Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a process for the preparation of sugar and sugar alcohol esters of general formula I(R--COO--).sub.n --R.sup.1 (I)wherein R is an alkyl group, R.sup.1 is derived from a sugar or a polyol moiety and n is 1 to 3, comprising reacting a sugar or a polyol with an acyl moiety, such as a carboxylic acid or ester, in a suitable solvent therefor and in the presence of an enzymatic catalyst capable of catalyzing the formation of ester bonds, and under reduced pressure sufficient to vaporize the solvent and by-product water, and continuously removing the water.

Abstract: An integrated synchronous aerobic/anaerobic bioreactor is disclosed for treating waste liquids, such as pulp and paper waste water, and to methods of treating such waste liquid. The apparatus includes a bioreactor and an external aerator for injecting a controlled amount of an oxygen-containing gas into the waste liquid as it is cycled through the apparatus. An aerobic/anaerobic biofilm is provided in the reactor, having a decreasing gradient of oxygen concentration toward its core.

Abstract: A Dot-Blot assay ("spot test") with Bis-N,N,dioctadecylamide (BDA.TDA) as antigen was developed to detect anti-BDA.TDA antibodies in tuberculosis patients. To develop the antigen-antibody reaction, as a first step and in order to enhance the reaction, an anti-human rabbit serum was used followed by incubation with a protein A-colloidal gold conjugate. This assay showed almost equal sensitivity and specificity as the .beta.-galactosidase ELISA test which was conducted in parallel. This simple and fast assay could be used in places where ELISA equipment is not easily available.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a process for the enzymatic esterification and transesterification of racemic carboxylic acids and alcohols in which the reaction products predominantly include the ester of the more reactive acid or alcohol enantiomer and the less reactive acid or alcohol enantiomer, wherein the reactions are effected, preferably in a solventless medium, and the by-product water or short-chain alcohol is removed as it is formed.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a composite material for use in a beamsplitter for the far infrared which provides a high operating efficiency over the spectral range of 50 to 550 cm.sup.-1. The composite comprises a thin, substantially uniformly thick synthetic resin film having low far infrared absorption, preferably polyethyleneterephthalate, and a thin substantially uniformly thick coating of a transparent material having an index of refraction of about twice that of the substrate, preferably of germanium. An improved interferometer including a beamsplitter formed of the composite is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a new method of forming spinel-related .lambda.-Li.sub.2-x Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4, wherein 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.2, solely by electrochemical means with air-stable orthorhombic LiMnO.sub.2 as the starting material. This spinel-related material is hydroscopic, metastable and is typically made by chemical means, followed by electrochemical conversion of spinel-type LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4. Also disclosed are new secondary lithium ion electrochemical cells employing as initial active cathode material a compound of formula LiMnO.sub.2, having a specific orthorhombic crystal structure.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a process for producing azide-substituted aromatic polymers such as polysulfones, and to certain novel azide-substituted polysulfones so produced. The process involves attaching azide groups onto the aromatic rings of the polymers by first activating the attachment site by direct lithiation or bromination, followed by lithiation. The lithiated intermediates are converted substantially qantitatively to azides by reacting with a suitable azide, preferably tosyl azide, under substantially anhydrous conditions. Novel azide-substituted polysulfones containing from one to about three azide groups per repeat polymer unit were obtained, the degree of azide substitution being determined by the degree of lithiation. The azides may also be converted to other functional derivatives such as primary amines and cross-linked membranes.

Abstract: A transconductance amplifier circuit employs the known combination of a transconductance amplifier and a current comparator (with or without a ratio extender, preferably in the form of a two-stage current transformer) to compare the output current from the transconductance amplifier with that flowing through a reference resistor, both these currents having been derived from the same alternating input voltage. A current corresponding to the unbalanced ampere-turns in the current comparator is used to produce a feed-forward error signal that is used to modify the output of the transconductance amplifier. The invention is characterized by an output transformer that has coaxial inner and outer toroidal magnetic cores, and primary and correction windings outside the outer core. This primary winding receives the output current from the transconductance amplifier and the correction winding receives the error signal.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a composition and method for enhancing the contrast of polycyanoacrylate-developed fingerprints and the like. The composition includes a metal chelate of the structural formula ##STR1## wherein R is a UV-absorbing aromatic group, X is an electron attracting group and M is a suitable metal ion, a suitable water-soluble organic solvent and water, at a pH of 3 to 10.

Abstract: An animal body parts phantom comprised of a substrate sheet which is shaped in the form of an animal body part e.g. a thyroid, including a radioactive material substantially uniformly deposited on the substrate, and a tissue simulating material encapsulating and supporting the substrate. A container may be included to provide a mold for the tissue simulating material and to protect the phantom. An additional fat simulating overlay may also be provided to extend the capability of the device.

Abstract: Novel energetic azido thermoplastic elastomers (ATPE's) are described. Such materials are useful as binders in energetic formulations to replace conventional inert thermosetting prepolymers. The ATPE's are easily formulated either by blending or chemically bonding an energetic azido elastomeric component and a thermoplastic component. The elastomeric component is a branched chain hydroxy-terminated azido polymer or copolymer. The thermoplastic component is a commercial polyether or polyethylene oxide.

Abstract: A process for removing volatile organic compounds such as methanol from wastewater comprising first stripping the organic compound from water and then oxidizing the organic compound in the gaseous phase using a hydrophobic catalyst, to form harmless reaction products.