Abstract: There is disclosed an optical device comprising a support having thereon a transparent amorphous layer of a low molecular weight organic compound, said layer having a glass transition temperature above about 50.degree. C. Also disclosed is a method for making the device including the step of vacuum depositing the organic compound on the support. Particularly preferred devices are integrated optical devices which include a pattern of a second index of refraction or effective index of refraction in the layer, which pattern can define an optical element.

Abstract: Ion-selective compositions which comprise an ion carrier, a compound capable of solvating the ion carrier, and a supporting matrix are disclosed. The ion carrier according to the invention is a lipophilic hemispherand compound. These compositions are particularly useful in ion-selective electrodes. Such an electrode is capable of selectively transporting a first ion in preference to a second ion. Particularly useful hemispherands have a .DELTA.G of complexation with the first ion which is at least 0.3 Kcal/mole greater than the .DELTA.G of complexation with the second ion. Dry-operative electrodes using these ion-selective compositions as membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: There are disclosed low birefringent polyesters that are useful in optical devices. The polyesters include units having opposite optical anisotropies. By varying the ratio of the units in the copolymer, the birefringence of an article made from the copolymer can be controlled as desired. The polyester is a substantially optically anisotropic polyester having diol repeating units derived from 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene and at least about 40% by weight of the diacid repeating units derived from aliphatic or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids, the remainder of the diacid repeating units being derived from aromatic dicarboxylic acids.

Abstract: There are disclosed apparatus and methods for mixing solids that are difficult to mix. The apparatus includes means for providing a slurry of the solid to be mixed to the inlet side of a centrifugal recirculating pump.

Abstract: Certain methanol soluble ortho-benzo or -naphthoquinones are useful electron transfer agents. They are particularly useful in the detection of cells in urine.

Abstract: A method for the production of a 1,2,4-triazole nucleoside comprising the step of reacting a ribose donor with a triazole compound in the presence of an enzyme preparation derived from Brevibacterium acetylicum is disclosed. The method is characterized in that the ribose donor is guanosine and the temperature during at least a part of the reaction is at or above 65.degree. C. The method is capable of high production rates and high concentrations of the final product.

Abstract: A method for the production of a 1,2,4-triazole nucleoside comprising the step of reacting a ribose donor with a triazole compound in the presence of an enzyme preparation derived from Brevibacterium acetylicum is disclosed. The method is characterized in that the ribose donor is guanosine; the concentration of the donor is above about 100 mM; and the enzyme preparation is added before the reaction mixture gells. The method is capable of high production rates and high concentration of the final product.

Abstract: L-lysine is recovered using an ion exchange resin. A liquid solution containing L-lysine and possibly impurities is contacted with the resin and is then soaked in elutant for at least about 15 minutes. The elution of L-Lysine from the resin is then continued.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of:(a) forming an aqueous suspension of ice nucleating microorganisms;(b) introducing the suspension into a water source to form an ice nucleated water source;(c) distributing and freezing the ice nucleated water source.The improvement is that the suspension of ice nucleating microorganisms is maintained throughout at a temperature below about 13.degree. C.

Abstract: New substrates for .gamma.-glutamyltransferase (.gamma.-GT) are disclosed. These subtrates are useful in the colorimetric determination of .gamma.-GT since the cleavage of the .gamma.-glutamyl group produces a detectable species--an aminostyrylquinolinium dye. The substrates have the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R and R.sub.1 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl and alkoxy andQ is ##STR2## wherein: R.sub.2 is alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, nitro, cyano and halogen; andX.sup..crclbar. is an anion.

Abstract: Catalysts for the conversion of synthesis gas to linear alcohols and aldehydes are disclosed. The catalysts are mixed oxides of copper, iron and either chromium or aluminum and wherein said mixed oxide has a delafossite type of crystal lattice structure.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for recovery of a microorganism having ice nucleating activity from a fermentation medium which comprises the steps of (a) bringing the temperature of the medium to a temperature of about 15.degree. C. or less, (b) forming a concentrate of the medium while maintaining the temperature of about 15.degree. C. or less, (c) running the concentrate into a cryogenic fluid to form frozen pellets of the concentrate and (d) freeze drying said pellets at a temperature below 25.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photographic element comprising a support, and coated on the support at least one negative-working photographic emulsion comprising radiation-sensitive silver halide grains capable of forming a surface latent image and a binder, and in the support or in a remaining hydrophilic colloid layer coated on the support in an amount sufficient to increase contrast, a hydrazine compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a phenyl nucleus having a Hammet sigma value-derived electron withdrawing characteristic of less than +0.30.

