Abstract: Graphite intercalation compound interposing at least PbCl.sub.2 interlaminarly among graphite, synthesized by mixing a raw material graphite, PbCl.sub.2, and a metal halide other than PbCl.sub.2 and heating the mixture.

Abstract: An optical glass for a press lens composed of 25 to 41 mol % of SiO.sub.2, 10 to 30 mol % of B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 18 to 40 mol % of PbO, 1 to 10 mol % of Na.sub.2 O, 1 to 15 mol % of K.sub.2 O, 2 to 20 mol % of Li.sub.2 O, and 0.3 to 3 mol % of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detection of at least one allele of a genetic locus and can be used to provide direct determination of the haplotype. The method comprises amplifying genomic DNA with a primer pair that spans an intron sequence and defines a DNA sequence in genetic linkage with an allele to be detected. The primer-defined DNA sequence contains a sufficient number of intron sequence nucleotides to characterize the allele. Genomic DNA is amplified to produce an amplified DNA sequence characteristic of the allele. The amplified DNA sequence is analyzed to detect the presence of a genetic variation in the amplified DNA sequence such as a change in the length of the sequence, gain or loss of a restriction site or substitution of a nucleotide. The variation is characteristic of the allele to be detected and can be used to detect remote alleles. Kits comprising one or more of the reagents used in the method are also described.

Abstract: A method for determining normal intrauterine pregnancy during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy comprises obtaining a test sample; and determining the presence of a fetal restricted antigen in the sample. The test sample is removed the vaginal cavity in the vicinity of the cervical canal and/or the cervical os. One fetal restricted antigen is fetal fibronectin.In one embodiment of this invention, the test sample is contacted with an insoluble support to which anti-(fetal restricted antigen) antibody is adhered, and the fetal restricted antigen binding to the support is determined. Alternatively, the test sample is contacted with an insoluble support to which is adhered an antibody which binds a class of substances including the fetal restricted antigen; and the fetal restricted antigen binding to the support is determined. Reagents and reagent kits are also included.

Abstract: A method and reagents are provided for determining whether a human cell is a hemopoietic cell and whether a human tissue cell is in a neoplastic state. Human cells which express only leukocyte-plastin (1-plastin) are hemopoietic cells and human cells which express both 1-plastin and tissue-plastin (t-plastin) are neoplastic. The method can be performed using isoform-specific plastin nucleotide probes or isoform-specific antiplastin antibodies.

Abstract: A transplantable artificial tissue matrix structure containing viable cells which is suitable for insertion into the body is made by polymerizing precursors in an aqueous solution to form a shape retaining solid matrix comprising viable cells, matrix polymer and reversible gel polymer. The solution contains a matrix polymer precursor, a reversible gel polymer precursor, and viable cells. The reversible gel polymer is dissolved and removed to yield an insoluble, porous matrix containing viable cells. The conditions and reagents are selected to maintain the viability of the cells. The invention is particularly suitable for artificial transplant matrix tissue containing pancreatic islet cells.

Abstract: A transplantable artificial tissue matrix structure containing viable cells which is suitable for insertion into the body is made by polymerizing precursors in an aqueous solution to form a shape retaining solid matrix comprising viable cells, matrix polymer and reversible gel polymer. The solution contains a matrix polymer precursor, a reversible gel polymer precursor, and viable cells. The reversible gel polymer is dissolved and removed to yield an insoluble, porous matrix containing viable cells. The conditions and reagents are selected to maintain the viability of the cells. The invention is particularly suitable for artificial transplant matrix tissue containing pancreatic islet cells.

Abstract: Methods and reagents for early detection of myocardial infarction determine the level of CK-MM.sub.A and the level of the combined CK-MM.sub.A and CK-MM.sub.B in a serum sample. From these measurements, the time of the acute phase can be more accurately determined. Novel anti-(CK-MM.sub.A) antibodies, anti-(CK-MM.sub.B) antibodies, anti-(CK-MM.sub.(A+B)) antibodies, labeled and insolubilized derivatives of these antibodies, labeled CK-MM isoforms, and kits containing one or more of these reagents are also described.

Abstract: Ice nucleation bacteria are modified in vitro to confer an ice nucleation deficient phenotype. Modification is accomplished by deletion, substitution, insertion, inversion, or transversion of a DNA segment within the gene locus responsible for the INA phenotype. By limiting such mutations to the particular gene locus, the modified microorganisms are genetically stable and free from random mutations which might adversely affect their competitive fitness. The modified microorganisms are useful for prevention of frost damage to susceptible plant hosts.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing an optical detection of a binding reaction between a ligand and an antiligand, including, a pattern formed by a spatial array of microscopic dimensions of antiligand material, ligand material interacting with the antiligand material to produce a binding reaction between the ligand and the antiligand in the pattern, a source of optical radiation including energy at at least one wavelength directed to the pattern at a particular incidence angle to produce scattering of the energy from the pattern in accordance with the binding reaction and with a strong scattering intensity at one or more Bragg scattering angles, and at least one optical detector located relative to the pattern and aligned with a Bragg scattering angle to detect the strong scattering intensity at the Bragg scattering angle to produce a signal representative of the binding reaction.