Abstract: Method and apparatus for making hollow links or rings and for making chain made from hollow links by receiving seamless wire which has an inner core and an exterior surface, for example, a gold alloy surface, making a perforation in the wire so as to expose the inner core at the perforation, and forming the wire into an open or closed link such that the perforation is located on a hidden portion of the link. The inner core may then be removed from the open or closed link by dissolving it in acid, wherein the acid contacts the inner core at the perforation thus allowing the acid to dissolve the inner core. A chain may be made by coupling each link with at least one preceding link to produce the chain.

Abstract: A purified pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) comprises a truncated form of the PspA protein which is immunoprotective and contains the protective epitopes of PspA. The PspA protein is soluble in physiologic solution and lacks at least the cell membrane anchor region of the whole protein. The protein is formed by insertion-duplication of mutagenesis of S. pneumoniae with pspA gene and expression of the truncated protein into the growth medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material for producing electrically conducting connections in thermoplastic moldings, wherein the material contains a thermoplastic containing 0.5 to 30% by volume of conductive fibers having a length of 5 to 20 mm and a diameter of 5 to 100 .mu.m and has a volume resistivity of less than 1 ohm.cm.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is the promoter, full-length or truncated, of the persistence-associated gene 1 (pag1) of Hz-1 virus, vectors containing the promoter, including with exogenous coding DNA, methods employing the vectors, compositions employing the vectors and products therefrom, and probes and primers for the promoter or functional fragment thereof. The promoter of pag1 gene is strong and if not comparable, it is better than the promoter activity demonstrated in the polyhedrin gene in insect cells. In addition, the pag1 promoter can be expressed more prominently as a short promoter. The pag1 promoter can also be expressed in transient transfected and permanently transfected cells. Further, the pag1 promoter can also be expressed when it is inserted into other viruses, such as Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus. The pag1 promoter has also been shown to express foreign genes strongly, such as in lacZ and luciferase.

Abstract: A liquid composition for the relief of discomfort, in particular, premenstrual and menstrual discomfort including, as active pharmaceutical agents, an effective amount of one or more of an analgesic, an antihistamine and a diuretic, said active agents being, or adapted to be, dissolved in a liquid vehicle, said composition preferably containing 5-25 percent by volume alcohol (or other effective liquid carrier such as glycerin, or even water) and being flavored with an active flavoring composition including (1) citrus and mint ingredients, (2) vanilla and mint ingredients, or (3) citrus, vanilla and mint ingredients, said active flavoring ingredients being present in an amount sufficient to mask the unpleasant taste of the pharmaceutically active agent(s).

Abstract: A composition suitable for use in an ECL assay wherein electromagnetic radiation emitted by said composition is detected, which composition comprises (a) a metal-containing ECL moiety which, when oxidized by exposure to an effective amount of electrochemical energy, is capable of being converted to an excited state from which electromagnetic radiation is emitted upon exposure of the excited ECL moiety to conditions sufficient to induce said emission; (b) an amine or amine moiety which, when oxidized by exposure to an effective amount of electrochemical energy, forms a strong reducing agent in said composition; and (c) an electrolyte capable of functioning as a medium in which said ECL moiety and said amine or amine moiety can be oxidized by exposure to electrochemical energy.

Abstract: A method of making randomly oriented carbons fibrils having a cylindrical constant diameter with c-axes perpendicular to their cylindrical axis, which are free of pyrolytically deposited carbon, with a diameter of between 3.5 and 70 nanometers, by dispersing carbon fibrils in a medium and separating them from the medium, by filtration or evaporation to form a porous mat or sheet.

Abstract: A process for the isolation and characterization of a gene enzyme system for the inactivation of the herbicide phenmedipham, wherein the enzyme is a carbamate hydrolase of Arthrobacter oxidans, which is responsible for the cleavage of the carbamate bond between the benzene rings of phenmedipham. This process includes the isolation of the carbamate hydrolase, the identification of the amino acid sequence of two BrCN cleavage peptides of the carbamate hydrolase, the synthesis of oligonucleotides for specific determination of the carbamate hydrolase sequence by hybridization and identification of the coding region, cloning and specifying the nucleotide sequence of the carbamate hydrolase gene from Arthrobacter oxidans.

