Abstract: Shaped microporous articles are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nucleating agents using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. The shaped microporous article is oriented in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0. The shaped article may also comprise a diluent, glyceryl triacetate. The shaped microporous article may also have the micropores filled with a sufficient quantity of ion conducting electrolyte to allow the membrane to function as an ion conductive membrane. The method of making a microporous article comprises the steps of melt blending polyvinylidene fluoride, nucleating agent and glyceryl triacetate; forming a shaped article of the mixture; cooling the shaped article to cause crystallization of the polyvinylidene fluoride and phase separation of the polyvinylidene fluoride and glyceryl triacetate; and stretching the shaped article in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0.

Abstract: The invention is a vaccine, and method of vaccination, against RNA viruses, including RNA viruses in the family Flaviviridae, which includes for example West Nile Virus, Yellow fever virus, Dengue fever virus, Hepatitis C virus, Pestiviruses, Bovine viral diarrhea virus, and Classical Swine fever virus, wherein the vaccine comprises the RNA virus or immunogenic portions thereof, which have been treated with and rendered non-pathogenic by a phenothiazine dye and visible light, the phenothiazine dyes, including, but not limited to, Methylene Blue (MB), Methylene Green, 1-methyl MB, 1,9-dimethyl MB, Azure A, Azure B, Azure C, thionine, and toluidine blue, or by squalene. The invention includes novel strains of WNV for use in producing a vaccine, and novel primers and their use in recognizing and amplifying all of or portions of the WNV genome for diagnosing WNV infections, for quality control of the vaccine, or for identifying the presence of WNV in blood or blood products.

Abstract: The present invention is a microporous film that includes a crystallizable polymer, a melting flame retardant additive, a non-melting nucleating agent, and a diluent.

Abstract: The present invention involves the use of nitrone free radical trapping agents in the treatment and prevention of gliomas. The agents may be used alone or combined with other traditional chemo- and radiotherapies and surgery, to treat or prevent glioma occurrence, recurrence, spread, growth, metastasis, or vascularization.

Abstract: There is provided an oil absorbing wipe material suitable for wiping a users' skin or hair and a method for their manufacture. The wipes comprise at least an oil absorbing porous coextruded film of a crystalline thermoplastic material with a solid diluant containing crumpable layer and a generally nontacky layer. Generally, the wipe changes transparency or color when loaded with oil to provide an oil absorption indication functionality. The wipe is capable of forming a compact ball by crumpling a 10 cm by 10 cm sample to a diameter of 3.0 cm or less.

Abstract: Microporous materials and articles are disclosed. The microporous materials contain a polyolefin or olefinic polymer and a solid diluent in which the polymer is soluble at a temperature above the melting temperature of the polymer and that phase separates from the polymer at a temperature below the polymer crystallization temperature. The resulting material is a microporous material having a polymeric matrix with solid diluent present throughout. The invention is also directed to methods of forming the microporous material using thermally induced phase separation and subsequent processing.

Abstract: Spin trapping compositions in general have now been discovered to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, including disorders such as those arising from ischemia, infection, inflammation, exposure to radiation or cytotoxic compounds, not just of the central and peripheral nervous systems but of peripheral organ disease having a wide variety of etiologies. In the preferred embodiment, the compositions for treating tissue damage from ischemia contain PBN, or active derivatives thereof, in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier for intravenous oral, topical, or nasal/pulmonary administration. Other preferred spin-trapping agents include 5,5-dimethyl pyrrolidine N-oxide (DMPO), ?-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (POBN), and (TEMPO) and spin-trapping derivatives, conjugates with drugs or targeting molecules, dimmers and cyclodextran polymers of PBN.

Abstract: Spin trapping compositions in general have now been discovered to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, including disorders such as those arising from ischemia, infection, inflammation, exposure to radiation or cytotoxic compounds, not just of the central and peripheral nervous systems but of peripheral organ disease having a wide variety of etiologies. In the preferred embodiment, the compositions for treating tissue damage from ischemia contain PBN, or active derivatives thereof, in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier for intravenous oral, topical, or nasal/pulmonary administration. Other preferred spin-trapping agents include 5,5-dimethyl pyrrolidine N-oxide (DMPO), ?-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (POBN), and (TEMPO) and spin-trapping derivatives, conjugates with drugs or targeting molecules, dimmers and cyclodextran polymers of PBN.

Abstract: Shaped microporous articles are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nucleating agents using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. The shaped microporous article is oriented in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0. The shaped article may also comprise a diluent, glyceryl triacetate. The shaped microporous article may also have the micropores filled with a sufficient quantity of ion conducting electrolyte to allow the membrane to function as an ion conductive membrane. The method of making a microporous article comprises the steps of melt blending polyvinylidene fluoride, nucleating agent and glyceryl triacetate; forming a shaped article of the mixture; cooling the shaped article to cause crystallization of the polyvinylidene fluoride and phase separation of the polyvinylidene fluoride and glyceryl triacetate; and stretching the shaped article in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0.