Abstract: An improved blood substitute comprises purified hemoglobin, preferably bovine, cross-linked intramolecularly with periodate-oxidized ATP (o-ATP) and intermolecularly with periodate-oxidized adenosine (o-adenosine), combined with reduced glutathione (GSH), and optionally enriched with mannitol, non-electrolytes, and/or electrolytes. The blood substitute has prolonged intravascular persistence, can sustain plasma volume, has low oxygen affinity, can work as a physiological oxygen carrier, has vasodilator activity and can reduce the vasoconstriction that follows hemorrhage. A method of treating a human afflicted with acute blood loss and/or a sickling crisis of sickle cell anemia comprises intravenously administrating to the human an effective volume of the blood substitute.

Abstract: A method for processing a dehulled, defatted oilseed protein meal, e.g., soybean meal, to produce non-porous, meat-like fibers comprises preparing an oilseed protein source and water mixture, extruding the mixture under predetermined conditions, coating the extruded mixture with an edible oil or fat and then further extruding the oil- or fat-coated fibers under specified conditions. The mixture may further comprise meats, fruits, and/or other vegetables as a source of water. The extrusion conditions and the oil or fat coating act to inhibit the expansion of the extruded, non-spongy fibers. The resulting product has a non-porous texture and resembles broiled meat fibers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making cuvettes. The cuvette comprises two optically transparent liquid impermeable plastic sheets. A third "sticky" sheet is inserted between the two transparent plastic sheets and the three sheets are pressure sealed together. The thickness of the "sticky" sheet defines the optical pathlength of the turbid media. The "sticky" sheet has cut outs defining the contour of an optical chamber, inlet port and vent port.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating soil contaminated by petroleum products on the site of the contamination. Such decontamination is accomplished by chemical breakdown, enzymatic action and biological microbial degradation. Significant byproducts of this degradation of the hydrocarbon material are: water, sodium salts, ammonium salts, carbon dioxide, free amino acids and heat.

Abstract: A bulb grasping unit for an elongated cylindrical fluorescent bulb is mounted on an elongated handle to facilitate replacement of fluorescent bulbs in out of reach fixtures. The bulb grasping unit is resiliently radially expansible to snap into engagement with the bulb.

Abstract: A method of terminating pregnancy in mammals is described by a novel application of the common fertility-promoting hormone known as human menopausal gonadotropin. A single injection of this gonadotropic hormone as early as the first day of conception can terminate pregnancy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decontaminating hydrocarbon contaminated soil particles comprises an upwardly directed conveyor which passes the soil through shredding knives to breakup the soil into a plurality of particles having a preselected maximum size. The stream of particles are directed against a downwardly inclined deflector to be directed downwardly toward a ground or concrete surface to form a growing conical pile of contaminated soil particles. A first set of spray nozzles, located above the particle stream, directs a spray of water containing decontaminating agents into the contaminated soil particle stream generally parallel to and within the stream of the contaminated soil particles, thus moistening the particles and assisting in producing a rolling action of the particles down the sides of the growing conical pile of particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making either upper or lower dental impression of teeth for a mammalian patient by utilizing an impression tray having upstanding walls that are laterally and longitudinally adjustable. Those walls conform to the mouth of the patient but spaced from the exterior of the upper or lower teeth of the mammalian patient.

Abstract: A fishing lure comprising a lure blank enclosed in a cover of resilient cloth with the outer surface of said cover decorated to provide a desired color and appearance for the lure.

Abstract: A catheter introducer comprises an elongated sheath having a bore to receive a percutaneous needle therethrough. The proximal end of the sheath is secured to a head element having angularly spaced wing portions and defining two opposed parallel planar surfaces. The percutaneous needle has a transversely disposed U-shaped element secured to its proximal end which is snugly engagable with the planer sidewalls of the head portion and is secured thereto through a rib and slot interengagement of the arms with the planar surfaces. The sheath and the entire head portion are provided with diametrically opposed scorelines to permit the ready separation of the introducer through the application of a separating force to the wing portions. Such separation cannot, however, occur so long as the needle is fully inserted within the introducer due to the restraining action of the arms of the U-shaped element.

Abstract: A measuring while drilling apparatus for use in the drilling of subterranean wells comprises a plurality of interconnected tubular housings which are insertable into and removable from a drill string by a wire line. A hollow plunger on the bottom of the apparatus is vertically shiftable with respect to a fixed diameter orifice disposed in the path of the drilling fluid flow. Fluid pressure forces derived from the drilling fluid effect the movement of the plunger forward and away from the orifice to create pressure pulses which are transmittable through the drilling fluid to the surface. Sensors provided in the housings generate signals, which are converted by a downhole controller, to effect the sequential generation of the positive pressure pulses to be indicated at the surface of the well by a digital readout of the outputs of the various sensors carried in the tubular housings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communications protocol for a digital telemetry system which enables more efficient digital data transmission between a plurality of digital communications nodes. The protocol is implemented using uplink and downlink packets and superpackets. Each node forms an uplink packet which contains node data and protocols. Those packets are packaged into uplink superpackets and transmitted to a control node. Downlink superpackets containing information signifying which of the uplink superpackets were received correctly are formed and transmitted to the individual nodes. In response, any uplink superpacket received incorrectly is retransmitted. Additionally, the communications protocol also time stamps messages received from the nodes to provide for digital communications time correlation.

Abstract: A jet engine for an aircraft has a thrust reverser including one or more doors which define at least a part of the throat of the engine's nozzle. The engine further includes a latch mechanism for retaining the doors in a stowed position. The doors may be deployed for reversal of engine thrust, but are also capable while stowed of being pivoted in a limited way to change the cross-section area of the throat of the nozzle.

Abstract: A method of producing a ready-to-eat intermediate-moisture texturized protein foodstuff which simulates meat and has an extended shelf life comprises pretexturizing a vegetable protein source with a first source of water such as meat, meat by-products or other liquids by cooking/extrusion, combining the texturized fraction with other ingredients in a second cooking/extrusion step, and pasteurizing the final mixture. Shelf stability is achieved through control of free water content and activity in the product.