Abstract: A method for monitoring water filter performance and efficiency, by correlating particle size and distribution to turbidity measurement. The method includes the steps of installing and calibrating the filter system, and periodically testing the filter system efficiency. The calibration of the filter system includes the step of preparing a calibration "challenge" solution having a predetermined count of particles of known size which will serve as "surrogates" for the particles which are to be removed during normal filtration. The turbidity of the calibration challenge solution is measured, and correlated to the particle count information. Similarly, the effluent turbidity is measured and a particle size distribution count made to verify the percent removal specified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to produce a thin film three dimensional microelectrode of an electrically conductive polymer having an organized array of identical microprotrusions, which method comprises:(a) depositing at least one conductive metal thin film on an essentially smooth substrate,(b) depositing a thin film of a micropositive photoresist on the surface of the at least one conductive metal thin film,(c) subjecting the combination of step (b) to photolithographic or electron beam lithographic conditions with a mask capable of producing a metallic microwell,(d) electrochemically polymerizing an electrically conductive polymer onto the conducting metal,(e) removing the photoresist to produce the three dimensional microelectrode array of the electrically conductive polymer. Preferred electrically conductive polymers of step (d) are selected from polypyrrole or polyaniline.

Abstract: This invention relates to a barrier module adapted to be connected in series with additional modules to form a continuous barrier system for collectively absorbing high-impact loads thereon by a road vehicle or the like. Each module comprises a container having a chamber adapted to be filled with a shock-absorbing medium, such as water. A continuous barrier system is formed by connecting a plurality of the modules together, in tandem, by one or more cables which function to transmit impact loads substantially uniformly to the modules concurrently. In carrying forth the method of this invention, the modules for the barrier system are placed in situ on a roadway or the like prior to their being filled with water.

Abstract: Electrodes of an electrical charge storage device are separated by forming on the surfaces of the electrodes arrays of substantially uniform electrically insulating microprotrusions made preferably of an organic epoxide polymer. The electrodes are thin, flat electrically conducting metal sheets coated on one or both flat surfaces with electrically conducting porous carbon or a porous metal oxide. The microprotrusions are applied to the coated electrodes through a stencil by screen printing and essentially retain their shape and dimensions after curing.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with novel ingestible cross-linked homopolymers having functional groups consisting of linear or branched amines, of the formula: ##STR1## and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the formulae: ##STR2## wherein P(or POLYMER .parallel.-) represents a hydrophobic, cross-linked and non-digestible homopolymer backbone; R is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl radical; X.sup.- is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion; m is an integer varying from 1 to 6 inclusive; and n, o and p are, independently, integers varying from 2 to 12 inclusive. The amine functionalized and cross-linked homopolymers of the invention are highly efficient adsorbents for bile acids and salts and can thus be used for reducing hypercholesterolemia in affected humans.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods using an organic iron chelate to remove pollutants from fluids, such as flue gas. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process to remove NO.sub.x and optionally SO.sub.2 from a fluid using a metal ion (Fe.sup.2+) chelate wherein the ligand is a dimercapto compound wherein the --SH groups are attached to adjacent carbon atoms (HS--C--C--SH) or (SH--C--CCSH) and contain a polar functional group so that the ligand of DMC chelate is water soluble. Alternatively, the DMC' is covalently attached to a water insoluble substrate such as a polymer or resin, e.g., polystyrene. The chelate is regenerated using electroreduction or a chemical additive. The dimercapto compound bonded to a water insoluble substrate is also useful to lower the concentration or remove hazardous metal ions from an aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the removal of cholesterol from a processed food or unprocessed food (dairy) product, which process comprises: (a) obtaining a processed or unprocessed food product containing cholesterol; (b) contacting the food product at a temperature of between about 35.degree. and 80.degree. C. with an amount of saponin effective to bind up to about 90% or more of the cholesterol present in the dairy product; (c) contacting at a temperature of between about 35.degree. and 80.degree. C. the product of (b) with an effective amount of diatomaceous earth; d) separating the insoluble diatomaceous earth containing the cholesterol:saponin complex by decanting, filtration, or centrifugation; and (e) recovering the food product having a reduced content of cholesterol.

