Abstract: A measuring device, in particular a caning gauge, for determining the size of openings and the distance between two adjacent openings, in an article of furniture, whereby the size of the cane to be used in the caning of the article can be determined. The device also includes indentations which may be utilized to determine if a particular cane is of the desired size. Advantages of the device of the present invention thus include the ability to use a single device to obtain all the measurements necessary to determine the correct size of cane to be used in caning a particular article of furniture.

Abstract: A process for producing bleached pulp from a fibrous plant material (e.g., wood), wherein the material is contacted with an alcohol solvent in a pulping zone to extract lignin from the fibrous plant material. The resulting pulp is then treated with a hydroperoxide or peroxide bleaching agent in a bleaching zone to form bleached pulp. Alcohol formed from the hydroperoxide or peroxide during the bleaching process may be recycled to the pulping zone. A preferred alcohol is tert-butyl alcohol, while a preferred hydroperoxide is tert-butyl hydroperoxide.

Abstract: A process for reacting a fluid phase (gaseous and/or liquid phase) in contact with a solid phase in a reaction zone, wherein the improvement in said process comprises reacting the fluid phase in contact with the solid phase in a horizontally-oriented fluidized bed vessel. The vessel includes at least two compartments or stages, and includes means for vibrating the vessel. The process of the present invention enables one to effect fluidization of the solid phase independently of the flow rate or velocity of the fluid phase, thus enabling proper contact time of the fluid phase with the solid phase and minimizing the amount of fluid phase reactant to be recycled.

Abstract: A method for protecting an animal, in particular swine, against mycoplasma pneumonia by administering intranasally to the animal a vaccine containing one or more proteins which elicits an antibody which recognizes a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae antigen which lacks immunosuppressive activity. A particularly preferred intranasal vaccine includes the 74.5 kDa antigen of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. The 74.5 kDa antigen may be of recombinant origin.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump for a first fluid has a housing with an inlet and includes a rotatable impeller which is adjacent to a stationary plate. The inlet communicates with a space defied between the impeller and the plate. An outlet adjacent to the periphery of the impeller also communicates with the space. The space is divided into a plurality of zig-zag pumping passages which extend from the inlet to the periphery of the impeller. Each passage has undulating sidewalls defined by complementary undulations in the facing surfaces of the plate and the impeller. Each passage also has endwalls defined by vanes mounted to the impeller. The vanes generally conform to the undulations in the impeller and are also complementary to the undulations in the plate. An injection port in the plate communicates with the space downstream of the inlet at a point where the lowest absolute pressure within the passages exists. A second fluid may be injected through the port and into the passages.

Abstract: A compound comprising an analogue of the melittin peptide having the following structural formula: ##STR1## wherein at least one and no more than four amino acid residues are omitted from the peptide, or at least one of amino acid residues 1-6, 8-18, or 20-26 in the peptide is substituted with a hydrophobic residue, provided that no more than two of amino acid residues 21-26 is substituted with a hydrophobic residue. Such deletion and substitution analogues are useful as antibiotics, antimicrobial agents, antifungal agents, anti-tumor agents, antiviral agents, or agents which stimulate wound healing.

Abstract: A process for the production of gasoline from a light hydrocarbon feed. The feed is catalytically aromatized to produce an effluent containing aromatics and olefins with the aromatics and olefins being subjected to alkylation to produce a gasoline product with a higher octane rating.

Abstract: A composition comprising a biologically active amphiphilic ion channel-forming peptide or ion channel forming protein and a toxic cation, such as a silver cation. Such compositions may be employed as pharmaceuticals, particularly for the treatment and prevention of eye infections.

Abstract: Processes for the regeneration of catalysts, such as hydrogenation catalysts, and the defouling of objects, which are contaminated with carbonaceous deposits. The catalyst or object is contacted with water, oxygen-containing gas, and at least one alkaline material maintained at a pH of at least 7.0, and at a temperature and pressure sufficient to combust at least a portion of the carbonaceous deposits. The process of the present invention enables one to remove carbonaceous deposits from catalysts or contaminated the leaching of metals from the catalysts or objects by acidic by-products of the combustion process.

