Abstract: Methods are described for determining the pattern of cytosine methylation in a DNA specimen, where the methods involve comparing the amount of DNA fragments generated by a methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme with the amount of DNA fragments generated by a methylation-insensitive isoschizomer of the methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube introducer (“introducer”) that slides within an endotracheal tube. The introducer has a tubular wall that defines a lumen extending between a split proximal end and a distal end of the introducer. The tubular wall has an outer diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the endotracheal tube. The tubular wall is circumscribed by an invertible shroud. The invertible shroud flexes distal-ward (“forward”) proximal-ward (“rearward”). The proximal end of the introducer is introduced into a distal end of the endotracheal tube and the shroud is manually retroflexed rearward to cover the sharp margins of the end of the endotracheal tube prior to its insertion into a patient's airway. After the endotracheal tube has been properly positioned, the introducer is withdrawn, the motion of its withdrawal anteflexing the shroud forward for removal through the endotracheal tube.

Abstract: Methods for treating diseases involving pyrazinamide-resistant mycobacteria comprise administering to a mammal in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a combination of rifamycin and a compound of formula I: wherein R1 is hydrogen haloalkyl, or lower alkyl; R2 and R3 are independently chosen from alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl and substituted alkylaryl, or R2 and R3 taken together form a five- or six-membered heterocyclic or substituted heterocyclic ring; and X is hydrogen, halogen, or lower alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: Chimeric nucleic acids encoding chimeric Borrelia proteins consisting of at least two antigenic polypeptides from corresponding and/or non-corresponding proteins from the same and/or different species of Borrelia, are disclosed. Chimeric proteins encoded by the nucleic acid sequences are also disclosed. The chimeric proteins are useful as vaccine immunogens against Lyme borreliosis, as well as for immunodiagnostic reagents.

Abstract: The present invention features a method and apparatus with a rotatable central reservoir and radially extending support arms for packing chromatographic columns at a consistent gradient of particle impact by using centripetal forces to independently accelerate particles comprising a bed material through a filling opening at one end of the column and continuously as they move axially along the length of the column to their packed destination. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for use in packing capillary columns having an interior diameter of about 500 microns or less.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an in vitro method for detecting the presence of carcinogenic agents.

Abstract: A neural network provides both linearly separable and non-linearly separable logic operations, including the exclusive-or operation, on input signals in a single layer of circuits. The circuit weights the input signals with complex weights by multiplication and addition, and provides weighted signals to a neuron circuit (a neuron body or some a) which provides an output corresponding to the desired logical operation.

Abstract: An eye tracking interface system for generating communication and control functions as a result of pre-defined eye gestures is disclosed. The system includes a detecting device adapted to detect bio-electromagnetic signals generated by eye movements. A first processor receives the detected bio-electromagnetic signals, and generate tokens corresponding to said pre-defined eye gestures. A second processor receives the tokens, and generates command signals based on a protocol correlating tokens to desired command signals. Thereafter, a user interface responds to said command signals, and provides control functions in response to said command signals.

Abstract: An eye tracking interface system for generating communication and control functions as a result of pre-defined eye gestures is disclosed. The system includes a detecting device adapted to detect bio-electromagnetic signals generated by eye movements. A first processor receives the detected bio-electromagnetic signals, and generate tokens corresponding to said pre-defined eye gestures. A second processor receives the tokens, and generates command signals based on a protocol correlating tokens to desired command signals. Thereafter, a user interface responds to said command signals, and provides control functions in response to said command signals.

Abstract: A neural network provides both linearly separable and non-linearly separable logic operations, including the exclusive-or operation, on input signals in a single layer of circuits. The circuit weights the input signals with complex weights by multiplication and addition, and provides weighted signals to a neuron circuit (a neuron body or soma) which provides an output corresponding to the desired logical operation.

Abstract: A system (method and apparatus) for handwritten character recognition recognizes characters within strings of text despite the presence of overlapping or disjointed characters. A string is segmented into discrete characters by removing noise and punctuation, joining the disconnected components of characters and splitting probable overlapping characters. After joining and splitting (as required), character recognition is performed to recognize characters in the string. Recognized characters are removed and the string is split in order that more characters can be recognized. If unrecognized characters remain in the string, the process is repeated. The joining and splitting operations are repeated until all subsequent characters in the string have been either recognized or determined to be unrecognizable.

Abstract: The reaction between a hydroxyacetic acid derivative bearing an oxygen protecting group and a chiral auxiliary group and an imine produces chiral .beta.-lactams. Hydrolysis of the chiral .beta.-lactams produces chiral amino acid analogs.

Abstract: A molecule capable of forming stable complexes with urea, guanidine or amidine compounds and the acid addition salts thereof comprises a nucleus of heterocyclic rings.

Abstract: An aqueous liquid for promoting the production of human saliva in situ comprises:(a) about 2 to 3 wgt percent organic acidulent such as citric, malic, or ascorbic acid;(b) about 0.5 to 2.5 wgt percent of a natural, food-grade sweetener such as fructose or 0.05 to 0.5 wgt percent of a synthetic sweetener such as aspartame or saccharin; and(c) a saturated calcium phosphate solution.The preferred form of the aqueous liquid is a metered, hand-actuated, aerosol spray of about 0.15 ml. per actuation.By employing the aqueous liquid of the invention the production of saliva is tripled, thus alleviating the many symptoms of xerostomia no matter what its cause.

Abstract: A superconducting type II composite palladium alloy hydride material having a region containing a contiguous surface comprising a palladium alloy-palladium region wherein at least a portion of the alloy region contains hydrogen and at least a portion of the palladium region contains hydrogen.