Abstract: Toxic chlorinated compounds and nitro-aromatic compounds are rendered more environmentally friendly via a bioremediation process which employs carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, a microorganism containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, or a Co/Fe--S component of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase. The bioremediation process is performed under anaerobic conditions and may be used in-situ for groundwater clean-up or the like. Carbon monoxide has been found to be a particularly good reducing agent for use in the process.

Abstract: A novel method for calculating the surface shapes for subreflectors in a suboptic assembly of a tri-reflector spherical antenna system is introduced, modeled from a generalization of Galindo-Israel's method of solving partial differential equations to correct for spherical aberration and provide uniform feed to aperture mapping. In a first embodiment, the suboptic assembly moves as a single unit to achieve scan while the main reflector remains stationary. A feed horn is tilted during scan to maintain the illuminated area on the main spherical reflector fixed throughout the scan thereby eliminating the need to oversize the main spherical reflector. In an alternate embodiment, both the main spherical reflector and the suboptic assembly are fixed. A flat mirror is used to create a virtual image of the suboptic assembly. Scan is achieved by rotating the mirror about the spherical center of the main reflector.

Abstract: Fine coals are dewatered in an energy efficient process in which a non-polar liquid or a mixture of different hydrophobic liquids are used to displace the water from the coal surface. This process works with higher rank coals that are naturally hydrophobic so that the coal surface from which the water is displaced has a stronger affinity for the hydrophobic liquid than the water. Thermodynamically, this process is spontaneous and, hence, requires no energy. The only energy required for this process is to recover the spent hydrophobic liquid(s) for recycling purposes. The hydrophobic liquids are recovered in gaseous form either by lowering the pressure or by heating, and coverted back to liquid form for re-use. The most economical reagents that can be used for this purpose include propane, butane, pentane, and ethane. Carbon dioxide can also be used for the dewatering process described in the present invention.

Abstract: Uniformity of optical coupling of optical elements such as star couplers and splitters is improved by heat treatment which causes dopants in the core of an optical fiber to diffuse into material from the cladding layer of the optical fibers from which the optical element is formed, resulting in a substantially homogeneous interior region of the star coupler or splitter. Increased lossiness of the optical element thus formed may be limited by termination of the heat treatment before dopant diffusion reaches equilibrium throughout the fibers so that a portion of the cladding layer of the fibers remains surrounding the substantially homogeneous region where the fibers have been fused together.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor is fully compensated for light source intensity variation, fiber losses and modal power distribution by providing input to one end of an optical fiber from a relatively broad band light source containing at least two spectrally separated wavelengths. At least one of these spectrally separated wavelengths is reflected back into the optical fiber by a filter located between a second end of the optical fiber and a reflective transducer. The filter is preferably of the interference edge filter type and has a nominal cut-off wavelength within the spectral band of the light source or between the two spectrally separated wavelengths. Therefore, the paths traversed by light of the spectrally separated wavelengths will differ only by twice traversing the reflective transducer. Temperature measurement or compensation can also be provided by sensing of reflected light intensity or power at approximately the nominal cut-off frequency of the filter.

Abstract: A full-bridge zero-voltage-switching pulse-width-modulated converter employs a saturable reactor in place of the linear inductor in order to reduce current stress on the active switches, reduce voltage stress on the rectifier diodes, and reduce secondary parasitic ringing. The zero-current-switching full-bridge pulse-width-modulated converter embodiment of the invention contemplates the provision of active switches that are zero-current-switched and passive switches, such as diode switches, that are zero-voltage-switched.

Abstract: A new method for preparing commercially valuable polymeric ketones is described. The method employs an .alpha.-amiononitrile as a monomeric unit whereby an amorphous, soluble polymer having protected carbonyl moiety is obtained. Upon deprotecting the carbonyl moiety, a crystalline polymeric ketone is obtained. The method allows production of polymeric ketone materials having aromatic, aliphatic or mixed aromatic/aliphatic backbones.

Abstract: A family of compounds has been found to be useful for right-shifting hemoglobin towards a low oxygen affinity state. The compounds are capable of acting on hemoglobin in whole blood. In addition, the compounds can maintain the oxygen affinity in blood during storage and can restore the oxygen affinity of outdated blood.

Abstract: A novel switching rectifier circuit that combines the conventional three-phase, 6-stepped PWM rectifier/inverter circuit with a simple, low-power switch commutation circuit to provide zero-voltage turn-on for the switches, and soft turn-off for the diodes. The main features of the new circuit include elimination of switching losses on the power switches and reverse recovery problems on the diodes, elimination of the need for any snubbers in the three-phase bridge, possibility of use of slower diodes in the power bridge, constant frequency operation, and no increase in component current and voltage stresses over the conventional PWM rectifier.

Abstract: Noncapsulated mutants of normally encapsulated bacteria in which the capsule is required for virulence are useful as vaccines for disease states caused by the normally encapsulated bacteria. In particular, a non-capsulated mutant of Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) pleuropneumoniae is useful in protecting against swine pleuropneumonia.

Abstract: A process for chemically modifying substantially pure xylose-rich oligosaccharides and polysaccharides in homogenous phase solution. The process may be advantageously utilized to produce biodegradable, thermoplastic, melt flowable, low shear resistant and low viscosity xylan derivatives.

