Abstract: Gut-selective agonist or antagonist opiates of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5) alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 (cycloalkyl)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or trans-(C.sub.2 -C.sub.5)alkenyl; Z is H or OH, R' is (C.dbd.O)-A(B)(C) wherein A is selected from the group consisting of (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.5)alkenyl and (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6)alkoxy (alkyl); B is selected from the group consisting of H, amino and a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkyl group optionally substituted with CO.sub.2 H, OH or phenyl and C is CO.sub.2 H, SO.sub.3 H, amino or guanidino; and R" is selected from the group consisting of NH-A(B) (C) or is guanidino; and the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A hybridoma is provided which yields a monoclonal antibody which binds to an epitope on an unreduced, nonenzymatically-glycated plasma protein, and which is substantially free of cross-reactivity with the corresponding non-glycated plasma protein.

Abstract: A compact air sampling impactor assembly has an inlet nozzle overlying an impaction plate that is mounted on a flat housing that defines an interior chamber covered by a filter. An air flow outlet tube leading from the chamber is connected to an air pump and a flow is established through the nozzle so the air impinges on the impaction plate to leave particles thereon and the flow then passes through the filter to the chamber and then out the air outlet. The size is kept small for personal use. Cascade impactors can be made using additional flow paths defining covers in association with the basic impactor plate and filter-carrying housing.

Abstract: A device and process for measuring cervical range of motion about three axes comprises an eyeglass frame which is supported on the nose and ears of a patient. A pendulum angle finder and a compass and the pendulum is mounted a horizontal axis and the compass needle is mounted about a vertical axis. The angle finder and compass are mounted on the eyeglass frame with a clamp that permits rotating the angle finder 90.degree. to permit measuring angles about two mutually perpendicular axes in the horizontal plane to permit tri-planar angle measurements. The angle finder and compass can be adjusted to a zero position and cervical range of motion is then measured through the use of angle indictor scales provided on the angle finder and compass. Readings may be made about one, two, or all three axes of rotation.

Abstract: A robot (10) includes a statically-balanced direct-drive arm (14) having three degrees of freedom, all of which are independent articulated drive joints, the driving axes of two of which intersect at the center of gravity of the arm to eliminate gravity forces on the drive system without counterweights.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to degrade lignin comprising reacting the lignin in a liquid medium under aerobic conditions with an amount of persulfate anion and a transition metal cation effective to catalyze the oxidative degradation of the lignin.

Abstract: An implantable infusion pump (20) for infusing drugs or other chemicals or solutions into the body. A flexible spring diaphragm (25) forms an outer back wall portion (26) of a housing (22) of the infusion pump (20). The spring diaphragm (25) applies substantially constant force over a range of displacement and communicating internal body pressure to the drug chamber (30) so as to maintain a substantially uniform pressure difference between the drug chamber (30) and the internal body pressure.

Abstract: A catheter introduction set for introducing a catheter tube into blood vessels such as veins and arteries, includes a hollow needle, a catheter tube surrounding a flexible safety guide tube extending through the needle passageway. The guide tube is initially retracted. The needle will be inserted into a vein or artery and the guide tube provides an immediate feedback of blood at its remote end, thus indicating the needle is inside a blood vessel. After the needle has pierced the blood vessel, the safety guide tube is advanced into the lumen of the blood vessel to provide a guide for sliding the catheter tube into the pierced vessel and permitting retraction of the needle. The capillary tube requires little blood pressure to provide the blood feedback indicating that a vessel has been pierced, which makes the unit suitable use in for small veins, as well as arteries. When the catheter tube has been guided into the vessel, the needle and the guide tube are withdrawn, leaving the catheter tube in place.

Abstract: A flow visualization system usable for clean rooms to determine the flow conditions that exist during manufacture, includes a non-contaminating source of a visible stream of a fog comprising water droplets which evaporaate and leave no residue. Steam is generated in a boiler and it passed over an interface with a cryogenic material to form a high density fog generator providing a highly visible fog that is neutrally bouyant and non-contaminating.

Abstract: A pressure algometer apparatus (20,50). The pressure algometer apparatus (20) provides an all mechanical pressure algometer including a balloon-like bladder member (22) for positioning at an end of a user's finger. An air tight interior (44) of the balloon-like member (22) is interconnected by tubing (42) to a pressure gauge (40). The algometer apparatus (50) includes a handheld pressure transducer (52) electrically interconnected (53) to an amplifier meter arrangement (54).

