Abstract: This invention relates to a method of improving the corrosion and wear resistance of a transport trailer surface. More specifically the present invention relates to a method of laser alloying the surface of a transport trailer to enhance the corrosion and wear resistant properties of the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetic antilock brake system which comprises an electromagnetically actuated release arm capable of adjusting the position of a cam or other motion linkage to result in a controlled application of brake shoes to a brake drum. The invention further comprises a control system for controlling the actuation and release of the ABS.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of using a laser to produce alloyed bands or strips on the surface of a piston for an internal combustion engine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a laser alloying method to produce superior wear resistant properties for an aluminum internal combustion engine piston.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for reducing the impairment respiratory tract mucosal immunity associated with a lack of enteral feeding or a lack of immunological stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a neuropeptide. Also described are methods for reducing the rate of infection of the respiratory tract by pathogenic microorganisms associated with a lack of enteral feeding or a lack of immunological stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a neuropeptide. In addition, a method of reducing the atrophy or dysfunction of the GALT comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a neuropeptide is described. The specification further describes compositions for reducing or preventing the impairment of intestinal or respiratory tract mucosal immunity comprising a neuropeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: This invention provides the chemoprevention of prostate cancer and, more particularly, to a method of administering to a subject an effective dose of a chemopreventive agent, toremifene and analogs or metabolites thereof, to prevent recurrence of, suppress or inhibit prostate carcinogenesis. The present invention provides a safe and effective method for suppressing or inhibiting latent prostate cancer and is particularly useful for treating subjects having an elevated risk of developing prostate cancer, for example, those having benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), or an abnormally high level of circulating prostate specific antibody (PSA), or who have a family history of prostate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for reducing the impairment respiratory tract mucosal immunity associated with a lack of enteral feeding or a lack of immunological stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a neuropeptide. Also described are methods for reducing the rate of infection of the respiratory tract by pathogenic microorganisms associated with a lack of enteral feeding or a lack of immunological stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a neuropeptide. In addition, a method of reducing the atrophy or dysfunction of the GALT comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a neuropeptide is described. The specification further describes compositions for reducing or preventing the impairment of intestinal or respiratory tract mucosal immunity comprising a neuropeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to mesoporous sorbent materials having high capacity, high selectivity, fast kinetics, and molecular recognition capability. The invention also relates to a process for preparing these mesoporous substrates through molecular imprinting techniques which differ from convention techniques in that a template molecule is bound to one end of bifunctional ligands to form a complex prior to binding of the bifunctional ligands to the substrate. The present invention also relates to methods of using the mesoporous sorbent materials, for example, in the separation of toxic metals from process effluents, paints, and other samples; detection of target molecules, such as amino acids, drugs, herbicides, fertilizers, and TNT, in samples; separation and/or detection of substances using chromatography; imaging agents; sensors; coatings; and composites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved die for use in textile processes involving nonwoven melt blown fabrics. In a melt blown process, molten polymer resins are injected into a melt blowing die and ejected or extruded from the die in the form of filaments. The present invention is directed to an improved die faceplate in combination with an extension plate that provides an extended flow path for an air jet to extrude a molten polymer filament of a reduced diameter in the melt blowing process.

Abstract: A method of detecting amyloid fibrils in biological samples utilizing flow cytometry is described. It has been found that the measurement of fluorescence from amyloidophilic dyes, such as thioflavin T and Congo red, as well as side scatter and forward scatter measurements are particularly useful in detecting the presence of amyloid fibrils. Flow cytometric detection of amyloid fibrils in subjects such as humans and livestock can be employed for diagnosis, assessment of therapeutic efficacy, research, and monitoring of livestock for the presence of infectious amyloidosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a die nosepiece for use in textile processes involving nonwoven melt blow fabrics. In a melt blown process, molten polymer resins are injected into a melt blown die and ejected from the die in the form of filaments. The present invention is directed to an improved die nosepiece comprising a slit with serrated edges through which resin filaments are ejected.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying compounds and compositions useful in the regulation of weight, the treatment of obesity, diabetes and other insulin resistance-related disorders hypertension, cardiovascular disease and the like. The methods comprise the use of adipocytes and predipocytes in assays and screens for compounds or compositions of interest. The present invention recognizes the presence of the sulfonylurea receptor in adipocytes and its utility in identifying compounds and in treating obesity and other insulin resistance-related disorders. In addition to assaying for agonists and antagonists of the sulfonylurea receptor, the methods of the invention also provide for identifying novel calcium channels or other calcium regulatory channels that are selectively expressed in human adipocytes as compared to human preadipocytes and for screening adipocytes for compounds that selectively antagonize calcium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for plasma assisted laser surface alloying. Specifically, the present invention is directed toward a method for surface alloying using a laser beam having a rectangular cross sectional area and a plasma arc, in order to produce an alloyed substrate on the surface of the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for marking, tracking, and managing hospital instruments. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for marking instruments with information indicative of the manufacturer, part number, and serial number of each instrument, inputting such information into a database, inputting information into the database regarding the desired maintenance schedule for each instrument, inputting information into the database regarding the usage of each instrument, and tracking the usage and/or maintenance of each instrument by using the information in the database. The method also includes asset management, instrumentation identification and counting, and assembly of surgical trays and kits.