Abstract: The present invention is an article, namely apparel, such as clothing, footwear, fabrics, and the like, which incorporates fabrics or chemicals having a low coefficient of friction either overall or in specific areas of the apparel that will minimize the development of blisters, callouses, and irritation of the skin. The present invention also is an article such as apparel which incorporates fabrics or chemicals having a low coefficient of friction either overall or in specific areas of the outer surface of the apparel that will minimize frictional contact with external objects. The invention also includes methods for producing this low friction apparel and apparel with a low friction outer surface.

Abstract: A modular digital recording system that records audio on digital audio tapes provides redundancy and the ability to record audio while listening to portions of audio that had been recorded on the DAT. The system uses a hard disc that receives audio for recording simultaneously with the DAT. When one wishes to listen to a voice message, one can activate the hard disc to listen to a particular message while the DAT is still recording. The system is modular so that the capacity can be expanded as required. The system includes a LAN adapter so that the system can provide networking access.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a film for detecting chemical substances comprising a homopolymer or a copolymer having recurring units represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X is --H, --F, --Cl, --Br, --CH.sub.3, --CF.sub.3, --CN or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3 ; and R.sup.1 is --R.sup.2 or --Z--R.sup.2 ;wherein Z is --O--, --S--, --NH--, --NR.sup.2' --, --(C.dbd.Y)--, --(C.dbd.Y)--Y--, --Y--(C.dbd.Y)--, --(SO.sub.2)--, --Y'--(SO.sub.2)--, --(SO.sub.2)--Y'--, --Y'--(SO.sub.2)--Y'--, --NH--(C.dbd.O)--, --(C.dbd.O)--NH--, --(C.dbd.O)--NR.sup.2' --, --Y'--(C.dbd.Y)--Y'-- or --O--(C.dbd.O)--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --(C.dbd.O)--O--;wherein Y is independently O or S, and Y' is independently O or NH, and n is an integer of 0 to 20;and wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.2' represent independently a hydrogen atom, a linear alkyl group, a branched alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an unsaturated hydrocarbon group, an aryl group, a saturated or unsaturated hetero ring or derivatives thereof, provided that R.sup.

Abstract: Electrochemiluminiscent moieties having the formula?Re(P).sub.m (L.sup.1).sub.n (L.sup.2).sub.o (L.sup.3).sub.p (L.sup.4).sub.q (L.sup.5).sub.r (L.sup.6).sub.s !.sub.t (B).sub.uwhereinP is a polydentate ligand of Re;L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3, L.sup.4, L.sup.5 and L.sup.6 are ligands of Re, each of which may be the same as or different from each other ligand;B is a substance which is a ligand of Re or is conjugated to one or more of P, L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3, L.sup.4, L.sup.5 or L.sup.6 ;m is an integer equal to or greater than 1;each of n, o, p, q, r and s is zero or an integer;t is an integer equal to or greater than 1; andu is an integer equal to or greater than 1;P, L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3, L.sup.4, L.sup.5, L.sup.6 and B being of such composition and number that the chemical moiety can be induced to emit electromagnetic radiation and the total number of bonds to Re provided by the ligands of Re being equal to the coordination of Reare disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus particularly useful for atomizing a heavy highly viscous liquid into fine droplets (such as petroleum distillate resid to droplets on the order of 100 thousandths of a millimeter), with the aid of at least one auxiliary gas. This employs in a nozzle head an array of a plurality of primary channels and at least two secondary channels associated with each said primary channel. The primary channels each have an inlet end connected to a high pressure source of liquid, and have an outlet end defining an atomization orifice. The secondary channels each have an inlet end being connected to at least one source of auxiliary gas and an outlet end. The outlets of the secondary channels each intersect with a commonly associated primary channel at the same or different locations upstream of the respective atomization orifice at angles of less than 90.degree., typically 45.degree. or less. Liquid is passed through a plurality of primary channels thereby forming a liquid core stream.

