Abstract: In a vacuum cleaning apparatus of the dry, wet and wet/dry types having a cleaning head assembly, a rotatable brush carried within and spanning said head assembly adapted to loosen and agitate dirt on a surface to be cleaned, means for rotatably driving said brush, a dirt collection zone, and vacuum means communicating with the interior of said cleaning head assembly for sucking up dirt and carrying it to said dirt collection zone; the improvement comprising said brush being rotatable about a horizontal shaft, the shaft being carried at each of its ends by a movable shaft block, said shaft block being slidably received in a shaft block retainer case affixed to said cleaning head assembly, each of said shaft blocks being carried within its respective shaft block retainer case by resilient spring means biasing said shaft blocks and brush toward said surface to be cleaned, whereby each of said shaft blocks can independently slidably move upwardly within said shaft block retainer cases in response to variations i

Abstract: Bifunctional molecules having a DNA intercalator or DNA groove binder linked to ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid such as compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is methyl or ethyl. Also, the method of cleaving DNA by contact with one of the above-identified molecules in the presence of ferrous ion and oxygen.The process of preparing said molecules by the reaction of P-carboxy methidium halide, p-carboxy ethidium halide, or other DNA intercalator or DNA groove binder with 1-3-diaminopropane followed by condensation with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid.Distamycin-EDTA.Fe(II)(DE.FE(II)) contains EDTA attached to the amino terminus of the groove binder tripeptide (tris-N-methylpyrrolecarboxamide). De.Fe(II) cleaves DNA contiguous to a five base pair A+T rich sequence. This is a novel and unique molecule and superior in sequence specificity to the naturally occurring antitumor compound used in man, bleomycin which cleaves DNA at a two base pair recognition site. EDTA-distamycin-Fe(II)(ED.

Abstract: The combination of a fluid conductive pipe line and an in-line valve adapted to open and close the fluid passage in said line, said valve having an external handle operatively connected to open and close the valve, said handle having an enlarged free end forming a foot pedal and being positioned such that the handle can be pivotally rotated to close said valve by foot or other pressure on said foot pedal.

Abstract: The invention consists of compounds and methods for the synthesis of oligonucleotides which contain one or more free aliphatic amino groups attached to the sugar moieties of the nucleoside subunits. The synthetic method is versatile and general, permitting amino groups to be selectively placed at any position on oligonucleotides of any composition or length which is attainable by current DNA synthetic methods. Fluorescent dyes or other detectable moieties may be covalently attached to the amino groups to yield the corresponding modified oligonucleotide.

Abstract: The process of obtaining preserved flower blooms and other natural predominantly carbohydrate products such as flower stems, leaves and vegetables which are free standing and have a natural fresh appearance maintained over prolonged periods which comprises removing most or substantially all of the water present in the substrate, said substrate including naturally occurring active hydrogen compounds as part of its structure, exposing the substantially dried substrate to a cross-linking compound containing a plurality of groups which are complementary reactive with the said active hydrogen groups to form a high molecular weight three dimensional cross-linked polymeric network between the active hydrogen groups of said substrate and the compound containing said complementary reactive groups.

Abstract: The process of obtaining preserved flower blooms and other natural predominantly carbohydrate products such as flower stems, leaves and vegetables which are free standing and have a natural fresh and/or esthetically attractive appearance maintained over prolonged periods which comprises removing most or substantially all of the water present in the substrate, and exposing the substantially dried substrate to a thermoplastic elastomeric polymer capable of forming sparingly chemically linked or non-chemically bonded links with itself.The process enhances dried materials including most ornamental blooms such as roses, orchids, tulips, daffodils, lillies and many others, as well as more traditional, usually air-dried plants such as gypsophila, statis, eucalyptus, larkspur, strawflowers, cornflowers, caspia, horsetail (equisetum arvense joint grass), etc.

Abstract: The method of measuring circulating antigens or antibodies by using a ligand labeled specific antigen or ligand labeled specific antibody chemically attached to a soluble matrix or backbone, a differently labeled anti-antigen or anti-antibody and a solid phase anti-ligand directed at the ligand attached to the specific antigen or specific antibody. This is achieved by either one or two analytical schemes:(a) Reacting a patient sample with a ligand labeled specific antigen or a ligand labeled specific antibody in the liquid phase in the presence of a differently labeled specific anti-antigen or labeled specific anti-antibody. This immunological complex is reacted with an immobilized anti-ligand on a solid support which is directed against the ligand attached to the specific antigen or antibody through the liquid matrix. Subsequently the solid phase is washed and checked for the label on the anti-antigen or anti-antibody which is directly proportional to the concentration of specific antigen or antibody.

Abstract: A highly tacky continuous, generally self-sustaining film of pressure sensitive adhesive (formed by combining two pre-formed pressure sensitive adhesive films) without any imbedded supporting film uniquely useful for the bonding of two variably curved surfaces in superposed relationship, especially where said two surfaces are a natural fingernail and a superimposed plastic artificial fingernail, the minimum thickness of said film being at least 8 mils, the maximum thickness being about 12 mils, and the minimum initial adhesion to low energy plastic surfaces of said adhesive being at least 9 as defined by 3M Guide at page 16.

