Abstract: A metal matrix composite was fabricated by adding particles of calcium hexaboride to a metal of aluminum, magnesium or titanium and their alloys. The resulting metal matrix composite is light weight has improved strength, increased elastic modulus and reduced thermal coefficient of expansion, thus making the metal matrix composite more useful in industry. A metal matrix composite is also formed by mixing particles of aluminum, magnesium, titanium or combinations thereof with particles of silicon lexaboride, calcium hexaboride, silicon tetraboride, calcium tetraboride or combinations thereof. The blended particles are processed according to powder metallurgical techniques to produce a metal matrix composite material.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermal fuse and a fuse element of the low-melting fusible alloy type. The fuse element has an alloy composition in which a total of 0.01 to 7 weight parts of at least one selected from the group consisting of Au, Bi, Cu, Ni, and Pd is added to 100 weight parts of a composition of 100% In, that of 90 to 99.9% In and 0.1 to 10% Ag, or that of 95 to 99.9% In and 0.1 to 5% Sb. As a result, the operating temperature is in the range of 135 to 160° C., requests for environment conservation can be satisfied, the diameter of the fuse element can be made very thin or reduced to about 300 ?m?, and the thermal stability can be satisfactorily guaranteed.

Abstract: A method for bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal and insecticidal treatment of ambient air includes circulating air through a permeable container having at least a treating agent therein. The treating agent is used as bactericide, fungicide, virucide and insecticide additionally to mechanical air filtering, and is distributed uniformly inside the container so as to prevent micro-organisms from developing on the container itself. The method may be applied to caloric-exchanging and air-recycling installations and appliances, and to coating elements of building surfaces.

Abstract: A system for electronically disinfecting air includes a first electrode, at least a second electrode, the first and second electrode being spaced apart from one another. The surfaces of the first or second electrode include a semiconductor or a dielectric layer having a thickness of at least 10 angstroms disposed thereon. An electrical power supply is connected between the first and said second electrode, wherein pollutants in air to be disinfected are destroyed by exposure of the air to surfaces of the first or second electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to an additive and to a method of corrosion inhibition on devices for the recovery and transportation of hydrocarbons in crude oil recovery and processing by adding an effective amount of an inhibitor. The inhibitor comprises an alkoxylated quaternary compounds of the formula 1 where R1, R2 are independently groups of the formula —(B)—(O—A)n—O—CO—R5 or —(A—O)n—(C)—CO—O—R5, R3 is C1— to C30-alkyl or C2— to C30-alkenyl, R4 is an organic radical with 1 to 100 carbon atoms optionally containing heteroatoms, R5 is an alkyl or an alkenyl, n is a number from 1 to 20, A is an alkylene group, B is an alkylene group, C is a C1— to C6-alkylene group and X is an anion, used as corrosion inhibitors.

Abstract: A personal care product is provided comprising a handle, and, mounted on the handle, an elastomeric portion comprising an elastomeric material and an antimicrobial agent. Methods are provided for inhibiting mold growth on personal care products that include elastomeric portions.

Abstract: A liquid germicide is measured; the measured liquid germicide is injected into hollows of concave articles (1); the more or less of volume of the liquid germicide is discriminated from the injected liquid germicide; only concave articles (1) which each have a proper volume of the liquid germicide attached thereto are stored into a storage (6); thereafter the storage is closed, and the concave articles are left to stand in the closed storage for a prescribed period of time. Since the liquid germicide is injected into the hollow of the concave article (1) after measuring, and the more or less of volume of volume of the solution is discriminated from the injected liquid germicide as described above, it is possible to attach a proper amount of liquid germicide to concave article (1) such as vessel or preform, and hence to accomplish efficient sterilization in the storage (6), without the risk of the defective sterilization.

Abstract: An object is to provide a dispenser operation verification apparatus and verification method that enables operation with high reliability and high accuracy.

