Abstract: Novel iodinated and radioiodinated 1,2-diacylglycerol analogues are biological reagents for studying the effect of diacylglycerols in the activation of protein kinase C. This calcium-requiring enzyme may be involved in tumor promotion by phorbol diesters and related compounds. Iodinated and radioiodinated 1,2-diacylglycerol analogues, in accordance with the invention, are useful as imaging agents, such as radiopaques and radiopharmaceuticals, and have the general formula: ##STR1## The triglycerol backbone structure is 1,2-disubstituted with one position being occupied by an iodine-containing substituent, preferably an amino-substituted-2,4,6-triiodophenyl aliphatic chain, such as iopanoic acid, or by a monoiodiphenyl aliphatic chain, such as (m-iodophenyl)propanoic acid. The other position may be substituted with saturated and unsaturated long and short aliphatic chains.

Abstract: A system for measuring dissolved oxygen in a fluid employs a galvanic electrode operated in a transient mode. In operation, the galvanic electrode is intermittently coupled and decoupled, under computer control, to and from a sampling system. The sampling system samples the transient current which results from the intermittency, and generates a current-time curve. Prior to the first use of the galvanic electrode, however, the galvanic electrode is calibrated, a theoretical current-time curve is generated, and the residual current of the galvanic electrode is recorded. Such calibration and residual current data is used to generate simulation data corresponding to a simulation curve. The concentration of dissolved oxygen in the test fluid is determined using the simulation data.

Abstract: A sanitary toilet seat cover is formed of a nonporous, nondisintegratable material, such as plastic sheet material, for protecting a user from disease-causing micro-organisms. The toilet seat cover of the present invention has integrally formed therewith a protective flap portion which ensures against contact by any part of the anatomy of the user with the inside of the front of either the commode or the toilet seat itself. In accordance with a manufacturing method aspect of the invention, a plurality of toilet seat covers are produced from a continuous sleeve of the nonporous material. After perforation lines are made in the sleeve to facilitate separation of the individual toilet seat covers, as well as removing a blank central portion and producing the protective flap, the continuous sleeve may be folded so that, after rolling, it can be accommodated on the axle of a dispenser having the dimensions of conventional bathroom tissue.

Abstract: A novel modified clay sorbent and method of treating industrial effluents to remove trace pollutants, such as dioxins, biphenyls, and polyaromatics such as benzo(a)pyrene and pentachlorophenol. The novel clay sorbent has a composite structure in which the interlayer space of an expandable clay, such as smectite, is filled with polyvalent or multivalent inorganic cations which forces weaker surfactant cations to locate on the surface of the clay in such an orientation that the resulting composite is hydrophilic in nature. A specific example is cetylpyridinium-hydroxy aluminum-montmorillonite. In certain embodiments, a non-expanding clay, such as kaolinite, is used and surfactant cations are necessarily located on an external surface of the clay. A specific example is cetylpyridinium-kaolinite.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure, in the form of a resonant-tunneling transistor employs a quantum well region which is at a lower potential than the conduction band edge in the contacts, as a result of the lower band gap of InGaAs relative to GaAs. Thus, the first energy level in the well lies below the conduction band edge in the contact, and therefore base electrons are retained in bond states. In addition, the base-collector barrier is extended by a gradient of Al.sub.x Ga.sub.1-x As. In the specific embodiment, the barrier is extended by some 300 .ANG., and the proportion of Al decreases away from the barrier until only n.sup.+ GaAs is present. In this manner, tunneling current between the base and collector is significantly reduced, without adversely affecting emitter-collector tunneling current. The structure described herein can be used in a variety of materials, and transistor structures, such as the induced base transistor, in addition to the resonant-tunneling transistor.

Abstract: A cadaver preparation station which is particularly adapted for embalming and dissecting a cadaver is provided with a pair of air exhaust vents in the form of longitudinal slits mounted on a tray support so as to extending along either side of a tray on which the cadaver rests. The air exhaust vents eliminate noxious and potentially carcinogenic formaldehyde fumes, as well as reduce offensive odors. The tray has a drain hole therethrough which, when the tray is installed on the tray support, is disposed over a sink. A deployable system of flush fluid conduits with nozzles affixed thereto maintain a fluid flush on the tray. Thus, excess embalming fluid, tissues, and discharges from the cadaver are caused to flow along the tray and through its drain hole into the sink. The sink has a rim flush system associated therewith for maintaining a continuous water flush. A comminuting arrangement in the drain of the sink facilitates disposal of tissues and clots.

