Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic powered wheelchair pivotable from a sitting position to a standing position with minimal user effort. The pivoting frame assembly includes a rigid horizontally arranged wheel support structure, a single vertical extending member secured to the wheel support structure and centered between the wheels, and a pivoting frame linkage assembly pivotably connected at the upper end of the vertically extending member. A hydraulic jack rests on the wheel support structurs, and is connected at the other end to the seat support members of the pivoting assembly. A user of the wheelchair pivots a lever assembly to raise the jack, and thus raise the chair to the standing position. An electric buzzer system is integrated with the wheelchair, and an alarm informs the operator when the chair has reached the standing position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed which allow uniform coatings to be applied by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on inner and outer surfaces of cylindrical objects, such as rods, pipes, tubes, and wires. The use of PLD makes this technique particularly suitable for complex multicomponent materials, such as superconducting ceramics. Rigid objects of any length, i.e., pipes up to a few meters, and with diameters from less than 1 centimeter to over 10 centimeters can be coated using this technique. Further, deposition is effected simultaneously onto an annular region of the pipe wall. This particular arrangement simplifies the apparatus, reduces film uniformity control difficulties, and can result in faster operation cycles. In addition, flexible wires of any length can be continuously coated using the disclosed invention.

Abstract: The subject invention relates the use of cembranoids to inhibit nicotine addiction at the behavioral level. The subject host is sensitized to nicotine. Cembranoids are then administered to reduce such sensitization.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a force of interaction between a sample and a tip on a cantilever. The method uses a non-Hookian equation to model the cantilever as it is deflected by the force of interaction between the sample and the cantilever tip. The sample is positioned at a predetermined distance from the cantilever tip such that the cantilever is deflected by the force of interaction. The positions of a plurality of points on the cantilever are then rapidly measured and the force of interaction from the measured positions is then obtained using a non-Hookian model that accounts for higher order vibrational modes of the cantilever.

Abstract: This invention relates to phosphors including long-persistence green phosphors. Phosphors of the invention are represented by the general formula: MkAl2O4:2xEu2+,2yR3+ wherein k−1-2x-2y, x is a number ranging from about 0.0001 to about 0.05, y is a number ranging from about x to about 3x, M is an alkaline earth metal, and R3+ is one or more trivalent metal ions. Phosphors of this invention include powders, ceramics, single crystals and single crystal fibers. A method of manufacturing improved phosphors and a method of manufacturing single crystal phosphors are also provided.

Abstract: A process for preparing sol-gel graphite composite electrodes is presented. This process preferably uses the surfactant bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) and eliminates the need for a cosolvent, an acidic catalyst, a cellulose binder and a thermal curing step from prior art processes. Fabrication of screen-printed electrodes by this process provides a simple approach for electroanalytical applications in aqueous and nonaqueous solvents. Examples of applications for such composite electrodes produced from this process include biochemical sensors such as disposable, single-use glucose sensors and ligand modified composite sensors for metal ion sensitive sensors.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates an improved ball ramp assembly that enables even the most severely handicapped bowler to guide and accelerate a bowling ball toward the intended bowling pins. The bowling ramp assembly includes a ramp having a ball guide defining a ball path along the ramp, a base coupled to a proximal end of the ramp for supporting the ramp, a ball release coupled to the ramp for selectively controlling travel of the ball along the ramp, and a positioning assembly coupled to the ramp for adjusting the orientation of the ramp. The ball release includes a ball stopping member that moves between a ball blocking position and a ball releasing position. The positioning assembly includes at least one motor coupled to the ramp and a wheel located at the distal end of the ramp. The ball release and positioning assembly are both controlled by switches which may be located remotely from the ramp.

Abstract: A method for forming an optical device includes the steps of providing a first plate having a first face defining a recess, filling the recess with a material which can be crystallized, and covering the first face and the recess with a second plate having a second face, so that the second face is in contact with the first face and the material in the recess is completely enclosed by the first and second plates. The material in the recess is thereby protected from chemical and mechanical damage, as well as evaporation. In addition, the plates can be transparent, allowing the material in the recess to be visually monitored. A grown crystalline film packed in the cell can be used as a non-liner and/or electro-optical device.

Abstract: A merry-go-round with a frame supported for rotation by a plurality of driven wheels, the merry-go-round having a space for a wheel chair and a space for a non-wheel chair bound person. Each separate space on the merry-go-round is associated with a respective crank assembly such that a person in that space can drive one of the driven wheels through a crank. A plurality of smaller wheels secured to the underside of the frame provide additional support for the merry-go-round. The person in the non-wheel chair bound space can stand on the frame, or in an alternate embodiment can sit on a chair. Because the merry-go-round has spaces for both wheel chairs and non-wheel chair bound people, both can use the merry-go-round at the same time.

