Abstract: An adjustable optical tap for adjusting input power, output power and drop power in a communications network includes an enclosure having a plurality of connector assemblies being configured for interconnecting input and output cables; a cover attachable to the enclosure, the cover including a plurality of drop cable ports; and a tunable splitter disposed in the enclosure in communication with the input cable and the drop cable ports, the tunable splitter being configured for adjustment to affect attenuation in a broad wavelength band.

Abstract: An adjustable optical tap for adjusting input power, output power and drop power in a communications network includes an enclosure having a plurality of connector assemblies being configured for interconnecting input and output cables; a cover attachable to the enclosure, the cover including a plurality of drop cable ports; and a tunable splitter disposed in the enclosure in communication with the input cable and the drop cable ports, the tunable splitter being configured for adjustment to affect attenuation in a broad wavelength band.

Abstract: Methods for therapy of cystic fibrosis and other conditions are provided. The methods comprise one or more agents capable of increasing thiol-containing compound transport via a transporter system (i.e. ABC transporters such as MDR-1 or MRP-2) in cells. Other embodiments include the use of agents to modulate transport of thiol-containing compounds within the cell. Therapeutic methods involve the administration of such agents to a patient afflicted with cystic fibrosis and/or another condition responsive to stimulation of thiol-containing compound transport.

Abstract: Disclosed are various devices, systems and methods for testing broadband differential coupling circuits that are capable of measuring the amount of extraneous interference and noise in such circuits. In preferred embodiments, NEXT and FEXT crosstalk performance characteristics of differential coupling circuits are provided.

Abstract: Frequency domain responses associated, respectively, with a fixture having a DUT connected to it and a fixture without the DUT are converted into respective time-domain responses that are then used to construct respective time-domain circuit models. The time-domain circuit model corresponding to the fixture by itself is subsequently de-embedded from the time-domain circuit model corresponding to the fixture and the DUT connected to it to obtain a time-domain circuit model for the DUT by itself. The time-domain circuit model for the DUT is operated over a range of frequencies as the frequency domain response is measured. The s-parameters for the DUT are then computer from the frequency domain response for the DUT.

Abstract: A stripline structure. The stripline structure includes a stripline transmission line, a first ground plane, a first dielectric layer overlaying the first ground plane, a conductive trace overlaying the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer overlaying the conductive trace, a second ground plane overlaying the second dielectric layer, multiple first conductive vias, and multiple second conductive vias. Each first conductive via and each second conductive via electrically connects the first ground plane to the second ground plane. The multiple first conductive vias are located along a first line parallel to the conductive trace, and the multiple second conductive vias are located along a second line parallel to the conductive trace. The first line and the second line are located on opposite sides of the conductive trace.

Abstract: Tracheal gas insufflation (TGI) therapy is performed by a bypass valve and a controller which control a flow of TGI gas to a TGI catheter inserted into an endotracheal tube in the tracheal of a patient. The bypass valve is activated into a pass-through state to admit the TGI gas into the catheter and into a bypass state to divert the TGI gas from the TGI catheter. Potentially dangerous over-pressure may be sensed and the TGI gas flow terminated, but then quickly resumed after the over-pressure condition passes. Selectively applying and diverting the TGI gas allows phasic TGI therapy to be performed using heated and humidified gas and also allows the heat and humidity levels of the TGI gas to be maintained during continuous TGI therapy.

Abstract: The inhibitors, obtainable from tissue or secretions of leeches typically of the order Rhynchobdellida, has the following terminal sequence: NH.sub.2 -Lys-Leu-Leu-Pro-Cys-Lys-Glu-Y-His-Gln-Gly-Ile-Pro-Asn-Pro-Arg- wherein Y represents any amino acid sequence; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, derivative or bioprecursor of said sequence, or an analogue or homologue thereof. Because of their extreme potency in the nanomolar range, they can be used to treat a number of diseases where protein cross-linking is important. They can be used for the treatment of Crohn's disease, tumor implantation, atherosclerosis, thrombotic microangiophathy, fibrous growths of the skin, acne, scar formation, membranous glomerulonephrits, cataracts, or infection with microfilarial nematodes. In particular, they can be used to reduce the stability of thrombi so that they are more susceptible to lysis by thrombolytic agents.

