Abstract: An electronic battery equalization circuit that equalizes the voltages of a plurality of series connected batteries in a battery pack. The current waveform is in the shape of a ramp for providing zero current switching. The ramp converter power circuit has at least one semiconductor device and a transformer coupled to the equalizing voltage supply source. The transformer has a primary winding circuit and at least one secondary winding circuit. In one embodiment, each secondary winding circuit is connected to a different pair of batteries. The equalizing current is provided to the lowest voltage batteries in one half of the battery pack during one half of the charging cycle. The equalizing current is then provided to the lowest voltage batteries in the other half of the battery pack during the other half of the charging cycle. In another embodiment, each secondary winding circuit is connected to a different single battery.

Abstract: Boron-zirconium 1,1,-dimetallic organic compounds useful in organic synthesis such as the preparation of alpha-borobromanes. The boron-zirconium compounds include boron and zirconiun, and in particular the synthesis, structure and reactivity of E-chlorobis(cyclopentadienyl)- [1-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane-2-yl)-3,3-dimethylbutenyl]zirc onium (IV). The boron-zirconium 1,1-dimetallic compound is used as a polymerization catalyst to polymerize alpha-olefins such as styrene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of highly potent histamine receptor antagonists, in particular histamine H.sub.3 -receptor antagonists. Also disclosed is a novel process for the preparation of intermediates useful in the preparation of histamine receptor antagonists, in particular H.sub.3 -receptor antagonists.

Abstract: Diazolyl compounds having activity as histamine H3-receptor antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using such compounds for treating cognitive disorder or attention or arousal deficit.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds having activity as histamine H.sub.3 -receptor antagonists. The novel compounds include 4-imidazolyl-N-substituted pyrrolidines, piperidines, and cycloheptimides. The preferred compounds are 4-imidazolyl-N-(cycloalkyl/aryl-alkyl-carbonyl) piperidines such as 4-(1-cyclohexylvaleryol-4-piperidyl)-1H-imidazole.

Abstract: A muscarinic agonist compound having the structure (I) or (II): ##STR1## where R is methyl or dimethylamino; or ##STR2## where R' is dimethylamino.

Abstract: Families of Diels Alder adducts and of metal complexes of Diels Alder adducts, which are useful as particularly active compounds for use in photodynamic therapy, are disclosed. The Diels Alder adducts and a preferred family of metal complexes have the structures of Formulas 1, 2, 3 and 4, below: ##STR1## where R1, R2, R3 and R4 can be the same or different, and each is methyl, ethyl or an amino acid moiety which is a part of an amide produced by reaction between an amine function of a naturally occurring amino acid and a carbonyl function of the adduct, R5, R6 and R7 can be the same or different, and each is ethyl or an amino acid moiety which is a part of an amide produced by reaction between an amine function of a naturally occurring amino acid and a carbonyl function of the adduct.

Abstract: Purified imines of porphyrins, chlorins, bateriochlorins, chlorophylls, bacteriochlorophylls, purpurins, reduced purpurins, verdins, Diels Alder adducts, benzochlorins and metal complexes of the foregoing imines are disclosed. The formulas of the benzochlorinimines and of the benzochlorinimine metal complexes are set forth below: ##STR1## In specific examples, M in the metal complexes is a copper cation that is complexed with two of the nitrogens of the benzochlorinimine R' and R"" are methyl, and R1 through R8 are ethyl.

Abstract: A second sphere contrast enhancing agent for magnetic resonance imaging comprises a paramagnetic metal ion having catecholate ligands coordinated thereto and having water molecules hydrogen bonded to the catecholate ligands.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds of the class of piperidyl-imidazole derivative histamine H.sub.3 -receptor antagonists. Such compounds have affinity for histamine H.sub.3 -receptor, and preferably penetrate the blood-brain barrier. The compounds can block the soporific effect of an H.sub.3 -receptor agonist. Illustrative of the compounds of the invention is the molecule 4-(1-cyclohexylvaleroyl-4-piperidyl)-1H-imidazole. These compounds have been found to have utility in treating cognitive disorders and have been found to be useful as appetite suppressants.

Abstract: A nonlinear ripple feedback circuit for use with a current-sourced rectifier system with an inductor input filter. The nonlinear ripple feedback circuit eliminates the oscillation of the rectifiers and improves the line-current waveform by sensing of and compensating for any amplitude of ripple appearing in the DC-side current. A sample of the rectified line voltage is multiplied by the product of a voltage feedback control signal times the ripple feedback signal ratio to form the input to the pulse-width modulator which produces the gating waveform for the converter of the rectifier system such that the oscillation and sensitivity of the converter system is reduced, and the AC line current waveform has low distortion, regardless of the DC-side ripple current levels.

Abstract: Boron-zirconium 1,1,-dimetallic organic compounds useful in organic synthesis such as the preparation of alpha-bromoboranes. The boron-zirconium compounds include boron and zirconiun, and in particular the synthesis, structure and reactivity of E-chlorobis(cyclopentadienyl)- [1-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane-2-yl)-3,3-dimethylbutenyl]zirc onium(IV).