Abstract: A liquid pipetting apparatus for dispensing liquid of minute volume for use in a survey instruments of a hemanalysis machine, a genetic screening, and a pharmaceutical screening, etc., is disclosed. The liquid pipetting apparatus comprises a liquid holding member for holding the liquid, and capable of dispensing the liquid from one end, and a driving member for moving the liquid holding member forward and backward along the dispensing direction, the liquid holding member being moved by the driving means, thereby dispensing the liquid held on the liquid holding member.

Abstract: A biochip manufacturing method can densely align spots of a plurality of samples in predetermined locations on a substrate using a discharge head equipped with one or more discharge modules composed of one or more discharge units, and a first moving table on which one or more trays with one or more substrates fixed thereon are detachably mounted. According to the biochip manufacturing method, the high precision in the operation for densely aligning and fixing droplets with a minute volume on a predetermined substrate (micro spot-forming operation) can be attained, and the time required for the micro spot-forming operation can be shortened as well.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for injection of one or more chemical components into a reaction chamber are disclosed. The apparatus includes a reaction chamber for receiving one or more libraries in a fixed position relative to the chamber and configured to form a sealed enclosure. An injection manifold is located within the reaction chamber and selectively movable relative to the libraries. The injection manifold is configured for receiving at least one fluid transfer line coupled to an external source for injection of one or more chemical components into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A rack for holding specimen slides. The rack has a frame with opposed support bars having opposed openings for supporting opposite ends of the specimen slides. The support bars have edges connected to sides of the frame, so that the support bars are resiliently deflectable with respect to the frame. The rack of specimen slides is containable in a slide case for purposes of transportation. The slide case has a base with a first latch portion, and the rack has a second latch portion. As the rack is positioned adjacent the base, the first and second latch portions are placed in juxtaposition to releasably secure the rack in the base. A cover is positionable over the base such that the base and cover fully enclose the rack of specimen slides. As the cover is closed over the base, the cover pushes the specimen slides against the opposed support bars, thereby deflecting the support bars and securing the specimen slides in the slide case.

Abstract: Volatile material-containing articles of manufacture are disclosed.

Abstract: A flow cell for the ultrasonic treatment of a liquid includes a housing with a wall at least partially defining a flow chamber therein. The housing includes a first liquid passage and a second liquid passage for flowing the liquid into and out of the flow chamber. An ultrasonic horn extends into the flow chamber for imparting ultrasonic energy to liquid in the flow chamber, the ultrasonic horn having an outer surface and an end surface, and having a recess formed in the end surface. A tubular member having a first end in fluid communication with a second end, is arranged such that the first end is in fluid communication with the second liquid passage, and the second end extends into the recess in the ultrasonic horn.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus for the efficient synthesis of oligosaccharides on a solid support, e.g., formed by subunit addition to terminal subunits immobilized on solid-phase particles. In certain embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention is used in combinatorial methods, e.g., as described herein, of synthesizing oligosaccharides.

Abstract: A cyclone separator provided with an inlet for receiving gas and solid particles, + a gas outlet at its upper end and a lower tubular part, wherein the lower tubular part is provided with a closed lower end, through which closed lower end a substantially vertical particle withdrawal conduit extends from a position below the closed lower end to a position in the tubular part and below the inlet for receiving gas and solid particles, said conduit being provided with openings to withdraw solid particles from the cyclone separator and wherein said conduit has a smaller cross-sectional area than the lower tubular part, thereby defining a space between conduit and inner wall of the lower tubular part, wherein in the lower part of said space main means to add a primaxy fluidizing medium are present.

Abstract: A serviceable exhaust aftertreatment device and configured cylindrical bodies for coupling include a raised annular rib or bead structure providing low profile mounting and ease of assembly.

