Abstract: The present invention provides a method for infrared pressureless infiltration of composites, including infiltration of carbon fibers and silicon carbide fibers with aluminum and titanium matrices. Composites produced by the methods of the present invention are also included within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: A gas phase process for the production of titanium dioxide powders having well-controlled crystalline and surface area characteristics is disclosed. In this process, which is preferably carried out in a laminar diffusion flame reactor, vapor phase TiCl.sub.4 and oxygen are mixed in a reaction area which is heated externally. The titanium dioxide powder formed is then collected. It is preferred that the heat source used be a hydrocarbon fueled (e.g., methane) flame. Optionally, a vapor phase dopant (such as SiCl.sub.4) may be added to the reaction mixture to desirably affect the physical properties of the titanium dioxide produced. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a corona electric field is positioned across the area where the combustion reaction takes place (i.e., the reaction area). High anatase, high surface area titanium dioxide powders made by this process are excellent photocatalysts. The products of this process and the use of those products as photocatalysts are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for application of metal coatings, specifically copper and silver, to continuous ceramic fibers, by electroless deposition. The method comprises the steps of: winding the uncoated ceramic fibers over a frame so that the fibers are coiled adjacent to each other; introducing the wound ceramic fibers into a solution of metal with which the fibers are to be coated; circulating the solution through said fibers; and contacting and causing the metal to be deposited on the wound fibers. Coated continuous ceramic fibers produced by the method of the present invention are also included within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: A method of loading a drug into a crosslinked polymer network and protecting the drug from the effects of inactivation is described. The method includes the steps of contacting a biologically active solute (e.g. drug) with: (i) a gel network; (ii) a loading polymer that is somewhat immiscible with the gel; and (iii) a salt, under conditions sufficient for the biologically active solute to selectively partition into the gel and the salt and the loading polymer to be entrained in the gel. A drug delivery system including a polymer gel network and the drug to be delivered is also described. The system also includes a salt and/or a loading polymer. The system protects the drug from loss of activity. In one embodiment, the polymer gel network is capable of expanding or collapsing in response to a change in an environmental condition to which the gel is exposed, the expanding or collapsing sufficient to release the drug into an environment of use.

Abstract: A method for preparing fibrinogen-coated liposomes is disclosed. In this process, fibrinogen and an acylating agent are reacted in the presence of a dispersion of liposomes under specifically defined reaction conditions. The liposomes formed using this process, pharmaceutical compositions containing those liposomes, and the methods of clotting blood and delivering pharmaceutically-active agents and/or other chemicals utilizing those pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: An orally administrable therapeutic protein is provided by combining the therapeutic protein with a stabilizing agent in an aqueous solution. The solution is coated onto nonpareils and microencapsulated with a water emulsifiable enteric coating composition. The microcapsules are orally administered. The coating protects the protein as it passes through the stomach. Upon reaching the small intestines, the basic pH of the intestinal juices will dissolve the coating, allowing the protein to be released and induce antigen specific immune response which has the specificity of the native molecule. The stabilizing agent protects the therapeutic protein from denaturation during the encapsulation process.

Abstract: A method of treating retroviral diseases such as AIDS in an infected host is provided. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one (pseudo)halogen complex of gold(I) in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The (pseudo)halogen complex in gold(I) can be chosen from the group consisting of:R--Au--[CN], R--Au--[SCN], and R--Au--[SeCN].R may be chosen from the group consisting of: phosphines (such as triethylphosphine); halogens (such as chlorine); and pseudohalogens (such as an additional cyano, thiocyanato or selenocyanato moiety). When R is an additional cyano moiety, the complex is termed a dicyanogold(I) complex, i.e., [Au(CN).sub.2 ].sup.-, and is preferably employed as an alkali, ammonium or alkaline earth salt. When R is another moiety, the complex may be either neutral or anionic in nature, and any anionic complexes are also preferably present as alkali, ammonium or alkaline earth salts.

Abstract: The invention provides analogs of PYY. The invention also provides compositions and methods useful for controlling biological activities such as cell proliferation, nutrient transport, lipolysis, and intestinal water and electrolyte secretion.

Abstract: A method of loading a drug into a crosslinked polymer network and protecting the drug from the effects of inactivation is described. The method includes the steps of contacting of a biologically active solute (i.e., drug) with:(i) a gel network; (ii) a second protectant polymer that is somewhat immiscible with the gel; and (iii) a protectant salt, under conditions sufficient for the biologically active solute to selectively partition into the gel and the protectants to be entrained in the gel. Most preferably, the gel network is a crosslinked gel responsive to a change in an environmental condition to which the gel is exposed.

Abstract: An orally administrable therapeutic protein is provided by combining the therapeutic protein with a stabilizing agent in an aqueous solution. The solution is coated onto nonpareils and microencapsulated with a water emulsifiable enteric coating composition. The microcapsules are orally administered. The coating protects the protein as it passes through the stomach. Upon reaching the small intestines, the basic pH of the intestinal juices will dissolve the coating, allowing the protein to be released and induce antigen specific immune response which has the specificity of the native molecule. The stabilizing agent protects the therapeutic protein from denaturation during the encapsulation process. In addition to being immunogenic, when administered orally, encapsulated allergen has a therapeutic effect in the treatment of human allergies.

