Abstract: This is disclosed a process for the decomposition of halogenated hydrocarbons including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and chlorinated pesticides, as DDT and DDE. The process comprises microwave-mediated wet-ashing of the halogenated hydrocarbons(s) in controlled conditions to avoid an emission of noxious fumes from the reaction mixture. Preferably, the wet-ashing reagent is a 1:1 mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photochemical process for the manufacture of hydrogen peroxidewherein a 9,10-phenanthraquinone compound is exposed, in the presence of an effective amount of a hydrogen donor alcohol, to electromagnetic radiation to photoreduce the 9,10-phenanthraquinone compound to the correpsonding dihydro-compound,wherein the dihydro-compound obtained is oxidized to produce hydrogen peroxide and to regenerate the 9,10-phenanthraquinone compound, andcharacterized in that said 9,10-phenanthraquinone compound is selected from the group of compounds consisting of unsubstituted 9,10-phenanthraquinone and 9,10-phenanthraquinone substituted by one or more members of the class consisting of alkyl groups of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, --CF.sub.3, F and --SO.sub.3 M, M being H or an alkali metal.

Abstract: A method for inspecting the placement and alignment of surface mounted components on printed circuit boards during assembly. After the component is placed on the board, an infrared camera provides an image of leads on the component and corresponding soldering pads, to which the leads are to be soldered, on the board in a single exposure. The image is then processed by a computer and the position and orientations of the leads of the component with respect to the soldering pads are determined. As a result, any unsatisfactory misalignment of the component can be detected and defective printed circuit boards identified.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with the specific processing of secreted proteins in genetically modified yeast cells. The yeast KEX1 gene was cloned and the KEX1 product was shown to be a serine protease, evidently a carboxypeptidase B-like protease. A probable site of processing of polypeptides by the KEX1 gene product is at the C-terminus of the .alpha. subunit of the killer toxin, where the mature toxin subunit is followed in the precursor by a pair of basic amino acid residues. Processing likely involves an endoprotease cut following these basic residues, and their subsequent C-terminal trimming by a carboxypeptidase. Consistent with the KEX1 product being this carboxypeptidase is the finding that it is also involved in .alpha.-factor pheromone production. In wildtype yeast, KEX1 is not essential for .alpha.-factor production, as the final hormone repeat in the prepro .alpha.-hormone precursor does not need C-terminal processing to form one copy of the active hormone. However, in a mutant strain where .

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for controlling certain common insect pests of stored food products in human residences, food storages and the like. It comprises, generally, a substrate, such as paper, cardboard or plastic and a deposit of silica aerogel particles releasably bonded to the substrate. The strength of the bond prevents the silica aerogel particles from being released by air currents but allows the particles to be picked up by some insects that contact the deposit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous ferric chloride leach process for the extraction of metal values from a metal-sulphide bearing material, the leach being carried out in the presence of a leaching aid chosen from among salts of diesters of sulphodicarboxylic acids. It, in particular, relates to the enhanced recovery of metal values from complex, metal-sulphide bearing materials such as, for example, fine grained, polymetallic sulphide ores, their concentrates or the like.

Abstract: An insecticidal composition for controlling or inhibiting the growth of larvae of the Bertha armyworm, comprising an insecticidal substance of one or more strains of Bacillus thuringiensis and an insecticidally acceptable carrier. The strains belong to the varieties aizawai, kurstaki and kenyae and include Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai strain HD-133.

Abstract: New types of narrowband wavelength selective optical devices are described. Various configurations are possible, according to the invention, that perform as narrowband wavelength selective transmission or reflection filters or as narrowband wavelength selective optical taps or combiners. The optical devices of the invention include a 3 dB optical directional coupler and wavelength selecting elements such as Bragg reflection gratings or Fabry-Perot resonators usually positioned in optical symmetry with respect to the directional coupler. Two or more wavelength selecting elements can be used to obtain desired filtering characteristics.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system for transmitting ultrasonic pulses into an object and detecting reflected ultrasonic waves therefrom. The system is provided with delay lines for real time imaging. The system comprises a probe means having a transmitting bundle of acoustic waveguides for transmitting ultrasonic pulses into an object. The transmitting bundle includes the delay lines which consists of having cladded acoustic waveguides of different lengths for introducing different delays in the ultrasonic pulses carried by each waveguide.

Abstract: A novel scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is described which is constructed almost entirely of one metal e.g. aluminum and uses bimorph piezoelectric disks as the x, y, z drive elements. The design uses a simple, rugged tirpod configuration for the fine motion drive arms. Coarse motion of the sample, which is mounted on an aluminum holder, is achieved by pushing, or pulling, with a piezoelectric louse. Differential thermal expansion effects are avoided by design, to first order, and the resulting drift is .ltoreq.0.5 .ANG. per minute after only a short warm-up period. It is easy to build and operate, and has good immunity to mechanical vibrations.

