Abstract: N-[5-(aminosulfonyl)-3-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2(3H)ylidene] -2-acetyloxyacetamide, commonly referred to as acetylhydroxymethazolamide and is a water soluble pharmacologically active carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

Abstract: Dielectric waveguide-to-transmission line transition structures are disclosed which can be used to interface low loss dielectric waveguides with integrated electric circuits for operation in millimeter wave frequency ranges on the order of 100 GHz. Numerous transition designs are presented for interfacing signal propagation in rectangular or cylindrical coplanar metallic transmission lines to signal propagation in dielectric waveguides. In one embodiment of the present invention, a transition structure is provided which includes a first transition section for interfacing a dielectric waveguide to a microstrip transmission line, and a second transition section for interfacing the microstrip transmission line to a coplanar transmission line. In other embodiments of the present invention, the dielectric waveguide interfaces directly to a coplanar transmission line.

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: There is provided a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody of the class IgG.sub.1 which reacts readily with both normal human and dog blood platelets while failing to react with thrombasthenic human platelets. This antibody has the property of completely blocking interaction of fibrinogen with platelets induced by ADP, and the ability to detect fresh thrombi in vivo.

Abstract: A diamond n-type semiconductor including a substrate and a phosphorus element-doped diamond thin film disposed on the substrate. The diamond thin film is deposited by vaporizing a solution comprising a liquid organic compound as the diamond material with diphosphorus pentoxide (P.sub.2 O.sub.5) dissolved therein, and subjecting the resultant gas to a hot filament CVD method.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting plaque formation on mammalian tooth surfaces is disclosed. The method includes contacting the tooth surfaces with an effective amount of a non-antibacterial tetracycline. In a preferred embodiment, such tetracyclines are included in various oral hygiene products such as dentifrices, lozenges, chewing gums and the like to contact the tooth surfaces and prevent plaque accumulation thereon.

Abstract: A power converter integrates an input boost converter and an output forward converter into a single power stage utilizing only two active switches. AC input power is provided through a rectifier to an input inductor which supplies current to a main node. The diode is connected from a main node to a DC bus supply line and current is returned to the rectifier by DC bus return line. An energy storage capacitor and a series connected switching device and diode are connected across the DC bus lines. A second control switching device is connected from the main node to the DC bus return line. The primary of a high frequency transformer is connected between the main node and the junction between the first switching device and diode, and the secondary of the transformer is connected to an output circuit which includes a rectifier and an inductor and capacitor filter to provide a DC output voltage to a load.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for performing thermomechanical processing of gears in which precise control of the thermal, metallurgical and mechanical action during the forming process is maintained. The apparatus comprises an induction heating system which reaustenitizes the surface of the gear with minimum decarburization, a material transfer system which provides timely operations on the work piece, tooling and fixture adjustments which provide accurate initial conditions for forming, and a process control architecture that provides the precise sequence and timing necessary to achieve metallurgically sound and dimensionally accurate gears. Using this invention the induction heating cycle can be controlled from the peak, average or minimum gear surface temperature detected with a high response optical pyrometer. An inert environment is maintained around the workpiece during the induction heating and transfer to quenching above the M.sub.s temperature.

Abstract: Polysiloxane-containing polyurea and polyurea urethane block copolymers and devices formed therefrom are biocompatible and demonstrate improved physical and mechanical properties. The pre-reaction of an amine-terminated polysiloxane soft segment with an organic diisocyanate provides an oligomer that enhances the hydrophilic properties of the copolymer.

Abstract: A method of site-directed alteration (removal or removal followed by replacement) of selected nucleotides in an RNA molecule, as well as to mixed phosphate backbone oligonucleotides useful in the method. It further relates to a method of producing polypeptides or proteins encoded by the RNA molecule altered by the present method. Through use of the present method, site-directed cleavage of an RNA molecule is effected, followed by excision of the selected or target segment of the RNA molecule.

Abstract: Low porosity titania forms containing only a small amount of hydroxyl groups and possessing a high refractive index which are property stable regardless of humidity level and which prohibit electrical and gas leakage and optical loss, are obtained in a sol-gel process by rapidly heating to curing temperature, e.g. at a rate of 8000.degree. C./min. One application provides more stable, longer-lasting sol-gel prepared optical interference filters. Other applications provide capacitors with high capacitance and optical planar waveguides.

