Abstract: The present invention provides oligonucleotide primers and a method of using these primers for identification of the species of an organism, wherein the identification includes amplification of a variable polynucleotide sequence encoding a highly conserved region of a heat shock polypeptide.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring simultaneously the temperature and velocity of a thermal spray jet. The apparatus has a sensor head directed at the jet, the sensor head having two optical fibers carrying radiation from the jet to a remote detection unit which comprises two or three photodetectors. The radiation carried by the separate optical fibers is filtered at two different wavelengths before being passed to the photodetectors. The temperature of the jet is determined by analyzing the ratio of the energy radiated at the two wavelengths. The velocity of the jet is determined, knowing the distance between the fibers, by measuring the time delay between the signals carried by the separate fibers using cross-correlation.

Abstract: Complexable polymeric binder-lubricant blends are disclosed for production by powder metallurgy techniques of ferrous compositions with remarkably high green strength upon compaction, or soft magnetic ferrous powder/resin composites with improved processability and magnetic properties. An exemplary composition consists of a ferrous powder, a thermoset phenolic resin and poly(ethylene oxide), both polymers exhibiting, when intimately mixed, strong intermolecular acid-base interactions giving rise to an interpolymer complex which imparts a high strength to the resulting ferrous powder compact.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing sintered parts of aluminum or aluminum alloy with improved mechanical properties using batch degassing, die compaction and liquid phase sintering. The batch degassing consists of holding a prealloyed aluminum powder at a temperature of about 350.degree. to about 450.degree. C. in a stainless steel autoclave in which the pressure is reduced to less than 5.times.10.sup.-6 torr. Once the desired pressure is reached the powder is cooled down within the autoclave while still under vacuum. The resulting powder is then compacted at a pressure of 20 to 50 tsi at between room temperature and about 250.degree. C., but preferably at a warm temperature of about 65.degree. C. The final densification is completed by liquid phase sintering in argon atmosphere at 625.degree. C. This method allows the production of sintered compacts characterized by a density close to 97% of theoretical, which makes it possible to eliminate the need for a hot working step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particle agglomeration of aluminum powder using a lubricating binder. The resulting powder has improved flowability and can be shaped easily. The aluminum particles are admixed with a lubricant, e.g. polyethylene, and are held together by the lubricant. To agglomerate the aluminum powder, the lubricant is melted and is then solidified to form solid bridges between the aluminum powder particles. The lubricant may be burned out cleanly at temperatures lower than 450.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a process for the extraction of sweet compounds from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, by column extraction, followed by purification by filtration. The extraction is at temperatures in the range of 0 to 25.degree. C. Preferably, a pre-treatment step of microfiltration is used to clarify the extract. Purification is by ultrafiltration followed by nanofiltration. The filtration conditions are controlled to optimize the recovery of the sweet compounds.

Abstract: This invention describes analogs of human parathyroid hormone which have increased activities in bone restoration, and increased bioavailabilities. The peptides described are derivatives of hPTH-(1-31) which have lactams formed for example, between either Glu.sup.22 and Lys.sup.26 or Lys.sup.26 and Asp.sup.30. In addition, the natural Lys.sup.27 may be substituted by either a Leu or other hydrophobic residues, such as Ile, norleucine, Met, Val, Ala, Trp, or Phe. Typically, these analogs have enhanced abilities to stimulate adenylyl cyclase in rat osteosarcoma cells, and show increased activities in bone restoration, using the ovariectomized rat model. The analogs also show enhanced activities and bioavailabilities, as demonstrated by their hypotensive effects in the rat.

Abstract: Aluminum powder compositions intended for powder metallurgy applications are provided. The powder compositions contain aluminum and aluminum alloys or blends made from elemental powders, admixed with a polyethylene lubricant. The polyethylene admixture eases the compaction of powders and the ejection of parts. As compared to other conventional admixed lubricants used for Al powder metallurgy applications, polyethylene allows to obtain parts with higher green and sintered strengths. Proper delubrication prior to sintering is of importance.

Abstract: Ultrasonic sensors and associated methods for on-line monitoring of material properties for die casting, molding and extrusion processes at elevated temperatures are disclosed. The sensors include the use of ultrasonic waveguides embedded in the processing machines and piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers. The sensors are operated in the reflection geometry in which one side access of the processing machines is required. The monitoring parameters are the flow front, gap development and temperature of the materials being processed and filled in the cavities of the die in casting processes and the mold in injection molding, and the temperature and viscosity of the molten polymers in the polymer extrusion machines.

Abstract: A three dimensional imaging method and device including a ranging sensor that is used to produce a series of profiles of a target surface. The profiles comprise one set of profiles nearly parallel to each other and a further such set of nearly parallel profiles, with the profiles of one set extending at an angle to those of the other set to generate a large number of profile crossings. At the location of each crossing the shortest distance between the profiles is detected and represents an energy contribution between this pair of profiles. An energy function is defined as the sum of the energy contributions of all the crossings. Using a known mathematical model, the profiles are then reoriented relative to each other in such a manner as to minimise this total energy. This process can be repeated for higher precision. The finally reoriented profiles can be used to define the desired three-dimensional shape of the target surface.

