Abstract: SNAP-25 (synaptosomal associated protein) is purified from cerebrospinal or amniotic fluid for immunoassay and quantitation. Quantitation of these proteins is useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of brain disorders and diseases such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a compound comprising: ##STR1## wherein A=H or OHX=OH, a halogen, OR, NHR, NR'R" where R, R', and R"=H, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.2-8 alkenyl, or C.sub.2-8 alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, aralkyl or heterocyclic, substituted or unsubstituted; andR.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 =H, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, C.sub.2-8 alkenyl, or C.sub.2-8 alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cyloalkenyl, aryl or heterocyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, wherein R.sub.1 includes at least one methylene spacer through which R.sub.1 is attached to said compound. The present invention also provides methods for making hydroxynaphthoic acids.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a microlens having very small focal length. The present invention also provides a non-planar microstructure having a covering layer which is slowly oxidizing or substantially free of oxygen. The present invention also provides methods for forming such microlenses and microstructures. In addition, the present invention provides a VCSEL which includes one or more non-planar microstructures of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable vasculopath device for holding a blood vessel prior to the insertion of medical devices such as needles or intravenous tubes into the blood vessel. The vasculopath device includes a pair of probes which may be inserted intradermally to hold the blood vessel. The present invention also provides a method for holding a blood vessel using two probes inserted intradermally.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel haloenol lactones that are effective as active site inhibitors of cholesterol esterase. By inhibiting cholesterol esterase the inhibitors of the present invention provide a new approach to the treatment of hypercholesterolemia through limiting the bioavailability of dietary cholesterol.

Abstract: A chemical (coating and reduction)/mechanical/electrical treatment of ion-exchange materials (preferably ion-exchange membranes) to convert them to artificial muscles. The figure is a perspective view of an actuator of the invention showing the treated membrane actuator (A) with electrodes (25 and 26) placed at one end of the membrane, the electrodes being further attached to a power source (35). Artificial muscles created by the inventive method are capable of undergoing electrically-controllable large deformations resembling the behavior of biological muscles. A typical flap muscle of 0.2-0.4 mm thickness, 2-5 mm width and 20 mm length manufactured by the inventive process can achieve a completely reversible maximum deflection of 12-15 mm under a maximum voltage of 2.0-2.5 volts.

Abstract: Radioactive arsenic (.sup.72 As) labelled tissue specific ligands are prepared and used in the medical imaging of malignant breast or prostate tumors.

Abstract: Interferometric auto-correlation is obtained using third-order (.chi..sup.(3)) nonlinearities. The nonlinear signal is separated from the linear interferometric response in order to extract information about the amplitude and the chirp of the ultrashort pulses. In one technique, cross-polarized beams are provided to eliminate the linear response. In another technique, electronic filtering is used. Electronic filtering provides substantial reduction of cost, size and complexity over conventional second harmonic generator crystals.

Abstract: A medical anastomosis sling for use in the repair or regeneration of nerves. Nerve ends are placed in a breathable semiporous membrane having sets of elongate and wide tabs which are secured and sealed around the ends via circumferential fasteners and surgical clips for securing and sealing the sling in position without the necessity of suturing the device for optimal anastomosis.

Abstract: Compounds termed "vitaletheine modulators" which include beta-alanyl-taurine and carbobenzoxy beta-alanyl-taurine are synthesized and added to culture media for in vitro culture of cells such as mammalian or plant cells. The compounds support cell vitality, and provide increased cellular life span, increased cellular bioproductivity, improved cellular function, and adaption of resistant cells to culturing. Carbobenzoxy beta-alanyl-taurine is produced by coupling .beta.-alanine, which has it's terminal amine protected with a carbobenzoxy (CBZ) group, to N-hydroxysuccinimide to produce an active ester of .beta.-alanine, coupling two of the active esters to cystamine to produce a CBZ-protected .beta.-alethine having an internal disulfide bond, isolating and purifying the CBZ-protected .beta.-alethine, and reacting the CBZ-protected .beta.-alethine with iodine to oxidize the disulfide bond to obtain carbobenzoxy beta-alanyl-taurine.

Abstract: A low-cost fabrication technique, readily extensible to volume manufacturing is presented for an electro-optically active fiber segment (31) that can be simply integrated into optoelectronic devices. The fabrication technique offers a dielectric isolation structure (16, 17) surrounding the fiber (10) to allow high field poling, a pair of electrodes (37, 38) used both for poling and for inducing an electro-optic effect, and ends of the fiber (18, 19) unaffected by the fabrication and available for splicing with additional fiber sections. The technique is readily adaptable to specialized electrode structures including striplines and/or microstrip lines for high frequency applications and segmented electrodes (52) for quasi-phasematched three-wave mixing applications. By combining the electro-optically active fiber segment (31) with other fibers in an integrated fiber modulator, high frequency modulation of an optical signal may be achieved with applications in telecommunications.