Abstract: The invention concerns an air purifying equipment characterized in that it comprises means (10, 20, 30, 40) for injecting into the air to be purified a water spray laden with nascent oxygen. The invention is particularly useful for treating air in an aeroplane.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus has a process chamber and an effluent treatment reactor. The process chamber has a substrate support, a process gas supply, a gas energizer, and an exhaust conduit. The effluent treatment reactor has an effluent inlet to receive effluent from the exhaust conduit of the process chamber, a plasma cell having one or more electrodes electrically connected to a voltage source adapted to electrically bias the electrodes to couple energy to effluent received in the plasma cell, a scrubbing cell coaxially exterior to the plasma cell, the scrubbing cell having a scrubbing fluid inlet to introduce scrubbing fluid into effluent in the scrubbing cell and a scrubbing fluid outlet, and an effluent outlet to release the treated effluent.

Abstract: This invention consists in a nonimaging device for concentration or collimation of radiation on a receiver or from an emitter (14), depending on the case. The device is made up of the lens (50), which surrounds the receiver and consists of the aspheric surface (21), and the lens (15), whose upper refractive surface (16) may be aspheric, while the lower surface is aspheric (17) in its central portion (between points 18 and 19) and has a structure with discontinuous slope (20) in its external portion, in which the faces (22) fundamentally refract the rays while the faces (23) reflect them by total internal reflection. The design method provides that the device properties of concentration/collimation are noticeably superior to those of the existing inventions. Possible applications of this lens include: radiation sensors, illumination systems with LEDs, wireless optical communications and photovoltaic solar energy.

Abstract: A device for the production of hydrogen-containing gas for a fuel cell system, in particular in a motor vehicle, is disclosed. Suitable feed materials are water and at least one hydrocarbon-containing starting material, in particular a hydrocarbon derivative, such as methanol or ethanol. The device comprises an evaporator to evaporate the feed material; a superheater to superheat the feed material vapor; a high temperature reformer in which steam reforming of the superheated feed material is carried out; a burner which provides the thermal energy required for the steam reforming by burning a gas stream that contains fuel and oxygen; a water gas shift stage to reduce the carbon monoxide content of the reformate stream produced in the steam reforming; and a cooler to reduce the temperature of the reformate stream between the point where the reformate stream is discharged out of the high temperature reformer and the point where the reformate stream enters into the water gas shift stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the production of butylacetate by esterification of acetic acid with butanol in the presence of a solid acidic catalyst in which distillatory separation of components runs simultaneously with esterification. Thus, acetic acid and butanol are introduced in defined amounts and in the molar ratio 1:1 to 1:10 into a system, in which the reaction and the distillatory separation proceeds in three zones. The reaction together with distillatory separation of the components with different boiling points run in the reaction zone, while only distillation takes place in lower and upper separation zones. A volatile mixture is separated in the upper separation zone, from which, after being cooled at 5 to 80° C., water and organic phases are separated, the latest being refluxed into the system. The ratio of the feed amount to the organic phase reflux amount is 1:1 to 1:20, the reflux amount representing 60 to 100% of the whole amount of the organic phase.

Abstract: Nanoparticle compositions of noble metals, and methods of making them, are described. The nanoparticle compositions are made by reacting a salt or complex of a noble metal, such as Au, Ag, Cu or Pt, with a weak ligand, and a reducing agent, in a single liquid phase. The noble metal is typically provided as a halide or carboxylate. The ligand is preferably a fatty acid or aliphatic amine. The reducing agent is preferably a borohydride reagent, hydrazine, or a mixture thereof. Nanocrystals in the size range of 1 nm to 20 nm are produced, and can be made in substantially monodisperse form.

