Abstract: A method of making a monomer of tetraalkyl vinylidene-1, 1-diphosphonate. The monomer is manufactured by combining an aqueous secondary amine solution with a formaldehyde and a tetra (alkyl) methylene diphosphonate. The resulting mixture is maintained at a pH above about 6 and refluxed for two hours to enable reaction to produce the monomer of tetraalkyl vinylidene-1, 1-diphosphonate. The product monomer is then purified to produce the final end product.

Abstract: A method for post-treating a laminated precursor nonwoven web which includes layers of thermoplastic man-made fibers and at least one layer of cellulose-based staple natural fibers, including consolidating the web laterally and thereby reducing the maximum pore size measure of the web. The precursor web and the resultant consolidated nonwoven web are also disclosed, as is utilization of the product web in medical uses.

Abstract: A coal-fired firetube boiler and a method for converting a gas-fired firetube boiler to a coal-fired firetube boiler, the converted boiler including a plurality of combustion zones within the firetube and controlled stoichiometry within the combustion zones.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use thereof in the creating of a nanogravity environment substantially throughout a working volume sufficient for performing a desired operation and existing for a length of time sufficient for performing the desired operation are disclosed. Involved in the creation of the nanogravity environment are the use of an apparatus in which the mass density of the walls are distributed (either directly or by the attachment of compensating masses) so that the surface density of the mass is directly proportional to the electric charge density along the walls which would be sufficient to neutralize the interior electric field, the orbiting of the apparatus around a planetary mass, and the minimization of disruptive accelerations on the apparatus by the selective transfer of the momentum of solar photons to the apparatus.

Abstract: A steady-state, glow discharge plasma is generated at one atmosphere of pressure within the volume between a pair of insulated metal plate electrodes spaced up to 5 cm apart and R.F. energized with an rms potential of 1 to 5 KV at 1 to 100 KHz. Space between the electrodes is occupied by air, nitrous oxide, a noble gas such as helium, neon, argon, etc. or mixtures thereof. The electrodes are charged by an impedance matching network adjusted to produce the most stable, uniform glow discharge.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for igniting an air/fuel spray (26) comprised of fuel droplets. The apparatus includes a coherent optical source (12) for introducing at least one pulse of coherent radiation into the air/fuel spray. The pulse generates free electrons and initiates a development of a plasma within the air/fuel spray. The coherent source maintains the pulse of coherent radiation and pumps the developing plasma to higher energies. The pulse is terminated at a time after the plasma has reached a predetermined energy and before ignition of the air/fuel spray. The non-linear ignition system of the invention employs a gas/vapor interface region at a fuel droplet surface and an electric field that extends from and exists outside of a fuel droplet. Free electrons are accelerated to higher energies by the electric field surrounding the fuel droplet. The accelerated electrons initiate a breakdown near adjacent fuel droplets and the liberation of further free electrons.

Abstract: Polymer materials such as film and fabrics, woven, non-woven and meltblown, may be non-destructively surface treated to improve water wettability, wickability, and other characteristics by exposure to a glow discharge plasma sustained at substantially atmospheric pressure in air or modified gas atmospheres comprising helium or argon.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for electrostatically charging a web or film by subjecting the web or film to an electric field generated between a single bar or wire electrode and the curved surface of a second electrode, and optionally sequentially subjecting the web or film to subsequent electric fields preferably in which the polarity of the field, relative to the web or film, is reversed.

Abstract: A method for increasing the yield of recombinant non-bacterial or bacterial gene products from bacteria comprising inserting a non-bacterial or bacterial gene into the genetic material of the bacteria whereby the inserted gene is co-expressed with a desired recombinant non-bacterial or bacterial gene product and aids the arrangement of the gene product into the proper final conformation. The non-bacterial or bacterial gene for insertion into the genetic material is also disclosed.

Abstract: System for kiln-drying hardwood wherein the weight of a representative sample positioned remote from the batch of wood to be dried is monitored. The moisture content of the representative sample is calculated from the measured weight continuously and operational parameters with the kiln are automatically adjusted in response to the moisture content of the sample to provide desired drying conditions.

