Showing papers by "Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation published in 1987"

Method and apparatus for plasma source ion implantation

Abstract: Ion implantation into surfaces of three-dimensional targets is achieved by forming an ionized plasma about the target within an enclosing chamber and applying a pulse of high voltage between the target and the conductive walls of the chamber. Ions from the plasma are driven into the target object surfaces from all sides simultaneously without the need for manipulation of the target object. Repetitive pulses of high voltage, typically 20 kilovolts or higher, causes the ions to be driven deeply into the target. The plasma may be formed of a neutral gas introduced into the evacuated chamber and ionized therein with ionizing radiation so that a constant source of plasma is provided which surrounds the target object during the implantation process. Significant increases in the surface hardness and wear characteristics of various materials are obtained with ion implantation in this manner.

Promoter deficient retroviral vector

Abstract: A recombinant retrovirus vector is disclosed. It is of the type having a normally replication incompetent retrovirus gene sequence with a foreign eukaryotic gene to be expressed. The retrovirus gene sequence is designed so as to be promoter deficient in the right side LTR. The vector can produce progeny virus from helper cells, which progeny can infect a eukaryotic host cell, form a provirus, and express the eukaryotic gene in the host cell. However, the provirus will then be defective in the retrovirus promoter, such that retrovirus RNA is not expressed from the provirus.

Polysilicon thin film process

Abstract: Polycrystalline silicon is deposited in a film onto the surface of a substrate which has been carefully prepared to eliminate any defects or contaminants which could nucleate crystal growth on the substrate. The deposition is carried out by low pressure decomposition of silane at substantially 580° C. to cause a film of fine grained crystals of polysilicon to be formed having grain sizes averaging less than about 300 Angstroms after annealing. Such a film is very uniform and smooth, having a surface roughness less than about 100 Angstroms RMS. Annealing of the film and substrate at a low temperature results in a compressive strain in the field that decreases over the annealing time, annealing at high temperatures (e.g., over 1050° C.) yields substantially zero strain in the film, and annealing at intermediate temperatures (e.g., 650° C. to 950° C.) yields tensile strain at varying strain levels depending on the annealing temperature and time. Further processing of the polysilicon films and the substrate can yield isolated diaphragms of the polysilicon film which are supported only at edges by the substrate and which have substantial lateral dimensions, e.g., 1 cm by 1 cm. Such that structures can be used as pressure sensor diaphragms, X-ray masks, and optical filters, and can be provided with holes of varying sizes, shape and number, which can serve as X-ray mask patterns. The diaphragms can be provided with numerous holes of uniform size and spacing which allows the diaphragms to be used as filters in ultrafiltration applications.

Solution for the preservation of organs

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a method of preserving organs using a perfusate or storage solution containing a specific synthetic hydroxyethyl starch in place of human serum albumin is disclosed. A suitable composition is provided. Disclosed is a cold-storage solution and perfusate that has provided 72 hour preservation for the pancreas, 48 hour storage for the kidney and at least 24 hour preservation for the liver.

Method for making an edible film and for retarding water transfer among multi-component food products

Abstract: An edible film for retarding water transfer among components of a multicomponent food product. The film includes a base film having a hydrophilic polymer layer and a base film lipid layer. The base film lipid layer has a hydrophobic surface presented away from the hydrophilic polymer layer. An additional lipid layer is laminated to the hydrophobic surface of the base film lipid layer. The invention further includes a method for making the edible film and a food product incorporating it.

Method and apparatus for flux and torque sensing in electrical machines

Abstract: To determine the flux in the air gap of an electrical machine having distributed stator windings, the voltages across two coils of a phase belt in certain phases of the stator are measured and the voltage across one coil in each phase belt is subtracted from the voltage in the other coil. The voltage differences are integrated to provide a measure of the air gap flux. Measurement of the entire air gap flux about the machine can be obtained utilizing two coils in a phase belt per phase of the machine. The instantaneous electromagnetic torque in the machine can be calculated directly as a function of the calculated air gap flux and of the currents in the stator windings. Such flux and torque measurements are obtained utilizing electrical connections to the existing coils of the machine, without the need to modify the machine by adding further windings or sensors. The flux and torque signals so obtained may be utilized in motor controllers, and are particularly useful for control of AC induction motors.

