Abstract: Preparation and the diuretic utility of 11.beta.,18-epoxy-9.alpha.-halo-17,18-dihydroxy-3-oxo-17.alpha.-pregn-4-en e-21-carboxylic acid .gamma.-lactones and congeners are disclosed.

Abstract: The ends of submerged pipes are connected using a receiver provided with two apertures through which the pipe ends extend, the receiver being adapted to form a watertight enclosure with an intervention unit and housing means for closing the ends of the pipes comprising two stoppers bearing seal means to be applied against the inner walls of the pipe ends and being maintained spaced apart by a first boom, the receiver including means for supporting a sleeve to be connected to the ends of the pipes and a replacement boom located in the sleeve, the connection being performed by introducing the ends of the pipes to be connected into the receiver through the apertures, at least one of the pipe ends being introduced by movement of the receiver relative thereto, closing the ends of the pipes with the stoppers, causing an intervention unit to descend on to the receiver, providing a watertight enclosure therewith, removing the water from the enclosure and placing it under atmospheric pressure, placing the receiver und

Abstract: A metal wire to be coated with thermoplastic material is advanced at high speed, e.g. of 100 meters per minute, through a codirectionally moving mass of thermoplastic particles after having been heated to a temperature high enough to cause adhesion of these particles to the wire. The mass is mechanically entrained in a treatment chamber by an endless belt or the like at a speed close enough to that of the wire to hold the velocity difference therebetween below a threshold value, such as 30 meters per minute, above which an abrasive effect sets in which tends to detach already adhering particles from the wire. Upon exiting from the treatment chamber, the wire is reheated to fuse these particles into a continuous envelope and is then subjected to an electrostatic flocking operation for studding the envelope with radially projecting cellulosic fibers forming a velvety coating thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a building comprising at least one monobloc supping floor unit and external vertical wind-bracing structures serving for access, service areas and technical equipment, characterized by the fact that the floor unit comprises a plurality of prefabricated shaped concrete girders which are jointed and assembled side-by-side, and by the fact that this floor unit is connected to the external structures by at least one connection having a single degree of freedom and by at least one connection having two degrees of freedom, which absorb the dimensional variations in the floor unit transverse to the girders constituting said unit.

Abstract: A manufacturing bench for molded construction elements is disclosed comprising molds whose bottom walls are defined by an elongated table and whose lateral walls are constituted at least in part by flexible blades placed edgewise on the table which are held taut. The lateral walls are longitudinally displaceable.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for propelling ships comprising at least one surface which freely oscillates within a casing under the action of at least one shaft. The surface includes a main blade actuated by the shaft and a smaller leading blade connected to the main blade while providing a free space between the two blades.

Abstract: Wiper blade structure comprising a blade strip mounted at the ends of support arms. There is provided a center bridge forming at least two support arms for the middle region of the blade, and an outer bridge forming two support arms for the ends of the blade located on each side of the arms of the center bridge. The arms of said outer bridge are elastically deformable.

Abstract: A sundial which is adjustable with respect to its mounting location to correct for its earth location in both longitude and latitude. The sundial is provided with solar time equation indicia and indicator to correct real solar time to mean solar time and includes further indicia to determine the calendar date based on sun declination.

Abstract: A pipe line has a check valve therein, operable by an actuator. The actuator is connected to be operated by fluid pressure from the pipe line, and is connected with the pipe line by a control circuit including valve means. A differential pressure valve is connected in the control circuit, and is constructed to sense a drop in pressure within the pipe line downstream of the control valve. Upon sensing such a pressure drop, the differential pressure valve is effective to cause connection of the actuator to pipe line pressure upstream of the check valve, whereby the latter is automatically closed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a porous shaped body from rubber-like particles. The resulting shaped body is capable of retaining relatively large amounts of a liquid, such as ink, within its pores. Retained liquids can be controllably dispensed from the porous body by bringing it into pressure contact with a receptor surface.

Abstract: A plurality of audio message units are each comprised of a control circuit which receives intervaled timing pulses from a clock. The control circuit sends a start signal to a tape player. An audio detect circuit is connected to the audio output of the tape player and supplies a run and stop signal to the player through the control circuit upon the detection of an audio signal at the tape player output and its subsequent termination, respectively. Speakers are connected to the audio output of the tape player of each respective message unit to broadcast audio messages preprogrammed on the tapes of each tape player. A programmer for programming the tapes has a tape recorder with a microphone and a digital clock with means to set and incrementally advance displayed time to the time a particular message is to be broadcast by a particular audio message unit. The system may include a security message unit to broadcast audio messages reflecting the existence of a security violation.

