Abstract: A self contained mobile unit for cleaning carpets or other industrial cleaning applications and for liquid recovery and storage is described. The unit contains large fresh water and waste water storage tanks and a high pressure water pump and vacuum blower unit. The water pump and blower are powered by a hydraulic motor which in turn is powered by a hydraulic pump driven from a power take off from the main motive engine of the mobile unit.

Abstract: A tilting and laterally folding wheelchair design is described in which a tilting mechanism incorporating a pivoting action at both the front and back of the chair is provided so that as the chair is tilted the center of gravity of the occupant is maintained relative to the wheelbase. A lateral folding device, which incorporates X-cross members free at their upper ends, is stabilized by link members which are pivotally mounted at their outer ends, so as to provide room for the chair to be folded laterally.

Abstract: Efficient, simple, miniature and economical piezoelectric and ultrasonic devices employing optical fibers coated with lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) thin piezoelectric and ferroelectric films are described. The PZT thin films are fabricated chemically by a sol-gel method. Optical fibers can be dipped into the PZT solution, and followed by an annealing and an electric poling process in order to achieve good piezoelectricity in the coated PZT films. This coating process can be devised as an on-line method and thus coating length can be larger than meters. Due to the long coating length, high piezoelectricity, miniature and flexible nature, devices using optical fibers may be used for medical, telecommunication and sensor applications.

Abstract: A simple flexible connector tube for use between an anaesthetic machine or a respirator is described. A flexible corrugated pipe is divided by an internal common wall into a larger and smaller flow passage and is provided with a bayonet type connector at the patient end and at least one of a quick release double friction fit connector at the machine end.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and apparatus are described for measuring the oxygen concentration in the infected cells of the nodules of nitrogen fixing plants in the laboratory or field. In many cases, this information can be used to estimate the nitrogenase activity, and therefore the nitrogen fixation rate, in these nodules since recent studies have shown that the oxygen concentration limits and controls nitrogenase activity under most environmental conditions. Using the same apparatus, a method to measure nodule respiration and nodule oxygen permeability is also described. The nodule oxygen concentration in the infected cells of nodules is maintained at very low levels and has not been measurable previously by non-invasive techniques.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive storage container for newspapers and the like is described for attachment to an apartment door or the like, such that papers can be inserted from the top but cannot be removed until the door is opened so as to expose an open side of the container. The container is secured in tamper proof manner by adhesive or simple slot and screw means.

Abstract: A method of detecting and treating malignant and non-malignant tissue abnormalities and lesions of the skin, conjunctives, respiratory, digestive and vaginal mucosa; endometrium and urothelium in which 5-aminolevulinic acid is administered to the patient in an amount sufficient to induce synthesis of protoporphyrin IX in the leisons, followed by exposure of the treated lesion to a photoactivating light in the range 350-640 nm.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly beverage pack is described in which beverage cans are stacked in axially aligned groups of three or more. A sealant is adhered around the rim at the bottom of each can before stacking, and each group is then subjected to a vacuum to evacuate the space between the top and bottom of adjacent cans defined by the upper and lower rims around each can. The vacuum holds adjacent cans together and they can be separated by a snapping wrist action for use. If desired, groups may be paired and secured in parallel relationship by hot melt adhesive and handle means may also be provided.

Abstract: An atrial natriuretic peptide having profound natriuretic, diuretic and hypotensive effects, characterized by a 45 amino acid residue sequence: ##STR1## having a disulphide bond between the cysteine residues which may be extracted from mammalian heart atria is described. A synthetic peptide comprising the above sequence of 45 amino acids and a synthetic 29 amino acid residue peptide corresponding to residues 17-45 of the above sequence both containing a disulfide linkage between the cysteine residues have also been prepared and shown to have similar biological activity as the native peptides. A synthetic 23 amino acid residue peptide corresponding to residues 23-29, which is the disulphide bonded ring portion of the above sequences, has been shown to have biological activity.

Abstract: A floor anchor pocket for mounting in a vehicle designed to carry wheelchairs or cargo is described. The pocket is provided with an internally located spring and a specially shaped cut-out so as to provide positive self locking for a tie down strap hook which is insertable therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating heavy duty blasting mats. A plurality of parallel spaced curved steel rods are clamped at their lower ends in a frame so that reclaimed automobile tire sections can be threaded in a prearranged pattern onto the free upper ends thereof. When the rods are fully loaded, the upper ends of the rods are clamped in an upper frame, and the lower ends are released. A hydraulically operated rake is actuated to push the assembled tire sections off the lower ends of the rods and onto steel cables flexibly and releasably coupled thereto.

