Abstract: This is disclosed a process for the decomposition of halogenated hydrocarbons including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and chlorinated pesticides, as DDT and DDE. The process comprises microwave-mediated wet-ashing of the halogenated hydrocarbons(s) in controlled conditions to avoid an emission of noxious fumes from the reaction mixture. Preferably, the wet-ashing reagent is a 1:1 mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid.

Abstract: An image forming technique using a small, flat mirror is disclosed. A real, inverted image of an object is formed with infinite depth of field when the diameter of this mirror is between 0.15 and 0.4 millimeters. In smaller diameters, this forms a diffraction pattern image of an object. The optimal diameters depend on wavelength of the light and the distances involved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photochemical process for the manufacture of hydrogen peroxidewherein a 9,10-phenanthraquinone compound is exposed, in the presence of an effective amount of a hydrogen donor alcohol, to electromagnetic radiation to photoreduce the 9,10-phenanthraquinone compound to the correpsonding dihydro-compound,wherein the dihydro-compound obtained is oxidized to produce hydrogen peroxide and to regenerate the 9,10-phenanthraquinone compound, andcharacterized in that said 9,10-phenanthraquinone compound is selected from the group of compounds consisting of unsubstituted 9,10-phenanthraquinone and 9,10-phenanthraquinone substituted by one or more members of the class consisting of alkyl groups of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, --CF.sub.3, F and --SO.sub.3 M, M being H or an alkali metal.

Abstract: A method for inspecting the placement and alignment of surface mounted components on printed circuit boards during assembly. After the component is placed on the board, an infrared camera provides an image of leads on the component and corresponding soldering pads, to which the leads are to be soldered, on the board in a single exposure. The image is then processed by a computer and the position and orientations of the leads of the component with respect to the soldering pads are determined. As a result, any unsatisfactory misalignment of the component can be detected and defective printed circuit boards identified.

Abstract: An instrument to determine, under actual field conditions, which type of VA demand meters are most appropriate for a particular consumer. The type of electrical load that the consumer places on an electrical supply system can introduce harmonics and phase distortion in the system resulting in VA meters producing incorrect readings. These VA meters are intended to measure the true apparent power S which is defined as S=V.sub.rms XI.sub.rms but, are generally designed to operate according to one of the following approximate formula:(1) S'=V.sub.rect XI.sub.rect X(1.11).sup.2 and(2) S"=.sqroot.P.sup.2 +Q.sup.2 where P is the active power and Q the reactive power.The instrument contains circuit to measure the rms values of the voltage and current waveforms from which the true apparent power S can be obtained as well as circuits to determine the value S' and S" according to the two approximate formula from which error signals e.sub.1 and e.sub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically inspecting the geometry of a surface in an environment which is subject to the presence of external light noise perturbations. A beam of monochromatic light having a predetermined wavelength and a structured light pattern is projected onto the surface to thereby scatter the structured light beam and produce a scattered light beam which is thereafter separated into first and second scattered beam portions. The first scattered beam portion is passed through a first optical filter having a narrow bandwidth and a central wavelength corresponding substantially to the wavelength of the projected light, thereby providing a first optical output signal representative of the surface geometry and of external light noise perturbation.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with the specific processing of secreted proteins in genetically modified yeast cells. The yeast KEX1 gene was cloned and the KEX1 product was shown to be a serine protease, evidently a carboxypeptidase B-like protease. A probable site of processing of polypeptides by the KEX1 gene product is at the C-terminus of the .alpha. subunit of the killer toxin, where the mature toxin subunit is followed in the precursor by a pair of basic amino acid residues. Processing likely involves an endoprotease cut following these basic residues, and their subsequent C-terminal trimming by a carboxypeptidase. Consistent with the KEX1 product being this carboxypeptidase is the finding that it is also involved in .alpha.-factor pheromone production. In wildtype yeast, KEX1 is not essential for .alpha.-factor production, as the final hormone repeat in the prepro .alpha.-hormone precursor does not need C-terminal processing to form one copy of the active hormone. However, in a mutant strain where .

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for controlling certain common insect pests of stored food products in human residences, food storages and the like. It comprises, generally, a substrate, such as paper, cardboard or plastic and a deposit of silica aerogel particles releasably bonded to the substrate. The strength of the bond prevents the silica aerogel particles from being released by air currents but allows the particles to be picked up by some insects that contact the deposit.

