Abstract: An aqueous phosphoric bonding solution and coating composition slurry which are environmentally friendly in that they are generally free of molybdate or chromium. Yet the solution is stable with respect to inorganic metal particles, especially aluminum which are admixed to the bonding solution for the preparation of the coating slurry. The metal coated parts and the method of coating the parts with the coating composition are also described. The parts have very satisfactory properties.

Abstract: Aquatic animals that emit electrical signals are used to detect changes in the operating conditions of an aqueous medium (e.g., the presence of a pollutant). In one embodiment, the aquatic test animals are fishes of a species known as Apteronotus albifrons, whose electrical signals have frequency variations on the order of 0.1% under constant operating conditions; the temperature of the aqueous medium is stabilized to within 0.1.degree. C.; each aquatic test animal is placed in a perforated refuge within a holding tank in which the aqueous medium flows in a vertical direction; and three or more aquatic test animals are used, wherein phases of nychthemeral activity of the aquatic test animals are artificially offset to achieve overlapping of the nychthemeral activity of the aquatic test animals. All of these combine to yield a highly sensitive and reliable system for real-time biological monitoring of physico-chemical parameters of an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A Ni/Cd or Ni/hydride storage battery of the button cell type has a positive electrode tablet based on a nickel hydroxide powder having an active mass comprised of spherical particles with a high pycnometric density (d>3.5 g/cm.sup.3). In contrast to conventional nickel hydroxide powders having irregular particles, a better space utilization is achieved during dry pressing due to a narrow particle-size distribution having a maximum in a range of from 5 to 20 .mu.m, and due to the rounded particle surfaces. The specific volumetric capacity of the resulting button cell electrode is consequently approximately 25% higher than that of a conventional positive button cell electrode. A microporous separator having pore sizes smaller than the mean diameter of the spherical particles prevents the danger of short circuits.

Abstract: A dual state mirror assembly for use with motor vehicles includes a housing having an open front for receiving an outer substrate to form an enclosure. The outer substrate has a surface coated with a thin metal film to act as a beam splitter. An inner substrate having a reflective front surface is mounted within the enclosure so that in a first position, the inner substrate is in direct contact with the outer substrate, to produce a single bright reflected image, and so that in a second position, the inner substrate is placed at an angle with respect to the outer substrate, to provide a dimmed image and to minimize glare.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endodontic instrument which can be fitted on a vibratory handpiece (1) for the treatment of a tooth canal or the retreatment thereof, wherein it is made up of a rigid proximal portion constituting the sleeve which allows it to be fixed to the vibratory handpiece (1), of a median portion (4) which is also rigid and whose axis forms an angle (x) with the proximal portion, and of a distal portion (5) whose axis at the end forms an angle (y) with the median portion in the direction opposite that of the proximal portion, said distal portion being of a general conical line and of a dimension at the tip permitting its penetration into the canal.

Abstract: A device for sampling biological materials having a tube having a front segment and rear segment, wherein the outer diameter of the front segment is smaller than the outer diameter of the rear segment. The inner diameter of the front segment is smaller than the inner diameter of the rear segment. The front segment has a distal opening. A rod having a piston having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the rear segment, wherein the rod is engaged within the tube, the piston is positioned within the rear segment, such that when the rod is partially withdrawn from the tube, a negative pressure is created in the front segment that is greater than the negative pressure created within part of the rear segment by the partial withdrawal of the rod, thereby enabling the sampling of the biological materials through the distal opening.

Abstract: An improved aluminide coating especially for heat resistant superalloy substrates. Slurry coating compositions of eutectic metal alloy powders and of non-eutectic metal powders. A process for coating the substrates and the coated metal parts. The coatings have improved resistance to developing cracks and to hot corrosion and oxidation.

Abstract: A screening method to determine whether a chemical inhibits the function of a class of bacterial periplasmic oxidoreductase enzymes, exemplified by TcpG of Vibrio cholerae, DsbA E. coli, and Por of Haemophilus influenzae, id disclosed.

Abstract: A prismatic electrochemical cell includes electrode plate blocks in which the stacked positive and negative electrode plates are separated by separators and are connected by current conductors to the corresponding terminal posts by crimping current conductors in the form of wires to collar-shaped portions of the terminal posts.

Abstract: A lightweight, remote-controlled, self-propelled equipment support and transport system is stabilized against unwanted angular deviation in each of three perpendicular axes and adapted for motion at high speed along a simple tubular monorail. The system can be quickly and efficiently ground-mounted on stands, suspended horizontally from brackets or from a variety of overhead supports, or vertically mounted alongside a mast or wall. The system includes an elongated drive car running on and partly surrounding a rail, and an equipment support associated with the drive car and configured so that the supported equipment is transversely and longitudinally spaced and balanced about a point just below the center of the rail. The equipment support is mounted in angular isolation relative to the drive car by a system of damped pivots about pitch and yaw axes.

