Abstract: The present invention provides peptides which have the ability to abrogate TNF toxicity and/or LPS toxicity. The present invention further relates to compositions including these peptides as the active ingredient and methods of anti-inflammatory treatment involving the administration of this composition. The peptides of the present invention are based primarily on residue 1 to 26 of human TNF.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a physical parameter, such as the saturation percentage of oxygen in blood. The pulse oximeter is built into the finger clip, and therefore the device is small, lightweight and very portable, as well as more reliable.

Abstract: A method for forming a carbon composite valve for internal combustion engines.

Abstract: A lightweight cylinder block composed of carbon-carbon is disclosed. The use of carbon-carbon over conventional materials, such as cast iron or aluminum, reduces the weight of the cylinder block and improves thermal efficiency of the internal combustion reciprocating engine. Due to the negligible coefficient of thermal expansion and unique strength at elevated temperatures of carbon-carbon, the piston-to-cylinder wall clearance can be small, especially when the carbon-carbon cylinder block is used in conjunction with a carbon-carbon piston. Use of the carbon-carbon cylinder block has the effect of reducing the weight of other reciprocating engine components allowing the piston to run at higher speeds and improving specific engine performance.

Abstract: There is provided a system for the delivery of a gaseous product to a reaction chamber. The system includes a fuel tank containing a hypergolic liquid displaced from the fuel tank by a pressurized gas whose flow is controlled by a thruster control valve and directed to a gas generator. Pressurant gas entrained in the hypergolic liquid is not decomposed in the gas generator and causes pressure oscillations. The pressure oscillations are minimized by reducing the diameter of the gas bubbles or by disposing a gas fluid resistor between the gas generator and the reaction chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to difunctional telechelic linear non-crosslinked polyolefins without pendant chain branched groups. The polyolefin compounds of this invention are useful for preparing high molecular weight polyesters, polyamides, polyureas and polyurethanes of high density without branching of the polymer chains, and with low permeability to gases and solvents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for synthesizing a compound having the structure: ##STR1## wherein R is H, as well as related oligosaccharides useful as a vaccine for inducing antibodies to human breast cancer cells in an adjuvant therapy therefor.

Abstract: A self-levelling laser generator apparatus (10) includes a housing (12), a light source in the housing which produces a beam of collimated light, and a self-levelling mechanism (18). The self-levelling mechanism includes an electronically controllable signal source, such as a digital potentiometer (46), which is provided a command (44a-44c) from a programmed computer (38) to produce a controllable output (48). The output of (48) the digital potentiometer is summed by a summing circuit (34) with the output (28) of an inclination sensor (24) in order to produce a compensated inclination signal (36) which is provided as an input to computer 38. The computer additionally receives a calibration input (20, 21) indicative of deviation between the inclination of the laser beam and a predetermined grade. The computer produces a drive signal (50a, 50b) for the self-levelling mechanism (52, 54) that is a function of the compensation inclination signal.

Abstract: A method for making a lightweight cylinder block composed of carbon--carbon is disclosed. The use of carbon--carbon over conventional materials, such as cast iron or aluminum, reduces the weight of the cylinder block and improves thermal efficiency of the internal combustion reciprocating engine. Due to the negligible coefficient of thermal expansion and unique strength at elevated temperatures of carbon--carbon, the piston-to-cylinder wall clearance can be small, especially when the carbon--carbon cylinder block is used in conjunction with a carbon--carbon piston. Use of the carbon--carbon cylinder block has the effect of reducing the weight of other reciprocating engine components allowing the piston to run at higher speeds and improving specific engine performance.

Abstract: A contaminant detection system includes a transmitter for transmitting a guided wave through the skin at particular resonances, wherein each resonance point utilized will have propagation characteristics sensitive to a condition of interest. A contaminant may then be classified by transmitting several resonances and then carrying out appropriate feature extraction and pattern recognition techniques utilizing a host processor.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a rear body having a rear chassis portion extending downwardly therefrom which supports a pair of rear wheels. A front chassis is pivotally secured to the rear chassis and extends forwardly therefrom supporting a pair of front wheels. The vehicle further includes a front body portion formed of a pair of pivotally coupled members commonly secured to an elongated rearwardly extending gear rack. A spoiler slidably supported within the rear body is coupled to a forwardly extending gear rack. A compound gear is rotatably supported within the rear body and engages each gear rack such that movement in the forward direction of the rear spoiler causes a multiplied distance movement of the gear rack supporting the front body portion. A resilient membrane partially encloses the gear racks and is stretched between the rear chassis and the front body portion.

