Abstract: An apparatus for remote inspection of a surface such as a drilled fastener hole of the type used in the aerospace industry includes a borescope having an integral stress inducer at one end for inducing stress directly in the surface to be evaluated. A holographic image of the surface is captured by directing a coherent radiation beam off the surface and shearing and recombining the reflected beam in a shearing interferometer. Inducement of stress and capture of the holographic images is synchronized by capturing the images at a frequency which is synchronized with the frequency of the induced stress wave in the surface, thus permitting overlapping of maximally stressed and unstressed images, and thereby eliminating the blurring which previously limited the application of holographic interferometry techniques in this context.

Abstract: A resistance probe is proposed for detecting gas compositions, particularly in the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines. This resistance probe has the advantage over prior art resistance probes that, with a short response time, it is considerably more aging resistant. This is accomplished in that the resistance layer configured as a semiconductor layer is introduced or sintered into recesses or slits provided for this purpose in the prefabricated sensor carrier body and above it is applied a porous, electrically non-conductive engobe or a protective layer structure in the form of a grid or raster. These measures enable the measuring gas to gain access to the semiconductor layer, but the semiconductor layer is simultaneously protected against corrosive, erosive and/or cavitative attacks from the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A spent sterilization agent destruct and ambient air mixing device for inclusion with medial instrument sterilization system that preferably utilizes humidified ozone O.sub.3 as a sterilization agent or sterilizing effluent. The invention is for receiving a spent sterilization agent flow that includes humidified ozone O.sub.3 and oxygen O.sub.2 and provides, within the device, for exposure of that spent sterilization agent to both a catalytic converter and to an application of heat that converts ozone O.sub.3 to oxygen O.sub.2, thereby rendering the sterilization agent inert, and provides for mixing that inert flow with ambient air and venting to atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of feeding substrates into a tubular bioreactor incorporating a reacting vessel and a separating membrane in which the reaction and separation or collection can be continuously and surely effected in the same vessel with high efficiency.

Abstract: An annular culture vessel for growing mammalian cells is constructed in a one piece integral and annular configuration with an open end which is closed by an endcap. The culture vessel is rotatable about a horizontal axis by use of conventional roller systems commonly used in culture laboratories. The end wall of the endcap has tapered access ports to frictionally and sealingly receive the ends of hypodermic syringes. The syringes permit the introduction of fresh nutrient and withdrawal of spent nutrients. The walls are made of conventional polymeric cell culture material and are subjected to neutron bombardment to form minute gas permeable perforations in the walls.

Abstract: A method of extracting cellular components, e.g., nucleic acids, particularly DNA, from biological, especially solid tissue, samples, particularly from plants, is provided, whereby all of the steps can be performed in one vessel, and the entire process can be automated. A vessel suitable for this process is provided, as well as a system for the automated performance of the process steps.

Abstract: A pressure control system for a bioreactor of the type having a gas space and a cell culture space therein is supplied with a gas such as oxygen separately from the supply of liquid nutrient media. The pressures in the gas space and the pressure in the cell culture space are controlled so that a higher pressure is maintained in the cell culture space than in the gas space to prevent displacement of the liquid nutrient media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for analyzing cells in urine. A constricted zone through which various cells contained in a urine specimen flow in single file is irradiated with light having a light beam width in the direction of cell flow of between 1 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m. Scattered light and fluorescent light emitted by the cells is converted into scattered-light intensity data and fluorescent light intensity data. Preferably, the individual cells have been stained with a stain such that DNA will specifically emit fluorescence. Cell diameter data is also generated from the detected scattered light. Cell judgment values are stored in a memory device, and the cells in the urine specimen are classified based upon the cell judgment values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for analyzing cells in urine. A constricted zone through which various cells contained in a urine specimen flow in single file is irradiated with light having a light beam width in the direction of cell flow of between 1 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m. Scattered light and fluorescent light emitted by the cells is converted into scattered-light intensity data and fluorescent light intensity data. Preferably, the individual cells have been stained with a stain such that DNA will specifically emit fluorescence. Cell diameter data and peak-count data are also generated from the detected scattered light. Cell judgement values are stored in a memory device, and the cells in the urine specimen are classified based upon the cell judgement values.

Abstract: A honeycomb body assembly, in particular a catalyst carrier body, comprises at least one electrically heatable honeycomb body having layered metal sheets forming a stack with a plurality of channels through which a fluid can flow. The metal sheets have a thickness of about 0.03 to 0.12 mm. The honeycomb body is electrically subdivided with regard to its cross-section and/or in its axial direction. At least one electric current path is formed through the metal sheets with an electric resistance of between 0.01 and 2 .OMEGA.. The resistance, which is dependent on the temperature, can be used for monitoring and regulating the honeycomb assembly.

Abstract: A method of using a chemical composition as a cleanser, sanitizer, disinfectant, sporicide, fungicide and sterilizer by applying an effective amount of the composition to objects and surfaces requiring the application of a cleanser, sanitizer, disinfectant, sporicide, fungicide or sterilizer, the composition including from about 10% to about 90% by weight of an alkaline water-soluble salt having hydrogen peroxide of crystallization and from about a fraction of a percent to about 30% by weight of a positively charged phase-transfer agent selected from the group consisting of a phosphonium salt, a sulfonium salt, and a quaternary ammonium salt, said composition forming both a water and lipid soluble phase-transfer ion-pair.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique fiber optic sensor which is able to provide a viewing zone for visual examination of a sample and its surrounding environment; and is able to conduct multiple assays concurrently using a plurality of different dyes immobilized at individual spatial positions within a dye sensing zone on the surface of the sensor. The present invention also provides apparatus for making precise optical determinations and measurements for multiple analytes of interest concurrently and provides methods of detection for multiple analytes of interest which can be correlated with specific parameters or other ligands for specific applications and purposes.

Abstract: There is provided a terminal especially adapted for use with an electrically heatable catalytic converter having a stud, a portion of said stud being coated with a thin layer of refractory metal oxide, and a sleeve having an interference fit with said coated portion of said stud, said stud adapted to be welded at its proximal end to one side of a resistance circuit. There is also provided an electrically heatable catalytic converter including such terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the environment of an enclosed space is disclosed. The apparatus includes a workspace compartment within a gas-tight chamber, a mechanism for circulating dehumidified gas in true laminar flow through the workspace compartment, and a highly efficient filtering component for removing contaminants from the gas.

Abstract: A device of the type which uses a moving boundary for detecting a fluid analyte. The device includes an impervious container (10, 12, 14) having a fluid entry aperture (20) and containing two contiguous layers. One of the layers is a detection layer (16) in the form of a sheet comprising a reagent to generate a signal by a reaction initiated by the analyte. The other layer (18) is a spreading layer permeable by the analyte position such that analyte entering the container spreads within the spreading layer. The device can be used, for example, as a gas monitor for indicating exposure to hazardous gases or vapours.

Abstract: A system for reprocessing and sterilizing a previously used catheter having at least one lumen is disclosed. The catheter is provided with a housing and enclosed within the housing. Heated sterilant is provided to the housing and the catheter. The lumen is tested during the reprocessing and sterilizing cycle for blockages and integrity. If the catheter is of a type having a balloon tip, the balloon is also tested for integrity by inflating and deflating it a plurality of times. The housing is pressurized to a level above the ambient pressure and maintained at such pressure whereby the sterility of the catheter is maintained for up to one week. Further disclosed is an apparatus for selectively coupling used catheters to a source of sterilant. The apparatus includes a housing having a tray for holding the catheter in place during reprocessing, a door for enclosing and locking the catheter within the housing, and a plurality of valves for coupling the housing to a source of sterilant.

Abstract: A process of separating plasmids and cosmids from bacterial cells in which they are contained, comprising adding cultured bacterial cells separated from a culture medium to an inclusion gel-forming substance; lysing the bacterial cells; solubilizing the thus lysed bacterial cells; solidifying the inclusion gel-forming substance to form a gel either before or after the step of solubilizing; and applying an electric field to the thus formed gel sufficient to cause electrophoretic migration of the plasmids and cosmids and isolation of the plasmids and cosmids. Also disclosed is a device for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A moisture monitor for determining the amount of moisture in liquids which may include direct installation into a non-conductive liquid flow line or, a detection chamber having a continuous flow of contaminated non-conductive liquid therethrough, and a probe inserted in the detection chamber including means for determining both actual water vapor pressure and saturation vapor pressure of water at the temperature of the liquid. An analyzer monitor remote from the probe is connected thereto by cable for converting the information received by the probe into an analysis of the moisture content of the liquid. Analyzer may be a separate control box or incorporated into remote equipment panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing odorant vapor into an air stream is disclosed. The apparatus contains a reservoir for containing a volatilizable liquid, a dispensing well, liquid moving means for withdrawing liquid from the reservoir and causing it to flow into the dispensing well, and switch means for activating the liquid moving means.

Abstract: With a blood measuring apparatus according to the invention, which uses capillary tubes (16, 17), these can be filled with blood from a drop of blood of about 1 microliter. This small amount of blood can be produced by the pricking of a finger. The blood sample can then be placed in an apparatus (1) with equipment for the determination of the blood by transillumination. The tubes (16, 17) are mounted in an independent plate piece (6), and the tubes are secured in V-form so that the inlet ends lie closely up against each other. This provides the possibility of filling two tubes at the same time, and herewith the possibility of simultaneous determination of one's own blood and a comparison with blood in, for example, a prepared tube.