Abstract: A sight-facilitating apparatus is provided capable of providing magnifications of about 4X to 8X in an aesthetically pleasing manner. An elongated casing has a light entry at one portion thereof and a light exit at an opposite portion thereof. A prismatic telescopic lens system including an objective, an ocular, and the like is mounted within the casing so that light entering the casing throught the light entry passes through the lens system and exits the light exit, with provision for adjusting the focus of the lens system. The objective is mounted within the casing so that the majority of the focal length thereof extends parallel to the direction of elongation of the casing, the light from the first optical element of the lens system being directed along the direction of elongation of the casing.

Abstract: Polylactones blended with a polyether and then shaped are leached with aqueous solution of an organic solvent such as alcohol or acetone to elute selectively the polyether and form interconnected pores within the shaped polylactone. The result is a shaped article suitable for use a reservoir for the controlled release of high molecular weight drugs.

Abstract: A fluid distributor comprises a distributor body having a fluid port at one face and a distribution surface at the opposite face, with the distribution surface having a plurality of uniformly spaced distribution openings. Fluid passages defined by channels and bores in the distributor body provide fluid communication between the fluid port and the distribution openings such that there is substantially equal fluid flow to each distribution opening. A method of fluid distribution particularly adapted for chromatography applications is also disclosed.

Abstract: A group of retinoids having "vitamin A type" activity which have the structure ##STR1## wherein R3 is a trimethylcyclohexenylethylene, tetramethyltetrahydronaphthalene or methoxytrimethylphenylethylene group;R1 and R2 which are different are selected from --OH, --OR4 and --NHR, provided one of R1 and R2 is OH; R4 is alkyl of 1 to 20 carbons; and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbons, hydroxyalkyl of 1 to 4 carbons, alkylhydroxyalkyl of 1 to 4 carbons, phenyl, hydroxyphenyl and carboxyphenyl, and R5 is a lactone or lactam of the structure ##STR2## and X is oxygen or NR where R is as above, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: Compounds having relatively long shelf lives in acidic aqueous media and which are useful as sweeteners have the formula ##STR1## or are pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X is --OR or --NHR, or --NH.sub.2, with R being alkyl having 3-10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A fluid distributor comprises a distributor body having a fluid port at one face and a distribution surface at the opposite face, with the distribution surface having a plurality of uniformly spaced distribution openings. Fluid passages defined by channels and bores in the distirbutor body provide fluid communication between the fluid port and the distribution openings such that there is substantially equal fluid flow to each distribution opening. A method of fluid distribution particularly adapted for chromatography applications is also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel steroids having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, and propyl;R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of H and methyl;R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of OXO and H(OR.sup.5); ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of H.sub.2, H(methyl), H(Cl), H(F), and .dbd.CH.sub.2 ; or ##STR3## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl, Cl, and F. Q-S is selected from the group consisting of --CH.dbd.CH-- and --CH.sub.2 CH--.Also disclosed is a method for making and therapeutically using the steroids and for making the intermediates.

Abstract: A device for producing images of a plurality of speech information symbols associated with speech sounds produced by a speaker into the field of view of a hearing-impaired person with one or more light emitting or illuminated arrays mounted paraxially with the viewer's line of sight on a transparent plate which subtends and mounts an adjacent eyeglass lens. A mirror is mounted on the lens to produce a magnified image in the field of view and reflect the image back to the viewer. The interior surface of the lens may be coated to form the mirror or spherical dimples may be ground into the surface before coating and the coated dimples then filled with a material having substantially the same refractive index as the lens.

Abstract: A number of aromatic mono- and bis-amidines are capable of blocking cell fusion induced by Respiratory Syncytial (RS) virus. Suitable amidino compounds include those selected from the group consisting of 1-4-di(4-amidinophenoxy)-2-butanol; bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)methane; 1,2-bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl )ethane; 5-amidino-indole; 5-amidinobenzimidazole, 5-amidino-1-methylindole and 5-amidino-1-(4-amidinobenzyl)indole. The most powerful of the compounds, bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)methane (BABIM), is able to achieve complete suppression of syncytium formation at a concentration of 1 .mu.M. Inhibition occurs in RS virus-infected Hep-2 cells as well as CV-1 cells. BABIM also causes a significant retardation of RS virus penetration, but does not interfere with adsorption. Addition of the amidines after the penetration of RS virus does not affect single cycle yields. The compounds may be used in the prophylactic control of RS virus in man.

