Abstract: Plants, plant tissues and plant seeds which are resistant to inhibition by sulfonylurea and/or imidazolinone herbicides are provided. In particular, domestic lettuce varieties having resistance to herbicides which target the enzyme acetolactate synthase are provided. The resistant plants find use in areas where weed growth is controlled by sulfonylurea and/or imidazolinone herbicides.

Abstract: Displacement measuring apparatus for measuring the displacement and movement of an object includes an array of sensors having an operative surface and circuitry for producing an electrical output signal whose value is dependent upon the disposition of an electrical/magnetic field producing member along the sensor array. The field producing member is disposed to contact and slide over the operative surface as the object whose displacement is to be measured is moved. The value of the electrical output signal produced by the circuitry is thus dependent upon the position of the field producing member along the sensor array and thus by the position and movement of the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for an early stage detection of three specific pregnancy-related disorders: preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation and preterm delivery. According to the method, an antigen consisting of a specific human-derived placental soluble protein, known as PP-13, is determined by radioimmunoassay or ELISA. In the radioimmunoassay method, the PP-13 is labelled by a radioactive iodine and the bounded iodine is counted and correlated with standard curves. The best results are obtained when the protein to be labelled by radioactive iodine is present at a concentration of above 0.71 mg/ml. In case of the ELISA method, the quantitative determination of PP-13 is carried out with an alkaline phosphatase substrate and measured at an optical density of 405 nm.

Abstract: A bioassay making use of submitochondrial particles to test for the presence of toxic substances which induce prooxidant states in vivo. The assay uses complex I of the electron transport enzymes on the submitochondrial particles which are capable of donating electrons to the toxicant in solution. The presence of any activated oxygen species in the assay solution is detected spectrophotometrically by the adrenochrome reaction.

Abstract: A method for making a wound field for an electric motor, generator or alternator includes the steps of continuously winding an insulated conductor into a coil having a first plurality of windings wound in a first direction, and a second plurality of windings wound in a second direction opposite the first direction flattening the coil into a two-layered flat web, and rolling the flat, two-layered web end-to-end into a cylindrical configuration. In one embodiment, a multiphase wound field can be made by winding a plurality of insulated conductors about a common axis to form a group of adjacent coil units. After the first group of coil units is wound, second and subsequent groups can be wound, in alternating directions of winding with respect to the first group, to form an elongate winding assembly. The entire assembly, is then flattened and rolled end-to-end.

Abstract: Trauma-associated sepsis is effectively treated using gamma interferon alone or in combination with an antibiotic.

Abstract: Intermediates and a process for the synthesis of 6-monosubstituted tetrahydropteridine C6-stereoisomers, including (6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid. The intermediates are shown in their two enantiomeric forms as follows: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and represent hydrogen, methyl, hydroxy, amino, alkyl or dialkylamino, alkoxy, benzyloxy, or benzylthio; R.sub.3 represents an alkene, alkyne, cycloalkyl, benzyl, alkyl (substituted with hydroxy, acetoxy, benzyloxy, alkoxy, alkylthio, amino, carboxy, oxo, or phosphate), a protected aldehyde, or ##STR2## wherein n=1 or 2, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, formyl, methyl, or propargyl, and ZZ represents an amino acid or amino acid polymer. Also, a process for tetrahydropteridine N5-formylation for the preparation of, for example, N5-formyl-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid.

Abstract: This invention provides a pressure sensitive inflatable orthopedic pillow for therapy which comprises an inflatable bladder, an air switch in fluid communication with the bladder via a gas feedline, and an air supply which provides a constant stream of air to the air switch. The air switch includes an atmospheric pressure inlet, a connector tube through which overflow air is returned from the bladder to the air switch, and an exhaust outlet. The inflatable bladder is cyclically inflated and deflated without outside control means, the cycle beginning with inflation of the bladder by directing a stream of air provided by the air supply through the air switch into the bladder until the bladder is inflated.

Abstract: A reactive ion etching process is used for the fabrication of submicron, single crystal silicon, movable mechanical structures and capacitive actuators. The reactive ion etching process gives excellent control of lateral dimensions while maintaining a large vertical depth in the formation of high aspect-ratio freely suspended single crystal silicon structures. The silicon etch process is independent of crystal orientation and produces controllable vertical profiles.

Abstract: A diketopiperazine compound designated cycloechinulin has been isolated from the sclerotia of the fungi Aspergillus ochraceus. The compound is effective for controlling Coleopteran and Lepidopteran insects.