Abstract: A surgical trocar has three integral single beveled blades having cutting edges which, when viewed head on, resemble a Y configuration. The distal end of each blade is formed with a leading cutting edge and a single trailing edge which define a single beveled face. The blades are arranged so that their leading edges converge to form a sharp point at the distal end of the trocar with the leading cutting edges extending proximally and radially from the point. The trocar is preferably extruded with three fins which are shifted relative to the longitudinal axis of the extrusion such that at most a first side of each fin lies along a ray from the longitudinal axis of the extrusion. Alternatively, both sides are shifted to one side of the longitudinal axis. The distal end of each fin is then ground to form a single bevel with at least a portion of the cutting edge of the beveled fin lying in a plane which includes the longitudinal axis of the extrusion and being angled proximally.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparation of non-crosslinked linear monofunctional and telechelic difunctional unsaturated polymers wherein the functional groups are acrylate or methacrylate groups. The average functionality number of the monofunctional unsaturated polymers is at least 0.7, as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The average functionality number of the telechelic difunctional polymers is at least 1.7, as determined by NMR. Alkyl acrylates or alkyl methacrylates are reacted with cyclic olefinic non-conjugated compounds or unsaturated hydrocarbon polymers to prepare monofunctional and difunctional polymers. The process is substantially free of side reactions comprising double bond migration and cyclization.

Abstract: A hydrophobic polyurethane elastomer composition is disclosed containing a linear soft segment without pendant chain branched groups, wherein said polyurethane elastomer has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than -70.degree. C. and a moisture uptake of less than 1.0 wt. % after 24 hours of immersion in water at 70.degree. C., and wherein said polyurethane elastomer comprises at least one repeat unit containing said linear soft segment, which soft segment comprises a moiety derived from a polyol of the structure:X--[CH.dbd.CH(CH.sub.2).sub.n ].sub.m CH.dbd.CH--Xwherein X is a hydroxyl-containing moiety selected from the group consisting of --CH.sub.2 OH, --(CH.sub.2).sub.8 COO(CH.sub.2).sub.p OH and --COO(CH.sub.2).sub.p OH, wherein the functionality number of the terminal groups is 2.0, p is 2 to 12, n is 1 to 10, m is a number average value of up to 1000, and the weight of the polyol is from about 0.5 wt. % to about 99.5 wt. % of the resulting polyurethane elastomer.

Abstract: This invention relates to difunctional telechelic linear non-crosslinked polyolefins without pendant chain branched groups. The polyolefin compounds of this invention are useful for preparing high molecular weight polyesters, polyamides, polyureas and polyurethanes of high density without branching of the polymer chains, and with low permeability to gases and solvents.

Abstract: A method for memory checkpointing which does not involve copying of data and that is virtually instantaneous involves designating the active location at a checkpoint as being the backup for the checkpoint. Until there is a new write operation after the checkpoint, this location is regarded as both the active and the backup location. At the first write operation after the checkpoint, the write is carried out to the other, previously non-designated location. Control of writing and indicating of the status of the locations is carried out by updating two binary bits for each pair of locations, namely, a first modification indicator bit and a second role indicator bit. The modification bits are stored on a resettable RAM for almost instantaneous checkpointing where the location granularity is that of a write operation. The method obviates the need for copying the contents of an active location at a checkpoint.

Abstract: A fluidized bed jet mill for grinding particulate material comprising: a) a grinding chamber having a peripheral wall, a base, and a central axis; b) an impact target with a hollow cavity defined thereby, and with at least three apertures transversing the walls thereof, said target being mounted within said grinding chamber and centered on said central axis of said grinding chamber; and c) a plurality of sources of high velocity gas, said gas sources being mounted in said grinding chamber in said peripheral wall, arrayed symmetrically about said central axis, and oriented to direct high velocity gas along an axis substantially perpendicularly intersecting said central axis within said impact target, each of said sources of high velocity gas comprising a nozzle having an internal diameter; wherein said impact target has a cross section area in a plane parallel to said central axis, and said cross section area is greater than said cross section area of said internal diameter of said nozzle; and wherein the dist

Abstract: This invention relates to difunctional telechelic linear non-crosslinked polyolefins without pendant chain branched groups. The polyolefin compounds of this invention are useful for preparing high molecular weight polyesters, polyamides, polyureas and polyurethanes of high density without branching of the polymer chains, and with low permeability to gases and solvents.

Abstract: A polymerization process for preparation of oligomers and polymers having at least one internal carbon-to-carbon double bond and containing functional groups comprising terminal carbon-to-carbon double bonds is disclosed. The polymerization process is substantially free of side reactions comprising double bond migration. The oligomers and polymers are prepared from acyclic polyenes of from 2 to about 30 carbon atoms. The catalyst system comprises a metathesis catalyst (A) comprising a transition metal compound, an activator (B) selected from the group consisting of organic tin compounds and organic aluminum halides and (C) an organic Lewis base. Yields are at least 60% of theoretical based on acyclic polyene reactant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparation of non-crosslinked linear monofunctional and telechelic difunctional unsaturated polymers wherein the functional groups are reactive terminal groups other than vinyl groups. The average functionality number of the monofunctional unsaturated polymers is at least 0.7, as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The average functionality number of the telechelic difunctional polymers is at least 1.7, as determined by NMR. Monofunctional olefins and difunctional olefins are reacted with cyclic olefins or unsaturated polymers to prepare difunctional polymers. The process is substantially free of side reactions comprising double bond migration and cyclization.