Abstract: Gold is recovered from aqueous solutions which include a solubilizing reagent by contacting the solution with hydrogen under selected conditions until the gold precipitates, and removing the precipitate from the solution. The reagent comprises a thiourea or a thiosulfate and the solution is a leach, eluate or strip solution. The contacting may be by gas sparging or under hydrogen pressures, e.g. up to about 300 psi, and usually the temperature is within about 20.degree. to 170.degree. C. If the initial feed solution is too dilute, it can be concentrated by ion exchange or solvent extraction followed by elution or stripping respectively. Any silver present is precipitated with the gold.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cell culture apparatus particularly suitable for the culture of viable, shear sensitive cells, either grown in suspension or attached to a substrate such as microcarrier beads. The apparatus comprises a cell culture compartment and a compensation chamber disposed thereabove and serving to maintain sterile conditions for the cell culture compartment operating in a zero-headspace mode. The cell culture compartment comprises a gas exchange tube connected to an outside source of gas and defining a downflow zone and a central upflow zone in the cell culture compartment. An Archimedean screw-type auger is installed coaxially in the cell culture compartment to provide a circulating flow of liquid therein. The turbulence of the flow is reduced by the provision of an upper and lower flow guide surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to an explosive-containing device for cutting dense material, the device being particularly useful in forced entry situations, e.g. in law enforcement situations or where an immediate entry into a burning building through its wall is required.

Abstract: An insecticidal composition for controlling or inhibiting the growth of larvae of the Bertha armyworm, comprising an insecticidal substance of one or more strains of Bacillus thuringiensis and an insecticidally acceptable carrier. The strains belong to the varieties aizawai, kurstaki and kenyae and include Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai strain HD-133.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous ferric chloride leach process for the extraction of metal values from a metal-sulphide bearing material, the leach being carried out in the presence of a leaching aid chosen from among salts of diesters of sulphodicarboxylic acids. It, in particular, relates to the enhanced recovery of metal values from complex, metal-sulphide bearing materials such as, for example, fine grained, polymetallic sulphide ores, their concentrates or the like.

Abstract: New types of narrowband wavelength selective optical devices are described. Various configurations are possible, according to the invention, that perform as narrowband wavelength selective transmission or reflection filters or as narrowband wavelength selective optical taps or combiners. The optical devices of the invention include a 3 dB optical directional coupler and wavelength selecting elements such as Bragg reflection gratings or Fabry-Perot resonators usually positioned in optical symmetry with respect to the directional coupler. Two or more wavelength selecting elements can be used to obtain desired filtering characteristics.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system for transmitting ultrasonic pulses into an object and detecting reflected ultrasonic waves therefrom. The system is provided with delay lines for real time imaging. The system comprises a probe means having a transmitting bundle of acoustic waveguides for transmitting ultrasonic pulses into an object. The transmitting bundle includes the delay lines which consists of having cladded acoustic waveguides of different lengths for introducing different delays in the ultrasonic pulses carried by each waveguide.

Abstract: A novel scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is described which is constructed almost entirely of one metal e.g. aluminum and uses bimorph piezoelectric disks as the x, y, z drive elements. The design uses a simple, rugged tirpod configuration for the fine motion drive arms. Coarse motion of the sample, which is mounted on an aluminum holder, is achieved by pushing, or pulling, with a piezoelectric louse. Differential thermal expansion effects are avoided by design, to first order, and the resulting drift is .ltoreq.0.5 .ANG. per minute after only a short warm-up period. It is easy to build and operate, and has good immunity to mechanical vibrations.

Abstract: A process for the production of fermentable sugars from wood or other cellulose-containing biomasses, comprises the steps of (a) hydrolysing the biomass with a dilute sulfuric acid to dissolve hemicellulose while leaving most of cellulose in a solid phase, (b) separating the cellulose-containing solid phase, (c) subjecting the solid phase to rapid pyrolysis at a temperature of 400.degree.-600.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure, preferably in a fluidized bed reactor with a short vapor residence time, to obtain a crude pyrolysis product by condensing the pyrolytic vapors, (d) adjusting the water content of the crude product to form an aqueous phase with high carbohydrate content and a water-insoluble phase containing lignin-derived material, and (e) separating the aqueous phase. Optionally, the aqueous phase may be purified, e.g. by absorption.

Abstract: Low-rank or oxidized coal is processed to produce fuel of relatively higher calorific value by conditioning a slurry of the coal with an electrolyte, and then agglomerating the carbonaceous portion of the coal using a coal derived agglomerating oil. Agglomerates may be first formed in a high shear mixer and then larger agglomerates formed in a low speed mixer. The agglomerates may be processed in a coal liquefaction plant and a portion of the coal derived oil produced in the plant used as the agglomerating oil.

Abstract: This inverntion concerns a glycoamylase gene cloned into the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, method for cloning such a gene into such yeasts and cloning vehicles containing such a gene, suitable for use in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast containing a glucoamylase gene are of potential use in the brewing industry.

Abstract: Polymeric dielectrics which are exposed to highly divergent electric fields break down more quickly than expected because of the generation of ultra-violet radiation at defect points which degrades the polymer locally and leads to the formation of electrical trees in a polymeric insulation. The use of ultra-violet stabilizers, preferably in combination with reduced concentration of oxygen in the polymer, significantly extends the time to initiation of electrical treeing by preventing photodegradation of the polymer.