Abstract: A method and an apparatus for identifying foreign bodies in packaged beverages are employed where the package and the beverage are translucent and the foreign bodies have a density greater than that of the beverage. A novel aspect of the method is that the package is oriented in a first position in which the foreign bodies are collected on an internal, upwardly directed face in the package, and the package is then turned to at least one subsequent inclined position having an inclination sufficient for the foreign bodies to perform a downward movement along said face. During this movement, at least one of the foreign bodies is identified by comparing at least two successive position-determining detections. This provides a method and an apparatus for certain identification of foreign bodies in dark as well as light beverages, and in disposable as well as recyclable packages.

Abstract: A composition for use in biological, mineralized surface conditioning, especially tooth root conditioning, by selective removal of parts of an exposed tooth root surface so as to improve subsequent attachment of the tooth in conjunction with periodontal surgery, includes, as an active constituent, an effective amount of ethylene-diaminotetraacetic acid (EDTA) in combination with an aqueous matrix. A method of tooth root conditioning includes, in a preferred embodiment, the step of applying to an exposed tooth root surface a viscous composition of EDTA in a concentration of no less than 80% by weight of the concentration at saturation of EDTA.

Abstract: A polarization diversity receiver system for yielding multiple heterodyne optical output signals from an incident optical beam having a p-polarized component and an s-polarized component comprises first and second sequentially-arrayed polarizing beamsplitters, and three photodetectors, each of which receives a heterodyne optical signal. The polarization diversity receiver system tracks the largest of these three signals, and uses only this largest one for subsequent signal processing. There is a minimum for this largest signal that is dependent on the input polarizations of the two optical fields whose beat note is the heterodyne signal. Thus, the object is to maximize the minimum of this largest of the three heterodyne signals.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides (ODNs) include a sequence that is complementary to a target sequence in single stranded RNA, or single or double stranded DNA, and an alkylating function which after hybridization alkylates the target sequence. ODNs adapted for alkylating single stranded RNA, such as messenger RNA, are complementary to the target sequence in the Watson Crick sense. ODNs adapted for alkylating double stranded DNA have at least two alkylating functions and are complementary to the target sequence in the Hoogsteen or reverse Hoogsteen sense. With these ODNs both strands of the target sequence are alkylated. A third class of ODNs have at least approximately 26 nucleotide units in a continous sequence which are complementary to the target sequence of double stranded DNA, and the alkylating function is covalently attached to a nucleotide unit in the continuous sequence. Alkylation or cross-linking with this class of ODNs occurs in the presence of a recombinase enzyme.

Abstract: A direct extrusion process for manufacturing conductive polymer articles of manufacture employs a twin screw compounding extruder that compounds a polymeric mixture from materials received, in predetermined proportions, from gravimetric feeders, then extrudes a compounded conductive polymeric material in the melt phase. The extrudate is then fed into a gear pump that allows the extruder to discharge the compounded material, while it is still in the melt stage, at a relatively low pressure. The gear pump produces a substantially constant volumetric output of the compounded "melt phase" material at sufficiently high pressure for delivery into a sheet die. The sheet die forms the compounded material, while still in the melt phase, into a continuous web.

Abstract: A leak-testable, fluid-impervious membrane is formed as a laminate of a conductive mesh scrim between upper and lower insulative polymeric resin layers. The scrim is preferably a screen formed of a metallic wire, such as aluminum. The polymeric resin is preferably a thermoplastic, such as HDPE, PVC, or polypropylene. The membrane, when installed as a liner for a liquid receptacle or a roof, has an exposed surface on the upper insulative layer. When so installed, the membrane is testable for pinhole openings by an electrical leak survey method, in which an electrical potential is applied between the scrim and a conductive probe. The probe is passed over the exposed surface, so that the electrical potential creates an electric spark between the probe and the scrim at the location of a pinhole opening. An RF signal is generated in response to the spark, and an alarm is actuated in response to the RF signal.

