Abstract: A process is provided for the fermentation production of hyphal bodies which form conidia of species of the fungal order Entomophthorales, especially Entomophaga aulicae. The process uses an improved growth medium. The improved mediuem includes, in addition to a basal medium, filter-sterilized tryptic soy broth and calcium caseinate. Such medium allows the use of a protoplast and/or a walled stage inoculum in a batch fermentation process.

Abstract: A passive stabilizing platform is provided herein. It includes a base and at least two, but preferably three, vertically-upright hollow legs equi-angularly disposed around the the base. When in use the hollow legs contain a column of liquid therein. Tubes interconnect the hollow legs to allow free unimpeded movement of the water therebetween. A spherical float member is disposed in each of the hollow legs, the float member being movable only vertically upwardly or vertically downwardly within the hollow cylindrical leg within which the spherical float member is disposed, the movement being dependent solely, and in conjunction with, the upper surface of water in the hollow cylindrical leg within which the float member is disposed. A support arm is fixed to each float member and extends upwardly therefrom. The platform is supported by the support arms. A joint is secured between the hollow cylindrical legs and the platform.

Abstract: A novel gas investigation apparatus is provided herein. Such gas investigation apparatus includes a hollow cylindrical transparent barrel having a lower inlet and an upper outlet. A plunger is slidably fitted in a leak-proof manner within the barrel. A gas inlet tube having a lower and upper inlet and outlet is provided within the plunger and extends along the longitudinal axis of the plunger. A longitudinally-extending, transparent heat transfer jacket surrounds the hollow, barrel. An upper valve is connected to the upper outlet of the barrel by means of a zero dead-space, butt-end connection. A selective entry is provided through the upper valve for admitting a study liquid or a tissue suspension into the barrel. A lower valve is connected to the lower inlet of the gas inlet tube by means of a zero dead-space, butt-end connection. An inlet conduit is provided for the selective introduction of test gas, or carrier gas, or flushing gas into the gas inlet tube through the lower valve.

Abstract: A stabilized peroxidase conjugate is provided herein. Such conjugate includes a stabilizing quantity of polyethylene oxide or polyvinyl alcohol therein.

Abstract: A novel environmental steam energy storage energizer is provided for transferring heat, e.g., to water for use with a heated vessel, e.g., a Dutch oven or a skillet, i.e., to provide an "environmental steam energy storage energizer oven". The environmental steam energy storage energizer includes a cylindrical body which is open both at its top and its bottom, and is constituted by an upper curved peripheral wall, a lower curved peripheral wall and a median floor extend between the curved peripheral walls to form an essential part of the environmental steam energy storage energizer. The median floor provides a trap chamber below the median wall and which is bounded peripherally by the lower curved peripheral wall. At least one pre-determined, fixed-diameter escape aperture is provided in the lower peripheral wall to permit the escape of steam bubbles generated by heating which has been trapped in the trap chamber and to stabilize the environmental steam storage energizer.

Abstract: A novel process is provided for the selective hydrogenation of benzene in a solution of gasoline and other aromatic organic compounds. The process includes the steps of carrying out the catalytic hydrogenation in a hydrogenation zone at a temperature of about 45.degree. to about 250.degree. C. at a pressure of about 200 psi to about 500 psi in a biphasic system of aqueous and organic liquids the hydrogenation catalyst being water-soluble. The organic liquid is removed from the hydrogenation zone. At least a catalytic amount of the catalyst is retained in the hydrogenation zone. The catalyst above described is also a facet of this invention.

Abstract: Weather-resistant boards are provided herein which are possessed of surface elasticity and pliancy by means of a permanently elastic, covering layer (for example, particle boards, facade covering boards, and wall elements) and mouldings (for instance, containers, vessels, prefabricated building elements, and roof elements), the base material being lignocellulose or other organic materials and/or inorganic materials, either as fibres or as particle materials. Such weather resistant boards consist of three layers. The first layer is an impregnatable porous, base material as defined above. The second layer is a vulcanized outer covering layer constituted by an vulcanized, weather-resistant resilient synthetic elastomeric material which has been vulcanized therein in situ at a temperature of at least 175.degree. C.

Abstract: A process is provided herein for making absorptive pellets from clay "fines" having open pore spaces therein, the fines including clay particles that will pass through a 30-50 mesh screen.

Abstract: A novel burner, e.g. for a gaseous fuel is provided herein. The burner is an improvement on the conventional hand-held blowpipe type of burner including a cylindrical housing, a nozzle body provided with a mixing chamber, an axial gas inlet port to the mixing chamber, a plurality of radial air inlet ports to the mixing chamber, and an axially extending burner tube connected to the mixing chamber. The mixed gas is substantially completely burned in the burner tube. The improvement is an add-on to the conventional burner and takes the form of a self-cooling shield. The shield includes a disc-like, centrally apertured baffle secured at the extreme forward end of the cylindrical housing with the axially extending burner tube projecting through the central aperture thereof. The shield also includes an outer tubular member, secured concentrically to the cylindrical housing by a disc-like centrally apertured rear wall, the central aperture surrounding the cylindrical housing and being secured thereto.