Abstract: A method for preventing the formation of platelet-rich clots or thrombus, and for deaggregating platelet-rich clots or thrombus, using hementin, a polypeptide derived from leech salivary glands. Hementin may be administered for this purpose in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient, with or without additional anticoagulants such as hirudin, hirudin analogues, or an inhibitor of factor Xa.

Abstract: The inhibitor is protein derived leech tissue or leech secretions (for example, from Hirudo medicinalis), which is capable of binding to native collagen, in such a way that substantially no cleavage breakdown products of coilagen molecules occur on SDS-PAGE. The protein substantially inhibits collagen-induced platelet aggregation or adhesion, has a molecular weight of 60-70 kilodaltons in reduced form and has optimum activity at pH 8.0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel protease-inhibitor,--which we called GELIN--and to pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations thereof, containing this compound. GELIN is an inhibitor of human and porcine leucocyte elastase and chymotrypsin. GELIN has specific antibiotic properties. It also relates to the novel use of EGLIN, another chymotrypsin-inhibitor in cosmetic preparations.

Abstract: Reagent compositions suitable for use in degrading and detoxifying polyhalogenated organic compounds comprising an aprotic solvent having dissolved therein (a) an effective amount of hydrogen donor, (b) an effective amount of a compound which produces hydroxide ion or alkoxide ion, and (c) dioxygen, are shown. These reagent compositions may be used to produce superoxide ion in situ for use in a variety of industrial applications to degrade halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g., PCBs. The generation of superoxide ion may be catalyzed by the presence of anthraquinone and derivatives thereof. Reagent compositions containing (a) an effective amount of hydrogen donor, e.g., hydroxylamine, (b) an effective amount of a compound which produces hydroxide ion or alkoxide ion and (c) dioxygen are also shown. In preferred methods the dioxygen is bubbled through the solutions to continuously form superoxide ion.

Abstract: A method of treating thrombosis with a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an endo-beta-glucuronidase, preferably leech-derived, heparin and a pharmacologically acceptable diluent, carrier or excipient which does not prevent the interaction between the heparin and the endo-beta-glucuronidase is disclosed. The formulation, which is disclosed, can also comprise a clot-lytic agent such as tissue plasminogen activator. Endo-beta-glucuronidase, unlike other hyaluronidases, has been found not to be inhibited by heparin.

Abstract: A novel iron chelate treating solution containing a specified ferric chelate, and process for converting H.sub.2 S, are described.

Abstract: Nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic ligand-metal complexes and their use for the activation of hydrogen peroxide and dioxgen are disclosed. Processes whereby activated hydrogen peroxide or dioxygen are used to transform various organic substrates are also disclosed. In particular, processes for the conversion of methylenic carbons to carbonyls, for the dioxygenation of aryl olefins, acetylenes and aryl-.alpha.-diols, for the oxidation of alcohols and aldehydes and for the removal of mercaptans from gaseous streams and for the removal of hydrogen sulfide and/or mercaptans from liquid streams are disclosed.

Abstract: Three methods are provided for generating superoxide ions in an aprotic solvent. In each method a compound that is dependent on the particular reaction mechanism of the method reacts with dioxygen dissolved in the aprotic solvent and hydroxide ions or alkoxide ions in solution in the aprotic solvent to generate the superoxide ions. In the first method, hydrogen donor compounds such as aniline and N-substituted anilines, or phenylhydrazine and phenylhydrazine derivatives, react with the dioxygen and hydroxide ions or alkoxide ions to generate concentrations of superoxide ions in the aprotic solvent. In the second method, proton donor compounds such as hydroxylamine and N-substituted hydroxylamines react with the dioxygen and hydroxide ions or alkoxide ions to generate concentrations of superoxide ions in the aprotic solvent.

Abstract: The collagenase is like tissue collagenases in that it cleaves collagen at a single site. The collagenase which has a molecular weight of about 50 k daltons, specifically inhibits collagen-induced platelet aggregation, with substantially no effect on platelet count or size, and may be used alone or together with another platelet aggregation inhibitor. The latter may also be a leech-derived biochemical, such as an apyrase, or an inhibitor of the release of platelet aggregation factor by leucocytes.