Abstract: The subject of the invention is a surface-active composition, comprising a bolaamphiphile or bolaform chemical compound, containing a linear or branched, hydrophobic carbon chain at the two ends of which are arranged two hydrophilic portions or head group groups, corresponding to the following general formula:R A E A Rin which:E represents the carbon chain, containing at least six carbon atoms, optionally interrupted by at least one aromatic, or heterocyclic, or functional groupA is a bonding functional groupR is a residue of a reducing glucide containing a linear or cyclized chain, or of a derivative of the said glucide, bonded directly or indirectly via one of its aldehyde or ketone functional groups, or derived functional group, to the functional group A.The invention also relates to their applications as components of surface-active agents and vesicular agents, and to a process for their preparation.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic oligonucleotides and more particularly to the determination of nucleotide sequences of synthetic oligonucleotides having non-phosphodiester internucleotide linkages. The invention provides a method for sequencing such modified synthetic oligonucleotides.

Abstract: A neural network system for identifying forecasting, and controlling a non-linear flow on a physical system network, in which each branch between nodes in the physical system network is divided by a plurality of division points; a flow at each of the division points and a terminal point of each branch is calculated according to neural network model parameters specifying connections among the division points and the terminal point in a neural network model; an actual flow is measured at the terminal point of said each branch; an error of the calculated flow at the terminal point with respect to the measured actual flow at the terminal point is calculated; the neural network model parameters are adjusted to minimize the calculated error; and system dynamics parameters specifying dynamics of the physical system are determined according to the adjusted neural network model parameters.

Abstract: Materials and methods for preparing the surface of dentin, enamel, or other natural or industrial substrates containing or capable of binding metallic ions, for adhesion of composite materials or resins, are disclosed. Preferably, the substrate is treated with an aqueous solution comprising at least one acid, acidic salt, or chelating or sequestering agent.

Abstract: A dual drive window regulator for use with a door assembly for raising and lowering a window glass. The window regulator includes a window glass mounted to two window carriers. The carriers are supported by stationary tracks for shiftable movement thereon. A toothed rack connects each carrier to a movable toothed slide member housed within the tracks. Each carrier overlies the sides of a track to prevent lateral movement of the carrier and window glass during raising and lowering.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses compounds of formula I: ##STR1## and the pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salts thereof; wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, alkylcycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or phenylalkyl;R.sub.2 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, alkylcycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or phenylalkyl; orNR.sub.1 R.sub.2 forms a nitrogen heterocycle; andR.sub.3 is hydrogen, an amino acid or a peptide residue.These compounds may be employed as substrates in assays for determining proteolytic enzyme activity or as enzyme inhibitors. The invention also encompasses methods for determining proteolytic enzyme activity using the compounds of formula I.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the type, extent, and threshold of fouling in a heat exchanger test tube by using a reference test block to measure a reference thermal relaxation time at a guaranteed clean reference section of a heat exchanger test tube and comparing the reference thermal relaxation time with thermal relaxation times measured at the bottom region of unclean sections of the heat exchanger test tube.

Abstract: A target for shooting is provided of a substantially circular formation, having an inner body portion formed of a gypsum composition, with an outer coating or skin. The target has a medial portion which extends into an outwardly and downwardly curving side skirt. One or more raised portions are provided on an outer surface of the skirt, at least one raised portion being positioned on an upper portion of the skirt, at or adjacent an area where said skirt is of a lesser or reduced thickness.

Abstract: A mold assembly for molding thermoplastic material into a solid thin shell includes a metal mold with an outer surface exposed to a heat source and an inner surface on which thermoplastic material is cast and fused to form a thin layer thermoplastic shell. A plurality of elongated generally planar fins are connected to the outer surface at predetermined spaced areas for transferring heat from the heat source to predetermined spaced areas of the inner surface. The fins are metal sheets, preferably copper, each having a discontinuous flange at one end secured to the outer surface at spaced points along the discontinuous flange. The discontinuous flange is formed by slitting or cutting one end to form spaced projections and then bending adjacent projections in opposite directions generally transversely from the elongated metal sheet. The projections arc secured to the outer surface by TIG welding.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for determining the presence of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. The method comprises contacting a concentrate of a determinable element capable of being detected by means of a semiconductive electrode with the electrode in the presence of a relatively large volume of an assay medium. The determinable element is present in the concentrate in the amount related to the amount of analyte present in the sample. The volume of the medium in diffusive communication with the concentrate is then reduced and the determinable element is detected by means of the effect that the determinable element has on the semiconductive electrode.

