Abstract: A heavy ion generator is used with a plasma desorption mass spectrometer to provide an appropriate neutron flux in the direction of a fissionable material in order to desorb and ionize large molecules from the material for mass analysis.The heavy ion generator comprises a fissionable material having a high n,f reaction cross section. The heavy ion generator also comprises a pulsed neutron generator that is used to bombard the fissionable material with pulses of neutrons, thereby causing heavy ions to be emitted from the fissionable material. These heavy ions impinge on a material, thereby causing ions to desorb off that material. The ions desorbed off the material pass through a time-of-flight mass analyzer, wherein ions can be measured with masses greater than 25,000 amu.

Abstract: The order parameter of a superconductor is reduced by injecting spin-polarized carriers into the superconductor. The reduction in the order parameter is used to modulate the critical current of the superconductor. In a typical embodiment, a current is caused to flow through a superconductor. Spin polarized electrons are then injected into the path of the current in the superconductor by biasing a magnetic metal with respect to a terminal of the superconductor. The bias current may be varied to modulate the injection and thus the flow of current through the superconductor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (1) a method of identifying an individual at an increased risk for developing cancer, (2) a method for determining a prognosis in patients afflicted with cancer, and (3) a method for determining the proper course of treatment for a patient afflicted with cancer; comprising: amplifying a region of the c-raf-1 gene.

Abstract: A solid rocket motor having a main propellant comprising glycidyl azide polymer, combustible solids and a plasticizer.

Abstract: An image recognition and classification system includes a preprocessor in which a "top-down" method is used to extract features from an image; an associative learning neural network system, which groups the features into patterns and classifies the patterns: and a feedback mechanism which improves system performance by tuning preprocessor scale, feature detection, and feature selection.

Abstract: The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the four variable domains of the major outer membrane proteins of the 15 serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis are disclosed together with sequence and immunogenic analysis of these domains.

Abstract: A quartz crystal resonator is excited in two different modes at the same time such that the mass change and the temperature change can be measured independently. In using such a quartz crystal the change in mass can be calculated accurately and in real time, independent of temperature effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel antiviral naphthoquinone compounds, which may be isolated from plants of the genus Conospermum or synthesized chemically, in accordance with the present inventive methods. The antiviral naphthoquionone compounds, derivatives thereof, and prodrugs thereof, may be used alone or in combination with other antiviral agents in compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, to inhibit the growth or replication of a virus, such as a retrovirus, in particular a human immunodeficiency virus, specifically HIV-1 or HIV-2, in the treatment or prevention of viral infection.

Abstract: A monolithic piezoelectric accelerometer of the longitudinal type having a ass element, a piezoelectric accelerometer sensor element and electrodes interconnecting the mass and sensor elements, in which the mass and sensor elements are formed as a monolithic structure. Included is the method for making the monolithic piezoelectric accelerometer.

Abstract: A rappel rope storage and deployment system includes a bag for storing a pel rope, the bag having a first opening for exposing a first end of the rope, a second opening for exposing a middle portion of the rope, and a third opening for exposing a second end of the rope. The system further includes a rappel rope disposed in the bag, the first end of the rope extending through the first opening and outwardly from the bag, the first end being enlarged to prevent passage of the first end through the first opening, the middle portion of the rope extending through the second opening for withdrawal of a double strand of the rope from the second opening, and the second end of the rope extending through the third opening for withdrawal of a single strand of the rope from the third opening. The system further includes straps and fasteners for releasably connecting the bag to a person.

Abstract: A screw-released roller brake including an input drive assembly, an output drive assembly, a plurality of locking sprags, a mechanical tripper nut for unlocking the sprags, and a casing therefor. The sprags consist of three dimensional (3-D) sprag members having pairs of contact surface regions which engage respective pairs of contact surface regions included in angular grooves or slots formed in the casing and the output drive assembly. The sprags operate to lock the output drive assembly to the casing to prevent rotation thereof in an idle mode of operation. In a drive mode of operation, the tripper is either self actuated or motor driven and is translated linearly up and down against a spline and at the limit of its travel rotates the sprags which unlock while coupling the input drive assembly to the output drive assembly so as to impart a turning motion thereto in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a periodic table group III-IV metal semiconductor metal field-effect transistor device is described. The disclosed fabrication arrangement uses a single metalization for ohmic and Schottky barrier contacts, employs selective etching with a permanent etch stop layer, employs a non-alloyed ohmic contact semiconductor layer and includes a permanent non photosensitive secondary mask element. The invention includes provisions for both an all optical lithographic process and a combined optical and electron beam lithographic process. These concepts are combined to provide a field-effect transistor device of reduced fabrication cost, increased dimensional accuracy and state-of-the-art electrical performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the HIV-1 strains MN-ST1 and BA-L which are typical United States HIV-1 isotypes. The present invention relates to DNA segments encoding the envelope protein of MN-ST1 or BA-L, to DNA constructs containing such DNA segments and to host cells transformed with such constructs. The viral isolates and envelope proteins of the present invention are of value for use in vaccines and bioassays for the detection of HIV-1 infection in biological samples, such as blood bank samples.

