Abstract: A process to perform selective catalytic oxidation of four-carbon alcohols to produce four-carbon olefins with yields greater than 90%. The process includes providing a supply of oxygen gas and a butanol fuel, atomizing and evaporating the fuel to produce a vapor, mixing the vapor with the oxygen to form a fuel mixture, reacting the fuel mixture in the presence of a heated solid Rh/Al2O3 or Al2O3 catalysts.

Abstract: The invention applies wavefront coding to the front of an electro-optic/infrared device to minimize the amount of light which is retroreflected by systems, such as Fowarding Looking Infrared systems, back to its source. The invention (unlike conventional reduction methods) does not rely on reducing the laser power leaving the interrogated sensor, but primarily on controlling its direction. A sensor according to the present invention, which has been wavefront coded for reduction of reflected light, will also effect the direction of the scattered light, thereby significantly reducing that which returns to the zero bistatic angle position. In contrast, a limitation of conventional methods is that once specular reflections are addressed, the remaining retroreflected signal typically results from scattered light at the focal plane which is largely collected and recollimated by the system optics.

Abstract: An N-way RF/microwave power divider/combiner utilizes one input and N outputs, or conversely N inputs and one output to divide (or combine) RF/microwave power while simultaneously and non-invasively measuring reflected power present due to mismatched loads or other failed components. The Gysel divider/combiner technique is used with the addition of N temperature measuring devices placed directly on the N isolation loads separated from the main divider/combiner lines. Because of high isolation between the N channels of the divider/combiner, the temperature above ambient of each isolation load is strongly correlated to the amount of power reflected back to an output port. The temperature is sensed external to the RF circuit whereby a measure of reflected power can be made without the use of invasive directional-coupler techniques. This is highly advantageous since directional-coupler techniques would increase the insertion-loss, cost, and complexity of the divider/combiner.

Abstract: A switchable local oscillator for use in a shared mixer radiometer is capable of providing at least two separate frequencies. The local oscillator contains at least two cavity resonators, a voltage controlled oscillator controlling a microwave generator, a microprocessor to intermittently control the voltage controlled oscillator and an output voltage detection circuit to provide output voltage levels to the microprocessor. The microprocessor controls the voltage controlled oscillator to tune the microwave generator through a frequency range. Output voltage level of the local oscillator is detected, and a resonant frequency is determined. In response, the microprocessor fixes the voltage of the voltage controlled oscillator at a voltage corresponding to the resonant frequency of one of the cavity resonators. Microprocessor control of the voltage controlled oscillator is then relinquished. The local oscillator generates a resonant frequency while measurements are made by the radiometer.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention provide mechanical and electrical appara for inexpensively and swiftly converting conventional firearms temporarily into marksmanship training devices. Illustratively, a number of different devices are shown for attaching marksmanship training and scoring apparatus to the weapon or weapon launcher and to enhance training realism without expending ammunition. Electrical circuits for improved marksmanship training and scoring also are shown and described.

Abstract: The glycidyl azide polymer produced by hydrolysis of glycidyl chloride fowed by reaction with sodium azide is employed in a crosslinked composite-modified double-base propellant composition both in the casting powder portion and casting solvent portion as a superior replacement for nitroglycerin in each portion specified. The crosslinked composite-modified double-base propellant composition is characterized by having a greater safety in handling, reduced sensitivity to detonation, higher burning rate, higher specific impulse, and improved mechanical properties as compared with a like composition containing nitroglycerin in the casting powder and the casting solvent portions.

Abstract: An immunologically active substantially pure peptide capable of inducing in human an immune response which is cross reactive with and protective against infection by a malaria parasite, wherein the peptide contains at least 2 consecutive repeats of a sequence Asn-X-Y-Pro wherein X is Ala or Val and Y is Asn or Asp or a sequence of the formula Thr-Glu-Trp-Z-Pro-Cys-Ser-Val-Thr-Cys-Gly-Asn-Gly wherein Z is Ser or Thr or the formula Lys-Pro-S-T-S-Lys-Leu-Lys-Gln-Pro-U-V-Gly-W-Pro wherein S is Lys or Asn, T is His or Glu, U is Gly or Asn, V is As or Glu, and W is Asn or Gln is disclosed along with DNA sequences and various other genetic materials useful in producing these peptides through biological methods.

Abstract: A dermal substance collection device (DSCD) is described which provides means for the non-invasive, instantaneous and continuous monitoring of chemical substances which are present in a detectable amount in either or both interstitial fluid or sweat or which are on or in the skin. The transdermal substance collection device of this invention is comprised of three essential components: (1) a substance binding reservoir, wettable by (2) a liquid transfer medium which allows for liquid bridge transfer of a soluble substance from the skin surface to the binding reservoir by virtue of its wettability by the liquid, and (3) an occlusive cover.

Abstract: Process for preparing a detoxified polysaccharide-outer membrane protein complex from bacterial envelopes; the so-obtained products which are useful as vaccines against infection by the same bacteria and method for protecting animals against the same infection by administration of a pharmaceutical composition containing the detoxified polysaccharide-outer membrane protein complexes.