Abstract: A chemical process for detoxifying spent CCA (copper, chrome, arsenic)—treated wood, from which CCA and detoxified wood are recovered for recycling comprising the steps of (a) treating CCA-treated wood in the presence of a liquefying reagent such as an organic solvent at 100–250° C. with or without ferrous ions to form liquefied CCA-treated wood (b) adding water or an aqueous solution of an organic solvent to the liquefied CCA-treated wood with stirring to obtain an aqueous solution of liquefied CCA-treated wood (c) adding complexing or precipitating agents, such as phosphoric acid or calcium hydroxide to the aqueous solution of step (b) thereby precipitating insoluble heavy metal complexes or precipitates and forming a solution of detoxified CCA-treated wood (d) separating said heavy metal complexes or precipitates from the solution of detoxified liquefied CCA-treated wood and (e) isolating chromated copper arsenate from said heavy metal complex or precipitate.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for treating an effluent containing ammonia in which method and apparatus N2O concentration in the gas at the outlet of a catalyst tower does not rise to a high level even when the NH3 concentration in the effluent was reduced and the amount of hazardous substances formed is small; in the method and apparatus, an NH3-containing effluent A and a carrier gas (steam C and combustion gas F) are contacted in stripping tower 7 to transfer the NH3 from the NH3-containing effluent to a gas phase, the gas containing the generated NH3 is heated with pre-heater 19 and then contacted with catalyst layer 13 placed in catalyst tower 12 to decompose the NH3 into nitrogen and water; and at that time, the oxygen concentration in the gas to be introduced into catalyst tower 12 and the N2O concentration in the gas discharged from catalyst tower 12 are determined by measuring instruments 21 and 22, respectively, and the oxygen concentration in the gas to be introduced into catalyst tower 1

Abstract: Polymerizable compositions that include: (a) a cationically active functional group; (b) an initiation system capable of initiating cationic polymerization of the cationically active functional group; and (c) a filler composition that includes various radiopacifying fillers in an amount sufficient to render the polymerizable composition radiopaque. Components (a), (b), and (c) are selected such that the polymerizable composition polymerizes to form a polymerized composition having a Barcol hardness, measured using a GYZJ-935 meter, of at least 10 within 30 minutes following initiation of the cationically active functional group at a reaction temperature of 25° C.

Abstract: Novel uses of diamondoid-containing materials in the field of microelectronics are disclosed. Embodiments include, but are not limited to, thermally conductive films in integrated circuit packaging, low-k dielectric layers in integrated circuit multilevel interconnects, thermally conductive adhesive films, thermally conductive films in thermoelectric cooling devices, passivation films for integrated circuit devices (ICs), and field emission cathodes. The diamondoids employed in the present invention may be selected from lower diamondoids, as well as the newly provided higher diamondoids, including substituted and unsubstituted diamondoids. The higher diamondoids include tetramantane, pentamantane, hexamantane, heptamantane, octamantane, nonamantane, decamantane, and undecamantane.

Abstract: Metal-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes and production thereof. The metal-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes may be produced according to one embodiment of the invention by combining single-walled carbon nanotube precursor material and metal in a solution, and mixing the solution to incorporate at least a portion of the metal with the single-walled carbon nanotube precursor material. Other embodiments may comprise sputter deposition, evaporation, and other mixing techniques.

Abstract: Novel methods and apparati for continuous production of aligned carbon nanotubes are disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises dispersion of a metal catalyst in a liquid hydrocarbon to form a feed solution, and volatilizing the feed solution in a reactor through which a substrate is continuously passed to allow growth of nanotubes thereon. In another aspect, the apparatus comprises a reactor, a tube-within-a-tube injector, and a conveyor belt for passing a substrate through the reactor. The present invention further discloses a method for restricting the external diameter of carbon nanotubes produced thereby comprising passing the feed solution through injector tubing of a specified diameter, followed by passing the feed solution through an inert, porous medium. The method and apparati of this invention provide a means for producing aligned carbon nanotubes of a particular external diameter which is suitable for large scale production in an industrial setting.

Abstract: A method for forming a carbon nanotube array using a metal substrate includes the following steps: providing a metal substrate (11); oxidizing the metal substrate to form an oxidized layer (21) thereon; depositing a catalyst layer (31) on the oxidized layer; introducing a carbon source gas; and thus forming a carbon nanotube array (61) extending from the metal substrate. Generally, any metallic material can be used as the metal substrate. Various carbon nanotube arrays formed using various metal substrates can be incorporated into a wide variety of high power electronic device applications such as field emission devices (FEDs), electron guns, and so on. Carbon nanotubes formed using any of a variety of metal substrates are well aligned, and uniformly extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the metal substrate.