Abstract: An element for the analysis or transport of liquid, especially aqueous liquids, contains a structure comprising a plurality of heat-stable, organo-polymeric particles non-swellable in and impermeable to the liquid, and an adhesive concentrated at particle surface areas contiguous to adjacent particles bonding the particles into a coherent, three-dimensional lattice that is non-swellable in the liquid. A substantial portion of the particle surface area in this lattice structure is therefore effectively free from adhesive. The lattice structure has interconnected void spaces among the particles representing a total void volume of about 25 to 80 percent to provide for transport of the liquid. The adhesive comprises an organic polymer different from that of the particles and insoluble in the liquid under analysis. The amount of adhesive in the structure is less than 10 weight percent of the particles.

Abstract: A method is described for the selective determination of the conjugated bilirubin (B.sub.c) or unconjugated bilirubin (B.sub.u), as well as the total bilirubin (B.sub.T), content of an aqueous liquid. The method comprises contacting the aqueous liquid with an analytical element having a dry reagent zone comprising an interactive mordant for bilirubin and thereafter detecting the absorption or emission spectra of the aqueous liquid at two or more wavelengths. The respective molar absorption or emission characteristics of B.sub.u and B.sub.c are predetermined for at least two of these wavelengths using a molecular weight of 584 for B.sub.u and a molecular weight in the range from about 750 to about 940 for B.sub.c. The B.sub.u, B.sub.c and/or B.sub.T content is determined from such spectra and absorption or emission characteristics. The interactive mordant for bilirubin is used to enhance the absorption characteristics or produce fluorescent emission of mordanted bilirubin.

Abstract: Analytical elements and methods for the selective determination of an analyte in aqueous fluids containing the analyte. These elements and methods feature means for continuously releasing chromogenic indicator reagent from a reagent zone to a reaction zone. The continuous release means is responsive to the application of a sample of the fluid to continuously release reagent into the reaction zone at a rate producing color response corresponding to interaction of the indicator with the analyte and reduced interaction of the indicator with interferents. In preferred embodiments, albumin is determined in the presence of interfering proteins such as globulins using buffered chromogenic indicator reagent. In such embodiments, when protein interferents are present, their interference can be substantially eliminated for up to three minutes, during which time color response is substantially only from the interaction of albumin and reagent. The determination of albumin follows from such color response.

Abstract: Inhibition of lactate oxidase and an enzymatic analysis of an aqueous liquid containing lactate or lactic acid for an analyte other than lactate or lactic acid are disclosed. Undesired lactate oxidase activity, if any, in an enzymatic reagent composition, is inhibited by a lactate oxidase inhibitor selected from glyoxalic acid, oxalic acid, glycolic acid, and salts thereof. Preferred enzymatic analyses are performed in the presence of a lactate oxidase inhibitor with an enzymatic reagent composition producing hydrogen peroxide as a detectable species.

Abstract: A method is described for the separation and isolation of conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin from an aqueous liquid containing one or both of the bilirubin components. The aqueous liquid is contacted together with an interactive mordant for bilirubin to mordant bilirubin, the mordanted bilirubin is separated from the aqueous liquid, and the mordanted bilirubin is treated in an aqueous medium with a chaotropic agent at least slightly soluble in the medium to release the conjugated and/or unconjugated bilirubin from the mordant. A preferred embodiment also provides for selectively separating conjugated bilirubin from unconjugated bilirubin by selectively solubilizing either the conjugated or unconjugated bilirubin released from the mordant. Isolated conjugated bilirubin is thereby obtained having a purity in excess of 75%. A reference composition comprising the isolated conjugated bilirubin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the recrystallization of activated rare-earth oxyhalide phosphors is disclosed. The method comprises recrystallizing the phosphor by firing a phosphor-flux mixture in an inert atmosphere. The phosphor-flux is substantially homogeneous and the flux contains substantially dehydrated magnesium halide. One particularly preferred phosphor made by the method is a lanthanum oxychloride phosphor coactivated with bismuth and ytterbium. This phosphor made by the present method has high speed and low afterglow.

Abstract: A lanthanide phosphate provides a contrast agent useful in radiographic contrast compositions and surgical elements. Radiographic imaging methods which employ this contrast agent and methods of making lanthanide phosphate-containing radiographic contrast compositions are also disclosed.