Abstract: In a laser generator for generating short high peak power pulses of lasant radiation, a mode-locked laser oscillator generator generates a train of short pulses to be amplified. The pulses to be amplified, as of 10 ps pulse width, are temporally spaced by the optical resonator round-trip time, i.e., six ns for a three meter long optical resonator. The pulses to be amplified are then injected into a moving slab Q-switched laser oscillator for seeding thereof and amplification therein. The temporal spacing of the injected pulses is matched to the round-trip time of the optical resonator of the moving slab laser oscillator for mode-locking the moving slab oscillator to efficiently achieve 100 dB of gain in the amplified pulses. The resultant amplified pulses have a peak power as of 500 MW. By chirping and broadening of the pulses to 300 ps before amplification, followed by pulse width compression in a grating pair, pecosecond pulses are generated of 150 GW peak power.

Abstract: Genes encoding five immunodeterminant protein antigens of the leprosy parasite Mycobacterium leprae have been isolated. The gene encoding the M. leprae 65kD antigen was sequenced and a lambda gt11 gene sublibrary was constructed with fragments of the gene. Recombinant DNA clones producing specific antigenic determinants were isolated using monoclonal antibodies and the sequences of their insert DNAs were determined with a rapid primer extension method. Amino acid sequences for six different epitopes of the M. leprae protein were elucidated. A peptide containing sequences for one of these epitopes, which is unique to M. leprae, was synthesized and shown to bind the appropriate monoclonal antibody; The approach described here can be used to elucidate rapidly protein epitopes that are recognized by antibodies or T cells. In addition, the well-characterized M. leprae antigens can be used in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of leprosy.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an integrated scanning tunneling microscope and an integrated piezoelectric transducer and methods for making both. The device consists of one or two arm piezoelectric bimorph cantilevers formed by micromachining using standard integrated circuit processing steps. These cantilevers are attached to the substrate at one area and are free to move under the influence of piezoelectric forces which are caused by the application of appropriate voltages generated by control circuitry and applied to pairs of electrodes formed as an integral part of the bimorph cantilever structure. The electric fields caused by the control voltages cause the piezoelectric bimorphs to move in any desired fashion within ranges determined by the design. The bimorph cantilevers have tips with very sharp points formed thereon which are moved by the action of the control circuit and the piezoelectric bimorphs so to stay within a very small distance of a conducting surface.

Abstract: In an eye-safe coherent laser radar, a laser diode optically pumps a solid state non-planar ring laser to produce the coherent output laser radiation. The laser radiation is passed through a Faraday isolator to an optically pumped slab three-stage linear amplifier imparting 56 db gain. A telescope transmits the amplified laser radiation to illuminate a target. Optical radiation returned from the target is collected by the telescope and focused into a single transverse mode fiber-optic waveguide for combination in the fiber with reference lasant radiation by means of a single mode fiber coupler. The combined optical radiation is then detected by a photodetector to produce a difference frequency output representative of parameters of the target.

Abstract: A moving solid state laser gain structure is optically pumped by optical pumping radiation derived from a remote bank of diodes, preferably laser diodes. The pumping radiation is guided and concentrated from the bank to the laser gain structure over a bundle of fiber optic waveguides. In some embodiments, the laser gain structure is a slab of Nd:Glass or Nd:YAG. In some embodiments, the lasant beam is internally reflected within the slab over a zig-zag path. In one embodiment, the lasant slab is a rotating and translating disk with the pumping radiation being applied collinearly of the beam of lasant radiation. In another embodiment, the lasant slab is made up of a bundle of fiber optic waveguides.

Abstract: Optically transparent quantum well structures, such as GaAs/Al.sub.0.5 Ga.sub.0.5 As, are electrically biased to produce a quadratic nonlinear optical susceptibility, the sign of which depends on the direction of the applied electric bias field. This quadratic nonlinear optical susceptibility is particularly useful for enhancing three-wave interactions especially when the applied bias field is made spatially periodic to obtain quasiphasematched interaction. Also, the quantum well material is preferably arranged in an optical waveguide for guiding the interacting waves to reduce unwanted diffraction effects.

Abstract: A pickup is disclosed for a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of strings. The pickup includes a bridge member having a surface which supports the strings at predefined positions along the surface, a plurality of bimorphic piezoelectric elements embedded in the bridge member at locations corresponding to the predefined positions along the surface of the bridge member, and connection wires for conveying the electric signals generated by said bimorphic piezoelectric element. Each bimorphic piezoelectric element has two oppositely polarized piezoelectric layers, separated by a metallic layer. The bimorphic piezoelectric elements are embedded in the bridge member so that the principal direction of vibrations of the corresponding string is normal to the metallic layer which separates the two piezoelectric layers of the bimorphic element.

Abstract: Sensitive detection techniques and compositions for such techniques are provided by employing fluorescent proteins having bilin prosthetic groups as labels. The bilin containing proteins can be conjugated to ligands or receptors for use in systems involving ligand-receptor binding for the analysis, detection or separation of ligands and receptors. Particularly, one or more of the bilin containing proteins may be used as labels in conjunction with each other or other fluorescers for defining subsets of naturally occurring aggregations e.g. cells.

Abstract: An eye examination process includes instilling a neutral pH sulforhodamine B fluorescent dye which is excitable by green light and which fluoresces with orange light in the eye of a patient. The eye is then illuminated with green light and the eye is observed, preferably through a biomicroscope, through a filter which will pass orange light and which will not transmit the wavelength of the illuminating light. This process allows observation of both the eye's tear film and devitalized epithelial cells in the eye.