Abstract: A method and catalysts for producing a hydrogen-rich syngas are disclosed. According to the method a CO-containing gas contacts a water gas shift (WGS) catalyst, optionally in the presence of water, preferably at a temperature of less than about 450° C. to produce a hydrogen-rich gas, such as a hydrogen-rich syngas. Also disclosed is a water gas shift catalyst formulated from: a) Pt, its oxides or mixtures thereof; b) Ru, its oxides or mixtures thereof; and c) at least one of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, V, Mo, Mn, Fe, Co, Rh, Ir, Ge, Sn, Sb, La, Ce, Pr, Sm, and Eu. Another disclosed catalyst formulation comprises Pt, its oxides or mixtures thereof; Ru, its oxides or mixtures thereof; Co, its oxides or mixtures thereof; and at least one of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, V, Mo, Mn, Fe, Rh, Ir, Ge, Sn, Sb, La, Ce, Pr, Sm, and Eu, their oxides and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method and catalysts and fuel processing apparatus for producing a hydrogen-rich gas, such as a hydrogen-rich syngas are disclosed. According to the method, a CO-containing gas, such as a syngas, contacts a platinum-free ruthenium-cobalt water gas shift (“WGS”) catalyst, in the presence of water and preferably at a temperature of less than about 450° C., to produce a hydrogen-rich gas, such as a hydrogen-rich syngas. Also disclosed is a platinum-free ruthenium-cobalt water gas shift catalyst formulated from: a) Ru, its oxides or mixtures thereof; b) Co, Mo, their oxides or mixtures thereof; and c) at least one of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ti, Zr, Cr, Fe, La, Ce, Eu, their oxides and mixtures thereof. The WGS catalyst may be supported on a carrier, such as any one member or a combination of alumina, zirconia, titania, ceria, magnesia, lanthania, niobia, zeolite, perovskite, silica clay, yttria and iron oxide. Fuel processors containing such water gas shift catalysts are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, conjugates of antioxidants with metal chelating ligands, intermediate compounds, methods of making such radiopharmaceuticals, ligands, and intermediate compounds, and kits for preparing the radiopharmaceutical complexes.

Abstract: A 99mcTc labeled metal transport protein, products and uses thereof in imaging and especially detecting the presence of high energy/iron uptake tissues such as a tumour within a mammalian body are provided.

Abstract: The invention is a method and related precursor for preparing 18F-FLT. The precursor has a butoxycarbonyl protecting group at the 5?-position that results in low amounts of chromophoric byproducts being formed during deprotection. The method for preparing 18F-FLT is efficient and makes the final purification step less complicated.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical preparations for producing powder aerosols using propellant gases which use TG 227, and possibly also TG 11, TG 12, TGH 114, propane, butane, pentane or DME.

Abstract: A mechanism of macrophage-induced T cell suppression is the selective elimination of tryptophan and/or increase in one or more tryptophan metabolites within the local macrophage microenvironment Studies demonstrate that expression of IDO can serve as a marker of suppression of T cell activation, and may play a significant role in allogeneic pregnancy and therefore other types of transplantation, and that inhibitors of IDO can be used to activate T cells and therefore enhance T cell activation when the T cells are suppressed by pregnancy, malignancy or a virus such as HIV. Inhibiting tryptophan degradation (and thereby increasing tryptophan concentration while decreasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), or supplementing tryptophan concentration, can therefore be used in addition to, or in place of, inhibitors of IDO.

Abstract: Whole blood assays and kits are described for evaluating dosage of factor VIIa or activated protein C, as well as for monitoring responsiveness to factor VIIa or activated protein C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a protein in a desired conformation by introducing at least one disulfide bond into the polypeptide. Computational design is used to identify positions where cysteine residues can be introduced to form a disulfide bond in only one protein conformation, and therefore lock the protein in a given conformation. Accordingly, antibody and small molecule therapeutics are selected that are specific for the desired protein conformation. Modified integrin I-domain polypeptides that are stabilized in a desired conformation are also provided. Finally, screening assays and therapeutic methods utilizing the modified integrin I-domains of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Anti-TNF antibodies, fragments and regions thereof which are specific for human tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF?) and are useful in vivo diagnosis and therapy of a number of TNF?-mediated pathologies and conditions, as well as polynucleotides coding for murine and chimeric antibodies, methods of producing the antibody, methods of use of the anti-TNF antibody, or fragment, region or derivative thereof, in immunoassays and immunotherapeutic approaches are provided.

