Abstract: The subject invention relates to compounds and compositions which induce transcripts of the nolA gene in nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Novel bacterial strains which are insensitive too NolA, soil inoculants comprising NolA insensitive bacteria and/or nolA inducers, and methods of increasing nitrogen fixation in legumes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides an in vitro avascular human corneal equivalent that comprises immortalized human cell lines. As these corneal equivalents are in vitro models, they are maintained in an incubator throughout the testing period, thereby eliminating the problems and expense associated with animal care. The corneal equivalent is preferably surrounded by a matrix in which angiogenesis (formation of capillary-like structures) can occur in vitro. This surrounding matrix has the potential to play the role of a pseudo-sclera, allowing the in vitro assessment of the cornea's angiogenic reaction to any substance or injury. Furthermore, the model is capable of being produced easily, is physiologically functional and can give predictable and quantifiable results when submitted to various drugs, chemicals and/or physical trauma.

Abstract: A cross-linked water-insoluble ion exchange resin comprised of polymerized monomers having a phenyl ring is disclosed. A contemplated resin contains (i) polymerized phenyl ring-containing monomers having a phosphonic acid ligand linked to the phenyl ring, (ii) about 2 to about 5 millimoles per gram (mmol/g) of phosphorus as phosphonic acid ligands, and (iii) a sufficient amount of a sulfonic acid ligand such that the ratio of mmol/g of phosphonic acid to mmol/g sulfonic acid is up to 3:1. A process for removing polyvalent metal cations from aqueous solution, and a process for removing iron(III) cations from acidic copper(II) cation-containing solutions that utilize the contemplated resin or other resins are disclosed.

Abstract: An easier and cheaper way to obtain multilayer circuit board is by using a flexible circuit board and folding it in an organized pattern. Flexible circuit has the unique property of being a three-dimensional circuit that can be shaped in multiplanar configurations, rigidized in specific areas, and molded to backer boards for specific applications. The folded circuit is fabricated from a series of foldable circuit board strips and rigid circuit board strips which are interconnected, folded, and bonded into a composite structure. The foldable strips may have prefolds arranged so that a group of upper foldable strips and lower foldable strips are folded in opposite directions. A plurality of intermediate portions are stacked on each other by the folding the foldable strips in opposite directions. The folded circuit, can be bonded after a first fold, or folded further to achieve a greater reduction in area and subsequently be bonded as a composite multilayer structure.

Abstract: Peptides that are capable of suppressing autoimmune arthritis are disclosed. The polypeptides described by the present invention which are capable of suppressing autoimmune arthritis in mammals include analogues of CII 245-270. The peptides do not provoke a material immunogenic response from T cells, and thus are useful therapeutic agents for suppressing autoimmune arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, spondylo arthritis, relapsing polychondritis and other connective tissue diseases. A method of surpressing autoimmune arthritis in mammals is also provided by the present invention.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of a frozen deposition at an interface between a substrate of known thermophysical properties and surroundings of unknown thermophysical properties. The system involves applying a predetermined quantity of heat to a temperature sensor positioned at the interface to cause a thermal perturbation, measuring an output signal of the sensor subsequent to applying the predetermined quantity of heat, and comparing one or more measured values of the output signal to one or more reference output level values to determine the presence or absence of the frozen deposition.

Abstract: Disclosed are monolithic bioelectronic devices comprising a bioreporter and an OASIC. These bioluminescent bioreporter integrated circuit are useful in detecting substances such as pollutants, explosives, and heavy-metals residing in inhospitable areas such as groundwater, industrial process vessels, and battlefields. Also disclosed are methods and apparatus for environmental pollutant detection, oil exploration, drug discovery, industrial process control, and hazardous chemical monitoring.

Abstract: An ion exchange resin is disclosed that is comprised of an insoluble copolymer onto which are grafted pendent groups that provide 1.0 to about 10 mmol/g dry weight phosphorous. The pendent groups have the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, a cation or mixtures thereof; and R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl group. The resin also contains zero to about 5 mmol/g dry weight of pendent aromatic sulfonate groups. Processes for making and using an ion exchange-resin are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ion exchange resin is disclosed that is comprised of an insoluble copolymer onto which are grafted pendent groups that provide 1.0 to about 10 mmol/g dry weight phosphorous. The pendent groups have the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, a cation or mixtures thereof; andR.sup.1 is hydrogen or an C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl group. The resin also contains zero to about 5 mmol/g dry weight of pendent aromatic sulfonate groups. Processes for making and using an ion exchange resin are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and composition utilizing thrombopoietin for increasing platelet cell counts in thrombocytopenia is disclosed. The method and composition are suitable for treatments of patients suffering from medical conditions, such as HIV/AIDS or chemotherapy, which result in low platelet cell numbers. Also disclosed are the active moieties or domains of the thrombopoietin molecule.

