Abstract: An immunoassay procedure is provided which exhibits increased specificity over current procedures. The procedure allows the differentiation of animals infected with Brucella abortus from animals vaccinated with Brucella abortus Strain 19. The invention employs unique monospecific monoclonal antibodies having particular affinity, specificity and binding characteristics directed to a B. abortus lipopolysaccharide antigen. The invention also concerns continuous hybrid cell lines for producing the unique monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: A process for growing a light-weight, transportable sod-mat and for facilitating the implantation of such a mat on a lawn bed comprises germinating lawn-grass seeds in a thin layer of growing medium spread over a mat of non-woven polypropylene laying on an impermeable membrane. After germination, the mat and the inseminated growing medium is installed over a layer of porous material such as decomposed granite covering a conditioned subsoil. Drip irrigation lines are run through the upper region of the porous material.

Abstract: Signals in synchronizing sequences and data sequences are transmitted over a fading channel to a Viterbi-receiver. The signals are received by antennas and sampled to received antenna signals (s.sub.in,r (k)). Part channel estimates (h.sub.est,r) for the individual antennas are formed. For Viterbi-analysis, assumed input signals (s.sub.a,r (.DELTA.T.sub.ij,k)) for the data sequence are produced with the aid of the part channel estimates (h.sub.est,r). Part metric values (m.sub.r (.DELTA.T.sub.ij, k)) are formed as a difference between the received antenna signal (s, .sub.in,r (k)) and corresponding assumed input signals (s.sub.a,r (.DELTA.T.sub.ij, k)) for Viterbi state transitions (.DELTA.T.sub.ij). For one state transition there is formed a metric value such as the sum of a metric value ((M(T.sub.j, k-1)) for an old state (T.sub.j) at a preceding sampling time point (k-1) increased with a weighted (K.sub.r) sum of the part metric values (m.sub.r (.DELTA.T.sub.

Abstract: A pipe restraining member comprising a collar member, flanges disposed on the collar member for connecting the collar member to a support, the collar member and the support being adapted cooperatively to encircle a first pipe member, lugs disposed on the collar member for connecting the collar member to a collar assembly encircling a second pipe member, and discrete groups of protrusions extending inwardly from an inside surface of the collar member and adapted to engage an external surface of the first pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for refrigerant recovery which removes refrigerant in liquid form from an air conditioning unit by cooling the refrigerant, thereby creating a temperature gradient between the air conditioning unit and the recovery apparatus which urges the refrigerant from the air conditioning unit into the apparatus, and then storing the refrigerant in a tank. Refrigerant vapor is pumped from the tank back into the air conditioning unit, thereby avoiding pressure buildup in the tank and also preventing the liquid refrigerant from being retained in the air conditioning unit due to vacuum created therein by the refrigerant removal. Cooling apparatus within the recovery apparatus uses a separate supply of refrigerant to cool the refrigerant, and neither the air conditioning unit itself nor the removed refrigerant is used for this purpose, allowing refrigerant removal from an inoperative air conditioning unit.

Abstract: A micro-heat-pipe catheter provides a hyperthermia or hypothermia source for the treatment of cancerous tumors or other diseased tissue. The heat-pipe is about the size of a hypodermic needle and is thermally insulated along a substantial portion of its length. The heat-pipe includes a channel, partially charged with an appropriate working fluid. Active or passive heat control tailors the delivery or removal of thermal energy directly to or from the tumor or diseased tissue site.

Abstract: A fire suppression system in which fire suppressant material is contained in a reservoir, the reservoir having an outlet and a system containing one or more nozzles from which the suppressant is delivered for fire suppresant purposes.The system incorporates a valve between the reservoir outlet and the nozzle(s) the valve including a movable valve member and a valve seat which cooperates with the movable member. The valve member is movable from a closed position with respect to the valve seat preventing communication of suppressant between the reservoir and the nozzle(s) to an open position permitting flow of the suppressant from the reservoir to the nozzle(s).An actuator is provided to selectively open and close the aforesaid valve member. The actuator maintains a fluid (preferably nitrogen) under pressure to maintain the valve member in the closed position and is operable to vent the fluid to lower the pressure in the valve, thus permitting the valve member to open.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved continuous phase for an oil based drilling fluid and specifically a synthetic hydrocarbon continuous phase which is non-polluting and minimally toxic. The invention provides excellent drilling fluid properties under a wide variety of drilling conditions. The synthetic hydrocarbons are selected from the group consisting of branched chain oligomers synthesized from one or more olefins containing a C.sub.2 to C.sub.14 chain length and wherein the oligomers have an average molecular weight of from 120 to 1000. In the drilling fluid compositions, suitable emulsifiers, wetting agents, viscosifiers, weight materials and fluid loss additives are utilized in conjunction with water and/or a brine phase for the desired rheological properties.