Abstract: An elbow prosthesis having a humeral component which substantially replicates the natural trochlear and capitellum convex bearing surfaces has been generated by computer analysis and may be fabricated by a computer controlled cutting and polishing device or may be made by precision casting from a "best-fit" type generalized series of moulds. The prosthesis may be inserted from the medial side of the elbow after preparing the distal humerus to provide a smooth convex surface which fits closely to an inside concave surface of the prosthetic element. The centroidal longitudinal axis of said convex bearing surfaces is coincident with the centroidal longitudinal axis of the concave surface.

Abstract: A thin plate patello-femoral-tibial resurfacing prosthesis is described. The patellar component is a metallic shell which is designed to be as thin as possible so as to retain maximum natural bone thickness and hence strength. The metallic patellar component articulates with a plastic insert in a metallic femoral component. The tibial bearing area of the femoral component is metallic for articulation with a plastic proximal tibial prosthesis.

Abstract: An automatically retractable seat cover for use by skiers and sports fans who use cold and/or wet seats is described. A plurality of foam pads are enclosed in a flexible cover and are freely interconnected by at least one elastic cord passing through opposed faces thereof which hold the pads in juxtaposition in a closed position at the user's waist and which can be extended by pulling the lowermost pad downwardly so that the pads form a lay flat seat upon which the user can sit, with his own weight holding the seat and cords in the extended position. Upon standing the cords automatically retract the seat to the folded position.

Abstract: Living tissues, such as hybridoma cells or insect cells suspended in a water soluble gelling agent, are microencapsulated in a double polymeric membrane microcapsule. The inner membrane is of a high molecular weight cut-off to permit outward diffusion of the gelling agent and also expansion of the microcapsule before formation of the outer membrane which is a relatively lower molecular weight cut-off. The living cells in the dual membrane microcapsule may be grown to an intracapsular density which is significantly higher than that which can be achieved by using single-membrane capsules. The recovery of intracapsular protein product (produced by the encapsulated cells) is also significantly higher and the loss of product through the membrane wall markedly lower for the dual membrane capsule than for the single membrane capsule.

Abstract: A package for cans of soft drinks, beer and the like is described. The package comprises a single long sleeve of shrink wrap plastic film within which the cans are stacked one on top of the other. A gap is arranged in the center of the stack so that the sleeve can be folded in half and the juxtaposed sides thereof are joined together by hot glue, and thus forming a handle between the two stacks. In an alternative embodiment the stacked cans are simply held by means of a gummed stretch tape around each pair of cans at the junction thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method which is specific to determining and is capable of enumerating Escherichia coli (E. coli) in a sample water or sewage specimen. The method comprises adding to a cultured specimen a chromogenic reagent which when subjected to in situ E. coli .beta.-glucuronidase activity produces clearly defined vivid colorization of any individual colonies derived from E. coli cells in the test specimen.

Abstract: A pulsed liquid injection device for injection of predetermined dosage volumes of medication at predetermined intervals of time over an extended period is described. A relatively large supply of medication is maintained in a bag under pressure, and metered portions thereof are released at time intervals by an electronically controlled metering device. The metering device includes a simple valve arrangement containing three flexible resilient elements arranged and controlled in such a way as to provide shut off of medication supply in the event of a malfunction, either electrical or mechanical.

Abstract: A process for producing a variety of chemical products, e.g., ethanol, by fermentation in which the product is removed from the fermentation medium as it is formed by liquid-liquid extraction using an extractant for the product which is immiscible with water. The extractant employed is chosen from the following groups: (A) double bond unsaturated aliphatic alcohols having 12 or more carbon atoms; (B) saturated branched chain aliphatic alcohols having 14 or more carbon atoms or mixtures thereof; (C) double bond unsaturated aliphatic acids having 12 or more carbon atoms; (D) aliphatic and aromatic mono-, di- or tri-esters having 12 or more carbon atoms, other than dibutyl phthalate; (E) aliphatic noncyclic ketones and aliphatic aldehydes having 12 or more carbon atoms; and (F) mixtures of extractants from groups (A) to (E) above or mixtures of at least one of the above extractants and at least one other extractant.