Abstract: The invention is a new heat and fire resistant material and an improved wildland fire shelter and kit. The material is made of a woven silica-based cloth layered in several possible combinations with foil and fiberglass cloth layers. The layers can be arranged in a variety of sequences to minimize the thermal radiation to the inside of the material or shelter. However, a foil layer must always be the outermost layer to provide protection from radiant heat and a layer of foil must be present between the interior of the shelter or material and any layer of adhesive to limit accumulation of gases inside the shelter if the adhesive or other substance should break down when exposed to heat. The silica cloth, aluminum foil, and fiberglass cloth may be laminated or sewn together. The shape of the fire shelter is a half cylinder with ¼ sphere at each end. The shelter is contained in an easy-open polyvinyl bag which provides for quick removal and deployment of the fire shelter.

Abstract: The use of forms of hyaluronic acid having a molecular weight less than about 750,000 daltons selected from the group consisting of hyaluronic acid and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof is provided for the same purposes known for using recombinant GM-CSF or G-CSF.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of constrained coiled-coil polypeptides to mimic ?-helical structural elements of native proteins. These constrained peptidyl mimetics are used to generate and/or identify ligands, which selectively bind the ?-helical segment contained in the native protein.

Abstract: This invention relates to derivatives of hemiasterlin or Geodiamolide G having anti-mitotic activities and useful in treating cancer. These derivatives are represented by general formula I, wherein Y, n, R1, R2, R3, R6, R7, R70, R71, R72, R74, and R75 are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of identifying therapeutic agents which inhibit triacyglycerol hydrolase (TGH) activity, defined as TGH inhibitors, which are useful in the treatment of conditions resulting from elevated circulating levels of TG, VLDL/LDL-cholesterol and ApoB-100. Also claimed are therapeutic agents which are TGII inhibitors, identifiable by such methods and their use in combating diseases associated with elevated circulating levels of TG, VLDL/LDL-cholesterol and ApoB-100.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel complexes of (transition) metals containing ligands having phosphorus centers supporting a carbene atom or heteroalkane radical bonded to the (transition) metal.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to the production of alcohols. A first aspect of the invention relates to a process for production of alcohols, and in particular to a process for the catalytic hydration of an olefin to the corresponding alcohol in substantially anhydrous form, under selected mild reaction conditions, and using a selected catalyst. A second aspect of the invention relates to a process for dehydration of an azeotropic mixture, including a first alcohol and water. A hydration reaction between the water in the azeotropic mixture and an added olefin, under selected mild conditions, and using a selected catalyst, produces a product including a second alcohol corresponding to the olefin, and the first alcohol, in substantially anhydrous form.

Abstract: An electrodeposition process for producing a layered composite material and the layered composite material produced by the process. The layered composite material includes at least one layer of a first alloy species of an alloy and at least one layer of a second alloy species of the alloy. The first alloy species and the second alloy species have distinguishable properties. The process includes the steps of first energizing an electroplating circuit to provide a first electroplating current to deposit a layer of the first alloy species and second energizing the electroplating circuit to provide a second electroplating current to deposit a layer of the second alloy species. The alloy is preferably a gold-tin alloy, the first alloy species is preferably the Au5Sn alloy phase and the second alloy species is preferably the AuSn alloy phase.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel microfluidic device and methods of using this device to conduct in vitro studies on the reaction and effects of various compounds on cells. More particularly, it relates to a method for using stop flow in a microfluidic system to study the effect of compounds on individual cells.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to the production of alcohols. A first aspect of the invention relates to a process for production of alcohols, and in particular to a process for the catalytic hydration of an olefin to the corresponding alcohol in substantially anhydrous form, under selected mild reaction conditions, and using a selected catalyst. A second aspect of the invention relates to a process for dehydration of an azeotropic mixture, including a first alcohol and water. A hydration reaction between the water in the azeotropic mixture and an added olefin, under selected mild conditions, and using a selected catalyst, produces a product including a second alcohol corresponding to the olefin, and the first alcohol, in substantially anhydrous form.

Abstract: The present invention is for an apparatus and method for the wireless testing of Integrated Circutis and wafers. The apparatus comprises a test unit external from the wafer and at least one test circuit which is fabricated on the wafer which contains the Integrated Circuit. The test unit transmits an RF signal to power the test circuit. The test circuit, comprising a variable ring oscillator, performs a series of parametric tests at the normal operating frequency of the Integrated Circuit and transmits the test results to the test unit for analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for maintaining cardiac function by administering dichloroacetate (DCA) in combination with an inotrope.