Abstract: The general area of this invention relates to porous materials made from nanofiber packed beds. More particularly, the invention relates to altering the porosity or packing structure of a nanofiber packed bed structure by blending nanofibers with scaffold particulates having larger dimensions. For example, adding large diameter fibers to a nanotube packed bed to serve as a scaffolding to hold the smaller nanofibers apart and prevent the nanofiber bed structure from collapsing. This increases the average pore size of the mass by changing the pore size distribution and alters the packing structure of the packed bed. The increase in average pore size is caused by the creation of larger channels which improves the flow of liquids or gasses through these materials.

Abstract: A valve structure without dead-legs is provided for controlling the flow of gases in a semiconductor fabrication facility. The valve structure comprises a conduit forming a loop with three ports. Flexible metallic diaphragms are selectively operable to open and close two of the ports.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting and holding a circuit board in place in a machine for screen printing a major surface thereof with solder paste. The apparatus includes a member with a surface on which a circuit board rests as the board receives solder paste printing through a screen. The surface has a main groove and distribution grooves that intersect the main groove in communicating relationship therewith at spaced locations along its length. Further, the member has an air removal passageway extending therethrough from one side to the opposite side thereof. The passageway terminates on the one side of the member at an opening located in the main groove. A circuit board resting on the surface over the grooves is held in place during screen printing with solder paste as a result of reduced air pressure established in the grooves when air is withdrawn therefrom through the passageway.

Abstract: Protoplasts which regenerate reproducibly in a short time to normal, fertile plants can be regenerated from an auxin-autotrophic genotype of Zea mays (L.). Starting from immature embryos on hormone-free media, an auxin-autotrophic, embryogenic callus is formed on the shoot basis of the seedlings, which callus retains its embryogenic potential over a substantial period of time when subcultured on hormone-free medium. In addition to fully-developed embryos, adventitious embryos are also formed under suitable culture conditions (6-9% of sucrose in the medium). When the sucrose content is reduced to 2-3% and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid is added, soft, granular calli are formed which consist of embryogenic cell aggregates (type II callus). After subculturing the type II callus in the form of a cell suspension culture, totipotent protoplasts can be isolated. From these protoplasts, the maize plants according to the invention are regenerated.

Abstract: The invention relates to insecticidal compositions which compriseA) inorganic or organic ammonium salts of the formula I ##STR1## in combination with at least one compound from the group consisting of the compounds silafluofen (4-ethoxyphenyl-?3-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)propyl!dimethylsilane), MTI-723, imidacloprid, ethofenprox (Trebon, MTI-500, (2-(4- ethoxyphenyl)-2-methylpropyl-3-phenoxybenzyl ether), PP 682 (ICI-A5682), T1304, natural or synthetic pyrethroids and phosphorothioates.

Abstract: Method and simplified apparatus for manufacturing aluminum alloys castings, for example those cast aluminum parts utilized in the manufacture of automobile engines: cylinder heads, engine blocks and the like; whereby the castings are cast in a plurality of semi-permanent-type molds, said molds each being movable to a plurality of processing positions along one of a plurality of straight line paths (five in the preferred embodiment), wherein the operations of cleaning, core setting, casting, and casting extraction are performed on each mold at predetermined positions along its respective path and alternating said operations among the molds in order to permit minimization of the number of robot equipment and to increase the aggregate productivity of said molds, since any one processing operation is handled by only one robot arm moving between the plurality of lines seriatim, so that a given process step is performed at any one time only at one of the plurality of lines.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are isolated DNA molecules consisting of nucleotide sequences encoding or priming for ospA and/or ospB of various B. burgdorferi or portions thereof and methods of making and using the same.