Abstract: Compositions of the invention are produced by blending hydroxy-functional polyesters with proteins at elevated temperatures. These compositions can be shaped into articles by known processes such as extrusion, compression molding, and injection molding. Among articles that can be made from such compositions are those with sufficiently strong tensile strengths as to form disposable utensils. However, the compositions are more environmentally friendly than commodity plastics such as polyethylene or polystyrene.

Abstract: Channel doping and gate lithography are simulatneously performed by focusing an ion beam into the wafer through a positive or negative photoresist that is sensitive to the ion beam. Additional fabrication is then performed to provide a gate that is self-aligned with the doped channel.

Abstract: An integral, lightweight combustion chamber/nozzle assembly for a rocket engine has a refractory metal shell defining a chamber of generally frusto-conical contour. The shell communicates at its smaller end with a rocket body, and terminates at its larger end in a generally contact contour, which is open at its terminus and which serves as a nozzle for the rocket engine. The entire inner surface of the refractory metal shell has a thermal and oxidation barrier layer applied thereto. An ablative silica phenolic insert is bonded to the exposed surface of the thermal and oxidation barrier layer. The ablative phenolic insert provides a chosen inner contour for the combustion chamber and has a taper toward the open terminus of the nozzle. A process for fabricating the integral, lightweight combustion chamber/nozzle assembly is simple and efficient, and results in economy in respect of both resources and time.

Abstract: A method of full-text scanning for matches in a large dictionary of keywords is described, suitable for SDI (selective dissemination of information). The method is applicable to large dictionaries (hundreds of thousands of entries) and to arbitrary byte sequences for both patterns and sample streams. The approach employs Boyer-Moore-Horspool skipping, extended to pattern collections and digrams, followed by an n-gram hash test, which also identifies a subset of feasible keywords for conventional pattern matching at each location of a putative match.

Abstract: The fluid flow meter of the present invention includes a ramp inclined to the surface of a vessel so as to form a recess in the surface. A dynamic port surface extends from the lower end of the ramp to the surface of the vessel. A dynamic port is formed in the surface of the vessel, and a static port is formed in the ramp. The differential pressure between the dynamic and static ports is measured and is related to the flow velocity of fluid over the surface. The inventive flow meter has advantages of reduced drag, reduced likelihood of fouling and reduced likelihood of impact damage compared to conventional flow meters.

Abstract: The compound 7,10,12-trihydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid (TOD) has been produced by bioconversion of ricinoleic acid by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PR3. TOD and derivatives thereof are useful for controlling biological organisms, such as fungi and insects.

Abstract: Certain aralkyl diazabicycloalkyl compounds are disclosed for treatment of CNS disorders, such as cerebral ischemia, psychosis, and convulsions.

Abstract: Calculated performance improvements are expected from a particularly new class of compounds, geminal-bis(difluoramino)-substituted heterocyclic nitramines, when formulated into explosives and propellants. This invention involves novel and nonintuitive methods for the preparation of certain derivatives of 2,2-bis(difluoramino)-N-nitro-1,3-propanediamine which are suitable precursors leading to 5,5-bis(difluoramino)hexahydro-1,3-dinitropyrimidine (RNFX). The invention also involves novel and nonintuitive methods for the preparation of RNFX, a specific member of a general class of compounds with the substructure 2,2-bis(difluoramino)-N-nitro-1,3-propanediamine. RNFX is produced by the use of key intermediates, including tetrahydropyrimidin-5(4H)-ones, which allow formation of the target structural subcomponent, 2,2-bis(difluoramino)-N-nitro-1,3-propanediamine, and a more specific substructure of 2,2-bis(difluoramino)-N,N′-dinitro-1,3-propanediamine.

Abstract: The polarization-resolving infrared imager employs the configurations of either first-generation (60 horizontal rows by 1 vertical column of detector elements (pixels)) or second-generation (at least 240 horizontal rows by 4 vertical columns of detector elements (pixels)) infrared imaging detector devices and polarization filters that work in conjunction with the infrared imaging detector devices to separate incoming infrared radiation into portions each having a different polarization orientation. Such polarization separation enables the production of visible images in which various aspects of the scene are differentiated. In the preferred embodiment using the second-generation infrared imaging detector device, polarization-filtering grids are integrated onto the detector. The detector elements in three of the four columns have coupled thereto polarization filtering elements to filter, respectively, horizontal, vertical and 45-degree polarizations of the incoming infrared radiation.

Abstract: Novel burst-free, sustained release biocompatible and biodegrable microcapsules which can be programmed to release their active core for variable durations ranging from 1-100 days in an aqueous physiological environment. The microcapsules are comprised of a core of polypeptide or other biologically active agent encapsulated in a matrix of poly(lactide/glycolide) copolymer, which may contain a pharmaceutically-acceptable adjuvant, as a blend of upcapped free carboxyl end group and end-capped forms ranging in ratios from 100/0 to 1/99.

