Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating a ram acceleration of a projectile that is at rest. A projectile (34) is positioned in a starting chamber (14) of a launch tube (12). Starting chamber (14) is either filled with a gas at a relatively low pressure or is substantially evacuated. A wave reflection disk (42/42') is positioned a short distance behind the projectile. Downstream of the starting chamber are a plurality of segments, including a first segment (16), which is filled with a combustible gas mixture at a substantially higher pressure than that in the starting chamber. The first segment is separated from the starting chamber by a pair of thin membranes (20a and 20b). These membranes have a characteristic burst pressure that is about midway between the differential pressure in the first segment and the starting chamber.

Abstract: Silicon and aluminum complexes having the following formula: ##STR1## wherein x is 0 or 1, T is H or ##STR2## each R is independently selected from the group consisting of H, OH, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, C.sub.2-6 alkene, C.sub.6-12 aryl, C.sub.1-6 hydroxyalkyl, C.sub.1-6 thioalkyl, C.sub.2-12 alkoxyalkyl, C.sub.3-20 heteroaromatic, and combinations thereof, wherein R may further contain one or more atoms of a non-carbon element such as Si, Ge, Sn, P, and the like; and Y is a cation, are prepared by reacting silica or alumina with a diol, in the presence of a base, while removing water formed during the reaction. Methods for producing such complexes starting with silica or alumina, and methods for converting such complexes into other silicon or aluminum-containing compounds, are disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor, probe, system and method for detecting the presence of or concentration of lipid-soluble analytes such as anesthetics, which involve the use of fluorophore-containing lipid layers or similar amphiphilic structures as the sensor. The lipid layer is constituted such that it has a phase transition temperature equal to or close to the temperature at which the measurement of the analyte is conducted. Partitioning of a suitable analyte into the lipid layer results in a phase change which is then reflected in a change in a fluorescence characteristic, such as a shift in the wavelength of maximum intensity of fluorescence, of the fluorophore, in proportion to the amount of analyte.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing extremely tight binding of proteins to surfaces and to a protein surface wherein the protein is tightly bound to the surface.

Abstract: A method of treating articles to improve their biocompatibility is disclosed. A polymeric substrate material is positioned within a reactor vessel and exposed to plasma gas discharge in the presence of an atmosphere of an inert gas and then in the presence of an organic gas, such as a fluorinated hydrocarbon gas, which forms a thin, biocompatible surface covalently bonded to the surface of the substrate. The method is particularly useful in the treatment of vascular graft materials to produce grafts that are both thrombi- and emboli-resistant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supersonically accelerating a projectile in a thermally choked subsonic combustion mode. A projectile (50) is initially preaccelerated using either a tank (24) of compressed helium or a chemical propellant charge preaccelerator (152). The projectile enters a portion of a tube (22) filled with a combustible mixture (54) of a gaseous fuel and an oxidizer and is propelled by a ram acceleration process as the mixture burns. In several different embodiments, various devices are used to control the velocity of a shock wave generated as the projectile enters the combustible mixture and the dynamic impulse pressure immediately behind the projectile, so that the shock wave attaches to the projectile along an aft portion, thereby establishing a stable subsonic combustion zone along the aft end (64) of the projectile, in which combustion of the gaseous fuel accelerates the projectile down the bore of the tube.

Abstract: A method for assaying bone resorption rates by quantitating the concentration of peptide fragments derived from bone collagen, found in a body fluid. The method includes immunometric assay, fluorometric assay and electrochemical titration. The structure of specific peptide fragments having 3-hydroxypyridinium cross-links found in urine of Paget's disease patients and procedures for making monoclonal antibodies is also described.

Abstract: Specific aspects of the cellular and humoral immune systems of a mammalian host are regulated by administering to the host a compound having a reactive immunoregulatory conformation whose precise three-dimensional structure is defined herein. Sorbinil, tolrestat, WF-3681, and the other immunoregulatory agents described herein process this reactive conformation and so are therapeutically useful for inhibiting delayed-type hypersensitivity, T-cell proliferation, and B-cell antibody production, without altering the normal cellularity of the immune system or the normal metabolites of the arachidonic acid pathway.

