Abstract: A reagent composition which include an organic cationic dye for staining the reticulocytes in the blood sample and a buffer solution for maintaining a pH of about 6 to about 9 is provided. The dyes may be the red excitable fluorescent dye Oxazine 750, or the blue excitable fluorescent dyes Acridine Orange or derivatives of Acridine Orange. A zwitterionic surfactant is included in the reagent composition for isovolumetric sphering of the reticulocytes and erythrocytes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for the recovery of cholesterol rich fractions from mammalian serum or plasma. The process involves adsorbing the fraction on precipitated silica gel agglomerates which are then separated from the serum or plasma whereupon the adsorbed cholesterol rich fraction is eluted from the silica and recovered.

Abstract: The buttonless memory system of the present invention retrieves and stores the measurement results of a sample for the user of an electronic measurement device, particularly a portable and personal electrical measurement device, with minimal user interaction. The user simply activates the portable measurement device and waits as the buttonless memory system initially cycles through the stored measurement results. The buttonless memory system stops retrieving from memory when the measurement device detects a sample or control solution. After test measurement of the sample, the user can choose to store the measurement result by deactivating the measurement device during the time the memory display is on. If the sample is a control solution, the user can delete the measurement result from memory by waiting and deactivating the measurement device after the memory display is off. In this way, the buttonless memory system provides a simple and effective memory management scheme for measurement devices.

Abstract: A video test strip reader uses a video imager or camera for viewing a viewing field containing reagent test strips each having test pads reacted with a specimen containing constituents of interest. The video imager produces an analog signal representing an image of the viewing field. An image handler coupled to the video imager converts or digitizes the analog signal into a digital signal representing the image and stores the image in the form of an array of pixels representing the image. Each pixel contains color information broken down into red, green or blue (RGB). A processor coupled to the image handler analyzes the array of pixels, determines the location and orientation of a test strip, identifies the test areas on the test strip, measures the corresponding test areas on the strip at the proper times and calculates the test results, such as the concentration of the constituents of interest in the specimen or other measurable properties of the specimen such as color or specific gravity, etc.

Abstract: An epoxide is produced by reacting a sulfonium salt with a ketone in the presence of a low molecular weight alcohol or ether and an alkali metal hydroxide at a temperature of from about 60.degree. to about 90.degree. C. The alkali metal hydroxide is in the solid form. The reaction is generally carried out in the presence of an organic solvent such as toluene. The preferred low molecular weight ether is diethylene glycol. Water is not added to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Sucrose-based polyether polyols which do not promote degradation of HCFC blowing agents are produced by blocking at least 10% of the polyol's hydroxyl groups with a compound represented by the formula CH.sub.3 COCH.sub.2 COOR in which R represents an alkyl group. These polyether polyols are particularly useful in the production of polyurethane foams.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an isocyanate reactive mixture and the flexible polyurethane foam produced therefrom. The reactive mixture contains specific filled polyols, water, a catalyst for the reaction between an isocyanate group and a hydroxyl group, and a specific N-hydroxyalkyl quaternary ammonium salt. The isocyanate used is toluene diisocyanate.

Abstract: A melt-stable, pigmented thermoplastic molding composition is disclosed. Accordingly, to the composition which contains polycarbonate resin and pigment there is imparted an improved level of melt stability upon the incorporation therewith of an additive amount of a melt stabilizer conforming to ##STR1## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and n are defined. In an additional embodiment the invention relates to a color concentrate containing polycarbonate resin, up to 30% of a pigment and an effective amount of said stabilizer.

Abstract: An environmentally safe, multi-wall disposable bag for a granulated pesticide which is made of: a) a first outer bag composed of paper having a closed end, an open end, an inner, uncoated surface and an outer surface, and b) a second bag composed of a water soluble material having a closed end, an open end, an inner surface and an outer surface which is positioned within outer bag a) in a manner such that in the open position, its opening extends beyond that of outer bag a).

Abstract: A method, composition and test device for determining the ionic strength or specific gravity of a test sample are disclosed. The method utilizes a test device comprising a test pad, wherein the test pad includes a carrier matrix incorporating a reagent composition capable of producing a detectable and measurable response that correlates to the ionic strength and the buffer capacity, and therefore the specific gravity, of the test sample. The reagent composition, comprising a strong polyelectrolyte, an indicator comprising: (i) a dye that is metachromatic and sensitive to pH changes, or (ii) or a combination of metachromatic dye and a pH indicator dye, in a suitable carrier, and buffered at a pH of 3 or less, is incorporated into a carrier matrix to provide a test pad of a device useful in an ionic strength or specific gravity assay of a test sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of enhancing vascularization and growth of neural grafts in warm-blooded animals, especially man, comprising administering an effective amount of the nimodipine, a calcium channel blocker, having the formula 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3'-nitrophenyl)-pyridine-3-(.beta.-methoxyethy l ester)-5-(isopropyl ester) to the animals to achieve such enhancement and growth. The method enhances the survival rate of transplantations.

Abstract: This invention relates to stabilizing isocyanate-reactive compositions containing flame retardants by the use of certain tertiary amines or ammonium compounds, in which said stabilized compositions are prepared by mixing(a) at least one isocyanate-reactive compound having a molecular weight of 400 to 10,000 and a functionality of 2 to 7;(b) at least one isocyanate-reactive compound having a molecular weight of less than 399 and a functionality of 2 to 6;(c) at least one (i) isocyanate-reactive tertiary amine polyether, (ii) fatty amido-amine, and/or (iii) ammonium salt derivative of a fatty amido-amine;(d) a flame retardant;(e) a catalyst; and(f) optional additives.This invention also relates to urethane-based products prepared by reaction of organic polyisocyanates with such compositions.

Abstract: A dry phase device separates high density lipoprotein (HDL) from a blood (serum or plasma) sample. The device contains a fluid permeable material having dispersed therein finely divided, porous silica or silicate particles as selective absorbant for HDL. By combining the device with a second layer designed to remove very low density lipoproteins/chylomicrons from the blood, and a third layer containing means for quantitative cholesterol detection, there is provided a test device for the direct determination of low density lipoproteins cholesterol.

Abstract: Thermoplastic molding compositions containing(i) polybutylene terephthalate(ii) a first aromatic polycarbonate resin, and(iii) a second aromatic polycarbonate resinare disclosed. A high level of Total Light Transmission (herein TLT) is a key characteristic of the compositions of the invention. Preferably, the TLT values of the compositions are higher than those of compositions which contain only said (i) and either (ii) or (iii). Most preferably, the TLT values of the compositions are higher than 80%.

Abstract: An analysis method and apparatus comprises feeding a stream of fluid capsules in a fluid conduit for flow therethrough by forming a film of isolating liquid on an inner surface of the conduit and randomly accessing each of a plurality of liquids selected from a sample liquid, reagents and a magnetic particle suspension to form a plurality of isolated segments from the plurality of liquids in each capsule in the conduit. The fluid capsules flow in at least one longitudinal direction of the conduit and the suspended magnetic particles are selectively magnetically retained from one segment in one capsule at a given location for placement of the magnetic particles in another segment in the one capsule during the flow of the one capsule through the conduit. The fluid capsules are then measured in the conduit.

Abstract: A device for establishing an ambient temperature correction having (a) at least one reference surface which adequately represents the black body radiation spectrum of the air column between a long-path FTIR spectrometer and the infra-red source and (b) at least one means for shielding the reference surface from external sources of radiation gain or loss. In a preferred embodiment, the reference surface is made of thin metal having a blackened surface surrounded by an insulating shield. It is also preferred that a means for promoting positive air circulation across the reference surface or surfaces be included in the device of the present invention. This device is positioned in a location such that the field of view of the long-path FTIR spectrometer will be covered.

Abstract: A gamma radiation-resistant polycarbonate-disulfide resin is disclosed. The incorporation of disulfide linkages in the structure of polycarbonate was found to enhance the resistance of the resin to the discoloration caused by exposure to gamma radiation. Accordingly, processes for the incorporation of disulfide linkages in the molecular backbone, as end-groups or as side chains are disclosed. The polycarbonate-disulfide resin may be used as a molding resin in the context of thermoplastic molding compositions as well as a stabilizing additive in polycarbonate resin.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement to the assay for protein in urine involving the use of a molybdate or tungstate salt and an indicator dye which forms a complex with molybdate or tungstate whose absorption band is shifted in the presence of protein. The improvement involves the use of an ionizable phosphate containing compound characterized by the formula: ##STR1## to reduce background interference caused by constituents normally present in urine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the discovery that a specific combination of HCFC-141b, certain perfluorinated compounds and carbon black significantly improve the insulating capacity of isocyanate-based foams when compared to foams made without all three ingredients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a number of innovative electrophilic substitution reactions involving 2,5-dithienylpyrrole (2,5-DTP). More specifically, these reactions are used in the synthesis of monomers for preparing functionalized conducting organic polymers.The electrophilic substitution reactions in this invention are accomplished under conditions not requiring the use of N-1 pyrrole blocking groups to direction reaction at the pyrrole C-3 position. This is because the steric bulk of the 2,5-dithienyl groups prevent N-acylation and therefore direct reactions with electrophiles at the pyrrole C-3 position.The reaction conditions chosen have also demonstrated a greater regioselectively towards functionalization at the pyrrole 3-position than the basic reaction conditions suggested in the prior art. This result may be explained by an activation of the pyrrole 3-position towards electrophilic substitution. This is attributed to an electron donating resonance contribution of the 2,5 thienyl groups.