Abstract: A waveguide structure has at least one shaped slot machined in the wall of the waveguide. The slot is configured such that a high voltage is generated across the slot when the waveguide is suitably excited with high-power microwaves. The strong electric fields generated in the region of the slot can be used to produce a non-equilibrium plasma discharge in a working gas introduced in the vicinity of the slot. Various substrates can be translated past the slot and exposed to the plasma species generated by the microwave discharge. The slotted waveguide structure is designed to operate as a traveling wave structure with microwave energy uniformly dissipated along the length of the slot. Several methods are disclosed for providing uniform power dissipation. These methods include changing the dimensions of the waveguide, altering the position and shape of the wall slot, coupling power into the waveguide by means of auxiliary sources, and using an auxiliary ground plane.

Abstract: Voltage is applied to conducting loops wrapped around the outside of a non-conducting chamber (e.g., a glass tube) to generate a capacitively coupled discharge plasma inside the chamber. In one embodiment, a seed gas is injected into the chamber through an inlet in an otherwise closed end of the chamber, while the other end is open to the ambient atmosphere. In such an embodiment, the seed gas is used to ignite the plasma in air at essentially atmospheric pressure. The present invention has different applications, including, but not limited to, (a) passivating toxic or polluting gases that are injected into the chamber along with the seed gas and (b) treating materials placed within a second chamber that is connected to the open end of the plasma-generating chamber such that active species migrate into the second chamber to interact with the materials placed therein.

Abstract: A substrate is configured with first and second sets of electrodes, where the second set of electrodes is positioned asymmetrically between the first set of electrodes. When a RF voltage is applied to the electrodes sufficient to generate a discharge plasma (e.g., a one-atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma) in the gas adjacent to the substrate, the asymmetry in the electrode configuration results in force being applied to the active species in the plasma and in turn to the neutral background gas. Depending on the relative orientation of the electrodes to the gas, the present invention can be used to accelerate or decelerate the gas. The present invention has many potential applications, including increasing or decreasing aerodynamic drag or turbulence, and controlling the flow of active and/or neutral species for such uses as flow separation, altering heat flow, plasma cleaning, sterilization, deposition, etching, or alteration in wettability, printability, and/or adhesion.

Abstract: This invention is directed towards a porous composite having an inlet face and an exit face and further comprises intermingled meltblown fibers and staple fibers which define a density gradient from coarse pores at the inlet face to fine pores at the exit face.

Abstract: An improved multi-element apparatus for detecting the presence of at least one chemical, biological or physical component in a monitored area comprising an array or single set of the following elements: a capacitive transducer having at least one cantilever spring element secured thereto, the cantilever element having an area thereof coated with a chemical having an affinity for the component to be detected; a pick-up plate positioned adjacent to the cantilever element at a distance such that a capacitance between the cantilever element and the pick-up plate changes as the distance between the cantilever element and the pick-up plate varies, the change in capacitance being a measurable variation; a detection means for measuring the measurable variation in the capacitance between the cantilever element and the pick-up plate that forms a measurement channel signal; and at least one feedback cantilever spring element positioned apart from the coated cantilever element, the cantilever element substantially unaffe

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nonsteroidal agonist compound having the formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are the same or different and are a hydrogen, a nitro, a cyano, a carbamoyl, a halogen, a perfluoroalkyl, a haloalkylamido, an isothiocyanate, an azide, a diazocarbonyl, a substituted oxirane, or a .beta.-chloroethylamine; R.sub.4 is a hydrogen, an alkyl, or is joined to R.sub.5 ; R.sub.5 is a hydrogen, a hydroxy, an alkoxy, an acyloxy, an amino, an alkylamino, a halogen, an alkyl, a haloalkyl, or is joined to R.sub.4 ; R.sub.6 is a hydrogen, an alkyl, or a haloalkyl; A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 is the same or different, each is direct link or an alkylene; X.sub.1 is an oxygen, a sulfur, a sulphinyl, a sulphonyl, an amino, an alkylimino, or an alkylene; R.sub.

Abstract: A web or film is electrostatically charged by sequentially subjecting the web or film to a series of electric fields such that adjacent electric fields have substantially opposite polarities. Both a method and apparatus are disclosed for charging the web or film.