Abstract: A composition adapted to prolong the residence time of sulfa and cinchona alkaloid drugs in the circulating plasma of mammals including humans comprising hexanoic acid, potassium hydrogen tartrate, tannic acid, pectin and riboflavin, with the further presence of glutamic acid in the case of sulfa drugs and L-tyrosine in the case of the cinchona alkaloids.

Abstract: A composition adapted to prolong the residence time of sulfa and cinchona alkaloid drugs in the circulating plasma of mammals including humans comprising hexanoic acid, potassium hydrogen tartrate, tannic acid, pectin and riboflavin, with the further presence of glutamic acid in the case of sulfa drugs and L-tyrosine in the case of the cinchona alkaloids.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the sequential performance of chemical processes on a sample of chemical material wherein the sample is embedded in a solid matrix of fluid permeable material located within a reaction chamber and is sequentially subjected to a plurality of fluids passed through the chamber in a pressurized stream, causing chemical interaction between the sample and the fluids.

Abstract: Briefly, the present invention comprises the improvement in a valve arrangement for controlling the flow of a fluid including a valve block having at least one substantially flat valving site on a surface thereof, the valve block defining passages communicating with the valving site through openings, a resilient diaphragm covering the valving site and forming a fluid tight seal with the valve block along the periphery of the valving site and a closure element having a substantially flat closure surface, the closure element being actuable between an open condition wherein the closure surface is retracted a preselected distance from the valving site and diaphragm, and a closed condition wherein the closure surface forces the diaphragm against the valving site; whereby the diaphragm can be urged away from the valving site by fluid pressure in the passages and the closure element is in the open condition, establishing a valve chamber above the valving site for fluid flow between the passages, and if forced agains

Abstract: Novel bifunctional molecules having a DNA intercalator or DNA groove binder linked to ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid such as compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is methyl or ethyl. Also, the method of cleaving DNA by contact with one of the above-identified molecules in the presence of ferrous ion and oxygen.The process of preparing said molecules by the reaction of P-carboxy methidium halide, p-carboxy ethidium halide, or other DNA intercalator or DNA groove binder with 1-3-diaminopropane followed by condensation with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid.Distamycin-EDTA.Fe(II)(DE.FE(II)) contains EDTA attached to the amino terminus of the groove binder tripeptide (tris-N-methylpyrrolecarboxamide). DE.Fe(II) cleaves DNA contiguous to a five base pair A+T rich sequence. This is a novel and unique molecule and superior in sequence specificity to the naturally occurring antitumor compound used in man, bleomycin which cleaves DNA at a two base pair recognition site. EDTA-distamycin-Fe(II)(ED.

Abstract: A splint device for the immobilization of a preselected portion of the body, such as a digital member. The splint device preferably comprises a splint means comprising a ring-like base portion adapted to fit snugly around a digit in proximity to its proximal end. Extending from the base portion there are provided a plurality of essentially rigid elongated support members which are spaced apart around the base portion so as to immobilize the contained digit, preferably on more than one of its sides, each of the support members terminating at a free end which is in the vicinity of, or beyond the distal end, of the digit. The ring-like base portion is preferably expandable. The splint device may also comprise restraining means which may be positioned around the support member for retaining the support members adjacent the digital member, and an end cap which may be positioned on the free ends of the support members.

Abstract: The novel system for the bonding of dental filling composites and orthodontic adhesives to tooth enamel wherein the enamel is treated with a 2.5%-15% aqueous solution of a strong mineral acid or organic acid. The enamel is rinsed with water and thoroughly dried. A curable hydrophilic monomer primer is placed upon the enamel, said enamel primer being selected from the group consisting of esters having the generic formula: ##STR1## wherein R is H or CH.sub.3 and n is 1-8; esters of the general formula: ##STR2## wherein R=H or CH.sub.3 and n is 2-8; the mono and dimethacrylates or acrylates of glycerol; andacrylic or methacrylic acid.A methacrylate or acrylate based orthodontic adhesive or dental composite is cured on the surface of the primed enamel to give a material strongly bonded to the enamel surface.

Abstract: The administration of "active" chondroitin sulfate A (CSA), "active" chondroitin sulfate C (CSC), or mixtures thereof to mammals including humans suffering from cancer, bacterial infections, trauma, irritation, placement of foreign objects, tubes or instruments, or damage of the upper or lower urinary tract, and related transitional cell surfaces to prevent cancer cell implantation or adherence, bacterial infestation or adherence, trauma, irritation, or damage from placement of foreign objects, tubes or instruments in the kidney, renal pelvis, ureter, bladder, urethra and related transitional cell surfaces by the irrigation of said surfaces and/or tubes and instruments with a solution of said drugs or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A membrane assembly for fluid separations consisting of a compact stack of alternating layers of membrane with layers of fluid conducting materials. The assembly consists of a simplified and improved plate and frame apparatus. The stacked assembly may be placed into a pressure containment device consisting of standard pipe with standard methods of closure. Internal fluid conducting passages are formed from cutouts in the stacked layers thereby greatly simplifying the manufacture and assembly of large diameter fluid separation devices using membranes to effect the fluid separations. The fluid pathways are such that the membrane assembly is particularly efficient in separation.