Abstract: A process for the production of fermentable sugars from wood or other cellulose-containing biomasses, comprises the steps of (a) hydrolysing the biomass with a dilute sulfuric acid to dissolve hemicellulose while leaving most of cellulose in a solid phase, (b) separating the cellulose-containing solid phase, (c) subjecting the solid phase to rapid pyrolysis at a temperature of 400.degree.-600.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure, preferably in a fluidized bed reactor with a short vapor residence time, to obtain a crude pyrolysis product by condensing the pyrolytic vapors, (d) adjusting the water content of the crude product to form an aqueous phase with high carbohydrate content and a water-insoluble phase containing lignin-derived material, and (e) separating the aqueous phase. Optionally, the aqueous phase may be purified, e.g. by absorption.

Abstract: Polymeric dielectrics which are exposed to highly divergent electric fields break down more quickly than expected because of the generation of ultra-violet radiation at defect points which degrades the polymer locally and leads to the formation of electrical trees in a polymeric insulation. The use of ultra-violet stabilizers, preferably in combination with reduced concentration of oxygen in the polymer, significantly extends the time to initiation of electrical treeing by preventing photodegradation of the polymer.

Abstract: A method of preparing a sulfur-containing composite fuel is provided to utilize some high-sulfur content solid and semi-solid fuels such as tar sand coke and refinery tank sludges by reducing their sulfur emission on combustion. The method comprises the steps of making an aqueous slurry including a finely divided carbonaceous material, a comminuted sulfur capture agent and an oily agglomeration aid obtained from the refinery or tailing sludges and coagglomerating these components and an optional conditioning agent. The resulting agglomerated composite fuel has a reduced content of inorganic impurities and is suitable for fluidized-bed combustion.

Abstract: Novel FM receivers are disclosed, which are very compact and simple yet possess high sensitivity. The receivers use novel three-terminal and two-terminal negative admittance networks. In one embodiment, one three-terminal negative admittance network forms a complete FM homodyne receiver. In another embodiment, two three-terminal negative admittance networks are used as the frequency converter and the demodulator and other functions of a super-heterodyne receiver. In still another embodiment, a two-terminal negative admittance network is employed together with a three-terminal negative admittance network to form a complete super-heterodyne FM receiver.

Abstract: An adaptive welding control vision head with a metal enclosure for attachment to a welding head. The side of the enclosure facing the workpiece is angled away from the welding head, has two apertures and its external surface is coated with oil. Mounted inside the enclosure is a means of projecting a structural light pattern onto a workpiece and a means of monitoring the resulting scattered light. The inside of the enclosure is maintained at a positive air pressure to prevent welding fumes from entering and is cooled to prevent heat accumulation.

Abstract: An anhydride-cured epoxy resin (epoxy resin+anhydride curing agent+catalyst) may be fortified (i.e. increased in strength and modulus without being made brittle) by the addition of a carboxylic acid and the reaction product of a carboxylic acid anhydride and a substituted aromatic amine. Strengths as high as 125 MPa and moduli as high as 3500 MPa have been attained, as well as elongations up to 6% and an increase in the ability of the plastic to yield before fracture (ductility), compared to 80 MPa strength, 3000 MPa modulus and 2.4% elongation for the unfortified system (strengths and moduli are tensile).

Abstract: Sclerotinia stem rot, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (L ib.) de Bary, is a major disease of rapeseed (canola) in western Canada and many other parts of the world. Significant yield losses result from severe crop infestatons. A method of stem rot disease forecasting is disclosed. The method is based on the relationship discovered between infestation of top plant parts with spores of the fungus at early bloom and subsequent disease incidence. Also disclosed are media compositions, which facilitate rapid growth of S. sclerotiorum from plant parts under non-sterile conditions and thereby permit detection of the fungus. This forecasting system allows improved disease risk assessement in advance of the need for spraying against sclerotinia stem rot.

Abstract: A current-comparator technique for obtaining an instrument for accurate high voltage power measurements at very low power factors is described. The quadrature component of the load current is automatically balanced in the current comparator against a quadrature current obtained from a slave supply, thereby reducing the stringent high accuracy requirement of the instrument when used for measuring power at a very low power factors. The current-comparator-based instrument according to the present invention has an estimated accuracy with respect to its readings of better than 3 percent at 0.001 power factor, 1 percent at 0.005 power factor and 0.5 percent at 0.01 power factor and higher. It features an internal high-voltage active-divider and displays to indicate source voltage, current, power factor and reactance of the load, in addition to the power.

Abstract: The antigenic O-chain polysaccharides from Brucella abortus and Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 0:9 have similar structure, i.e. 1-2 linked 4,6-dideoxy-4-formamido-.alpha.-D-mannopyranosyl units. The antigen is more readily isolated from the Yersinia and may be chemically modified to have a hydrophobic moiety attached thereto. The antigen can be adsorbed or coupled to carriers suitable for immunoassay use such as ELISA and RIA. A monoclonal antibody capable of specifically binding to B. abortus and Y. enterocolitica, has been produced. Assay procedures and kits therefor, are described.

Abstract: A new probe for measuring electric power flow from a source of supply to a load at high voltage and current, but at extremely low power factor is disclosed. The probe enables the direct measurement of electric power, in accordance with the Poynting theorem, by sensing the electric and magnetic fields associated with the high voltage and high current.