Abstract: The present invention relates to a tuneable fringe effect capacitor for conducting radio frequency energy. The capacitor includes a thin film of ferroelectric material, a pair of films of a conductive material deposited on the ferroelectric film with a gap between the films, and a substrate for the ferroelectric material and the conductive films. The capacitance value across the gap is varied by applying a voltage to the ferroelectric material and thereby altering the dielectric constant of the ferroelectric material.

Abstract: Method for splicing a target nucleic acid molecule with a separate nucleic acid molecule. Such splicing generally causes production of a chimeric protein with advantageous features over that protein naturally produced from the target nucleic acid prior to splicing. The method includes contacting the target nucleic acid molecule with a catalytic nucleic acid molecule including the separate nucleic acid molecule. Such contacting is performed under conditions in which at least a portion of the separate nucleic acid molecule is spliced with at least a portion of the target nucleic acid molecule to form a chimeric nucleic acid molecule. In this method, the catalytic nucleic molecule is chosen so that it is not naturally associated with the separate nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: This invention provides chiral, non-racemic compounds and liquid crystal compositions comprising such compounds. The compounds of this invention include those having the formula: ##STR1## wherein k=0 or 1 and when k=1, B=COO, OOC, --C.tbd.C--, or --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--; X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are either H, an electron donor or an electron acceptor where at least one of the groups X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 or X.sub.4 is an electron acceptor and at least one of these groups is an electron donor or H and when one of X.sub.1 or X.sub.3 is an electron donor or H, the other is an electron acceptor and when one of X.sub.2 or X.sub.4 is an electron donor or H, the other is an electron acceptor; and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 can be various substituted and unsubstituted alkanes and monoalkenes. Compounds provided include those where one of R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 is a chiral non-racemic tail group, particularly a group selected from --O--C*H(CH.sub.3)R.sub.c, --O--C*H(CH.sub.3)COOR.sub.d, and --O--CH.sub.

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification and preparation of nucleic acid ligands to Substance P (SP). Included in the invention are specific RNA ligands to SP identified by the SELEX method.

Abstract: This invention provides chiral nonracemic compound of formula: ##STR1## wherein n and m are 0 or 1, but one of n or m must be 1; k=0 or 1; B=COO or OOC; X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are either H, an electron donor or an electron acceptor where at least one of the groups X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 or X.sub.4 is an electron acceptor and at least one of these groups is an electron donor and when one of X.sub.1 or X.sub.3 is an electron donor, the other is an electro a acceptor and when one of X.sub.2 or X.sub.4 is an electron donor, the other is an electron acceptor; and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 can be various substituted and unsubstituted alkanes and monoalkenes. Compounds provided include those where one of R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 is a chiral non-racemic tail group, particularly a group selected from --O--C.sup.* H(CH.sub.3)R.sub.c, --O--C.sup.* H(CH.sub.3)COOR.sub.d, and --O--CH.sub.2 C.sup.* HF--C.sup.* HF--R.sub.2 in which the .sup.* indicates an asymmetric carbon enriched in one stereoconfiguration where R.

Abstract: A topical ophthalmic preparation utilizing a urea and/or urea derivative or mixtures thereof as the principle active ingredient within a range of about 0.01% by weight to about 30% by weight and a method of using the same. When applied to a mammalian eye affected with an abnormal ophthalmological surface problem resulting in epithelial cell loss, keratinization, and/or scarring, the present invention will heal epithelial defects, soften keratin, decrease scarring, enhance hydration, and have anti-mucolytic activity. The present invention provides a method for treating ocular conditions such as dryness, noninfectious keratitis, corneal or conjunctival epithelial irregularities, ocular scarring and subjective irritations.

Abstract: A method of aligning liquid crystals in the construction of liquid crystal cell for use in optical devices is provided. The method involves formation of a self-assembled monolayer on substrates used to form the cells. The substrate having the monolayer are then rubbed in one direction. Two substrates are combined with rubbing directions anti-parallel and spaced to form a cell. A liquid crystal is then inserted and aligned between the substrates. High quality alignment is achieved with this method.

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification and preparation of nucleic acid ligands to HIV integrase. Included in the invention are specific RNA ligands to HIV integrase identified by the SELEX method. Also included in the invention are specific RNA ligands that are inhibitors of HIV integrase.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for improved partitioning between high and low affinity nucleic acid ligands identified through the SELEX method, termed solution SELEX. The solution SELEX method achieves partitioning between high and low affinity nucleic acid-target complexes through a number of methods, including (1) primer extension inhibition which results in differentiable cDNA products. Primer extension inhibition is achieved with the use of nucleic acid polymerases, including DNA or RNA polymerases, reverse transcriptase, and Q.beta.-replicase; (2) exonuclease hydrolysis inhibition which results in only the highest affinity ligands amplifying during PCR. This is achieved with the use of any 3'.fwdarw.5' double-stranded exonuclease; (3) linear to circle formation to generate molecules amplifiable during PCR; or (4) PCR amplification of single-stranded nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides ferroelectric liquid crystal and liquid crystal compounds, among which are compounds which possess large X.sup.(2), i.e. second order nonlinear susceptibility and thus make them useful in optical and nonlinear optical applications. The invention includes chiral nonracemic compounds of formula ##STR1## where one of n or m is 1; k is 1 and B is COO or OOC; R' is a straight-chain or branched alkyl or monoalkene group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms where one or more of the non-neighboring carbon atoms in R', except any unsaturated carbon atoms, can be replaced with O, S or a Si(CH.sub.3).sub.2 group; and R' is a chiral nonracemic tail group selected from the group consisting of --O--C*H(CH.sub.3)R.sub.c, --O--C*H(CH.sub.3)COOR.sub.d and --O--CH.sub.2 C*HF--C*HF--R.sub.6 in which the * indicates an asymmetric carbon enriched in one stereoconfiguration which for --O--CH.sub.2 C*HF--C*HF--R.sub.e is either the (S,S) or (R,R) stereoconfiguration wherein: R.sub.

