, treated if necessary to render components of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex available for antibody binding, is contacted with an antibody which binds to a dystrophin-associated protein. The extent of antibody binding is determined, and compared to the extent of antibody binding to normal control tissue. A substantial reduction in the extent of binding to experimental tissue, as compared with normal control tissue, being diagnostic of autosomal muscular dystrophy. Among the autosomal muscular dystrophies which are detectable by the methods described herein are Fukuyama muscular dystrophy and severe childhood autosomal recessive muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: A blood serum sample useful as a calibration baseline comprising a natural blood matrix is disclosed. This serum sample contains less than an HPLC-detectable amount of cortisol. Also disclosed is a serum sample containing less than HPLC-detectable amounts of cortisone and corticosterone and less than RIA-detectable amounts of testosterone, androstenedione, progesterone, DHEA sulfate and 17-OH progesterone. A method of preparing such a serum sample is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for use in photoelectrochemical reactions includes as its reactive surface a metal oxide porous ceramic membrane of a catalytic metal such as titanium. The reaction vessel includes a light source and a counter electrode. A provision for applying an electrical bias between the membrane and the counter electrode permits the Fermi levels of potential reaction to be favored so that certain reactions may be favored in the vessel. The electrical biasing is also useful for the cleaning of the catalytic membrane. Also disclosed is a method regenerating a porous metal oxide ceramic membrane used in a photoelectrochemical catalytic process by periodically removing the reactants and regenerating the membrane using a variety of chemical, thermal, and electrical techniques.

Abstract: A method for treating mammals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, other tissue-destructive conditions, and chronic inflammatory or other conditions associated with excess metalloproteinase activity comprising administering to the mammal an amount of a tetracycline that is effectively anti-metalloproteinase, but that is not effectively antimicrobial, and an amount of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent which, when combined with the effectively anti-metalloproteinase amount of tetracycline, results in a significant reduction of tissue destruction and/or bone loss.

Abstract: A flexible system for determining the quality of agricultural products based on characteristics such as, for example, mass, shape, hardness, size, color and surface texture is disclosed herein. The quality determination apparatus includes a feeder assembly for sequentially dropping individual product samples upon an impact transducer arrangement. The impact transducer generates transducer signals indicative of the physical characteristics of each product sample. In addition, an imaging device operates to synthesize a digital image representation of each product sample. The transducer signal and digital image representation corresponding to each product are analyzed so as to determine the appropriate degree of quality to be associated therewith.

Abstract: Two genes encoding the predominant polypeptides of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. thompsoni cuboidal crystals were cloned in Escherichia coli and sequenced. The new class of crystal proteins have electrophoretic mobilities of 40 and 34 kilodaltons (kDa) with the deduced amino-acid sequences predicting molecular masses of 35,384 and 37,505 daltons, respectively. No statistically significant similarities were detected for the 40 kDa and 34 kDa crystal proteins to any other characterized Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein or to each other. A 100 MDa plasmid encodes both crystal protein genes, which appear to be part of an operon with the 40 kDa gene 64 nucleotides upstream of the 34 kDa gene. Both crystal proteins are synthesized in approximately the same amounts. Even though small, compared to other crystal proteins, the 34 kDa crystal protein has insecticidal activity against lepidopteran larvae (Manduca sexta).

Abstract: A method of forming thallium, barium, calcium, copper oxide films with smooth surfaces and chemical uniformity by sequentially depositing layers and annealing in the absence of a separate source of Tl.

Abstract: A dual wavelength optical sensor for measuring chemical properties of a particular quantity, the optical sensor including a sensor probe having a thin sensing film whose optical characteristics are responsive to the chemical properties of the measured quantityThe United States Government has certain rights in this invention pursuant to Contract No. ITA87-02 between the U.S. Department of Commerce and Iowa State University.

Abstract: A drug delivery catheter assembly, including an expandable, porous outer membrane that is insertable into a blood vessel and positioned adjacent a stenotic atherosclerotic lesion on the interior wall of the blood vessel. The membrane is expanded into contact with the lesion, either mechanically or hydraulically. After the membrane is expanded, a drug-containing liquid is caused to flow into the membrane and through the pores in the membrane into contact with the lesion.

Abstract: A method for the selective killing of HIV-infected cells, via HIV-regulated expression of a toxin gene, is provided in the present invention. Specifically, the expression of the diphtheria toxin fragment A gene is subject to tight control by cis-acting HIV regulatory sequences and trans-acting regulatory factors. Also provided is a method of protecting a host from HIV infection by the stable transformation of target cells, those cells which can be infected with HIV, with an HIV-regulated toxin gene. When such a stably transformed cell becomes infected with HIV, induction of the toxin gene prevents the replication and spread of the virus.

Abstract: Polymer particles having a hydrophobic core and various surface functional groups, particularly hydrophilic and chiral surface functional groups, are produced by adding a non-emulsified functional polymerizable monomer to the aqueous phase of a dispersion of soluble polymer particles which have previously been swollen with an emulsified-monomer and polymerizing the monomers. Preferably the particles are uniform macroporous beads.

Abstract: A total artificial heart for placement inside a living body comprising right and left ventricle enclosures, wherein each ventricle includes an exterior wall formed of (i) contacting wall structure and (ii) noncontacting wall structure which collectively enclose an interior volume comprised of a blood chamber and a pumping chamber. The contacting wall structure of each ventricle enclosure is configured for intercontacting relationship wherein the contacting walls of the respective ventricles form a septum which structurally separates the interior volume of the right ventricle from the interior volume of the left ventricle. The noncontacting wall structure comprises the remaining exterior wall of each ventricle enclosure. A fluid drive motor capable of reversible flow is positioned within and circumscribed by the septum and includes a flow channel therethrough which communicates between the respective pumping chambers of the right and left ventricle enclosures.

Abstract: Corn gluten meal is used as a natural preemergence herbicide.

Abstract: A new and distinct strawberry variety which originated from seed produced by a hand-pollinated cross between FL 80-456 and Pajaro, is provided. The new strawberry is distinguished by its earliness of production, its cupped leaves, its reponse to pests, and its sweet fruit.