Abstract: A method for data compression provides for an improved digital facsimile ument transmission system. The mixed mode method provides that symbols can be located both individually and as a part of a line of symbols in order to provide for efficient operation for both the symbol and graphic portions of a document to be transmitted without requiring that the symbols be organized in lines or that each location be conveyed independently of all other locations of symbols.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for the prevention of schistosomal infecti in animals. The topical application of a 2-hydroxy-benzoic anilide provides prophylactic protection against penetration by infective cercariae of the parasitic worms.

Abstract: The effectiveness of the burning rate accelerator, iron oxide (Fe.sub.2 Ob.3), is enhanced, and a markedly improvement in the mechanical properties of a propellant composition are simultaneously achieved as a result of grinding a composite propellant paste in a roller mill instead of in a conventional sigma blade propellant mixer. The propellant paste is composed of a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene prepolymer, fluid-energy mill-ground ammonium perchlorate, dioctyl adipate, aluminum oxide, isophthaloyl bis-1-(2-methylaziridine), and iron oxide. The final product has a higher stress capability, higher strain capability, higher modulus, and higher gel fraction, and a burning rate that is about 80% higher as compared with sigma blade propellant ground and mixed propellant.

Abstract: A chemical contamination monitoring system is provided for monitoring and decontaminating protective clothing that has been exposed to toxic chemicals. The system includes a decontamination chamber in which the clothing is supported and a spray assembly, including a plurality of suitably directed spray nozzles, for spraying the clothing with a wash-solvent. Hot air is directed over the clothing to volitalize the contaminates and, after passing over the clothing, the hot air is withdrawn for analysis using gas chromatography or other known techniques. The used solvent can also be analyzed.

Abstract: The invention provides a light sensitive dummy cartridge for insertion into he chamber of a magazine-type weapon. A muzzle collimator is inserted into the barrel in alignment with the cartridge photosensor and the longitudinal axis of the bore. The power supply, audible scoring apparatus, and electrical circuit for the photosensor, moreover, are mounted in a dummy magazine. This combination provides an easy-to-install apparatus for temporarily converting a conventional firearm into a photoresponsive training device.

Abstract: A novel bone repair material consisting essential of decalcified freeze-dd bone and biodegradable, biocompatible copolymer has been developed for improving and accelerating the healing of osseous tissue. The bone repair material was prepared by combining decalcified bone with a copolymer consisting essentially of a 50:50 poly(L)(-)lactide co-glycolide.

Abstract: A living, attenuated, oral vaccine system is described for the immunization gainst enteric disease. This oral vaccine is a genetic hybrid derivative of an attenuated galactose epimeraseless strain of S. typhi which carries at least one protective antigen other than normal somatic S. typhi antigens. The oral vaccine can provide protection against both typhoid fever and at least one other enteric disease. A bivalent oral vaccine is described wherein the non-typhoid protective antigen is the plasmid-encoded form I antigen of Shigella sonnei. A protective antigen from Shigella sonnei was transferred to a streptomycin resistant mutant of S. typhi strain Ty21a. The transconjugant S. typhi strain expressed both S. typhi and S. sonnei antigens and protected experimental animals against lethal infections with either S. typhi or S. sonnei. This strain is considered to be useful as a vaccine against typhoid fever and bacillary dysentery caused by S. sonnei. The mutated galactose epimeraseless S. typhi strain such as S.

Abstract: A method of error processing is disclosed in which the first erroneous line etected in a facsimile transmission is decoded, and printed in the normal manner, up to the point in the line where an error is detected. An erroneous portion of the line is then defined to be the point in the line from which the error is detected as well as four color changes to the left. This erroneous portion is replaced by the corresponding picture elements in the immediately preceding line. The resulting "corrected" line is then used as a new "previous line" and the process is repeated with the erroneous portion of each subsequent line being replaced with white until a full line is properly decoded.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the invention measures blood flow through a in or an artery. A balloon catheter is inserted into the vessel and is inflated until the balloon temporarily stops blood flow in order to measure the diameter of the vessel. The balloon is deflated a bit to reestablish flow through the vessel in the annulus that is formed between the outer surface of the balloon and the adjacent surface of the vessel. Apertures in the catheter on opposite ends of the balloon establish fluid communication with the blood to permit the change in blood pressure to be measured as it flows through the annulus in order to derive the blood flow in milliliters per minute (ml/min) or in some other suitable parameter.

Abstract: An instructional polariscope which is easily disassembled, reassembled, cbrated and operated in the classroom by individual students for the purposes of teaching and demonstrating the interoperation of components of a polariscope and the principles of photoelasticity. This polariscope can be assembled for use as either a plane or a circular polariscope and employs a reflector which allows use of an external light source.

Abstract: A low loss optical waveguide is provided by taking a silicon substrate with a silicon dioxide waveguide thereon and depositing lead on the air interface surface of the silicon dioxide. The lead is then oxidized and diffused into the silicon dioxide creating a high optical quality, high index region at the air interface of the waveguide. This allows transmitted waveguide light energy directed into the silicon dioxide to be transmitted in the lead oxide diffused portion of the waveguide, keeping the energy away from the lossy silicon substrate, and thereby providing a low loss planar waveguide.