Abstract: Pharmaceutical formulations comprise a mono- or di-aminopyridine active agent for administration on a once- or twice-daily basis for use in the treatment of neurological diseases, in particular multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. The formulations, which are suitable for oral or percutaneous administration of the active agent, include the active agent in a carrier effective to permit release of the mono- or di-aminopyridine at a rate allowing controlled absorption thereof over, on the average, not less than a 12 hour period and at a rate sufficient to achieve therapeutically effective blood levels over a period of 12-24 hours following administration.

Abstract: This invention comprises an optical circuit for the coupling of multi-mode optical fibers to, from and between other fibers, sources, detectors, and other optical elements, and method of fabricating same. The optical circuits of this invention can have round waveguides to provide a better match with round fibers, resulting in higher efficiency, lower loss, and other improvements. A substrate having a relatively low index of refraction is either machined or molded such that semi-circular grooves are formed in substrate surfaces. When two such substrates are aligned and adhered together, tubular channels in a substrate result. The design and placement of these tubular channels can be such that any number of optical functions can be performed, including splitting, tapping, mixing, and coupling. The optical circuits of this invention are relatively easy to manufacture and inexpensive, and exhibit low propagation and coupling loss.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical formulations comprise a mono- or di-aminopyridine active agent for administration on a once- or twice-daily basis for use in the treatment of neurological diseases, in particular multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. The formulations, which are suitable for oral or percutaneous administration of the active agent, include the active agent in a carrier effective to permit release of the mono- or di-aminopyridine at a rate allowing controlled absorption thereof over, on the average, not less than a 12 hour period and at a rate sufficient to achieve therapeutically effective blood levels over a period of 12-24 hours following administration.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic backlighting panel provides uniform and increased background illumination in devices, such as rubber keypads, membrane switches, liquid crystal displays, rigid panels or the like. The fiber optic panel comprises a light source and a layer of optical fibers arranged adjacent each other, which transmit light to different locations throughout the device, thereby providing efficient background illumination relative to the amount of light beamed in. The optical fibers are selectively terminated at these locations by forming a series of angular cuts through the layer of optical fibers with a laser, according to a predetermined geometric zig-zag or sawtooth pattern stored in a computer memory. The zig-zag pattern extends across the entire length and width of the panel such that each optical fiber is cut only once to provide increased and consistent illumination throughout the device.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic backlighting panel provides increased background illumination relative to the amount of light transmitted therethrough, in devices such as rubber keypads, membrane switches, liquid crystal displays, rigid panels or the like. The fiber optic panel comprises a light source and a layer of optical fibers arranged adjacent each other which transmit the light beamed therein to different locations throughout the device, to provide increased and uniform intensity of light at specific locations or uniformly distributed light throughout the device. The optical fibers are selectively terminated at the different locations by forming holes through the layer of optical fibers with a laser, according to a predetermined geometric pattern of dot locations stored in a computer memory. In one specific embodiment for application in liquid crystal displays, a layer of foam is used to diffuse and scatter light to provide uniform illumination.

Abstract: A fiber optic panel provides backlighting in devices such as rubber keypads, membrane switches, liquid crystal displays, rigid panels, or the like. The fiber optic panel comprises a light source for emitting light and a fiber optic cable which transmits the light to a plurality of different locations throughout the device. The fiber optic cable comprises a plurality of optical fibers, each of which individually terminates at one of a plurality of different locations to illuminate that location. Alternatively, the optical fibers individually terminate at evenly spaced locations throughout the device to illuminate a region uniformly.

Abstract: A vehicle viewing system for use on vehicles to enhance the vehicles' safe operation by minimizing blind spots. The system has an objective assembly mountable on the vehicle with its field of view substantially encompassing a blind spot. The images within the field of view are carried from the objective assembly to a viewer assembly via an image relay system. The image relay system may be a conventional fiber optic cable or a periscope assembly mounted between two fiber optic cables to extend the image transmission. The periscope assembly utilizes a lens assembly to relay images. The viewer assembly is mountable in an easy-to-see location on the vehicle suitable for viewing by the vehicle operator. The objective assembly has a lens system to enable the system to present continuous color images for viewing.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis solution which comprises a water solution of physiological pH, and having physiological salts and metabolizable carbohydrate polymers in concentrations sufficient to safely effect the removal of solutes and water from a patient by peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract: A process is provided for increasing the strength of antimony-lead alloys by specially treating an alloy which contains an effective amount of arsenic in the alloy, the process comprising working the alloy, rapidly heat treating the alloy, which includes quenching, for a period of time sufficient to activate a strengthening mechanism in the alloy. The process is especially useful for the manufacture of battery grids on a continuous production line.

Abstract: A process is provided for increasing the strength of antimony-lead alloys by specially treating an alloy which contains an effective amount of arsenic in the alloy, the process comprising working the alloy, rapidly heat treating the alloy, which includes quenching, for a period of time sufficient to activiate a strengthening mechanism in the alloy. The process is especially useful for the manufacture of battery grids on a continuous production line.

Abstract: A method of providing a secure, long-lasting electrical connection between the concentric neutral wires of a Underground Residential Distribution (URD) cable and a sacrificial anode. The invention provides for the prevention of corrosion of the neutral wires of the URD cable. The method comprises: securing a mold around the URD cable and the concentric neutral wires over the area of contact with the anode connecting wire; pouring a low-melt alloy into the mold to surround the URD cable so as to contact at least 50% of the surface area of each of the neutral wires and the anode connecting wire in the area of contact; and cooling the low-melt alloy to form a solid casting around the concentric neutral wires and the area of contact with the anode connecting wire, whereby a secure, long-lasting electrical connection is provided between the neutral wires and the anode.