Abstract: A full-flow mechanical failsafe (100) is composed of a cylindrical shell (101) having a movable sealing plug (105) therein, for attachment to a filter element (110) of a fluid filtering system, such as a gas clean up system in a power plant. The sealing plug (105) rests on locking spheres (107) within the shell (101) during normal operation. Upon filter failure or breakage, the flow fluid will be substantially increased, causing an increase in upward pressure against the sealing plug (105), forcing it upward off the spheres (107) and into sealing contact with a flow aperture (102, 103), shutting off fluid flow. The spheres (107) move downward into a locking position upon movement of the sealing plug (105), to secure the sealing plug (105) in its upward sealing position. The failsafe (100) can be used in fluid flow control systems other than fluid filtering systems, such as oil or gas pipelines, and can be used to prevent improper reverse fluid flow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a conformal window in a video tracking system. Each of the lines within the conformal window comprises a sub-window which is resized for each frame of video signal. The composite window comprising all the sub-windows is also resized vertically for each frame. The target image sub-windows are divided into left and right edge regions and a central region and are processed based on the density of pixels in the sub-window for each new frame. The target image is apportioned vertically into top and bottom regions and a central region, and lines of target image detail are processed to delineate new top, bottom and central regions for each subsequent frame of video signal. The resized window gradually assumes an orientation which conforms to the target image orientation.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for pulse-jet cleaning of filter bags in a baghouse using pulsed, high-pressure/low-volume, intermediate-pressure/intermediate-volume, or low-pressure/high-volume pulsed air flow. Relative movement between a first tubular member and a second member causes apertures in the members to align intermittently. When the apertures are aligned, pressurized air is fed, through a pulse valve or from a combustion chamber, into the tubular first member and flows out of the aligned apertures in a short, energetic pulse. The pulse is directed down into a filter bag arranged below the pulse pipe to pulse-clean the filter bag or into another pulse pipe arranged above a filter bag.

Abstract: Patients suffering from cancer are treated by being administered a compound represented by the following formula: wherein each R individually is H or an aliphatic or aromatic acyl group; A is selected from the group consisting of wherein X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, alkoxy, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, haloalkenyl, alkynyl, amino, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, cyano and nitro.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric microspheres as injectable, drug-delivery vehicles for use to deliver bioactive agents to sites within the central nervous system, and for the stimulation of nerve fiber growth by implanting such microspheres within the central nervous system of a patient. Microspheres of less than 45 &mgr;m, preferably less than about 20 &mgr;m, and preferably about 0.1 &mgr;m to about 10 &mgr;m in mean diameter according to the present invention are also selectively taken-up and into astrocytes when delivered directly into the nervous tissues.

Abstract: The invention relates to the nucleic acid sequence and amino acid sequence of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from mycobacteria and to expression of recombinant DHFR protein. Utilizing the recombinant protein, novel therapies and diagnostic strategies can be developed and selective antimycobacterial compositions can be designed and utilized to treat mycobacterial infections in patients. This invention includes all or portions of novel recombinant nucleic acids encoding DHFR for mycobacteria such as M. avium, to novel recombinant DHFR peptides produced by such sequences, and to vaccines, diagnostic kits, cells and therapies utilizing these peptides and nucleic acid sequences. The present invention relates to methods for using the sequences of the present invention to develop drugs specific to M. avium and other mycobacteria, to identify and sequence corresponding sequences in species other than M. avium, as well as diagnostic and treatment methods incorporating the disclosed sequences and peptides.

Abstract: A sampling system and method for sampling particulate matter from a high-temperature, high-pressure gas stream. A cyclone sampler for use at high temperatures and pressures, and having threadless sacrificial connectors is disclosed. Also disclosed is an improved cascade impactor including jet plates with integral spacers, and alignment features provided for aligning the jet plates with their associated collection substrates. An activated bauxite alkali collector is disclosed, and includes an alumina liner. The sampling system can be operated remotely or locally, and can be permanently installed or configured as a portable system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric microspheres as injectable, drug-delivery vehicles for use to deliver bioactive agents to sites within the central nervous system, and for the stimulation of nerve fiber growth by implanting such microspheres within the central nervous system of a patient. Microspheres of less than 45 &mgr;m, preferably less than about 20 &mgr;m, and preferably about 0.1 &mgr;m to about 10 &mgr;m in mean diameter according to the present invention are also selectively taken-up and into astrocytes when delivered directly into the nervous tissues.

