Abstract: A method for rapid diagnosis of gonorrhea is set forth comprising assay of the enzyme immunoglobulin A protease (IgAP). Immunoassays including radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunoassay with monoclonal antibodies to IgAP are disclosed. A kit for early detection of gonorrhea is given. The assay and kit of the present invention may also be used in the detection of meningitis.

Abstract: A dual alloy turbine wheel manufacture of a cast integral blade ring pressure-sealed to a wrought alloy hub and thereafter bonded thereto by hot isostatic pressing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of recovering trivalent actinides, trivalent lanthanides or mixtures thereof from an aqueous acid solution by contacting the aqueous solution with an organic solution containing the diamides of the formula: ##STR1## where R is C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkyl. This process affords a good extraction efficiency level for the recovery of lanthanides and actinides, both of which are present in the trivalent state, or mixtures thereof, from installations for the reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuels.

Abstract: Hybrid-myeloma cells which produce monoclonal antibody specific to the .beta. subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin and methods of use of the monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: A method and test kit are disclosed for detecting the presence of hepatitis B virus in a test specimen containing at least a portion of the DNA of the virus. A test reagent comprises cloned hepatitis B virus-DNA that has been repurified by treatment with a restriction enzyme and labelled to high specific activity with a radioactive label. The sample to be tested is fixed to a solid matrix, incubated in the presence of the test reagent under hybridization conditions and detected by hybridization to the labelled DNA probe. The uncombined HBV-DNA (labelled) is removed from the substrate, and the hybridized HBV-DNA determined by scintillation counting or by autoradiography of the substrate.

Abstract: For the longtime fixation of radioactive and toxic waste there are used molded bodies made of graphite with nickel sulfide as a binding agent. The molded bodies show especially good properties if the nickel sulfide is in the form of Ni.sub.3 S.sub.2.

Abstract: Novel bandage materials are provided comprising a transparent fluid mater consisting of hydrophilic organic transparent gel in sheet or band form, swollen with an aqueous solution which can contain buffer substances, wound treatment agents, nutrients and/or hormones, and optionally, a reinforcing mesh. The fluid bandages are made by dissolving a monomer and a gellable hydrophilic high molecular substance in aqueous medium and starting the gel forming reaction with an initiator for the polymerizable monomer. The bandages can also be utilized as carrier compositions for cell cultures from which metabolites are obtained.

Abstract: Combustible, solid radioactive waste, such as paper, plastics, rubber, cloth and wood, are reduced in volume to an ash residue using pyrohydrolysis, a method which combines pyrolysis of the waste in a vessel at temperatures in the range of 500.degree. to 700.degree. C. and gasification of residual carbon with superheated steam. Pressures of 1.0 to 3.5 MPa are used with steam flows in the range 4 to 50 grams/second/cubic meter so that carbon containing components of the waste are removed as gaseous decomposition products in the form of carbon monoxide and hydrogen leaving an ash residue.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which specifically binds to the surface recognition structure of a predetermined mature human T cell clone, which recognition structure renders the clone capable of acting as causative agent in a predetermined autoimmune disease, the monoclonal antibody being capable of specifically binding to the recognition structure of the clone to inhibit the ability of the clone to act as a causative agent in the predetermined autoimmune disease.

Abstract: A method of diagnosis using an attached material for binding to an immune complex, by treating the bound complex with a series of different reagents or mixtures thereof and detecting the presence or absence of reaction in each case, this method being based on immune complexes produced in the body during infection and allowing much earlier detection and diagnosis of infection thereby providing the facility for treatment to reduce the damage caused to the body by the formation of complex.

Abstract: A hybridoma cell line is disclosed that secretes monoclonal antibodies which serve as a high titer, reproducible, biological reagent useful in biological/medical research for isolating and identifying phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. In addition, the antibodies have potential uses in diagnosis of a variety of diseases, including certain cancers. The antibodies, which have demonstrated affinity for a variety of molecules containing o-phosphotyrosine residues, were prepared using a synthetic analog, p-azobenzyl phosphonate (ABP) covalently linked to a carrier protein, as the antigen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for separating and recovering boric acid from water containing solids which include boric acid and radionuclides. In the first step, the water is separated from the solids by evaporation of the water at a temperature under 130.degree. F. In the second step, an alcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, and mixtures thereof is added to the remaining solids in the amount of at least 1.4 times that stoichiometrically required to react with the boric acid to form boron alkoxide and water to about 100 mole % in excess of stoichiometric. In the third step, the boron alkoxide is separated from the remaining solids by evaporation of the boron alkoxide. In the fourth step, water is added to the volatilized boron alkoxide to form boric acid and an alcohol. And finally, the alcohol is separated from the boric acid by evaporating the alcohol.

Abstract: The fuel assembly skeleton compaction system provides a means for remotely dismantling an irradiated nuclear fuel assembly skeleton once the nuclear fuel rods have been removed therefrom while the skeleton remains submerged in a coolant. The system comprises a feed chamber for holding the spent fuel assembly skeleton and for feeding a spent fuel assembly skeleton into a shear chamber which is arranged near the feed chamber. The shear chamber contains a shearing device for shearing the skeleton into small pieces and for moving the pieces of the skeleton into a compaction chamber which is located adjacent to the shear chamber. The compaction chamber contains a compaction cylinder for compacting the pieces of the skeleton introduced thereinto. A storage canister is located below the compaction chamber such that when the slide of the compaction chamber is opened, the compacted pieces of the skeleton may be pushed into the storage canister.

Abstract: The use of anti-idiotype antibodies as functional substitutes for antigens or haptens in immunoassays is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for solidifying radioactive wastes by producing compact blocks which are to be disposed in transporting or permanent storage containers. The compact blocks are produced from prefabricated ceramic tablets which contain radioactive substances and a matrix which continuously surrounds these ceramic tablets and is solid in its final state. Glass powder or a mixture of oxidic non-clay minerals or a mixture of both is used as the matrix material. The ceramic tablets and the matrix material are filled into the container and are compressed. The resulting compressed mixture is heated to a temperature in the range from 1423.degree. K. to 1623.degree. K., is held at this temperate range for one to three hours, and is finally gradually cooled to room temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing uranium oxide with magnesium to form uranium metal. The reduction is carried out in a molten-salt solution of density greater than 3.4 grams per cubic centimeter, thereby allowing the uranium product to sink and the magnesium oxide byproduct to float, consequently allowing separation of product and byproduct.

Abstract: In the preparation of an .alpha.-fluorinated nitroalkane of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are identical or different and individually represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, alkyl, halogenoalkyl or cycloalkyl, orR.sup.1 and R.sup.3 have the meaning indicated andR.sup.2 and R.sup.4 together represent an alkylene group having 3-6 carbon atoms,by conjugated nitrofluorination of the corresponding olefin of the formula ##STR2## the improvement which comprises employing about 1.1 mols of hydrogen fluoride and 1 to 2 mols of nitric acid per mol of olefin and carrying out the reaction in the presence of an agent which binds water, e.g. chlorosulphonic acid, fluorosulphonic acid, sulphur trioxide, sulphur dioxide, thionyl chloride, thionyl fluoride, sulfuryl chloride or sulfuryl fluoride. The end products, some of which are known, are useful as intermediates in synthesizing herbicides.

Abstract: A thermocouple arrangement is provided for mounting in a blind hole of a specimen. The thermocouple arrangement includes a cup-like holder member, which receives an elongated thermal insulator, one end of which is seated at an end wall of the holder. A pair of thermocouple wires, threaded through passageways in the insulator, extend beyond the insulator member, terminating in free ends which are joined together in a spherical weld bead. A spring, held captive within the holder, applies a bias force to the weld bead, through the insulator member. The outside surface of the holder is threaded for engagement with the blind hole of the specimen. When the thermocouple is installed in the specimen, the spherical contact surface of the weld bead is held in contact with the end wall of the blind hole, with a predetermined bias force.

Abstract: Preparations useful in the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis are disclosed. Horse and sheep erythrocytes are purified and essentially homogenous glycoproteins are extracted. The purified glycoproteins are useful as antigens in testing for the presence of the heterophile antibodies of infectious mononucleosis and in the preparation of reagents for the enumeration of rosetting lymphocytes without having to have available fresh sheep blood.

Abstract: A weldable paint-coated steel sheet having improved corrosion resistance, weldability and workability, comprising a zinc alloy coated steel substrate and a paint coating applied thereon, said paint coating containing zinc alloy powder and at least one of the groups consisting of zinc powder and hard electric conductive powder.