Abstract: A compound of Formula (III): wherein X is a linkage independently selected from (CH2)12 or (CH2CH2)4O3 and wherein R3 is independently selected from H, CH2CH3, COCH3 or and acid addition salts, solvates and hydrates thereof. The compounds have unusually high affinity for muscarinic receptors, and exhibit agonist activity useful in the treatment of neurological and other disorders, in which stimulating cholinergic activity is desirable.

Abstract: A blast load simulation system includes a glass panel having two surfaces. The system also includes a membrane for covering at least one of the two surfaces of the glass panel. The system also includes means for delivering an impulse with a given characteristic to the glass panel through the membrane.

Abstract: A thin film deposition method uses a vacuum confinement cup that employs a dense hot filament and multiple gas inlets. At least one reactant gas is introduced into the confinement cup both near and spaced apart from the heated filament. An electrode inside the confinement cup is used to generate plasma for film deposition. The method is used to deposit advanced thin films (such as silicon based thin films) at a high quality and at a high deposition rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to simultaneously measure the diffraction resolution and mosaic spread of macromolecular crystals, are described. The method includes minimizing contributions of an x-ray beam to any reflection angular widths in the crystal, rapidly measuring multi reflection profiles in the crystal over a wide resolution range, evaluating and deconvoluting the Lorentz effect and beam contributions, and determining the direction in which the crystal is most perfect.

Abstract: Helical oligomer and polymer compositions that form nanotubes are described. The compositions comprise a plurality of aromatic substituents linked by at least one amide group. The compositions have a curved backbone due to intramolecular hydrogen bonds that rigidify the amide linkage of each amide group to each aromatic substituent and due to an interaction between the aromatic substituents such that the curved backbone is stabilized. The helical compositions are formed by ridigifying the amide group, which is flanked on each side by the aromatic substituents, by introducing intramolecular hydrogen bonds into a linkage between the amide group and each aromatic substituent such that the compositions fold into a helical shape when the amide linkages are meta to each other.

Abstract: A compound of Formula (III): wherein X is a linkage independently selected from (CH2)12 or (CH2CH2)4O3 and wherein R3 is independently selected from H, CH2CH3, COCH3 or and acid addition salts, solvates and hydrates thereof. The compounds have unusually high affinity for muscarinic receptors, and exhibit agonist activity useful in the treatment of neurological and other disorders, in which stimulating cholinergic activity is desirable.

Abstract: A compound of Formula (I): wherein R is a linkage independently selected from (CH2)12 or (CH2)4O3; and acid addition salts, solvates and hydrates thereof. The compounds have unusually high affinity for muscarinic receptors, and exhibit agonist activity useful in the treatment of neurological and other disorders, in which stimulating cholinergic activity is desirable.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating vortices to control the flow of air across a airfoil of an aircraft includes a series of pressure active regions arranged along the leading edge of the airfoil. The pressure active regions include spaced apart valves connected to a source of vacuum, a controller for activating the valves, and sensors for sensing air pressure. The controller is configured to activate the valves in response to the pressure sensed by the sensors, wherein the spaced apart valves are connected to a source of pressurized air as well as to the source of vacuum.

Abstract: A venting-membrane system for mitigating blast pressure generated from a blast force on a wall structure. The venting-membrane system having a framework including a plurality of parallel structural members defining a wall structure having an interior surface and an exterior surface. At least one inflatable enclosure attached to the interior surface of the wall; and at least one inflatable enclosure attached to the exterior surface of the wall wherein the at least one inflatable enclosure attached to the interior surface of the wall is in communication with the at least one inflatable enclosure attached to the exterior surface of the wall.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I): wherein, R1 is independently selected from methyl and ethyl and R2 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, and substituted alkyl. The compound is capable of functioning as a ligand and complexing with paramagnetic Fe(III) ion for use as a second-sphere contrast enhancing agent for magnetic resonance imaging of tissue. The present invention also relates to a method of administering the second sphere contrast agent.

Abstract: A circuit for heating energy storage devices such as batteries is provided. The circuit includes a pair of switches connected in a half-bridge configuration. Unidirectional current conduction devices are connected in parallel with each switch. A series resonant element for storing energy is connected from the energy storage device to the pair of switches. An energy storage device for intermediate storage of energy is connected in a loop with the series resonant element and one of the switches. The energy storage device which is being heated is connected in a loop with the series resonant element and the other switch. Energy from the heated energy storage device is transferred to the switched network and then recirculated back to the battery. The flow of energy through the battery causes internal power dissipation due to electrical to chemical conversion inefficiencies. The dissipated power causes the internal temperature of the battery to increase.