Abstract: Homopolymers and copolymers of lactones are prepared by ring-opening polymerization of a mixture of lactones which includes a monolactone, such as .epsilon.-caprolactone, and a dilactone, such as bis-2,2-(.epsilon.-caprolacton-4-yl)propane, which is capable of forming crosslinks. The resulting polymers range from tough and partially crystalline to amorphous, elastomeric materials, depending on the monomer composition and proportions. Additionally, these polymers may be designed to achieve different degrees of permeability and rates of biodegradation. As such, they are useful for the controlled delivery of medicinal agents and as surgical aids and temporary artificial biomaterials such as skin substitutes and burn dressings.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of antibiotics in milk which comprises the steps of: (a) contacting a solid matrix having attached thereto a purified immobilized antibody with a volume of milk and an enzyme-labeled antibiotic, said antibody being specific to said antibiotic; (b) separating the matrix from the milk and rinsing the matrix with water to remove excess milk and enzyme-labeled antibiotic; (c) contacting the rinsed matrix with a substrate, said substrate in the presence of said enzyme-labeled antibiotic exhibiting a color change the amount of which is quantitatively related to the amount of enzyme-labeled antibiotic; and (d) measuring the amount of antibiotic present in said milk by comparing the color change in said substrate with a standard.

Abstract: A number of aromatic mono- and bis-amidines are capable of blocking cell fusion induced by Respiratory Syncytial (RS) virus. Suitable amidino compounds include those selected from the group consisting of 1-4-di(4-amidino-phenoxy)-2-butanol; bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)methane; 1,2-bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)ethane; 5-amidino-indole; 5-amidinobenzimidazole, 5-amidino-1-methylindole and 5-amidino-1-(4-amidinobenzyl)indole. The most powerful of the compounds, bis(5-amidino-2-benzimidazolyl)methane (BABIM), is able to achieve complete suppression of syncytium formation at a concentration of 1 .mu.M. Inhibition occurs in RS virus-infected Hep-2 cells as well as CV-1 cells. BABIM also causes a significant retardation of RS virus penetration, but does not interfere with adsorption. Addition of the amidines after the penetration of RS virus does not affect single cycle yields. The compounds may be used in the prophylactic control of RS virus in man.

Abstract: Screening tests and bioassay of von Willebrand's factor (platelet aggregating factor) in human and animal blood plasma are effected using a reagent of blood platelets and snake venom having a positive platelet aggregating cofactor effect. The reagent and tests may also suitably employ dried blood platelets. The reagent may comprise dried platelets and either ristocetin or active snake venom as the platelet aggregating cofactor.

Abstract: A superficially mixed metal oxide electrode and a method of preparing same. The electrode is useful in anodic electrochemical reactions. There is no distinct outer layer of either noble metal or noble metal oxide. Instead, the noble metal or noble metal oxide is superficially mixed in with a layer of an oxide of a film-forming metal which has been deposited over a conductive base metal.

Abstract: The capability for differentiating particles according to size is provided in an improved acoustical detection apparatus and method for detecting particulate matter in air or other gases. This is accomplished by controlling the flow of the gas through the capillary section of an acoustic sensor such that the flow conforms to a predetermined Reynolds number selected according to the particle size of interest. It has been found that acoustical sensors exhibit a threshold for particle size detection which varies with the Reynolds number of the flow of a gas through it. Thus, the detection of particles above a given size is achieved by controlling the flow parameters to yield a Reynolds number appropriate for detecting particles of such size.

Abstract: A charger for ion chamber radiation dosimeters and a method of charging such dosimeters in which a dosimeter to be charged is received in a socket having electrical terminals for applying to the dosimeter an electrical charging potential developed by an electret.

Abstract: A nut cheese product composed of a blend of ground roasted nuts, texture-modifying fat and dehydrated cheese said product having a water activity below about 0.70 and which is suitable as a spread for snacks and the like and which may be stored for extended periods of time without refrigeration.

Abstract: A method of air drying of refractory hardwoods which reduces the surface checking and splitting of such wood by utilizing articles consisting of hygroscopic sheets and spacing means which are, in turn, alternately layered with boards of lumber.

Abstract: A monolithic cascade cell for converting incident radiation, particularly solar radiation, into electrical energy at a high efficiency with at least three layers of semi-conductive Group III-IV material. The top layer is doped into p and n regions with a homojunction therebetween and has a bandgap such that photons above a predetermined energy interact with the semi-conductive material to produce a potential across the homojunction and current flow and photons below that energy pass through the first layer to a second similar layer having a lower bandgap so that some of the radiation passing through the first layer produces a potential across a homojunction in the second layer to improve the overall energy conversion efficiency of the cell. The first and second layers are separated by at least a third layer of a Group III-V material, similarly doped into p and n regions with a tunnel junction formed therebetween to provide a low voltage electrical connection between the first and second layers.

Abstract: Heat resistant proteases which are commonly found in ultra-high temperature treated milk may be destroyed by holding the milk at a low temperature of greater than 50.degree. C. up to 65.degree. C. for at least several minutes either prior to or subsequent to the ultra-high temperature treatment.