Abstract: A direct extrusion process for manufacturing conductive polymer articles of manufacture employs a twin screw compounding extruder that compounds a polymeric mixture from materials received, in predetermined proportions, from gravimetric feeders, then extrudes a compounded conductive polymeric material in the melt phase. The extrudate is then fed into a gear pump that allows the extruder to discharge the compounded material, while it is still in the melt stage, at a relatively low pressure. The gear pump produces a substantially constant volumetric output of the compounded "melt phase" material at sufficiently high pressure for delivery into a sheet die. The sheet die forms the compounded material, while still in the melt phase, into a continuous web.

Abstract: A chromatography material is described for separation of nucleic acid mixtures in which a support is converted with a silanization reagent, in which the silanization reagent has a reactive group converted with silanization reagent, in which the silanization reagent has a reactive group converted with an alkyl- or dialkylamine, or contains a reactive group that can be converted with an alkyl- or dialkylamine, which is then reacted with the alkyl- or dialkylamine.

Abstract: Perfluorotetramethylcyclohexane shows improved properties for use in biological gas exchange, both as a blood substitute and as perfluorocarbon for intra-pulmonary applications. The material has an adequately low vapor pressure to completely avoid causing hyperinflated lung damage and to increase the interval between required applications. However, the compound has a sufficiently high vapor pressure to produce acceptably brief residence time within the body. A method has been developed for using this novel compound to accelerate the exhalation of very low vapor pressure compounds such as perfluorophenanthrene from the lungs. The addition of perfluorotetramethylcyclohexane, along with perfluorophenanthrene, greatly increases the rate at which the perfluorophenanthrene is exhaled.

Abstract: A convertible shipping/display carton, having a receptacle portion defined by a bottom, a front wall, a rear wall, a pair of opposed side walls, and a display panel extending vertically from the rear wall includes an extension section joined to the display panel. The extension section includes an extension section fold line adjacent and parallel to its juncture with the display panel, whereby the extension section is foldable along the extension section fold line between a first position in which it extends substantially vertically from the display panel, and a second position in which it extends substantially horizontally to overly the receptacle portion.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel substituted nucleotide bases with a crosslinking arm which accomplish crosslinking between specific sites on adjoining strands of oligonucleotides or oligodeoxynucleotides. The invention is also directed to oligonucleotides comprising at least one of these crosslinking agents and to the use of the resulting novel oligonucleotides for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The crosslinking agents of the invention are of the following formula (I'):R.sub.1 --B--(CH.sub.2).sub.q --(Y).sub.r --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --A'(I')wherein,R.sub.1 is hydrogen, or a sugar moiety or analog thereof optionally substituted at its 3' or its 5' position with a phosphorus derivative attached to the sugar moiety by an oxygen and including groups Q.sub.1 Q.sub.2 and Q.sub.3 or with a reactive precursor thereof suitable for nucleotide bond formation;Q.sub.1 is hydroxy, phosphate or diphosphate;Q.sub.2 is .dbd.O or .dbd.S;Q.sub.3 is CH.sub.

Abstract: A method of assisting a mammal having a lung disorder to breathe ambient gas normally, i.e., without the assistance of a ventilator. The method includes providing an animal having a lung disorder, such as surfactant deficiency, stiff lung, or hyperinflated lung syndrome, and instilling a minimum effective dose of a perfluorochemical liquid or emulsion through the trachea for coating the alveolar sacs of a lung of the mammal. The preferred perfluorochemicals have a very low vapor pressure to avoid inducing hyperinflated lung syndrome and are supplied in a minimum effective dosage sufficient to coat the inner lung surfaces. The perfluorochemicals are permeable to the ambient gas and reside substantially permanently within the alveolar sacs without inducing hyperinflated lung syndrome. The liquid is instilled in an amount sufficient to enable the animal to breathe the ambient gas normally with O.sub.2 /CO.sub.2 blood gas exchange. Effective coating of the lungs with a small (generally <0.

