Abstract: A compiler which generates object-oriented code from high level models is disclosed. The compiler uses a class graph to construct a finite intermediate automaton which is used in conjunction with an adaptive program to generate an object-oriented program in a target language. The intermediate automaton enables general case compilation of most combinations of adaptive programs and class graphs. The automaton also enables use of standard minimization techniques which reduce the size of the generated object-oriented code.

Abstract: A monolithic inductively coupled plasma generator includes a first substrate having an electrical circuit disposed thereon which includes a substantially planar inductive coil, a capacitor electrically coupled in series with the coil, and a drive circuit electrically coupled to the coil for driving the circuit at resonance. The plasma generator further includes a plasma chamber proximate the coil in which a gas is excited.

Abstract: Drug-delivery devices and methods of their use are disclosed, which devices consist of at least a semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) hydrogel comprising a first, cationic polymer such as chitosan and a second high molecular weight neutral polymer such as polyethylene oxide, the semi-IPN having been freeze-dried after formation of the semi-IPN, and a drug composition. A therapeutic method of treating gastric disease is also disclosed comprising the step(s) of introducing to a gastric area to be treated a drug-delivery device according to the disclosure, whereupon the device releases the drug or therapeutic agent contained in the device. The hydrogels of the disclosure are advantageously used for site-specific drug delivery in the gastro-intestinal tract where there is a range of pH from 1.0 to 1.5 in the stomach to about 7.5 in the small intestine.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture and methods of making the same, comprising a cationic polymer which has been surface-modified by a method comprising the steps of swelling a cationic polymer in a medium having a pH value <7; applying a surface-modifying agent to the cationic polymer to form a mixture; and adjusting the pH of the mixture to a value .gtoreq.7. A preferred embodiment relates to semipermeable membranes suitable for hemodialysis made from chitosan, the surface of which has been modified by anionic polysaccharides such as dextran or heparin, or anionic polyoxyalkylenes such as acid-modified polyethylene glycol, to improve blood compatibility.

Abstract: A method for hydrogenating a thin film semiconductor wafer and an apparatus for performing the method. The method comprises the steps of applying a pulsed potential having a predetermined amplitude, a predetermined frequency, and a predetermined pulse duration to the thin film semiconductor wafer while exposing the thin film semiconductor wafer to a hydrogen plasma. The apparatus performs this method through the utilization of an inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) source so as to allow saturation of device parameter improvements within a reduced process time of 5 minutes. The ICP source allows this reduced process time to be achieved in a low energy, high dose rate plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) hydrogenation process according to the present invention.

Abstract: An optical quadrature interferometer is presented. The optical quadrature interferometer uses a different state of polarization in each of two arms of the interferometer. A light beam is split into two beams by a beamsplitter, each beam directed to a respective arm of the interferometer. In one arm, the measurement arm, the light beam is directed through a linear polarizer and a quarter wave plate to produce circularly polarized light, and then to a target being measured. In the other arm, the to reference arm, the light beam is not subject to any change in polarization. After the light beams have traversed their respective arms, the light beams are combined by a recombining beamsplitter. As such, upon the beams of each arm being recombined, a polarizing element is used to separate the combined light beam into two separate fields which are in quadrature with each other.

Abstract: A microscale fluid handling system that permits the efficient transfer of nanoliter to picoliter quantities of a fluid sample from the spatially concentrated environment of a microfabricated chip to "off-chip" analytical or collection devices for further off-chip sample manipulation and analysis is disclosed. The fluid handling system is fabricated in the form of one or more channels, in any suitable format, provided in a microchip body or substrate of silica, polymer or other suitable non-conductive material, or of stainless steel, noble metal, silicon or other suitable conductive or semi-conductive material. The microchip fluid handling system includes one or more exit ports integral with the end of one or more of the channels for consecutive or simultaneous off-chip analysis or collection of the sample. The exit port or ports may be configured, for example, as an electrospray interface for transfer of a fluid sample to a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Disclosed are certain cocaine analogs useful for imaging of cocaine receptors and dopamine receptors. Also disclosed are analogs useful for imaging diagnostics for Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: The invention features metal-containing catalysts including a crystalline microporous metal oxide structure encapsulating an amount of metal which reflects the amount of metal introduced into the metal oxide structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multichannel combining and equalization in a multichannel receiver is described. The receiver jointly performs diversity combining, equalization and synchronization. The method and apparatus of the present invention may be used to provide a reduced complexity adaptive multichannel receiver for use in a digital communication system.

Abstract: A coated microcapillary column for high performance electrophoresis is disclosed. A preferred microcapillary includes a fused silica capillary column, the inner surface of the column having an interconnected polymeric coating of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based polymer covalently attached to the column wall by Si--O--Si bonds. The resulting coated microcapillary column has good hydrolytic and pH stability and minimizes electroosmotic flow and interactions between sample components and the capillary wall. Also disclosed are a method of forming a polymeric coating layer for any surface by polymerizing the appropriate organic compounds in an organic solvent and a method of forming a column with a hydrophilic polymeric coating by directly converting an attached hydrophobic polymeric coating material to a hydrophilic polymeric coating material.