Abstract: A method for treating an organ donor prior to harvesting organ to reduce graft rejection in a recipient. An amount effective to reduce graft rejection of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds having formulas I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII is administered to the organ donor: wherein Y is X is F or Cl; and the remaining groups are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: An injectable slow-release partial opioid agonist or opioid antagonist formulation is provided comprising a partial opioid agonist or opioid antagonist in a poly(D,L-lactide) excipient with a small amount of residual ethyl acetate. Upon intramuscular injection of the composition, a partial opioid agonist or opioid antagonist is released in a controlled manner over an extended period of time. The composition finds use in the treatment of heroin addicts and alcoholics to reduce consumption of the abused substances. Of particular interest are the drugs buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone.

Abstract: New pyridine compounds are provided along with their method of preparation. The compounds are useful as intermediates in preparing new anticancer agents. A few of the pyridine compounds are also useful for treating cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a procaryotic host cell stably transformed or transfected by a vector including a DNA sequence encoding for purine nucleoside phosphorylase or hydrolase. The transformed or transfected procaryotic host cell can be used in combination with a purine substrate to treat tumor cells and/or virally infected cells.

Abstract: Compositions for transporting a bioactive agent across a biological membrane include the bioactive agent, an oil, an oil-immiscible compound and a noncationic surface active agent. The compositions may deliver the bioactive agent through a chemical microporulation mechanism, which allows transfer of the agent across both cellular, intracellular organelle, and nuclear membranes. Compositions for nucleic acid delivery include nucleic acid, oil, oil-immiscible compound, noncationic surface active agent and essentially no cationic lipid, or include nucleic acid, oil, oil-immiscible compound and two noncationic surface active agents. The nucleic acid may be hydrophobically-modified, and be in combination with an oil, an oil-immiscible compound and at least one surface active agent. The compositions may be used for gene delivery to a cell, as well as delivery of other therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A high-throughput method for screening compounds for anticancer activity involves cultivating cells capable of expressing cancer genes in cell culture in microtiter plate wells in the presence of test compounds and detecting the level of gene expression by a quantitative nucleic acid amplification.

Abstract: Compounds represented by the formula: wherein each of Y, X and R individually is H, OH, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, halo, CF3 and NO2, provided that at least one of Y, X and R is other than H; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are provided. Compounds of the above formula are useful as analgesics for treating pain, as immunomodulators and for treating drug abuse.

Abstract: New pyridine compounds are provided along with their method of preparation. The compounds are useful as intermediates in preparing new anticancer agents. A few of the pyridine compounds are also useful for treating cancer.

Abstract: Acyl derivatives of 4-demethylpenclomedine are provided along with pharmaceutical compositions containing them and use for treating cancer. A method for preparing the derivatives is also provided.

Abstract: Compounds represented by formula (I), 1

Abstract: Preliminary clinical studies in humans have now been done which show both the efficacy of 10-propargyl-10dAM and a preferred dosage schedule for such treatments. In addition, it has now been determined that combinations of 10-propargyl-10-deazaaminopterin (preferably highly purified forms, substantially free of 10-deazaaminopterin) with taxols exhibit synergistic effectiveness in the treatment of tumors. 10-propargyl-10-deazaaminopterin and a taxol in therapeutically effective amounts can be administered concurrently, one right after the other, or with a period of time in between.

Abstract: A composition for inducing or potentiating an immune response, preferably a CTL, T helper cell, or neutralizing antibody response in a subject, comprising an antigen and/or a non-antigen bioactive agent capable of inducing or potentiating such an immune response encapsulated in a polymeric composition, wherein the polymeric composition comprises a blend of (a) a polymer present in an amount sufficient to provide structural integrity to the polymeric composition, and (b) a rapidly biodegradable component, a rapidly dissolving component, a rapidly swelling component, or a component that causes osmotic rupture of the encapsulated polymeric composition is disclosed. Single polymer compositions for achieving such an immune response are also disclosed. Methods for inducing or potentiating a CTL, T helper cell or neutralizing antibody response using the above-identified compositions are disclosed.