Abstract: A method for assessing lung maturity in a fetus or an infant comprises adding a fluorescent dye to a pulmonary effluent, causing the dye to fluoresce by illumination with an excitation wavelength of monochromatic light, and measuring the intensity of the fluorescence at two different wavelengths. Alternatively, the method comprises sequential illumination with two different excitation wavelengths and measurement of the intensity of fluorescence caused by each excitation wavelength at a single emission wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for suspending objects such as plants, specifically in a clip and string combination for applying upward direction. One end of the string is fastened to the object to be supported. The string is subsequently placed over a horizontal support wire above the object. The other end of the string is attached to an upper arm of an S-shaped clip, which is bent in two planes and which may alternatively incorporate more adjacent arms. The portion of the string between the object and the support wire is woven between the arms of the clip, which is then pushed downward on the string until it is taut. Periodically, as in the cycle of a plant, the clip can be adjusted along the string.

Abstract: A seawater deaerator has a large reservoir through which seawater slowly flows. Gas is injected into the bottom of the reservoir through porous aeration stones forming bubble nuclei. The seed bubbles move upward through the seawater in the reservoir expanding but not coalescing, and withdrawing dissolved gas from the seawater. The deaerated seawater flows out of the reservoir and subsequently flows through spouts into a flash evaporator. Gas is withdrawn from a low pressure gas chamber at the top of the reservoir by a vacuum pump. The exhaust of the vacuum pump supplies gas to the air injectors.

Abstract: A color liquid crystal display and display material formed by microdroplets of chiral or cholesteric liquid crystal phase dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The liquid crystal in the microdroplets exhibits strong negative dielectric anisotropy so that in the presence of an electric field the helical planes of the chiral material align perpendicular to the field. Incident light is reflected at a selected wavelength depending upon the helical pitch. In the field-OFF state, the liquid crystal directors are configured or randomly oriented so as to scatter incident light.

Abstract: A multibeam structure measures displacement of one or more response elements to detect multiple components of applied force. The flexible beams are each coupled to a response element which may be displaced by a force arising from linear acceleration, angular acceleration, fluid flow, electric/magnetic/gravitational fields, and other sources. The displacement of the response element is detected with a variety of sensing methods including capacitive and piezoresistive sensing.

Abstract: A seawater deaerator has a large reservoir through which seawater slowly flows. Gas is injected into the bottom of the reservoir through porous aeration stones forming bubble nuclei. The seed bubbles move upward through the seawater in the reservoir expanding but not coalescing, and withdrawing dissolved gas from the seawater. The deaerated seawater flows out of the reservoir and subsequently flows through spouts into a flash evaporator. Gas is withdrawn from a low pressure gas chamber at the top of the reservoir by a vacuum pump. The exhaust of the vacuum pump supplies gas to the air injectors.

Abstract: A multibeam structure measures displacement of one or more response elements to detect multiple components of applied force. The flexible beams are each coupled to a response element which may be displaced by a force arising from linear acceleration, angular acceleration, fluid flow, electric/magnetic/gravitational fields, and others sources. The displacement of the response element is detected with a variety of sensing methods including capacitive and piezoresistive sensing.

Abstract: A termite barrier comprising granular material having granules with sizes ranging from 1.7 millimeters to 2.4 millimeters made of sand, gravel, rock or basalt.

Abstract: A multibeam structure measures displacement of one or more response elements to detect multiple components of applied force. The flexible beams are each coupled to a response element which may be displaced by a force arising from linear acceleration, angular acceleration, fluid flow, electric/magnetic/gravitational fields, and others sources. The displacement of the response element is detected with a variety of sensing methods including capacitive and piezoresistive sensing.

Abstract: A magnetic and electric force sensing method uses a force responsive transducer made of a micromachined, solid state magnetic sensor consisting of a central silicon platform surrounded and supported by a thin silicon membrane. The silicon substrate is placed over an aluminum pad recessed into a well on a supporting glass substrate. The magnetic sensor responds to a static method of measuring force whereby the Earth's magnetic field or magnetic field or other origin acts as an attractive or repulsive force towards the magnetic material placed onto the silicon platform. The magnetic force mechanically displaces the silicon platform and diaphragm membrane which is transduced to an electrical signal where a change in capacitance is measured. Geometry of the silicon platform, diaphragm membrane and glass well depth are used to affect the linearity, sensitivity and range of measurements of the magnetic sensor.

