Abstract: There are provided vanadium compositions for use in the treatment of hypertension, obesity and diabetes, in particular improved oral compositions comprising oxovanadium (IV) chelates of monoprotic, bidentate oxygen, oxygen and oxygen, nitrogen coordinating ligands especially kojic acid and maltol.

Abstract: An electrostatic transducer in which a plurality of perforated sheets are arranged adjacent one another in a stack. A gas-filled gap separates each adjacent pair of sheets. Conductive surfaces on each sheet impose an electric field within the respective gaps. A flexible positioning mechanism disposed between each adjacent pair of sheets maintains a desired average thickness of the gaps. A high porosity gas reservoir structure is fixed to one outer end of the stack, such that gas may flow through the sheets between the respective gaps and the reservoir. A cover sheet fixed to an end of the stack opposite the reservoir prevents gas flow between the gaps and the region external to the stack during operation of the transducer within its intended operating frequency range.

Abstract: A process of producing fat free chips cooks the chips and while at elevated temperature and containing sufficient moisture to form the desired pore structure in the chips subjects the chips to sub-atmospheric pressure to expand the moisture into stream and form small pores within the chip structure to provide a cooked fat free product have a similar texture and taste to that of convention deep fried chips.

Abstract: A pressure sensing system is formed by a sensor mounted one to rotate with each tire and adapted to sense the pressure in the tire and generate a signal corresponding to the tire pressure, a movable contact system is moved into an operative position only when the vehicle is stopped and provides power (if required) to the sensor and contacts to deliver the electrical signals indicative of the tire air pressure to the vehicle body where it may be displayed for the operator's convenience.

Abstract: A new form of dried krill is provided by a plurality of substantially separate whole dried krill carcasses substantially all of which have a natural red color and sufficient strength and integrity to withstand normal handling without crumbling into small pieces and retain a strong wholesome fish aroma and flavor. The krill are dried by a method wherein a sequence of energy applications are applied at pressures below atmospheric and the surface of the product simultaneously swept by air to remove moisture. During the process the krill are subjected to a tumbling action. The energy applications are preferably microwave energy applications.

Abstract: A light guide having a non-light emitting portion made up of multiple layers of first and second substantially non-absorptive longitudinally specular light reflector materials. The index of refraction of each layer differs from the indices of refraction of the immediately adjacent layers, such that the layers collectively have high longitudinally specular reflectivity. The light guide also has a light emitting portion made of prism light guide wall material. A substantially non-absorptive light scattering mechanism is positioned within the non-light emitting portion in opposition to the light emitting portion.

Abstract: A method for determining the composite triple beat (CTB), composite second order beat (CSO) and/or SNOW noise of cable television signal is obtained by digitizing a quiet line and determining the Fourier transform of the digitized signal and measuring the energy in the frequency range corresponding to the particular impairment of being determined. Repeating this process a significant number of time to accumulate a significant number N of values for the impairment and then using the average of the accumulated intensity to define the amount of the impairment.

Abstract: A single point mutation in the human lipoprotein lipase gene which results in an A.fwdarw.G nucleotide change at codon 291 (nucleotide 1127) of the lipoprotein lipase gene, and a substitution of serine for the normal asparagine in the lipoprotein lipase gene product is seen with increased frequency in patients with coronary artery disease, and is associated with an increased susceptibility to coronary artery disease, including in particular premature atherosclerosis. This is expressed as a diminished catalytic activity of lipoprotein lipase, lower HDL-cholesterol levels and higher triglyceride levels. Thus, susceptibility of a human individual to premature atherosclerosis and other forms of coronary artery disease can be evaluated byevaluating the sample of DNA for the presence of nucleotides encoding a serine residue as amino acid 291 of the lipoprotein lipase gene product. The presence of a serine residue is indicative of increased susceptibility in the patient.

Abstract: A novel 5,15-diarylbenzochlorin-7-one compound having the formula (I) or (II): ##STR1## wherein M is a metal. A novel method for synthesizing the compound of formula (I) comprises the steps of:a. cyclizing a meso-(formylvinyl) 5,15-diarylporphyrin to form a cyclization reaction mixture, andb. oxidizing said reaction mixture to form the 5,15-diarylbenzochlorin-7-one of formula (I).A novel method for synthesizing the compound of formula (II) comprises the cyclizing and oxidizing steps listed above and, either prior to or after the oxidizing step, adding the step of demetallating the compound.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies immunoreactive with tumor-associated antigen, CA 215 which is present on an ovarian tumor cell line, fragments of those antibodies (either radiolabeled, bound to a toxin, or unlabeled), and the cell line which secretes them are described.

Abstract: A controllable optical mirror system incorporating a ferro-fluid having a surface which acquires an equilibrium shape in response to a gravitational field, rotational motion, and applied magnetic fields. The magnetic field has a predetermined spatial variation which produces an advantageous optical shape in the ferro-fluid surface.