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification and preparation of DNA ligands to the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase protein. The invention encompasses specific ssDNA ligands to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase identified by the SELEX method including ssDNA ligands that inhibit the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Abstract: A new class of nucleic acid compounds, referred to as nucleic acid ligands, have been shown to exist that have a specific binding affinity for three dimensional molecular targets. In a preferred embodiment the nucleic acid ligands are identified by the method of the invention referred to as the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX), wherein a candidate mixture of nucleic acids are iteratively enriched in high affinity nucleic acids and amplified for further partitioning.

Abstract: A topical ophthalmic preparation utilizing a urea and/or urea derivative or mixtures thereof as the principle active ingredient within a range of about 0.01% by weight to about 30% by weight and a method of using the same. When applied to a mammalian eye affected with an abnormal ophthalmological surface problem resulting in epithelial cell loss, keratinization, and/or scarring, the present invention will heal epithelial defects, soften keratin, decrease scarring, enhance hydration, and have anti-mucolytic activity. The present invention provides a method for treating ocular conditions such as dryness, noninfectious keratitis, corneal or conjunctival epithelial irregularities, ocular scarring and subjective irritations.

Abstract: The SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment) method is disclosed for the identification of nucleic acid ligands. A candidate mixture of single stranded nucleic acids having regions of randomized sequence is contacted with a target compound and those nucleic acids having an increased affinity to the target are partitioned from the remainder of the candidate mixture. The partitioned nucleic acids are amplified to yield a ligand enriched mixture.

Abstract: Peptidyl inhibitors, for example, peptidyl diazomethyl ketones and peptidyl methylsulfonium salts wherein the peptidyl moiety comprises two to ten amino acid residues inhibit cancer procoagulant, a cysteine proteinase, that is necessary for the viability of malignant cells. This invention provides for methods of cancer therapy and blood detoxification wherein these peptidyl inhibitors are used to destroy malignant cells.

Abstract: The subject application discloses chiral nonracemic compositions of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an achiral tail of two to sixteen carbons; Ar is an achiral FLC core of at least two rings; * denotes a chiral or potentially chiral carbon; Q is H or a methyl group; X and Z are halides and Y is H or a halide; and R.sub.2 is one to ten carbon atoms. The --O--C*HQ--C*HX--C*HY-- segment comprises the chiral proximal segment of the chiral tail. Z can be an ortho halide alone, or ortho and meta halides on adjacent carbons on the aromatic ring of the core adjacent to the proximal segment. R.sub.2 is the distal segment of the chiral tail.

Abstract: Chiral, nonracemic compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## in which the chiral tail group containing three asymmetric carbons (as indicated by *) is incorporated into a suitable FLC core moiety R--Ar.sub.2 are provided. The Ar.sub.2 core can include phenylbenzoate, biphenyl, phenylpyridine or phenylpyrimidine. R is an alkyl or alkoxy group having three to fifteen carbon atoms and R' is an alkyl group having from three to twelve carbon atoms. The compounds are useful as ferroelectric liquid crystal components having high polarization density. Compounds in which the chiral epoxide tail is the 1R-methyl-2S,3S-epoxy or 1S-methyl-2R,3R-epoxy enantiomer having higher polarization density.

Abstract: The subject application discloses chiral nonracemic compositions of the general formula:R.sub.1 --(Ar)--O--C*H(CH.sub.3)--C*HX--C*HY--R.sub.2wherein: R.sub.1 is an achiral tail of two to sixteen carbons; Ar is an achiral FLC core of at least two rings; * denotes a chiral or potentially chiral carbon; X is a halide and Y is H or a halide; R.sub.2 comprises the distal segment of the chiral tail and has one to ten carbon atoms; the --O--C*H(CH.sub.3)--C*HY--C*HY--CH.sub.2 --O-- segment comprises the chiral proximal segment of the chiral tail, and the proximal segment is selected from the diastereomers and enantiomers:1S-methyl-2S-halo1S-methyl-2R-halo1R-methyl-2R,3R-dihalo1R-methyl-2R,3S-dihalo1R-methyl-2S,3S-dihalo1R-methyl-2S,3R-dihalo1R-methyl-2R-halo1R-methyl-2S-halo1S-methyl-2S,3S-dihalo1S-methyl-2S,3R-dihalo1S-methyl-2R,3R-dihalo1S-methyl-2R,3S-dihalo.

Abstract: Fast switching, high-contrast light valves and light valves which function for multi-level, gray-scale production are provided. Light valves of this invention employ two or more low-tilt, chiral smectic liquid crystal cells which are half-wave plates. Bistable FLC cells or FLC cells having smectic A* materials which display a field dependent tilt angle can be used. The FLC cells of exemplary device configurations are positioned sequentially along a light path through the device with the optic axes of the sequential FLC cells rotating in opposite directions upon application of a driving electric field thereacross. Light valves employing smectic C* and smectic A* liquid crystal cells are provided.

Abstract: Compounds of formula: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a nitro group;R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and represent a linear alkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a branched alkyl group having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic radical containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, or forming together with the carbon atom to which they are linked a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkylene radical, having 3 to 12 carbon atoms; andR.sub.4 represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.These compounds are systemic fungicides, antisporulants and sterilizers of acaridae eggs.