Abstract: A flat panel color display is provided in which white collimated light incident on a light coupling means having a metal layer and a liquid crystal layer formed on a surface of the coupling means produces a colored spot of light at the interface of the metal layer and liquid crystal layer through the excitation of surface plasmons. The present invention utilizes the color selective scattering of incident white light by surface plasmons and includes a coupling device, such as a high index glass prism, with a metal film layer and a liquid crystal layer formed on the coupling device. Surface plasmon waves can be generated at a negative dielectric (metal layer)-positive dielectric (liquid crystal layer) interface when the dispersion relationship is satisfied. The incident white light includes photons which have frequencies approximately equal to the plasmon resonance, and such photons are strongly scattered. Photons having a frequency other than the plasmon resonance will be totally reflected.

Abstract: A system for controlling axial shifting of working rolls on a rolling mill is provided, and more particularly, a control system method which includes monitoring sensors for the rolling mill, processing information and calculating the non-all statical friction condition for the contact surfaces of the rolls on a central processing unit, and implementing the axial shifting of the working rolls on a hydraulic system. The purposes of roll shifting are primarily to control the strip shape and crown by improving the bending roll effect, to reduce the edge drop of the strip, and to maintain the uniform wear and thermal crown of the working rolls. In order to minimize or eliminate the scarring and scotch marks caused by axial shifting of the rolls, the contact zone must be kept in a non-all statical friction state. The non-all statical friction condition may be met by controlling the shifting velocity.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of layered electrodes, including ultramicroelectrodes, through application of a thin film coating of an inorganic material to a conductor by use of chemical vapor deposition. The chemical vapor deposition techniques of the present invention provide a layered electrode that is efficiently and effectively manufactured in a standard reaction chamber at atmospheric pressure. The preferred conductors are carbon fibers and foams, and metal (platinum or gold) wires, meshes and foams. The precursors for the thin film deposition include those that yield thin-films of insulators, semiconductors, metals, and superconductors. During the chemical vapor deposition process, a thin film coating is formed on the conductor by the pyrolytic decomposition of the precursor vapor at the surface of the heated conductor. The hardness and rigidity of the thin film layer imparts durability and structure to the fragile and flexible conductors without significantly increasing the size of the device.

Abstract: An implantable bioartificial pancreas device having an islet chamber containing glucose responsive and insulin-secreting islets of Langerhans or similar hormone secreting cells, one or more vascularizing chambers open to surrounding tissue, a semi-permeable membrane between the islet and vascularizing chambers that allows passage of small molecules including insulin, oxygen and glucose and does not allow passage of agents of the immune system such as white cells and antibodies, the vascularizing chambers containing a growth factor soaked fibrous or foam matrix having a porosity of about 40 to 95%, the matrix providing small capillary growth and preventing the blood from clotting in the lower chamber.

Abstract: Purified imines of porphyrins, chlorins, bateriochlorins, chlorophylls, bacteriochlorophylls, purpurins, reduced purpurins, verdins, Diels Alder adducts, benzochlorins and metal complexes of the foregoing imines are disclosed for retarding growth of cancer tumors such as bladder tumors. The formulas of the benzochlorinimines and of the benzochlorinimine metal complexes are set forth below: ##STR1## In specific examples, M in the metal complexes is a copper cation that is complexed with two of the nitrogens of the benzochlorinimine R' and R"" are methyl, and R1 through R8 are ethyl.

Abstract: A thin film photovoltaic cell having a semiconductor layer of cadmium sulfide and a semiconductor layer of cadmium telluride is manufactured in a process in which the cadmium sulfide and the cadmium telluride are deposited onto a conductive layer of a substrate by RF sputtering. A layer of cadmium sulfide is deposited on the conducting layer of the substrate by RF magnetron sputtering. After the cadmium sulfide is deposited, a layer of cadmium telluride is deposited by RF magnetron sputtering. The RF sputtering deposition of the two semiconductor layers increases the efficiency of the cell and is conducive to a large scale manufacturing process. The photovoltaic cell may include only two semiconductor layers forming a p-n junction. A third semiconductor layer, typically zinc telluride, may be added to the cell to form a p-i-n junction. The efficiency of the cell is further increased by treatment with cadmium chloride and annealing in dry air.

Abstract: A lightweight, high performance, active suspension system utilizing piezoelectric regulated springs, and a method of manufacturing the suspension system, is described. Piezoelectric material is bonded to suspension springs, and excited appropriately to vary the stiffness of the suspension system. A method of controlling the stiffness of a spring includes piezoelectric material bonded to the spring, a sensor system for generating a signal proportional to the loading imposed on the spring, and controller for exciting the piezoelectric material in response to the signal. A control system for controlling the stiffness of a spring including embedding a plurality of piezoelectric particles within an electrically conductive matrix forming the body of the spring is also described.

Abstract: An implantable bioartificial pancreas device having an islet chamber containing glucose responsive and insulin-secreting islets of Langerhans or similar hormone secreting cells, the islet chamber having baffle means inside thereof to assist in even distribution of the islets in the chamber, one or more vascularizing chambers open to surrounding tissue, a semi-permeable membrane between the islet and vascularizing chambers that allows passage of small molecules including insulin, oxygen and glucose and does not allow passage of agents of the immune system such as white cells and antibodies, the vascularizing chambers containing a growth factor soaked fibrous or foam matrix having a porosity of about 40 to 95%, the matrix providing small capillary growth and preventing the blood from clotting in the lower chamber.