Abstract: Biological cells plated on an elastic membrane are placed under biaxial strain for purposes of observation by a device that includes a support with an opening over which the membrane is secured, a movable cylinder coaxial with the opening and fitting closely but movably within the opening, and an actuating member that stabilizes and controls the position of the cylinder relative to the opening. The actuating member is coupled to the support by a threaded connection while engaging the movable cylinder. The degree of membrane stretch is accurately controlled by the rotation of the actuating member.

Abstract: A process for the production of a homochiral 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid or salt thereof corresponding to general formula (I), wherein R represents one of formulae (II), (III), (IV), (V), wherein R' represents straight- or branched-chain alkyl or phenyl optionally para-substituted with methyl, methoxy, nitro or amino; and R" represents hydrogen, halogen or phenyl optionally para-substituted with methyl, methoxy, nitro or amino; and M represents hydrogen or a salt-forming moiety; characterized in that it comprises reducing a corresponding 2-keto carboxylic acid or salt thereof using a (R)- or (S)-2-oxo carboxylic acid dehydrogenase, inter alia, is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are copper based fungicidal and bactericidal compositions having enhanced activity against fungi and bacteria, methods of using such compositions as well as methods for increasing the effectiveness of the copper based fungicidal and/or bactericidal compounds employed in such compositions. An aggregation inhibiting salt is included within these compositions to prevent aggregate and/or sediment formation upon the addition of Fe.sup.+3 to the composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are copper based fungicidal and bactericidal compositions having enhanced activity against fungi and bacteria, methods of using such compositions as well as methods for increasing the effectiveness of the copper based fungicidal and/or bactericidal compounds employed in such compositions.

Abstract: In a data transmission system using a predetermined trellis code, the output signal points are selected from a predetermined alphabet representing (k+n)-bit input words by using the values of n bits of each input word, and bits from previous input words, to identify a particular one of 2.sup.m subsets of the signaling alphabet m>n. The other k bits of the input word identify a pair of signal points of the identified subset. The sum of the components of one point of each pair is no less than zero and the sum of the components of the other point of that pair is no greater than zero. A running sum of the components of the signal points previously generated is maintained. If at any point in time the running sum is greater than zero, the signal point of the identified pair whose component sum is no greater than zero is generated, and vice versa. This scheme provides a channel-coded signal having a spectral null at dc.