Abstract: A pipette tip rack system is disclosed that includes a plurality of tip racks that may be nested one upon the other with an integrally formed locking mechanism that locks each rack to the one immediately below it. A cover member is also included that acts as a cover for the top rack in the stack. This cover also utilizes the same locking mechanism. Also included is a bottom member that serves as a dust cover and uses the same locking mechanism to permit its fixture to the bottom rack. The whole system when lockingly fixed together forms a relatively secure unit so that if it is upset the tips will not spill out. Further, each element in the stack retains its sterile condition. Finally, the stack of racks may be combined with a box having a top that fits over the cover and a bottom that receives the bottom member and lowest rack. This box may be removed from the stack and assembled so that a single rack may be used remote of the stack.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with novel ingestible polymeric amines in linear or branched form of the formula: ##STR1## and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the formulae: ##STR2## wherein P represents a hydrophilic, cross-linked and digestable polymer backbone; R is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl radical; X.sup.- is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion; m is an integer varying from 1 to 10 inclusive; and n, o and p are, independently, integers varying from 2 to 12 inclusive. The polymeric amines of the invention are highly efficient adsorbents for bile acids and salts and can thus be used for reducing hypercholesterolemia in affected humans.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of chiral enantiomerically pure .beta.-amino alcohols which are extraordinarily important as therapeutic agents for the treatment of a variety of human disorders and as chiral auxiliaries in organic synthesis. The hydroboration of enamines is a versatile and convenient method for the synthesis of both racemic and enantiomerically pure .beta.-amino alcohols in high yields. This methodology enables the synthesis of virtually any .beta.-amino alcohol. Hydroboration of these enamines with chiral organic borohydrides, e.g. either mono- or diisopinocampheylborane, followed by oxidation with aqueous or solid NaOH/30% H.sub.2 O.sub.2 or Me.sub.3 NO, gives the corresponding chiral .beta.-amino alcohol. Enantiomeric excesses ranged from 60% for reactions run at 25.degree. C. to greater than 99% for reactions run at -25.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an vitro device for the removal of ionized substances from a membrane sample without mechanical penetration, which device comprises:(a) a positive electrode;(b) a negative electrode, and(c) electrical insulation between subpart (a) and (b), wherein the positive electrode, and the negative electrode, and electrical insulation are positioned on the same side of the membrane sample. The present invention also relates to a device for the removal of or delivery of ionized substances to a mammal through intact skin or mucosal membrane without mechanical penetration, which device comprises: (a) a positive electrode, (b) a negative electrode, and (c) an electrically insulating material between subpart (a) and (b), wherein the positive electrode, negative electrode and insulating material are physically positioned so that each present a common surface of the device for contact with the same surface of the skin or mucosal membrane of the mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the concentration of NO in a gas, which process comprises:(A) contacting a gas sample containing NO with a gaseous oxidizing agent to oxidize the NO to NO.sub.2 ;(B) contacting the gas sample of step (A) comprising NO.sub.2 with an aqueous reagent of bisulfite/sulfite and a compound selected from urea, sulfamic acid, hydrazinium ion, hydrazoic acid, nitroaniline, sulfanilamide, sulfanilic acid, mercaptopropanoic acid, mercaptosuccinic acid, cysteine or combinations thereof at between about 0.degree. and 100.degree. C. at a pH of between about 1 and 7 for between about 0.01 and 60 sec; and(C) optionally contacting the reaction product of step (A) with conventional chemical reagents to reduce the concentrations of the organic products of the reaction in step (B) to environ-mentally acceptable levels. Urea or sulfamic acid are preferred, especially sulfamic acid, and step (C) is not necessary or performed.

Abstract: An intelligent vehicle highway system requires a multi-functional roadway reference system to help the vehicle locate its lateral and longitudinal position along a highway. This information at a minimum is required to control the vehicle. The present invention consists of a roadway reference system in which discrete markers installed in the center of a traffic lane code one or more bits of information. An on-board sensing system acquires the information when the vehicle passes over the reference markers and thereby determines vehicle deviation and upcoming road geometry. Other coded information may be provided through the passive discrete markers to include such items as geographical position, warning of future conditions and the like.