Abstract: Plasmid vectors are provided that carry complementary DNA (cDNA) clones coding for polypeptides exhibiting mammalian IgE binding factor activity. One of these clones contains an open reading frame consisting of 556 codons. The cDNA is derived from messenger RNA isolated from a rat/mouse T-cell hybridoma line. The cDNA was cloned by incorporation into a pcD plasmid vector. The plasmid vector also contains DNA segments from the SV40 virus, permitting expression of the cDNA to form a polypeptide having IgE potentiating activity after transfection into a mammalian host cell, such as monkey Cos7 cells.

Abstract: A surgical staple and method for its use in closing an opening in mammalian tissue are disclosed. The staple comprises a central portion of strong, ductile, non-absorbable material and lower leg portions of absorbable material positioned at opposite ends of the central portion. The staple when closed is bent in the central portion to form a crown portion, so that the lower leg portions are in positions which approximate one another. After engagement, the lower leg portions extend through the tissue on either side of a closed opening so as to hold the tissue firmly in the closed position. After sufficient tissue healing has occurred, the biodegradable lower leg portions will loosen from the central portion, thus allowing for facile removal of the central portion.

Abstract: Plasmid vectors are provided that carry complementary DNA (cDNA) clones coding for polypeptides exhibiting mammalian multi-lineage growth cell activity. One of these polypeptides is 166 amino acids in length, including a potential leader sequence of about 19 amino acids. The cDNA is derived from messenger RNA isolated from a mouse T-cell line after activation with concanavalin A. The cDNA was cloned by incorporation into a plasmid vector, which was then transformed into E. coli. The plasmid vector also contains DNA segments from the SV40 virus, permitting expression of the cDNA after transfection into a mammalian host cell, such as monkey COS-7 cells.

Abstract: A hybridoma for production of monoclonal antibodies specific for mouse interleukin-2, but which antibodies do not significantly cross-react with human or rat interleukin-2. The hybridoma is a fusion product of a mouse myeloma cell line and from a rat immunized with supernatant from a mouse T cell line.

Abstract: Methods of gravel packing a subterranean well located subsea utilizing through-the-flowline techniques are disclosed in which a sand slurry is pumped downwardly through one pipe of a dual pipe string and outwardly through an H-type crossover member (14, 15) into a perforated casing area (20) until the area is fully packed. In one method, the H-type crossover member (14) is provided with a flangible plug (14h) to allow bypass of the sand slurry once the perforated casing area is filled with aggregate. In another method, the gravel packing of the perforated casing area is accomplished utilizing a special TFL tool (25) which provides for injection of the sand slurry through an H-type crossover member (15) into the perforated casing area (20).

Abstract: A precision vector network analyzer which is suitable for a wide range of applications including both laboratory and automated production measurements and testing is disclosed. New measurement capabilities, greater ease of use, and nearly complete automation are provided. Contributions include fully corrdinated communications between subsystem modules; real time, two channel, precision vector measurements with complete, internal error correction; wide frequency capability from RF to millimeter bands; combined time and frequency domain analysis and display; measurements either in the swept or step frequency modes; and user definable test functions and calibration device sets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flowline swivel. The swivel is configured so that the product seals are easily replaceable, the included bearing are not exposes to contamination either during use or during replacement of the product seals, and the seal surfaces may be cleaned without disturbing the bearings. The swivel incorporates removable product and environmental seal surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for introducing and removing TFL tools from a subsea wellhead assembly. The apparatus includes an elongate member adapted to hold at least one TFL tool, docking hubs for aligning the elongate member with the wellhead, a clamping mechanism or the like for engaging the elongate member with the wellhead and a circulation for circulating fluid within the elongate member and the wellhead to transport the TFL tool between the elongate member and the wellhead. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes at least two elongate members and a diverter located between the elongate members and the clamping mechanism. The diverter permits alternate fluid communication between each elongate member and the wellhead assembly.

Abstract: A load carrying body for a truck or truck trailer, including a flat rigid bottom panel assembly and two flat rigid side panel assemblies respectively secured along their bottom edges to the respective side edges of the bottom panel assembly, all enclosed across their rear ends by a selectively latched or unlatched pivotally supported load retaining door assembly.A load manipulating door assembly, initially positioned to enclose the front end of the load carrying body, having a bottom and two side edge portions all supporting uninterrupted elongate flexible wiper strips respectively continuously maintained in uninterrupted sliding engagement with the inner surfaces of the load carrying body.

Abstract: A system for providing sustain, write and erase operations in an AC plasma gas display panel in which selstain circuits are created by integrating the sustain and selection functions. Each selstain circuit is deposited on a single integrate circuit. This circuit is fabricated with low voltage integrated circuit technology. In addition, the sustain signal is floated on the write/erase signal.

Abstract: The pitches of the several blades in a helicopter rotor assembly are controlled by individual blade control subsystems. Those blade control subsystems respond to the output signals from accelerometers mounted on the blades. The signals from the accelerometers are used to control the pitch of the blades on which the accelerometers are mounted as well as the pitch of other blades. By appropriate orientation of any accelerometer and filtering within a particular feedback subsystem, each subsystem is designed to correct particular modes of blade motion to the exclusion of other modes of motion by varying lift.

