Abstract: A receiver-compatible EDTV system wherein enhancement information is adaptively modulated to suppress channel noise and is transmitted outside the usable picture area of a receiver compatible signal of the receiver compatible EDTV system.

Abstract: An electrical process for enhancing and/or controlling transport of molecules across tissue such as human and animal skin is disclosed. The process involves the use of a high voltage, short duration electrical pulses on the tissue surface to produce electroporation. Once this effect has occurred, concentration, pressure or temperature gradients, or iontopheresis can be used to move molecules across the tissue. The process can be repeatedly applied without producing undesirable tissue damage or can be used to purposely cause highly limited tissue damage for the purpose of providing a desired, relatively long term molecular transport pathway. The occurrence of the electroporation effect can be detected by monitoring the tissue for a reversible electrical breakdown, which, along with an enhanced tissue permeability, is the characteristic effect of electroporation.

Abstract: Novel methods or compositions are provided for modulating the immune system, so as to be able to selectively stimulate or inactivate lymphocytes in relation to a particular transplantation antigen content. Particularly, mixtures may be employed associated with the more common transplanatation antigens of a host population. In this manner, a large number of people can be treated, for example, by immunization, stimulation of particular T-cells or B-cells in relation to a pathogenic invasion of other aberrant state, e.g. neoplasia, treatment of autoimmune diseases, and the like. Particularly, the compositions may involve an oligopeptide involving as a first region a consensus sequence and an epitope or the first region may be joined to a second region comprising an antibody target sequence which is capable of competing with an epitopic site of an antigen of interest.

Abstract: A class of unsaturated polyanhydrides having double bonds available for secondary polymerization is disclosed. A crosslinked material having improved or different physical and mechanical properties can be prepared from these polyanhydrides, via secondary polymerization. The synthesis and characteristics of one unsaturated polyanhydride based on fumaric acid and its copolymers with aliphatic and aromatic diacids, prepared by either the melt-polycondensation method or by solution polymerization, is described in detail.These polymers are well suited for use in controlled release drug delivery devices. The polymers can also be used as a bioerodible bone cement where the polymer is first cast as a solution onto a bone fracture and then crosslinked by radiation or radical polymerization to yield a strong, adhesive material.

Abstract: A planarization process and apparatus which employs plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) to form plarnarization films of dielectric or conductive carbonaceous material on step-like substrates.

Abstract: Antibodies, nucleic acid sequences, and methods for inhibition of lysis for a novel serine esterase produced by both murine and human cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The serine esterase has an apparent molecular weight of approximately 28,000-31,000, as determined by SDS gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions, and trypsin-like activity. Inhibition of the esterase correlates with inhibition of the cells' cytolytic activity. Specific inhibition of the serine esterase is useful as a method for immunosuppression as well as for the inhibition of cytolytic activity of T lymphocytes, both in vivo and in vitro. The genes encoding the murine and human serine esterase are homologous.

Abstract: An electro-optical modulating system has a light source for producing a carrier wave. The carrier wave is polarized by a polarizer so as to adjust the power of the carrier wave in transverse electric (TE) polarization mode and in transverse magnetic (TM) polarization mode. In addition to a polarizer the electro optical modulating includes at least one set of electrodes for adjusting phase biases of the TE and TM polarization mode components of the carrier wave. The electrodes allow independent control of the phase biases of the respective TE polarization mode components and TM polarization mode components. Multiple sets of electrodes for adjusting the phase biases may be used. A modulating means is also included for modulating the carrier wave so as to encode information. The modulating system preferably also includes an interferometric modulator comprised of at least two branches. The modulation and phase bias adjustment take place on both of the respect branches.

Abstract: Method and systems for combatting degradation in the transmission or storage of data signals especially useful in the field of motion picture or television signal transmission, such that an advanced receiver can decode that information to provide improved picture quality, while a standard receiver will display an image with minimally visible impairments. A data signal can be decomposed into a low frequency signal and a high frequency signal, and that the high frequency signal can then be modified by the application of a series of scaling factors over selected regions in response to local variance of data values in such regions. The low frequency signal and the modified high frequency signal are then combined and transmitted (or recorded) as a modulated facsimile of the data signal, together with the scaling factors.

Abstract: Devices and analytical techniques are disclosed for measuring spatial profiles of complex permeability and conductivity of a material by multiple wavenumber interrogations. Coil array structures are disclosed which define a number of different fundamental wavelengths (or wavenumbers). Spatially periodic interrogation signals (of temporal frequency ".omega.") from the coil array structures are attenuated by varying degrees in the material undergoing analysis, depending on the wavenumber ("k"), thereby permitting the derivation of composite complex permeability/conductivity profile.

