Abstract: Assays are provided for detecting the existence of active rheumatoid arthritis by detecting rheumatoid factor as a blood component which cross-links human IgG with sheep IgG. Particularly, an enzyme labelled assay is provided using biotin-avidin to link the enzyme to the immunoglobulin.

Abstract: Propargylic and allenic sulfones are disclosed having the ability to selectively cleave nucleic acids, especially deoxyribonucleic acid. Such compositions are capable of being synthetically modified to effect cleavage at selected, sequenced sites on nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to biological compounds derivatized so as to contain at least one perfluoro-t-butyl moiety for use in fluorine-19 NMR and/or MRI studies. The perfluoro-t-butyl (PFTB) moiety, ##STR1## is an excellent reporter group for fluorine-19 NMR/MRI. It is a source of nine magnetically equivalent fluorine nuclei which generate a single intense resonance for easy detection in spectroscopy or imaging. This signal is a sharp singlet, not split by neighboring nuclei or spread over a wide frequency range and eliminates any chance of ghost images which might arise from multiple resonances. These spectral properties ensure a maximum signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) for readily detecting this moiety. The foregoing allows either reduction in the concentration of the derivatized compound, ability to use MRI instruments with lower field strengths, a reduction in imaging times, or a combination of the foregoing as a result of this moiety producing a single, sharp, intense resonance.

Abstract: A method of reducing residual stresses in a fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite laminate having at least one free edge includes the step of heating a region adjacent the free edge using a platen for a time period sufficient to form a localized melt zone of the thermoplastic in the region. The heating step is however done under a sufficient pressure to prevent delamination of the laminate. After this is done, the region is cooled for a time period and under a pressure sufficient using a platen to solidify the region and to prevent the lamination thereof.

Abstract: Insecticidal compositions comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of delta-aminolevulinic acid, inducers of delta aminolevulinic acid, and enhancers of delta-aminolevulinic acid conversion to photodynamic tetrapyrroles; and methods of making and using same.

Abstract: This invention provides a cytotoxin composition that inhibits mitochondrial respiration and causes cytostasis in cells, independent of nitric oxide. The invention comprises a conditioned supernatant derived from macrophage cell line (EA13.5) that inhibits mitochondrial respiration and causes cytostasis in cells. More particularly, the invention comprises a macrophage cytotoxin obtained from conditioned supernatant collected from cultured EA13.5 cell. This macrophage cytotoxin (1) inhibits mitochondrial respiration, (2) causes cytostasis independent of L-arginine derived nitric oxide, (3) is a weakly acidic (pI of about 7.5 to 8.0) glycoprotein (as determined by binding to lentil lectin sepharose). The invention also discloses a method for producing an L-arginine-derived nitric oxide-independent macrophage cytotoxin by culturing EA13.5 cells, adding IFN-.gamma.

Abstract: The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising hypolipidemically active derivatives of 1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-diones, 1,3,5-triazabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,4-diones, and 1,3,5-triazine-2,4(1H,3H)-diones in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for treating hyperlipidemia in mammals, particularly humans.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of conducting affinity chromatographic separations of biomaterials which comprises contacting the biomaterial with a solid support comprising a generally spherical bead having a generally central magnetic core and a surrounding exterior coat about the core comprising a material capable of binding with the biomaterial.

Abstract: A durable, frictionless remote controlled manipulator, which is compact, stable, easy to construct, and has good dynamic capability, is a cradle suspension of lever arms, joined by crossed spring hinges to form a parallelogram suspension. The suspension creates vertical motions that have minimal cross-coupled horizontal error. Vertical cross-coupling error that arises at the extremes of parallelogram displacement in the two horizontal axes is hydraulically corrected by the remote controller. Thus, displacements are more nearly mutually perpendicular, and the position of the microtool more faithfully corresponds to the micromter settings. Being compact, the device can be mounted on a microscope stage to minimize cantilevering of the microtool, which is an unwanted source of vibration and also limits the load bearing in larger devices that can only be placed alongside the microscope.

