Abstract: The strength of interstitial free steels is increased by up to 100% and the ductile to brittle transition temperature is decreased by up to 100.degree. C. by warm finish rolling in the single phase ferrite region below A.sub.rl to effect ferrite dynamic recrystallization of the steel microstructure to a ferrite structure of grain size having a grain size of up to 5 .mu.m, and especially an ultra fine grain size of 1 to 2 .mu.m; the method may be employed in various hot working methods including strip and rod mills, planetary hot rolling and extrusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method to determine the safety of modified hemoglobin blood substitutes for human subjects prior to their clinical usages, wherein the method is based on complement activation reaction from adding modified hemoglobin blood substitutes to a human plasma sample and comprises the steps of: a) obtaining at least one plasma sample from at least one human subject by i) taking a blood sample and immediately centrifugating; and ii) separating the centrifuged blood sample of step i) and retaining the supernatant plasma; b) mixing the plasma of step ii) with the modified hemoglobin blood substitutes or control-ringer in a weight/volume ratio of about 4:1; c) incubating for a time sufficient to allow for a complement activation reaction to occur; d) adding the product of step c) to an appropriate volume of saline in an EDTA tube; and e) analyzing the degree of complement activation by analysis of the product of step d); thereby determining the safety of the modified hemoglobi

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies of class IgG1 and IgM possessing among others the property to bind to stable heteroduplex cruciform DNA structures constructed from two DNA plasmids, to the hybrid cell lines producing such antibodies, to a method for producing the cell lines and to a method for enhancing DNA replication in a cell system containing cruciforms functioning as signals for the initiation of DNA replication.

Abstract: In a laminar extrusion, overlapping layers of an EVOH phase are dispersed into a PP or MAPP matrix phase incompatible with the EVOH phase to form a vapor, gas and/or organic liquids barrier. When the matrix phase is a PP phase, MAPP can be added to improve adhesion between the overlapping layers and the matrix phase. MEPR and/or PE can also be mixed with the EVOH and/or PP phase to adjust the mechanical properties of the extrusion. In order to produce the extrusion, a molten polymer blend including bodies of the EVOH phase dispersed in the PP or MAPP phase is first prepared and then extruded through a die unit. In the die unit, a converging extensional flow is produced to lengthen the dispersed bodies of EVOH phase in a first direction while a diverging extensional flow lengthens these bodies in a second direction transversal to the first one. Such lengthening of the bodies produces in the extrusion the overlapping layers of EVOH phase.

Abstract: A microcapsule for oral administration comprising an outer layer membrane which is acid resistant and retains its structure in an alkaline environment, said membrane having dispersed therein at least one enzyme corresponding to an amino acid secreted into the intestinal or derived from a protein or peptide secreted into the intestinal tract. The present invention provides a microcapsule capable of removing specific unwanted amino acids secreted into the intestinal tract.

Abstract: Cast magnesium alloy parts being substantially free of microporosity and having a fine grain size are produced by addition of strontium in an amount of 0.001 to 0.1%, by weight, to the melt of the magnesium alloy, prior to casting; the addition of strontium effects a reduction in the grain size and concentrates the shrinkage microporosity, whereby the microporosity can be shifted by conventional techniques to an appendix of the casting which is subsequently removed.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery has a pair of electrodes, one having nickel hydrox as the active component and the other comprising as active component an amorphous alloy of at least one element selected from the group consisting of early transition metals and rare earth metals; and at least one late transition metal; the battery displays superior characteristics as compared with conventional Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries; essentially the battery functions as a hydrogen cell, involving intercalation of hydrogen into the amorphous alloy; a new method of charging involves charging a rechargeable cell and periodically interrupting the charging for a short interval and electrically shorting the cell during the short interval.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation, characterization and application of a bioherbicide composition characterized by its phytotoxcity towards the agricultural pest Convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed) and the aquatic weed Lemna paucicostata. The composition consists of a compound of formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from H and OH, and R.sub.2 is selected from --CH.sub.2 OH and --COOH, salts and esters thereof, in association with an agriculturally acceptable carrier. The herbicide of this invention can be used for the control of field binweed and potentially other pest plants.

Abstract: A modified shape memory alloy fibers exhibits a rapid twitch response under timulation by an action potential such as the heating effect of an electromagnetic pulse; in particular the relaxation time of the twitch response is considerably shortened as compared with that of the unmodified fibers; the modification is achieved by simultaneous application of a stretching force and a short, powerful electromagnetic pulse effective to bring about contraction resulting from the shape memory and change material properties; this application is carried out a plurality of times.