Abstract: While performing cardiopulmonary bypass, the aorta is cross-clamped and the beating heart is stopped by introducing of an ATP-dependent potassium channel opening agent. The infusion into the coronary circulation shortens the cardiac action potential thereby arresting the heart muscle at a hyperpolarized membrane potential. This maintains the heart in a state of minimal metabolic requirement, thereby preserving transmembrane ionic gradients, intercellular energy stores and cellular integrity. Cardiac arrest is reversed simply by flushing the heart by the coronary circulation upon removal of the aortic cross-clamp. This use is also germane to organ preservation during transport for transplantation. For example, the donor heart is arrested using an ATP-dependent potassium channel opening agent, it is then removed and transported to the recipient and transplanted. Cardiac arrest is reversed by reperfusing the orthotropic graft.

Abstract: The common cold is best treated by providing a combination of antiviral agents and antiinflammatory compounds to a patient infected with a cold virus. An antiviral agent and two antiinflammatory compounds given to a person infected with a cold virus simultaneously reduces the likelihood of a cold developing and the amount and duration of viral shedding, as well as substantially reduces the severity of individual cold symptoms and the overall number and severity of cold symptoms. Supplementing the activity of the combined antiviral and antiinflammatory agents with such compounds as antihistamines and alpha agonists results in suprisingly good nasal benefits. The combination therapy, termed COVAM therapy, is well tolerated and has no evidence of short-term toxicity.

Abstract: The elastic-port immersion cell (10) is an optical oil immersion vessel which has a flexible latex (or other) sheath (24) protruding from its sidewall. The sheath is affixed to an opening in the wall of the vessel using a collar, O-ring (26) or other connecting means. The base of the vessel is an optical glass window. A sample (20) mounted on to the end of spindle (14) is placed into the cell. The end of the spindle (14), without the sample, is inserted into the sheath and the latex together with the spindle is attached to a goniometer head of a spindle stage such that the spindle is horizontal. Immersion oil (22) that has a refractive index similar to the sample is added to the cell until the sample is totally submerged. Minute features within the sample (20) may then be observed under the microscope as the sample is rotated 360 degrees about a vertical or horizontal axis. The latex sheath prevents the oil from escaping from the cell and also provides the flexibility required to orient and rotate a sample.

Abstract: To date, soft-switching techniques applied to the PWM converters, with the exception of a few isolated cases, are subjected to either high switch voltage stresses or high switch current stresses, or both. This invention presents a new class of zero-voltage-transition PWM converters, where both the transistor and the rectifier operate with zero-voltage switching, and are subjected to minimum voltage and current stresses. Breadboarded converters are constructed to verify the novelty of the proposed new family of converters.

Abstract: A topical gel formulation containing aminocaproic acid prevents secondary hemorrhage following hyphema without the adverse side effects associated with systemically delivered aminocaproic acid. Of ten human patients treated with the formulation, none have experienced a secondary hemorrhage and none have experienced adverse side effects. The topical gel formulation is prepared by a process which ensures sterility, a pH compatible with conditions in the aqueous humor, and optimum consistency. A permeation enhancer such as proparacaine can be incorporated into the gel during formulation and be used to enhance the transport of aminocaproic acid across the corneal epithelium.

Abstract: Poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide)s provide hydrolytic, thermal and oxidative stability. These materials have T.sub.g s ranging from about 190.degree.-280.degree. C., and are more self-extinguishing than other engineering thermoplastics tested when burned due to the presence of phosphorus in a substantial amount of char. Moreover, phosphorus presence played a major role in resisting aggressive oxygen plasma environments by forming a highly oxidized, non-volatile phosphorus containing surface layer.

Abstract: .beta.-Al.sub.2 TiO.sub.5 protective coatings have been developed for both dense and porous ceramics such as SiC and Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 using a chemical solution processing method involving the hydrolysis and condensation of aluminum tri-sec butoxide and titanium butoxide. The solution viscosities, pH values, H.sub.2 O/alkoxide molar ratios, and dip coating withdrawal rates required for crack-free .beta.-Al.sub.2 TiO.sub.5 are 1.0 to 6.2 cP, pH 1-4.5, molar ratio 1.5-10, and withdrawal rate of 2.2-8.0 cm/min, respectively. Conversion of the amorphous coating to crystalline .beta.-Al.sub.2 TiO.sub.5 is achieved by a succession of calcination below 450.degree. C. and a final heat-treatment at 1300.degree. C. for ten hours with controlled heating and cooling rates.

Abstract: Fluid compositions comprised of a monomer constituent dissolved in a carrier fluid, where the monomer constituent is capable of forming a polymer film directly on rubbing surfaces but is not polymerized in solution, have been found to be effective for reducing ceramic wear.

Abstract: Mineral content in processed ore and coal content in coal slurries are determined using a video system. A video image is taken of a sample, the video image is digitized, and gray levels are assigned to points or areas on the video image. The distribution of the gray levels for the image provides an indication of the purity of the minerals in the ore sample. The mean gray level for the image provides an indication of the mineral content of interest in the sample. The video system should be calibrated using ores that normally occur in the process environment and using samples of controlled moisture content. The video system has particular utility in determining phosphate content and calcium ratio in phosphate ores.