Abstract: A method serving for recording spin resonance spectra of test samples having at least two groups (CH.sub.3, CH) of nuclei of the same kind and of substantially identical chemical shift, comprises the step of suppressing the signal of the second group (CH) for the purpose of obtaining an isolated image of the signal of the first group (CH.sub.3). To this end, a pulse sequence of four r.f. pulses, preferably 90.degree. r.f. pulses (10, 12, 13, 14), are irradiated upon the sample. The first r.f. pulse (10) is a soft pulse, selective for the nuclei of the first group (CH.sub.3). The second r.f. pulse (12) is a soft pulse, selective for the nuclei of the second group (CH), and causes the magnetizations of the nuclei of the first group (CH.sub.3) and of the second group (CH) to be transferred, at least in part, to a state of multiple-quantum coherence. Immediately following the second r.f. pulse (12) the third r.f.

Abstract: Vectors for the cloning of heterologous genes in yeast, which have the characteristic that they contain at least the entire DNA of the pKD1 plasmid (isolated from Kluyveromyces drosophilarum) or a part of the same, as well as a DNA segment bearing any heterologous gene and the sequence necessary for the expression of said gene. The high stability of yeasts transformed by said vectors allows their utilization on an industrial scale in various biotechnological fields.

Abstract: A low cost process for the high yield recovery of wheat gluten and starch is provided which comprises initially pearling whole wheat kernels to remove germ and a part of the bran, followed by grinding to an average particle size of 100-400 microns. The ground, pearled wheat is then subjected to wet processing to isolate gluten and starch. Yields of gluten are 20-25% higher than yields using flour as a starting material.

Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of stylets insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The stylets are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant.

Abstract: A general purpose programmable neural computer which parallel processes analog data. The neural computer comprises neural elements for outputting an analog signal in response to at least one input signal, synaptic circuits interfaced with the neural elements for modifying gains of the neural elements, and switching circuits interfaced with the synaptic circuits and the neural circuits for routing signals between the synapse circuits and the neural circuits and for modifying the synaptic time constants, thereby changing connection architecture of the general purpose analog computer as desired. In this manner, the neural computer of the invention can be programmed to learn different confirurations as well as different synaptic values.

Abstract: A visual image comparison method is provided, including the steps of: obtaining a first digital representation of a first visual image, where the first digital representation comprises a first plurality of pixels, and each pixel has a gray scale indicative of light intensity; obtaining a second digital representation of a second visual image, where the second digital representation comprises a second plurality of pixels, and each pixel has a gray scale indicative of light intensity; and selectively making a first predetermined number of comparisons of corresponding pixels from the first and second digital representations to determine whether a difference in ambient light intensity exists between the first and second visual images, and, selectively making a second predetermined number of comparisons of corresponding pixels from the first and second digital representations if and only if no difference in ambient light intensity exists between the first and second visual images, and indicating an alarm condition

Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of stylets insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The stylets are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant and DMSO is disclosed as a penetrating cyroprotectant.

Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of styles insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The styles are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to detect feline blood type B comprising: combining feline blood with a sufficient amount of Triticum vulgaris lectin to agglutinate feline blood type B. Additionally, this invention relates to a kit to detect feline blood type B.

Abstract: A composite having third order non-linear optical activity comprising, an organic polymer and an inorganic material. The organic polymer has third order nonlinear optical activity and the inorganic material is a sol-gel glass. The organic polymer or a precursor of the organic polymer is mutually soluble with a precursor of the sol-gel glass. The invention also includes photonic media having the above composite and a method of making the composite.

Abstract: A device for use in cryopreservation of blood vessels comprising a pair of stylets insertable into the ends of a dissected blood vessel segment. The stylets are mountable on a support track whereby the blood vessel can be distended and supported during cryopreservation procedures. Also disclosed is a freezing and thawing profile capable of maximizing endothelial cell survival. The use of chondroitin sulfate or similar compound is discussed as a novel cryoprotectant.