Abstract: A pair of electrodes are biased to produce an electrostatic discharge while placing a thin non electron absorbing gas layer near one or both of the electrodes which are used to develop the electric field. As a result, atmospheric oxygen, water vapor and other contaminants are removed from the regions surrounding the electrodes, allowing ionization to occur more easily. This is accomplished with an electrode structure including a hollow tube for receiving a gas, a plurality of apertures extending through the hollow tube for delivering the gas to the surface of the hollow tube, and the application of a biasing voltage for producing an electrostatic discharge in the presence of the gas. The tube can take the form of a longitudinally extending structure, or a hollow shell, depending upon the configuration of the electrostatic charging apparatus with which the electrode structure is used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in an adjunct system, such as a control system, operating in cooperation with a linear or non-linear physical system, such as a motor. The physical system performs a function and produces data that are monitored, and attribute values, which may be continuous valued, and system state information are produced from the data. For example, the attributes may include various motor currents and the system state information may include the motor flux. A controller and a decision tree produce decisions and commands to assist the physical system in performing its function. Certain decisions made by the decision tree are identified as being bad decisions, and the decision tree is adapted to produce a decision tree that has improved performance. Preferably, the adaptation method maintains the size of the adapted decision tree within a constant limit during the adaptation, and the adaptation is repetitively performed to successively produce new currently active decision trees.

Abstract: A method for amplifying nucleic acid sequences in a template comprising at least one nucleic acid or mixture of nucleic acids wherein each nucleic acid comprises at least one strand. The method comprises the steps of treating the template with at least one oligonucleotide primer having a nucleic acid sequence that is substantially complementary to at least one nucleic acid sequence on the template under conditions such that the primer will bind to a segment that is substantially complementary to the primer, producing primed strands of nucleic acid. The primed strands produce extension strands, wherein the extension strands comprise the primer in combination with a sequence of nucleic acids that is substantially complementary to the template in a 5' to 3' direction from the primer. The extension strands are further treated with the primer producing amplification strands which are treated with primer.

Abstract: A steady-state, glow discharge plasma is generated within the volume between a pair of parallel, insulated metal plate electrodes spaced up to 5 cm apart and R.F. energized with an rms potential of 1 to 5 KV at 1 to 100 KHz. The electrodes are located within an enclosure capable of maintaining an atmosphere other than atmospheric air between the electrode surfaces. Space between the electrodes is occupied by a noble gas such as helium, neon, argon, etc. or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of making a monomer of tetraalkyl vinylidene-1, 1-diphosphonate. The monomer is manufactured by combining an aqueous secondary amine solution with a formaldehyde and a tetra (alkyl) methylene diphosphonate. The resulting mixture is maintained at a pH above about 6 and refluxed for two hours to enable reaction to produce the monomer of tetraalkyl vinylidene-1, 1-diphosphonate. The product monomer is then purified to produce the final end product.

Abstract: Non-virulent aro-Salmonella typhimurium bacterium is disclosed into which has been cloned a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding for the expression of Streptococcal M protein antigen from S. pyogenes seratype 5, which is effective to elicit opsonic antibodies against Streptococcal infections. The bacterium is useful for vaccination against Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus and a method for controlling permanent magnet AC machines. Stator voltages and stator currents are sensed to produce signals which are utilized by a digital circuit to calculate control signals for the machine.

Abstract: Non-virulent bacteria are disclosed into which have been cloned heterologous nucleotide sequences encoded for the expression of Streptococcal M protein antigens, which are effective to elicit opsonic antibodies against Streptococcal infections. These bacteria are useful for vaccination against Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria.

Abstract: A circuit for converting a DC voltage to a pulsating DC voltage useful as a power source for operating an AC machine. The circuit includes means for controlling the amplitude of the pulsating DC voltage as the load changes and means for controlling the duration of the pulses comprising the pulsating DC voltage.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to compounds of the formula ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts thereof wherein X represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene chain containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein R.sub.5 is a lower alkyl group, wherein R.sub.6 is either hydrogen or methyl, R.sub.9 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, wherein Am is selected from the class consisting of amino, lower mono and dialkylamino, piperidino, piperazino, N-lower alkyl piperazino, pyrrolidino, and morpholino groups, wherein Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.2 are identical and are hydrogen, halogen, methyl or ethyl and n is an integer in the range of 1-5.