Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for preparing devices having hollow metallic microchannels on a surface of a planar substrate. More specifically, the present invention is directed to methods for preparing devices having surface metallic microchannels with a range of widths and heights selected to provide efficient flow characteristics and having thick and, thus, strong and durable channel walls. In addition, the methods of the present invention are compatible with standard integrated circuit fabrication techniques and, because the microchannels are formed upon the surface of the substrate without degrading the surface planarity, these techniques can be used to incorporate electronic circuitry into the microchannel-containing devices. For purposes of this application, the term "microchannel" refers to enclosed or partially enclosed channels having heights within the range from about 2 to about 200 micrometers (.mu.m) and widths within the range of about 10 micrometers to about 2 millimeters.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system includes a Compton camera (14) disposed on a gantry (16). The camera (14) includes linear detectors (30a, 30b) for detecting radiation emanating from a subject to be imaged. A data processor (32) collects and processes radiation data in accordance with the detected radiation. Position and energy resolving circuitry (34) determines positions and energy deposited by photons striking the detectors. A cone projection generator (40) generates cone projection data or cone integrals based on the collected data which determine a possible location of a gamma source of the detected radiation. A conversion processor (41) converts the cone projection data into plane projection data. The conversion processor (41) includes a line integral processor (42) which determines line integrals representing the cone projection data and applies a spherical harmonic expansion to the line integrals.

Abstract: A SPECT system includes a Compton camera (14) disposed on a gantry (16). The camera (14) includes linear detectors (30a, 30b) operating without mechanical collimation for detecting radiation emanating from a subject to be imaged. A data processor (22) collects and processes radiation data in accordance with the detected radiation. Position and energy resolving circuitry (24) determines positions and energy deposited by photons striking the detectors. A projection generator (34) generates divergent projections or V-projections based on the collected data which determine a possible location of a gamma source of the detected radiation. A conversion processor (36) converts the V-projections into parallel projection data such as a Radon transformation. A reconstruction processor (38) reconstructs an image representation of a region of interest from the subject from the parallel projection data using filtered back projection.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing a pathology in a subject characterized by a deleterious accumulation of TGF-.beta.-induced extracellular matrix in a tissue by introducing a nucleic acid encoding a TGF.beta.-specific inhibitory agent or active fragment thereof into a cell in the subject. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid encoding the TGF-.beta. specific inhibitory agent is introduced into a cell in vivo by injection, for example, in skeletal muscle. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid encoding the TGF-.beta. specific inhibitory agent is transfected into a cell ex vivo to obtain a cell expressing the agent, and the cell is then administered into the subject to be treated. TGF-.beta. specific inhibitory agents of the present invention include, but are not limited to, members of the decoring family of proteoglycans such as decorin, biglycan, fibromodulin and lumican or an antibody specific for TGF-.beta..

