Abstract: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is increasing worldwide creating a global threat. Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a bacterial infectious disease that results in over one million deaths annually. The discovery outlined here involves a tablet composition for patient administration and subsequently a new paradigm in drug delivery vehicles in vivo and in vitro and is applied to existing TB antibiotics in order to increase their efficacy. The drug delivery system is a three component complex that is administered with the TB antibiotic or a combination of TB antibiotics. The components are a saccharide or saccharides, a transition metal ion or a combination of metal ions that can bind a nitrogen and/or oxygen atom(s), and a water soluble polymer capable of aggregating and enclosing the other constituents. The three component molecular delivery approach has demonstrated ability to overcome M. tuberculosis bacterial resistance to an existing antibiotic.

Abstract: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is increasing worldwide creating a global threat. Tuberculosis (TB), caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a bacterial infectious disease that results in over one million deaths annually. The discovery outlined here involves a tablet composition for patient administration and subsequently a new paradigm in drug delivery vehicles in vivo and in vitro and is applied to existing TB antibiotics in order to increase their efficacy. The drug delivery system is a three component complex that is administered with the TB antibiotic or a combination of TB antibiotics. The components are a saccharide or saccharides, a transition metal ion or a combination of metal ions that can bind a nitrogen and/or oxygen atom(s), and a water soluble polymer capable of aggregating and enclosing the other constituents. The three component molecular delivery approach has demonstrated ability to overcome M. tuberculosis bacterial resistance to an existing antibiotic.

Abstract: Artificial reefs serve a useful purpose to promote the growth of sessile marine organisms such as bacteria, algae, corals, and bryozoans as well as providing a habitat and food source for species such as fish, crabs, lobsters, and some marine invertebrates. This invention applies the United States Environmental Protection Agencies' Twelve Principles of Green Technology to provide a cellulose based surface that is coated in nutrients to promote the rapid growth of marine microbes, the base of the marine food chain. This rapid growth, which begins days after being submerged, starts the food chain. The mineral based substrate attached to the cellulose based material is denser than water to allow the entire structure to sink; both the cellulose and mineral based materials will degrade rapidly leaving behind nucleation sites for microbes, corals, invertebrate collections, and more. The reef is constructed entirely from biodegradable materials and production costs are economical.

Abstract: Methods for utilizing copper ions to bind to and help transport medicinal agents that contain a nitrogen atom or atoms are disclosed. The copper ion or ions serve as a delivery platform for a known pharmaceutical agent. The copper ions may be used to impact the polarity of the medicinal agents so they perform more efficiently in a physiological environment. The copper ions may also improve the efficacy of the drug by impacting their stability.

Abstract: Methods for producing and obtaining natural products from microbial amplification chambers are described. This approach utilizes the concept of green chemistry to synthesize and extract the marine and terrestrial natural products. The method describes techniques to colonize and grow the selected bacteria and to continuously harvest the pharmaceutical agent from the broth without using any commercial solvents.

Abstract: A clock synthesizing circuit for generating clock signals for driving a pixel-based image sensor includes a pixel rate generator that generates a master clock having a master clock frequency corresponding generally to a readout rate of the image sensor, a frequency locked loop that receives the master clock and generates a high frequency clock operating at a multiple of the master clock frequency, and a clock generation circuit that utilizes the high frequency clock to generate a plurality of low frequency clock signals for driving the image sensor. The frequency locked loop may be either a phase locked loop or a delay locked loop, and the clock generation circuit would utilize the edge transitions of the high frequency clock to generate the low frequency clock signals for driving the image sensor.

Abstract: A recirculating loop method for producing and/or using ozone is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: supplying a gas mixture comprising oxygen and a catalyst, generating ozone from the gas mixture, and recirculating the gas mixture. In a preferred method, the method comprises the additional steps of: reacting the ozone with a chemically reactive species and adding sufficient oxygen to the oxygen and noble gas mixture to maintain the specific oxygen to noble gas ratio. Preferably, the ozone is generated by electrical discharge from oxygen and noble gas mixtures of a volume ratio of not greater than 9 to 1 oxygen to catalyst gas.

Abstract: A charge transfer imager useful for charge summing includes a photosensitive area for producing image charge, a floating diffusion for converting the image charge to a voltage, an output register for transferring the image charge to the floating diffusion, and an output circuit including the floating diffusion for producing an output signal that contains image information as a function of the difference between a predetermined reference level and an image level, both levels characterized by respective relatively constant pedestal regions. The imager is part of an imaging device that includes a clock generator for generating a reset signal of predetermined frequency that resets the voltage level of the floating diffusion, and for generating a transport signal that is applied to the output register for shifting the image charge to the floating diffusion at a multiple of the reset clock frequency.

Abstract: A multi-resonant antenna is formed by a plurality of resonators which resonate at different frequencies. A feed member is coupled to the multi-resonant resonators. Disposed between and separating the resonators from the feed member is a dielectric substrate.

Abstract: A closed inductively coupled plasma cell generates a relatively high power, low noise plasma for use in spectroscopic studies. A variety of gases can be selected to form the plasma to minimize spectroscopic interference and to provide a electron density and temperature range for the sample to be analyzed. Grounded conductors are placed at the tube ends and axially displaced from the inductive coil, whereby the resulting electromagnetic field acts to elongate the plasma in the tube. Sample materials can be injected in the plasma to be excited for spectroscopy.

Abstract: A personal health monitor includes sensors for measuring patient weight, temperature, blood pressure, and ECG waveform. The monitor is coupled to a central unit via modems and includes a computer which is programmed to prompt a patient to take prescribed medication at prescribed times, to use the sensors to measure prescribed health parameters, and to supply answers to selected questions. Medication compliance information, test results, and patient answers are compiled in a composite log which is automatically transmitted to the central unit. The computer is also programmed automatically to disconnect the monitor from an alternating current power source and to rely on internal battery power during certain periods of patient-monitor interaction, such as during use of the ECG module. In this way, danger to the patient and complexity of the ECG module are minimized.

Abstract: A laminar antenna includes a conductive ground plane (102), a first dielectric lamina (106), a conductive exciter lamina (108), a second dielectric lamina (114), and a conductive radiator lamina (116). The radiator partially overlaps the exciter and the amount of overlap determines the input impedance of the antenna. The laminar antenna can be positioned within the wall of a plastic radio housing (302). Multi-radiator wideband and duplex embodiments of the antenna are also described. In another embodiment, the ground plane extends above the radio housing while the radiator and dielectric laminae wrap around the extended portion of the ground plane.

Abstract: A hose coupling for permanent attachment to a hose having a reinforcing braid layer intermediate inner and outer layers of rubber or plastic has an outer sleeve which is circumferentially crimped to the hose at at least four axially spaced rings. The coupling includes a smooth walled insert inside the hose engaging the inner surface of the hose.