Abstract: Polymer particles in a size range between 2 and 15 micrometers, and having a refractive index close to, but not identical with, that of a matrix polymer and optionally having one or more enclosing shells, the outer shell being compatible with the matrix polymer, impart light-diffusing properties to the matrix polymer without degrading its physical properties, while the particles having a closer refractive index match to the matrix polymer impart gloss reduction to the surface of the matrix polymer.

Abstract: A novel light diffusing resin (material) has been invented which combines excellent light diffusing properties with high light transmission. The combination of properties is possible because the material does not significantly backscatter light. Also, the material exhibits good contact clarity. This light diffusing material is an excellent choice for use in projection systems as a method for hiding scratches or imperfections in a rear projection screen such as TV screen, rear projected slides, liquid crystal display (LCD) screens or thin layer electric decoration sheet by using a plastic sheet containing a specific light diffusing particles therein and having a combination of properties including high light transmission properties that does not significantly backscatter ambient light from outside illuminating sources.

Abstract: A method of preparing solid hydroxyalkylamides by reacting carboxylic alkyl esters with alkanolamines at controlled reaction temperatures, removing the alcohol byproduct, controlling the temperature of the reaction mixture to form a slurry, maintaining the slurry and recovering the solid hydroxyalkylamides.

Abstract: Higher yields of graft copolymer occur when a catalytic amount of base is present during the grafting reaction of a polyamide and a polyglutarimide. The resulting blends of ungrafted polyamide and polyglutarimide with higher graft-copolymer content, the graft copolymer being a polyamide-grafted poly(glutarimide)ionomer, exhibit improved toughness and clarity.

Abstract: An ester of a carboxylic acid is prepared via a transesterification reaction which comprises reacting a lower alkyl ester of carboxylic acid with a higher alkyl alcohol in the presence of a catalyst consisting of a hafnium chelate derived from hafnium tetrachloride, bis(alkoxide)hafnium dichlorides, or hafnium tetraalkoxides in the presence of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds.

Abstract: A method of resolving glycidyl esters to high enantiomeric excess involves fractionation of hydrolytic enzymes (e.g. lipases) to prepare biocatalysts with high enantioselectivity, and using these catalysts to selectively hydrolyze one enantiomer of the glycidyl esters. Also a method for fractionation includes stirring an aqueous solution of the enzyme with a solid inert adsorbent to provide an adsorbed and non-adsorbed enzyme fraction, where the non-adsorbed fraction displays a higher enantioselectivity than the crude non-fractionated enzyme. Also a composition composed of a glycidyl ester is obtained with an enantiomeric excess of greater than or equal to 97%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid handling process that provides self-limited, controlled and gentle movement of a quantity of liquid for metering and positioning purposes without the need for auxiliary sensors, and without loss or damage to the liquid sample. Precise positioning is accomplished under the influence of progressively reduced volumes of reduced pressure in an arrangement in which atmospheric pressure produces movement of the liquid quantity without need for auxiliary sensing devices, flow or pump control mechanisms, and the like.

Abstract: The portable door opening device comprises an elongated tubular member having an integral hook like means above the center of the tubular member. At the lower end of the tubular member is positioned a foot pedal member when operated by foot pressure in a down vertical motion causes a clamping collar or door knob grip to rotate and releases a conventional door latch mechanism.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining calcium ion content of serum which comprises calibrating a potentiometric analytical system with calcium standards having a solution containing both TRIS and BisTRIS at a pH of 7.5. The serum sample is diluted with a silicone oil/water emulsion which may further contain a protein complexing agent such as iron, zinc, cadmium, nickel or copper. Measurement is then carried out on the diluted serum sample.

Abstract: A liquid handling system useful in apparatus for analyzing biological liquid specimens or the like includes a plurality of sample metering chambers, a distribution manifold connected between a sample inlet port and the sample metering chambers, and a corresponding plurality of auxiliary liquid metering chambers connected to corresponding auxiliary liquid reservoirs. Liquids are flowed from the sample inlet port through the distribution manifold to the sample metering chambers and from auxiliary liquid reservoirs to the auxiliary liquid metering chambers under the influence of reduced pressures which are selectively connected to the flow network through an integrated valve array and reduced pressure manifolds.