Abstract: Fractionation apparatus (20) is disclosed which utilizes a rapidly rotating disk which receives a liquid suspension of particles to be separated onto its rotating face surface (35). When the film of liquid and particles on the rotating face surface (35) reaches the peripheral edge (38) of the face, particles having sufficient kinetic energy to overcome surface forces (e.g., above a certain size) are radially ejected while particles with less kinetic energy (e.g., smaller particles) and the liquid are carried over the edge onto the surface of a depending rim (39). The suspension of smaller particles and liquid is carried down the rim to the rim edge (40) at which point the smaller particles and liquid are disengaged. A separator wall (27) may be interposed between the two streams of particles emanating from the disk (24) to provide a physical separation of the larger and smaller particles once they have left the disk.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enzymatically producing directly optically-active amino acid derivatives in high optical purity from oxazolone precursors. Thus, such a precursor is subjected to the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a selected enzyme in a mutual solvent. The cyclic precursor is enantioselectively cleaved by hydrolysis. Subsequently, the desired optically-active amino acid derivative is recovered. A preferred cyclic precursor is a 5(4H)-oxazolone compound and a preferred enzyme is a lipase. Either aqueous or organic solvent media can be used.

Abstract: A fiber optic-type shock wave sensor automatically adapts itself in response to vibration preventing false shock wave detection signals. The sensor includes a sensor element comprising a pair of mating toothed rings and a fiber optic coil disposed between the teeth of the rings. One of the toothed rings is moveable in response to shock waves to cause a bending of the fiber optic coil which detectably alters its light transmission characteristics. A rigid, dome shaped membrane is attached to the moveable ring and is flexibly attached to a body containing the sensor element. The membrane and body form an enclosure for the sensor element, and an aperture is disposed in the body which communicates with the enclosure. A normally closed spring biased check valve covers the aperture, and opens in response to a reduction in pressure in the enclosure to admit additional air or gas to the same.

Abstract: A plasma sampling interface for an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) apparatus includes a sampler, a skimmer, insulating spacers for insulating the sampler and the skimmer from each other and from the remainder of the ICP-MS apparatus, and a DC bias voltage source for applying a DC bias voltage to the skimmer with the sampler either being grounded or being allowed to float. The plasma sampling interface increases the ion transmission through the ICP-MS apparatus by a factor of at least four to six over the ion transmission through a conventional ICP-MS apparatus in which both the sampler and the skimmer are grounded.

Abstract: Floating zone refining or crystal growth is carried out by providing rapid relative rotation of a feed rod and finish rod while providing heat to the junction between the two rods so that significant forced convection occurs in the melt zone between the two rods. The forced convection distributes heat in the melt zone to allow the rods to be melted through with a much shorter melt zone length than possible utilizing conventional floating zone processes. One of the rods can be rotated with respect to the other, or both rods can be counter-rotated, with typical relative rotational speeds of the rods ranging from 200 revolutions per minute (RPM) to 400 RPM or greater. Zone refining or crystal growth is carried out by traversing the melt zone through the feed rod.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the deposition of plasma films in which the optical index of refraction of the deposited film can be varied continuously or discontinuously as the material is deposited. The change in refractive index is accomplished by changing the input power applied to the plasma chamber. The method can be used to create optical wave guides from material of a single input monomer vapor.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for recognizing and identifying materials. Characteristic spectra are obtained for the materials via spectroscopy techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared absorption analysis, x-ray analysis, mass spectroscopy and gas chromatography. Desired portions of the spectra may be selected and then placed in proper form and format for presentation to a number of input layer neurons in an offline neural network. The network is first trained according to a predetermined training process; it may then be employed to identify particular materials. Such apparatus and processes are particularly useful for recognizing and identifying organic compounds such as complex carbohydrates, whose spectra conventionally require a high level of training and many hours of hard work to identify, and are frequently indistinguishable from one another by human interpretation.

Abstract: A non-invasive technique for monitoring myometrial activity in pregnant females employs electrical impedance imaging (EII) to obtain periodic measurements of the integrated resistivity of a pregnant female's abdomen. The integrated resistivity has been shown experimentally to be directly related to myometrial activity, particularly uterine contractility.

Abstract: A multi-column countercurrent chromatograph utilizes a single reel with a plurality of columns, typically preparative, semi-preparative and analytical types helically wound around a common central axis in various combinations. The multi-coil column may consist of an inner preparative coil in the range of 215 ml; a 75 ml semi-preparative intermediate coil and 15 ml mini analytical coil for rotation around a central axis. The mini coil is particularly useful for preliminary tests of solvent systems or for separations on a few milligrams of sample. The intermediate coil is useful for preparative separations of larger samples in less than an hour. By connecting the intermediate and larger coils in a series arrangement the resolution obtained will be double that achieved with the intermediate coil alone. Separations can be repeatedly injected without loss of the stationary phase. Individual coils may be used without the need for rebalancing the instrument.