Abstract: The invention provides for the use of synaptic strengths to reflect the connectivity of local space to give a topological representation. Synaptic strengths are zeroed and the mobile entity's position is initialized. A probability of firing (P) is calculated from the spatial firing pattern of each cell. A cell fires if P is higher than a random number. The mobile entity's position is updated from a record of real motions and firing is again determined. Synapses between cells that both fire within 250 msec are strengthened. Synapses between cells with overlapping fields increase in strength whereas synapses between cells with distant fields will stay weak.

Abstract: A novel retroviral nucleotide sequence comprising a constitutive transport enhancer which functions to transport mRNA transcripts from the nucleus to the cytoplasm of a cell, wherein the mRNA transcript is either differentially spliced, alternatively spliced, incompletely spliced, or unspliced. Additionally disclosed are methods of using the constitutive transport enhancer to screen agents for antiviral activity against rev-dependent HIV proteins by expressing the proteins in a rev-negative subgenomic construct containing the enhancer either in the presence of absence of the agent.

Abstract: Compounds of formula II ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrocarbon, halogenated hydrocarbon, polyether, substituted phenyl, substituted benzyl or alkylamine; and R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are hydrogen, lower alkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, alkoxy and similar substituents are disclosed. The compounds are useful in the treatment of M. avium. Methods and compositions utilizing novel as well as known compounds are disclosed.

Abstract: A planar optic sensor for measuring the optical absorbance spectrum of a side variety of substances in situ comprises a planar waveguide Mach-Zehnder interferometer having a reference path and a sensing path. The sensing path of the waveguide is exposed to the sample under test, the sample interacting with the guided light via emanations from the light as it propagates through the sensing path. The reference path of the waveguide is provided with a heater that linearly varies over time the refractive index of the reference path material, in this manner varying the optical path length of the reference path. Fourier spectroscopic techniques are applied to compare the spectrum of a white light source without a sample present in the sensing path to the spectrum of the white light source in the presence of a sample in the sensing path, as the optical path length of the reference path is swept over time. From these data the absorption spectrum of the sample is determined.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the invention a layer of ruthenium oxide is reactively deposited onto a substrate, then annealed for TCR adjustment and for stabilization. In a second, bi-layer embodiment of the invention, a layer of tantalum nitride is first reactively deposited onto a substrate, then annealed for stabilization. After a ruthenium oxide layer is reactively deposited onto the annealed tantalum nitride layer, the structure is annealed until a near-zero effective TCR for the bi-layer resistor is achieved. The ruthenium oxide capping layer serves as a barrier against chemical attack.

Abstract: A ceramic glass composition comprises: between about 35 and 55% by weight SiO.sub.2 ; between about 18 and 28% by weight Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; between about 1 and 5% by weight CaO; between about 7 and 14% by weight MgO; between about 0.5 and 5% by weight TiO.sub.2 ; between about 0.4 and 3% by weight B.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; and greater than 0 and up to about 1% by weight P.sub.2 O.sub.5. A convenient source of raw materials is a mixture of coal ash waste, borax (or boric acid) manufacturing plant waste, and titanium pigment waste. The ceramic glass is formed from an intermediate ceramic mixture which is subjected to a heat treatment. The intermediate ceramic mixture is formed by heating a mixture containing SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, CaO, MgO, TiO.sub.2, B.sub.2 O.sub.3, and Na.sub.4 P.sub.2 O.sub.7 to a temperature between about 1400.degree. and 1600.degree. C.; cooling the mixture to solidify it; annealing the mixture at 600.degree. to 670.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for the beneficiation of coal by selective agglomeration and the beneficiated coal product thereof is disclosed wherein coal, comprising impurities, is comminuted to a particle size sufficient to allow impurities contained therein to disperse in water, an aqueous slurry is formed with the comminuted coal particles, treated with a compound, such as a polysaccharide and/or disaccharide, to increase the relative hydrophilicity of hydrophilic components, and thereafter the slurry is treated with sufficient liquid agglomerant to form a coagulum comprising reduced impurity coal.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture thereof is provided for reducing brightness reversion in bleached lignin-containing pulps or newsprint by the treatment of the bleached lignin-containing pulp or newsprint with a compound which donates a hydrogen atom to a photo-excited group or free radical more easily than does the lignin contained in the treated pulp. The hydrogen donating compounds include compounds with certain formyl functionality, including formate salts such as sodium, magnesium and calcium formate, formamides, formic acid esters, and formylurea. In one embodiment, calcium carbonate is added to enhance the activity of the formyl compound. The further addition of a trace amount of superoxide anion quencher such as copper sulfate or ascorbic acid is also provided to still further enhance the activity of the formyl compound, especially formate salts.

