Abstract: A thermal spray method for the fabrication of ceramic/metal and ceramic/ceramic hardcoating for wear applications. The method makes use of feedstock powder, composed of micron-scale aggregates of hard phase material particles that are either mixed or coated with a readily fusible nano-scale binder phase material. Thus, during thermal spraying, the nanostructured material undergoes rapid melting while the aggregated material is heated but not necessarily melted. A dense coating is formed when the molten nano-material fills the available pore spaces between the heated and softened aggregates, providing a strong and tough matrix for the consolidated material. Optimal wear properties are achieved when the volume fraction of aggregated particles is high, typically in the range of 0.5-0.9. Aggregated material may be composed of one, two or more particles of difference sizes and/or compositions, with particle size distribution that gives high packing density for the hard phase.

Abstract: A high capacity rechargeable lithium battery cell comprising a positive electrode member, a negative electrode member, and an interposed separator member providing an electrolyte includes an active electrode material comprising a crystalline nitride of a metal which be lithium-alloying, such Zn, or non-alloying, such as Cu. The metal nitride electrode materials effectively replace carbonaceous negative electrode materials in Li-ion cells, providing significantly improved stable gravimetric capacity ranging to about 450 mAh/g and volumetric capacity ranging to more than five-fold that of graphite.

Abstract: A method of treatment of a contaminated material contaminated with an organic compound is provided. The method includes treating the contaminate with a chemical oxidation step. The chemical oxidation step includes treating the contaminate with a transition metal in soluble form in combination with a chelator of the transition metal, to form a transition metal:chelator complex; an oxidizing agent that provides a reactive free radical in the presence of the transition metal complex; and a buffering compound; the pH being maintained in a neutral range. The method of treatment may further include treating the contaminate with biodegradation step prior to or after the chemical oxidation step.

Abstract: Methods for modulating levels of at least one organic sulfur compound in plants are provided. Also provided are plants, plant seeds, and plant cells produced by the methods. The methods comprise stably transforming a plant with a DNA construct encoding at least one APS reductase enzyme or PAPS reductase enzyme (herein, “(P)APS reductase”) so that the transformed plant exhibits altered levels of at least one organic sulfur compound. APS reductase is an enzyme classified as EC 1.8.4.9 and PAPS reductase is an enzyme classified as EC 1.8.99.4; these enzymes are capable of reducing sulfur in the form of APS or PAPS to produce sulfite. Also provided are methods for reducing oxidative stress in plants and for increasing the nutritional quality of plants and seeds.

Abstract: A method for treating pulmonary hypertension and other diseases involving a defect in collagen metabolism, by administration of an effective amount of a liposome encapsulated copolymer conjugate antifibrotic composition, is disclosed. The antifibrotic agent is preferably a proline analog, such as cis-4-hydroxy-L-proline (cHyp). Consistent, high loadings (>98%) of the antifibrotic agent are achieved by first forming a dipeptide with L-lysine, after which the dipeptide is copolymerized with the polymer component to form the copolymer conjugate. The polymer is preferably poly(ethylene glycol) having a weight average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 15,000. There is thus provided the efficient delivery and rateable release of the antifibrotic agent to inhibit collagen accumulation and thereby treat the diseases involved.

Abstract: An apparatus, composition, and method for producing an optical gain. The apparatus includes: an optical fiber having a core and a multiple cladding, the core being doped with Yb3+; a light source producing light at a wavelength in a range of from about 0.8 to about 1.06 microns to energize the yb3+ to produce laser action; and wherein the core is essentially devoid of Nd3+.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treatment of a contaminated material contaminated with an organic compound. The method includes the steps of treating the contaminate with a chemical oxidation step. The chemical oxidation step includes treating the contaminate with a transition metal in soluble form in combination with a chelator of the transition metal, to form a transition metal:chelator complex; and an oxidizing agent that provides a reactive free radical in the presence of the transition metal complex. The pH is maintained in a neutral range by a buffering compound. In particular embodiments, the method of treatment may further include pre-treating the contaminate with a biodegradation step prior to or after the chemical oxidation step. The biodegradation step includes a step of contacting the contaminate with a microbial consortium under conditions suitable for the consortium to mediate solubilization or biodegradion of the organic compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing analog and mixed analog and digital circuits in which test waveforms are generated for testing the analog circuit. The analog circuit can be represented by a directed circuit graph. The directed circuit graph represents nodes of components of the circuit under test connected by directed edges for components having inputs or outputs which effect other components and undirected edges for components in the circuit that are bidirectional. For example, undirected edges are assigned to bidirectional elements such as resistors and capacitors and directed edges are assigned to transistors. The directed graph is partitioned into partitions that carry a signal from the primary inputs toward the primary outputs in the circuit under test. Feedback and local feedback are captured in a single partition. The partition of a faulty component is determined and the operating point of the partition is established to activate the fault.

