Abstract: A catalyst for synthesizing a carbonic diester includes at least one copper compound selected from among copper oxides, copper hydroxides, a salt of copper with a weak acid consisting of the elements other than halogen such as copper borates, and complexes or complex salts consisting of the elements other than halogen and formed with copper or a copper compound a and ligand. The catalyst has a high activity, a high reaction selectivity and excellent stability with a minimal risk of corroding equipment. The catalyst can include, as a co-catalyst component, a platinum-group metal such as palladium or a halogen-free platinum-group metal compound such as palladium acetate. The catalyst component may be supported on a carrier, for example, an activated carbon. A carbonic diester is advantageously produced by allowing an alcohol to react with carbon monoxide and oxygen in the presence of the catalyst.

Abstract: Short peptide of the formula:R.sup.a -Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-R.sup.b (I)where R.sup.a represents an amino terminal residue Ala- or D-Ala and R.sup.b represents a carboxy terminal residue -Thr or -Thr amide or a derivative thereof with an additional Cys- residue at one or both of the amino and carboxy terminals, or a peptide of formula (II):R.sup.1 -R.sup.2 -R.sup.3 -R.sup.4 -R.sup.5 (II)whereR.sup.1 is an amino terminal residue Thr-, Ser-, Asn-,Leu-,Ile-,Arg- or Glu-R.sup.2 is Thr, Ser or AspR.sup.3 is Thr, Ser, Asn, Arg, Gln, Lys or TrpR.sup.4 is Tyr andR.sup.5 is a carboxy terminal amino group or a derivative thereof with a corresponding D- amino acid as the amino terminal residue, and/or a corresponding amide derivative at the carboxy terminal residue and/or additionally a Cys- residue at one or both of the amino and carboxy terminals,or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.Such peptides bind to T4 receptors are useful in preventing viral infectivity by viruses which bind to the T4 receptors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of vapor-phase synthesizing diamond comprising creating a reduction atmosphere by burning a combustible gas in a combustion-supporting gas, controlling the humidity by adding steam or liquid water drops to the combustion flame, and inserting a basic material into the synthesis flame. This method produces diamonds of the desired reproducibility and crystallinity, with an industrially-acceptable rate of film growth, while simultaneously ensuring the process stability necessary for long-duration synthesis.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producting thin stretched films having a thickness between 0.1 and 20 .mu.m from polyolefins of ultrahigh molecular weight by dissolving the polyolefin in a solvent, shaping the solution at a temperature above the solution temperature of the polyolefin to a tape, cooling the tape to a temperature below the solution temperature to obtain gelation and stretching the gelled tape. In this process the gelled tape is initially subjected to a preliminary orientation in one direction, under solvent removal, and is then stretched in a direction essentially perpendicular to the direction of preliminary orientation, at elevated temperature, followed by final stretching to obtain the finished thin films. This process makes possible the production of films which are free from pores, that is to say transparent and which posses high Young's moduli, high tensile strengths and favorable values for elongation at break.

Abstract: An inflatable emergency flotation device to be worn around the neck of the wearer and strapped to the front of the wearer's body. The device includes a folded, flexible, airtight tube; a strap which is slidably attached to the ends of the tube; an oral inflation tube; and an inflation assembly including a holder for holding a carbon dioxide cylinder and a hand operated or automatic activating mechanism.

Abstract: Pure hydroxypropyltheophylline is produced by the catalytic reaction of theophylline with glycidol in the presence of a hydroxide of a short chain alcoholate of an alkali metal or an alkali metal salt of a pseudohydrohalic acid which has a readily polarizable anion. The catalyst is suitably employed in an amount between 0.01 and 0.2 moles per mole of theophylline. The dihydroxypropyltheophylline is obtained directly in the reaction in a high purity.

Abstract: Novel cephalosporin derivatives having a higher antimicrobial activity across a broad antimicrobial spectrum. They are useful for treatment of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria. Such cephalosporin derivatives are prepared by a relatively simple method.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a secondary air supply system and a fuel injection system including a two-fluid injection nozzle operative to inject air and fuel both under pressure into engine intake system. The secondary air supply system includes an air pump and a secondary air supply line extending between the pump and the engine exhaust system. The two-fluid injection nozzle is pneumatically connected to an air distributor provided on the secondary air supply line whereby pressurized air from the air pump is also supplied to the two-fluid injection nozzle and injected thereby together with the fuel to facilitate atomization of the injected fuel as well as to supercharge the engine.