Abstract: An improved technique for assembling and drawing fiber from preforms is provided. In one embodiment, the technique involves providing a core rod assembly comprising a core rod and a bushing attached at an end of the assembly. The core rod assembly is inserted into an unsintered overcladding tube, and secured to the tube such that the core rod assembly is suspended within. The overcladding tube and the core rod assembly are heated to sinter the overcladding tube and thereby form a preform assembly. During the heating step, the bushing comes into contact with the interior of the overcladding tube, and, because the bushing has a larger diameter than the core rod, an annular gap is maintained between the core rod assembly and the interior of the overcladding tube. It is then possible to attach a draw handle to the preform assembly, place the preform assembly into a draw tower, and draw fiber from the preform assembly by an overclad during draw technique.

Abstract: The L2 protein of papillomavirus (particularly BPV-2 and BPV-4) has been cloned as a fusion protein with beta-galactosidase and GST; both as the whole protein and as fragments. Vaccination of calves is found to have both a prophylactic effect in tumour prevention and a therapeutic effect in tumour regression.

Abstract: An improved process for fabricating a refractory dielectric article, in particular silica optical fiber, is provided. The fabrication process involves joining of two elongated bodies—typically silica preforms—end-to-end by use of an isothermal plasma torch technique. A long preform made in this manner allows drawing of optical fiber with less down-time and waste than current processes. The plasma torch technique also produces low perturbations within the resultant preform, thereby increasing the amount of usable fiber.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for heating water to one of a plurality of predetermined temperatures and for generating steam. A burner with a water jacket receives water from a pump which obtains water from a water source flowing through one of plurality of different flow circuits. The burner provides heat for heating the water to one of the predetermined temperatures as selected by an operator. The water flow through the burner is regulated by a temperature sensor which senses the temperature of the water within the water jacket. The water flow changes if the temperature sensor senses a temperature which is higher or lower than the predetermined value. Steam may further be generated though a further steam flow circuit to maintain water temperatures with the containers or to heat the water within the containers to desired temperatures.

Abstract: The N-terminal region of bovine papillomavirus (BPV-4) L2 protein includes three immunogenically active epitopes. Two of these epitopes have substantial sequence homology to human papillomavirus (HPV) types. The BPV and HPV sequences are used to produce vaccine formulations for use in cattle and humans.

Abstract: The smoothness of refractory dielectric bodies, particularly silica sol-gel bodies, is substantially improved by a relatively straightforward treatment. In particular, the surface of the body is treated with a plasma fireball, such as induced by a plasma torch. The treatment is able to reduce the roughness, as measured by RA, in overcladding tubes formed by a sol-gel process by at least a factor of 2, typically at least a factor of 5. It is also possible to improve the smoothness of silica tubes that are drawn from a billet. Typically, the process reduces the roughness of silica bodies to an RA of about 1 microinch or less.

Abstract: The invention provides pharmaceutical formulations for Immunizing against papillomavirus tumors or lesions. Formulations may be selected from the group consisting of: (i) a formulation which comprises a papillomavirus (PV) L2 protein or fragment thereof that is effective to provide a protective effect to lessen the occurrence and severity of lesions or tumors caused by PV infection and an aluminum compound; (ii) a formulation which comprises a bovine papillomavirus (BPV) L2 protein or said fragment thereof and an aluminum compound: (iii) a formulation which comprises a BPV4 L2 protein or said fragment thereof and an aluminum compound; (iv) a formulation which comprises a BPV-4 protein or said fragment thereof and an adjuvant; (v) a formulation which comprises a BPV-4 L2 protein or said fragment thereof and an adjuvant; and (vi) a formulation which comprises a BPV4 protein or said fragment thereof and an aluminum compound.

Abstract: A refractory dielectric body is heated with a plasma fireball at conditions which do not result in substantial removal of a surface portion of the body, yet which are sufficient to reduce both surface and bulk impurities. Typically, the body is treated with the plasma in the absence of simultaneous deposition of material onto the body. Advantageously, an isothermal, oxygen or oxygen-containing plasma is utilized. The invention is useful for reducing chlorine impurities by at least about 30% to a depth of at least about 10 .mu.m, with accompanying reduction of hydroxyl impurities. The invention thus provides a useful method for reducing the concentration of impurities that contribute to imperfections during the process of drawing fiber from an optical fiber preform, without requiring substantial removal of the surface of the preform.

Abstract: A refractory dielectric body is heated with a plasma torch at conditions which do not result in substantial removal of a surface portion of the body, yet which are sufficient to reduce both surface and bulk impurities. Typically, the body is solid, e.g., a rod as opposed to a tube, and is treated with the plasma in the absence of simultaneous deposition of material onto the body. Advantageously, an isothermal plasma torch is utilized, and the torch advantageously produces an oxygen or oxygen-containing plasma. The invention is useful for reducing chlorine impurities by at least about 30% to a depth of at least about 10 .mu.m, with accompanying reduction of hydroxyl impurities. The invention thus provides a useful method for reducing the concentration of impurities that contribute to imperfections during the process of drawing fiber from an optical fiber preform, without requiring substantial removal of the surface of the preform.

