Abstract: An ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) element formed in a cantilever configuration is used in a highly sensitive, ultra-small sensor for measuring acceleration, shock, vibration and static pressure over a wide dynamic range. The cantilever UNCD element may be used in combination with a single anode, with measurements made either optically or by capacitance. In another embodiment, the cantilever UNCD element is disposed between two anodes, with DC voltages applied to the two anodes. With a small AC modulated voltage applied to the UNCD cantilever element and because of the symmetry of the applied voltage and the anode-cathode gap distance in the Fowler-Nordheim equation, any change in the anode voltage ratio V1/V2 required to maintain a specified current ratio precisely matches any displacement of the UNCD cantilever element from equilibrium. By measuring changes in the anode voltage ratio required to maintain a specified current ratio, the deflection of the UNCD cantilever can be precisely determined.

Abstract: A high-temperature, non-catalytic, infrared heater is formed within a housing having a bottom and at least one side lined with a refractory material. The burner includes a burner surface area and is positioned within the housing. A re-radiating surface is positioned above the burner and comprises a mesh having a re-radiating surface area greater than the burner surface area with the re-radiating surface operating between approximately 400° F. and 2200° F.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal anterior transpedicular fixation system and a method for rigidly fixing the spine anteriorly at the level above and below a thoracolumbar burst fracture or tumor. The internal anterior transpedicular fixation system has a support member defining a plurality of engaging portions thereon. At least two of the engaging portions are spaced longitudinally from each other and adapted to span at least one verteba. At least two of the engaging portions are spaced laterally from each other and adapted to span a lateral distance of the verteba. A plurality of fixation elements are provided to mount the engaging portions onto the verteba. Thereby, the support member is restrained from rotational or translational movement relative to the verteba.

Abstract: A low temperature process for forming a metal doped silicon layer in which a silicon layer is deposited onto a substrate at low temperatures, with a metal doping layer then deposited upon the silicon layer. This structure is then annealed at low temperatures to form a metal doped semiconductor having greater than about 1×1020 dopant atoms per cm3 of silicon.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and a method of microscopy, for measuring depth dependent profiles of optical absorption, photoluminescence and light scattering in thin films on length scales of a few micrometers to a several millimeters. The principles of this invention are also directly extendable to imaging absorption and scattering at other wavelengths, and the scattering of electrons, and neutrons in thin films on the same or shorter length scales. In the optical range, this depth profile information is recovered by the direct recording of micrometer scale images of a light beam propagating along the depth axis of the material under study. The recording is implemented using a crossed beam microscope apparatus in which a collimated optical beam from a light source is propagated through the material under test.

Abstract: Acoustic field reconstruction is performed by expanding basis function which represent outgoing and incoming waves, without prior knowledge of the source geometry and dimensions. The reconstruction is based on acoustic pressures measured in the field only, and can be accomplished on a piece-wise basis. There are no restrictions on the locations of measurements. Moreover, the present invention can be used to reconstruct acoustic radiation from a plurality of sources or from a single source surrounded by multiple reflecting surfaces.

Abstract: An orally administrable therapeutic protein is provided by combining the therapeutic protein with a stabilizing agent in an aqueous solution. The solution is coated onto nonpareils and microencapsulated with a water emulsifiable enteric coating composition. The microcapsules are orally administered. The coating protects the protein as it passes through the stomach. Upon reaching the small intestines, the basic pH of the intestinal juices will dissolve the coating, allowing the protein to be released and induce antigen specific immune response which has the specificity of the native molecule. The stabilizing agent protects the therapeutic protein from denaturation during the encapsulation process.

Abstract: A method of remediating an environment containing soil or water contaminated with a halogenated hydrocarbon, particularly carbon tetrachloride, by introducing a Pseudomonas sp. into the environment. In particular, the method converts carbon tetrachloride in the soil or water into carbon dioxide and a non-volatile water soluble fraction, rather than into a toxic chlorinated hydrocarbon with a lesser number of chlorines. Further, pH adjustment in a particular area provides a niche advantage for the Pseudomonas sp in the soil or water for the conversion.

Abstract: Cardiovascular disease, including preeclampsia in pregnant women and hypertension in both women and men, are prevented or treated by administering thereto prostacyclin or a prostacyclin analog in combination with one or both of an estrogen and a progestin, which combination is also useful for HRT in peri- and post-menopausal women.