Abstract: Scytophycins A, B, C, D and E, an aldehyde and alcohol derivative of scytophycin B and the specified alkanoyl and benzoyl esters of scytophycins A, B, C, D and E and the B derivatives (scytophycin compounds) are novel antineoplastic and antifungal agents. Antifungal compositions containing a scytophycin compound and methods of inhibiting fungi, especially plant pathogenic fungi, using these compositions are included. A method for producing the scytophycin complex, comprising scytophycins A, B, C, D and E, using a new strain of the blue-green alga Scytonema pseudohofmanni, and a biologically purified culture of the alga are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to force responsive transducers and more particularly concerns a micromachined, solid state micro-scale. The device consists of a central silicon platorm surrounded and supported by a thin silicon membrane. The silicon substrate is placed over an aluminum pad recessed into a well on a supporting glass substrate. The micro-scale responds to a static method of measuring force, similar to a spring scale. A gravitational acceleration vector acting on a mass placed onto the device produces a force known as weight. The weight mechanically displaces the silicon platform and membrane which is transduced to an electrical signal where a change in capacitance is measured. Geometry of the silicon platform, membrane and glass well depth may be used to affect the linearity, sensitivity and range of measurement of the micro-scale.

Abstract: A multibeam structure measures displacement of one or more response elements to detect multiple components of applied force. The flexible beams are each coupled to a response element which may be displaced by a force arising from linear acceleration, angular acceleration, fluid flow, electric/magnetic/gravitational fields, and others sources. The displacement of the response element is detected with a variety of sensing methods including capacitive and piezoresistive sensing.

Abstract: This invention relates to contactless proximity sensing transducers and more particularly concerns a single crystal ultrasonic interferometer comprised of a piezoelectric crystal attached to a Pyrex plate for acoustic impedance matching purposes. When driven at the crystal's resonant frequency, the electrical impedance of the crystal becomes sensitive to the input acoustical impedance of the interferometric path length between the crystal and the target object. By monitoring the crystal impedance at a fixed frequency as target position is varied, the sensor is capable of determining the incremental displacement of the moving target. By monitoring the crystal impedance at a fixed target position as the driving frequency is varied, the sensor is capable of determining the absolute proximity of the target. The geometry of the piezoelectric crystal and the Pyrex plate are used to affect the resolution and frequency response of the sensor.

Abstract: A device for measuring the viscosity of pure and mixed fluids is described. The device is a micromechanical capacitor transducer, with a moving membrane and a stationary metal plate constituting the capacitive system. A conduit for gas flow permits the gas to fill the volume between the moving membrane and metal plate. The gas viscosity sensor is operable by applying a d.c. pulse of an a.c. electrical voltage. By electrically driving the device the conducting membrane is caused to deflect with respect to the stationary metal plate. This results in a measureable capacitance, frequency or resistance change with time. The impedance to flow determines the response time of the capacitor plate membrane displacement. Thus the viscosity of pure and mixed fluids is indicated by the transient and/or a.c. characteristics of the device capacitance.

Abstract: A composite unipolar-bipolar semiconductor device in which a sourceless field-effect transistor structure is fabricated upon the outer face of one member of a junction diode structure. In some embodiments the gate portion of the sourceless field-effect transistor structure is at least partially transparent to radiation of at least part of the electro-magnetic spectrum. In some embodiments radiation sensitive material is deposited upon the gate portion of the sourceless field-effect transistor structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a P. falciparum merozoite antigenic polypeptide of approximate molecular weight 185,000. The polypeptide and processing fragments are specific to, and isolable using, a monoclonal antibody produced by hybridoma cell line HB 9148. The polypeptides are useful in immunizing against malaria.

Abstract: New alkaloids called hapalindoles J-Q and T-V, which are antibacterial and antifungal agents, and methods of preparing these alkaloids by culturing the blue-green alga Hapalosiphon fontinalis ATCC 39694, are provided.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies are provided capable of distinguishing DNA-RNA hybrid complexes from single stranded DNA and RNA and double stranded DNA and RNA. The antibodies find particular use in determining the presence of a specific nucleic acid sequence on a solid surface. Single stranded polynucleotide is fixed to a solid (gel) surface and then hybridized with the complementary probe. The hybrid complex specific monoclonal antibody is then added to bind to any hybrid complexes which have formed. By appropriate label, the hybrid complex may be visualized in a variety of ways.

Abstract: A new and distinct anthurium cultivar named Kalapana is characterized by its red-green, broad heart-shaped spathe carried above the foliage on a long, erect peduncle. The slightly reclining spadix is yellow to orange, turning white with maturity. Kalapana is resistant to anthracnose (spadix rot) and is tolerant to the systemic phase of bacterial blight.