Abstract: A system for assessing the diagnostic reasoning ability of learners engaged in a field of study employs a coded situation test and utilizes a computerized process for grading examinations taken by the learners and for rating their capacity for diagnostic reasoning. The computerized diagnostic reasoning evaluation instrument embodies storage in a test file of the situation test description which describes, illustratively in narrative form, a plurality of problems associated with the situation test employing a plurality of phrases. Each phrase has associated therewith a respective phrase identification symbol which is used by the examinee to record answers to the examination. In a nursing embodiment of the invention, each learner selects from a listing of possible problems. Those problems which are considered by the learner to be significant and present in the situation test are then identified by storing their respectively associated code symbol.

Abstract: A system for extracting sodium, particularly radioactive .sup.22 Na, from aluminum utilizes a monel exhaust system for exhausting sodium vapor emitted from a molten aluminum target, in a draft of helium gas. The aluminum target is heated until it is melted in a graphite support cup. The graphite support does not react with the sodium. Moreover, the graphite is understood to be permeable to the helium gas, its porosity being believed to provide the significant advantage that the graphite holder will not absorb much of the sodium vapor. The use of graphite avoids a disadvantageous monel-aluminum reaction whereby an alloy from which sodium cannot be distilled is formed. The resulting sodium vapor is precipitated in a monel exhaust tube which is subjected to temperature control. Sodium can be rinsed from the monel exhaust tube with water.

Abstract: An optical system employs an internally conical reflector for converting circular fringe information, such as that which is produced by a Fabry-Perot Interferometer, into linear information whereby the reflected light can be received by conventional linear array detectors, such as charge coupled device which are used in spectroscopic analysis. The azimuthal angle of the detected circular fringe pattern is reduced with the use of a tele-kaleidoscope having a predetermined arrangement of mirrors. Electromagnetic energy which is issued from the interferometer is propagated substantially along the conical axis of the cone of which the reflector forms a segment, and is reflected and focused substantially onto a line in the vicinity of the conical axis, where the linear detector is situated. In a preferred embodiment, the apex of the cone is situated where the conical axis intersects the focal plane of the circular fringe pattern.

Abstract: A check system for a chemical fire extinguisher utilizes a normally-closed check valve to prevent escape of pressurized chemical during periodic maintenance of a pressure monitoring system, such as a pressure gauge. An actuator member which is disposed within the flow channel of the fire extinguisher system is used to apply a force to the check system whereby a normally-closed check valve is urged to its open state. This open state establishes communication between the interior of the pressurized tank and the pressure monitoring system. Removal, or loosening, of a coupler, or union, which secures the pressure monitoring system to the chemical tank, permits the check valve to return to its normally-closed state. Thus, the pressure monitoring system can be removed and serviced periodically without requiring the pressurized tank to be emptied.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in determining the orientation and location of an image plane, particularly when imaging the head of a human being, has an elongated flexible channel provided for containing an imaging-opaque fluid which is visible in the image. First and second carriers are each provided for supporting three respective portions of the elongated flexible channel at respective orientations transverse to the image plane and in predetermined space relation with respect to one another. Preferably, the portions of the said elongated flexible channel are arranged substantially as legs of a triangle. A support arrangement maintains the first and second carriers in fixed spatial relation to one another and to the head of the human being. The present invention can be used in any of several known imaging modalities by using appropriate contrast agents.

Abstract: Iodinated clonidine derivatives useful, inter alia, as a probe for identification and characterization of .alpha..sub.2 -adrenergic receptor sites and as tracers for imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography or computer assisted tomography. Binding competition studies have indicated that p-iodoclonidine, for example, is a particularly efficacious binder for .alpha..sub.2 -adrenergic sites.

Abstract: Novel iodinated arylaliphatic triglyceride analogs, as radiologic agents are liver and hepatocyte site-specific. The triglyceride backbone structure is preferably 1,3-disubstituted or 1,2,3-trisubstituted with, in some embodiments, a 3-substituted-2,4,6-triiodophenyl aliphatic chain wherein the chain has a structure similar to naturally occurring fatty acids. In another embodiment, a monoiodophenyl aliphatic chain is utilized. Any position remaining on the triglyceride backbone is substituted with a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain of the type found in naturally occurring fatty acids. The triglyceride analogs can be radioiodinated. In a preferred embodiment, a lipid emulsion is provided as the carrier vehicle.