Abstract: The discovery of this invention is that the use of an aseptic barrier in the form of a layer of material which is impervious to the passage of water in combination with at least one layer of absorbent tissue in the form of a disposable tissue or handkerchief can function to reduce materially the transfer of pathogens such as viruses and bacteria from the bodily internal products, mucous and fluid effluent from inside a person to his hand. The above principles may be embodied in a disposable tissue including an aseptic barrier or in a method of entrapping nasal secretions in such a way that contamination of the environment from infected noses be avoided. This is accomplished by the creation of a trap in the form of a mitten-like bag, resistant to the passage of aqueous liquids, with facial tissue affixed to the outside of this mitten-like bag.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for blocking various channels and receptors within an organism are provided. For example, two toxins were isolated from the Agelenopsis aperta spider. The first toxin comprised a toxin having a molecular weight of from aproximately 5,000 to approximately 10,000. This toxin was found to have an irreversible effect on calcium channels within the central nervous system. A second toxin having a molecular weight of less than about 1,000 was also isolated. This toxin was found to have a reversible blocking effect on calcium channels within the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system.A third toxin was isolated from the Argiope aurantia spider. This toxin was found to have a reversible effect on excitatory amino acid receptors. Finally, a toxin having a molecular weight of from approximately 5,000 to approximately 7,000 daltons was isolated from the Hololena curta spider. This toxin was found to have an irreversible effect on excitatory amino acid receptors.

Abstract: A family of compounds effective in inhibiting interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) activity, and the activity of other leukocyte derived cytokines is comprised of 7-(oxoalkyl) 1,3-dialkyl xanthines of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of straight-chain or branched alkyl radicals with 2 to 6 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl, alkoxyalkyl and hydroxyalkyl radicals, and A represents a hydrocarbon radical with up to 4 carbon atoms which can be substituted by a methyl group. Another family of effective compounds is identified as ##STR2## The inhibition of IL-1, TNF, and other cytokines in mammals is implicated in alleviation of a wide variety of disease conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and purification of antigens from M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae and their use in serological assays. Cell proteins from these organisms that possess substantial immunoreactive responses with poultry antisera to the mycoplasma from which they are isolated in both the acute and convalescent stages of infection are identified. Of these immunogenic proteins, those that also lack immunogenic cross-reactivity with antisera to other poultry mycoplasmas and pathogens are identified. These species specific proteins are purified and incorporated into enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The resulting assays are able to detect sensitively and selectively both field or experimentally-induced M. gallisepticum or M. synoviae infection in poultry. A combination of these assays are incorporated into a diagnostic kit to allow the rapid, sensitive, and selective testing for and differentiation between M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae.

Abstract: A family of compounds effective in inhibiting interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) activity, and the activity of other leukocyte derived cytokines is comprised of 7-(oxoalkyl) 1,3-dialkyl xanthines of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of straight-chain or branch alkyl radicals with 2 to 6 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl, alkoxyalkyl and hydroxyalkyl radicals, and A represents a hydrocarbon radical with up to 4 carbon atoms which can be substituted by a methyl group. Another family of effective compounds is identified as ##STR2## The inhibition of IL-1, TNF, and other cytokines in mammals is implicated in alleviation of a wide variety of disease conditions.

Abstract: 6,6-Disubstituted pteridines which are useful for the regulation of enzymes are disclosed, along with a general method of synthesizing these compounds.

Abstract: A process for producing sol-gel monoliths containing SiO.sub.2 by mixing water, a SiO.sub.2 precursor and ketomalonic acid to form a sol, gelling the sol, aging the gelled sol and drying the aged gelled sol. Optional additional ingredients that may be added in the mixing step include salts of non-precipitating transition metals such as copper and/or additional precursors such as precursors for B.sub.2 O.sub.3, Na.sub.2 O, Li.sub.2 O, TiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery system includes a housing having a base end and a discharge end, for holding drug solution at the discharge end, a valve disposed at the discharge end to allow a drug solution to flow from inside the housing, through the valve and out of the housing when solution pressure is applied to the valve, a piston slidably disposed in the housing to slide between the base end and discharge end to force solution toward the discharge end and out the valve, and a spring disposed in the housing between the piston and the base end thereof for urging the piston toward the discharge end. A plurality of different length tethers are connected at one end to the piston and at the other end to a respective release node located at the base end of the housing. Each release node holds the other end of a respective one of the tethers until a release signal is received at which time it releases the tether.

Abstract: Reducing plasma levels of endogenous arginine by parenteral administration of arginine depleting agent reduces nitric oxide levels and results in blood pressure increase. Preferably arginase is administered intravenously to raise blood pressure. The arginase can be administered in conjunction with arginine antagonists to potentiate the effect of these. Duration of action and avoidance of antigenicity may be obtained by use in conjunction with a carrier or modifier.