Abstract: The invention is a ceramic membrane reactor for syngas production having a reaction chamber, an inlet in the reactor for natural gas intake, a plurality of oxygen permeating ceramic slabs inside the reaction chamber with each slab having a plurality of passages paralleling the gas flow for transporting air through the reaction chamber, a manifold affixed to one end of the reaction chamber for intake of air connected to the slabs, a second manifold affixed to the reactor for removing the oxygen depleted air, and an outlet in the reaction chamber for removing syngas.

Abstract: The precursor-follow through kinetic energy explosively formed penetrator assembly greatly enhances target penetration. It is formed of two sections: an initial precursor penetrator followed by a penetrator encapsulating a reactive material. The target will initially be perforated by the precursor penetrator with the second follow through penetrator containing a reactive material causing internal damage through a secondary reaction.

Abstract: A munition is provided for deploying a molten payload within a target. A plurality of holes are formed in the munition's projectile body about the circumference thereof. A seal closes off each hole. A firing mechanism is mounted in the munition's nose cone and is capable of generating energy of initiation upon deformation of the nose cone. A first burnable material is housed in the projectile body and is coupled to the firing mechanism to receive the energy of initiation. The first burnable material extends in a tree-like fashion along a plurality of connected paths in the projectile body with each of the connected paths terminating at one of the seals. A second burnable material fills the voids in the projectile body surrounding the first burnable material. The first burnable material has a lower threshold of combustion than the second burnable material while the second burnable material burns hotter than the first burnable material.

Abstract: The present invention is a two-part wind advisory system comprising a ground station at an airfield and an airborne unit placed inside an aircraft. The ground station monitors wind conditions (wind speed, wind direction, and wind gust) at the airfield and transmits the wind conditions and an airfield ID to the airborne unit. The airborne unit identifies the airfield by comparing the received airfield ID with airfield IDs stored in a database. The airborne unit also calculates the headwind and crosswind for each runway in both directions at the airfield using the received wind conditions and runway information stored in the database. The airborne unit then determines a recommended runway for takeoff and landing operations of the aircraft based on the runway having the greatest headwind value and displays the airfield ID, wind conditions, and recommended runway to the pilot.

Abstract: An attenuated Japanese encephalitis virus adapted to Vero cell by passages on Vero cell is disclosed. A Japanese encephalitis vaccine comprising said attenuated virus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel antifungal compound, “CAY-1”, was isolated from the dried fruit of Capsicum frutescens (cayenne pepper), purified to homogeneity, and characterized as a novel sterol glycoside (a saponin) with a molecular mass of 1243.35 Da. CAY-1 demonstrates antifungal activity against a large variety of fungal organisms associated with diseases in plants, animals and humans including, but not limited to, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. parasiticus, A. niger, Pneumocystis carnii and Candida albicans, but has minimal toxic effects on mammalian cells.

Abstract: A stack of optically contacted birefringent crystals is configured to carry out coherent beam combination (multiplexing) of narrow-bandwidth phase-locked beams from multiple lasers or laser amplifiers (e.g., multimode Yb-doped fiber amplifiers). A stack of N crystals can multiplex the output of 2N laser amplifiers into a single diffraction-limited beam. Phase control of the beams is maintained by an electronic servo which monitors the optical power emitted into certain undesired beams and minimizes this power by means of phase adjusters (e.g., piezoelectric fiber stretchers) on each amplifier. A configuration is described where a front-end laser master oscillator (FMO) (e.g., a Nd:YAG laser) is demultiplexed by the crystal stack, passes through multiple laser amplifiers, is reflected back through the amplifiers by phase-conjugating mirrors (e.g., passive multimode fibers generating stimulated Brillouin scattering), and is multiplexed on the return trip through the crystal stack.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the preparation of very small particle size, relatively pure 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB). Particles of TATB prepared according to the disclosed method are of submicron size and have a surface area in the range from about 3.8 to 27 square meters per gram.

Abstract: In this application is described the expression cloning and functional characterization of the CD36-binding domain of Sequestrin. Sequestrin is a surface protein of 215-250 kD size which does not vary in size between parasite strains. The Sequestrin gene appears to be single-copy-number within the genome; noncytoadherent laboratory parasite strains carry the sequestrin gene but fail to express the protein. Sequestrin binds with high affinity to CD36. Sequestrin protein and sequence can be used as a diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tool.

Abstract: An apparatus having at least one template opening for causing a substantially reproducible injury to a cell, organ or tissue layer. The apparatus is useful in determining the effects of cell growth and migration agents in model wounds produced in the cell, organ or tissue layer. Also provided are methods of using the apparatus including juxtapositioning the apparatus to cells on a cell growth substrate and disrupting cells thereon.