Abstract: Systems are provided for the dual purpose of cloning genes using antibodies as probes and isolating unknown proteins encoded by cloned DNA. The method employs a vector derived from phage which is used in combination with a high frequency lysogenic host. The vector is further characterized by having an inducible promoter regulating expression of a gene into which the foreign DNA may be introduced to produce a fused protein, and controlled induction of the prophage with rapid increase in copy number and high level transcription of foreign DNA. The technique is exemplified with a specific lambda phage construct in conjunction with the .beta.-galactosidase structural gene lacZ.

Abstract: Specific binding members are provided for binding to lymphocytic cell surface receptors, which receptors are involved in the activation of a cell from the G.sub.0 state into the cell division cycle to proliferate. The cell surface receptors are further characterized by binding to envelope proteins of neoplasia-causing retroviruses, and/or to intact retroviral particles.

Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for replication and expression of exogenous genes in microorganisms. Plasmids or virus DNA are cleaved to provide linear DNA having ligatable termini, which are bound to a gene having complementary termini, to provide a biologically functional replicon with a desired phenotypical property. The replicon is inserted into a microorganism cell by transformation. Isolation of the transformants provides cells for replication and expression of the DNA molecules present in the modified plasmid. The method provides a convenient and efficient way to introduce genetic capability into microorganisms for the production of nucleic acids and proteins, such as medically or commercially useful enzymes, which may have direct usefulness, or may find expression in the production of drugs, such as hormones, antibiotics, or the like, fixation of nitrogen, fermentation, utilization of specific feedstocks, or the like.

Abstract: Live vaccines are provided and methods for preparing the live vaccines for protection of a host from a pathogenic microorganism. The vaccines are prepared by introducing at least one modification in a gene involved in at least one, normally at least two, biosynthetic pathways, involving the production of products which are unlikely to be found in the disease susceptible host. The modification results in a gene change which cannot be repaired by a single step e.g. polynucleotide deletions and inversions. Where the aro gene suffers such a change, the resultant auxotrophic mutants require aromatic amino acids, p-aminobenzoic acid and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid or a highly concentrated source of absorbable iron. The auxotrophic mutations have substantially reduced or nonexistent virulence, while retaining the desired immunogenicity to initiate the immunogenic response. Various techniques can be employed for providing the desired change.Salmonella typhimurium strain SL1479 was deposited at the ATCC on Sept.

Abstract: Human monoclonal antibody compositions, human-human monoclonal hybridoma cells, human myeloma cells, human antibody genes and their uses. Human myeloma cells are developed for fusing with immunized lymphoid cells to provide stable human-human hybridoma strains producing complete monoclonal antibodies for a predefined antigen. From a myeloma cell line, rapidly growing 8-azaguanine resistant HAT sensitive cells are selected. The selected myeloma cells are crossed with immunized lymphoid cells and the resulting cell mixture grown under controlled selective conditions. After expansion of the desired hybridoma cells, the monoclonal antibodies may be harvested. The hybridomas serve as a source for messenger RNA for light and heavy chains which may be used for production of light and heavy chain immunoglobulin proteins through hybrid DNA techniques.

Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for gene amplification. A DNA unit is prepared capable of replication in a eukaryotic host having tandem genes, where the first gene is capable of complementing an auxotrophic host. The auxotrophic host is transformed with the DNA unit under selective conditions requiring enhanced expression of the first gene. Hosts are then selected for amplification of the first and second genes.

Abstract: In a slab laser, the optical pumping lamps extend transversely to the mean direction of the laser beam with the spatial period of the lamps being harmonically related to the spatial period of the zig-zag laser beam path within the slab, preferably with equal periods. In addition, the lamps are preferably positioned in registration over the lines of intersection of the central ray of the laser beam with respective broad face of the laser slab. A planar flashlamp reflector is employed for economy of fabrication. Directional lamp reflectors are employed for increasing laser efficiency and performance by discriminating against amplified surface waves.

Abstract: An automated method of decomposing an electromyogram for identifying and measuring individual motor-unit action potentials. An electromyogram interference pattern is sampled at its Nyquist rate and digitally filtered to accentuate the rapidly rising spike components. The spikes are classified by template matching, using their canonically registered discrete Fourier transforms to align and compare them. The classifications are verified by analysis of interspike intervals. The motor-unit action potentials are then averaged from the unfiltered interference pattern using the identified spikes as triggers.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for asymmetrically donating an oxygen atom to a pair of electrons to produce an asymmetric product. Specifically, a metal alkoxide is used as a catalyst, where the metal has a coordination number of at least four, and at least one, usually two, of the alkoxide groups bonded to the metal are bonded to asymmetric carbon atoms. The metal catalyst is employed in conjunction with a hydroperoxide and an alkanol having a functionality with a pair of electrons capable of accepting an oxygen atom. The resulting product is enriched in one enantiomer due to the enantioselective introduction of an asymmetric center or an enhanced rate of reaction of one of the enantiomers of a chiral alkanol.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing fusion partners which involve employing an immortalized human myeloma cell line sensitive to HAT and having an additional dominant selectable resistance marker and fusing the doubly marked human myeloma cells with a stable immortalized rodent myeloma cell line, desirably previously subjected to substantial chromosome damage, and isolating cells having a substantially complete chromosomal complement of the rodent cell and at least about one chromosome of the human cell having a gene expressing said resistance, thereby being resistant to a selective agent. The resulting heteromyeloma may be fused with high efficiency with human lymphocytes to produce monoclonal antibodies.The cell lines designated as A6 and 36 were deposited at the A.T.C.C. on Jan. 11, 1983 and given accession numbers CRL8192 and CRL8193, respectively.

Abstract: A kilowatt average power solid state laser employs a reciprocating slab of Nd:glass to effectively average the thermal loading thereof.