Abstract: A nuclear spin control device comprises a first semiconducting layer with spin-up carriers, a second semiconducting layer with spin-down carriers; and a third semiconducting layer arranged between the first and the second semiconducting layers. The third semiconducting layer can be tunnelled selectively by the spin-up carriers and the spin-down carriers such that nuclear spin in the third semiconducting layer selectively interacts with the carriers so as to be oriented into a desired direction. The device may be adapted to control the shape of a wave function so as to cover nuclear spins in the third semiconducting layer and propagate information of one nuclear spin to another nuclear spin.

Abstract: A miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) is provided having (1) a gridless, focusing ionization extraction device allowing for the use of very high extraction energies in a maintenance-free design, (2) a miniature flexible circuit-board reflector using rolled flexible circuit-board material, and (3) a low-noise, center-hole microchannel plate detector assembly that significantly reduces the noise (or “ringing”) inherent in the coaxial design. A method is also provided for increasing the collection efficiency of laser-desorbed ions in the TOF-MS. The method includes the steps of providing within the TOF-MS an ionization extraction device having an unobstructed central chamber having a first region and a second region; creating an ion acceleration/extraction field within the first region; accelerating ions within the first region; de-accelerating the ions in the second region; and drifting the ions in a drift region to cause ion dispersion.

Abstract: An optical fibre has a cladding layer surrounding a core, the cladding layer comprising at least a first, relatively inner generally cylindrical region, a third, relatively outer generally cylindrical region, and a second region disposed between the first and third regions, the second region having a higher refractive index than the first and third regions; and the peak difference in refractive index between the first cladding region and the core being less than about 0.0030.

Abstract: Novel 2-pyrrolylthione derived metal chelate compounds are disclosed as imaging and therapeutic agents. Compositions and methods for their preparation and use as diagnostic imaging and therapeutic agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel packaging cell lines for production of lentiviral vectors are disclosed. The cell lines utilize an ecdysone-inducible system for virus production, thereby avoiding the cytotoxic effect of unregulated expression of certain envelope proteins and lentiviral proteins. Various embodiments of the cell lines are disclosed, which are suitable for different purposes that range from in vitro screening assays to gene therapy in vivo.

Abstract: A C-glucosyl ether lipid of the following formula: wherein R1 is a C12-C20 alkyl or C12-C20 alkenyl; R2 is a C1-C3 alkyl or C3 cycloalkyl; and X nitrogen-containing group.

Abstract: Apparatus for remote interaction with an object of interest includes a remote station for obtaining information from the object of interest, a base station for transmitting energy in space to and communicating with the remote station and the remote station having conversion means for energizing the remote station responsive to receipt of the transmitted energy. The energy may be of any suitable type including RF power, light, acoustic, magnetic energy or other form of space transmitted or “radiant” energy. The remote station does not have to contain a source of stored energy or a wired connection to a source of energy. The remote station receives the energy transmission and data transmission from the base station and transmits data to the base station. Microprocessor controllers may be provided for the base station and the remote station. The remote station may receive information from sensors and through one or more transponders sequentially communicate information to the base station.

Abstract: The present invention provides a noninvasive localization, characterization and classification apparatus and method for cardiac arrhythmias. The invention enables discrete isolation of the intricate spatial and temporal detail in morphology of the atrial activity of interest from superimposed ventricular activity of a preceding heartbeat in a particular arrhythmia. An adaptive QRST subtraction template is used that is modulated for discrepancies in voltage and rate between the QRST template and arrhythmia signal. The QRST template modulation is accomplished by using one or more fiducial points and windows that are annotated in both the QRST template and the arrhythmia signal. The invention includes, but is not limited to, the isolation of atrial activity that are commonly known as: (1) P waves in case of focal atrial fibrillation, atrial tachycardia, and orthodromic AV reentrant tachycardia; (2) fibrillation waves in case of chronic atrial fibrillation; and (3) flutter waves in case of atrial flutter.

Abstract: A method to detect the bright-band snow level from radar reflectivity and Doppler vertical velocity data collection with an atmospheric profiling Doppler radar. The measurement may be made available to the public through the Internet.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula P1-L-P2; wherein “P1” is a pyrazinoylguanidine sodium channel blocker, “L” is a linking group, and “P2” is either (i) a pyrazinoylguanidine sodium channel blocker or (ii) a P2Y2 receptor agonist, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical formulations containing the same and methods of use thereof to hydrate mucosal surfaces such as airway mucosal surfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a process for preparing a polysaccharide-based extract, raw material of ganoderma genus is subjected to an alcohol treatment to obtain a polysaccharide-rich product from which a supernatant solution is subsequently obtained with the use of water of an elevated temperature as an extracting agent. Thereafter, alcohol is added to the supernatant solution to precipitate the polysaccharide-based extract. The polysaccharide-based extract can be used in an orally active medicinal product which has immunopotentiating and antitumoral effects.