Abstract: Disclosed herein is a class of molecules termed remodilins that are effective in treating asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and associated disorders. The molecules ameliorate asthma and pulmonary fibrosis symptoms by various mechanisms, including inhibiting airway smooth muscle contractile protein accumulation, reducing airway constrictor hyperresponsiveness, inhibiting bronchial fibroblast transformation into myofibroblasts, and/or treating or preventing airway or pulmonary fibrosis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a class of molecules termed remodilins that inhibit serum response factor (SRF). By inhibiting SRF, a number of downstream pathways can be targeted. The remodilins can be used to treat glaucoma, inhibit tumor cell growth, inhibit tumor metastasis, inhibit hypoxia-induced response, and/or reduce cellular metabolism.

Abstract: At least one amplifier is selected from a first bank of non-linear amplifiers. At least one amplifier is selected from a second bank of non-linear amplifiers. The number of amplifiers selected from the first and second banks remains constant. Using the selected amplifiers, first and second components of a digital symbol are amplified using the first and second banks, respectively. The outputs produced by first and second banks are combined to produce an analog representation of the digital symbol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding forward error correction (FEC) encoded data. A stream of units of FEC encoded bits are received, where the units are derived from a transmitted signal, where each unit represents a one-bit data value, and where each unit includes correctness bits that together reflect a level of probability that the one-bit data value represented by the unit differs from corresponding bits in the signal before it was transmitted. The stream of units of FEC encoded bits are decoded by using the quality level of bits to perform soft-decision convolution decoding on the stream of units of FEC bits, where the soft-decision convolution decoding produces, for block decoding, a stream of symbols made up of bits.

Abstract: A collapsible, transportable personnel isolation apparatus or device is used to isolate a patient in a controlled environment and to protect the patient against biological or chemical hazards during transport of the patient. The collapsible apparatus has a flexible containment wall which is expandable from a collapsed, stored state to an expanded state to receive the patient. At least a portion of the containment wall is clear to allow observation of the patient within an interior region of the device. An air filtration system is provided for filtering air between the airtight interior region and the ambient atmosphere. Preferably, the apparatus has various ports therein, such as glove ports, pass through ports, access ports for cardiac leads, infusion line ports, and ventilation ports. Preferably, an air filtration device provides a flow rate of 4 to 6 cfm to prevent an undesirable build-up of carbon dioxide and provides a predetermined air pressure within the interior regions.

Abstract: A collapsible personnel isolation apparatus for preventing unwanted contaminations of hazardous biological and chemical materials including a base. A cover connects to the base by way of a zipper. A plurality of glove box ports are provided to allow rapid and convenient treatment of the patient.

Abstract: A collapsible personnel isolation apparatus for preventing unwanted contaminations of hazardous biological and chemical materials including a base. A cover connects to the base by way of a zipper. A plurality of glove box ports are provided to allow rapid and convenient treatment of the patient.

Abstract: Retroreflective glass or plastic beads have fluorescent properties when irradiated with ultraviolet light and are emplaced in signs in patterns indicative of alphanumeric characters, or embedded in a hot melt comprising road stripes or embedded in the road asphalt or aggregate during construction of the road, to provide effectively bright and clear indications of signs or the extent and direction of the road. The glass beads comprise spherodized soda lime, borosilicate, phosphosilicate or aluminosilicate glasses with low levels of rare-earth dopants mixed therein, such as compounds containing one of the rare earths, or lanthanides. The plastic beads may have fluorescent materials mixed therein, typically organic pigments or dyes based on coumarin and rhodamine or the like.

Abstract: Ion exchange resins contaminated with a radioactive component are treated by exposing the contaminated ion exchange resins to a bound radio frequency electric field for uniformly heating them to drive off water. The dried ion exchange resins are then uniformly heated by a transversely uniform bound radio frequency electric field to a second higher temperature which chemically inactivates the functional groups of the ion exchange resins to destroy their hydrophilic property and convert them to a stabilized product for long-term safe storage.

Abstract: A method for removing a contaminant from a treatment region of a contaminated region of a site in the earth having water therein and being contaminated with the contaminant includes heating the earth by establishing an electric field through the treatment region. The electric field gives rise to an electric conduction or displacement current through the treatment region. The electric current electrically heats at least a portion of the treatment region to a temperature below the boiling point of water to evaporate the water. A vacuum is drawn in a nether region of the site to collect water vapor evolved from the water and contaminant vapor evolved from the contaminant by movement of air from the surface of the earth, while the water vapor strips the contaminant from the earth. The contaminant vapor is disposed of in an innocuous manner.