Abstract: A human gene termed APC is disclosed. Methods and kits are provided for assessing mutations of the APC gene in human tissues and body samples. APC mutations are found in familial adenomatous polyposis patients as well as in sporadic colorectal cancer patients. APC is expressed in most normal tissues. These results suggest that APC is a tumor suppressor.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of synthetic peptide products containing up to about forty amino acid residues as ubiquitin-carboxyl terminal extensions expressed in procaryotic cells such as E. coli is disclosed. This is accomplished by cloning appropriate oligonucleotides encoding the desired peptide as a ubiquitin peptide extension gene, splicing the gene into an appropriate plasmid which, in turn is transformed into E. coli, or other appropriate procaryotic cells and inducing expression of the ubiquitin peptide fusion product. When expressed, the cells produce recoverable amounts of ubiquitin extended at its carboxyl terminus by the encoded carboxyl terminal extended peptide (CTEP). The peptide can be recovered as ubiquitin fused extension products (Ub-CTEP) or, alternatively, can be cleaved from the ubiquitin by an appropriate eucaryotic peptidase and purified.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of the molecular basis of supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) and Williams syndrome. More specifically, the invention has identified that elastin causes or is involved in the pathogenesis of SVAS and Williams syndrome. Molecular variants of the elastin gene contribute to SVAS and Williams syndrome. The analysis of the elastin gene will provide an early diagnosis of subjects with SVAS and Williams syndrome. The diagnostic method comprises analyzing the DNA sequence of the elastin gene of an individual to be tested and comparing it with the DNA sequence of the native, non-variant elastin gene. In a second embodiment, the elastin gene of an individual to be tested is screened for mutations associated with SVAS or Williams syndrome. Presymptomatic diagnosis of SVAS and Williams syndrome will enable practitioners to prevent vascular obstruction using existing medical therapies like beta adrenergic blocking agents.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for reducing super cooled fog which involves the introduction of liquid carbon dioxide in a horizontal line along the ground under the fog from a moving vehicle.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of synthetic peptide products containing up to about forty amino acid residues as ubiquitin-carboxyl terminal extensions expressed in procaryotic cells such as E. coli is disclosed. This is accomplished by cloning appropriate oligonucleotides encoding the desired peptide as a ubiquitin peptide extension gene, splicing the gene into an appropriate plasmid which, in turn is transformed into E. coli, or other appropriate procaryotic cells and inducing expression of the ubiquitin peptide fusion product. When expressed, the cells produce recoverable amounts of ubiquitin extended at its carboxyl terminus by the encoded carboxyl terminal extended peptide (CTEP). The peptide can be recovered as ubiquitin fused extension products (Ub-CTEP) or, alternatively, can be cleaved from the ubiquitin by an appropriate eucaryotic peptidase and purified.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to .omega.-conotoxin peptides having 24-30 amino acids, six cysteines which form disulfide bonds between the first and fourth, second and fifth, and third and sixth cysteines, respectively, and an internal sequence of Cys-Arg-Lys-Thr-Xaa.sub.1 -Tyr-Xaa.sub.2 -Cys-Cys-Ser-Gly-Ser-Cys (SEQ ID NO:1). The invention is further directed to .omega.-conotoxin peptides of the generic formula Cys-Xaa.sub.1 -Gly-Xaa.sub.2 -Gly-Ala-Xaa.sub.3 -Cys-Arg-Lys-Thr-Xaa.sub.4 -Tyr-Xaa.sub.5 -Cys-Cys-Ser-Gly-Ser-Cys-Xaa.sub.6 -Arg-Gly-Xaa.sub.7 -Cys (SEQ ID NO:2). Preferably, the C-terminus is amidated. These peptides also contain three disulfide bonds. Examples of .omega.-conotoxin peptides within the generic formula are MVIIC having the formula Cys-Cys-Gly-Lys-Gly-Ala-Xaa.sub.1 -Cys-Arg-Lys-Thr-Xaa.sub.2 -Tyr-Asp-Cys-Cys-Ser-Gly-Ser-Cys-Gly-Arg-Arg-Gly-Lys-Cys (SEQ ID NO:3), wherein Xaa is preferably Pro or Hyp (4-hydroxyproline) and Xaa.sub.

Abstract: A SPECT system includes three gam camera heads (22a), (22b), (22c) which are mounted to a gantry (20) for rotation about a subject (12). The subject is injected with a source of emission radiation, which emission radiation is received by the camera heads. Camera head (22a) has a fan-beam collimator (24a) mounted on a radiation receiving face and generates fan-beam data indicative of the received emission radiation. The camera heads (22b) and (22c) each have a cone-beam collimator (24b), (24c) mounted respectively on their radiation receiving face and generate cone-beam data indicative of the received emission radiation. A transmission radiation source (26) is mounted opposite the camera head (22a) having the fan-beam collimator (24a). The fan-beam detector head (22a) further receives transmission radiation and generates fan-beam transmission radiation indicative thereof. A transmission data reconstruction processor (50) reconstructs the fan-beam transmission data.

Abstract: A subject (12) in an examination region is injected with a radioisotope that emits radiation. A detector head (18) receives emission radiation projections (28a) from the radioisotope and transmission radiation projections (28b) from a transmission radiation source (22) disposed opposite the subject from the detector head. A volume memory (50) stores an estimated volume image. For each actually collected image emission data projection set, a projector (52) reprojects a set of projection of the volume image from the image memory (50) along each of the same projection directions as the emission data projections. Each projection is rotated (80) and warped (82) such that rays which converge with the same angle as the convergence of the collimator on the detector head become parallel. The layers are each convolved with a point response function (84) weighted in accordance with a depth of the corresponding layer in the volume image and corresponding points are summed (92) to create a reprojected projection.

Abstract: A SPECT camera system has three detector heads (12a, 12b, 12c). Each of the detectors have a fan-beam collimator (14) disposed toward an examination region (10). The detectors receive radiation travelling along a fan of rays from an apex (x.sub.f,y.sub.f) to a planar face of the detectors. The detectors generate electronic data indicative of a location (x.sub.s,y.sub.s) on the detector at which a radiation event is received along a ray q.sub..beta. (s). The detectors in a selected orbit R(.beta.) around a subject within the examination region (10). A backprojector (56) includes a backprojection trajectory calculating processor (60) that calculates a trajectory through image space, hence through an image memory (58), corresponding to each radiation ray q.sub..beta. (s). The backprojector weights (68) each data value (x.sub.s,y.sub.s) with a weighting function, preferably a Jacobian J(r,.phi.,.beta.), and adds (64) each weighted data value to a corresponding memory cell of the image memory (58).

