Abstract: An RF coil suitable for use in imaging systems is provided which coil has a dielectric filled cavity formed by a surrounding conducting enclosure, the conducting enclosure preferably being patterned to form continuous electrical paths around the cavity, each of which paths may be tuned to a selected resonant frequency. The patterning breaks up any currents inducted in the coil and shortens path lengths to permit higher frequency, and thus higher field strength operation. The invention also includes improved mechanisms for tuning the resonant frequency of the paths, for selectively detuning the paths, for applying signal to the coil, for shortening the length of the coil and for controlling the field profile of the coil and the delivery of field to the object to the image.

Abstract: The invention relates compositions and method for the use of insulin-like growth factor to enhance muscle mass and strength.

Abstract: A device for transdermal delivery of a composition includes a housing partitioned into a delivery chamber arranged to contain the composition and a detonation chamber mechanically coupled to the delivery chamber. The detonation chamber is intended to contain an energetic material producing an impulse transient in response to a detonating stimulus. The housing is coupled to an energy coupling element, or detonator, for communicating energy provided by an external energy source into the detonating stimulus in the detonation chamber. The detonator can detonate the energetic material by causing an electrical discharge or spark within the detonation chamber. The detonator can be a piezoelectric film in electrical communication with the energetic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) receptors (PTH1R and PTH3R) isolated from zebrafish. The receptors of the present invention share homology with previously identified parathyroid hormone (PTH)/parathyroid related protein (PTHrP) receptors. Isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the zebrafish PTH1R and PTH3R receptors. PTH1R and PTH3R receptor polypeptides are also provided, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of PTH1R and PTH3R receptor activity and to diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: A device for transdermal delivery of a composition includes a housing partitioned into a delivery chamber arranged to contain the composition and a detonation chamber mechanically coupled to the delivery chamber. The detonation chamber is intended to contain an energetic material producing an impulse transient in response to a detonating stimulus. The housing is coupled to an energy coupling element, or detonator, for communicating energy provided by an external energy source into the detonating stimulus in the detonation chamber. The detonator can detonate the energetic material by causing an electrical discharge or spark within the detonation chamber. The detonator can be a piezoelectric film in electrical communication with the energetic material.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the treatment of type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and other conditions using newly identified stem cells that are capable of differentiation into a variety of pancreatic islet cells, including insulin-producing beta cells, as well as hepatocytes. Nestin has been identified as a molecular marker for pancreatic stem cells, while cytokeratin-19 serves as a marker for a distinct class of islet ductal cells. Methods are described whereby nestin-positive stem cells can be isolated from pancreatic islets and cultured to obtain further stem cells or pseudo-islet like structures. Methods for ex vivo differentiation of the pancreatic stem cells are disclosed. Methods are described whereby pancreatic stem cells can be isolated, expanded, and transplanted into a patient in need thereof, either allogeneically, isogeneically or xenogenically, to provide replacement for lost or damaged insulin-secreting cells or other cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is substantially pure DNA encoding an Arabidopsis thaliana Rps2 polypeptide; substantially pure Rps2 polypeptide; and methods of using such DNA to express the Rps2 polypeptide in plant cells and whole plants to provide, in transgenic plants, disease resistance to pathogens. Also disclosed are conserved regions characteristic of the RPS family and primers and probes for the identification and isolation of additional RPS disease-resistance genes.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and reagents for the selection of protein molecules that make use of RNA-protein fusions.

Abstract: A method for treating wrinkles in skin involves the use of a beam of pulsed, scanned or gated continuous wave laser or incoherent radiation. The method comprises generating a beam of radiation, directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters below a wrinkle in the skin, and thermally injuring collagen in the targeted dermal region. The beam of radiation has a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns. The method may include cooling an area of the skin above the targeted dermal region while partially denaturing the collagen in the targeted dermal region. The method may also include cooling an area of the skin above the targeted dermal region prior to thermally injuring collagen in the targeted dermal region.

Abstract: A regularization system and method for image restoration in homogeneous or inhomogeneous environments. The system and method includes features similar to a neural network with intermediate levels of structure including a pixel having processing capabilities; clusters consisting of a plurality of interconnected pixels and also having processing capabilities; and an image space comprised of a plurality of interconnected pixels and clusters and also having processing capabilities. The system and method also include means for assigning a regularization parameter to each pixel depending on the local variance of intensity of pixels; decomposing the image space into clusters of pixels, each cluster having the same regularization parameter; imposing a blurring function on each pixel; rapidly forming a regularized image by simultaneous local and global encoding of a regularization matrix onto each pixel directed through a process of gradient energy decent; and a means of assessing the output image.