Abstract: A simple four-transistor CMOS linear, tunable, high-frequency transconductance element is applied to the design of analog standard cell arrays for semi-custom design of analog circuits. By substituting a pair of composited n-channel/p-channel devices for each transistor in a CMOS inverter circuit, the transconductance circuit achieves its linearity by current differencing without undue matching requirements. The linearity and frequency response is optimized by appropriate choice of device dimensions. The transconductance element is used as an elementary building block which forms the basis of a standard cell library for use in semi-custom analog circuit applications. Various analog circuits are realized by interconnecting a number of the transconductance elements in order to achieve a highly systematic design in chip layout along with high functional density.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for mechanical stimulation of nerves to evoke reflexive response, particularly sacral reflex latentency, comprises a hammer (30) having opposite distal and proximal ends. A normally open switch (36) with an extending switch arm (38 ) is mounted on the distal end of the handle (32) and positioned to close upon impact. The switch (36) is adapted for connection to an electromyograph. The switch (36) is preferably partially recessed within an enlargement (40) of the distal end of the handle (32). The switch (36) closes in response to tapping on the patient with the hammer (30) to effect manual stimulation and trigger recording of the reflexive response sensed via an electrode (26).

Abstract: A radial immunodiffusion enzyme assay method for the simple estimation of immunoglobulins in humans and other animals, Agar test plates are provided including an underlying adherent coating of Staphylococcal Protein A antigen. Blood or blood serum samples from animals to be tested are placed in wells punched in the agar layer and allowed to incubate overnight. The agar gel is then removed. The resulting Protein A antigen layer with bound immunoglobulins from the samples is reacted with enzyme conjugated anti-immunoglobulin or enzyme conjugated Protein A. The reaction is visualized by overlaying the bound conjugate layer with agar containing a color producing enzyme substrate. The diameters of resulting colored zones permit estimation of total immunoglobulins. Methods of preparing Protein A antigen coated test plates are disclosed along with testing kits for carrying out the test procedure in the field.

Abstract: A system for preparing specimens in a controlled environment to insure that a liquid or partially liquid specimen is maintained in its original state while it is being prepared, and once prepared the specimen is vitrified or solidified with minimal alteration of its microstructure. The controlled environment is provided within a chamber where humidity and temperature can be controlled precisely while the specimen is prepared. The specimen is mounted on a plunger and a shutter controlled opening is opened substantially simultaneously with release of the plunger so the specimen is propelled through the shutter into an adjacent cryogenic bath.

Abstract: A freezing apparatus for bringing samples of biological tissue in contact with a block of sapphire that is chilled to 15.degree. K. has a toggle linkage that controls movement of a plunger carrying a biological tissue sample into contact with a cold surface of sapphire, and minimizes rebound by slowing the rate of approach of the tissue sample toward the cold surface to a velocity of substantially zero at contact. An outer box of plexiglass is used to limit the formation of condensates on the surface of the sapphire, and the specimen carrier includes a miniature moist chamber that protects the specimen from drying before moving it toward the surface. The moist chamber is removed just before operation of the freezing apparatus. The toggle linkage provides repeatability of results with minimum setup time between insertion of samples, and substantially reduces rebounding and vibration that retards the rate of freezing of the specimen.

Abstract: A combination collar and muzzle is used as a humane method of restraining, controlling, and achieving obedient behavior of animals, dogs in particular. A collar member or loop encircles the neck immediately behind the ears, and a second muzzle loop encircles the upper and lower jaws of the animal to form a type of a figure eight combination collar and muzzle. The two loops are coupled together with a ring behind the jaw. The muzzle loop is adjustable in length. An optional adjustable keeper strap is connected between the collar loop and the muzzle loop to retain the muzzle loop from being pawed off.

Abstract: Biologically-active (6-amino) purine nucleosides of the formula: ##STR1## are disclosed wherein X is CH or N, and R is selected from the group consisting of N(Y)(Z), SY, OY and halogen, wherein Y and Z are H, lower(alkyl), phenyl or mixtures thereof; and the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof. The compounds exhibit antiviral and antitumor activity.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium salts are disclosed which are highly effective as complexing agents for the extraction of hydrogen ion and anions such as nitrate from an aqueous feed solution via a coupled ion transport mechanism employing supported liquid membranes.

Abstract: A simple CMOS linear, tunable, high-frequency transconductance element is described. By using a pair of composite n-channel/p-channel devices, the transconductance circuit achieves its linearity by current differencing without undue matching requirements. The circuit configurations use current differencing to cancel the square-law nonlinearities of the field effect transistors and require approximate matching between transistors of the same type.

Abstract: Gut-selective agonist or antagonist opiates of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 (cycloalkyl)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or trans-(C.sub.2 -C.sub.5)alkenyl; Z is H or OH, R' is (C.dbd.O)-A(B)(C) wherein A is selected from the group consisting of (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkyl, (C.sub.2 -C.sub.5)alkenyl and (C.sub.2 -C.sub.6)alkoxy (alkyl); B is selected from the group consisting of H, amino and a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkyl group optionally substituted with CO.sub.2 H, OH or phenyl and C is CO.sub.2 H, SO.sub.3 H, amino or guanidino; and R" is selected from the group consisting of NH-A(B)(C) or is guanidino; and the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof.