Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning, aligning and orienting fibers in flowing fluids, to permit fibers such as wood pulp fibers to be accurately imaged and rapidly measured with little operator involvement, utilizing a plugging resistant and fouling resistant sheath flow cell, is described. An embodiment is disclosed which simultaneously determines the distributions of shape (curl) and length of samples of wood pulp fibers. Fibers are transported in a dilute water suspension through a sheath flow cell that orients fibers normal to an imaging system that includes a two-dimensional CCD video camera. Images of fibers are analyzed rapidly by a processor, which calculates the shape and length of individual fibers. The data are displayed on a cathode ray tube screen while a pulp sample is being analyzed, and are stored in processor memory for further analysis.

Abstract: A group of hydro-dibenzoporphyrins prepared by di-Diels-Alder additions at the A and C rings of the appropriate divinyl porphyrins have absorption maxima in the range of 700-820 nanometers and are photosensitizing agents. These compounds are useful in treating disorders or conditions which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light, or in treating biological materials generally to destroy unwanted targets such as viruses, cells and tissues. The use of the compounds of the invention permits irradiation with wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The compounds of the invention may also be conjugated to ligands specific for receptors or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to home to target tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of photosensitizer to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition useful for lowering blood sugar and suppressing appetite in mammals. The composition comprises compounds of a formula selected from VOL.sub.2 or VO(OR)L.sub.2 in which L is a bidentate monoprotic ligand and R is an organic group. The composition includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention also provides a method of lowering blood sugar and suppressing appetite in a mammal that comprises administering to the mammal a compound of the above formula.

Abstract: A biological electrode array connects electrical apparatuses to the skin surface of a living body. The array includes an insulating mount having a central area. A case is connected to the mount and has a cavity with conductive shielding extending thereabout. A plurality of shielding electrodes extend from the insulating mount and are spaced-apart about the central area. The shielding electrodes are electrically connected to the shielding of the case. A plurality of spaced-apart brush-tip electrodes extend from the central area of the mount. Signal buffers within the cavity of the case are electrically connected to the brush-tip electrodes. Conductors extend from the cavity, each conductor being electrically connected to one of the buffers. The brush-tip electrodes have thin, but resilient wires, typically of hard stainless steel or tungsten.

Abstract: An inverse kinematics method of determining joint variables for a manipulator is obtained by forming a model by modifying offset values of a selected arm segments of the manipulator to define a model for which it is possible to derive closed-form inverse kinematics equations for solving the joint variables for said model, developing from said closed-form inverse kinematics equations a system of not more than 3 non-linear equations in not more than 3 unknowns which when solved give an inverse kinematics solution for the model, solving the system of at most 3 non-linear equations to provide the inverse kinematic solution for said manipulator to determine its joint variables.

Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor having base, emitter and undoped amorphous silicon collector regions formed on a crystalline silicon substrate. A p-n junction is formed in the substrate, beneath the collector region. A single such transistor may be configured as a static memory device which may be reversibly switched between stable first and second states by applying a voltage of about 8 to 10 volts to the collector and by selectively applying positive or negative pulses of about .+-.0.75 volts to the base.

Abstract: A group of hydro-monobenzoporphyrins "green porphyrins" (Gp) having absorption maxima in the range of 670-780 nanometers is useful in treating disorders or conditions which are subject to hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) treatment in the presence of light, or in treating virus, cells and tissues generally to destroy unwanted targets. The use of the Gp of the invention permits the irradiation for therapy to use wavelengths other than those absorbed by blood. The Gp of the invention may also be conjugated to ligands specific for receptor or to specific immunoglobulins or fragments thereof to target specific tissues or cells for the radiation treatment. Use of these materials permits lower levels of drug to be used, thus preventing side reactions which might destroy normal tissues.

Abstract: A multi-operation control system includes a plurality of slave computers each controlling its respective operation and forming at least one operating system. Each slave computer has a memory for storing a plurality of sequential movement instructions to be carried out by the slave and the micro-controller. Each slave computer monitors the operation it controls, compares the monitored operation with the current movement instruction and generates a flag signal if the monitored operation and current movement instruction differ by more than a preselected amount. This flag signal is transmitted to all of the slave computers of the operating system of which the slave computer is a part. The slave computers carry out their movement instructions in steps in working time increments. The step of movement to be carried out in a time increment is updated only when no flag signal is received by the slave computers, i.e.

Abstract: A cable television signal for example may be monitored and impairments determined and in many cases classified by grabbing at least portion of a transmitted frame of video information somewhere on the network to provide a video signal, performing a two dimensional Fourier transform on the video signal and analyzing the Fourier transform so obtained to determine the location of areas indicating above average occurrence of specific frequencies to provide an indication of an impairment.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for controlling the motion of a double acting hydraulic actuator determines the flow to and from the actuator in accordance with1. the desired movement of the actuator2. the measured hydraulic pressures on opposite sides of the piston of the actuator3. a selected, predefined model of the system of which the actuator forms a partand sets the valves controlling the flows accordingly.

Abstract: A digitally controlled valve system is composed of the main fluid control valve with a displaceable flow control portion (spool) that is controllably displaced by a digital pressure generator that generates digitally incremented pressure changes which operate against a biassing pressure or spring to displace the spool in a direct relationship to the pressure provided by the pressure generator. In one version, a main valve directs flow to either a high or a low pressure-control valve each of which is biassed toward a closed position by a pressure substantially equivalent to the pressure drop of flow of fluid through the main valve which pressure closes the valve stop flow when the pressure drop is too high (i.e. flow through the main valve is throttled). The flows through the valves are selectively adjusted via the digitally-generated pressure from the digital pressure generator.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the synthesis and use as therapeutic agents of a group of substances with a glycerol backbone or aliphatic chain structure linked to a phosphorus atom and a polar head group. Depending on the polar head group, the substance has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy or anti-cardiovascular disease properties. Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is 0 to 14 and R.sub.1 is an alkyl group of C.sub.12 -C.sub.20, R.sub.2 is a methyl group, and wherein R.sub.3 is an inositol analog head group, a (CH.sub.2).sub.m N.sup.+ (CH.sub.3).sub.3 group with m=2 to 10, a serine head group, or an ethanolamine head group, or of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are as described above, n=0 or 1, and R.sub.3 is (CH.sub.2).sub.m N.sup.+ (CH.sub.3).sub.3 (m=2-10) are claimed.

Abstract: Green porphyrins (Gp), compounds important in photodynamic therapy, have been associated with lipocomplexes to reduce the required amount of photosensitizer through higher effective absorption and increased specificity. BPDs, especially in conjunction with the HDL fraction of plasma lipoproteins, has been shown to be particularly effective in this context. Pharmaceutical compositions in which these combinations are the active ingredients for use in diagnosis and treatment of tumors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fusion protein is prepared containing a polypeptide such as an enzyme and an amino acid sequence having a substrate binding region of a polysaccharidase such as cellulase that has essentially no polysaccharidase activity. By contacting the fusion protein with an affinity matrix containing a substrate such as cellulose for the cellulase substrate binding region, the substrate binding region binds to the affinity matrix to immobilize the polypeptide. The polypeptide can be purified by separating the fusion protein or polypeptide from the affinity matrix. The polypeptide can be separated by cleaving the protein with a Cellulomonas fimi protease.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a novel group of Thiarubrine substances and closely related derivatives, useful as antifungal and antibiotic agents.

Abstract: A modular digital actuator is formed by interconnecting a plurality of modules. Each of the modules includes a housing having a pair of different sized axially extending cylinder sections in which is received a T-shaped piston with the top of the T mating with the larger cylinder and the leg of the T forming a piston in the smaller cylinder. The leg of the T is hollow and forms a cylinder to receive an axially extending piston forming shaft to thereby provide three preferably different sized cooperating piston and cylinder areas, one formed in the cavity or hollows of the leg of the T, a second formed between the top of the T surrounding the leg of the T and the junction between the larger cylinder section and smaller cylinder section and the third formed in the smaller cylinder section between a closed free end of the smaller cylinder section and the leg of the T surrounding the piston forming shaft. The top of the T forms a piston wall in a fourth hydraulic cavity.

Abstract: Novel transcription initiation regions that provide for enhanced transcription of a DNA sequence, particularly a plant sequence, are provided.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the novel use of N-acetyl glucosamine to minimize or eliminate food intolerance or food allergy symptoms in human beings afflicted with these symptoms by maintaining the integrity and normal function of the gastrointestinal tract in such human beings. A method of alleviating food sensitivity and food allergy in a human being comprising feeding the human being a therapeutic amount of N-acetyl glucosamine on a periodic basis.

Abstract: A propeller system is formed on a shaft by at least one pair of axially spaced propeller blades each having a first and a second blade section extending at a selected acute (or obtuse) angle to the axis of the shaft, the first sections and second sections respectively of the pair of propeller blades are substantially parallel to each other and the tips of the first sections of each of the blades are connected to the tips of the second section of each of the blades respectively to form a box shape. The shaft is connected to the propeller system in a manner so that the axis of the shaft extends substantially diagonally of the box shape whereby the parallel sections of the blades move in opposite directions relative to the fluid in which they are contained when the shaft is rotated to facilitate improvement of the efficiency of the propeller system.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the use of medium chain fatty acids (C8-10) in the treatment of skin lesions. More particularly, the invention relates to a preparation containing medium chain fatty acids (C8-10) which has beneficial effects when applied topically in skin conditions, including acne, psoriasis, chronic conditions considered to be pre-cancerous lesions, and malignant lesions of skin. A composition for topically treating skin lesions which comprises a fatty acid of a carbon number from 8 to 10 having a free carboxyl group and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.