Abstract: A scent sampler construction comprising a panel having two oppositely facing folds that divide the panel into first, second, and third segments arranged in a generally z-shaped configuration with one side of the second segment overlapping a portion of one side of the first segment in face to face relation, and the other side of the second segment overlapping a portion of one side of the third segment in face to face relation. There is releasable adhesive between the facing sides of the second and the third segments, to releasably secure the outer and intermediate segments together in face-to-face relation. There is a burstable encapsulated scent sample between the facing portions of the second and the third segments so that the separation of the facing portions of the second and third segments releases the sample scent.

Abstract: In a telecommunication system, erroneous echo-elimination and equalization resulting from non-linearities of a D/A-converter and an A/D-converter are prevented. An error signal (e.sub.n) updates an adaptive echo-elimination filter and an adaptive equalization filter. The error signal (e.sub.n) also adjusts the values of specific adjustable devices, such as capacitors, in the converters to compensate for non-linearities in the converters. The error signal is used by logic devices to adjust the converters in accordance with various algorithms.

Abstract: Vanadyl ion compositions for promoting plant growth, especially plant fruits, and the methods for applying the compositions are provided. Specifically, the compositions comprise an organic compound or complex of vanadyl ions and a carrier liquid. Preferably, the organic compound or complex of vanadyl ions is a vanadyl salt of a carboxylic acid, and the pH of the composition ranges from 6 to 8.The composition is applied to plants, especially monocots and dicots, to promote the growth of the plants. The composition may be sprayed on the foliage of the plants, applied to the earth around the plants, or applied to the roots of the plants by irrigation. The composition should be applied during the growth period of the plants, and particularly from about 21 days before the begining of the reproductive stage of the plant to about 21 days after the begining of the reproductive stage of the plant. The composition should be applied to achieve a treatment rate ranging from about 0.0006 to 0.

Abstract: A modified quartz element having plasma and auxiliary gas ports, a upper chimney mount, a unique chimney holder and injection tube mount, and a compression plug is disclosed. The chimney holder and injection tube mount includes a specially machined groove so that a unique, double O-ring seal between the mount and the quartz element may be developed. The injection tube mount also includes a specially designed bore for receiving two O-rings so that the injector tube is supported in and sealed with the mount only through the use of resilient O-rings.

Abstract: Sodium Aluminosilicates (SAMS) are produced by silicate/clay reactions under hydrothermal conditions, the SAMS being characterized by low oil absorption values and high total pore volumes. The SAMS products are useful as coating pigments for paper, paper fillers and paint pigments.

Abstract: A coated product comprising a water soluble core material having a water insoluble polymeric coating encapsulating said core and a process for the production thereof. The encapsulating coating comprising a water-borne, polyvinylidene chloride-based latex composition which provides for the release of the water soluble core material over an extended period of time.

Abstract: The process comprises the steps of creating three reference points at an object and taking a tomogram of the object such that the three reference points define a first set of positional data in the tomogram. The object is then non-rigidly placed on a support for operation thereupon by an instrument which is mounted at a flexible arm containing sensors for sensing the movements of an instrument tip. The instrument tip is placed at the three reference points in order to create a second set of positional data which are in a fixed relationship to the first set of positional data. When the instrument is inserted into the object placed on the support, the positional data of the instrument tip during the insertion movement are sensed and related to the first set of positional data via the fixed relationship between the first and second sets of positional data.

Abstract: An automatically operated soap dispenser and hand dryer are provided in a single housing. The housing encloses a horizontally disposed transparent cylindrical chamber having an open front end and an opening in the upper wall thereof opposite which a self-sealing nipple valve on the end of a tubular member of a disposable liquid soap container resides. A cyclically operated actuating means located in the housing above the cylindrical chamber is controlled to automatically squeeze the tubular member and supply a single quantity of soap through the nipple valve in response to an upturned palm of a hand of the user being inserted into the cylindrical chamber The automatic hand dryer located in the housing below the cylindrical chamber provides for automatically discharging warm air through an outlet thereof in response to the hands of the user being positioned adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A clamping force equalizer for use in a generally rectangular fuel cell stack comprising two sheets of flexible metal sealed together at their edges and an electrically conductive material disposed between said sheets of flexible metal, said electrically conductive material being in a liquid state at a fuel cell operating material. The clamping force equalizer in accordance with this invention has a length and a width equivalent to the length and width of a horizontal plane of the fuel cell stack such that equalization of the clamping force applied to the fuel cell stack occurs over the entire horizontal plane of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A message display boot is provided for a fuel dispensing nozzle. The display boot comprises a flexible plastic boot in close conforming fit over at least the front valve housing of the nozzle. At the top of the boot is a message platform upon which a message placard can be rested. A skirted flexible cover conforming to the contour of the platform has a pattern of scalloped expansion folds, such that the cover is held on the platform by the close conforming fit of the skirt along and under the sides of the platform but can be easily pried off the platform to change the placard. The cover can be optically clear to hold a message placard on the platoform, or it may have a message imprinted on its top surface. A bellows portion at the bottom of the boot provides a conforming fit over nozzles of various height. In a preferred embodiment, the boot, platform and bumper are integrally molded of plastisol vinyl.