Abstract: A method of increasing the rate of expansion of tissue area and volume, either in vivo or in vitro, which comprises preparing a tissue for expansion and subjecting the tissue to stretching forces, wherein the stretching forces are alternatively increased and decreased to provide alternating periods of stretch and relax cycles.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing comprehensive, community-based and related support services to chronically ill patients and their caregivers. The system and method create a computer network based support system that centralizes the biopsychosocial treatment of the chronically ill patient within the patient's or caregiver's home. The system and method provide the patient and caregiver with all the necessary resources, support services and support networking to conduct this treatment. The system and method allow chronically ill people to make comprehensive lifestyle changes to enhance their quality of life and reduce the depression and anxiety that is created by having such a debilitating chronic illness.

Abstract: An optical assembly, such as a multiple output diode laser pump source for EDFAs, is formed by pressing an optical array emitter chip against a standoff structure protruding from a submount such that the emitter chip deforms to match the curvature of the standoff structure. An IO chip is also juxtaposed against the standoff structure such that its optical receivers can receive optical energy from the emitter chip. The IO chip can provide various optical functions, and then provide an optical array output for coupling into an optical fiber array. The standoff structure preferably contacts the emitter chip over an aggregate contact area much smaller than the area by which the emitter chip overlaps the submount. The materials used for bonding the emitter chip and the IO chip to the submount are disposed in the recesses between standoffs and not on the contact surfaces of the standoff structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium comprising a substrate having a glossy coating thereon, wherein the glossy coating comprises cationic silica. The cationic silica comprises silica particles having a mean diameter of less than about 1 &mgr;m that have been contacted with at least one aluminum compound. The present invention also provides an aqueous dispersion of cationic silica, a coating composition comprising it, and methods of preparing the dispersion, coating composition, and recording medium.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of inhibiting in a mammal neurological damage resulting from impairment of glucose and/or oxygen supply to the brain, which method comprises administering to the mammal prior to the impairment of glucose and/or oxygen supply to the brain an amount of an NR2B subunit selective NMDA antagonist, which amount is effective in inhibiting neurological damage. This invention also provides a method of preventing primary hyperalgesia, secondary hyperalgesia, primary allodynia, secondary allodynia, or other pain caused by central sensitization, in a mammal, which method comprises administering to the mammal, prior to affliction with said pain, an amount of an NR2B subunit selective NMDA antagonist, which amount is effective in preventing said pain.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing communications between a patent attorney and prospective client comprising: a control unit for receiving a client request generated by a prospective client, relating to a desire for legal services including a fee request; means for assisting a client in formulating a request for proposal to be distributed to a patent attorney throughout the system; means for distributing the request for proposal to said attorneys; and means for receiving bids from attorneys who receive the request for proposal.

Abstract: Described are preferred myocardial grafts of skeletal myoblasts or cardiomyocytes, and cellular compositions and methods useful in obtaining the grafts. The myocardial grafts are stable and can be used, for example, to deliver recombinant proteins directly to the heart.

Abstract: The quick release canister supporting apparatus of the present invention includes a mounting bracket mountable to a rigid support, a rigid, canister retaining frame releasably mountable into mating engagement with the mounting bracket, and at least one latch cooperating between the mounting bracket and the retaining frame for the releasable mounting into mating engagement of the retaining frame with the mounting bracket. The latch may be mounted to the mounting bracket or to the retaining frame. A manually operable release actuator cooperates with the latch for selective actuation of the latch to release the retaining frame from the mounting bracket. The retaining frame defines a rigid cavity having an opening for receiving a gas canister substantially completely into the cavity. The retaining frame includes at least one selectively releasable canister rotation restraint for inhibiting rotation and sliding of the canister about and along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Described are preferred myocardial grafts of skeletal myoblasts or cardiomyocytes, and cellular compositions and methods useful in obtaining the grafts. The myocardial grafts are stable and can be used, for example, to deliver recombinant proteins directly to the heart.

Abstract: A semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface including a first side having a first internal surface and a first external surface, a second side having a second internal surface and a second external surface, an internal cavity between said first and second sides, at least one externally accessible opening, and a flexible film reservoir containing a product. At least a portion of the flexible film reservoir of said flexible film reservoir is disposed between said external surfaces of said first side and said second side.