Abstract: A phytohormone for inducing root hair curling and root nodulation in the roots of leguminous plants particularly in the absence of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The phytohormone comprises a pentasaccharide having a fatty acid condensed on the non-reducing end. A method for treating the roots of leguminous plants for inducing root hair curling and root nodulation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for stimulating the immune system by treating an individual who has been immunocompromised as a result of severe trauma, including closed head injury and infection, with human growth hormone. This treatment leads to an increase in total lymphocyte number, and in an increase in the T4/T8 ratio. The treatment represents an effective therapy for maintaining or stimulating the immunocompetence of an individual who has been immunocompromised.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the transfer of nucleic acids into cells comprising preparing a mixed lipid dispersion of a cationic lipid with a co-lipid in a suitable carrier solvent. The lipid has a structure which includes a lipophilic group derived from cholesterol, a linker bond, a spacer arm including from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms in a branched or unbranched linear alkyl chain, and a cationic amino group selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary amino groups. The method further comprises adding the nucleic acids to the dispersion to form a complex. The cells are then treated with the complex. There is also disclosed a novel cationic amphiphile useful for this purpose.

Abstract: Liposomes containing phosphatidylethanolamine, palmitoyl homocysteine or oleic acid or palmitic acid, fuse rapidly when the pH of the medium is reduced below 7. Liposome fusion was measured by (a) mixing of the liposomal lipids as shown by resonance energy transfer, (b) gel filtration and (c) electron microscopy. The presence of phosphatidylethanolamine or acid addition esters thereof in the liposomes greatly enhances fusion; whereas the presence of phosphatidylcholine inhibits fusion. During fusion of liposomes containing phosphatidylethanolamine:palmitoyl homocysteine (8:2), almost all of the encapsulated calcein is released. Inclusion of cholesterol (40%) in the liposomes substantially decreases leakage without impairing fusion. Those pH sensitive liposomes are fused to deliver biologically active molecules such as DNA, into living cells.

Abstract: A method for post-treating a precursor nonwoven web including consolidating the web laterally and thereby reducing the maximum pore size measure of the web. The resultant nonwoven web is also disclosed as is utilization of the product web as a filter.

Abstract: A fiber optic-based regenerable biosensor. The biosensor is particularly suitable for use in microscale work in situ. In one embodiment, the biosensor comprises a reaction chamber disposed adjacent the distal end of a waveguide and adapted to receive therein a quantity of a sample containing an analyte. Leading into the chamber is a plurality of capillary conduits suitable for introducing into the chamber antibodies or other reagents suitable for selective interaction with a predetermined analyte. Following such interaction, the contents of the chamber may be subjected to an incident energy signal for developing fluorescence within the chamber that is detectable via the optical fiber and which is representative of the presence, i.e. concentration, of the selected analyte. Regeneration of the biosensor is accomplished by replacement of the reagents and/or the analyte, or a combination of these, at least in part via one or more of the capillary conduits.

Abstract: A phytohormone for inducing root hair curling and root nodulation in the roots of leguminous plants particularly in the absence of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The phytohormone comprises a pentassaccharide having a fatty acid condensed on the non-reducing end. a method for treating the roots of leguminous plants for inducing root hair curling and root nodulation is also disclosed.

Abstract: Treatment of apnea and/or bradycardia employing 5-ethyldihrdo-5-phenyl-4,6-[1H,5H]-pyrimidenedione (primidone).

Abstract: A method for determining the time period since the death of a human cadaver deposited on soil by the steps of removing a sample of soil from beneath the cadaver, testing the sample for a concentration of a chemical which is indicative of the time since the death of the human cadaver, and correlating the concentration with the number of accumulated degree days (ADD) to determine the length of time since the death of the human cadaver. The chemicals include fatty acids, such as propionic acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid, and inorganic ions, such as ammonium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate.

Abstract: A method and composition for promoting the healing of an open wound, such as a fresh surgical incision, a decubitus ulcer, or a diabetes ulcer. The method includes applying to the wound a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a protein fragment of tumor necrosis factor .alpha.(TNF-.alpha.) including amino acids 31 through 68 SEQ ID NO.: 1. The composition may be applied topically or injected locally into a wound or ulcer site. A preferred composition includes a carrier medium selected from sterile water, sterile saline, and albumin. Topical formulations are administered as sprays, gels, ointments or salves.