Abstract: Living cells such as animal cells which produce biologically active factors are encapsulated within a semipermeable, polymeric membrane such as polyacrylate by co-extruding an aqueous cell suspension and a polymeric solution through a common port having at least one concentric bores to form a tubular extrudate having a polymeric membrane which encapsulates the cell suspension. The cell suspension is extruded through an inner bore and the polymeric solution is extruded through an outer bore while a pressure differential is maintained between the cell suspension and the polymeric solution to impede solvent diffusion from the polymeric solution into the cell suspension. The polymeric solution coagulates to form an outer coating or membrane as the polymeric solution and the cell suspension are extruded through the extrusion port. As the outer membrane is formed, the ends of the tubular extrudate are sealed to form a cell capsule.

Abstract: A convergent synthesis of 19-nor-vitamin D compounds, specifically 19-nor-1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.3, is disclosed. The synthesis can also readily be utilized for preparing other 1.alpha.-hydroxylated 19-nor-vitamin D compounds. The key step in the synthesis is a suitable application of Lythgoe's procedure i.e. a Horner-Wittig reaction of the lithium anion of a phosphine oxide with a Windaus Grundmann ketone to give, after any necessary deprotection, the desired 19-nor-vitamin D compound.

Abstract: Methods for detecting a unique strain of Chlamydia associated with acute respiratory disease are disclosed. These methods utilize monoclonal antibody directed against an antigenic determinant of the TWAR organism, or DNA probes capable of specifically hybridizing to at least a portion of the DNA sequence of the TWAR organism. A method for determining the presence of antibodies to the TWAR organism, utilizing elementary bodies of the TWAR organism as antigen is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for blocking Ca.sup.2+ channels within an organism are provided. For example, a toxin was isolated from the Agelenopsis aperta spider. The toxin comprised a 48 amino acid toxin having a molecular weight of approximately 5,274. This toxin was found to block calcium channels within the central nervous system. The Agelenopsis gene responsible for producing this toxin has been identified and cloned. This gene and/or its derivatives provide a mechanism by which the toxin can be produced using recombinant DNA expression technologies.The present invention further relates to methods of treating neurological diseases by applying the toxins isolated and identified. The toxin may provide beneficial effects on certain neurological conditions including seizures, ischemic-hypoxic CNS damage, and neurodegenerative disorders. It is also found that the toxins are effective as tags in probing calcium channels.

Abstract: Guanidino substituted arginines or homoarginines based on monoalkyl carbon-substituted ornithines or lysines, having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is (CH.sub.2).sub.y CH.sub.3 or H, R' is CH.sub.2 or C(H)(CH.sub.2).sub.y CH.sub.3, and R" is CH.sub.2 or C(H)(CH.sub.2).sub.y CH.sub.3, with y ranging from 0 to 5, and x is 0 or 1 and Q is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or NH.sub.2 or NO.sub.2, and only one of R, R' and R" providing an alkyl substituent on the ornithine or lysine moiety. PreThis invention was made at least in part with Government support under Grant DK 37116 from National Institutes of Health.

Abstract: A microwave sweep oscillator is used to apply an AC signal from the probe tip of a scanning tunneling microscope to a sample, and the reflected signal from the sample is measured by a microwave spectrum/network analyzer, or another device capable of measuring amplitude versus frequency. The frequency of the signal applied by the oscillator may be swept across a spectrum and the optimum frequency of the spectrum is determined so that an improved image of the surface of a sample may be obtained. The spectrum of a known substance may also be recorded and used as a signature for identifying components of an unknown substance by comparison. When the amplitude of the AC signal applied is increased, a sudden change in the reThis invention was made with support from the National Science Foundation, United States Government, under Grant No. CHE-9158375. The government has rights in this invention.

Abstract: A novel N-methoxy-2-pyridone designated leporin A has been isolated from the sclerotia of the fungus, Aspergillus leporis. Leporin A is characterized by the structural formula ##STR1## and is effective for controlling Lepidopteran insect pests.

Abstract: The invention relates to N-deacetyl-lysogangliosides and physiologically acceptable salts thereof, especially those of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents --CH.dbd.CH(CH.sub.2)nCH.sub.3 or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2)nCH.sub.3 ;n is 12 or 14;R.sup.1 represents ##STR2## or hydrogen; and R.sup.2 represents hydrogen or acetyl; for use in therapy.The compounds are useful as inhibitors of phospholipases A.sub.2, and of superoxide production, as antiproliferative and immunosuppressant agents in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The invention also relates to the use of N-deacetyl-lysogangliosides for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of the aforementioned conditions.

Abstract: Contrast between tumor and normal fat and normal fibro-glandular breast tissues is enhanced in an NMR image by a preparatory pulse sequence executed prior to the imaging pulse sequence. An off-resonance spin-locking RF pulse is employed to enhance contrast between fibro-glandular tissue and tumors and an inversion recovery sequence is employed to enhance contrast between fat and tumors.