Abstract: Method for encapsulating biologically active material within a semipermeable capsule wherein gelled beads are obtained by suspending the material in a solution of a water-soluble substance which can be reversibly gelled, forming the solution into droplets and gelling the droplets to produce discrete shaped-retaining temporary gelled beads.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a novel bioherbicide and its use alone or in compositions, to control the growth of Polygonum convolvulus in agricultural crops such as cereals and other cultivated crops. The present invention is also concerned with a synergistic composition of the novel bioherbicide and a chemical herbicide. Specifically, the new fungus is Phoma sp. ATCC 20982.

Abstract: A gas jet actuator device is described for imparting controlled vibrations o an object to which the device is connected. The device comprises a conduit defining an inlet section which is connectible to a source of gas pressure, and a fork section downstream of the inlet section to define two or more diverging outlet sections disposed at predetermined angles. A nozzle is provided in the conduit upstream of the fork section a predetermined distance therefrom. A switching device is provided to cause a pressurized fluid jet stream from said nozzle to be directed to selected ones of the outlet sections by the Coanda effect to impart a controlled vibration force to an object to which the device is attached.

Abstract: A shuttle vector capable of dominant transfection of both animal and bacterial cells and of amplification in animal cells has been constructed. This vector contains the cloned bacterial gene coding for asparagine synthetase; it is shown that animal cells bearing the vector can be selected for with a drug which inhibits the animal but not the bacterial asparagine synthetase. The vector and any linked genes can then be amplified using a drug which inhibits the bacterial synthetase. This vector is useful in the production of large quantities of specific biological products by animal cells. It may also be useful for the genetic transformation of plants.

Abstract: Isolation and cloning of the cDNA sequence of the human prolactin receptor nd the development of the cDNA sequence in a plasmid vector capable of transforming cell lines that will produce the human prolactin receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for oxidizing bilirubin which comprises reacting a solution containing bilirubin with hemoglobin, either in free or immobilized form, in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide. This process if useful in reducing bilirubin levels in the blood of severely jaundiced patients. It also provides a basis for determining bilirubin levels in a fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and processes for controlling undesirable weeds. These compositions comprise synergistic combinations of microbial herbicides and or plant growth regulators. Use of the synergistic compositions of the subject invention enhances the value of the microbial herbicide by reducing the amount of microbial herbicide needed and by extending the range of environmental conditions in which the microbial herbicide will function.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for drying or heat treating granular material fed in a continuous flow. The apparatus comprises a heating container having an inlet end and an outlet end. A heating source is located entirely within the container. An auger conveyor is disposed in the container adjacent the inlet end to displace a particulate medium, capable of retaining heat, from the inlet end to a heat chamber within the container. A transporting mechanism is provided in the heating chamber for showering the particulate medium in direct contact with a flame during a predetermined time so that the medium is quickly heated to an approximate desired temperature. A mixing and drying conveyor mixes and conveys the heated particulate medium with a humid granular material whereby to dry the material by heat transfer between the particulate medium and the granular material. A separator then separates the particulate medium from the granular material.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for following and controlling the progress of heat treatment of cold worked metals in an annealing furnace uses the changing electrical resistivity of the cold worked metal during the annealing process as a process control parameter. A sample of the cold worked metal is placed in a slave furnace along with a sample of the cold worked metal which has been previously annealed. The temperature of the slave furnace is controlled to follow and duplicate the temperature at any point of interest in the annealing furnace, and the differential resistivity between the two samples is measured to follow and control the progress of annealing.

Abstract: Cobalt, nickel and copper powders are produced from chelating extractants by reacting with hydrogen a liquid organic medium containing in solution a quinoline-based chelating extractant having bonded thereto a metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel and copper, and a hydrogenation inhibitor consisting of a linear or branched aliphatic alcohol containing from 7 to 13 carbon atoms, at a temperature of about 150.degree. to about 350.degree. C. and a pressure of about 50 to about 600 p.s.i. to cause precipitation of the metal in powder form while preventing decomposition of the chelating extractant, the liquid organic medium further containing a seed of the precipitating metal whereby to avoid undesirable deposition of the metal in plated form. The metal precipitates stoichiometrically with simultaneous regeneration of the chelating extractant which can thus be recycled for reloading with the metal to be precipitated.