Abstract: Steroid compounds having various oxygen substitution on the steroid nucleus are disclosed. A specific functionality present on many of the steroid compounds is oxygen substitution at both of positions 6 and 7. Thus, certain steroids have oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, and some have specific stereochemistries such as 6&agr; and 7&bgr; oxygen substitution, and an alpha hydrogen at the 5 position in addition to having 6&agr; and 7&bgr; oxygen substitution. Steroids having 3,4-epoxy functionality are also disclosed. In addition, steroids having C17 pyran and &dgr;-lactone functionality, with oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, or at C15, of the steroid nucleus, are disclosed.

Abstract: Steroid compounds having various oxygen substitution on the steroid nucleus are disclosed. A specific functionality present on many of the steroid compounds is oxygen substitution at both of positions 6 and 7. Thus, certain steroids have oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, and some have specific stereochemistries such as 6&agr; and 7&bgr; oxygen substitution, and an alpha hydrogen at the 5 position in addition to having 6&agr; and 7&bgr; oxygen substitution. Steroids having 3,4-epoxy functionality are also disclosed. In addition, steroids having C17 pyran and &dgr;-lactone functionality, with oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, or at C15, of the steroid nucleus, are disclosed.

Abstract: A composition and method for treating or preventing infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is disclosed. The composition includes a P. aeruginosa pilin peptide modified to prevent oligomerization of the pilin. The method involves administered the composition to a person infected with Pseudomonas are at risk of such infection.

Abstract: A process for recovering fine coals and clarifying water for recycling features with three distinct mechanisms: hydrophobic extraction, electrolyte coagulation, and macromolecular flocculation, which if desired may be integrated into a single stage. The hydrophobic extraction is accomplished using oil to form a coal-in-oil mixture. The process water is clarified using a flocculants, more preferably a combination of coagulant and anionic flocculants. With a well defined reagent addition scheme, this process allows a combustible recovery greater than 88% at an ash content less than 11%, while producing a clean water containing less than 20 ppm suspended solids from a tailing's stream. The coal-in-oil mixture may be used as a fuel for example in coal-firing boilers and power generators.

Abstract: The present invention is for an apparatus and method for the wireless testing of Integrated Circuits and wafers. The apparatus comprises a test unit external from the wafer and at least one test circuit which is fabricated on the wafer which contains the Integrated Circuit. The test unit transmits an RF signal to power the test circuit. The test circuit, comprising a variable ring oscillator, performs a series of parametric tests at the normal operating frequency of the Integrated Circuit and transmits the test results to the test unit for analysis.

Abstract: Functional polymers containing hydroxyl groups as supports for use with catalysts can increase the activity of these catalysts which results in improved ethylene polymerization. The present invention seeks to provide catalysts with improved activity by incorporating 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) into the support of the catalyst.

Abstract: A device and method for deagglomerating powder agglomerates for inhalation. The device includes an inlet connected to a chamber and to a powder source for supplying the chamber with powder agglomerates and a flow of gas that define a swirling fluid flow inside the chamber. The device also includes an outlet connected to the chamber for inhalation such that the swirling fluid flow in the chamber can exit from the chamber as a longitudinal fluid flow that is directed along a longitudinal axis of the outlet, and a secondary fluid flow that is directed away from the longitudinal axis of the outlet. A mesh in the outlet prevents powder agglomerates above a predetermined size from traversing the mesh, and reduces the secondary fluid flow relative to the longitudinal fluid flow exiting from the chamber to thereby reduce powder deposition in a mouth and throat of a user.

Abstract: A neural prosthesis has a generator of electrical pulses, the pulses having a sine wave shape with frequency greater than 5 kHz, which may be amplitude modulated with a modulator, a blocking electrode for delivery of the electrical pulses to the neuron of the human nerve, the blocking electrode being electrically connected to the generator; and a controller operatively connected to the generator, the controller including an input for receiving control inputs, a control circuit responsive to the control inputs, and an output line responsive to the control circuit for sending output signals, the output signals of the controller including at least a start signal and a stop signal for controlling the generator.