Abstract: Synthetic fuel and/or synthetic components for fuels are prepared from a mixture of aromatic polycarboxylic acids of suitable elementary composition, having a mean molecular weight of between 120 and 800 and an acidity of between 5 and 18 meq/g by partially decarboxylating them by heat treatment and subjecting the non-removed acidic functions to esterification with one or more alcohols or one or more olefins. This invention relates to a method for preparing a synthetic fuel and/or synthetic components for fuels, and the product obtained by said method.

Abstract: New retro-inverso peptides and peptide derivatives in the form of analogues of C-terminal hexapeptide fragments of Substance P, which are pharmacologically active, possess prolonged action with time, and are of general formula (I): ##STR1## they being useful as vasedilators.

Abstract: A special description is given of plasmids pSM15, pSM16 and pSM17, which are hybrid plasmids derived by coupling pUB110 and modified pE194. The described plasmids are cloning vectors in Bacillus subtilis and are characterised by a marker of resistance to Kanamycin and an EcoRI site located near the end of the ribosome recognition sequence; they can also be used to induce the coded heterologous protein from cloned DNA with sub-inhibiting doses of erythromycin.These plasmids are prepared via the formation of plasmids pSM4, pSM5 or pSM6, which can be expressed either in B. subtilis or in E. coli.

Abstract: Mixed phosphorous or arsenic salts of tetravalent metals are provided having the general formula M(HAO.sub.4).sub.2-x (HAO.sub.3).sub.x.nH.sub.2 O, where M is Zr, Ti or Hf, A is phosphorus or arsenic, x is between 0.05 and 1.95, and n is 0 to 6. The salts are highly stable and have wide potential application in the fields of ion exchange, catalysis, intercalation of molecules, solid electrolytes, and chromatography. The salts are prepared by reacting a halide, oxyhalide, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate or oxide of the tetravalent metal, preferably in an aqueous medium, with at least two oxygenated acids of phosphorus and/or arsenic.

Abstract: There is provided a solid composition of an organic fertilizer which is the solid product obtained by desalting a vinasse with phosphoric acid in the presence of ethanol. The product contains at least 1.5% of nitrogen, at least 4% of P.sub.2 O.sub.5, at least 5% of K.sub.2 O and at least 8% of carbon. Another composition, this one comprising a mixture of the foregoing with one or more inorganic or organic nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium compounds to yield a complex organo-mineral fertilizer, is also described.

Abstract: Moisture- and ash-free coking coal is micronized and admixed with a recycle oil, whereafter it is rapidly hydrogenated and one portion of the residue of the fractional distillation of the hydrogenation product is sent to hydrotreating, together with hydrogen. Conventional catalysts can be used both for the hydrogenation and the hydrotreating.A gaseous fraction, consisting of water vapor, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and C1-C4 hydrocarbon is obtained along with gasoline.Gasoil can be obtained together with gasoline.

Abstract: This invention relates to chemical products of general formula ##STR1## wherein R is an amino group, mono or bi-hydroxyalkyl substituted, or a thio group, mono hydroxyalkyl substituted, in which one or more of the available --OH groups have been esterified with acids containing 2 to 18 carbon atoms.It is also described a process for the preparation of said products, which comprises reacting a corresponding starting compound, N or S-hydroxyalkyl substituted, with the chloride or the anhydride of the acid concerned.

Abstract: Synthesis of an analogue of the (5-14) decapeptide of equine angiotensinogen partially retro-inverted at the Phe-Phe bond, of formula: ##STR1## The retro-inverso analogue inhibits renin with high resistance to enzymatic degradation, and can be used in the treatment of renin-dependent hypertension.

Abstract: There is provided an analog of the (5-14) decapeptide of equine angiotensinogen which is partially inverted at the Phe-Val bond, and which has the formula ##STR1## This retro-inverso analog inhibits renin with high resistance to enzymatic degradation and it can be used in the treatment of renin-dependent hypertension.

Abstract: This invention relates to new retro-inverso peptides and peptide derivatives in the form of analogues of the bradykinin potentiating peptide (BPP.sub.