Abstract: An improved adhesion testing apparatus (20) for the accurate, quantitative measurement of adhesion of coherent flowable materials such as doughs is provided which includes an extrusion-type sample holding device (42) together with a shiftable probe (38). The device (42) includes a base (46) threadably interconnected with a top (48), the latter supporting an extrusion screen (50). In use, a dough sample placed within the base (46) is extruded through the screen (50) in order to present a test portion (92) above the screen (50); the plunger (38) is then lowered into contact with the portion (92), and rapidly withdrawn. The force required to separate the plunger (38) from the test portion (92) is recorded as a measure of adhesion. Provision of the screen (50) essentially eliminates the potentially interferring factor of dough flow in the measurement of adhesion.

Abstract: Compositions for the inhibition of replication of human immunodeficiency virus containing one or more "porphyrins" possessing antiviral activity. As used herein "porphyrins" includes porphyrins, phthalocyanines, chlorins, metallo derivatives thereof, and other porphyrin-like compounds. Examples of natural and synthetic, positively, negatively, and neutrally charged porphyrins, phthalocyanines, and derivatives thereof have been found to exhibit selective anti-HIV activity which is not dependent on the presence of light.

Abstract: Surgical repair of diseased or damaged endogenous connective tissue can be accomplished using a tissue graft formed from a delaminated segment of intestinal tissue. The tissue graft comprises the intestinal tunica submucosa, muscularis mucosa and stratum compactum delaminated from the tunica muscularis and the luminal portion of the tunica mucosa. The graft can be conditioned by stretching and formed as a multilayer composition for high tensile strength and resistance to tearing at its points of attachment to existing physiological structures.

Abstract: The thermodynamics-based signal receiver transforms contiguous segments of a received signal into thermodynamics-related quantities using an analog of a statistical-mechanics-related quantities using an analog of a statistical-mechanics expression for a thermodynamic variable and uses these thermodynamics-related quantities as the means to measure changes in the signal as a function of time or origin. The changes that are of interest are those associated with either signal level or signal structure. Signal-processing analogs of statistical mechanics expressions for thermodynamic variables are measures that respond in some fashion to either type of change. By comparing thermodynamics-related transformations of received signals, one can obtain information about the emitters of the received signals and the nature of the medium through which the signals were propagated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing electric and electromagnetic fields incorporating a fiber-optic transducer which mounts directly on a conventional optical fiber waveguide. The transducer employs a conductive Fabry-Perot microcavity bounded by a conductive, thin and corrugated diaphragm. When the conductive microcavity is placed in an electric field, the electric field is excluded from within the equipotential microcavity and a net electrostatic force acts on the diaphragm. Likewise, when the conductive microcavity is exposed to an electromagnetic wave, the wave exerts a radiation pressure on the diaphragm. In both cases, the diaphragm deflects linearly and uniformly under the influence of the extremely low electrostatic pressures which are induced. The diaphragm deflection modulates the reflectance within the optical fiber by varying the gap of the cavity.

Abstract: Provided is a method for treating Type I diabetes in mammals utilizing certain phenol and benzamide compounds.

Abstract: Energy recovery apparatus for recovering and using thermal energy comprises multiple series of shape memory elements having decreasing transformation temperatures from one element to the next in the direction of a heating fluid to extract heat over a range of fluid temperatures to effect a shape change of each element. Cooling fluid is flowed alternately through each series of elements to cool the elements and effect another shape change. The cooling fluid exiting a preceding series of elements is used as the heating fluid of the next series of elements to extract further heat indirectly from the original heating fluid. The shape changes of the elements are converted to mechanical work.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of oligosaccharides, using polymer supported methodology. By this method, which offers anomeric control, oligosaccharides are produced very rapidly in comparison with known methodologies. Thus, there is disclosed a process for the preparation of oligosaccharides which comprisesa) forming a synthon of a saccharide and a monomethylether of polyethylene glycol or a derivative thereof, the synthon having a linkage between the oligosaccharide and the monomethylether of polyethylene glycol or a derivative thereof, which linkage can be severed under conditions that do not damage glycosidic or other bonds in a desired end product;b) subjecting the synthon to repeated additions of a suitable glycosylating agent to form a desired oligosaccharide-polyethylene glycol linked product;c) isolating the linked product as a solid;d) purifying this solid; ande) releasing the oligosaccharide from the polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: A new and unique apple rootstock `Geneva 65` that is very dwarfing and resistant to crown rot and fire blight. The tree is also useful as a small ornamental flowering crab.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of sweet cherry tree which bears medium to large, dark red, mahogany colored, firm fruits is described. Its broadly cordate shaped, attractive fruits ripen 14 days ahead of the commercially grown Bing variety which it is compared to herein.