Abstract: A .beta.,.beta.'-dihydroxy meso-substituted chlorin, bacteriochlorin or isobacteriochlorin compound having the formula (I) or (II): ##STR1## wherein M is a metal. A novel method for synthesizing the compound of formula (I) or (II) comprises the steps of:a. osmylating a .beta...beta.'-unsubstituted, meso-substituted porphyrin to form an osmate ester at the .beta.,.beta.'-position, andb. reducing the osmate ester to form the corresponding .beta.,.beta.'-dihydroxy meso-substituted chlorin, bacteriochlorin or isobacteriochlorin of formula (I) or (II).

Abstract: Steroid compounds of the contignasterol family, including stereoisomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, as well as compositions containing these materials and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, are disclosed. The steroid compounds have a 3.alpha.-hydroxyl, a 4.beta.-hydroxyl, a 6.alpha.-hydroxyl, a 7.beta.-hydroxyl, a 15-ketone, a trans A/B ring juncture and a cis or trans C/D ring juncture. The compounds and compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention of inflammatory or allergic reactions, or the treatment of cardiovascular or haemodynamic disorders.

Abstract: A biologically pure DNA sequence which encodes an endo 1,4-.beta.-glucanase, useful for the efficient conversion of cellulose to glucose, is disclosed. Also disclosed are recombinant DNA cloning vehicles (vectors) that contain nucleotide sequences that encode for the aforesaid endoglucanase, proteins that exhibit endoglucanase activity, expression-controlling DNA sequences, microorganisms that contain recombinant DNA cloning vehicles, as well as messenger RNA sequences complementary to a DNA strand of the aforesaid DNA nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer having a substrate bearing a plurality of elastomeric microstructures with a microelectrode on each microstructure. A power supply is connected to the microelectrodes for controlled application to them of an electrical potential which alternately induces forces of attraction between adjacent pairs of microelectrodes, causing controlled, time-varying displacement of the microelectrodes. Alternatively, a further plurality of microelectrodes (or one or more macroelectrodes) are elastomerically supported above the microelectrodes, with the power supply being connected to the macroelectrode(s) such that the electrical potential applied between the microelectrodes and macroelectrode(s) alternately induces forces of attraction between the microelectrodes and macroelectrode(s), causing controlled, time-varying displacement of the microelectrodes relative to the macroelectrode(s). The macroelectrode(s) can also be applied to a side of the substrate opposite the microstructures.

Abstract: Aminocyclohexylester compounds, including thioesters, are disclosed. The compounds of the present invention may be incorporated in compositions and kits. The present invention also discloses a variety of in vitro and in vivo uses for the compounds and compositions, including the blockade of ion channels and the treatment of arrhythmias.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for relaxing smooth muscle in a warm-blooded animal are provided, comprising the step of administering to the animal a transition-metal nitrosyl complex. In one aspect, the transition-metal nitrosyl complex is represented by the formula L.sub.3 M(NO).sub.y X.sub.3-y where L is a two-electron Lewis base or L.sub.3 is a six-electron Lewis base, M is a Group 6 or 8 transition-metal, and when y is 1, X is carbon monoxide, and when y is 2, X is a halide or pseudohalide. In another aspect, the transition-metal nitrosyl complex is represented by the formula [M(NO).sub.2 X.sub.y ].sub.2 where X is a halide or pseudohalide, and when M is a Group 6 transition-metal, y is 2, and when M is a Group 8 transition-metal, y is 1. Methods are also described for treating hypertension, angina pectoris, congestive heart disease, and impotence utilizing pharmaceutical compositions comprising the above-described transition-metal nitrosyl complexes.

Abstract: A regenerable biosensor probe adapted for positioning in a bioreactor comprises a selectively permeable interface membrane, a porous protein-receiving matrix adjacent to the interface membrane, an indicating electrode, an inlet conduit through which fresh protein conjugate may flow to the protein-receiving matrix, and an outlet conduit through which spent protein conjugate may be removed from the protein-receiving matrix. A selectively permeable interface membrane, which may be used in a biosensor system to separate biochemical, optical or other processes from an analyte matrix comprises a supporting mesh, a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer impregnated substrate and a homogenous film of perfluorosulfonic acid polymer.A method of preparing this interface membrane comprises fixing a substrate on to a supporting mesh to form a substrate membrane, casting a perfluorosulfonic and polymer on the substrate membrane and curing the product to so formed.

Abstract: A sulfur dioxide free process for the production of high purity metallic copper from copper-matte wherein copper-matte is leached under oxidizing conditions in a ferric-containing acid copper sulfate electrolyte leach assembly including one or more leach reactors to yield a copper-rich electrolyte, and copper cathode is produced in an electrowinning assembly which is physically decoupled from the leaching assembly and may include one or more electrowinning cells. The process operates at ambient pressure and temperatures less than the boiling point.

Abstract: There are provided vanadium compositions for use in the treatment of hypertension, obesity and diabetes, in particular improved oral compositions comprising oxovanadium (IV) chelates of monoprotic, bidentate oxygen, oxygen and oxygen, nitrogen coordinating ligands especially kojic acid and maltol.