Biocompatible polyurethanes modified with lower alkyl sulfonate and lower alkyl carboxylate

Abstract: Modified-polyurethane block copolymers and devices formed therefrom demonstrate excellent biocompatibility and improved physical and mechanical properties. In a preferred embodiment, from about 5 to about 25 percent of urethane hydrogen atoms are replaced with propyl sulfonate and propyl carboxylate groups to provide the modified copolymer.

Biological control of damping off and root rot and inoculum peparation therefor.

Abstract: Substantially pure cultures of ATCC 53522 and mutants thereof effective in protecting plants from damping off and root rot as determinable by a defined plant protection assay. The invention further includes a protecting toxin produced by the bacteria just referred to. A seed inoculum includes an effective quantity of the bacteria or the toxin in a carrier. A method for protecting plants from damping off and root rot includes placing an effective quantity of the bacteria or toxin in the immediate vicinity of a plant to be protected.

Method of inducing the differentiation of malignant cells with secosterol

Abstract: The invention provides a method for inducing the differentiation of malignant cells utilizing certain seco-sterol compounds, such as the differentiation of leukemia cells to normal macrophages and thereby affords a method for treating leukemic disorders.

NMR radio frequecny field coil with distributed current

Abstract: A uniform surface current density is approximated in an RF transmitting/receiving NMR coil by employing a plurality of discrete conductors having a resonantly distributed current. Inductive and capacitive lines provide a sinusoidal current distribution with various resonant modes providing different magnetic field orientations. The distributed current reduces losses. In a second order resonant mode, decoupling of the surface coil from a transmit coil is achieved without a blocking network.

Method to enhance root nodulation in legumes and inoculum preparation therefor

Abstract: A method for enhancing nodulation in legumes growing in a growing medium. The method includes the step of placing in the growing medium in the immediate vicinity of the roots of the legume the nodulation of which is to be enhanced an effective quantity of an enhancing bacteria selected from the group consisting of ATCC 53522, enhancing mutants of ATCC 53522, a mixture of such mutants, and a mixture of such mutants with ATCC 53522.

Short echo NMR imaging of sodium

Abstract: An NMR pulse sequence includes a nonselective RF excitation pulse followed by one or more nonselective echo RF pulses which produce NMR echo signals at echo times starting at TE=2.5 milliseconds. This short echo time enables paramagnetic nuclei having short T 2 relaxation components, such as sodium 23 , to be measured and imaged. Presaturation pulses at the beginning of the NMR pulse sequence serve as an alternative to slice selection.

Staphylococcal fibronectin receptor, monoclonal antibodies thereto and methods of use

Abstract: A purified fibronectin receptor polysaccharide derived from Staphylococcus aureus is useful as an antigen for diagnostic tests and the preparation of monoclonal antibodies. The fibronectin receptor polysaccharide is prepared by gently removing expresed material, including the polysaccharide, from the cell surfaces of the S. aureus without killing the cells followed by purification. Monoclonal antibodies directed against the polysaccharide can be used in methods of preventing or treating S. aureus infections by administering the monoclonal antibodies to animals.

Assay for 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D in sample containing vitamin D transport protein

Abstract: An assay for 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D is disclosed. One aspect of the invention involves adding pig receptor protein, radiolabeled, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D and biotinylated antibody capable of binding to the receptor to untreated blood serum. In performing a competitive binding assay, vitamin D transport protein, DBP, acts as a screen to minimize interference from related metabolites. A kit and an assay are disclosed.

Biological control of dodder

Abstract: A mycoherbicidal inoculum is disclosed for controlling the growth of dodder (Cuscuta spp.) on field crops. The inoculum is obtained from spores of Fusarium tricinctum, a species of Alternaria, and their mutations.

Selective growth medium for isolation of Mobiluncus from vaginal fluid

Abstract: A selective growth medium for the isolation of Mobiluncus includes a medium base including an aqueous preparation of a gelling agent and a nutrient broth effective for culturing Mobiluncus. The selective growth medium of the invention further includes a first antimicrobial agent in effective antimicrobial amounts, the antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of colistin, nalidixic acid, and combinations of colistin and nalidixic acid, the colistin having a concentration less than 32 micrograms/ml and the nalidixic acid having a concentration less than 100 micrograms/ml. Tinidazole is included as a second antimicrobial agent in effective, antimicrobial amounts not greater than 1.0 micrograms/ml. Nile Blue A is also included in Gardnerella Vaginalis inhibiting concentrations.