Abstract: A system and method is described by which the structural integrity of a building or other structure can be increased and made more resistant to earthquake damage. A structural member may be incorporated into a building structure. At least a portion of the structural member is made of a material that undergoes a shape or phase transformation in response to energy applied. This member can alter the natural frequency of the building structure from a first natural frequency to a second natural frequency when the material undergoes the transformation to make destructive resonance less likely to occur.

Abstract: This invention relates to phosphors including long-persistence blue phosphors. Phosphors of the invention are represented by the general formula:MO . mAl.sub.2 O.sub.3 :Eu.sup.2+,R.sup.3+wherein m is a number ranging from about 1.6 to about 2.2, M is Sr or a combination of Sr with Ca and Ba or both, R.sup.3+ is a trivalent metal ion or trivalent Bi or a mixture of these trivalent ions, Eu.sup.2+ is present at a level up to about 5 mol % of M, and R.sup.3+ is present at a level up to about 5 mol % of M. Phosphors of this invention include powders, ceramics, single crystals and single crystal fibers. A method of manufacturing improved phosphors and a method of manufacturing single crystal phosphors are also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming an optical device includes the steps of providing a first plate having a first face defining a recess, filling the recess with a material which can be crystallized, and covering the first face and the recess with a second plate having a second face, so that the second face is in contact with the first face and the material in the recess is completely enclosed by the first and second plates. The material in the recess is thereby protected from chemical and mechanical damage, as well as evaporation. In addition, the plates can be transparent, allowing the material in the recess to be visually monitored. A grown crystalline film packed in the cell can be used as a non-liner and/or electro-optical device.

Abstract: A method of depositing a thin layer of a target material on a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises illuminating the material with at least one elliptical laser beam so that a desposition plume is emitted from the target material, then positioning the substrate to receive the material emitted by the deposition plume. An apparatus for practicing the method and a multi-faceted negative axicon for forming a plurality of concentric laser beams are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring an electrically charged particle pulse includes at least one coil defining an opening therethrough. The coil generates a bipolar signal responsive to the electrically charged particle pulse passing through the opening, and the bipolar signal comprises a first portion having a first polarity and a second portion having a second polarity. Unipolar blocking diode connected to the coil passes the first portion of the bipolar signal having a first polarity and blocks the second portion of the bipolar signal having the second polarity. Monitoring Device connected to the unipolar blocking diode generates an output signal representative of a predetermined characteristic of the particle based upon the first portion of the bipolar signal which is passed by the unipolar blocking diode. In a preferred embodiment, the coil has a toroidal shape and comprises a plurality of windings electrically connected in parallel, and each of these windings comprises a plurality of conductive loops.

Abstract: A cell line capable of producing SIV viral materials without producing infectious viral particles is disclosed. The SIV viral particles produced are immunogenic and non-infectious. The cell line and the products produced by the cell line are useful for diagnostic purposes and for immunization purposes.

Abstract: A natural tasting soursop flavoring composition prepared by combining methyl butanoate, methyl 2-butenoate, butanoic acid, methyl hexanoate, methyl 2-hexenoate, hexanoic acid and linalool.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for depositing a thin layer of a target material onto a substrate by illuminating the target material with at least one ring-shaped elliptical laser beam so that a ring-shaped deposition plume is emitted from the target material, and positioning the substrate to receive the emitted material. Concentric, ring-shaped elliptical laser beams are formed by use of a multi-faceted negative axicon.

Abstract: A source of gamma rays (a photon beam) at a single energy produced by the single-quantum annihilation of accelerated positrons with electrons of a target element. The photons are emitted predominantly in the forward direction and are accompanied by background radiation which can be differentially suppressed. The energy of the photons is determined by varying the energy of incident positrons. The photon beam is usable in materials research and analysis, medical diagnosis and therapy, and numerous other fields.

Abstract: An improved method and device for nucleic acid hybridization assay employing combined direct an alternating field electrophoresis are disclosed. In the method of the present invention, a sample is hybridized with nucleic acid probe and is contacted with a support medium where direct and alternating electric fields are applied. Under the influence of the electric fields, hybrid separates from non-specifically bound nucleic acid probe. The hybrid may be measured on the support medium itself as on a paper strip or in a cartridge containing support medium or may be blotted on an inert surface and then measured. The method an device are useful in the diagnosis of diseases. Kits are provided for assay of a large number of diseases.