Abstract: A device for generating a plurality of gas bubbles in a liquid. The device includes a conduit adapted to carry the liquid. A first gas chamber is formed near the conduit and an orifice proximate a side wall of the conduit defines a passageway between the first gas chamber and the conduit. A valve member is adapted to seat against and close the orifice. The device may include a second gas chamber and a diaphragm responsive to gas pressure in the second gas chamber. A conduit connecting the first and second chambers may include a variable vent for controlling the size and number of gas bubbles injected into the liquid flowing in the conduit.

Abstract: A solar energy collector comprising a solar energy absorber, a light transmitting top plate spaced apart from and in a plane parallel to the solar energy absorber, and an array of light transmitting cells intermediate to and in a plane perpendicular to the top plate and solar energy absorber. The collector may also include a light transmitting bottom plate intermediate the solar energy absorber and the array of cells. The bottom surface of the top plate or bottom plate, preferably the latter, is coated with a low emissivity coating. All surfaces of the top and bottom plates may also be coated with an anti-reflective material.

Abstract: An electrophoretic gel comprising (a) at least one marine hydrocolloid processed from the class Rodophycea; and (b) a buffer. The electrophoretic gel is characterized in that the buffer (i) is selected from a group consisting of adipic acid, glutaric acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, succinamic acid, and tricarbalyllic acid and (ii) is present in a concentration of about 0.05 to about 0.09 M.

Abstract: A method for obtaining an actual linear standard curve in a sandwich type of immunoassay where a first antibody bound to an insoluble support and a second unbound labelled antibody complex with the antigen contained in a test sample to form an insoluble antibody:antigen:labelled antibody complex which is then detected. Unbound unlabelled first antibody and/or unbound unlabelled second antibody are added to the reaction mixture to divert excess antigen away from the desired end-product complex, thus rendering the antigen of interest the rate-limiting factor in the overall immunoreaction. This results in a pseudo first-order reaction which produces an actual linear standard curve.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing liquid levels in fluid transfer mechanisms and the like comprises a conductive member supporting containers for sample liquids, the conductive member being rotatably mounted for positioning selected containers under a conductive pipette probe. A low-frequency oscillator is capacitively coupled to the conductive member for generating an alternating electric field and producing an electrical signal at the probe. As the probe is lowered toward the liquid, an amplifier circuit monitors an electrical signal received by the probe. When the probe contacts the liquid, the amplifier detects a signal level in excess of a threshold level and produces an output signal for inhibiting the downward movement of the probe at the moment of contact with the liquid.

Abstract: A reagent of the type comprising an acid, a molybdate salt, a non-ionic surfactant, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The reagent is characterized in that it further comprises an enhancing amount of at least one sugar alcohol. Also, a method for assaying inorganic phosphorus of the type which comprises mixing a sample of biological fluid with a reagent and measuring the absorbance of the resulting solution. The method is characterized in that the above reagent is employed therein. The method can further be characterized in that the measurement can be made via a rate technique.

Abstract: An electrophoretic gel which, when used in an electrophoretic process for the separating chylomicrons, beta lipoproteins, pre-beta lipoproteins, and alpha lipoproteins, enables the separation of the alpha lipoprotein band from the faster moving free fatty acid albumin band. The electrophoretic gel comprises a matrix selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides and derivatives thereof, a buffer having a buffering capacity in an alkaline pH range, and an effective amount of a poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxypropylene)-poly(oxyethylene) block copolymer.An improved electrophoretic technique characterized in that the above electrophoretic gel is employed therein.

Abstract: A random access rotary pinch valve for controlling fluid flow through a plurality of fluid conduits. The valve is adapted to receive and retain the fluid conduits and includes, for each of the conduits, a toggle mechanism comprising a piston and a toggle. The piston and toggle can be latched to pinch the associated fluid conduit to a non-conducting state or may be latched with the conduit in a fluid conducting state. An actuator arm is selectively positioned over the toggle mechanisms and is displaced so as to actuate the toggles from one state to another, thus changing the state of fluid conduction through the associated flexible conduit. In the embodiment disclosed herein, the fluid conduits are arranged about the periphery of an annular valve body and the actuator arm is pivoted by means of the stepper motor over the toggle mechanisms.

Abstract: An improved reagent combination of the type comprising a first solution comprising an aryl amine and an acid; and a second solution comprising a nitrite compound. The regent combination is characterized in that is further comprises a salt, wherein the salt is present in any preselected distribution in the solutions.Also, an improved method for colorimetrically determining bilirubin in a sample comprising mixing an aliquot of the above first solution with an aliquot of the above second solution to form a stable diazo reagent; contacting a sample to be assayed with a total bilirubin accelerator buffer system to form a prereaction medium; contacting the prereaction medium with the stable diazo reagent; and measuring the color of the azobilirubin formed form the coupling reaction of the stable diazo reagent with the bilirubin present in said sample.In addition, an improved method for producing a diazo reagent of the type comprising reacting an aryl amine with a nitrite compound in the presence of an acid.