Abstract: Accurate and continuous monitoring of clearance function is obtained by determining the depletion of a labelled substance from the extracellular body fluid using an external monitor which detects label from within a defined tissue volume. The detector of the external monitor is contained within a collimator which functions to both exclude external influences and to functionally isolate the volume of extracellular fluid to be monitored. Also, a method for determining and expressing a clearance function in a subject includes steps of allowing a time sufficient to permit establishment of equilibrium of a detectable substance in the extracellular space in the subject, obtaining first and second measures, at first and second times, of the detectable substance in the extracellular fluid within a defined tissue volume in the subject, and determining the slope of the measures over the time interval.

Abstract: A multiple memory display controller provides simultaneous display of overlaid image and graphic data in a computer display system. A video random access memory (RAM) in the display controller stores display data corresponding to graphics to be displayed on the computer display monitor. And a series of dynamic RAMS in the display controller stores display data corresponding to images to be displayed on the computer display monitor. A data mixer receives and mixes signals from the video RAM and one of the dynamic RAMs to form signals which are used to drive the display monitor. The signals provide graphics displayed at one resolution overlaid on images displayed at a different resolution on the monitor. A first-in first-out (FIFO) buffer and rectangle loader provide efficient loading of blocks of display data in the display controller memories.

Abstract: An image processing and display system employs a high speed image local area network (LAN) for transferring image data separate from control data. A general purpose LAN carries graphics data and control data of the system. One more image display controller than display monitor is used to provide off line processing of images prior to display of the images. An analog cross bar switch provides the necessary connections between image display controllers and the display monitors to provide the desired views of selected images. Images are initially provided to the system from an image archive in a compressed manner. The images are decompressed and held in a local cache. With respect to each word of image data, different bytes of the word are compressed by different compression schemes to optimize transfer time of image data. A method is employed for transparently sharing a high perfomance image archive processor among various workstations of display monitors.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an improved method of inhibiting peroxide-reduction catalytic activity and concomitant toxicity of asbestos and nonasbestos iron-containing silicates. These undesirable reactions can be substantially reduced or essentially eliminated by contacting these potentially harmful materials with an aqueous solution comprising a non-mutagenic non-toxic iron chelating agent, such as phytic acid, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) or derivatives of these.

Abstract: An image processing and display system employs a high speed image LAN (Local Area Network) for transferring image data separate from control data. A general purpose LAN carries graphics data and control data of the system. One more image display controller than display monitor is used to provide off line processing of images prior to display of the images. An analog cross bar switch provides the necessary connections between image display controllers and the display monitors to provide the desired views of selected images. Images are initially provided to the system from an image archive in a compressed manner. The images are decompressed and held in a local cache. With respect to each work of image data, different bytes of the work are compressed by different compression schemes to optimize transfer time of image data. A method is employed for transparently sharing a high performance image archive processor among various workstations of display monitors.

Abstract: The monoclonal antibodies are specific for a determinant found on hepatitis B surface antigen, and show high affinity for this determinant. Hybridomally produced monoclonal IgM antibodies having high affinity are useful for the immunoassay and purification of viral antigens.

Abstract: Patient monitoring method and apparatus for measurement of in vivo extra vascular lung water (pulmonary edema) and pulmonary circulatory system thermal bypass utilizing double indicator dilution with temperature and electrical conductivity modifiers. A thermal modifier is utilized for a primary indicator dilution measurement with electrical conductivity provided as a reference indicator which in turn is corrected for temperature effects produced by the thermal moderator as well as effects of plasma characteristics. Thermal and conductivity sensors are both placed upstream and downstream of the lungs in the pulmonary artery and thesystemic arterial system, and a thermal and conductivity moderator is injected at a site upstream from both. Temperature and conductivity are detected at both sites and the conductivity signal is converted to a volume dilution valve.

Abstract: A method of decreasing the concentration of prolactin in an animal, which comprises administering to the animal a prolactin-decreasing amount of cysteamine.

Abstract: A process and apparatus has been developed for radioassay of ligand in solution which eliminates the separation step required in conventional techniques. A chamber is provided containing a quenching solution, a plurality of ligand molecules and a plurality of receptor molecules. One of pluralities forms a free species labelled with a beta particle emitter while the other is immobilized on a solid support, e.g., the chamber wall or a microbead, within the chamber. Ligand introduced with the sample competes with ligand molecules already in the chamber for receptor sites on the receptor molecules and the free species is allowed to diffuse about the chamber. A beta particle detector in communication with the chamber at a fixed position detects only those beta particles emitted from within the quenching distance of the quenching solution. The quenching properties of the solution are used in place of the conventional separation step.

Abstract: A rate calculator for calculating, displaying and continuously updating the rate of occurrence of events. Manually entered signals indicative of the occurrence of an observed event trigger a resettable counter for counting the number of events. A clock is activated by the first entry signal for measuring the time duration from the first entry and a processor responds to the counter and the clock for cumulatively calculating the rate of occurrence of each event from the second event on. A display of the calculated rate is provided for visual perception.