Abstract: A system for placing instrumentation within a hole enables a wide variety of instruments to be placed in the hole with enhanced measurement resolution and minimum risk of becoming lodged in the hole by partial collapse of the hole wall. A flexible tubular member is pressurized and averted from a canister into the hole, turning inside out as it extends into the hole. The application of pressure urges the tubular member against the hole wall in the manner of a hole liner or packer. A wide variety of instruments can be attached to the membrane and urged against the hole wall for measurement purposes. Typical measurements include temperature, pore fluid extraction and injection, in situ sensing with fiber optics, pore fluid pressure, and the like.

Abstract: A biosensor for the determination of glucose and fructose concentrations is provided. The biosensor is produced by a method which comprises treating Zymomonas mobilis whole cells with an organic solvent such as xylene and n-butanol, immobilizing the treated whole cells onto a support selected from the group consisting of gelatin, collagen, agarose, cellophane and polyacrylamide to give an immobilized whole cell enzyme membrane and adhering the membrane to the surface of a pH electrode to give the biosensor. The resulting biosensor is capable of determning glucose and fructose in high concentrations such as 5 g/L and 50 g/L, respectively. Invertase can be immobilized with the whole cells to provide a biosenser for the determination of sucrose.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a process for separating isomers of disubstituted benzenes, wherein a mixture of isomers of disubstituted benzenes is contacted with a substituted cyclodextrin to form inclusion complexes, and desired isomers are recovered therefrom in a highly selective manner. The invention also provides substituted cyclodextrins suited for use in the process. Substituted cyclodextrins used in the process can be recovered and used repeatedly.

Abstract: A light transmitting sintered body of cordierite has a composition equal or close to the stoichiometric composition of cordierite which is represented as 2MgO.2Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.5SiO.sub.2, consists mainly of a phase of cordierite crystals, and has a total transmittance of at least 20%. A method of preparing it is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polysaccharide (Biopolymer B-16) being produced by cultivating Alcaligenes latus strain B-16 (FERM-2015) and having at least one function selected from water absorption, moisture absorption, humectant capability, thickening capability, suspension stability, emulsion stability and dispersant capability along with high biodegradability and which can be used without creating any environmental hazard such as secondary pollution, said Biopolymer B-16 consisting essentially of rhamnose, fucose, glucose, mannose and glucuronic acid which are present in a molar ratio of(1-10):(2-10):(4-20):(1):(1-5).

Abstract: The present invention lies in a process for modifying the surface of a molded article, which process comprises irradiating the surface of a molded article composed of an aromatic polymer or a polymer composition containing said aromatic polymer, with an ultraviolet laser beam having a wavelength of about 150 nm-380 nm at a fluence at least lower than the threshold to modify the surface as compared with the condition before the irradiation. The process makes it possible to modify the condition of the laser beam-irradiated surface portions of the molded article to, for example, a white color or black color, whereby the molded article can be endowed with functions and properties required in its use in various applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diacetylene compound comprising, as structural units,(a) at least one member selected from diacetylene group-containing organic groups of the formulae (I) and (II):R.sup.I --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--R.sup.II -- (I)and--R.sup.III --C.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--R.sup.IV -- (II)wherein R.sup.I is hydrogen or a (Cl-16) monovalent organic group, and R.sup.II, R.sup.III and R.sup.IV are a (C1-13) divalent organic group,(b) at least one organic group having at least one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and (c) at least one connecting group connecting the units (a) and (b), which connecting group is selected from amide, imide, ester, ether, amino, imino, urethane, sulfonyl and carbonyl bonds. A cured shaped article made of this compound exhibits isotropically a high elastic modulus and has excellent mechanical properties.

Abstract: A simplified method to produce recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors is described. The procedure involves the use of chimeric plasmids which incorporate the Epstein Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA) gene, the latent origin of replication of Epstein Barr Virus (oriP), and a recombinant AAV genome. The chimeric plasmids themselves are also a part of the present invention. These EBV/AAV plasmids are maintained as multicopy extra-chromosomal elements in cells, such as human 293 cells. Permanent cell lines carrying these EBV/AAV plasmids are induced to produce large amounts of recombinant AAV virus upon addition of wild-type, adeno-associated virus helper functions. Recombinant AAV vectors produced in this manner are capable of transducing exogenous genes into other human cell lines and exhibit all of the attributes of viral elements produced by conventional methods.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds which suppress immune responses and/or selectively inhibit complement. These compounds contain an aromatic ring and are substituted dihydrobenzofurans, spirobenzofuran-2(3H)-cycloalkanes, and their open chain intermediates. The compounds of the present invention, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, interrupt the proteolytic processing of C5 to bioactive components, exhibit immunosuppressive activities, and have therapeutic utility in the amelioration of disease and disorders mediated by complement and/or immune activity.