Abstract: Methods are provided for improving the microbial production of amphotericin B by the selective inhibition of amphotericin A by means of protein synthesis inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for identifying tested path-delay faults in integrated circuits. A path status graph is generated to represent the detected status of simulated path-delay faults. The path status graph includes vertices representing primary inputs, primary outputs and elements of the circuit. Detected status path-delay faults can be dynamically distributed to edges of the path status graph. Tested path-delay faults can be identified from traversal of the edges of the path status graph.

Abstract: Coating and filler materials for localized thermal processing of glazed ceramics and other brittle and low thermal conductivity materials. The coating materials include oxide compositions that exhibit coefficients of thermal expansion which are less than about 8.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. and glass transition temperatures which are less than about 400.degree. C. The filler materials include particulate oxide materials which do not substantially react during localized thermal processing of glazed ceramics and other brittle and low thermal conductivity materials. The coating and filler materials are useable together as a composite material for repairing cavities having depths greater than about 2 mm.

Abstract: A method of producing metal-rich plants for the production of nutritional supplements. Edible plants are placed in a growth environment containing metal, and are cultivated in a fashion which enhances the uptake of metal into edible portions of the plants. The plants are then harvested, and may be eaten directly or processed into capsule or tablet form, in order to obtain the metallic nutrients so incorporated.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a triphasic composite such as a WC/Co/diamond composite with a high volume fraction of diamond in a WC/Co matrix. The method involves sintering of a WC/Co powder compact to develop a porous preform, which displays some rigidity and strength, infiltrating the porous preform with a controlled distribution of carbon, and high pressure/high temperature treatment of the carbon-containing WC/Co preform to transform the carbon to diamond. The distribution of diamond in the composite can be functionally graded to provide a WC/Co core and a diamond-enriched surface, wherein all three phases form an interconnected structure in three dimensions. Such a tricontinuous structure combines high strength and toughness with superior wear resistance, making it attractive for applications in machine tools and drill bits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for mobile location estimation in which range measurements between the mobile station and a base station are discriminated as being either from a base station which is line of sight with the mobile station or a base station that is non-line of sight with the mobile station. Non-line of sight error present in range measurements from base stations that are non-line of sight with the mobile station is corrected. A reconstructed line of sight range measurement is established from the correction of the non-line of sight error. The reconstructed line of sight range measurement can be used with range measurements of base stations determined to be line of sight for accurately locating the mobile station.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to purifying starch granules from starch-bearing crops, preferably maize, which include treating starch granules with a thermally tolerant, broad pH range proteolytic enzyme that is specific for surface-associated proteins. Also disclosed are purified starch granules which are substantially free of surface-associated proteins. Uses of the isolated starch granules are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved particulate mixing in which rotational motion of a mixing vessel is periodically disrupted by rocking motion. A vessel rotates around a central axis for producing the rotational motion. The vessel is rocked in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis for producing rocking motion. Mixing is enhanced when the rocking frequency is different than the rotational frequency.

Abstract: An improved method of establishing plantings in sod mats which are capable of being transported as a unit and reestablished without significantly disturbing the root system of the plants. The sod mats established from grass turf sod, by utilizing the matted, dead grass roots of turf sod as a biodegradable medium for anchoring the roots of the growing plants, the plant roots being intermeshed with the matted grass roots. The sod mat allows for the production of a diversity of sod mat products, including annual and perennial ornamental plants, herbs, and edible plants, among others. While the plants can be grown to various sizes depending on market desires and mature plant height, the sod mats are capable of rapidly establishing sufficient stability to withstand lifting and transportation, thus providing a significant improvement over sod-like mats of the prior art.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant (Fragaria.times.ananassa) named `NJ8826-11`, which is a short day cultivar similar to `Earliglow`, but which is exceptional for its combination of very early season harvest of attractive and extra large fruit, with high productivity, good plant vigor, and disease resistance. The plant is well adapted to matted-row, ribbon-row, and high density planting systems, and performs consistently in diverse environments. The fruit size is much larger than that of `Earliglow`, the major cultivar in its season, and the fruit flavor is good.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant (Fragaria.times.ananassa) named `NJ8614-2`, which is a short day cultivar similar to `Earliglow`, but which is exceptional for its disease resistance and its combination of early season harvest of very attractive large fruit, with high productivity. The plant is well adapted to matted-row, ribbon-row, and high density planting systems, and performs consistently in diverse environments. The fruit size is larger than that of `Earliglow`, the major cultivar in its season, and the fruit flavor is good.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant (Fragaria.times.ananassa) named `NJ8607-2`, which is a short day cultivar similar to `Earliglow`, but which is exceptional for its early season harvest of very attractive large fruit, good shelf-life, and high productivity, combined with good horticultural qualities and good disease resistance. The plant is well adapted to matted-row, ribbon-row, and high density planting systems, and performs consistently in diverse environments. The fruit size is larger than that of `Earliglow`, the major cultivar in its season.