Abstract: A process for partially oxidizing alcohols such as methanol, comprising the steps of a) introducing into a reactor unit containing a solid acid catalyst amounts of alcohol and oxygen; and a supercritical fluid (such as SCF CO.sub.2) mobile phase; and b) partially oxidizing the alcohol to its corresponding ether, aldehyde, ester or acid. In an advantageous embodiment, methanol is oxidized using an aerogel acid catalyst to produce methyl ether.

Abstract: An optical lock-in detection technique and circuit for coherent applications employing a photo-detector having a symmetric I-V curve is presented. The detection circuit includes a photo-detector operating as an optical lock-in amplifier, and a modulation source. The technique and circuit are used for coherent detection applications such as the determination of the frequency of modulation of an optical signal or the determination of the presence of an optical signal at a specified frequency. The technique and circuit are also used with one or more charge coupled devices in imaging applications.

Abstract: A method for the simultaneous control of SO.sub.2, NO.sub.x, HCl, air toxins, metal fumes, and particulate emissions (ash, soot, metal oxides) from fossil fuel burning combustion processes is provided by injecting a sorbent upstream of a filter in the furnace and collecting sorbent and particulates in the filter. Collecting the sorbent in the filter increases its residence time in the process. The sorbent is injected in the post-flame region of a furnace, where it reacts with the SO.sub.2, the NO.sub.x, the HCl, and the air toxics in the effluent gas. A surface filter that can withstand temperatures of approximately 1000.degree. C. is mounted, either fixedly or rotatably, in the furnace downstream of the sorbent injection region. The gas flows through the filter, and the sorbent and other particulates become embedded in the surface layer of the filter.

Abstract: A method in which natural sample components are simultaneously fractionated and screened for compounds that bind tightly to specific molecules of interest is disclosed. Such newly isolated ligands are good candidates for potential therapeutic or diagnostic compounds. The natural sample is first combined with a potential target molecule and then subjected to capillary electrophoresis (CE). Charged (or even neutral) compounds present in the natural sample that bind to the added target molecule can alter its normal migration time upon CE, by changing its charge-to-mass ratio, or will cause a variation in peak shape or area. Complex formation can be detected by simply monitoring the migration of the target molecule during electrophoresis. Any new ligands that bind to the target molecule will be good candidates for therapeutic or diagnostic compounds. Interfering, weak-binding ligands commonly present in crude extracts are not detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of salvaging a target cell from cell death, comprising contacting a target cell having a disrupted cell membrane with a specific affinity reagent-liposome conjugate in an amount effective and for a time sufficient to allow the conjugate to prevent cell death due to membrane disruption; and determining the viability of the target cell. Methods of delivering a selected agent into a damaged target cell for diagnosis and therapy are also disclosed.

Abstract: Reagents for cleaving or crosslinking of biomolecules using nondiffusible reactive intermediates and a method of using the reagents. In one embodiment, the DNA binding element includes a phenyl group on each end, and each terminal phenyl group contains at least one reactive group X: ##STR1## The reactive groups X may function to either cleave or crosslink the DNA to which the reagent is bound. Reactive groups that cleave the DNA include radical species formed by the decomposition of diazonium ions or the hydrolysis of azocarboxylates and cationic species formed, for example, by the photolysis of diazonium ions. Crosslinking moieties include nitrenes generated from the photolysis of azides.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a magneto-optic Kerr effect magnetic field sensing element and an optical system including a light source, at least one polarizer or polarizing element and a detector disposed about the sensing element. The sensing element is responsive to an external magnetic field. In one embodiment, the optical system and sensing element can be arranged to measure the strength of a magnetic field. In another embodiment the optical system and sensing element can be arranged to measure the rotational speed of rotating members.

Abstract: A system of gating orifices for continuous pressure infiltration processes eliminates blow-out of the pressurized molten metal matrix material and friction damage to the infiltrated preform. The system includes three or more orifices along a vertical path of an upwardly moving preform which passes from vacuum or atmospheric pressure into a pressurized infiltrating bath of molten metal, then into a pressurized atmosphere in which the matrix fully solidifies, and from there to an atmospheric environment. The entering orifice, at the bottom of the pressurized bath, is elongated in the direction of the preform movement to provide a temperature gradient from above the matrix material melting temperature at the bath to below the solidification temperature farthest from the bath. The resulting liquid-mushy-solid sequence of the matrix material forms a solidification seal to prevent blow out of the pressurized molten metal.

Abstract: A distributed computer database system including a front end computer and a plurality of computer nodes interconnected by a network into a search engine. A query from a user is transmitted to the front end computer which forwards the query to one of the computer nodes, termed the home node, of the search engine. The home node fragments the query and hashes the fragments of query to create an index by which the hashed query fragments are transmitted to one or more nodes on the network. Each node on the network which receives a hashed fragment uses the fragment of the query to perform a search on its respective database. The results of the searches of the local databases are then gathered by the home node.