Abstract: A construction material including a concrete body, a metallic material embedded within the concrete body, and an organophosphorus compound, such as an organic phosphonic acid or a salt thereof, dispersed within the concrete body. Chemical corrosion of pipes or the like metals extending from such a construction material into an environment which is less alkaline an the concrete body, such as soil, can be prevented by incorporation of the organic phosphorus material.

Abstract: A three-terminal hot-electron device, in particular a two dimensional electron gas base transistor which can be fabricated by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The two-dimensional electron gas is induced in an undoped GaAs quantum well by a modulation doping is used as the base of the transistor and permits a common-base current gain .alpha. to be achieved as high as 0.96 under a collector bias of 2.5 V and an emitter current of 3 mA.

Abstract: A method for the long term storage of radioactive hazardous waste in a hollowed out chamber of salt bed in which sealed, relatively incompressible containers of hazardous materials are immobilized in a regular spaced array with the remaining space in the chamber filled with a granular compressive load equalization medium.

Abstract: An axisymmetric bluff body is proposed for a vortex flowmeter as the vortex shedder. It is found that vortex shedding frequencies measured can be nondimensionalized into a linear relation with the Reynolds number for area blockage ratios of circular disks up to 29.2%. Vortex shedding frequency can be clearly sensed by a pressure transducer installed on the pipe wall in the neighborhood of the maximum pressure fluctuation being measured. This suggests a feasible design that the sensor of a vortex flowmeter can be removed from the flow field or changed easily.

Abstract: A method for forming a high T.sub.c metal oxide superconductor in the form of a hollow fiber. The method includes the steps of: forming a polymer-metal complex precursor; filling a decomposable hollow fiber mold with the precursor; and heating the filled mold to decompose the mold and convert the precursor to a metal oxide superconductor in the form of a hollow fiber. Ag-doped metal oxide superconductor structures can also be produced by the above method.

Abstract: A miniaturized waveguide mode ferrite RF phase shifter is efficiently transitioned to a matched impedance microstrip transmission line mode at either end to result in an ultra small, efficient and lightweight essentially "planar" phase shifter device having a single ferrimagnetic toroid.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing medicinal agents into an ambulatory patient at specific rates over extended periods of time. The apparatus is of a compact, low profile, laminate construction and includes an elastic distendable membrane, which, in cooperation with a thin planar base, defines a fluid chamber having a fluid outlet. Disposed within the fluid chamber is a thin fluid permeable member which precisely controls the rate of fluid flow through the fluid outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-toxic, non-flammable, safe compositions employing primarily biodegradable components for use in removing and stripping paint, varnishes and stains from hard and/or flexible surfaces. The compositions generally avoid the use of methylene chloride, methanol, toluol or acetone.Paint stripper compositions of the present invention have flash points above about 120.degree. F. and an absence of low-boiling VOC's comprising:a. about 0% to about 60% by weight of a terpene compound containing at least 10 carbon atoms;b. about 10% to about 69% by weight of N-methyl pyrrolidone or its equivalent; andc. about 0% to about 20% by weight of an emulsifying surfactant.Compositions of the present invention may further comprise one or more of the following: about 5% to about 15% by weight of a solvent extender or bulking agent, about 5% to about 60% of a high flash point, high K.sub.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus including an image forming surface, image forming apparatus for defining an electrostatic latent image on the image forming surface, the latent image having image portions and background portions, development apparatus for developing the electrostatic latent image in a reversal mode, using electrically charged pigmented toner particles to form a developed image overlying the image portions, whereby the developed image on the image forming surface is at a first electrical potential and the background portions on the image forming surface are at a second electrical potential, discharge apparatus for partially discharging the image forming surface so that the developed image is at a third electrical potential and the background portions are at a fourth potential and an image receiving surface at a fifth potential, for receiving the developed image from the image forming surface, wherein the difference between the fourth potential and the fifth potential is low enough such that substantially no

Abstract: A new and distinct everbearing golden raspberry variety named "PSI-R86.745" which is capable of producing fruit on first year primocanes, and on floricanes and primocanes in subsequent years. The new variety is characterized by relatively large fruit size, virtually thornless nature, and distinct color contrast between mature and immature foliage. The variety is also distinguishable by its tall unbranched primocane growth.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and distinct day neutral type strawberry variety named `PSI-130`. The new variety produces a relatively high fruit yield, comparable to that of the standard cultivar `Selva`. The variety is characterized by its medium sized, light colored fruit which is smoother and more conic than that of `Selva`. The fruit shelf life is comparable to that of the standard cultivars `Selva` and `Muir`. The plant is similar in appearance to `Selva`, yet slightly less vigorous.