Abstract: The present invention describes a partial independent component analysis (PICA) technique for blindly separating partially independent and/or gaussian-like sources from mixed observations over an informative index subspace, which allows various applications in independent component imaging. The present invention estimates a demixing matrix using only the independent and/or nongaussian portion of the observations. Specifically, rather than using all the data points which give rise to a large separation error, a subset of the data points is identified such that the partial source profiles defined over such a subset are statistically independent and/or nongaussian. The present invention describes a complete implementation of such a technique, whose steps and parameters may be achieved and estimated using an information theoretic-based neural computational algorithm.

Abstract: A novel system for augmenting human function using personal augmentation devices (PADs), controlled by physiological signals for the purpose of navigating and manipulating the external environment is provided. The system utilizes a variety of sensors connected to a data acquisition box (DAQ) to detect movement of a user. The DAQ, which is comprised of a microprocessor, will control the PAD according to the sensed user movement, thus mapping user input to user output. Controlling of the PAD provides important feedback to the user concerning manipulation of their external environment. In one embodiment, feedback concerning movement of the PAD is provided using a virtual reality system. This system allows people with severe disabilities to remotely interact with their environment using a PAD, thereby unlocking cognitive abilities, promoting curiosity, and providing sense of entitlement to explore, as well as allowing development to continue.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for the treatment of diseases by exposures to electromagnetic fields. Also, apparatus is described for focusing the biological effectiveness of such fields on specific cells, tissues or organs of a human or animal body.

Abstract: An arrangement for inhibiting the adverse effect of an ambient time varying field having an electric component of 5 Kv/M or less and/or a magnetic component of 500 &mgr;T or less on a living system. To provide protection, at least one of the characteristic parameters of said field to which the living system is exposed is changed within time intervals of less than 10 seconds.

Abstract: Anti-malarial compositions for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of vertebrates exposed to malaria parasites are disclosed. These compositions comprise one or more pyrimidine analogue inhibitors of nucleic acid biosynthesis, e.g., 5-fluoro-orotic acid, alone or together with one or more "rescue" compounds, e.g., a normal pyrimidine base or nucleoside that can be used by the host vertebrate, but not by malaria-causing parasites, for nucleic acid biosynthesis. Also claimed are methods of prophylactic and therapeutic use of these compositions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to inhibit the adverse health effects of ischemia, hypoxia, anoxia or other stress by the application of a time-varying field to the region of the affected organ(s) for a short period of time (of the order of 20 minutes). A "field" means a time varying electric field, a time varying magnetic field and/or a radiating electromagnetic field. The exposure can be started up to two or more hours in advance of the ischemic event or other stress causing event. Inhibition occurs even if the field is applied after the onset of ischemic or anoxic stress.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inhibiting the adverse effect of an ambient time varying field having an electric component and/or a magnetic component on a living system. To provide protection, the field to which the system is exposed is caused to be one wherein at least one of the characteristic parameters of said field to which the living system is exposed is changed within time intervals of less than 10 seconds. Living systems which are benefitted include humans.

Abstract: A method of locating infarcted myocardial tissue in a beating heart includes the step of inserting an impedance measuring tip of a catheter into the chamber of the beating heart, particularly the left or right ventricle, and measuring the impedance of the endocardium at various locations within the chamber of the beating heart. The values measured are compared to impedance values with a predetermined range of values to identify an infarcted area of myocardium and distinguish such area from normal myocardium. The measurements are also compared to a range of values for an infarction border zone. In accordance with the invention, the infarction border zone may be located. The infarction border zone is a significant source of arrhythmia, and particularly of ventricular tachycardia.

Abstract: The embodiments of the inventions disclosed in this application develop a `protection` electric, magnetic or electromagnetic field or fields which are either superimposed upon an ambient field which is detrimental to the health of living systems, or incorporated into the electrical circuit of the device which is generating the detrimental field. Either arrangement is successful in `confusing` living cells, and thereby reducing the harmful effects of the otherwise detrimental field.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of the inventions disclosed in this application develop a `protection` electric, magnetic or electromagnetic field or fields which are either superimposed upon an ambient field which is detrimental to the health of living systems, or is incorporated into the electrical circuit of the device which is generating the detrimental field. Either arrangement is successful in `confusing` living cells, and thereby reducing the harmful effects of the otherwise detrimental field.