Abstract: A superconducting laminate having at least one layer of metal and at least one layer of superconducting material. The metal layer and the superconducting layer are bonded. The metal later may also include carbon fibers from various precursors. The superconductor may be a composite material. The invention also includes a method of making the laminates.

Abstract: The invention provides new alkylaminomethylene 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside compounds and salts thereof.

Abstract: Novel radiopaqaue materials comprise heavy metal salts, such as bismuth and uraniuim salts complexed with a polymer. The metallic complexes which are permanent, nonleachable and have radiopacities at least equivalent to that of aluminum do not adversely affect the mechanical and physical properties of compositions. They are useful as medical and dental resins, in fabricating medical and dental appliances, prosthetic devices, radiation shielding devices and radiopaque polyester fabrics for clothing.

Abstract: Cyclopentadienyl compounds of aluminum, gallium and indium which when reacted at low temperature with amines, phosphines and arsines form compounds which are potential precursors to ceramic materials and semiconductors.

Abstract: This invention relates to new cis diamino platinum complexes; to compositions comprising these complexes; and to processes for their utility as fungicides, bacteriocides and as inhibitors of the growth of cancer in warm-blooded animals, wherein the complex is of the formula: [B(CH.sub.2).sub.n NH.sub.2 ].sub.2 Pt-M and ##STR1## wherein Pt is platinum II or platinum IV; M is selected from Y.sub.2, cyclic ##STR2## cyclic ##STR3## and cyclic ##STR4## when Pt is platinum II and X.sub.4 when Pt is platinum IV; each a is independently 1 or 2; n is from 0-3; each Y is independently --Cl, --Br, --I, --OH, --ONO.sub.2, --OSO.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of B. gingivalis by the specific ability of B. gingivalis to hydrolyze N-carbobenzoxy-glycyl-glycyl-L-arginine-B-napthylamide derivatives. The present invention also relates to the use of assay systems which inhibit serum amino peptidase and enhance the detection of the B. gingivalis N-CBz-Gly-Gly-Arg peptidase. The assay system inhibits the serum enzyme by the use of a serum aminopeptidase inhibitor which inhibits the activity of serum aminopeptidase to a greater extent that it inhibits the activity of B. gingivalis N-CBz-Gly-Gly-Arg peptidase. The assay system also increases the reliability of detection of the B. gingivalis enzyme by the use of enhancing materials which enhance the enzyme activity of B. gingivalis N-CBz-Gly-Gly-Arg peptidase to a greater extent than such materials enhance the enzyme activity of serum aminopeptidase.

Abstract: Distribution of mass density of paper or other materials is determined by irradiating a sample with a burst of electron beams from an electron gun. The intensity levels of electron beams emerging from said sample are detected by an areal detector located immediately behind the sample. These intensity levels are processed to derive distribution of mass density information for the sample. The electron beam detector may be a photographic film or a realtime electron beam detector assembly coupled to computer controlled digital data processing and displaying equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of directly forming a thin, oriented layer, or film, of superconducting materials, or compositions suitably mixtures of Perovskite-type superconducting oxides, on a support base, or substrate, by the use of a laser assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The method steps generally comprise forming at least one target comprised of metallic precursors of a superconducting oxide composition and vaporizing at least a portion of the target using a vaporization laser beam to produce a vaporized precursor of an appropriate or desired entrained in a pulsed, rapidly flowing, gaseous atmosphere containing at least one gas reactive with said vaporized precursor composition to form a reacted precursor of a superconducting composition. The reacted precursor composition is then formed into a substantially singular, uniform molecular beam, and deposited on a substrate in the form of a thin layer.

Abstract: Through radio frequency glow discharge the molecular structure of a fluoropolymer is permanently modified by the substitution of hydrogen and oxygen or oxygen-containing radicals for fluorine to a depth of up to 100 .ANG.. The surface morphological properties on a molecular level (e.g., pore structure) of the modified fluoropolymer remain substantially uncharged from those of the starting polymer as well as the bulk structure below the modified surface region while wettability with respect to low surface tension liquids and surface free energy as determined through critical surface tension are increased and new chemically reactive sites are created for further wet chemical modification or attachment of various functionality for development of a bioprobe device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transporting a disabled person in a carrying means. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a dual-track structure for supporting a hoist and trolley which are controlled by the disabled person. In a further embodiment, the structure is designed to be supported by a floor and ceiling together, or by a floor alone, and is adjustable to accommodate rooms of different dimensions. A still further embodiment of the invention includes mechanical and electronic safety means for the hoist which senses a malfunction and provides an appropriate response thereto, such as sounding an alarm and/or lowering the hoist at a specific pre-programmed location and at a controlled descent rate. The embodiments may be used independently or in concert in accordance with the invention. One method of the invention comprises transporting the disabled person utilizing the dual-track structure controlled by the disabled person.