Abstract: An improved visual acuity tester is disclosed that is adapted both to measure the visual acuity of a patient and to function as an integral optical prescription calculator. The visual acuity tester essentially includes a display monitor for displaying visual acuity targets, electronic means for generating a plurality of visual acuity targets to be displayed on the monitor, and a hand-held remote control unit provided with a display unit and a keyboard coupled to the electronic means for controlling the display on the monitor and for performing prescription calculations. The visual acuity targets are created by toggling on/off the electronic means when horizontally scanning the lead lines of screen memories of the targets. Preferably, the electronic means includes a dynamic memory having two screens of memory: an active screen and an inactive screen.

Abstract: A visual function tester with binocular vision testing capabilities is disclosed, which includes a video display monitor and optical means, such as stereo vision glasses, to control the patient's viewing of the display. The opening and closing of the apertures of the glasses is synchronized to the display of a variety of visual acuity images. Certain images are made visible to each eye but not visible to the other, and certain images are displayed such that they appear out of the plane of the images. Methods for use of the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing inocula of low water activity is disclosed. The inocula are prepared by admixing microorganisms with a polymer gel and lowering and maintaining the water activity below 0.3, preferably below 0.1. These inocula are useful in the treatment of plant disease, particularly crown gall and Dutch elm diseases, as well as in the biological control of insects.

Abstract: Inocula having a long storage life and improved resistance to temperature and rehydration and a method of preparing them are disclosed. The method of the invention comprises admixing a culture medium containing microorganisms of the genus Rhizobium and at least one carbohydrate source in a polymer gel and then lowering the water activity of the resulting inoculum and maintaining the water activity at less than 0.1.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of low molecular weight polyacrylic acids or their salts is provided, particularly, their aqueous solutions. Acrylic acid in an aqueous solution containing a polymerization initiator is polymerized in the presence of acetic acid and/or propionic acid.The solutions obtained have a low viscosity and are very stable on storage.

Abstract: A process for sulfonylation of halobenzenes, in which a halobenzene is reacted with a sulfonic acid, a precursor or a derivative thereof in the presence of boron trifluoride in an amount such that the absolute pressure of boron trifluoride within the reaction vessel exceeds 1 bar, and in the presence of hydrofluoric acid as a solvent. The resultant products are useful as intermediates in the synthesis of compounds having a phytosanitary (e.g., herbicidal) or pharmaceutical activity.

Abstract: A process for purifying sugarcane juices by contacting the juices to be purified in succession with a hydrophobic adsorbent, a supported strong anion exchange material or a hydrophobic adsorbent having anion exchanger groups, an anion exchange resin, and a cation exchange resin. The process may be used to purify low-grade sugar solutions. The process may be used in the sugar industries to obtain sugar syrups, sucrose, aconitic acid, and amino acids.

Abstract: New unsaturated fatty alcohols of the formula: ##STR1## in which n=2 or 4 are provided and are prepared by the novel process of reacting butadiene with water in the presence of a palladium salt and orthoboric acid, B(OH).sub.3, in a polar aprotic solvent.

Abstract: A method of preparing alkaline difluoromethane sulfonates by reacting an alkali-metal sulfite of the formula M.sub.2 SO.sub.3, in which M represents an alkali-metal of column 1 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, with at least an equimolecular quantity of chlorodifluoromethane in aqueous medium, in an autoclave under autogenous pressure, characterized by the fact that the reaction is carried out in the presence of at least one strong alkali-metal base of the formula M'OH, in which M' represents an alkali-metal of column 1 of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

Abstract: Novel processes are provided for the embedding of microorganisms within a polymer matrix wherein the matrix comprises a polymer gel having a base of at least one polymer selected from the group of polysaccharides, in which said polymer is at least partially cross-linked. The embedded microorganism products are useful in the inoculation of leguminous and non-leguminous plants in order to increase their nitrogen-fixing potential and nutrition, respectively.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing detergent-dispersant compositions of a TBN of at least about 200, containing at least about 2 percent magnesium, by:(1) sulfurization by sulfur of an alkylphenol in the presence of a magnesium and/or calcium alkylbenzene-sulfonate of a TBN less than or equal to about 150, an alkaline-earth component selected from among lime, mixtures of magnesium oxide and lime, or a magnesium oxide and alkali hydroxide, and an alkylene glycol;(2) optionally precarbonation of the resultant mixture by means of CO.sub.2 ;(3) super-alkalinization and carbonation of the resultant mixture by means of magnesium oxide and possibly lime, CO.sub.2 and alkylene glycol; and(4) removal of the excess alkylene glycol.The detergent-dispersant compositions obtained are useful in the improvement of the detergent-dispersant properties of lubricating oils.

