Abstract: The present invention provides fiber optic couplers for use with at least three optic fibers. The optic fibers arranged in a linear array, that is, the optic fibers are coupled side by side. The fibers along either end of the linear-array are coupled only to a single fiber, while the remaining fibers are generally coupled between only two adjacent fibers. Generally, at least one of the fibers has a propagation constant different that the other fibers. Such variations in the propagation constant are used to vary the coupling coefficients among the fibers of the linear-array, thereby providing a repeatable mechanism, to vary coupled power ratios among the fibers of the coupler. Theoretical calculations and empirical experience have shown that varying the propagation constant of fibers among a linear-array, generally by pre-pulling the fibers by varying amounts, allows repeatable manufacturing of 1.times.3, 1.times.4, 4.thrfore.3, 1.times.N and even N.times.N fiber couplers having even coupled power ratios.

Abstract: A holder for use in building construction for holding anchor bolts, rebar, in-concrete plumbing, and the like, in predetermined positions during the pouring of concrete therearound The holder is molded in one piece from a suitable plastic and includes an elongated base plate, the front end which has an end hole therethrough; a sleeve projecting from the base plate over the end bole; elongated first and second re-enforcing side ribs providing from the base plate and connected to the sleeve; an end rib partially wrapped around the sleeve and integrally joining the sleeve and the forward ends of the side ribs where they meet the sleeve; a center rib projecting from the base plate between the side ribs and also connected to the sleeve; webs projecting from the base plate, interconnecting the side and center ribs, and having nail holes therethrough, and preferably also including an end plate.

Abstract: A urethral press seals the female bladder against the inadvertent discharge of urine into the urethra. The press comprises a resilient curved band, preferably U-shaped, having a first arm for insertion into the vagina and a second arm extending exteriorly of the vagina along the pubic area to provide a force to compress the bladder and the contiguous urethral walls to thereby seal the bladder.

Abstract: A guide assembly for performing a biopsy with a biopsy device having an elongated and substantially hollow cylindrical barrel is described. The guide assembly includes a bracket which is selectively movable relative to a base. The bracket has a longitudinal opening formed through a housing portion of the bracket into which the biopsy device may be mounted for guiding the biopsy device into desired tissue.

Abstract: A synthetic polymer filament is characterized by a trilobal void that extends centrally and axially through the filament. Each apex of the void extends toward the approximate midpoint of one side of the exterior configuration of the filament. The trilobal void has a modification ratio in the range from about 1.4 to about 3.0 and occupies from about five percent (5%) to about thirty percent (30%) of the cross sectional area of the filament. At a given constant void percentage a decrease of modification ratio increases the degree of sparkle.A spinneret plate for producing the thermoplastic synthetic polymer filament has a cluster of three generally arrow-shaped orifices centered about a central point. Each orifice is defined by a first and a second outer leg joined together at a pointed end directed away from a central point of the cluster. Each orifice has a central leg extending from the jointure of the outer legs toward the central point of the cluster.

Abstract: This invention pertains to melt spun fibers of copolymers formed from tetra-fluoro ethylene and perfluorovinyl monomers and a process for their formation. In the process of this invention fibers exhibiting high strength and low shrinkage are drawn from the melt at SSFs of at least 500.times..

Abstract: An improved process for converting an acylcic monoolefin to its corresponding terminal organonitrile by reacting the monoolefin with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of zero-valent nickel, a phosphite ligand, and an insoluble Lewis acid promoter.

Abstract: Modified starches prepared by cooking an amphoteric or cationic starch and an anionic, amphoteric, or cationic polyacrylamide have utility as a retention aid in the manufacture of paper.

Abstract: A positive selection vector is provided for the transformation and screening of Gram positive bacteria and particularly Bacillus sp. for the presence of foreign DNA. The vector comprises a mutant gene encoding a signal peptide processing mutation. Expression of the mutant gene in a Bacillus host cell which lacks the ability to metabolize sucrose is lethal when cells are grown in the presence of sucrose. Foreign DNA may be inserted into the vector so as to inactivate the mutant gene thereby permitting the cells to grow in the presence of sucrose and allowing for facile selection of transformants.

Abstract: The invention provides new variants of recombinant human interferon-.gamma. (rhIFN-.gamma.), vectors and host cells for their production, and therapeutic methods employing them. The variants are characterized by the substitution of one or more pairs of amino acids selected from Glu.sup.8 -Ser.sup.70, Ala.sup.18 -His.sup.112, Lys.sup.81 Leu.sup.121, and Gln.sup.49 -Leu.sup.96 by pairs of Cys residues, and optionally by the deletion of from one to ten amino acid residues from C-terminus of the native IFN-.gamma. sequence. The variants of the invention exhibit greater thermal stability and no loss of biological activity as compared to native-sequence rhIFN-.gamma..