Abstract: Retroreflective glass or plastic beads have fluorescent properties when irradiated with ultraviolet light and are emplaced in signs in patterns indicative of alphanumeric characters, or embedded in a hot melt comprising road stripes or embedded in the road asphalt or aggregate during construction of the road, to provide effectively bright and clear indications of signs or the extent and direction of the road. The glass beads comprise spherodized soda lime, borosilicate, phosphosilicate or aluminosilicate glasses with low levels of rare-earth dopants mixed therein, such as compounds containing one of the rare earths, or lanthanides. The plastic beads may have fluorescent materials mixed therein, typically organic pigments or dyes based on coumarin and rhodamine or the like.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are disclosed for confining ohmic heating currents to a subsurface formation in the use of in situ ohmic heating for recovery of volatile and semi-volatile materials, such as hazardous waste, hydrocarbon-like materials, and valuable minerals having thermally responsive properties. Spacing between emplaced electrodes and the number of electrodes employed are controlled to cause coupling between electrodes for more uniform and higher temperature heating. Electrode designs are disclosed which suppress spurious earth currents which would heat other formations not of interest. Suppression of electrode end currents is accomplished by the use of distinct rings of insulation, control of the applied potential along the electrode, and injection or withdrawal of fluids at distinct locations along the electrode.

Abstract: Ionic contact is established and maintained between electrodes and soil in ohmic heating of a subsurface formation for recovery of volatile and semi-volatile materials, such as hazardous waste, hydrocarbon-like materials, and valuable minerals having thermally responsive properties. A compressed, dry sponge is wrapped around an electrode, which is then inserted into a bore hole. A conductive liquid is added to the bore hole, causing the sponge to swell, creating a stable and substantial interface for the flow of heating currents.

Abstract: Infectious medical materials are rendered harmless by heating heterogeneous medical materials having wet and dry portions with a radio-frequency electric field. The medical materials may be comminuted prior to heating. The medical materials are exposed to the radio-frequency electric field in order to heat the medical materials. The medical materials may include sorted medical or veterinary waste which after heat treatment may be recycled.

Abstract: Retroreflective glass or plastic beads have fluorescent properties when irradiated with ultraviolet light and are emplaced in signs in patterns indicative of alphanumeric characters, or embedded in a hot melt comprising road stripes or embedded in the road asphalt or aggregate during construction of the road, to provide effectively bright and clear indications of signs or the extent and direction of the road. The glass beads comprise spherodized soda lime, borosilicate, phosphosilicate or aluminosilicate glasses with low levels of rare-earth dopants mixed therein, such as compounds containing one of the rare earths, or lanthanides. The plastic beads may have fluorescent materials mixed therein, typically organic pigments or dyes based on coumarin and rhodamine or the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating waste with radio frequency include a wall defining a radio frequency treatment chamber through which waste may be passed. A source of radio frequency energy energizes the radio frequency treatment chamber to heat the waste and drive off vapors therefrom leaving solid residue to be disposed of. A guard heater and/or insulation maintains the wall at substantially the same temperature as the waste being heated by the radio frequency to prevent vapors from condensing on the waste.

Abstract: Infectious medical materials is rendered innocuous by heating heterogeneous medical materials having wet and dry portions with a radio frequency electric field. The medical materials are exposed to the radio frequency electric field in order to heat the medical waste. The medical waste may include sorted medical or veterinary waste which after heat treatment may be shredded and recycled.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are disclosed for confining ohmic heating currents to a subsurface formation in the use of in situ ohmic heating for recovery of volatile and semi-volatile materials, such as hazardous waste, hydrocarbon-like materials, and valuable minerals having thermally responsive properties. Spacing between emplaced electrodes and the number of electrodes employed are controlled to cause coupling between electrodes for more uniform and higher temperature heating. Electrode designs are disclosed which suppress spurious earth currents which would heat other formations not of interest. Suppression of electrode end currents is accomplished by the use of distinct rings of insulation, control of the applied potential along the electrode, and injection or withdrawal of fluids at distinct locations along the electrode.

Abstract: An energy-efficient method for killing noxious biological organisms (bacteria, insects, etc.) in contaminated materials ranging from liquid, semi-liquid, and solid foods pharmaceuticals and hospital wastes comprises passing the contaminated material through an exposure chamber; screening, comminution, addition of fluid or foam, limited heating, or other pretreatment steps may be required. As it flows through the exposure chamber the contaminated material is subjected to a nonuniform, high-intensity electric field; in that chamber, excessive current flows, including arcing and current "streamers", are suppressed by limiting the current density. The amplitude of the applied current density and the electric field in the exposure chamber are controlled, in accordance with the conductivity and/or dielectric constant of the contaminated material, so that the electric field intensity is of the order of 3,000 volts/centimeter or more.

Abstract: Optimum antenna-like exciters for heating earth media which may be used to recover hydrocarbons. A high frequency power supply is connected to an exciter emplaced in the subsurface formation which radiates high frequency power. The exciters include one or more conducting cylinders which make up monopole and dipole antenna-like apparatus. Substantially uniform heating of the subsurface formation is provided thus suppressing excessive heating of edge and power input regions. The equal distribution of electric fields eliminates intense electric fields which would normally exist thus mitigating excessively heated regions and providing substantially uniform heating of the subsurface formation.