Abstract: A process of preparing metallic detergent-dispersant compositions is provided by:1. Reacting sulfur with an alkylphenol, bearing one or more C.sub.6 -C.sub.60 alkyl substituents, in the presence of a dilution oil, an alkaline-earth metal alkylbenzene sulfonate of a molecular weight of more than about 300 and a TBN of less than or equal to about 150, an alkaline-earth metal compound, optionally an alkaline-metal hydroxide, a base component of metallic detergent-dispersant of a TBN greater than or equal to 200 selected from among superalkalinized sulfurized alkaline-earth metal alkylphenates, alkaline-earth metal alkylbenzene sulfonates, and mixtures of superalkalinized sulfurized alkaline earth metal alkylphenates and alkaline-earth metal alkylbenzene sulfonates, and an alkylene glycol, at a temperature of between 100.degree. C. and 190.degree. C.;2. Carbonating the resultant mixture with carbon dioxide at a temperature of between 100.degree. C. and 200.degree. C., the amount of CO.sub.

Abstract: New esters are provided by reaction of an ester of the formula: ##STR1## in the presence of a compound of rhodium and an alcohol with a 1,3-butadiene of the formula: ##STR2## in which R.sub.1 represents an alkyl radical having from about 1 to 6 carbons atoms,R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.5, R.sub.8 and R.sub.9, which are identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical having from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms.R.sub.4, R.sub.6, and R.sub.7 represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical having from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms, at least one of them being a hydrogen atom,R.sub.10, R.sub.11, R.sub.12, and R.sub.13 represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical having from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms, at least one of them being a hydrogen atom,R.sub.14, R.sub.15, R.sub.16, and R.sub.17, which are identical or different, each represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical.

Abstract: Metallic dithiophosphates obtained by the sulfurization of a composition containing:(A) from about 100 to 20 percent by weight of a metallic dithiophosphate of the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is an alkenyl or unsaturated cycloaliphatic radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are alkyl radicals, m is equal to the valence of the metal M, and M represents a metal of Groups IIB, IIIB, IVB, or VIII of the Periodic System of the Elements, preferably zinc;(B) from about zero to 80 percent of an R.sub.4 -COOR.sub.5 alkyl ester in which R.sub.4 is an alkenyl radical and R.sub.5 an alkyl radical, by means of 0.5 to 10 percent by weight of sulfur, referred to the composition to be sulfurized.Use as extreme-pressure and anti-wear additives for lubricating oils, in an amount of between about 0.3 and 15 percent of the weight of lubricating oil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new highly reactive alumina and the method of preparing it. The alumina is characterized by an amorphous structure and a specific surface of greater than 600 m.sup.2 /g. It is prepared by thermal decomposition of the double carbonate of aluminum and ammonium of the formula AlNH.sub.4 CO.sub.3 (OH).sub.2 at a temperature of between about 200.degree. and 500.degree. C.Aluminum hydroxychlorides of the formula Al.sub.2 (OH).sub.x Cl.sub.6-x can be prepared from it.

Abstract: Metallic dithiophosphates of the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is an alkyl, alkenyl, cycloaliphatic, aryl, or heterocyclic radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are alkyl radicals, preferably C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 radicals, and m represents the valence of the metal M, M being a metal of Groups IIB, IIIB, IVB, or VIII of the Periodic System of Elements, preferably zinc. They are obtained by the action of P.sub.2 S.sub.5 on a monoester alcohol of the formula: ##STR2## and then by reaction of a metal oxide, such as zinc oxide, with the dithiophosphoric acid formed. These metallic dithiophosphates are useful as extreme-pressure and anti-wear additives for lubricating oils in amounts of between 0.2 and 10 percent, referred to the weight of lubricating oils.