Abstract: An equilibrium growth dispersion for use in liquid epitaxial growth at a predetermined growth temperature of a compound including at least two constituents. Predetermined quantities each of the constituents are placed in a container, the predetermined quantities being such that the total relative proportions of constituents will provide a saturated solution of one of the constituents in another of the constituents at the growth temperature, and the container with the predetermined quantities therein is heated to a temperature not less than the growth temperature to dissolve the constituents and is maintained at such a temperature for a period of time sufficient to produce a solution of one of the constituents in the other. The solution is then rapidly solidified, typically by quenching, to form the equilibrium growth dispersion which comprises an essentially homogeneous dispersion of particles of the one constituent (the solute) in the other (the solvent).

Abstract: Biocompatible, biodegradable poly(amide- and imide-co-anhydride)s are described which are useful for biological applications such as biodegradable controlled release devices for drug delivery, site-specific drug carriers, matrices for cell attachment, and for bioabsorbable sutures.

Abstract: A filler of non-metallic, light transparent material is formed into particles or flakes and coated with opaque material and dispersed in closed cell foam to reduce overall thermal conductivity and, specifically, to reduce radiation heat transfer.

Abstract: A television encoder for generating a receiver-compatible signal from a production video signal containing enhancement information which cannot be displayed on a standard receiver, the receiver-compatible signal being compatible with the standard receiver, the encoder including a filter bank for dividing the video signal into at least two groups of spatial frequency components including a first group and a second group, the first group containing members which when combined together form a standard video signal which is displayed by the standard receiver and the second group containing the enhancement information; a quantizer for quantizing at least one member of the first group; a combiner for adding at least one member of the second group to a quantized member of the first group to produce a modified first group; and a synthesizer for combining the members of the modified first group to generate the receiver-compatible signal.

Abstract: A method for utilizing a purified exocellular polysaccharide, Zooglan, produced by Zoogloea ramigera, as a viscosity modifier, gellant, drag reducing agent, dispersant, flocculant, or emulsifying agent, wherein the properties of the polymer are dependent on, and can therefore be controlled by varying, the pH, the concentration of polymer, the ionic strength of the solution, and the processing parameters such as mechanical shear.The overall conformation of Zooglan, which is responsible for its functional properties, can be manipulated with pH and/or ionic strength of the solution. For example, the intrinsic viscosity of Zooglan (estimated m.w.=2.times.10.sup.7) can vary from 16 to 170 dl/g in aqueous solution as a function of pH between 2-9 and salt concentration between 0 and 1M KCl. Zooglan is a polyelectrolyte above pH 2. The Zooglan chain is relatively stiff, with a stiffness parameter of 0.02. Zooglan solutions at a concentration above 0.

Abstract: A method for suppressing dark current in multi-phase CCD pixels of a CCD imaging device by transferring a charge packet at a first phase thereof at which surface depletion has occurred to a second phase thereof, while providing an inversion at the surface of the first phase. The transfer and inversion operations are performed before a dark current begins to be generated at the first phase. The charge packet at the second phase is then re-transferred back to the first phase and a surface inversion is produced at the second phase before a dark current begins to be generated at the second phase. Such transfer and inversion operations are repeated a number of times during the integration period of the imaging device so as to prevent dark current from being generated at any phase of the pixel.

Abstract: A position sensing system which allows the arthroscopist to readily determine the location of an arthroscope's tip in relation to the point of entry has been developed. The position sensing apparatus can be employed in conjunction with a graphics module to display the location of the arthroscope in real time and provide perspective views of the instrument's location.

Abstract: .beta.-Lactones are synthesized from a thiol ester and a ketone by a method which efficiently produces .beta.-lactones in high yields. The method involves combining the thiol ester, a ketone or aldehyde, a base, and an organic solvent at subambient temperatures. The thiol ester and ketone form an adduct, which upon warming, spontaneously cyclizes to yield a .beta.-lactone. .beta.-Lactones formed by this method are then decarboxylated, generally by warming in the presence of an adsorbent in an organic solvent, to stereospecifically form the corresponding alkenes.

Abstract: A process for preparing chiral metallocene dihalides as catalytic agents in improved yields by deprotonation of 1,2-bis(2,3-disubstituted cyclopentadienyl)ethane followed by condensation with hafnium tetrachloride or zirconium tetrachloride.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adding additional information to broadcast motion picture signals so that an advanced receiver can decode that information to provide improved picture quality, while a standard receiver will display an image with minimally visible impairments. In particular, chrominance information can be generated at a fraction of the frame rate and the alternate frames then used to encode additional data, such as high definition luminance information in the chrominance signal.

Abstract: Non-linear distortion of a modulated light carrier wave arising from optical modulator nonlinearity of significantly reduced by offsetting a dominant cubic term of intermodulation distortion in transverse electric (TE) mode with a dominant cubic term of intermodulation distortion in transverse magnetic (TM) mode. The offset is achieved by adjusting the magnitude of the components of light in TE mode and TM mode to compensate for the differing response of components of the light wave in TM mode versus components in TE mode to a given voltage level applied to the carrier wave during modulation. The adjustments to the relative magnitude can be performed by a polarizer or polarization-preserving fiber. This method may be used in a modulating system and an electro-optical communication system.