Abstract: A surface of specific reactivity is formed by adsorbing a modified block polymeric surfactant of the Pluronic-type, i.e., containing pendant poly(ethylene oxide) blocks attached at an end to poly(propylene oxide) center blocks and with specifically reactive groups at the unattached ends of the poly(ethylene oxide) blocks, upon a hydrophobic surface.

Abstract: Radiation passing through a cone beam collimator is received by a radiation detector (10) such as a gamma camera head, as the gamma camera head is moved in a helical orbit. Data g(n,u,v) collected during the helical orbit is scaled (42) to scaled data G(n,u,v). A first partial derivative .differential.G (n,u,v)/.differential.u is taken (46u) with respect to a horizontal direction and a second partial derivative .differential.G (n,u,v)/.differential.v is taken (46v) with respect to a vertical direction. The partial derivatives are linearly combined (48) by being multiplied by sine and cosine values of an angle .alpha. between the horizontal direction u and an arbitrary direction p in the detector plane to form partial derivatives .differential.G(n,u,v)/.differential.p. The coordinate system of the derivatives is converted (60) from the (n,u,v) coordinate system to an (n,.alpha.,p) coordinate system. The first derivatives are projected (62) i.e.

Abstract: A method for assaying for enzymes that modify peptide chains, such as protein kinases and enzymes which modify the C-terminus of the Ha-RAS protein, is defined. This is done by incubating an extract in which the enzyme being assayed for may be present contained in a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is made up of a buffer solution, a ubiquitin peptide extension, wherein the peptide contains a sequence known to be modified by an agent in the presence of the enzyme being assayed for, and the agent known to modify the peptide extension when the enzyme is present. The incubation is stopped and the ubiquitin peptide extension is separated from the solution and analyzed for the presence of the agent modified peptide. The extent of peptide modification can be both qualitative and quantative of the enzyme being assayed for. Protein kinases can be assayed for using a ubiquitin pepide extension containing the sequence (SEQ ID NO:1), Ser-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu in the presence of a phosphorylating agent.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of manufacture for producing a medicament composition capable of absorption through the mucosal tissues of the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus. The present invention relates to such compositions and methods which are useful in administering lipophilic and nonlipophilic drugs in a dose-to-effect manner that sufficient drug is administered to produce precisely a desired effect. The invention also relates to a manufacturing technique that enables a therapeutic agent or drug to be incorporated into a flavored dissolvable matrix. An appliance or holder is preferably attached to the dissolvable matrix. Employing the present invention the drug may be introduced into the patient's bloodstream almost as fast as through injection, and much faster than using the oral administration route, while avoiding the negative aspects of both of these methods.

Abstract: A polyolefin composition is disclosed comprising polyolefin with a synergistic antioxidant composition of a phenolic oxidation inhibitor and synergist capable of reacting with the phenoxyl radicals to form a phenolic group and regenerate the phenolic oxidation inhibitor. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the synergist also acts as a metal-complexing agent capable of complexing with trace transition-metal-ions contaminants in the polyolefin.

Abstract: A two-stage process for producing acetylene and calcium chloride from calcium carbide and water has two successive reaction steps. In step Number 1, calcium carbide is charged into an entrained flow-type reactor vessel containing water. The reaction which follows proceeds to about 60-90% completion. The entrained reaction products and the unreacted feed material are carried over to a secondary reactor to complete the reaction, and the acetylene gas is drawn off. Calcium hydroxide product is removed from the reactor and reacted with hydrogen chloride to form calcium chloride. Heat generated by the exothermic reactions of water with calcium carbide and HCl with calcium hydroxide is used to dry the calcium chloride product and improve its value. In the presence of excess water, the calcium carbide-water reaction is effectively a first order, irreversible reaction.

Abstract: A layer of a hydrocarbon molecule is applied to a substrate by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique, and the surface is irradiated with a laser to decompose the layer of molecules at the surface without influencing the substrate. After decomposition the carbon atoms rearrange on the surface of the substrate to form a DLC film. The method of the invention may also be used to form other film, using a suitable molecule to produce the LB layer before irradiation.