Abstract: Alkenoic acid compounds are described. The compounds which are dehydropeptidase inactivators contain a ##STR1## moiety which is substituted with a halomethylene or a cyano moiety as R.sub.3. The enzyme deprotonates the alpha --CH.sub.2 group and then the intermediate compound forms a covalent bond with enzymic residue in the active site, resulting in irreversible inactivation of the enzyme. The compounds are particularly inactivators of renal dipeptidases.

Abstract: A method for constructing a Nipkow disk using a zone plate disk, comprises the steps of constructing a zone plate disk, including the substep of disposing a plurality of focusing means a long a disk, wherein the plurality of focusing means have a common focal distance; placing a photographic plate at the focal distance of the plurality of focusing means; illuminating the plurality of focusing means with a light source such that the illumination is passed through the plurality of focusing means and focused onto the photographic plate thereby creating an image of a plurality of points of focused illumination; and capturing the image created on the photographic plate and using it to construct the Nipkow disk.

Abstract: Alkenoic acid compounds are described. The compounds which are dehydropeptidase inactivators contain a ##STR1## moiety which is substituted with a halomethylene or a cyano moiety as R.sub.3. The enzyme deprotonates the alpha--CH.sub.2 group and then the intermediate compound forms a covalent bond with enzymic residue in the active site, resulting in irreversible inactivation of the enzyme. The compounds are particularly inactivators of renal dipeptidases.

Abstract: Novel aryl aliphatic acids or derivatives thereof of the general formulaR--(C.sub.x --C.sub.y)--(C.sub.m H.sub.2m)--G--C(R.sup.1).sub.2 --Ar--(C.sub.n H.sub.2n)--COOR.sup.2are described which exhibit inhibiting activity against 12-lipoxygenase. The compounds are characterized by having a low level of toxicity. Also included are salts and esters of the aliphatic acids.

Abstract: A method for preparing heteroepitaxial diamond films on silicon substrates is described. This method first involves the deposition of a cubic boron nitride layer on the silicon substrate as a first interfacial layer using laser ablation with a hexagonal boron nitride target in the presence of a nitrogen-containing atmosphere. The boron nitride layer is followed with a second interfacial layer, generally about 1 to 10 monolayers thick, of hydrogen terminated carbon which is deposited with laser ablation with a carbon target in the presence of atomic hydrogen. Finally, the heteroepitaxial diamond film is deposited using conventional chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques with a reactive gas mixture containing hydrogen, a carbon-containing gas or gases, and, optionally, oxygen. Large area, high quality heteroepitaxial diamond films can be prepared by this method.

Abstract: Novel cyclic hydroxamic acids of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein ring A is 5- or 6-membered; R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each, ipendently, is hydrogen, C1-24 alkyl, C2-24 alkenyl or a group of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 each, independently is hydrogen,C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, halogen or nitro; l is 1-3; m is 1-3; n is 1-3; k is 1-3;R.sup.6 and R.sup.9 each, independently is C1-24 alkylene or C2-24 alkenylene;With the proviso that, more than one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are not hydrogen at the same time; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof possesses an inhibitory activity against 12-lipoxygenase, and therefore, may be useful for treating and/or preventing inflammation, immune diseases, psoriasis, arteriosclerosis and/or ischaemic cardiovascular diseases and also for suppressing metastasis of cancer.

Abstract: A colorimetric, particularly spectrophotometric, method and compositions for determining calcium levels in blood serum in the presence of magnesium and other serum ions is described. The method uses an aqueous composition with a pH between about 7.5 and 10 with arsenazo III to complex calcium and a hydroxyquinoline selected from the group consisting of 8-hydroxyquinoline and 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate to complex magnesium. Lipase and a cyclodextrin can be used as reagents to clear triglycerides in the serum which can provide turbidity and false results in some instances. The method is particularly useful for human serum.

Abstract: An improved method for detecting the presence of durg metabolites in the meconium of newborn infants is described. The method involves a single step extraction of the drug metabolites from meconium using a buffered aqueous solution containing methanol in an amount between about 10 and 30% by volume and buffered to a pH between 6 and 7 and then assaying the extract individually for the presence of the drug metabolites. The method is particularly useful for detection of cocaine, morphine, cannabinoid and amphetamine metabolites; however, any drug metabolite in the infant meconium can be tested if it is extracted by the solution from the meconium. Various assay methods are used for the drug metabolites in the solutions derived from the meconium, including immunoassays, fluorescent assays and mass spectroscopy. The method provides for early detection of drug presence in newborn infants which contribute to infant illness.

Abstract: A confocal microscope comprises a focusing lens for focusing a light source onto a pin hole. The use of the lens for this purpose, when used within a confocal microscope apparatus, greatly reduces image artifacts and creates an increased transfer efficiently between the light source and the sample.

Abstract: Novel substrates which are amino acid 4-amino phenazones for detecting enzymes, particularly L-gamma-glutamyltransferase, are described. The amino acid gamma-glutamyl-4-aminophenazone reacts with the enzyme to produce 4-aminophenazone which is an amino dye intermediate. The amino dye intermediate is coupled with a second dye intermediate to form a chromogen. The 4-aminophenazone is particularly reacted with a phenolic naphtholic or aniline compound, particularly the phenolic compound 2-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonate, to form a red chromogen in the presence of an oxidizing agent, such as bilirubin oxidase.

Abstract: Alkenoic acid compounds are described. The compounds which are dehydropeptidase inactivators contain a ##STR1## moiety which is substituted with a halomethylene or a cyano moiety as R.sub.3. The enzyme deprotonates the alpha-CH.sub.2 group and then the intermediate compound forms a covalent bond with enzymic residue in the active site, resulting in irreversible inactivation of the enzyme. The compounds are particularly inactivators of renal dipeptidases.

Abstract: A method and test kit for selectively staining histamine or histamine blocker sites on mammalian cells is described. