Abstract: Reflective mode dynamic scattering displays are disclosed which operate under dc excitation for extremely long hours with excellent contrast. These displays are the results of a combination of a high reflectivity cathode, obtained by the use of silver mirror electrodes, with a redox doped ester liquid crystal in an otherwise conventional liquid crystal cell arrangement.

Abstract: A stable blood control standard for the quality control of the measurement of blood pH and gases in the clinical laboratory and method of making the same is disclosed. The blood control standard comprises a sealed receptacle containing specially treated red cells and a gaseous head space at least equal to about the volume of the red cells. The special treatment comprises thoroughly washing and separating the red cells from the plasma components and followed by mildly treating the cells with aldehyde and retaining the cells in a buffered solution. The special treatment also includes treating at least a portion of the red cells with carbon monoxide. The head space comprises from 0-15% CO.sub.2, 0-25% O.sub.2 and the balance N.sub.2 and/or inert gas.

Abstract: The activity of alkaline phosphatase in aqueous solution, especially in reconstituted serum, is kept constant by adding to the phosphatase-containing solution Mn.sup.2+ or Cd.sup.2+ ions, preferably to an end concentration of 0.05 to 0.5 mMol/liter of Mn.sup.2+ or 0.05 to 0.1 mMol/liter of Cd.sup.2+. Control serums comprising the Mn.sup.2+ and/or Cd.sup.2+ ions in human or animal serum or serum-like compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Dichroic dyes of the 4,4'-Bis-(substituted naphthylazo)azobenzene type, each having three azo (--N.dbd.N--) bonding groups, provide a high order parameter in excess of 0.70, when dissolved in liquid crystal mixtures to provide contrast ratios on the order of 10:1.

Abstract: A nematic liquid crystal mixture comprises at least one nematic liquid crystal compound and an amount, sufficient to impart a positive DC anisotropy of at least about 15 to said mixture, of at least one liquid crystalline or potentially liquid crystalline compound having a positive DC anisotropy of above about 25, of the formula (1) ##STR1## wherein X is a monovalent radical of the formula --NR.sup.3 R.sup.4 or --N(R.sup.5)(CHO); Y is a bivalent radical of the formula --CH.dbd.N--, --N.dbd.CH--, --N.dbd.N--, --CH.dbd.CH--, --C(O)O--, --O(O)C--, --C(O)S--, --S(O)C--, --C.tbd.C-- or ##STR2## Z is a monovalent radical of the formula --CN, --NO.sub.2, --SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3, --SO.sub.2 CF.sub.3 or --NHCOR.sup.5 ; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and each is fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl or hydroxy; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are the same or different and each is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; R.sup.

Abstract: Liquid crystal mixtures of liquid crystalline esters, biphenyls and terphenyls have wide useful temperature ranges, fast response times and a small index of refraction anisotropy which can be employed in liquid crystal cells having improved viewing angles.

Abstract: An article comprising a polymeric material and coated with a thermochromic paint. The improvement comprises the addition to the thermochromic paint of a non-thermochromic compound selected from the group consisting of the sulfates, hydrated sulfates and nitrides of boron, aluminum, tin, lead, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, zinc and phosphorus; the sulfides and hydrated sulfides of boron, aluminum, bismuth and phoshorus; the oxides and the hydrated oxides of boron, arsenic, antimony and phosphorus and the salts, organic compounds and free acids of the oxyanions of boron, arsenic, antimony and phosphorus.

Abstract: Novel liquid crystal materials are provided having the general formula ##STR1## where A is a 4-alkylphenyl group and B is a 2-(6-alkyl)naphthyl group, or vice versa, wherein the alkyl groups in A and B may be the same or different. These materials have a dielectric anisotropy sign change at moderate frequencies, i.e., in the range 1kHz to 50kHz and are thus useful for twisted nematic device cells of the frequency switching type.

Abstract: Biphenyl derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and are straight-chain alkyl of 2 - 12 carbon atoms and collectively have at least 5 carbon atoms, are added to known liquid crystalline materials to significantly lower the viscosity thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochromic variable light modulating device including an improved ion conducting layer. The ion conductor comprises a polymeric composition containing polyethylene sulfonic acid, a pigment and water.

Abstract: A package containing a reference liquid for the calibration and/or quality control of blood gas analyzers. The reference liquid is enclosed in a flexible, gas-tight container without any gas bubbles in the container, and to avoid any danger of formation of gas bubbles, the total gas pressure in the liquid is kept below 600 mm Hg at 37.degree. C. The container is preferably a laminate bag of aluminum foil with interior layer of heat sealable plastic of low gas permeability, preferably a polyacrylonitrile copolymer.

Abstract: Dichroic liquid crystal compositions for use in displays are mixtures of a liquid crystal host material and at least one of a plurality of stilbene-derivative dichroic dyes each having a vinylidene (--CH.dbd.CH--) group and a high order parameter. The dichroic liquid crystal compositions each provide a contrast ratio on the order of 10:1.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline composition comprising a nematic liquid crystalline substance and as an additive, a 1,8-diazo-bicyclo(5,4,0) undecene-7 alkyl ammonium salt of benzoic acid optionally having a substituent at the paraposition.

Abstract: Novel liquid crystal materials which are trans-4-alkylcyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid esters are provided having the general formula: ##STR1## where R is a normal or branched chain alkyl group, which may also contain a chiral center, containing up to ten carbon atoms and X is selected from the groups: ##STR2## where A is a cyano group, a normal or branched chain alkyl group, which may also contain a chiral center, containing up to ten carbon atoms or an alkoxy group in which the alkyl group is as defined immediately above, and where Y is a halogen, preferably chlorine, or hydrogen.

Abstract: An osmotic system for delivering an agent is disclosed. The system comprises a wall surrounding a compartment and has a passageway through the wall for delivering agent from the compartment. The wall is formed of a material permeable to the passage of an external fluid and impermeable to the passage of agent. The compartment contains an agent that is soluble in the fluid and exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid, or the compartment contains an agent that has limited solubility in the fluid and exhibits a limited osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid. The compartment also contains a suspending agent and a delivery member for increasing the amount of agent delivered from the system. The delivery member comprises a semipermeable film surrounding an osmotically effective compound and it is able to increase in volume over time.

Abstract: An osmotic system for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed. The system comprises a wall surrounding a compartment and has a passageway through the wall for delivering agent from the compartment. The wall is formed of a material permeable to the passage of an external fluid and impermeable to the passage of agent. The compartment contains an agent that is soluble in the fluid and exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid, or the compartment contains an agent that has limited solubility in the fluid and exhibits a limited osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid. The compartment also contains means for increasing the amount of agent delivered from the system. The means comprises a film surrounding an osmagent with the film formed of a material permeable to fluid, impermeable to osmagent and movable from an initial to an expanded state.

Abstract: A safety belt of reflective material having a side coupling, is provided with red or amber colored rear lamp and a red or white front lamp that is manually removable from the belt for use as a portable flashlight which is equipped with interchangeable reflective panes on the battery and light compartments, of different colors, such as red and white.

Abstract: An osmotic system for delivering a beneficial agent is disclosed. The system comprises a wall surrounding an agent compartment and an osmagent compartment separated by a film and has a passageway through the wall for delivering agent from its compartment. The wall is formed of a material permeable to the passage of an external fluid and impermeable to the passage of agent and osmagent. The film is formed of a material impermeable to the passage of agent and osmagent and movable from an original to an expanded state. The agent compartment contains an agent that is soluble in the fluid and exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid, or the compartment contains an agent that has limited solubility in the fluid and exhibits a limited osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against fluid. The osmagent compartment contains an osmagent that exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient across the wall against the fluid.

Abstract: A capsule lamp as a fishing tackle in which an electric circuit connecting a light bulb and a battery across a switching mechanism is opened or closed in response to water pressure acting on a diaphragm adapted to be deformed by the water pressure into pressing engagement with the switching mechanism.

Abstract: Improved electrolytes for use in electrochromic devices are disclosed. These electrolytes are prepared by the incorporation of a lithium salt in a solvent selected from dimethylsulfite, nitromethane, and sulfolane.