Abstract: A hydrogen passivated photovoltaic device such as a solar cell comprises a lattice mismatched substrate such as Ge or Si, and a hydrogen passivated heteroepitaxial layer such as InP grown on the substrate. The hydrogen passivated heteroepitaxial III-V photovoltaic device is produced by exposing a sample of a heteroepitaxial III-V material grown on a lattice-mismatched substrate to reactive hydrogen species at elevated temperatures. Reactive hydrogen forms bonds with dangling bonds along dislocations defined in the sample. The electrical activity in the dislocations is passivated as a result of the hydrogenation process.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with increased risk of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. The methods involve measuring serum M-CSF levels, and administration of M-CSF.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and composition for treating obesity or related disorders in animals using an anorectic agent and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The composition effectively diminishes caloric intake, may alter metabolism, weight gain, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Deposit formation can be reduced and primary oxidation of the lubricant can be retarded in a lubricant when used in an internal combustion engine by incorporation of soluble copper (e.g., 1,500 to 3,000 ppm) in the lubricant.

Abstract: Epitaxial growth of films on single crystal substrates having a lattice mismatch of at least 10% through domain matching is achieved by maintaining na.sub.1 within 5% of ma.sub.2, wherein a.sub.1 is the lattice constant of the substrate, a.sub.2 is the lattice constant of the epitaxial layer and n and m are integers. The epitaxial layer can be TiN and the substrate can be Si or GaAs. For instance, epitaxial TiN films having low resistivity can be provided on (100) silicon and (100) GaAs substrates using a pulsed laser deposition method. The TiN films were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rutherford back scattering (RBS), four-point-probe ac resistivity, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Epitaxial relationship was found to be <100> TiN aligned with <100> Si. TiN films showed 10-20% channeling yield. In the plane, four unit cells of TiN match with three unit cells of silicon with less than 4.0% misfit.

Abstract: A cervical orthosis is provided which supports the weight of the head with a chin support having a pair of transverse members extending rearward from the chin support to the wearer's shoulder. The transverse members are joined at the shoulder to a pair of vertical members which travel down the wearer's back. The orthosis is secured to the wearer by means of a belt attached to the lower ends of the transverse member which is fastened about the wearer's torso. In a preferred embodiment the orthosis is formed of one continuous piece of a suitably rigid material and conforms to the contours of the wearer's body. A method of forming a customized orthosis to conform to the contours of a wearer positioned in a desired posture is also provided.

Abstract: A digital data memory unit and memory unit array, each unit of which can be searched in accordance with the contents thereof and updated, utilizes a digital storage element in the form of a register, latch, or memory cell, a comparator and control logic. Data is presented to the units in parallel on data lines and compare data is supplied in parallel to the units along other data lines. Parallel search of data in each unit, with multiple updates in units where the stored data matches the compare data, occurs rapidly and in one clock cycle (e.g., approximately 50 nanoseconds). The control logic responds to a match output from the comparator and an update enable pulse to enable a new data word on the data lines to be written into the digital storage element of the unit. The memory unit array is useful in image processing for storing pixel values and searching and updating these values in the process of image analysis to recognize certain images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for diagnosing the mechanical condition of a machine. The method of the invention includes the following steps: sensing a reference vibrational signal of the machine; creating a reference set of events from the reference vibrational signal of the machine; saving the reference set of events; sensing a test vibrational signal of the machine; creating a test set of events from the test vibrational signal of the machine; and, comparing the test set of events with the reference set of events to determine the mechanical condition of the machine. The invention further includes a method of extracting a set of events from a vibrational signal of a machine wherein a subset of the events corresponds to a physical action of the machine. The invention also includes a method of determining a set of clustered events for a machine from a plurality of sets of events, wherein each of the sets has a number of events therein.

Abstract: A low cost process for the high yield recovery of wheat gluten and starch is provided which comprises initially pearling whole wheat kernels to remove germ and a part of the bran, followed by grinding to an average particle size of 100-400 microns. The ground, pearled wheat is then subjected to wet processing to isolate gluten and starch. Yields of gluten are 20-25% higher than yields using flour as a starting material.

