Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of a boron carbide/boron semiconductor devices. The results suggest that with respect to the approximately 2 eV band gap pure boron material, 0.9 eV band gap boron carbide (B5C) acts as a p-type material. Both boron and boron carbide (B5C) thin films were fabricated from single source borane cage molecules using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Epitaxial growth does not appear to be a requirement. We have doped boron carbide grown by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The source gas closo-1,2-dicarbadecaborane (orthocarborane) was used to grow the boron carbide while nickelocene (Ni(C5H5)2) was used to introduce nickel into the growing film. The doping of nickel transformed a B5C material p-type relative to lightly doped n-type silicon to an n-type material. Both p-n heterojunction diodes and n-p heterojunction diodes with n- and p-type Si [1,1,1] respectively.

Abstract: The present invention teaches various femtosecond machining and drilling apparatus and processes for fabricating tools and the like from both traditional and non-traditional materials. Also described are novel tools such as scalpels, and nozzles fabricated from the apparatus and processes of the present invention. Likewise, the present invention may be utilized in both a novel propulsion system and the production of materials formed from nanometer sized particles and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of a boron carbide/boron semiconductor devices. The results suggest that with respect to the approximately 2 eV band gap pure boron material, 0.9 eV band gap boron carbide (B5C) acts as a p-type material. Both boron and boron carbide (B5C) thin films were fabricated from single source borane cage molecules using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Epitaxial growth does not appear to be a requirement. We have doped boron carbide grown by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The source gas close-1,2-dicarbadecaborane (orthocarborane) was used to grow the boron carbide while nickelocene (Ni(C5H5)2) was used to introduce nickel into the growing film. The doping of nickel transformed a B5C material p-type relative to lightly doped n-type silicon to an n-type material. Both p-n heterojunction diodes and n-p heterojunction diodes with n- and p-type Si [1,1,1] respectively.

Abstract: Heavily fluorinated sugar analogs of formula wherein R1 is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, —CH2—O-alkyl, —CH2—O-aryl, —CH2OPO3H, —CH2—O-carbohydrate, —CH2—NH-peptide, or —CH2—O-peptide; wherein R2 is selected from hydroxy, —O-carbohydrate, —NH-peptide, wherein R3 is selected from H, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower haloalkyl, lower haloalkenyl, amino, mono- or di-lower alkylamino; wherein R4 is selected from amino, hydroxy, alkoxy, or halogen; and wherein R5 is H or amino. The compounds of formula (I) are useful as antiviral and antineoplastic agents and the compounds of formula (II) are useful as plant growth inhibitors and herbicides.

Abstract: Thioltransferase and derivatives thereof are provided. Methods of treating or preventing cataract formation comprising administering thioltransferase or a derivative thereof are also provided. Thioltransferase or derivatives thereof are also useful for treating or preventing diseases resulting from or associated with oxidative stress. Human lens thioltransferase and a DNA sequence encoding the same are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of a boron carbide/boron semiconductor devices. The results suggest that with respect to the approximately 2 eV band gap pure boron material, 0.9 eV band gap boron carbide (B5C) acts as a p-type material. Both boron and boron carbide (B5C) thin films were fabricated from single source borane cage molecules using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Epitaxial growth does not appear to be a requirement. We have doped boron carbide grown by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The source gas closo-1,2-dicarbadecaborane (orthocarborane) was used to grow the boron carbide while nickelocene (Ni(C5H5)2) was used to introduce nickel into the growing film. The doping of nickel transformed a B5C material p-type relative to lightly doped n-type silicon to an n-type material. Both p-n heterojunction diodes and n-p heterojunction diodes with n- and p-type Si [1,1,1] respectively.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced composite material comprising a resin matrix and primary reinforcement fibers and further comprising secondary, smaller diameter, reinforcement fibers at one or more ply interfaces, or portion thereof, provides improved interlaminar toughness, strength, and delamination resistance without substantial reduction of in-plane properties and without substantial increase in weight. In one embodiment, the small fibers are attached to one side of a conventional prepreg prior to lamination. The small fibers are flexible and are expected to conform to the shape and distribution of the primary reinforcing fibers at the interface.

Abstract: This process involves feeding cellulose into an extruder with an acid solution. The extruder is comprised of a screw and a barrel. The screw is rotated so as to pressurize the cellulose, and the cellulose undergoes acid hydrolysis and forms microcrystalline cellulose. The invented process can be accomplished by using pure cellulose or a lignocellulosic material as the starting material. If a lignocellulosic material is used, then a basic solution is added to it and the lignocellulosic material is fed through an extruder so as to obtain a mixture comprising lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose. The lignin and hemicellulose are extracted and the remaining cellulose is processed, as discussed previously, to form microcrystalline cellulose.

Abstract: A high coercivity longitudinal recording media comprising FePt or similar thin films that are vacuum deposited by RF and DC sputtering. The as-deposited multilayered films are subjected to vacuum annealing. Due to the formation of the ordered phases of FePt or the like, which have very high crystal anisotropy, the annealed FePt films have large coercivity and fine grain size, suitable for use as ultra-high density magnetic recording media.

