Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purification of a surface exposed, immunogenic outer membrane protein of Haemophilus influenzas which is conserved amongst strains. The protein, designated P6, is relatively free of detergent, contaminating RNA and undesirable cellular components.In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for purifying an immunogenic outer membrane protein of H. influenzas consisting essentially of:a) suspending H.

Abstract: A nonholonomic camera space manipulation system which allows a mobile manipulator which can have both holonomic and nonholonomic movement to autonomously use computer vision to move with respect to a goal position without any prior knowledge or calibration between the two or more video cameras used with the computer vision and the manipulator base or arm, the cameras and the goal, or the base and arm and the goal position. Cues are associated with the manipulator arm and the goal position(s) or target bodies; the cues being distinguishable in the two dimensional focal plane camera spaces of the cameras from the surrounding environment. A processing unit, identifying the position of the cues in each camera space, compares those positions and instructs movements of the manipulator base and/or manipulator arm to achieve movement of the visual cue on the arm with respect to the goal position or target body visual cue in camera space.

Abstract: Methods of determining collagen degradation in vivo, by quantitating the concentration of a peptide in a body fluid, the peptide being a C-terminal type II collagen telopeptide containing a hydroxylysyl pyridinoline cross-link or a type III collagen telopeptide containing a hydroxylysyl pyridinoline cross-link. Suitable methods include immunometric assays, fluorometric assays, and electrochemical titrations for quantitation. The structure of specific peptides having cross-links and kits for quantitating these peptides in a body fluid are described.

Abstract: Sulpinine C, secopenitrem B and 10-oxo-11,33-dihydropenitrem B indole compounds have been isolated from the sclerotia of the fungi Aspergillus sulphureus. Aflatrem B has been isolated from the sclerotia of the fungi Aspergillus flavus, and 14-hydroxypaspalinine and 14-(N,N-dimethylvalyloxy)paspalinine have been isolated from the sclerotia of the fungi Aspergillus nomius. The indole compounds are effective for controlling Coleopteran and Lepidopteran insects.

Abstract: A method of administering a surfactant dispersion to the lungs of a patient in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises heating the dispersion and nebulizing the heated dispersion to produce respirable surfactant particles. The respirable surfactant particles delivered to the lungs of the patient. By heating the dispersion the amount of phospholipid delivered to the lungs of the patient is increased.The dispersion is comprised of a phospholipid dispersed in an aqueous carrier. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the phospholipid is preferably dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) included in an amount from about 8 to 50 milligrams per milliliter of aqueous carrier, and the dispersion is preferably heated to a temperature between about 25.degree. C. and 75.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel method for isolating nucleic acids from biological samples, most particularly blood, using selected quaternary amine surfactants. The nucleic acids are isolated quickly and in sufficient quantity and quality to permit analysis by methods including reverse transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to make any protein in a form that can be isolated rapidly from a solution using a specific monoclonal antibody designated "HPC-4". It has now been determined that it is possible to form a fusion protein of the epitope with a protein to be isolated, and isolate the protein using HPC-4-based affinity chromatography. In the preferred embodiment, a specific protease cleavage site is inserted between the epitope and the protein so that the epitope can be easily removed from the isolated protein. In an example, a functionally active soluble tissue factor including the twelve amino acid epitope recognized in combination with calcium by HPC-4 and a factor Xa cleavage site was expressed from a vector inserted into a procaryotic expression system. The recombinant tissue factor can be rapidly isolated in a single chromatographic step using the HPC-4 monoclonal antibody immobilized on a suitable substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-A, non-B hepatitis virus antigen peptide which exhibits antigen-antibody reaction specificity with at least one of sera from a convalescent patient having acute non-A, non-B hepatitis and sera from a patient having chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis. By the use of the antigen peptide of the present invention, not only the diagnosis of non-A, non-B hepatitis but also the screening of blood for transfusion can be achieved with ease and high reliability. The antigen peptide of the present invention may also be used as the basis for a vaccine against non-A, non-B hepatitis.

Abstract: Rotating stall in an axial-flow compressor is suppressed by the positioning of a fixed inlet flow divider in the annular inlet flow passage upstream of the compressor. The inlet flow divider is aligned with the flow of fluid through the duct and acts to block or interfere with any rotating wave in the inlet and thereby suppresses rotating stall in the compressor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for synthesis of optically pure stereogenically labile 4-substituted-2-hydroxytetronic acids from an asymmetric .alpha.-hydroxy ester. The chiron approach of the present invention utilizes a non-nucleophilic lithium amide base under kinetically controlled Claisen conditions to produce a 4-substituted-2-pheylmethoxy precursor to the 4-substituted-2-hydroxy tetronic acid. The invention further relates to the use of such optically pure compounds as potent inhibitors of platelet aggregation by working at the level of cyclooxygenase. The invention further relates to the pharmaceutical use of such compounds in the treatment of coronary artery diseases, especially in the treatment and/or prevention of atherosclerosis.

