Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for attenuating graft-versus-host disease after transplantation of a graft comprising hematopoietic stem cells in a subject. The invention further relates to methods of limiting opportunistic microbial infections in a subject after transplantation of a graft comprising hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a female member having a bore and a male member capable of being received in the bore of the female member. A trigger assembly is disposed between the male and female members and includes an actuator, housing, and biasing member. The male member includes an engagement mechanism to engage the trigger assembly and facilitate axial movement of the actuator. Axial movement of the actuator induces expansion of the biasing member and the engagement of the actuator and the male member. Accordingly, the male member is urged or propelled into the bore of the female member upon expansion of the biasing member. To disconnect, the male and female members are utilized to return the trigger assembly to an inactivated position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer assembly for monitoring the quality of spot welds employs a transducer element joined to a support element and fitted within a conventional welding electrode assembly. The transducer assembly is biased against the interior surface of the welding electrode tip by a biasing element, preferably a compression spring. A sleeve, preferably composed of brass, surrounds the transducer element and is joined to the support element. A coaxial cable in communication with external instrumentation has a ground lead attached to the sleeve, and a signal lead attached to the transducer element.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer assembly for making measurements within a fluid, the assembly including a transducer, a backing member and a matching member all supported within a cylindrical metal housing with the transmitting face of the housing being sealed with a thin sealing element formed of a non-resilient relatively high impedance material encasing a matching layer having an acoustic impedance intermediate between that of the transducer element and the fluid. The thickness of the sealing element is between 1/10 and 1/1000th of a wavelength at the center frequency of the wave emitted by the transducer.

Abstract: A transducer for an ultrasonic thickness gauge of the pitch and catch type has transmitting and receiving transducer elements on adjoining blocks of delay material separated by an acoustic barrier is calibrated by operating the receiving transducer element in pulse-echo mode. The lengths of the two delay blocks differ by an amount calculated to make the pulse-echo travel time in the longer delay block greater than pitch and catch travel time by an amount at least equal to the geometric delay of the transducer to provide an unambiguous readout during pulse-echo operation when the gauge is adjusted to the proper zero point calibration for the transducer.

Abstract: A plasma confinement apparatus, wherein multiple magnetic mirror cells are linked by magnetic field lines inside of a solenoid with the mirroring regions for adjacent magnetic mirror cells each formed by a separate mirror coil inside of the solenoid. The magnetic mirror cells may be field reversed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for confining a plasma in a center mirror cell by use of two end mirror cells as positively charged end stoppers to minimize leakage of positive particles from the ends of the center mirror cell.