Abstract: A multicuvette rotor for use in a centrifugal analyzer defines a circumferential array of elongated radially extending cuvettes. Each elongated cuvette defines a first chamber for receiving a first reactant and a loading port through which the first reactant is introduced into the first chamber region, a second chamber region for receiving a second reactant and a loading port through which the second reactant is introduced into the second chamber region, and divider structure between the first and second chamber regions that has a ramp surface and a ramp crest spaced from the ceiling surface of the cuvette so that a transfer passage between the first and second chamber regions is defined through which the first reactant may be flowed into the second chamber region for forming a reaction product with the second reactant.

Abstract: A multicuvette rotor for use in a centrifugal analyzer includes a one piece body member of molded transparent material that defines a circumferential array of elongated cuvette recesses and a one piece cover member of molded transparent material, the cover and body member being bonded together to define a circumferential array of individually sealed separate analytical cuvettes. An annular recess in the cover member adjacent the periphery thereof has a planar optical finish base surface.

Abstract: A multicuvette rotor for use in a centrifugal analyzer defines a circumferential array of elongated radially extending cuvettes. The rotor includes a one-piece body member of material that is transparent at analytical wavelengths and has a planar upper surface and defines a circumferential array of elongated cuvette recesses, and a one-piece cover member of similarly transparent material that has a planar lower surface parallel to the planar upper surface of the body member. A continuous seal extends around each cuvette recess between the planar upper and lower surfaces to define the circumferential array of analytical cuvettes.

Abstract: A fluorescence-based optical sensor includes a membrane immobilized fluorophor secured to one end of a bifurcated fiber optic channel for exposure to the sample to be analyzed. The fiber optic channel also has an input end coupled to a radiation source arranged to supply radiation at two different wavelengths and an output end coupled to a bandwidth limited photosensor. The radiation source alternately excites the fluorophor at a first wavelength that excites an acid form of the fluorophor and at a second wavelength that excites a base form of the fluorophor, and a ratio of the resulting fluorescence intensities is taken as a measure of a characteristic of the sample being analyzed.

Abstract: A maintenance tool for removal of a valve sleeve assembly from a valve cavity in a flow through cell of a blood gas analysis system or the like includes insertion structure that has a lead portion and a support portion of cross sectional dimension greater than the lead portion and corresponding to the inner cross sectional dimension of the valve sleeve assembly, gripping structure carried by the insertion structure and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the gripping structure in its extended position having a portion that extends radially beyond the lead portion at the end of the insertion structure, and actuating structure for moving the gripping structure between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A spectroanalytical method includes the steps of exciting material to spectroemissive levels, dispersing radiation from the excited sample material into a spectrum, positionally locating a reference constituent of the excited material in the spectrum, the reference constituent having a known wavelength offset from an element of interest in the sample material to be analyzed, and then shifting the known wavelength offset by an essentially hysteresis free mechanism and making an analytical measurement at that wavelength offset position of radiation produced by a spectrum from sample material that has been excited to spectroemissive levels.

Abstract: Rapid and accurate whole blood analysis measurements are made with analysis systems of the potentiometric type that employ restricted diffusion type liquid junctions where the whole blood sample is flowed past sensing electrode and liquid junction at a velocity of at least one centimeter per second during a data acquisition interval that is at least twenty-five milliseconds in duration.

Abstract: An interactive injection system for use with a catheter of the type adapted for insertion into a patient's vascular system for thermodilution measurements and the like includes a chamber for storing liquid injectate, means for connecting the chamber to the catheter lumen, and a drive for operating on the chamber to flow liquid injectate from the chamber into the lumen for discharge as a bolus from the lumen into the vascular system of a patient. In preferred embodiments, a temperature sensing probe is connected between the injection chamber and the catheter for monitoring the temperature of injectate as it is introduced into the catheter.