Abstract: The novel compounds of the present invention are .beta.-octafluoro-meso-tetraarylporphyrins of formula (I) and their metallic complexes of formula (II): ##STR1## .beta.-octafluoro-meso-tetraaryl porphyrins are synthesized by reacting 3,4-difluoropyrrole with an aromatic aldehyde in the presence of boron trifluoride etherate, followed by oxidation. The difluoropyrrole used in this reaction is produced by reacting 3,3,4,4-tetrafluoropyrroline or its corresponding salt, 3,3,4,4-tetrafluoropyrrolidinium salt, with a base such as potassium tert-butoxide. The metalloporphyrins of the present invention are synthesized by deprontonating .beta.-octafluoro-meso-tetraarylporphyrin ligands and treating said ligands with metal ions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions which alter the health of invertebrate organisms by affecting eicosanoid-mediated immune responses, and methods of using the compositions. The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and biopesticide compositions. The pharmaceutical composition is composed of an effective amount of at least one biologically active agent which enhances or inhibits eicosanoid-mediated immune responses in invertebrate species and a physiological compatible carrier. The biopesticide composition is composed of a biopesticidal amount of an inhibitor of eicosanoid-mediated immune responses in invertebrates and a physiologically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical compositions are useful to treat invertebrate species to enhance or inhibit immune responses. The biopesticide composition is useful to control the growth of or eradicate invertebrate pests. Methods are provided for determining which and what amounts of the biologically active agents are useful in the composition.

Abstract: A precast, prestressed concrete joist having web openings through which mechanical and electrical equipment may pass. In an exemplary embodiment, the joist comprises generally horizontal opposite top and bottom concrete members with a concrete web interposed between them. This web may have openings through which mechanical and electrical equipment may pass. Prestress steel strands may extend lengthwise through both the top and bottom members to provide prestress in the concrete joist. The concrete joist may further comprise strand restraining devices for deflecting the prestress steel strands. The precast, prestressed concrete joist having a web opening may be constructed using a reusable casting apparatus. This casting apparatus comprises a prestressing bed onto which a frame may be mounted. The frame provides a means of applying tension to the prestress steel strands and of supporting prestress strand restraining devices.

Abstract: Heavily fluorinated sugar analogs of formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, CH.sub.2 OH, --CH.sub.2 --O-alkyl, --CH.sub.2 --O-aryl, --CH.sub.2 OPO.sub.3 H, --CH.sub.2 --O-carbohydrate, --CH.sub.2 --NH-peptide, or --CH.sub.2 --O-peptide;wherein R.sub.2 is selected from hydroxy, --O-carbohydrate, --NH-peptide, ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3 is selected from H, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower haloalkyl, lower haloalkenyl, amino, mono- or di-lower alkylamino;wherein R.sub.4 is selected from amino, hydroxy, alkoxy, or halogen; andwherein R.sub.5 is H or amino. The compounds of formula (I) are useful as antiviral and antineoplastic agents and the compounds of formula (II) are useful as plant growth inhibitors and herbicides.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a novel class of decarboxylase enzyme inhibitors consisting of .alpha.-oxiranyl amino acids and derivatives thereof and a method of synthesizing such compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detecting the presence of Serpulina hyodysenteriae in a biological sample, an oligonucleotide primer and an S. hyodysenteriae-specific oligonucleotide probe useful in that method, and an article of manufacture that contains the primers and/or probe. Also provided are an about 2.3-kb DNA fragment derived from genomic DNA of S. hyodysenteriae and encoding for an about 56 kDa polypeptide, a recombinant expression vector containing the DNA fragment, the 56 kDa polypeptide and a monoclonal antibody reactive with the peptide, and a method of assaying for antibodies reactive with the 56 kDa peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for preparing levulinic acid from starch in a reactive extrusion process. In a preferred embodiment, the extrusion takes place in a twin-screw extruder having a plurality of temperature zones wherein the starch slurry is preconditioned, extruded, filter pressed, reboiled, vacuum distilled, condensed, centrifuged, whereby the waste effluent from the centrifugation is reprocessed upstream to the preconditioning stage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in situ detection and concentration measurement of trace elements in an analysis sample is disclosed. The invention uses laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) wherein femtosecond pulsed laser energy is employed to produce the plasma. The femtosecond pulsed laser energy is focused on the analysis sample to produce the plasma and the resulting emission is delivered for spectral analysis. Because the method and apparatus of the present invention allow breakdown of the analysis sample without propagation of energy to the sample-air interface, a plasma is produced that consists essentially of sample materials without being contaminated by air plasma formation. Thus, the background emission is reduced and there is no need to wait for the plasma to cool down over time before detecting the spectral lines of the sample. Because there is no need to wait for cooling before spectral measurement, lower detection limits are possible.

Abstract: A vegetatively reproduced buffalograss cultivar named `NE86-120` is distinguished from other commercially produced buffalograss varieties by its excellent turfgrass color, cold tolerance, high density, dark green color, low growth habit, and rate of establishment. `NE86-120` is also distinguished from other varieties by molecular markers and nuclear DNA content. `NE86-120` is suitable for use in low to medium maintenance situations in arid and semi-arid climates of United States and Canada.

Abstract: A vegetatively reproduced buffalograss cultivar named NE86-61 is distinguished from other commercially produced buffalograss varieties by its excellent turfgrass color, cold tolerance, high density, dark green color, low growth habit, and rate of establishment. NE86-61 is also distinguished from other varieties by molecular markers and nuclear DNA content. NE86-61 is suitable for use in low to medium maintenance situations in arid and semi-arid climates of United States and Canada.

Abstract: A vegetatively reproduced buffalograss cultivar named `NE91-118` is distinguished from other commercially produced buffalograss varieties by its excellent turfgrass color, cold tolerance, high density, low growth habit, and rate of establishment. `NE91-118` is also distinguished by molecular markers and nuclear DNA content. `NE91-118` is suitable for use in low to medium maintenance situations in arid and semi-arid climates of United States and Canada.