Abstract:
Non-invasive measurements of physiological chemicals such as glucose are made using infrared radiation and a signal processing system that permits the construction of a device suited for home use. The level of a selected physiological chemical in a test subject is determined in a non-invasive and quantitative manner by a method comprising the steps of: (a) irradiating a portion of the test subject with near-infrared radiation such that the radiation is transmitted through or reflected from the test subject; (b) collecting data concerning the transmitted or reflected infrared radiation using a detector; (c) digitally filtering the collected data to isolate a portion of the data indicative of the physiological chemical; and (d) determining the amount of physiological chemical in the test subject by applying a defined mathematical model to the digitally filtered data. The data collected may be in the form of an absorbance spectrum, i.e., a representation of the variation in absorbance as a function of wavelength; a single beam spectrum or in the form of an interferogram, i.e., a representation of infrared light intensity as a function of the retardation of the moving mirror in the interferometer, and thus of time.
Abstract:
The present invention is a method for depolymerizing or "cracking" polymeric materials. The method of the present invention may be used in the disposal and/or recycling of such materials. Products of the degradation of polymeric materials using the present method may be recycled or more easily treated for disposal. The present invention is a process for degrading, depolymerizing or "cracking" a polymeric material, otherwise amenable to cracking by alkali fusion, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a molten reaction mixture comprising: (i) a basic material; (ii) a source of copper; and (iii) said polymeric material; and (b) maintaining said molten mixture at a temperature sufficient to reflux said molten mixture for sufficient time to depolymerize said polymeric material. Preferred basic materials include NaOH, KOH, Na2B4O7.10H2O, Na3BO3, Na2SiO3, K2SiO3, and materials thereof. The preferred copper sources include copper metal and copper in the I or II oxidation state.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to transgenic models of heart failure and, more particularly, to transgenic animals and methods for testing the usefulness of chemical compounds in treating or preventing heart failure. A transgenic mouse was developed wherein Gs alpha is selectively overexpressed approximately three-fold in the heart. Although steady state adenylyl cyclase activities are not altered, both the percent of agonist high affinity beta -adrenergic receptors as well as the rate of catalyst activation are increased. In addition, physiological and pathological studies revealed that chronically-facilitated sympathetic stimulation causes adverse cardiac effects.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic measuring system is provided including a plurality of upstream and downstream ultrasonic transducers coupled to a multiflow pipeline and positioned along first and second cross-sectional portions of the multiflow pipeline. A transducer control system is coupled to the upstream and downstream ultrasonic transducers for selective activation of the transducers. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic measuring system is utilized to determine a flow velocity of a selected fluid in a multiflow pipeline by generating and detecting velocimetric ultrasonic pulses in the selected fluid. In another embodiment, the ultrasonic measuring system is utilized to determine film heights of fluids flowing within the pipeline.
Abstract:
The present invention is generally directed to a process for multiplying (cloning) embryos and specifically directed to a process for producing large numbers of identical mammalian embryos by transplanting embryonic stem cell nuclei into enucleated recipient oocytes, enucleated two cell embryos, or replacing the inner cell mass of a mammalian blastocyst with donor mammalian embryonic stem cells. Accordingly, the present invention is also generally directed to a process for cloning live animals by transplanting embryonic stem cell nuclei into enucleated recipient oocytes, enucleated two cell embryos, or replacing the inner cell mass of a mammalian blastocyst with donor mammalian embryonic stem cells.
Abstract:
The ability of an individual to learn and remember is improved by administering somatotropin to the individual before the task or information is first taught or presented to the individual. The present invention is the use of somatotropin (growth hormone) and related compounds for enhancing the mental abilities of normal, defective and deficient individual. Somatotropin is particularly useful for people with brain injury, mental retardation, and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Abstract:
A sheath core fiber having an inner core (10) made from an oriented thermoplastic material, such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, and olefin, and a sheath (18) made of a nonthermoplastic material, such as regenerated cellulose and protein. The fiber maintains the crease and tear resistance of the core material, yet has the water sorptivity and dyeability of the sheath material. A method of manufacturing such a fiber is also disclosed.
Abstract:
An interferometric spectrometer utilizing a multiple array detector (22). When the spectrometer utilizes visible light a photodiode array detector (22) is utilized and a fixed tilted mirror (17) and vertical mirror (16) in combinations with a beamsplitter (15) are utilized to produce a Michaelson interferometer with no moving parts.