Abstract: A method of locating infarcted myocardial tissue in a beating heart includes the step of inserting an impedance measuring tip of a catheter into the chamber of the beating heart, particularly the left or right ventricle, and measuring the impedance of the endocardium at various locations within the chamber of the beating heart. The values measured are compared to impedance values with a predetermined range of values to identify an infarcted area of myocardium and distinguish such area from normal myocardium. The measurements are also compared to a range of values for an infarction border zone. In accordance with the invention, the infarction border zone may be located. The infarction border zone is a significant source of arrhythmia, and particularly of ventricular tachycardia.

Abstract: A process for the decontamination of solid surfaces contaminated with radioactive or heavy metal species using a solution based on one or more non-persistent complexing agents, or for the chemical cleaning of steam generator sludge using such a solution, or for removing radioactive or heavy metal species from a solution using a combination of a one or more non-persistent complexing agents and a solid support, followed in each case by thermal or thermal-chemical treatment to decompose said non-persistent complexing agent. The preferred non-persistent complexing agents are hydroxamic acids, and the most preferred is acetohydroxamic acid.

Abstract: (all-E)-2,7,-dimethylocta-2,4,6-triene-1,8-dial-.sup.13 C.sub.4 is synthesized from commercially available and relatively inexpensive starting compounds, and the key starting compound is triethyl phosphonoacetate-.sup.13 C.sub.2. The .sup.13 C labeled dial is useful as an intermediate in synthesizing .sup.13 C labeled carotenoids.

Abstract: A method of isolating, purifying and recrystallizing substantially pure lutein, preferably from saponified marigold oleoresin in its pure free form, apart from chemical impurities and other carotenoids. Lutein may be used as an analytical standard or in cancer prevention trials and as a safe and effective color additive for human food.

Abstract: Phenacyl phosphonate adducts of serine hydrolases temporarily inhibit or inactivate the serine hydrolases. The serine hydrolases are activated by intramolecularly catalyzed dephosphonylation of the adduct over a period of time. Half-lives for dephosphonylation in the range of about 30 to 500 minutes have been observed at physiological pH's.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating bulk superconducting materials into shaped articles, including ones of relatively large sizes and complex shapes, which have high densities, high integrity, high magnetization and critical current densities. A mixture of superconducting material is completely or substantially melted and the molten material is then cooled to room temperature and ground to a powder. The ground powder is next mixed with a second phase made up of either precursor superconducting powder or a mixture of metallic silver and copper. The resulting mixture is then shaped into an article by conventional ceramic article forming techniques: pressing, extruding, molding or the like. The resulting shaped article is heated to a temperature at which a substantial amount of its content of second phase material is melted, thus facilitating densification of the entire shaped article. The resulting dense specimen is annealed in an appropriate environment while it is being cooled to room temperature.

Abstract: Phenacyl phosphonate adducts of serine hydrolases temporarily inactivate the hydrolases. The hydrolases are reactivated by intramolecularly catalyzed dephosphonylation of the adduct over a period of time. Half-lives for dephosphonylation in the range of about 30 to 500 minutes have been observed at physiological pH's.

Abstract: Improved superconducting materials with high maximum magnetization, remanent magnetization and diamagnetic susceptibility can be made by enriching the base Y-Ba-Cu-O composition, Y:Ba:Cu=1:2:3, with respect to Y, or adding other trivalent or pentavalent elements (e.g. rare earths, Nb) to this composition. The mixed oxide materials are heated to melt a substantial fraction of their weight, quenched to a low temperature, re-heated to a temperature lower than the one initially used to effect melting, and annealed by slow cooling under air or oxygen.