Abstract: A method of casting decorative emblems from a polyurethane-type compound. A series of decorative discs are held flat and horizontal while the polyurethane composition is cast thereon to form a meniscus. The polyurethane composition comprises a polyether polyol component and a diisocyanate component. The cast polyurethane, when cured, gives a lens effect to the decorative discs.

Abstract: A new pharmaceutical compound having analgesic activity is disclosed. The compound is N-2, 6-dichloro-phenyl-2-aminopyrimidine. A method of preparing the compound is also disclosed as is a therapeutic composition which includes the compound.

Abstract: A pole piece is secured to a magnet by means of a connecting element running perpendicular to the common plane of the confronting surfaces of the magnet and the pole piece. The connecting element is welded to the pole piece and/or the magnet by electron bombardment or by means of a laser so as to cause minimum disturbance to the structure of the magnetic materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the regulation of cathode current density in electroplating baths, so that optimum deposition characteristics are obtained. The apparatus includes at least one controllable power supply unit, by means of which the plating current or voltage can be adjusted in accordance with the optimum current density J.sub.O, for the particular electroplating bath involved. The method includes the steps of measuring and adjusting the values of the plating current or voltage of the power supply unit in accordance with values determined from a graph F defined by the function U = F(I)J.sub.O, having the optimum current density J.sub.O as a parameter. The function defines the interdependence between the plating voltage and the current, with the J.sub.O as a parameter.The method facilitates the regulation of cathode current density to optimum deposition conditions, for electroplating articles having unknown and difficult to determine surface areas.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method for stabilizing interferon during purification, concentration, packaging, filtering and storage comprising treating an interferon preparation with an effective stabilizing amount of reduced glutathione, thiodiglycol, thioethanolamine, thioalkanoic acid having 1-7 carbon atoms, monothioglycerol, dithiothreitol, thioctic acid, N-acetylcysteine, or N-acetyl-homo-cysteine, as a sulfur containing reducing agent for selectively retaining interferon thiols in the reduced state. The method of the present invention preserves the activity of interferon by selectively retaining interferon sulfhydryl (SH) functions in the reduced state without reducing interferon disulfide linkages (--S--S--) which are essential for activity, or by selectively blocking interferon sulfhydryl groups.

Abstract: A demand controller for connecting and disconnecting loads from a power source has a plurality of control elements in two priority groups, an equal priority group and a set priority group. Loads are controlled by the control elements to be connected and disconnected. A control means directs signals for restoring and shedding the loads and for the priority between the two groups of control elements.

Abstract: The ultraviolet and infrared radiation from a source of UV radiation is subjected to the selective infrared radiation-filtering action of steam which transmits the ultraviolet rays while absorbing the infrared rays.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell comprising a rectangular tank divided into a plurality of adjacent compartments by a plurality of spaced apart parallel electrode plates. The outboard electrodes may form one pair of the opposite tank walls. Alternate electrodes are of opposite polarity and are connected to matching poles of a direct current source. The intermediate electrodes terminate short of the tank ends so that the slurry or solution may pass around both ends of the electrode as it flows through successive cells. An agitator is mounted in each compartment for reciprocation therein. The agitators are shaped and positioned to direct a predetermined volume of tank contents (slurry) against each electrode, the amount being directed against the cathode and anode respectively may be equal or unequal depending on the metal being recovered and the chemical reaction required at the electrode.

Abstract: An electrical oscillator having a piezoelectric resonator, the shift in frequency of which is automatically compensed when the oscillator is subjected to an acceleration. Consequently, the oscillator is practically insensitive to high accelerations and can be used as a frequency standard in an aircraft or space vehicle. Said oscillator comprises, in an oscillator loop, the resonator and a capacitance for adjusting frequency connected in series with the resonator. The adjusting capacitance is formed of at least one variable capacitor. Means sensitive to acceleration are provided for controlling the variable capacitor so that the frequency shift caused by the variable capacitor is opposed to the frequency shift of the resonator caused by acceleration.