Identification of africanized honey bees

Abstract: Africanized honey bees are identified by using a DNA probe capable of identifying a specific repeating gene sequence in the honey bee DNA which is a diagnostic characteristic of African honey bees when located on a defined restriction endonuclease fragment from bee genomic DNA. When the DNA probe is applied to an electrophoresis gel on which the restriction fragments are resolved, the probe hybridizes to the diagnostic fragment, if present. The hybridization to the repeating sequence can then be detected by detection of the marker.

Seco-sterol compounds effective in inducing cell differentiation

Abstract: The invention provides new seco-sterol compounds which are effective in inducing the differentiation of malignant cells and are therefore useful for the treatment of malignancies such as leukemia.

Static power conversion method and apparatus

Abstract: A high efficiency power converter (60) is achieved utilizing a resonant DC link between a DC source (61), such as a converter rectifying power from an AC power system, to a variable frequency voltage source inverter (70-75). A resonant circuit composed of an inductor (62) and capacitor (63) is connected to the DC power supply (61) and to a DC bus (65-66) supplying the inverter and is caused to oscillate stably at a high frequency to provide a uni-directional voltage across the DC bus which reaches zero volts during each cycle of oscillation of the resonant circuit. The switching devices of the inverter are controlled to switch on and off only at times when the DC bus voltage is zero, thereby eliminating switching losses in the inverter. The resonant circuit can be caused to oscillate utilizing pairs of switching devices (70-75) in the inverter or a separate switching device (64) across the capacitor (63), which again are caused to switch on and off only at times of zero voltage on the DC bus. A clamp (150-152) limits the maximum voltage applied to the switching devices, thereby reducing voltage stresses on the devices, and preferably returns energy to the resonant circuit during each cycle of oscillation.

Human uroepithelial cell

Abstract: Immortalized human uroepithelial cells are disclosed. One cell line is not spontaneously tumorigenic, but can be tumorigenically transformed by certain carcinogens. Another is a tumorigenic variant that provides a source of epithelial keratins.

Method for partially and selectively oxidizing alcohols to esters or carboxylic acids

Abstract: A transition metal electrocatalyst surface (e.g. a porous surface of finely divided Group VIII or Group I-B metal with an attached current collector) is modified by a sulfur treatment, using an oxidized sulfur species of average sulfur oxidation state of about 4 or less, e.g. SO2 dissolved in aqueous acid. Treatment of the transition metal with SO2 or the like typically provides up to 100% coverage of the surface electrocatalyst sites with chemisorbed sulfur-containing species and perhaps subsurface effects as well, but washing or other non-electrochemical techniques can remove 5-90% (e.g. 25-70%) of the chemisorbed SO2 or the like from the surface, leaving substantially only a very strongly bound form of the sulfur-containing species. The strongly bound sulfur-containing species can then be reduced to form a highly beneficial, selectivity-improving pattern of sites containing reduced --S (e.g. sulfur or sulfide) on the electrocatalyst surface. Electrochemical synthesis cells can be constructed from a cathode and/or anode made form the S-treated electrocatalyst and used in highly selective syntheses of useful organic and inorganic compounds from various starting materials, e.g. by reduction of O2 to H2 O2, reduction of NO to NH2 OH, oxidation of RCH2 OH to RCOOCH2 R (R=lower alkyl, etc.), oxidation of RR'CHOH to RCOR' (R and R'=lower alkyl, etc.) or the like.

Derivatives of all-trans- and 13-cis retinoic acid and methods for preparing same.

Abstract: New coenzyme A and N-hydroxysuccinimidyl esters of all-trans- and 13-cis-retinoic acid and to methods for preparing the same. A new method for preparing all-trans-retinoic acid anhydride is also disclosed.

Manufacture and use of tagetitoxin

Abstract: An exotoxin of the plant pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tagetis selectively inhibits the development of chloroplasts in growing plant tissue. The exotoxin, known as tagetitoxin, can be produced efficiently from a mutant high-producing line of the bacteria, designated C42mr2+. The tagetitoxin can also be readily purified from the culture medium of the bacteria.

Fast-cycling dwarf Bassica oleracea

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel dwarf Brassica oleracea plant and a useful variety of rapid-cycling B oleracea containing the single recessive mutant gene for the dwarf phenotype homozygously The single gene (dwfl) is produced by mutagenesis and selection and is useful for producing novel types and varieties of dwarf Brassica plants for ornamental or agricultural purposes

Process for preparing optically active 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing optically-active 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl by subjecting esters of (+) 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl to the enantioselective hydrolytic enzymatic action of microorganisms of the orders Moniliales and Mucorales.