Abstract: A method comprising (a) applying a sample to at least two application areas on an electrophoretic gel; (b) electrophoresing the gel; (c) aligning a template onto the electrophoresed gel, the template having a template slot corresponding to each electrophoresed area; (d) applying a composition capable of fixing proteins in situ to at least one template slot and applying an antisera capable of reacting with one protein to at least one of the remaining template slots; (e) incubating the resultant product of step (d); (f) removing the template from the incubated, electrophoresed gel; (g) washing the incubated electrophoresed gel of step (f); (h) drying the washed gel of step (g); (i) staining the dryed gel of step (h); (j) destaining the stained gel of step (i); (k) drying the destained gel of step (j); and (l) analyzing the dryed gel of step (k).

Abstract: An improved composition of the type comprising a known concentration of at least one enzyme. The composition is characterized in that substantially all of at least one of the enzymes is combined with a stabilizing amount of a reversible inhibitor thereof to form an inhibitor-enzyme complex, thereby stabilizing the enzyme moiety of the complex.A method of stabilizing a composition comprising a known concentration of at least one enzyme. The method comprising combining substantially all of at least one of the enzymes with a stabilizing amount of a reversible inhibitor thereof to form an inhibitor-enzyme complex, thereby stabilizing the enzyme moiety of the complex.

Abstract: The present invention is a thermal insulating material comprising layers of thin walled hollow glass or plastic tubes stacked together so that their longitudinal axes are perpendicular to the direction of heat flow. The tubes are preferably eliptical in cross-section with the larger axes of the elipse also being aligned in a plane perpendicular to the direction of heat flow. The tubes may be sealed at each end or open; if sealed they may contain air or a low conductivity gas at atmospheric pressure or less than atmospheric pressure. In preferred embodiments the internal surface of the tubes are coated with a reflective material.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is an auxiliary safety rear light assembly for vehicles which can be adhesively mounted at any position on the rear window of a car or truck.Another object of the present invention is an auxiliary safety rear light assembly which can be adjusted along a horizontal axis so as to be mountable parallel to the road regardless of the angle which the vehicle rear window makes to the road.

Abstract: An in situ oil shale retort is formed in a subterranean formation containing oil shale, a horizontally extending void is excavated within the boundaries of the retort site leaving a zone of unfragmented formation above and/or below such a void. A crack is propagated in at least one of the zones of unfragmented formation along the side boundaries of the retort site and thereafter the zone of unfragmented formation is explosively expanded towards such a void for forming a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles in the retort. Such a fragmented permeable mass is retorted in situ to produce shale oil.

Abstract: A lead wire for a miniature capacitor having a U-shaped clamp at one end and being removably attached to a carrier, such as a sprocketed ribbon, at the other end. Each of the U-shaped clamps grasps and holds a terminal end of the capacitor. The carrier is used with conventional geared wheels and reels to move the capacitors and lead wires from station to station during their assembly procedure. When assembly is completed, the leads can be removed from the carrier.

Abstract: A processing zone advances through a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale in an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale. The retort has an effluent gas passing therefrom. The effluent gas has a heating value which is dependent on the kerogen content of the oil shale then in contact with the processing zone. To determine the locus of the processing zone, the formation is assayed at selected locations in the retort for kerogen content before processing the selected locations, and effluent gas from the retort is monitored for its heating value.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for reducing the nitrogen content of shale oil by selectively removing therefrom nitrogen-containing compounds. The nitrogen content of shale oil is reduced by a process comprising lowering the viscosity of the shale oil and then contacting the shale oil with a sufficient amount of a solvent which is selective toward the nitrogen-containing compounds present in the shale oil. The selective solvent is selected from the group consisting of organic acids, and substituted organic acids, particularly acetic, formic and trichloroacetic acids and mixtures thereof. The selective solvent system containing the nitrogen-containing compounds is separated from the reduced nitrogen content shale oil raffinate.

Abstract: A processing zone advances through a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale in an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale. The retort has shale oil passing therefrom. The shale oil contains a constituent which is carried from the formation by advancement of the processing zone through the fragmented mass. To determine the locus of the processing zone, the formation is first assayed at selected locations in the retort for content of the constituent before processing the selected locations, and, during processing, shale oil from the retort is monitored for concentration of the constituent.Preferred constituents are the heavy metals such as iron, vanadium, and arsenic.

Abstract: A fragmented permeable mass of formation particles containing oil shale and carbonates of calcium and magnesium is formed in an in situ oil shale retort. A combustion zone is advanced through the fragmented mass, whereby kerogen in oil shale in the fragmented mass is decomposed in a retorting zone on the advancing side of the combustion zone to produce gaseous and liquid products including shale oil. The combustion zone also converts the magnesium values in the particles of retorted oil shale to a more leachable form such as magnesium oxide. Magnesium values are selectively leached from the combusted particles, with respect to calcium compounds, with an aqueous solution of a purgeable, acid-forming gas such as carbon dioxide and a minor amount of a polyelectrolyte such as polyacrylic acid, polysulfonic acid, polyphosphonic acid, or the salts thereof. An enriched solution containing magnesium values is withdrawn from the fragmented mass and magnesia is recovered from such enriched solution.

Abstract: A method of forming an in situ oil shale retort with an open space or inlet plenum void between the top boundary of the fragmented permeable mass of oil shale particles and the unfragmented formation above the retort. The method comprises excavating at least one horizontal void in the formation, placing explosive into the unfragmented formation above and below the void, and then explosively expanding formation above the void prior to explosively expanding formation below the void. The additional time for expansion of formation above the void, as compared with that below the void, permits non-uniform expansion and leaves an open space over the top of the fragmented mass.