Abstract: An improved developer for a method for the specific detection of the presence of beta-lactamase from microbial sources is disclosed. The method utilizes a beta-lactam ring-containing substrate whose amide bond is hydrolyzed in the presence of beta-lactamase. A substrate which includes a beta-lactam antibiotic with an acyl side chain containing an alpha-amino group and an alpha-phenyl group or its derivatives is first contacted with an organism thought to produce beta-lactamase or a cell-free beta-lactamase preparation, and, subsequently, it is determined whether the reaction product between the unhydrolyzed substrate, the end products and the organism or the preparation fluoresces. Fluorescence is the indication of .beta.-lactamase activity. The developer comprises the addition of an oxidizing agent (preferably also containing formaldehyde) to the reaction product to enhance the fluorescence. The oxidizing agent is selected from the group consisting of Ag.sup.+, Hg.sup.++, H.sub.2 O.sub.2, I.sub.3.sup.-, IO.

Abstract: A projectile is initially accelerated to a supersonic velocity and then injected into a launch tube filled with a gaseous propellant. The projectile outer surface and launch tube inner surface form a ramjet having a diffuser, a combustion chamber and a nozzle. A catalytic coated flame holder projecting from the projectile ignites the gaseous propellant in the combustion chamber thereby accelerating the projectile in a subsonic combustion mode zone. The projectile then enters an overdriven detonation wave launch tube zone wherein further projectile acceleration is achieved by a formed, controlled overdriven detonation wave capable of igniting the gaseous propellant in the combustion chamber. Ultrahigh velocity projectile accelerations are achieved in a launch tube layered detonation zone having an inner sleeve filled with hydrogen gas.

Abstract: A fringe field, capacitive distance sensor for measuring the distance between a probe and the surface of the conductive body. The sensor comprises a conductive plate element mounted by the probe, the thickness of the plate element being substantially less than the height and width of the plate element. The plate element is positioned adjacent to and normal to the body surface, and the fringe field capacitance between the plate element and the body is measured, to thereby determine the distance between the probe and the body surface. The probe may be in contact with and scanned across the body surface, to provide surface profile measurements. A probe including a plurality of plate elements may be positioned inside an opening such as a hole, to measure the geometry of the hole. By maintaining the hole probe adjacent one electrode in contact with the hole wall, both profile and geometry measurements may be made. A noncontacting probe including one or more plate elements may be used to measure surface topography.

Abstract: A food product suitable for human consumption, having acceptable flavor and nutritional value, is recovered from cereal grain residues remaining after alcohol fermentation. The food product of the invention is produced by controlling the pH at a range of 4.0-5.0 of the various enzymic conversions of starch to alcohol using only certain organic and inorganic acids which avoid imparting unacceptable mineral acid tastes to the finished product. The preferred acid is citric acid. The pH of the slurry residues before drying to a finished product must be neutralized to about 5.0-8.0. Again, satisfactory taste of the finished product is achieved by carefully selecting the neutralizing agent, typically hydroxides or oxides of Na, K or Ca. Resulting products are characterized as containing only salts from acids used to adjust pH which are taste acceptable. The product forms a 1:10 aqueous suspension having a pH of about 5.0-8.0.

Abstract: A method of biomolecule immobilization is described in which the biomolecule itself or, alternatively, a monomer-conjugated biomolecule, is grafted with free monomer onto a hydrophilic, solid-phase, polymeric substrate which has been pre-irradiated with ionizing radiation. The pre-irradiation step is carried out, preferably at -78.degree. C. in air, while the grafting step is carried out at 0.degree. C. in a substantially oxygen-free atmosphere. The technique is applicable to immobilization of a wide variety of biomolecules, such as enzymes, catalysts, hormones, lectins, drugs, vitamins, antibodies, antigens, nucleic acids, DNA and RNA segments, pesticides, dyes and fertilizers. The products may be used for therapeutic or diagnostic applications or bioseparations.

Abstract: A fringe field, capacitive distance sensor for measuring the distance between a probe and the surface of the conductive body. The sensor comprises a conductive plate element mounted by the probe, the thickness of the plate element being substantially less than the height and width of the plate element. The plate element is positioned adjacent to and normal to the body surface, and the fringe field capacitance between the plate element and the body is measured, to thereby determine the distance between the probe and the body surface. The probe may be in contact with and scanned across the body surface, to provide surface profile measurements. A probe including a plurality of plate elements may be positioned inside an opening such as a hole, to measure the geometry of the hole. By maintaining the hole probe adjacent one electrode in electrode in contact with the hole wall, both profile and geometry measurements may be made.

Abstract: An endoscopically deliverable ultrasound imaging system having an ultrasound probe mounted at the end of an endoscopically deliverable catheter. The catheter connects the probe to an ultrasound imaging system. The axial or radial position of the ultrasound probe is measured by a position transducer mounted on the endocscope adjacent the biopsy port from which the catheter extends. The output of the position measuring transducer is applied to the ultrasound imaging system so that the imaging system provides an image of the tissue depth as a function of the position of the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: A process for producing porous ceramics with controlled microstructure. Colloidal suspensions of polymeric microspheres of a selected size and shape, and aluminum oxide particles are consolidated to form a compact. The compact is heated to decompose the microspheres to leave pores, and to sinter the compact, to form a porous ceramic body with a plurality of pores preferably substantially the same size and shape, where the pores are substantially spherical and are evenly distributed and noncontiguous throughout the ceramic matrix and with strength comparable to its dense state.

Abstract: A frequency-analyzed signal from a pulsed Doppler ultrasound examination is processed in a dedicated computer using statistical pattern recognition to assess the presence and extent of arterial disease. The Doppler blood flow signal is derived from a suitable utlrasound scanner, is frequency analyzed with a real-time, fast Fourier Transformer spectrum analyzer, and is processed by the computer to achieve a diagnosis of the degree of stenosis of the carotid artery through pattern recognition between the Doppler signal and a database of known preclassified spectra. The diagnosis ordinarily follows a hierarchical decision making format to objectively classify the condition of the patient.

Abstract: Thiol-substituted synthetic steriod hormones or androgens having a testosterone ring system backbone are used to inhibit aromatase's catalyzed conversion of C.sub.19 androgens having a A.sup.4,3-ketone group to estrogens in the treatment of estrogen-dependent tumors, such as metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal females.The compounds have the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 =a thiol, such as --SH or --CH.sub.2 SH, and R.sub.2 =OH or =O. The preferred synthetic hormones are 17.beta.-hydroxy-10.beta.-mercaptoestr-4-en-3-one, 19-mercaptoandrost-4-en-3,17-dione, and 10.beta.-mercaptoandrost-4-en-3,17-dione.

Abstract: A rapid method for the specific detection of the presence of Beta-lactamase from microbial sources is disclosed. The method utilizes a Beta-lactam ring containing substrate whose amide bond is hydrolyzed in the presence of Beta-Lactamase. A substrate, which includes a Beta-Lactam antibiotic with an acyl side chain containing an .alpha.-amino group and a .alpha.-phenyl group and/or its derivatives is first contacted with an organism thought to produce Beta-lactamase or a cell-free Beta-lactamase preparation, and, subsequently, it is determined whether the reaction product between the substrate and the organism or the preparation fluoresces.

Abstract: Low-density composites are produced consisting chiefly of boron carbide and aluminum, or aluminum alloy, and minor amounts of ceramic material. The method allows control of the rate of reaction between boron carbide and metal so that the final components of the composite, and hence the mechanical properties, are controlled. The invention includes modification of the carbon content of the boron carbide composition, dispersion of boron carbide and formation of a compact, infiltration of the compact by aluminum or aluminum alloy, and heat treatments. The invention produces low-density boron carbide-aluminum composites with a homogeneous microstructure possessing desired mechanical properties.