Abstract: An optical circulator which includes a first birefringent plate for receiving an incident beam of light from a first port, a Faraday rotator, a polarization transforming device, and a second birefringent plate immediately adjacent a second port and the polarization transforming device. The optical circulator further includes means for diverting light traveling from the second port to a direction of travel which is at a right angle to the prior direction of travel, whereby the light is directed to a third port. The diverting means is immediately adjacent the first birefringent plate and the first port, and permits the clear passage of light from the first port to the first birefringent plate. The optical circulator has a simplified design while providing for the efficient transmission of polarized light.

Abstract: A sprung seat frame for a seat comprises a seat plate for carrying for example upholstery and a base plate for mounting the seat for example on a motor vehicle floor. A scissor-type lever assembly comprising first and second levers which cross and are pivotally connected together is operatively disposed between the seat plate and the base plate. A seat frame springing system includes a compression spring disposed between the lever assembly and the base plate. To produce a softer spring characteristic than would otherwise correspond to the spring characteristic of the compression spring, the seat frame includes a correction spring which is operatively arranged between the two levers at least approximately parallel to the seat and base plates so that upon sprung downward movement of the seat plate the correction spring moves from a position above the pivotal interconnection of the levers to a position beneath the interconnection.

Abstract: A composition comprising at least one biologically active amphiphilic peptide or protein, said peptide or protein being an ion channel-forming peptide or protein, and an antibiotic which inhibits DNA gyrase. The biologically active amphiphilic peptide and the antibiotic which inhibits DNA gyrase may be administered in amounts effective to inhibit growth of a target cell such as a bacterium.

Abstract: An assay for an analyte wherein sample is applied to a support capable of binding proteins by essentially only hydrogen bonding and fixed on the support. Analyte may be determined on the support by use of a suitable tracer. A preferred support is amphiphilic cellulose acetate. In an immunoassay, it is possible to determine analyte without use of a supported ("capture") antibody.

Abstract: A composition comprising an ethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer and an effective stabilizing amount of a phenolic complex of the formula: ##STR1## wherein at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, and R.sub.5 is --OH, and wherein the remaining R.sub.1 through R.sub.5 is hydrogen or an aliphatic hydrocarbon, and wherein each of R.sub.1 through R.sub.5 may be the same or different provided that at least one of R.sub.1 through R.sub.5 is --OH, and each of R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 is an alkylene group having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and each of R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 may be the same or different. The composition may further include a phosphite, a thioester or sulfide compound, and/or an inorganic filler such as tricalcium aluminate hexahydrate. Such compositions show improved melt stability at high temperatures and are useful as wire and cable coatings, films, and pipes.

Abstract: An armrest arrangement for a seat comprises an armrest support pivotably supporting an armrest, with an adjusting and retaining assembly operatively disposed between the armrest and its support for parallel displacement of the armrest in respect of height, in any angular position of the support. The armrest support rotatably carries three gears which are in meshing engagement with each other, the first thereof being rotatably disposed at the mounting axis at which the armrest is connected to the armrest support.

Abstract: A process for producing diesel fuel from a diesel hydrocarbon feed. Hydrogen is fed cocurrently with the feed to a first hydrogenation zone in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. Liquid effluent from the first hydrogenation zone is then passed to a second hydrogenation zone, wherein the liquid effluent is contacted countercurrently with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. Preferred hydrogenation catalysts are those comprising non-noble metals in the first hydrogenation zone, and may comprise noble or non-noble metals in the second hydrogenation zone.

Abstract: A process for the production of a foam-backed cushion portion with a cover covering same on all sides includes turning the cover inside out and applying the cover over a first mold portion of blade-like configuration with its outward surface over the first mold portion, arranged two second mold portions at respective sides of the first mold portion at a spacing therefrom, thereby forming at least one mold cavity between the first mold portion and the second mold portions. A reaction mixture is then introduced into the mold cavity to fill same with foam forming foam backing portions on the cover. The mold is then opened and the foam-backed cover is removed from the first mold portion and turned inside out to provide a foam-backed cushion portion, the cover which was disposed on the inward side of the foam material coming to lie on the outward side of the foam-backed cushion portion.

Abstract: A vaccine for protection against swine dysentery which comprises T. hyodysenteriae hemolysin and a physiologically acceptable vehicle for said peptide. The vaccine contains the hemolysin in an amount effective for protecting against swine dysentery. The invention also relates to a method of protecting swine against swine dysentery by administering to swine the vaccine described above.