Abstract: A Stirling-cycle refrigerator has a three-pump configuration and pumping sequence, in which one pump serves as a compressor, one pump serves as an expander, and one pump serves as a displacer. The pumps are ferroelectrically actuated diaphragm pumps which are coordinated by synchronizing the ferroelectric-actuator voltages in such a way that the net effect of the displacer is to reduce the deleterious effect of dead space; that is, to circulate a greater fraction of the working fluid through the heat exchangers than would be possible by use of the compressor and expander alone. In addition, the displacer can be controlled separately to make the flow of working fluid in the heat exchangers turbulent (to increase the rate of transfer of heat at the cost of greater resistance to flow) or laminar (to decrease the resistance to flow at the cost of a lower heat-transfer rate).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a culture of human olfactory neurons. The neurons may display a normal neuronal pathology or a pathology characteristic of a generalized central nervous system disease. The cultured neurons can be used for neurotoxicity tests, screening for therapeutic drugs and anti-viral agents, and diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A wet-doping process for producing an oxide-dispersion strengthened (ODS), creep-resistant molybdenum alloy is disclosed. The alloy is made by adding nitrate or acetate salts of lanthanum, cerium, thorium, or yttrium to molybdenum oxide to produce a slurry, heating the slurry in a hydrogen atmosphere to produce a powder, mixing and cold isostatically pressing the powder, sintering in a hydrogen atmosphere, and thermomechanically processing (swaging, extruding, cold drawing) the product. The ODS molybdenum alloy produced by the process contains 2-4% by volume (.about.1-4% by weight) of an oxide of lanthanum, cerium, thorium, or yttrium. The alloy has high strength and improved creep-resistance at temperatures greater than 0.55T.sub.m of molybdenum.

Abstract: Conformationally locked 4',6'-cyclopropane-fused carboxylic nucleoside analogues. The compounds are prepared by condensing a cyclopropane-fused carbocyclic allylic alcohol with substituted purine or pyrimidine bases. The condensation products are then modified to produce the adenosine, guanosine, cytidine, thymidine, and uracil nucleoside analogues. The compounds are therapeutically useful as antimetabolites, or in the preparation of anti-metabolic agents.

Abstract: The metastatic potential of tumors can be evaluated by the quantitative detection of urokinase and DNA. The cell sample selected for examination is analyzed for the presence of high levels of urokinase and abnormal DNA using analytical flow cytometry and digital image analysis. Other factors such as membrane associated urokinase, increased DNA synthesis rates and certain receptors can be used in the method for detection of potentially invasive tumors.

Abstract: A training device for digital assessment of intraocular pressure (IOP) that ncludes a body, top, bottom cover, and two legs. The body contains ten cylindrical cavities, the depth of each cavity selected such that the sloped bottom of the cavity intersects with a 0.625-inch diameter hole that is drilled into the body from the top. A thin, circular piece of latex membrane approximately one-inch in diameter is located directly over each 0.625-inch diameter hole. The bottom contains ten tapped holes, the centers of which are aligned with the centers of the cavities, each containing a threaded rod with sufficient length to permit the rod to be rotated up to move a plastic plunger sized so as to easily slide into and out of its cavity in the body without binding. Moving the rotated position of the threaded rod with respect to the bottom determines the location of the plastic plunger in the cavity.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of a pitch foam with a microcellular structure and a uniform pore size comprises the steps of (a) pressing a quantity of a pitch to provide a pressed article, (b) placing the pressed article in a pressure vessel, (c) introducing an inert gas into the pressure vessel under an elevated pressure of about 200 to 500 psi, (d) heating the pressed article within the pressure vessel to about 10.degree. to 40.degree. C.