Abstract: An optical receiver for receiving tile optical signals with high speed modulation at a high sensitivity. In this optical receiver, a local beam synchronized with a carrier of the optical signal is generated, and multi-frequency local beam components obtained from the local beam are spatially resolved to obtain spatially resolved beams with mutually different frequencies. Then, the optical signal and the obtained spatially resolved beams are entered into the photo-detector element array simultaneously to obtain an interference fringe pattern. The received optical signal is then reconstructed by Fourier analyzing the interference fringe pattern obtained by the photo-detector element array.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a plurality of optoelectronic components on a semiconductor substrate, each optoelectronic component comprising several layers grown in a reactor. Every layer is being grown under a predetermined individual pressure. The active layers of all the components are lying substantially at the same height. Control of the pressure in the reactor during growth allows the thickness of the layer grown to be constant or to vary over the substrate area.

Abstract: A theft prevention device for use in the mounting of automotive audio equipment, such as a two-way radio to a secure structure, such as a "U" bracket or trunnion. The invention is a generally conical-shaped mounting knob that threadably attaches the audio equipment to the mounting bracket. Attached to one end of the knob enclosure is a key lock and attached to the opposite end is a threaded stud that is able to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the enclosure. In operation, the knob, in its unlocked position, is rotated clockwise until the threaded stud is securely attached to its threaded counterpart on the radio. In this position, the lock assembly rotates a cam plate so that an engaging disc engages both the knob enclosure and a stud plate allowing torque applied to the enclosure to be transferred to the threaded stud. The knob is then locked.

Abstract: Method, system and apparatus are disclosed for in-vessel composting of organic material. A compost handling apparatus moves forwardly through a bed of composting material in an elongate open bay. Specifically, an agitator comprises a feed belt such as a transversely mounted cylindrical drum, which feeds composting material to a conveyor which lifts the material and projects it rearwardly behind the agitator. A regulator, such as an adjustable deflector, controls the discharge of composting material by the conveyor. The deflector is adjusted as the agitator moves forward through the composting material to develop a level bed in the bay behind the agitator. A sensor may be employed to generate a depth signal corresponding to the depth of the composting material for controlling the deflector.

Abstract: A method of performing an assay to determine whether a patient has been exposed to or infected by Borrelia burgdorferi is disclosed which comprises collecting serum from the patient; preparing a sample mixture comprising a portion of the patient's serum and an inoculum of viable Borrelia burgdorferi organisms; incubating the sample mixture; determining the number of viable organisms remaining in the sample mixture after incubation; and comparing the number with the quantity of viable organisms remaining in a control. An assay kit is also disclosed which is useful for determining whether a patient has been exposed to or infected by Borrelia burgdorferi. The kit contains reagents necessary to practice the assay method disclosed herein. In its broadest form, the kit comprises an inoculum of viable Borrelia burgdorferi organisms. The kit can also contain an aliquot of normal serum, an aliquot of BSK medium and/or an aliquot of complement. Other reagents, tubes and other materials can also be included in the kits.

Abstract: A carbonated beverage bottle handle, pour and storage device comprises bottle top, flapper, handle and actuator portions. The bottle top portion defines a spout screwed to a bottle. The handle portion is fixed to the bottle top portion, and is gripped for holding a bottle. The actuator portion is squeezable toward the handle portion. The flapper portion is joined to the actuator portion and positioned over the spout to be lifted to and from the bottle top portion, to allow liquid to be poured. A stopper is attached to the flapper portion such that lifting the flapper portion lifts the stopper, opening the top of the attached bottle. A screw-threaded, segmented collar welded in the bottle top portion forms female threads for screwing to the bottle. The stopper includes a dome and an annular outer wall, and defines an interior within the annular outer wall. The dome and all of the stopper are formed of material which is flexible in the range of pressures exerted by carbonated beverages.