Abstract: An absorbent, microporous foam comprising a crosslinked polymer having interconnected fluid cells distributed throughout its mass, wherein the fluid cells have a diameter of between about 0.1 and about 100 .mu.m, and wherein the foam can rapidly absorb at least about twice its dry weight in fluid, is disclosed.A method for producing a microporous, absorbent foam is also disclosed. This method comprises the steps of:(a) mixing a cross-linkable polymer and a first solvent to form a stable solution, wherein the stable solution can be induced to phase separate;(b) inducing the stable solution to phase separate into a polymer-concentrated phase and a polymer-dilute phase after a predetermined period of time;(c) inducing crosslinking of said polymer, so that the polymer will crosslink in said concentrated phase for a predetermined period of time during phase separation to thereby form a microporous material; and(d) drying the microporous material to produce the absorbent foam.

Abstract: A source emitting gamma rays of discrete energy is imaged using a Compton type scattering camera. The source location of emitted gamma rays is determined from primary and secondary interaction positions and the energy deposited (.DELTA.E) when the gamma-ray Compton scatters mainly from a primary detector system. .DELTA.E is mainly determined by measuring the energy of the scattered gamma ray when it interacts in a secondary detector system and subtracting this value from a known energy value of the emitted gamma ray. Gamma rays that undergo only one Compton scatter interaction in the primary detector system are emphasized or preferred in the image reconstruction. The present invention optimizes the materials, geometrics, and electronics of the primary and secondary detector system so as to maximize the occurrence and acquisition of these preferred events while simultaneously maintaining close proximity of primary system to the photon source as well as high energy resolution in the secondary detector system.

Abstract: Processes for the direct manufacture of nitride powders suitable for low temperature sintering are provided. An elemental vapor is contacted with a nitriding gas at temperatures between 1400 and 1973 K and atmospheric pressure to produce nitride powder.

Abstract: The invention concerns compounds and their enantiomers of the formula IA or IB ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 is independently selected from hydrogen or an alkyl group containing 1-6 carbon atoms and R.sup.5 is an alkoxy group containing 1-6 carbon atoms. The invention further concerns pharmaceutical compositions comprising the active compounds and methods employing the compounds for the treatment of conditions associated with free radical formation.

Abstract: A multi-well diode is disclosed which can be used with other electronic components as an electronic neuron circuit. The multi-well diode has an S-shaped current-voltage characteristic curve at forward bias whereby it remains in a low conductance state until its threshold voltage is exceeded, then switches through an unstable region of its characteristic curve into a high conductance state. The multi-well diode remains in the high conductance state until its bias voltage and current drops below its holding condition, at which time it switches into a low conductance state. The multi-well diode can be used in a pulse-mode input circuit, thereby generating a pulse-mode output signal which can have a different amplitude and frequency than the input signal. Such pulse-mode input circuits can be either excitatory or inhibitory in operation.

Abstract: A multi-well diode is disclosed which can be used with other electronic components as an electronic neuron circuit. Structural embodiments of the multi-well diode are disclosed having a p-i-n, n-i-n, or p-i-p configurations. In addition, the wells of the i-region are disclosed as being either n-type or p-type semiconductor material. The multi-well diode has an S-shaped current-voltage characteristic curve at forward bias whereby it remains in a low conductance state until its threshold voltage is exceeded, then switches through an unstable region of its characteristic curve into a high conductance state. The multi-well diode remains in the high conductance state until its bias voltage and current drops below its holding condition, at which time it switches into a low conductance state. The multi-well diode can be used in a pulse-mode input circuit, thereby generating a pulse-mode output signal which can have a different amplitude and frequency than the input signal.

Abstract: Compositions and a method for performing the room temperature vulcanization of silicone elastomers are disclosed. The compositions and method utilize specifically-defined hydroxy-terminated polyorganosiloxanes, cross-linking agents which contain a hydrolyzable moiety, a catalyst which exhibits catalytic action in the condensation reaction between the hydroxy groups of the polyorganosiloxanes and the hydrolyzable groups of the cross-linking agents, and a formamide-type cure accelerator component. It has been found that these compositions can be stably stored under substantially moisture-free conditions and be readily vulcanized to form solid elastomers when exposed to moisture in the air. The vulcanization process provides a fast cure and a final silicone rubber product which exhibits good depth of hardening and excellent physical properties.

Abstract: An improved reactor for treatment of wastewater having an influent line for wastewater, and effluent line for treated wastewater, and an aerobic bed fluidized by wastewater from the influent line. The bed is located between the influent line and the effluent line and contains particulate media seeded with a layer of bacteria. The improved reactor consists of an internal particulate media cleaning means located between the bed and an outlet to the effluent line for creating turbulence which shears excess biomass from the particulate media within the cleaning means and permits controlled exit of the excess biomass from the cleaning means and the reactor while maintaining cleaned media within the reactor. The internal particulate media cleaning means has at least one cylindrical screen with a longitudinal passage therethrough. The screen is respectively engaged to an inner periphery of the reactor above and below an outlet to the effluent line by gaskets fixed on opposite ends of the screen.

Abstract: Electrical heating elements and related articles having oxidation resistance at high temperatures, produced by a method involving micropyretic synthesis. A composition subjected to micropyretic synthesis comprises a filler material, a reactive system capable of undergoing micropyretic synthesis, and (optionally) a plasticizer or extrusion agent. The method of preparation of articles includes slurry techniques, plastic extrusion, slip casting, or coating.

Abstract: A slurry for joining metallic or ceramic surfaces or for coating metallic or ceramic and refractory surfaces, comprising a liquid suspending medium and at least two constituents in particulate form suspended in the medium, the constituents being so selected and proportioned as to undergo combustion synthesis when ignited. A method for coating or joining metallic or ceramic surfaces comprises applying such a slurry to a surface to be coated or to surfaces to be joined, and igniting the slurry to cause combustion synthesis.