Abstract: A fiber drawing apparatus is provided with an improved fiber draw furnace wherein an inner zirconia tube is surrounded by a radially-spaced annular insulating region of magnesia within a silica beaker. While the magnesia has a melting point approximately the same as zirconia, the electrical conductivity of magnesia is substantially lower, enabling it to withstand higher RF power. Moreover magnesia is more soluble than zirconia in silica, reducing the likelihood of particulate contamination of the fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber formed from a glass preform substantially free of OH impurities is disclosed. The optical fiber is made to be free of OH impurities by a method having the steps of introducing a moving stream of vapor mixture including at least one compound glass-forming precursor together with an oxidizing medium into a tube, while generating a hydrogen-fee isothermal plasma on an outer surface of the tube to react the mixture and produce a glassy deposit on an inner surface of the tube. The glass preform is drawn to produce the optical fiber.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an optical fiber is made by the steps of providing an optical fiber preform having a longitudinal axis, rotating the preform about the axis, directing onto the preform a plasma torch which is reciprocated over a limited region parallel to the axis to define a heated region, and drawing a fiber from the heated region. Apparatus for making optical fiber comprises a rotatable mount for securing one end of a preform and rotating it about a vertical axis, a plasma torch for heating a drawing region on the preform, a positioning stage for moving the torch parallel to the vertical axis in a reciprocating manner, and a fiber drawing apparatus for drawing a fiber from the heated region of the preform.

Abstract: A bingo chip dispensing device having a body with a cartridge receipt area for attachment of a cartridge containing bingo chips. The chips feed into a chip receipt area in the body where one is retained between the arms of a slide member. When the arms are moved forward by depressing a knob, the bingo chip drops from the body member through a deposit nozzle onto a selected spot on a bingo card.

Abstract: An electromagnetic machine having a salient pole rotor, impellor means for directing a flow of coolant gas through the machine, an electrically conductive winding carried on each salient pole of the rotor, and a heat pipe structure carried by each such winding positioned with the evaporator end of each heat pipe structure embedded within the associated winding the condenser end projecting out of the winding into the path of flow of the coolant gas and the portions of the heat pipe structure between the ends extending literally across a plurality of the conductors of the associated winding.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a vaccine for the prevention of disease associated with feline leukemia virus which comprises an effective amount of an adjuvant and about 10.sup.5 -10.sup.7 feline lymphoblastoid cells chronically infected with feline leukemia virus and having viral associated antigen on their surface wherein the virus and cells are inactivated by chemical or physical means without destroying immunogenicity.

Abstract: Vaccines affording protection against the diseases resulting from infection of cats with feline leukemia virus are produced from cells infected with that virus or from the virus alone.

Abstract: A system for use especially by the infirm or elderly for summoning the help of others who are located a distance away. The system includes a radio-type transmitter adapted to be carried in a pocket of the elderly person, and a receiver/decoder and signalling device located at an adjoining area from which signals for help or assistance can be readily observed. The transmitter unit can be activated by means of a switch or button, and emits short bursts of a modulated signal having a unique, preselected frequency. The signal is picked up by the receiver and demodulated by a detector. The decoder comprises a sensing circuit, including a gated, resettable counter which measures the frequency of the detected signal. Means connected with the counter output trigger an alarm when the transmitted frequency having the proper modulating signal is received.

Abstract: A multimode optical fiber waveguide with graded refractive index for lessening modal dispersion depends upon simultaneous grading of both P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and B.sub.2 O.sub.3 within an otherwise generally unmodified silica glass. P.sub.2 O.sub.5 is at a maximum in the axial core region, while B.sub.2 O.sub.3 is generally the only modifier in the peripheral core region. The defined profile, which depends critically upon P.sub.2 O.sub.5 content in the axial composition and somewhat less critically upon the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 peripheral composition content, is near optimum from the standpoint of mode dispersion and remains so for the entire useful range of carrier wavelength (generally defined as from 0.5 to 1.1 .mu.m). Numerical aperture for fibers of the invention are typically at a level of 0.3.

Abstract: Vaccines affording protection against the diseases resulting from infection of cats with feline leukemia virus are produced from cells infected with that virus or from the virus alone.

Abstract: High silica content optical glasses, containing more volatile oxides such as GeO.sub.2 and B.sub.2 O.sub.3, are produced by plasma fusion of powders without inordinately high loss of the more volatile constituents. The powders are produced by a process including the heat treatment of intimately mixed materials, which include the glass forming constituents. Small quantities of GeO.sub.2 are included in borosilicate glass to suppress bubble formation. Pairs of glass compositions have been found, with sufficient index of refraction difference to produce guidance in optical transmission lines, while possessing sufficient thermal expansion match to reduce stresses in the line.