Abstract: A method for producing 2-substituted glycerols having various levels of hydroxy group protection by opening dihydroxyacetone dimer in a nonaqueous, non-protic environment with a composition that initially protects both of the liberated 1,3-dihydroxy groups to form di-ether containing ketone monomers which can then be conveniently subjected to ketone addition reactions and standard chemical functional group manipulations.

Abstract: A compound of Formula (I): wherein R is independently selected from (CH2)9−12, (CH2CH2)2O, (CH2CH2)3O2, (CH2CH2)4O3, (CH2CH2)5O4, (CH2CH2)6O5 or (CH2CH2CH2)3O2; or an acid addition salt or hydrate thereof. The compounds, with improved water solubility, have unusually high affinity for muscarinic receptors, and exhibit agonist activity useful in the treatment of neurological and other disorders, in which stimulating cholinergic activity is desirable.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for measuring voltage signals in an energy storage device is disclosed. The electronic circuit includes a plurality of energy storage cells forming the energy storage device. A voltage divider circuit is connected to at least one of the energy storage cells. A current regulating circuit is provided for regulating the current through the voltage divider circuit. A voltage measurement node is associated with the voltage divider circuit for producing a voltage signal which is proportional to the voltage across the energy storage cell.

Abstract: A gas separation membrane device comprising an internally staged permeator containing a three dimensional array of hollow fiber membranes grouped into multiple sets in intimate contact with each other is described. The incorporation of the internally staged permeator, particularly, the arrangement of the multiple sets of fiber membranes in intimate contact with each other, results in improved efficiency of the device, especially for feed streams or membrane types that lead to high permeate flow rate that result in excessive shellside pressure drops.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are selected independently from hydrogen, alkyl, and alkyl substituted with one or more --O-- atoms, or where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, R.sup.4 are ring residues. The compound is capable of functioning as a ligand and complexing with paramagnetic Fe(III) ion for use as a second-sphere contrast enhancing agent for magnetic resonance imaging of tissue, and a method of administering the second sphere contrast agent.

Abstract: A compound of Formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is a linkage independently selected from (CH.sub.2).sub.12 or (CH.sub.2).sub.4 O.sub.3 ; and acid addition salts, solvates and hydrates thereof. The compounds have unusually high affinity for muscarinic receptors, and exhibit agonist activity useful in the treatment of neurological and other disorders, in which stimulating cholinergic activity is desirable.

Abstract: A circuit for heating an energy storage device is disclosed. The circuit includes a switching device having a closed state and an open state. The circuit also includes a storage circuit for storing energy. The storage circuit has a resonating frequency. A controller is provided for operating the switching device. In operation, energy is transferred from the energy storage device to the storage circuit while the switching device is in the open state, and returned from the storage circuit to the energy storage device while the switching device is in the closed state. This energy transfer causes warming of the energy storage device.

Abstract: Families of Diels Alder adducts and of metal complexes of Diels Alder adducts, which are useful as particularly active compounds for use in photodynamic therapy, are disclosed. The Diels Alder adducts and a preferred family of metal complexes have the structures of Formulas 3 and 4, below: ##STR1## where R1, R2, R3 and R4 can be the same or different, and each is methyl, ethyl, an amino acid moiety which is a part of an amide produced by reaction between an amine function of a naturally occurring amino acid and a carbonyl function of the adduct, or a monoclonal antibody moiety which is attached to the adduct moiety through a carbonyl which is a part of an amide produced by reaction between an amine function of a monoclonal antibody and a CO.sub.2 R', CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 R' or CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CO.sub.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for optimizing a laser light fractionation during photodynamic therapy of a tumor. The tumor is destroyed through the production of singlet oxygen and successful photodynamic therapy treatment requires the maintenance of tumor oxygen above a specified critical level. Depending on the tumor, the photosensitizer concentration, and the laser fluence, sustained irradiation of the tumor will deplete the oxygen below the critical level. When the laser is turned off, oxygen diffuses into the tumor to provide sustained levels of singlet oxygen. The control system controls the operation cycle of the laser and the various surgical parameters. Data regarding the sensitizer, the laser characteristics, and the oxygen features of the tumor are input into the control system for simulation of the PDT treatment. As part of the simulation, the optimal fractionation cycle for the laser is predicted. The data may be adjusted for conducting additional simulations.