Abstract:
A technique for removing loose powder (31) from the interior surfaces of a ceramic mold (17) made using layer manufacturing processes, such as three-dimensional printing processes. The interior of a mold (17) can be filled with water (21) which is boiled and the particles are entrained in the flow caused by the boiling liquid. Alternatively, fine particles (51) are introduced into the mold (47) and agitated in the mold (47) to dislodge the particles (51) and the powder so that they can be poured out of the mold (47). Such technique tends also to remove the surface finish of the mold (47). Any of the particles (51) which remain can be dissolved in a liquid and removed in the liquid from the mold (47). Further, the surface finish of the mold (47) can be improved by casting a slip of fine particles on to the surface to form a generally level, and preferably non-conformal, coating on the surfaces.
Abstract:
Polymers more suitable for use in organ transplantation are formed by coupling biologically active moieties to the free amino groups of polymers formed by incorporation of alpha amino acids into polymers formed of alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic acids. In the preferred embodiment, the peptides are coupled to the free amino groups.
Abstract:
Amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing which is activated by cell-surface neurotransmitter receptors, is described. An assay for testing an agent for the capacity to stimulate secretion of amyloid precursor protein (APP), a description of the characteristics of agents identified by the assay, and a method of altering APP processing in an individual are also disclosed. The assay, agents, and method of altering APP processing are particularly useful for the treatment and prevention of diseases involving APP processing, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Abstract:
A method for burning gas in a gas-fired burner (10) incorporating an air driven jet pump (44) for mixing air, fuel, and recirculated flue gas is disclosed. The burner is configured for the staged introduction of combustion air to provide a fuel-rich combustion zone and a fuel-lean combustion zone. The burner achieves reduced NOx emission levels in high temperature applications which use preheated combustion air. The combustion air is split into a primary and secondary stream. The primary air is introduced into a suction chamber (60) and draws the flue gas into a mixing chamber (62). The resulting fuel rich air is combusted in a diffuser (64) and furnace. The secondary air stream is introduced into the furnace and provides a fuel lean combustion zone within the furnace.
Abstract:
The invention is a baseball bat having a handle portion and an end portion, the end portion having a generally cylindrical surface, and a striking portion, the surface of the striking portion impressed with a plurality of shallow depressions (2). The depressions (2) are sized and located so as to increase the turbulence of the boundary layer of air flowing over the bat, as compared to the turbulence that would arise under identical conditions due to flow of air over a substantially smooth surfaced control bat, so as to trip the boundary layer and reduce the drag coefficient experienced by the bat, as compared to the drag coefficient that would be experienced by the control bat. Suggested parameters for optimization of the dimple sizes are provided.
Abstract:
A logic circuit is driven by a single alternating voltage power supply so that the energy stored in parasitic capacitances can be mostly recovered, rather than dissipated, as in conventional logic designs. Successive stages of the logic circuit are of opposite conductivity types such that the successive stages are activated in alternate half cycles of the power supply without separate clock signals. Each stage of the logic circuit is precharged during a respective first half cyclo of the power supply and is active in logical processing during a second half cycle. The half cycles are defined by the rising and falling edges of the power sypply. The logic circuit resonates with an inductor coupled across the power supply but closely coupled to the logic circuit. This inductor and the method of charging and discharging the capacitors in the logic circuit serve to minimize the power dissipated during logical processing.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a novel method for identifying potential antiviral drugs. A recombinant cell transformed with regulatable viral transactivating element is employed in screen to detect molecules capable of relieving inhibition caused by the expressed element. New classes of chemical entities can be identified that inhibit initiation of viral transcription.
Abstract:
A neural network (20) has an input layer (26) comprising a plurality of neurons (28), a hidden layer (24) comprising a plurality of neurons (22), each neuron being either inhibitory or excitatory, and an output layer (30) comprising at least one neuron (32). Each synapse (34) of a first set of synapses connects a neuron in the input layer to a neuron in the hidden layer. Each synapse (36) of a second set of synapses connects a neuron in the hidden layer to a neuron in the output layer. With a plurality of output neurons, a plurality of parallel output paths is thus created. Each neuron in the hidden layer receives a reinforcement signal from its corresponding neuron in the output layer.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to genes, referred to herein as cell death-protective genes, which protect cells against programmed cell death by antagonizing the activities of genes which cause cell death. As described herein, a cell death-protective gene from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, called ced-9, has been identified, sequenced, and characterized. ced-9 is essential for C. elegans development and apparently functions by protecting cells which normally live during development from programmed cell death. Mutations which constitutively activate and inactivate the ced-9 gene are also described. ced-9 was shown to function by antagonizing the activities of the cell death genes, ced-3 and ced-4. As further described, the protein product of the human oncogene bcl-2 was found to have a similar sequence to the ced-9 protein. Methods and agents for both increasing and decreasing the occurrence of cell death are described that are potentially useful for diagnosis, prevention and therapy of diseases and conditions involving cell death; for the treatment of viral, parasitic, and other types of infection; and for killing organisms that are detrimental or potentially detrimental to the environment or to humans, pets, livestock, or agriculture.
Abstract:
A process for making a component (40) by depositing a first layer of a powder material from a dispersing head (41) in a confined region (42) and then depositing a binder material (43) to selected regions of the layer of powder material to produce a layer of bonded powder material at the selected regions. Such steps are repeated a selected number of times to produce successive layers of selected regions of bonded powder material so as to form the desired component. The unbonded powder material is then removed. In some cases the component may be further processed by heating it to further strengthen the bonding thereof. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also described.