Abstract: A visual image comparison method is provided, including the steps of: obtaining a first digital representation of a first visual image, where the first digital representation comprises a first plurality of pixels, and each pixel has a gray scale indicative of light intensity; obtaining a second digital representation of a second visual image, where the second digital representation comprises a second plurality of pixels, and each pixel has a gray scale indicative of light intensity; and selectively making a first predetermined number of comparisons of corresponding pixels from the first and second digital representations to determine whether a difference in ambient light intensity exists between the first and second visual images, and, selectively making a second predetermined number of comparisons of corresponding pixels from the first and second digital representations if and only if no difference in ambient light intensity exists between the first and second visual images, and indicating an alarm condition

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to detect feline blood type B comprising: combining feline blood with a sufficient amount of Triticum vulgaris lectin to agglutinate feline blood type B. Additionally, this invention relates to a kit to detect feline blood type B.

Abstract: A composite having third order non-linear optical activity comprising, an organic polymer and an inorganic material. The organic polymer has third order nonlinear optical activity and the inorganic material is a sol-gel glass. The organic polymer or a precursor of the organic polymer is mutually soluble with a precursor of the sol-gel glass. The invention also includes photonic media having the above composite and a method of making the composite.

Abstract: A linear array electrode is provided for use in a flowcell detector. The electrode includes an electrically conductive material grooved to form array elements. The conductive material is embedded in an electrically insulating embedment such that a surface of each array element is exposed. The electrode includes means for connecting the electrically conductive material to a source of electric potential.

Abstract: Accordingly, the present invention is directed to biological compounds derivatized so as to contain at least one perfluoro-t-butyl moiety for use in fluorine-19 NMR and/or MRI studies. The perfluoro-t-butyl (PFTB) moiety, ##STR1## is an excellent reporter group for fluorine-19 NMR/MRI. It is a source of nine magnetically equivalent fluorine nuclei which generate a single intense resonance for easy detection in spectroscopy or imaging. This signal is a sharp singlet, not split by neighboring nuclei or spread over a wide frequency range and eliminates any chance of ghost images which might arise from multiple resonances. These spectral properties ensure a maximum signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) for readily detecting this moiety. The foregoing allows either reduction in the concentration of the derivatized compound, ability to use MRI instruments with lower field strengths, a reduction in imaging times, or a combination of the foregoing as a result of this moiety producing a single, sharp, intense resonance.

Abstract: A paste including a thermally conducting solid filler, a nonaqueous liquid carrier and a stabilizing dispersant. The pastes are highly concentrated, of low viscosity, electrically resistive, highly thermally conducting and stable. The pastes are easily applicable to electrical and electronic devices and may be removed therefrom with common solvents to access components where necessary.

Abstract: A composite article comprising a resin matrix containing both carbon fibers and a tin alloy. In the preferred embodiment, fiber containing layers within the matrix are separated by alloy containing layers within the matrix.The invention further includes the method of manufacturing the composite articles by impregnating layers of carbon fibers with a resin to form impregnated sheets, spreading alloy powder between the sheets and compression molding the resulting article at a sufficient temperature and pressure for a sufficient time to melt the alloy and cure the resin.

Abstract: A solder joint between two surfaces comprising an intermediate composite solder preform, said preform comprising metal coated carbon fibers contained in a metal matrix, said fibers comprising from 2 to 80 percent by volume of the composite, said metal matrix melting at a temperature below 600.degree. C. and containing at least 15 weight percent tin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for written character recognition. The method includes thresholding an input gray level character image to derive its bilevel image, extracting stroke-based features of said bilevel image, classifying the features based upon a set of predetermined rules, determining the identity of the character utilizing the classification, and indicating the identity of the character. A method and apparatus for extracting features of a written character is also provided. This method includes raster scanning the written character to determine stroke-based features, extracting vertical strokes of the character and extracting horizontal strokes of the character.

Abstract: Novel heteroarotinoid compositions characterized by the formulae: ##STR1## where: X is S or O; OAc is the acetate group ##STR2## and R is --H, --OH, --OCH.sub.3, or --OC.sub.2 H.sub.5 and includes ##STR3## for formulae (1) and (2). Such compositions exhibit activity as anticancer agents.

Abstract: 3-7,Diheterabicylo[3.3.1]nonanes and derivatives thereof are disclosed. Their method of preparation and use as antiarrhythmic agents is given.