Abstract: An anhydride-containing thermoplastic resin such as a styrene maleic anhydride copolymer is processed in a vented extruder in the present of a nitrogenous chemical blowing agent to both imidize at least a portion of the anhydride groups and remove volatile residues such as unreacted styrene monomer from the resin.

Abstract: A heat resistant polymer such as a styrene maleic anhydride copolymer which has been contaminated with a minor amount of a vinyl chloride polymer such as polyvinyl chloride may be stabilized sufficiently by incorporation of calcium carbonate to allow contaminated heat resistant polymer reclaimed in this manner to match the performance of non-contaminated heat resistant polymer. Instrument panels comprising such heat resistant polymers and polyvinyl chloride polymers may thus be readily recycled and reused to form new molded articles exhibiting with little or no deterioration in properties.

Abstract: A method of determining the total carbon dioxide concentration in plasma (TCO.sub.2 plasma) directly from a whole blood sample involves adjusting total carbon dioxide concentration measured in the whole blood sample (TCO.sub.2 whole blood) using a volume dilution factor (VDF) to give a value that is equivalent to TCO.sub.2 plasma.

Abstract: An adjustable keyboard holder has a keyboard support. Relative to a horizontal work platform, the keyboard support is slidably extensible from a storage position to a working position and is retractable therefrom. In the working position, the keyboard support is vertically adjustable and tilt angle adjustable. The keyboard support is pivotably supported on each end by two pairs of lever arms and these lever arms are all pivotably supported by a pair of slidable beams so that a parallelogram arrangement is achieved which is used for keyboard support vertical positioning. One pair of lever arms is slidably movable relative to the associated respective beams so that, by varying the distance between lever arm pivot locations along each beam, tilt positioning is accomplished. Adjustable friction enhancers permit position fixing of the lever arms when the keyboard support is in a desired attitude.

Abstract: An autofocussing mechanism is provided which is useful for all objective lenses and during scanning of the object. The autofocussing mechanism operates with a microscope having a main optical path, an objective lens, an object surface, an image plane and apparatus for changing the distance between the objective lens and the object surface thereby to focus the image of the object. The autofocussing mechanism preferably includes a pattern imaging system, a single image detector and a pattern focus analyzer. The pattern imaging system images at least one pattern through the objective lens along the main optical path and onto the object surface. The image of the pattern is then combined with an image of the object and is reflected along the main optical path towards the image plane. The image detector detects the reflected image and the pattern focus analyzer determines the extent of sharpness of the pattern by analyzing the output of the image detector.

Abstract: A patient transfer chair is disclosed which can be manually operated preferably by using a lever and spring helping device to assist in the transfer of a patient to and from a bed to and a wheelchair, chair, or other seat design. In transferring a patient from a chair to a bed, the lever is used by an attendant to assist the patient back and onto a transfer bed device. A spring helping device can be optionally used to assist in the transfer. Accordingly, a substantial reduction in the costs to design, manufacture, and operate a transfer chair is achieved while maintaining the same degree of comfort, safety and ease of prior patient transfer system designs.

Abstract: A wedge-like structure which is interposable between an object and its supporting substrate surface and whose thickness is adjustable for purposes of adjusting the tilt angle of the object relative to the substrate surface. The structure is comprised of a stack of generally flattened component members wherein a layer of a releasable adhesive composition is located between and bonded to adjacent component members that can have various configurations. The wedge-like structure is particularly well adapted for incorporation into a monitor support assembly that is located under a transparent window in the top portion of a work station so that the monitor tilt angle is adjustable relative to the assembly by the wedge-like structure.

Abstract: A spray paint booth having an internal base formed by two parts of which one is a fixed perimetral walk way (2) and the other one is a mobile central base (3) that holds the vehicle and/or other elements that require painting, a lifting mechanism is placed at the bottom of this mobile structure with which its level can be changed compared to the side walking structure around it.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 electrode can be calibrated with two PCO.sub.2 calibration standard solutions having known pH values and known bicarbonate ion source concentrations. An O.sub.2 electrode can be calibrated using air as one calibration standard and a solution containing an excess of an O.sub.2 depleting agent as a second calibration standard.

