Abstract: A process for the cleavage and deprotection of newly synthesized oligonucleotides from solid supports, which involves incubating the solid support in an environment comprising gaseous cleavage/deprotection reagent such as gaseous ammonia or ammonium hydroxide vapors. The method lends itself well to the use of supports such as microtiter plates, that can be used to simultaneously perform up to 96 individual synthetic processes.

Abstract: Surfaces are provided with desired characteristics of a polymer by covalently bonding polymer molecules to the surface through external activation (e.g., actinic radiation) of latent reactive groups, such as photoactivatable ketones, carried by the polymer molecules. The initial surfaces are free of chemical groups added by surface pretreatement and which chemically participate in the covalent bonding process.

Abstract: A combination of a cell adhesion factor and a positively-charged molecule are bound to the surface of a cell culture support of a bioreactor to improve cell attachment and stabilize cell growth. The positively charged molecule is preferably polylysine, chitosan, poly(ethyleneimine) or acrylics polymerized from acrylamide or methacrylamide and incorporating positively-charged groups in the form of primary, secondary or tertiary amines, or quaternary salts. The cell adhesion factor is preferably fibronectin, laminin, collagen, vitronectin or tenascin, or fragments or analogs having a cell binding domain thereof. The positively-charged molecule and the cell adhesion factor can be covalently bound to the supporting surface. In another embodiment, the positively-charged molecule and the cell adhesion factor are covalently bound to one another and either the positively-charged molecule or the cell adhesion factor is covalently bound to the supporting surface.

Abstract: A surf craft such as a surfboard or windsurfer comprising a planing plank (15) forming the complete lower surface (14) of the craft and a stiffening spine (11) upstanding from and extending substantially the length of the planing plank (15). The spine (11) being integral with the planing plank (15) to form a structural unit with the planing plank projecting laterally from either side of the central spine. These lateral projections (31) of the planing plank (15) being independently resiliently deflectable in use relative to the central stiffening spine (11). Filler pads (35) on either side of the spine rest on and secured to the planing plank (15) to form with the spine a platform for a rider of the craft to stand and move about on when the craft is in use. The filler pads (35) being resiliently flexible with the planing plank.

Abstract: A punch assembly for use in a punch press including a pair of elongated rods having mating respective male and female threaded ends, a head on one end of the female portion for being engaged by a ram of the press, a compression spring, a punch tip at the end of the male portion for action with a workpiece, a punch guide encompassing part of the punch assembly to act as a stripper in relation between the punch tip and the workpiece and a wire clip co-acting between the male and female threaded portions for adjustment of the overall punch length. After sharpening, the wire clip is disengaged and the male and female rods are axially rotated in oposite directions to compensate for the ground-off length. The wire clip is then reengaged and the punch assembly is reassembled for use.

Abstract: Base alkyd resins are modified to provided increased hydrolytic stability by reacting them with a polybasic acid composition containing one or more cycloaliphatic polybasic acids, the resulting modified alkyd having an acid number in the range of 25-100 and having pendent carboxy-functional monoester groups derived from the cycloaliphatic polybasic acids.

Abstract: An elongated guide for use in medical procedures is provided, the guide having a flexible metal core and a forward portion comprising an elongated, helically wound wire coil providing a flexible tip. A flexible safety wire extends forwardly within the coil and terminates forwardly in an integral, enlarged diameter portion defining a plug carried adjacent the forward end of the coil, the plug having a diameter at least approximately equal to the inner diameter of the coil at its forward end and substantially filling the lumen of the coil. A bonding agent such as a polymeric resin, solder or the like is employed to adhere the plug to the coil.

Abstract: A vial for holding a biological specimen during a cryogenic freezing procedure. The vial includes a wall of a material having a predetermined coefficient of thermal conductivity K.sub.1 defining a specimen-receiving internal cavity, and a pin extending in to close proximity with the internal cavity from outside the container. The pin has a coefficient of thermal conductivity K.sub.2 substantially greater than K.sub.1, and defines a path of increased thermal conductivity from the interior to the exterior of the container to cool a specimen carried therewithin. The container includes an upper open end including a sealing cap, and the pin desirably extends sealingly through the container wall at the bottom end portion of the container.