Abstract: An electrophoretic processor for separating proteins and other chemicals exhibiting varying electrophoretic mobilities. The preferred processor includes a rotor which turns within a stator to define a processing chamber therebetween. The rotor and stator are preferably cylindrical to provide an cylindrically annular processing chamber which will induce transverse secondary flows, preferably in the form of toroidal vortices. The transverse toroidal vortices improve heat transfer and counteract longitudinal flows which decrease separation. Embodiments are described which include multizone electric fields. The resulting electric fields are varied in strength to focus mobile molecules against a countervailing flow of carrier fluid. The described processors can be used to perform a variety of processes including batch and continuous flow zone electrophoresis and batch isoelectric focusing.

Abstract: The subject invention provides purified polypeptide encoded by naturally-occurring wild-type platelet glycoprotein Ib alpha having a mutation which renders the polypeptide less reactive with von Willebrand factor. Preferably, the mutation is in the leucine rich region of GPIb.alpha., such as the substitution of phenylalanine for leucine at residue 57. DNA encoding the mutant polypeptides, as well as expression systems for the production of the mutant polypeptides, are also provided. Methods and compositions using the mutant polypeptides and DNA oligomers complementary to the mutant polypeptides are further provided.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the cracking of walnuts (30) is provided, and particularly Eastern black walnuts, wherein the surfaces of the shells (32) of the walnuts (30) are first altered to present compression zone(s) (132, 134), and the walnuts (30) are then cracked by subjecting the shells (32) thereof to opposed compressive forces serving to crack the shells (32) while leaving nut meat kernels intact. Preferably, the walnut shells (32) are sanded adjacent the opposed upper and lower ends (34, 36) thereof to present the zones (132, 134), with subsequent compression cracking of the shells (32), leaving a substantial fraction of the internal nut meat intact.

Abstract: A Ti:sapphire-pumped intracavity-doubled optical parametric oscillator generates up to 240 mW of sub100 femtosecond pulses tunable in the visible. The OPO consists of a 1.5 mm thick KTP crystal configured in a ring cavity which is synchronously pumped by a self-mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser. Intracavity doubling of the OPO is accomplished by inserting a .beta.-barium borate crystal into an additional focus in the OPO cavity. Continuous tuning of the second harmonic signal from 580 to 657 nm is obtained, with a potential tuning range being approximately 500 to 800 nm.

Abstract: A propellant is ignited within a well to rapidly produce combustion gases to generate pressure exceeding the fracture extension pressure of the surrounding formation. Combustion gases are generated at a rate greater than can be absorbed into any single fracture, thereby causing propagation of multiple fractures into the surrounding formation. In one embodiment, each segment of the propellant is in the form of a solid cylindrical body of fuel/oxidizer surrounded by an expandable casing made of a material similar to a fire hose. A linear shaped charge extends between the casing and the propellant. Upon ignition of the shaped charge, combustion gases quickly stretch the casing thereby allowing the hot gases to surround and ignite the entire propellant surface area. The propellant then burns in a radially inward direction in a predictable manner.

Abstract: A cursor control device for use with a three-dimensional stereoscopic image display system comprises a housing defining a volume corresponding to a displayed three-dimensional volume, and a joystick operable by the user for moving and positioning a cursor in the displayed three-dimensional volume. The joystick has a knob which is movable within the volume defined by the housing so as to designate desired positioning and movement of the cursor within the displayed three-dimensional volume. There is, at any given time, both positional and movement congruency between the position and movement of the knob and position and movement, respectively, of the cursor.

Abstract: The novel agents for preventing dental calculus in domestic animals of the present invention are sequestering agents that are applied as coatings to commercially-prepared diets for domestic animals and that are significantly superior in terms of their anticalculus efficacy to the soluble pyrophosphate crystal growth inhibitors of the prior art. The sequestering agents of the present invention form soluble calcium complexes in saliva and dental plaque fluids thereby preventing the calcification of dental plaque. Sodium hexametaphosphate has been utilized as the preferred sequestering agents of the invention to date.

Abstract: A sequence directed reagent is constructed by conjugating a methyl silyloxy aromatic derivative to a hexamethylamino linker attached to either the 5' or 3' terminus of an oligonucleotide. Annealing this modified fragment of DNA to its complementary sequence allows for target modification subsequent to ionic activation. The product of this reaction is a covalent crosslink between the reagent and target strands resulting from an alkylation of DNA by the activated silyloxy aromatic derivative. In a preferred embodiment, a nitrophenyl group is attached to the methyl group of the silyloxy aromatic derivative. This reagent is similarly linked to an oligonucleotide probe. Activation of this probe linked alkylating agent by an ionic signal, (X) which may naturally occur, or may be introduced into the media containing the target molecule, such as by the introduction of a salt (MX).

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system for obtaining a three-dimensional image of an object being scanned ultrasonically comprises a source arrangement for sequentially transmitting ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in a first scanning plane, followed by sequential transmission of ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in successive scanning planes parallel to the first scanning plane, a detector arrangement for receiving reflected energy and converting the reflected energy to electrical signals, and a processor for processing the electrical signals to develop reconstructed image data of the object, the reconstructed image data comprising forward projections of the object into a left image plane and a right image plane to form left and right images, respectively, the left and right images forming a stereo pair for composite display by a display unit.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of elm tree which is characterized by its resistance to Dutch elm disease caused by Ophiostoma ulmi (Buisman) Nannf. Trees of this variety are also highly tolerant to Verticillium wilt disease, limited susceptibility to black leaf spot disease, and good resistance of traumatic injury from climatic elements.