Abstract: An adjustable monitor suspending assembly is provided for a monitor that is positioned under a transparent portion in the top surface member of a desk-like structure. The suspending assembly is adjustable and suspends a forward upper region and a rearward upper region of the monitor. The suspending assembly avoids the need for a shelf member for supporting lower portions of the monitor.

Abstract: Pseudopeptide compounds based on a modified bradykinin sequence are potent bradykinin receptor antagonists. All or a portion of the amino acids at postions 2 through 5 of the bradykinin sequence are replaced by 2-pyrrolidinyl and/or amino-alkanoic acid or related olefinic derivatives to reduce the peptidic nature of the compounds.The analogs produced are useful in treating conditions and diseases of a mammal and human in which an excess of bradykinin or related kinins are produced or injected such as by insect bites.

Abstract: An adjustable monitor support assembly for a monitor is positioned under a transparent portion in the top surface member of a desk-like structure. The support assembly utilizes a shelf member that is supported by laterally outwardly extending associated stub shafts. A pair of rails is provided and each one thereof is located along a different lateral side of the shelf member. The stub shafts slidably engage the rails so that the shelf member is movable relative to the rails. Retaining members for holding the shelf member at a desired location along the rails are provided. Since the rails are parabolically curved, the monitor is movable with the front face being generally perpendicular to the eye levels of various seated users.

Abstract: Cyclic compounds based on a modified bradykinin sequence are potent bradykinin receptor antagonists. Amino acid substitutions are made at postions 2 and 5 or 6 to facilitate the cyclization of the peptide through covalent bonding of the amino acid side chains.The analogs produced are useful in treating conditions and diseases of a mammal and human in which an excess of bradykinin or related kinins are produced or injected such as by insect bites.

Abstract: Pseudopeptide compounds based on a modified bradykinin sequence are potent bradykinin receptor antagonists. Amino acids at at positions 2 through 5 are replaced by olefinic aminoalkenoyl groups to reduce the peptide nature of the compounds.The analogs produced are useful in treating conditions and diseases of a mammal and human in which an excess of bradykinin or related kinins are produced or injected such as by insect bites.

Abstract: A transfer seat assembly is disclosed for use in conjunction with a hospital bed to transfer a patient from the bed to a location remote therefrom. The transfer seat assembly includes a frame portion and a removable seating portion. A method of transferring a patient from a reclined position on the bed to a seated position remote from the bed upon the transfer seat assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel benzoic acid derivatives have the formula: ##STR1## wherein --X-- represents C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkylene, C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 alkenylene or a divalent moiety having the structure --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --Z-- in which m is an integer from 0 to 3 and Z represents --O--, --S-- or --NH--;--Y-- represents a direct bond, C1 to C.sub.6 alkylene, C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 alkenylene or a divalent moiety having the structure --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --Z--(CH.sub.2).sub.n in which m and n are each, independently, an integer from 0 to 3 and --Z-- represents --O--, --S-- or --NH--;R represents a 5- or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring or a carbocyclic or heterocyclic fused ring system containing up to 10 members in the ring, which carbocyclic, heterocyclic or fused ring system may be saturated or unsaturated and may contain up to two substituents selected from lower alkyl, methoxy, halo and trifluoromethyl; andR.sup.1 and R.sup.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing or treating bed sores is disclosed which includes a mattress arrangement having a mattress and depressing means for depressing from underneath the mattress at least one area in the mattress to relieve pressure on at least one bed sore area of a patient. The depressing means includes at least one depression pad connected to a cable threaded through the mattress and attached to a pulling means. Further, a plurality of depression pads can be used to alternatively tilt the patient to relieve pressure from a bed sore area and may be used in conjunction with a mattress raising means to further tilt the patient. An optional conveyor sheet is provided for positioning the patient over the various depressed areas and/or for transferring the patient off the mattress to a wheelchair or other support area.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides of up to 10 amino acids that are synthesized by substituting at least one of the bradykinin amino acids found in positions 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the bradykinin peptide with a fatty acid amine. The modified bradykinin peptides produced confer increased resistance to enzymatic degradation and/or tissue specificity. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical preparations and processes of treatments using the modified bradykinin peptides.