Abstract: A cardiac output measurement device for the real-time, non-invasive measurement of cardiac output that can be effectively operated by relatively unskilled personnel on a routine monitoring basis in a wide variety of office and hospital conditions. To accomplish this task, the system utilizes a pulsed Doppler ultrasound transducer directed through the suprasternal notch of a patient axially towards the blood flow in the ascending aorta. The device automatically searches the ascending aorta at various predetermined depths to find the depth at which the greatest quality blood velocity reading is detected. An examination is performed at that chosen depth and the device automatically calculates a patient's cardiac output from the Doppler measured velocity combined with an aortic diameter estimation made from the patient's height, weight, and age. The device automatically calculates cardiac velocity, cardiac index, stroke distance, heart rate, and stroke volume.

Abstract: A printing ink fountain having a disposable liner made of paperboard or the like for use with flexographic printing presses. The liner, which is supported in a liner retainer, is generally upwardly open to receive therein a metering roller of the printing press. The liner includes a flexible drain hose attached to the bottom thereof for draining ink from the liner.

Abstract: An alkyd resin coating composition having reduced solvent requirements and excellent physical and cure properties is obtained by blending together a fatty acid-modified polyester resin and an addition-polymerizable monomer or oligomer characterized by vinyl unsaturation and capable of undergoing addition polymerization under free radical initiating conditions.

Abstract: An implant prosthesis and method for replacing a full or partial thickness of a cornea. The prosthesis includes a transparent lens portion, and a carrier of preserved tissue, preferably cornea. The lens is attached to the carrier which in turn is adapted for attachment to the eye wall.

Abstract: A container, such as a pail for holding paint or the like, integrally molded from a resilient plastic material. The container includes an integrally molded bail having ends joined to wall portions of the container by relatively thin, flexible, diametrically opposed hinge portions which enables the container and its liquid contents to hang vertically from the bail. A stiffening bead is provided circumferentially about the wall of the container adjacent its upper rim, the bead including a vertically extending, X-shaped lattice structure included between the wall of the container and a wall spaced annularly thereabout.

Abstract: A multicomponent panel system including prefabricated, components machined to tight tolerances which can be assembled at a job site in a tight-fitting relationship.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of reducing rash formation and itching of skin caused by poison ivy. The method comprises breaking up a plant of the genus Plantago, preferably broadleaf Plantain, to release the sap therein and to form a fibrous pulp containing sap and applying an effective amount of the sap-containing pulp to the affected area of the skin.

Abstract: A bone implant prosthesis having an outer stress-free surface and a subsurface carried generally beneath and parallel to the outer surface for bearing tensile stresses. The prosthesis of the invention includes a plurality of slots undercutting the outer surface of the prosthesis thus forming a stress bearing subsurface to free the outer surface from being subjected to substantial stresses. The stress-free outer surface is readily adaptable to receive a porous coating to enhance bone ingrowth without decreasing the stress resistance characteristics of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A method wherein surfaces are provided with desired characteristics of a polymer by covalently bonding polymer molecules to the surface through external activation of latent reactive groups carried by the polymer molecules is disclosed. The initial surfaces are free of chemical groups added by surface pretreatment and which chemically participate in the covalent bonding process.This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 223,149, filed July 22, 1988 now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 138,226, filed Dec. 24, 1987 now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 920,567, filed Oct. 17, 1986 now abandoned and of U.S. Ser. No. 108,765, filed Oct.15, 1987 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,493 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 428,074 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,906 filed Sept. 29, 1982, and of U.S. application Ser. No. 920,567 filed Oct. 17, 1986.

Abstract: A needle shielding device attachable to a hypodermic syringe for protecting a user from contacting the tip of a needle. The device comprises a generally cylindrical needle shield slidably engaging a syringe body for protecting a user from being stuck by the needle tip of the syringe. The needle shield continuously frictionally engages and grips the syringe body as the shield is moved between a retracted position wherein the needle extends forwardly of the needle shield and a extended position wherein the needle tip is protectively enclosed by the needle shield.