Abstract: A multi-microelectrode has a plurality of sensing elements formed in a linear array along a face of a metal foil substrate. The foil substrate is sufficiently rigid and tough to have a very small volume along a needle length yet support the array of sensing elements and their leads. The preferred substrate materials are tungsten and molybdenum. The leads are insulated from the substrate and from the surrounding environment. A multi-microelectrode is supported in a microelectrode assembly by a connector which includes a guide channel on a support plate. Electrical contacts which may be conformable to the microelectrode are located in the guide channel, and the microelectrode is clamped against those contacts.

Abstract: The intensity profile of a beam of electromagnetic waves such as a laser beam is shaped by means of a diffraction grating and/or prism in the beam path. In one embodiment, beams exhibiting Gaussian energy intensity profiles undergo an energy redistribution to approximately uniform profiles. A reflective or transmissive surface relief grating is employed with phase steps generally periodic except at the pattern center where a pattern phase reversal occurs. Prisms are cut and oriented relative to the incoming beam to operate at the Brewster's angle for compressing or expanding the beam with minimum losses.

Abstract: A layer of material such as the metal base of a transistor is embedded in single crystal. A layer of the material with small, uniformly dimensioned and uniformly spaced openings is formed on a single crystal substrate, and the single crystal is grown from the exposed portions of the substrate over the layer of material. For best results, the layer of material to be embedded is deposited relative to the crystal orientation to provide a much greater rate of crystal growth laterally across the layer than away from the crystal substrate. The method is particularly useful in fabricating a permeable base transistor having slits formed in the metal base layer. An integrated circuit can be fabricated by forming a pattern of conductive material on a single crystal, that pattern having continuous regions which inhibit further crystal growth and narrow regions or regions having openings therein which permit lateral crystal growth across those regions.

Abstract: A tennis racket exercise weight assembly, readily secured to and removed from the strings traversing the head of a cooperating tennis racket, opposing elements of which are clamped to a racket for use to assist in developing the particular muscles required to hold and swing a tennis racket in the manner in which the racket is used in playing the game of tennis and particularly useful in combination with a cooperating tennis racket with its head and the exercise weight assembly clamped thereto enclosed within a correspondingly shaped closely fitted substantially air impervious racket cover of the conventional well-known type.

Abstract: This invention relates to self-contained self-storing opening means for hollow containers such as thin-walled metal beverage cans customarily provided with attached opening means therefor arranged to be or able to be pulled loose from the can and discarded hazardously underfoot and typically featuring an opening therethrough with a hazardous raw metal edge. This invention provides a can cover including a flap portion and a pull tab, respectively having first and second mating portions mutually fixedly interfitted and permanently interconnected, located either fixedly in the cover or together rotatable with the flap portion inwardly of the can as it is opened, the pull tab having an annular end portion encircling the opening formed by breaking open the flap portion and covering the raw edge of this opening in its final protective position. Accordingly, the present invention is useful on beverage cans and other hollow containers needing non-hazardous permanently attached opening means.

Abstract: A pheresis process and apparatus for carrying it out. Blood from a donor is transferred to a pheresis bowl formed to have a red cell reservoir and a plasma reservoir in fluid communication through plasma ducts. The pheresis bowl is adapted for centrifuging to separate the red cells and plasma. This separation is accomplished simultaneously with the withdrawal of blood from the donor. At the end of the withdrawal the red cells are returned to the donor. The connection with the donor is thus continuously maintained during the entire procedure. The process is safe, fast and economical.

Abstract: Sensitive testing transducers are mounted to an internally threaded cap. A split-ring sleeve having external threads is positioned around the cold tip of a cryogenic refrigerator. An internal flange on the sleeve abuts a shoulder on the cold tip to hold the sleeve on the cold tip while permitting rotation thereof. By positioning the cap over the cold tip and rotating the sleeve, the transducer supporting cap is moved into tight thermal contact with the end of the cold tip without disturbing the sensitive transducers.

Abstract: An improved bird feeder is disclosed herein of the type having a hollow housing for holding a main supply of bird feed with a plurality of feeding apertures located at different heights thereon. This improved bird feeder has means for retaining a supply of bird feed at the vertically staggered feeding apertures which are independent of the level of main supply in the housing. Because of this, bird feed is provided at a feeding aperture even after the main supply has dropped below that feeding aperture.

Abstract: A portable loam screening apparatus includes a nearly-square sloping shaker screen supported by a box-like frame. The frame has a tall end and a short end joined by two sides. Funneling surfaces directed toward the screen are provided along the upper edges of the tall end and the sides. The short end is closed to provide a wall between separated loam and coarse material. A mixture of loam and coarse material is dumped onto the shaker screen from the shovel of an excavating vehicle. The coarse material falls from the lower end of the shaker screen outside of the frame, and the loam passes through the shaker screen to within the box-like frame. The separated loam falls down a sloping table within the frame and can then be retrieved by an excavating vehicle through the open tall end of the frame. A set of wheels mounted to one side of the frame is moveable relative to the frame from an operative position for transporting the apparatus to an inoperative position for resting the frame flush on the ground.