Abstract: A tool suspension rack includes an elongated flat rack body having two opposite end portions and two opposite sides, a handgrip formed on one of the two end portions of the rack body, a plurality of coupling bars formed on each of the two sides of the rack body, and two juxtaposed upright clamping pieces each having a first end portion formed on the rack body and a second end portion formed with an arcuate limiting flange facing each other.

Abstract: A fog-resistant polyolefin packaging film is prepared by producing a film of a formulation comprising ethylene or a polypropylene polymer, having incorporated therein and an antifog agent comprising: a) a C8 or higher ester, diester, and/or triester of a C2 to C8 polyhydric alcohol; and b) a mono-or dialkoxylated C10 or higher amine. In a preferred embodiment, said film further comprises c) an alkoxylated alkylphenol or derivatives thereof. Said antifog agent is present in an amount which imparts antifog resistance performance to said film in about less than an hour.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for avidin immobilized on an inert support material, e.g. agarose, are disclosed. The compositions have high activity levels of avidin and may further include a bulking agent, e.g., maltose, and a protectant to maintain the stability and integrity of the avidin agarose during lyophilization and terminal sterilization processes. These compositions have applicability in any instance where avidin agarose and/or the avidin/biotin technology are useful. In particular, the present compositions are useful in an enzyme capture system to prepare fibrin monomer useful for fibrin sealants. The fibrin is prepared by subjecting a fibrinogen-containing composition to a biotinylated enzyme to convert the fibrinogen in the composition to a corresponding fibrin monomer. A fibrin monomer/biotinylated enzyme mixture is formed.

Abstract: A slash and cut resistant garment for protecting a person from injury by slashing or cutting with a blade, knife or other sharp edged device, which garment is shaped to fit and be removably secured to at least a portion of the person's body that requires protection from injury, the garment comprising in its body protection areas, a major portion of a slash and cut resistant fiber knitted with a minor portion of a stretch fiber, the weight, knit and layers of fabric being selected according to the degree of slash and cut resistance required for the garment. In its most particular form, the invention is a neck protector and the slash and cut resistant fabric covers the neck of the person and extends downwardly to cover a portion of the collarbones and upwardly around the neck to a position that is just below the chin and has the shape of a turtleneck garment or dickey.

Abstract: A polymeric yarn to be coated with electroless nickel is pretreated with an acid and a surfactant to render the yarn surfaces water wettable and not substantially mechanically degraded. All surfaces of yarn formed of polymeric monofilament fibers are coated with a layer of electroless nickel which can also include an electrolytic metal such as copper on the nickel. The yarn is passed through an electroless Ni aqueous bath under little or no tension so that the electroless Ni can coat all of the monofilament surface substantially uniformly. The nickel coated yarn then can be coated with electrolytic metal such as copper in an electrolytic metal plating step.

Abstract: Poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) fibers are disclosed which have been grafted with nitrobenzyl, allyl, or nitrostilbene groups to increase adhesion of the fibers to rubber. A process for making the grafted fibers is, also, disclosed.

Abstract: A unitary tray and blade guide frame including longitudinal members extending from rigid, integral attachment with a back tray. An end frame member transversely, rigidly mounts to the longitudinal frame members and the back tray. A blade guide mounts to the back tray, with its upper surface flush with the upper surface of the back tray. A thickness tray slidably mounts in slots formed in the longitudinal frame members. An adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of the thickness tray. A food product workpiece extends downwardly from a reciprocatably displaceable workpiece retaining carriage, and rests on the upper surface of the thickness tray. The carriage advances the workpiece into a blade, which removes a slice from the workpiece. The lower surface of the remaining workpiece slides against the upper surface of the blade guide and the back tray.

Abstract: A breathable composite sheet material includes a first layer of flash-spun polyethylene plexifilamentary film-fibril sheet and a second layer of a thermoplastic open mesh fabric thermally laminated to the first layer. The composite sheet has an average tensile strength and an average grab tensile strength that are each at least 10% greater than the sum of the tensile and grab strengths of the first and second layers. The average tensile strength of the composite sheet after exposure to 400 mJ/m.sup.2 of ultraviolet light is at least 65% of the tensile strength of the sheet before any substantial exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Novel triphenylbis(fluoroalkoxy)phosphoranes and a process for their preparation are disclosed. Also disclosed is a process for making fluorinated ketals by reacting phosphoranes with fluorinated ketones.