Abstract: A therapeutic respiratory apparatus is used to provide a continuous dosage of an aerosolized medicament to a patient. Pressurized carrier gas, which may be a mixture of oxygen and air, is supplied to a nebulizer which contains a reservoir of the liquid medicament. The aerosolized medicament is then delivered to a collapsible chamber which serves to store the aerosol between inhalations by the patient. Upon inhalation, the peak demand for the aerosolized mixture is drawn from the collapsible chamber, which is caused to collapse, so as to be reduced in its volume. A one-way valve prevents gas exhaled by the patient from being urged into the collapsible chamber. The exhalation gas is vented into the ambient air via exhaust valves in a mask, which may be an oxygen mask, coupled to the collapsible chamber.

Abstract: A positron microscope system utilizing image enhancement to overcome problems associated with low positron source flux can be operated in transmission and reflection modes. In the practice of the invention, slow positrons which are emitted after moderation of a positron source are focused, as a source beam, on a specimen target. In some embodiments, the source beam is swept over the specimen target, to effect scanning thereof. Image enchancement is effected by a channel electron multiplier array (CEMA) which may have a plurality of plates. The cloud of electrons which is generated by a CEMA in response to each incident positron is accelerated toward a long persistence phosphor screen. Image acquisition is achieved by a low light video system which delivers its signal to a memory which stores the data. The data is subsequently subjected to an image analysis algorithm which facilitates accumulation and signal averaging.

Abstract: An arrangement for determing the most likely interaction time corresponding to an observed pulse in a system having statistical processes is provided with a timing arrangement for producing a plurality of timing signals, the timing signals having a predetermined time relationship with respect to one another. A plurality of sampling elements, each having an input for receiving a respectively associated signal vector to be sampled in accordance with at least one of the timing signals, and an output for producing an associated portion of an analog vector signal are additionally provided. A digital memory stores data corresponding to a plurality of weighting coefficient vectors, the weighting coefficient vectors being formed of values corresponding to a predetermined characteristic of the shape of the pulse event and at least one of the statistical processes.

Abstract: A combination scoop and mold is provided with a mold cavity formed of said walls and a food displacement arrangement which ejects the molded food therefrom. Preferably, the food displacement member which causes ejection of the food also forms a back wall of the mold cavity and is coupled to a trigger which is actuatable by the user of the scoop arrangement. Preferably, the side walls are planar and parallel with each other, and may have any desired shape. Such a shape will determine the shape of the edible novelty which is formed by use of the scoop. In certain embodiments, the side walls may be replaceable so that a variety of novelty shapes may be used.

Abstract: A toothbrush is provided with a plurality of bristles arranged perpendicular to the working surface of the brush head, and a further plurality of bristles arranged at an angle with respect thereto of preferably 45.degree.. The angled bristles extend from a working platform which is installed on the working surface of the brush head and which provides a further working surface. Such angled bristles promote cleansing of the gingival margin and the gingival sulcus, without requiring the toothbrush head to be canted during brushing. In a highly advantageous embodiment of the invention, further angled bristles are provided extending from a region near the juncture of the working platform and the first working surface of the brush head. In addition, soft perpendicular bristles are arranged to extend from the further working surface.

Abstract: A liquid scintillation counter system utilizes multiplexing to monitor scintillation events in a continuously flowing effluent, using relatively few sensors, such as photomultiplier tubes, each such photomultiplier tube, in a specific embodiment, receiving light generated by scintillation events at a plurality of predetermined monitoring points along the flow path of the effluent. Each monitoring point, is coupled by means of light guides to at least two of the photomultiplier tubes. Some background noise is eliminated by use of discriminators which establish a predetermined threshold level for the magnitude of the outputs of the photomultiplier tube, above which the pulses are countable. Coincident circuitry is used to determine the presence of a scintillation event, and thereby issue a coincidence pulse which is counted. In accordance with the invention, n photomultiplier tubes can be used to monitor (n/2)(n-1) monitoring points along the flow path.

Abstract: A system for locating the position of a source of a detachable emittance is particularly adapted for locating the position of a scintillation event in a scintillation crystal which has arranged adjacent thereto a plurality of photomultiplier tubes arranged in a predetermined configuration for detecting the scintillation event. In a single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) embodiment, a system which utilizes the present invention is initialized by storing weighting factors which are derived from placing a source of radiation in a plurality of known locations. The output values of the photomultiplier tubes are stored in a calibration file and subjected to a mathematical process to produce the weighting factors which are subsequently stored in a memory. During operation of the system, the signal values from the photomultiplier tubes are combined with the weighting factors to produce weighted signals which are then summed together to produce a composite weighted signal.