Abstract: A description is given of the use of agricultural waste in the form of chemically treated cereal straw or fruit plant prunings together with the liquid residue from sugarbeet molasses in the production of balanced feedingstuffs suitable for feeding polygastric animals. The final useful mixture contains the agricultural waste as its main component and up to 60% of sugarbeet pulp, the remainder consisting of conventional additives.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of the alpha-galactosidase enzyme by culturing yeasts of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genus in a temperature range from 20.degree. C. to 40.degree. C.The invention also relates to a process for enzymic hydrolysis of raffinose by alpha-galactosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Such hydrolysis may take place with the yeast cells being present or also in the presence of enzymic extracts, both as such and enriched. An important advantage of the invention is the high alpha-galactosidasic activity of the selected microorganisms, together with the absence of any invertasic activity.

Abstract: A prosthetic polymer material is made non-thrombogenic by immobilizing apyrase on its surface. Immobilization is preferably carried out by hydrolytically activating the surface of a polyamide polymer or a polyethylene terphthalate polymer, and treating the hydrolyzed polymer with a solution of cross-linking agent and a solution of apyrase. The apyrase converts adenosine diphosphate to adenosine monophosphate and adenosine whereby the formation of thrombi is inhibited.

Abstract: It has been found that highly active uricase can be produced by fermentation from the microorganism Micrococcus roseus NRRL B 12196. The optimum activity of this microorganism is close to the pH values of the physiological liquors. The uricase so produced can be exploited in the clinical diagnostics for determining uric acid.

Abstract: The enzyme cholesterol esterase is produced by cultivating a strain of the Achromobacter delicatulus type, isolated from vegetable debris and identified by the symbol NRRL B-12115. Under the described culture conditions, the enzyme is exocellular and therefore does not require extraction from the cells.In addition, the micro-organism has a duplication time less than that of moulds and Actinomycetes. Cholesterol esters of fatty acids can be hydrolysed by adding them to the culture medium before inoculating the strain.

Abstract: For extracting undesirable components from vegetable tissues, more particularly from oil-bearing seeds having been stripped of the predominant fraction of their fatty components, a method is disclosed in which a number of serially arranged vessels equipped with stirring means is used in such a way that the materials to be treated are initially contacted by partially exhausted solvent and progressively with cleaner and cleaner solvent so that, when the solid materials are almost completely exhausted, they are washed with fresh solvent. The vessels are changed in rotational sequence, so that the system is continuous as regards the solvent and is discontinuous with respect to the solids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition suitable for testing biological tissues and/or liquids, the composition consisting of:(a) a dye chosen from the xanthene, azine, oxazine or acridine series, or from water-soluble dyes of the "diazo" series, or triphenylmethane,(b) a medium compatible with the biological tissue and/or liquid,(c) a substance capable of rapidly de-energizing the dye molecules when it encounters them (i.e. a quencher).The test method using said composition is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of the alpha-galactoxidase enzyme by culturing yeasts of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genus in a temperature range from 20.degree. C. to 40.degree. C.The invention also relates to a process for enzymic hydrolysis of raffinose by alpha-galactoxidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Such hydrolysis may take place with the yeast cells being present or also in the presence of enzymic extracts, both as such and enriched. An important advantage of the invention is the high alpha-galactoxidasic activity of the selected microorganisms, together with the absence of any invertasic activity.

Abstract: The invention provides photovoltaic cells of new design in which the two semiconductors have lattice parameters which differ by more than 5%. The n-type semiconductor material is constituted by high conductivity CdS doped with indium in a percentage higher than 1%, and the p-type semiconductor material is constituted by Si. The active surface of said cells is equal to or greater than 1.5 cm.sup.2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition suitable for testing biological tissues and/or liquids, the composition consisting of:(a) a dye chosen from the xanthene, azine, oxazine or acridine series, or from water-soluble dyes of the "diazo" series, or triphenylmethane,(b) a medium compatible with the biological tissue and/or liquid,(c) a substance capable of rapidly de-energising the dye molecules when it encounters them (i.e. a quencher).The test method using said composition is also described.