Abstract: A device for compensating the birefringence normally associated with an integrated optical waveguide grating device has a polarization compensating slab waveguide region. This compensating region can be provided within the slab waveguide region normally present in the grating device by etching, doping, ion implanting a sub-region of a predetermined shape and dimension to change its birefringence. Alternatively, or in combination with changing the birefringence in this sub-region, electrodes can be provided for electro-optically changing the birefringence dynamically as required. This device can be applied to reflective and transmissive diffraction gratings and to phased array waveguide gratings.

Abstract: A method to generate body-fitted grids, based on the direct solution for three scalar functions, is derived. The grid is re-meshed, based on the solution, using a grid-correction procedure. Calculations are performed for a variety of problems with both Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions, involving the use of non-linear source-terms, and other techniques to effect grid-control. According to the described method, a current grid and reference scalars are provided. The values at nodes within the current grid are calculated and compared with the reference values. The nodes on the current grid are moved until the values calculated and the reference scalars are within predetermined tolerances. The current grid represents the desired reference grid. Such a method is useful in grid boundary evaluation and modification as well as in grid adaptation.

Abstract: A Brassica sp. genomic clone containing a gene promoter, which directs expression in the tapetum, was isolated. When the promoter was fused with the GUS gene and introduced into B. napus by Agrobacterium mediated transformation, this promoter controlled GUS expression in the tapetum in transgenic B. napus plants. Expression was observed from bud length 2-3 mm, which corresponds to the uninucleate microspore stage, peaked at 4-5 mm which corresponds to the binucleate microspore stage and declined to no detectable level at the open flower stage. There was no GUS expression in other tissues such as root, stem, leaf, sepal, petal or pistil. This promoter will be useful for the temporal and spatial control of gene expression in plants.

Abstract: The adhesion between a locomotive drive wheel and supporting rail can be substantially increased by application of a powder mixture that contains a hard particle constituent preferably including alumina, a soft particle constituent preferably including titania, and an iron oxide constituent. The mixture may be in the form of a dry powder, a paste with water or alcohol vehicle, or a metal composite that includes the powder.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided 4-substituted-3-(2-amino-2-cycloalkyl methyl)-acetamido azetidin-2-one derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are as defined herein, and salts thereof, which exhibit excellent cysteine proteinase inhibitory activity and which can be used for treatment of different diseases such as muscular dystrophy, myocardial infarction, bone resorption, arthritis, cancer metastasis, pulmonary emphysema, septic shock, cerebral ischemia, memory function, Alzheimer and cataract, malaria, glomerular basement membrane degradation, bacterial infection, inflammatory diseases, parasitic infections, and viral infections.

Abstract: A spectrophotometric analytical method for lung permeability is described. An exogenous polydispersed macromolecule is administered, and fluid of the patient is evaluated using infrared spectroscopy.

Abstract: A method of testing for infestation of tissue of rape or other Cruciferea with a virulent strain of Leptosphaeria maculans. The method involves isolating DNA of L. maculans from the tissue; subjecting the isolated DNA to amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using sets of primers derived from LMR1 ?SEQ ID NO:11! (Genbank accession number M77515), a repetitive element of L. maculans specific to virulent strains of the fungus, to form a product containing amplified L. maculans DNA; preferably separating the amplified L. maculans DNA from the product; and detecting the presence of the amplified separated L. maculans DNA. The invention also relates to a method of deriving DNA of L. maculans from plant tissue for amplification by PCR, to the oligonucleotides forming the primers used in the PCR and to a diagnostic test kit which makes use of the method of testing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a technique for compensating for the inhomogeneity of the field generated by the RF coil (B1) in a nuclear magnetic resonance experiment. Current techniques for achieving accurate flip angles with non-uniform B1 transmit fields, are based upon modulation of the RF waveform. Inherent disadvantages of any RF-based compensation is an increased pulse length and/or increased RF power. Moreover, for some important applications, e.g. multi-slice excitation, no suitable pulses are known. We present an alternative strategy involving a Bz field whose spatial variation is correlated with that of the B1 field. This spatial correlation between the fields allows Bz-based compensation for the effects of B1 inhomogeneity. Successful operation over a wide bandwidth and range of B1 intensities may be achieved without any modification of the RF pulses. An alternative approach for compensating for B1 inhomogeneity is to apply a rapid oscillatory phase-modulation to an existing RF pulse waveform.

Abstract: Novel 6-substituted amino-4-oxa-1-azabicyclo?3,2,0!heptan-7-one compounds, as well as the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and diastereoisomers thereof, of formula I, ##STR1## are disclosed, which exhibit excellent cysteine protease inhibitory activity and may be used for treatment of different diseases such as muscular dystrophy, arthritis, myocardial infarction, Alzheimer's disease, bacterial infection, common cold, osteroporosis and cancer metastasis.

Abstract: Neisseria meningitidis group B polysaccharide (GBMP) modified by having sialic acid residue N-acetyl groups replaced by N-acyl groups exhibits enhanced immuno response thereto. In addition, induction of antibodies which cross-react with unmodified group B meningococcal and E. coli K1 capsular polysaccharide and other tissue cells having a common epitope is minimized. Conjugation of the modified polysaccharides with a physiologically acceptable protein such as tetanus toxoid induces the production of specific protective antibodies with negligible levels of GBMP-cross reactive antibodies, to thereby afford protection against infections caused by group B meningococci and E. coli K1.