Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for hydrating terminal alkynes catalytically in anti-Markovnikov fashion. The compositions comprise a transition metal complex including at least one organic ligand having at least two heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatoms are directly bonded or located one atom away. Preferably, at least one of the heteroatoms is nitrogen, which is typically provided as part of a heterocyclic ring. Other preferred heteroatoms include S, P, N, As or Se. A particularly preferred catalyst employs a P-linked imidazole ligand bound to Ru. Such complexes have a controlled adaptable proton transfer ability and/or a hydrogen bonding ability making them particularly useful as chemical reaction facilitators.

Abstract: A method for identifying endogenous microbial proliferation genes for growth and viability is disclosed herein. The method involves exogenous nucleic acids that are used to conditionally produce antisense inhibitors of endogenous complementary mRNAs in a microorganism. Antisense fragments that result in lethality when expressed indicate that the endogenous gene is a proliferation gene. The method can also be used with sequences in sense orientation. The strategy can be used to identify new gene targets for novel antibiotics.

Abstract: Compositions including at least one organic ligand including a first hetero atom and a second hetero atom directly bonded to the first hetero atom or located one carbon atom away from the first hetero atom, with at least one of the hetero atoms being nitrogen, and a transition metal moiety partially complexes by the organic ligand are provided. Such complexes have a controlled adaptable proton transfer ability and/or a hydrogen bonding ability which makes such compositions particularly useful as chemical reaction facilitators. Examples of chemical reactions facilitated by such compositions include hydrolysis reactions and carbon dioxide conversion reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for monitoring fatigue. In one embodiment, a sequential finger fatigue measuring system is provided which measures the force output from fingers while the fingers are sequentially generating forces as they strike a keyboard. Force profiles of the fingers are generated from the measurements and evaluated for fatigue. The system can be used clinically to evaluate patients, to ascertain the effectiveness of clinical intervention, pre-employment screening, to assist in minimizing the incidence of repetitive stress injuries at the keyboard, mouse, joystick, and to monitor effectiveness of various finger strengthening systems.

Abstract: A method for identifying endogenous microbial proliferation genes for growth and viability is disclosed herein. The method involves exogenous nucleic acids that are used to conditionally produce antisense inhibitors of endogenous complementary mRNAs in a microorganism. Antisense fragments that result in lethality when expressed indicate that the endogenous gene is a proliferation gene. The method can also be used with sequences in sense orientation. The strategy can be used to identify new gene targets for novel antibiotics.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for performing highly-sensitive spectroscopic measurements in a sample vapor by using a four-wave-mixing optical system and an atomizer chamber. One embodiment of a spectrometer comprises a gas-phase atomizer having an atomizer chamber operable to vaporize a sample solution to produce a sample vapor, first and second alignment templates having apertures to align a probe beam, first and second pump beams to form a four-wave mixing configuration, a laser tunable to generate a laser beam at a desired wavelength corresponding to an absorption line in the sample vapor, and a set of optical elements disposed relative to the laser and the atomizer to split the laser beam into the probe beam, the first pump beam, and the second pump beam. The probe beam, the first and second pump beams are directed to overlap with one another in the sample vapor to produce a signal beam through a four-wave mixing process.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a wavy air-foil structure effective to pre-mix liquid fuel and air prior to ingestion into a gas turbine engine. The structure is a surface or boundary generally in the form of a linear combination of sinusoidals, and over which the incoming air is caused to flow at very near sonic speed. This invention is based on a new phenomenon observed in a study of small-perturbation theory of gas dynamics.

Abstract: A recycled fiber reinforced, moldable, settable cementitious composition which comprises cementitious material, recycled fibers, accelerator (optional), and water and a cured product therefrom, as well as a method for its preparation by suction-dewatering are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially purified cellular factor that can regulate the expression of genes that encode proteins involved in cholesterol metabolism. The invention also provides methods of obtaining the cellular factors of the invention in a substantially purified form. The invention further provides a method of using a cellular factor of the invention to reduce cholesterol levels in a subject having hypercholesterolemia comprising administering a cellular factor to the subject.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using either two or three input laser beams in a nonlinear degenerate four-wave mixing arrangement for ultrasensative analytical measurements of an analyte. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a two input beam F-D4WM arrangement is used to generate two phase conjugate signal beams. The input beams are narrowly focused to intersect within a very small volume of an analyte. The analyte may be in any physical state (e.g., liquid, solid, or gas). The intensity of the signal beam is used to detect trace concentrations of particular substances. The beam spot of each of the input beams can be focused to less than 34 .mu.m, thus allowing the present invention to directly focus the input beams within a capillary tube of a HPCE or a column of a HPLC system. In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, the input laser beams of a F-D4WM method are directed to points on a lens by immobilized fiber optic cables.