Abstract: Anti-TNF antibodies, fragments and regions thereof which are specific for human tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF?) and are useful in vivo diagnosis and therapy of a number of TNF?-mediated pathologies and conditions, as well as polynucleotides coding for murine and chimeric antibodies, methods of producing the antibody, methods of use of the anti-TNF antibody, or fragment, region or derivative thereof, in immunoassays and immunotherapeutic approaches are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine composition and a method of preparation including the steps of: forming a water-in-oil emulsion including an alginate in water, an oil, an antigen, and either (a) a cellulose ether and at least one nonionic surfactant or (b) a PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer surfactant and at least one nonionic surfactant; followed by crosslinking the alginate in the emulsion with at least two cations selected from the group consisting of aluminum, barium, calcium, lithium, manganese, strontium, and zinc, to form antigen-containing, crosslinked alginate microparticles; and harvesting the microparticles. Another aspect of the invention is a method of vaccinating a vertebrate species including the step of administering to the species a vaccine composition prepared according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: A cancer antigen peptide comprising an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2, or a derivative thereof having the functionally equivalent property is provided. The provided cancer antigen peptide is a partial peptide derived from enhancer of zeste homolog 2, which is capable of binding to HLA-A24 antigen and is recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The cancer antigen peptide of the invention is useful for treatment and prevention of prostate cancer.

Abstract: Human G-protein chemokine receptor polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptides for identifying antagonists and agonists to such polypeptides and methods of using the agonists and antagonists therapeutically to treat conditions related to the underexpression and overexpression of the G-protein chemokine receptor polypeptides, respectively. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting a mutation in the G-protein chemokine receptor nucleic acid sequences and detecting a level of the soluble form of the receptors in a sample derived from a host.

Abstract: Provided are streptolysin S (SLS) polypeptides, peptides, and variants thereof, antibodies directed thereto, and isolated nucleic acids encoding such proteins. In one embodiment, a method is provided wherein a synthetic peptide of SLS is used to elicit an immune response specific for SLS in a subject to treat or prevent a streptococcal infection. In other embodiments, antibodies that neutralize the hemolytic activity of the SLS toxin may be used as a vaccinating agent.

Abstract: Mycobacterium strains in which the erp gene is modified, and vaccine compositions comprising such Mycobacterium strains are provided. The modification of the erp gene may decrease the virulence and the persistence of the Mycobacterium strains.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making compositions including siderophore receptor polypeptides and porins from gram negative microbes. The methods include providing a gram negative microbe, disrupting the microbe, solubilizing the disrupted microbe, and isolating the polypeptides.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition having improved transfer resistance comprising: a) from about 0.1–60% by weight of trimethylated silica, b) from about 0.1–60% by weight of a volatile solvent having a viscosity of 0.5 to 100 centipoise at 25° C., c) 0.1–60% by weight of a nonvolatile oil having a viscosity of 200 to 1,000,000 centipoise at 25° C. d) 0.1–80% of a cosmetically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: An injectable composition for delivery of a bioactive agent contains a biocompatible solvent, a hydrophobic polymer, and an amphiphilic block copolymer. The hydrophobic polymer may be a biodegradable polymer, and the block copolymer may contain a segment of poly(ethylene oxide).

Abstract: A method of feeding ruminants, the method including feeding a ruminant a fluid animal feed during a feeding period, the fluid animal feed including an animal feed component and the ruminant consuming greater than about 1.25 pounds of the animal feed component per day, based on the dry weight of the animal feed component, during the feeding period; and the method further including feeding the ruminant a psyllium composition during the feeding period.