Abstract: An integrated optical microstructure includes a substrate carrying an optical waveguide and supporting a medium disposed to receive optical energy from the waveguide. The medium includes an optical re-radiator such as a phosphor, which re-radiates optical energy in response to optical energy received from the waveguide. The structure further includes a reflector disposed to redirect some of the input optical energy emanating from the medium back into the medium, to achieve spatial confinement of the input light delivered by the input waveguide. The structure can thereby increase the efficiency of the light conversion processes of re-radiating materials. An aperture in the reflector permits optical energy emitted by the re-radiator to emerge from the structure and to propagate in a preferred direction, such as toward a viewer or sensor.

Abstract: Described are preferred myocardial grafts of skeletal myoblasts or cardiomyocytes, and cellular compositions and methods useful in obtaining the grafts. The myocardial grafts are stable and can be used, for example, to deliver recombinant proteins directly to the heart.

Abstract: An implantable flow control element is provided which prevents air from entering an isolated portion of a patient's lung. The element may permit air to escape from the isolated portion so that the element acts like a valve. Systems for implanting pulmonary devices are also provided.

Abstract: An optical structure is fabricated by forming an active layer including a photodefinable material on a substrate or on another underlying layer, forming an upper layer above the active layer, and then patterning the active layer by selective application of radiation through the upper layer. The upper layer is substantially transparent to radiation of the type required to activate the photodefinable material in the active layer.

Abstract: Soft body armor has a ballistic panel having an interleaved construction of a generally vertically oriented plurality of layers of interleaved sheets or woven fiber cloth and sheets of cross plied unidirectional tape adjacently interleaved in an interleave ratio of plies of cross plied unidirectional tape to plies of woven fiber cloth within each layer of the plurality of layers, the plurality of layers forming a non-quilted array between a front face of the ballistic panel and a back face of the ballistic panel, wherein the interleave ratio of plies of cross plied unidirectional tape to plies of woven fiber cloth within each layer of the plurality of layers is between 1:1 and 4:4, and wherein the total number of the plies of cross plied unidirectional tape is equal to or greater than the total number of the plies of woven fiber cloth within the plurality of layers.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel intracellular recycling free cholesterol pathway whose activity is required for cell division. The pathway provides the cholesterol needed for cell division prior to separation of daughter cells (mitosis). The new pathway offers several targets from pharmaceutical intervention, either via small molecules (such as sterol analogs) or by molecular engineering (preventing the cell from accumulating cholesterol by promoting free cholesterol efflux by transfection of caveolin cDNA).

Abstract: A trouser ornament generally including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a connector portion for connecting the upper and lower portion; the portions being arranged such that the trouser ornament is preferably placed about the fly of a pair of trousers wherein the upper portion rests on and extends across at least a portion of the top surface of the fly, the lower portion rests on and extends across at least a portion of the bottom surface of the fly and the connector portion is preferably maintained at the edge of the fly.

Abstract: An integrated optical microstructure includes a substrate carrying an optical waveguide and supporting a medium disposed to receive optical energy from the waveguide. The medium includes an optical re-radiator such as a phosphor, which reradiates optical energy in response to optical energy received from the waveguide. The structure further includes a reflector disposed to redirect some of the input optical energy emanating from the medium back into the medium, to achieve spatial confinement of the input light delivered by the input waveguide. The structure can thereby increase the efficiency of the light conversion processes of re-radiating materials. An aperture in the reflector permits optical energy emitted by the re-radiator to emerge from the structure and to propagate in a preferred direction, such as toward a viewer or sensor.

Abstract: A tape removal apparatus adapted to be towed behind a vehicle for removing marking tape from a road comprises a road frame hitched to the vehicle and having a pair of wheels to allow the road frame to be towed behind the vehicle and a pickup mast having a center section coupled to the road frame, a lower section extending from the center section toward the road and having a drive roller configured to engage the tape on the road to remove the tape from the road, an upper section extending from the center section toward the vehicle, and a pinch roller. The pinch roller is configured to receive the tape from the drive roller as the tape removal apparatus is towed behind the vehicle.

Abstract: One or more lasers are combined with optical energy transfer devices and energy guiding devices which use an electric field for control. The optical energy transfer devices may form gratings, mirrors, lenses and the like using a class of poled structures in solid material. The poled structures may be combined with waveguide structures. Electric fields applied to the poled structures control routing, reflection and refraction of optical energy. Adjustable tunability is obtained by a poled structure which produces a spatial gradient in a variable index of refraction along an axis in the presence of a variable electric field.