Abstract: A spray can holding and actuation device comprises a rim engagement element and a mechanism for compressing the rim engagement element against the rim surrounding the push-button valve on the can to attach the device to the rim. In a preferred embodiment, the compressing mechanism comprises a locking element that is selectively movable to a locking position in which it compresses the rim engagement element into a locking attachment to the rim. More specifically, the rim engagement element comprises a pair of opposed segments that together define a substantially annular interior surface that fits loosely around the exterior of the rim, and the locking element comprises a substantially annular member that is movable into and out of a compressing engagement with the exterior surface of the rim engagement element segments. As the locking element is moved into the compressing engagement with the segments, it presses them toward each other into a clamping engagement with the rim.

Abstract: A conductive polymer device includes an active element comprising a conductive polymeric layer laminated between a pair of electrodes to which terminal leads are attached. The active element is enclosed in an insulative package. Each of the electrodes may be formed integrally with its associated terminal lead in a single lead frame, with a layer of conductive polymeric material laminated between two such lead frames. Alternatively, a conductive polymeric layer may be laminated between two electrodes, with a terminal lead then being soldered to each electrode. The insulative package for the active element may be either an over-molded housing encasing the active element, or a pre-molded housing having a cavity into which the active element is installed, and which is then hermetically sealed with a suitable sealant material.

Abstract: Minor groove binding molecules are covalently bound to oligonucleotides which in their base sequence are complementary to a target sequence of single stranded or double stranded DNA, RNA or hybrids thereof. The covalently bound oligonucleotide minor groove binder conjugates strongly bind to the target sequence of the complementary strand.

Abstract: A syringe actuation device includes a housing containing a spring-biased piston that applies an actuation force to a syringe plunger inserted into the housing. A pivoting mechanism causes the piston to pivot with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing as the piston moves along that axis to actuate the plunger, whereby the axially-directed component of the force applied by the piston to the plunger remains substantially constant throughout the stroke of the piston. In one embodiment, the device comprises an internally-threaded outer sleeve having a longitudinal opening for receiving a pre-filled syringe with an extended plunger and a distal opening through which the syringe barrel extends, and an externally-threaded cylinder, containing the piston, that threads into the proximal end of the sleeve so as to bring the piston to bear against the plunger. The pivoting mechanism comprises a tapered internal diameter of the cylinder, and a sloped spring seat on the piston.

Abstract: Filaments having a thin exterior tungsten phosphide layer for use in incandescent lamps are made by exposing tungsten filaments to vapors of elemental phosphorous at approximately 675.degree. to 725.degree. C. in an evacuated vacuum furnace. The tungsten phosphide layer protects the filaments from oxidation while the lamps are manufactured, and decomposes to tungsten and phosphorous when the lamp is first energized by current. The resulting elemental phosphorous acts as a gettering agent.

Abstract: A thermal fuse device for over-current protection includes a fusing element comprising a conductive strip having a fulcrum point between first and second ends. The fuse strip is connected to first and second terminal pads on a substrate by a first solder joint between the first end and the first terminal pad, and a second solder joint between the fulcrum point and the second terminal pad. The second end of the strip is resiliently pressed against the interior surface of a housing that holds the substrate. The inwardly-directed pressure applied to the second end of the fuse strip by the housing is resisted by the first and second solder joints, whereby the fuse strip remains immobile. A resistive element on the substrate generates heat in response to the flow of current.

Abstract: A vascular hemostasis device comprises a shaft coaxially received within a hollow tube, and having a distal end formed with an opposed pair of resilient grasping prongs. The tube has an open distal end that may be situated percutaneously adjacent a vascular puncture site. The shaft and the tube are axially movable with respect to one another, so that the distal end of the shaft may be selectively extended from and partially retracted into the distal end of the tube by means of an actuation member attached to the shaft. When the distal shaft end is in its extended position, the prongs are exposed from the distal end of the tube, and they resiliently expand to an open position. When the distal shaft end is moved to its retracted position, the prongs are partially retracted into the distal end of the tube, radially contracting them to a closed position. In contracting, the prongs grasp and gather tissue adjacent the puncture site to obstruct bleeding therefrom.