Abstract: Motorized craft, for propelling a person lying in a horizontal position, comprising a hull (1), a water pipe extending through the craft longitudinally on which a propeller is located and two handles (4) designed to be grasped by the user. The craft of the invention is characterized in that said hull (1) includes on the rear part thereof a surface (2) for supporting the user lying on his stomach, so that at least one portion of his body is supported. The user guides the craft by simply applying pressure with his forearm on the side to which he wants to turn, his legs acting as the rudder. The craft of the invention is simple, light and compact and fits easily into the boot of the car, making it rapid and handy to use.

Abstract: Compostable and biodegradable compositions of a blend of natural cellulosic and thermoplastic biodegradable fibers are disclosed. Typically the compositions include cotton and cellulose acetate. A process for the manufacture of a nonwoven composition which comprises a compostable blend of natural cellulosic fibers such as cotton and thermoplastic biodegradable fibers such as cellulose acetate; the blend is then carded to obtain the nonwoven composition.

Abstract: Composite structure comprising one or more plies of nonwoven and one or more plies of film, these being manufactured from thermoplastics, wherein all the plies of nonwoven of which the structure is composed are totally manufactured from a polymer or a copolymer or a blend of polymers derived from lactic acid and wherein all the plies of film are totally manufactured from a polymer of the BAPE (biodegradable aliphatic polyester) type. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing said composite structure.Application: Diapers, sanitary napkins, protective garments, surgical drapes and masks in the medical field and certain products for absorption and filtration, protection of plants in agriculture and mulching.

Abstract: An apparatus for gliding on snow with improved stability and better edge-setting in turns includes a single board having a raised tip at the front and a heel at the rear, and a safety binding assembly for securely joining boots to the board. The safety binding assembly includes first and second bindings positioned on the board to prevent movement and rotation in translation, and to form an angle between 0 and 20 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the board. The bindings are longitudinally displaced so that the longitudinal distance between them is at most equal to 100 millimeters. The sides of the board include center portions which are concave in shape between the tip and heel of the board, and rectilinear portions located where the center portions of the sides intersect with the tip and heel of the board.

Abstract: Novel hybrid molecules comprising an RNA and a DNA portion are disclosed. A method for synthesizing the molecule is disclosed.

Abstract: The surface of a web or film is modified to impart the material with improved properties including wettability, printability, adhesion and static reduction. Such surface modification is achieved with an electrode structure which causes a filamentary discharge to pass generally horizontally across a surface of the electrode structure. A substrate to be treated is then positioned adjacent to the surface of the electrode structure so that the filamentary discharge is caused to flow horizontally across the surface of the substrate, in turn modifying the surface of the substrate and achieving the desired improvement in properties.

Abstract: A prismatic galvanic cell having a large number of electrode pairs separated by separators is provided with electrode plates having current tapping lugs which extend from upper or lateral edges of the plates, and which include flexible tongues extending along and parallel to the plate edges. The flexible tongues of grouped electrode plates of the same polarity are connected to the terminal posts of the cell in a manner which precludes short circuiting and which accommodates the increased bending stresses typical of such cells.

Abstract: A single-stage low temperature catalytic process for desulphurisation of a gas which contains a mixture of H.sub.2 S and SO.sub.2 which process includes feeding the gas to be treated at a temperature below the dew point of sulphur to a Claus converter having a Claus catalyst in a reaction stage in which the catalyst includes a composite catalytic mass of alumina and one or more compounds of titanium, yttrium, lanthanum or the rare-earth elements of atomic number 58 to 71, and contacting the gas with the Claus catalyst at a temperature below the dew point of sulphur, by which sulphur deposits on the Claus catalyst and the gas is desulphurised.

Abstract: A process for the pollution-cleaning treatment of air combines the actions of dehumidification, thermal control, washing of the gases, fixing of the particles, disinfection, spraying and vaporization. An apparatus is provided for implementing the process, and includes a cyclone exchanger or a pseudo-cyclone exchanger which includes a nozzle for injecting a fixing liquid into the inlet stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the racks and installation wiring of telephone switch equipment takes the form of a module capable of insertion into the various slots of a particular rack configuration. The module includes a circuit board which terminates in a connector suitable for interconnection with a particular telephone switch system, and which receives a continuity testing subassembly useful in performing the desired testing. To this end, selected contacts (or pins) of the connector are coupled with a light emitting diode (LED) and a biasing circuit for operating the LED responsive to connection of the biasing circuit to ground. Each LED, and the biasing circuit, is provided with a suitable operating voltage which can either be derived from the rack which is being tested or a battery which is resident in the test apparatus.