Abstract: A method for purifying heat shock protein complexes is provided which comprises the steps of adding a solution containing heat shock protein complexes, in which heat shock proteins are associated with peptides, polypeptides, denatured proteins or antigens, to a column containing an ADP matrix to bind the heat shock proteins complexes to the ADP matrix and adding a buffer containing ADP to the column to remove the heat shock protein complexes in an elution product. Additionally a method for synthesizing heat shock protein complexes and purifying the complexes so produced is provided which comprises the steps of adding heat shock proteins to an ADP matrix column to bind them to the matrix, adding a solution of peptides, polypeptides, denatured proteins or antigens to the column to bind them to the heat shock proteins as heat shock protein complexes and adding a buffer containing ADP to the column to remove the complexes in an elution product.

Abstract: .beta.-alethine is identified as an anti-tumor agent.

Abstract: The present invention extends the available spatial frequency content of an image through the use of a method and apparatus for combining nonlinear functions of intensity to form three dimensional patterns with spatial frequencies that are not present in either of the individual exposures and that are beyond 2/.lambda. in all three spatial directions. The resulting pattern has spatial frequency content beyond the limits set by optical propagation of spatial frequencies limited to 2/.lambda. (e.g. pitch reduction from .about..lambda./2 to at least .about..lambda./4). The extension of spatial frequencies preferably extends the use of currently existing photolithography capabilities, thereby resulting in a significant economic impact. Multiplying the spatial frequency of lithographically defined structures suitably allows for substantial improvements in, inter alia, crystal growth, quantum structure growth and fabrication, flux pinning sites for high-T.sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel haloenol lactones that are effective as active site inhibitors of cholesterol esterase. By inhibiting cholesterol esterase the inhibitors of the present invention provide a new approach to the treatment of hypercholesterolemia through limiting the bioavailability of dietary cholesterol.

Abstract: Biomodulators, optionally linked to imaging-active moieties, can be administered to a host to enhance images thereof, e.g., NMR-, X-ray- or radio-images, preferably by increasing aberrant tissue signal intensity. Biomodulators can also condition tissue to enhance uptake of otherwise non-specific imaging agents. When linked to drugs, biomodulators can target the same to particular sites in the body.

Abstract: A set of tropodegradable bromine-containing hydrocarbon foam-blowing agents to (1) decrease the flammability of closed-cell foams and (2) to decrease flammability safety problems that may occur during foam production is disclosed. The agents are characterized by high flammability reduction efficiency and short atmospheric lifetimes. The latter property is essential and results in a low ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a low global warming potential (GWP). The agents are bromine-containing alkenes, bromine-containing ethers, bromine-containing amines, bromine-containing carbonyl compounds, bromine-containing aromatics, bromine-containing alcohols, and/or bromine-containing non-fluorinated alkanes.

Abstract: A measuring device completely determines the characteristics of light pulses in a beam of ultrashort light pulses using optoelectronic detectors instead of second harmonic generating crystals. An optical system provides a spatial dispersion of an ultrashort pulse in at least one dimension. A two slit filter intercepts the dispersed beam whereby the transmitted spectra combine to provide a beat frequency within selected limits. An optoelectronic detector detects the beat frequency and outputs a signal functionally related to the beat frequency that contains spectral phase information that is sufficient to characterize the pulse. In another embodiment, a beam splitter splits the beam into first and second beams, wherein one of the beams is time delayed and the other beam is spectrally dispersed. The two beam are recombined to provide information about the spectral phase of the ultrashort pulse. The pulse is completely characterized when the spectral phase information is combined with amplitude information.

Abstract: A method of preparing flourescent in situ hybridization slides, comprising: providing a slide with a raised ring thereon; providing to the slide a DNA probe; providing to the slide cells and target DNA; providing to the slide a formamide-free mixture of 10%.+-.2% by weight dextran sulfate and 15%-25% glycerol and 0.9% by weight salt or a solution of 10%.+-.2% by weight dextran sulfate, 10-30% by volume formamide and 0.9% by weight salt; placing a coverglass on the ring; denaturing and hybridizing the slide; and performing a post-hybridization wash of the slide.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for measuring the movement of an individual's eye comprising the steps of: mounting a first infrared filter in a first eye of an individual, the first infrared filter filtering infrared light at a first wavelength; mounting a second infrared filter in the second eye of an individual, the second infrared filter filtering infrared light at a second wavelength; detecting infrared light of the first wavelength filtered by the first infrared filter by a first sub-array of photodetectors as the first eye of the individual rotates; and detecting infrared light of the second wavelength filtered by the second infrared filter by a second sub-array of photodetectors as the second eye of the individual rotates. The present invention also provides a contact lens comprising: a lens having a central clear zone; and at least one Fresnel ring circumferentially surrounding the central clear zone and filtering at least one wavelength of infrared light.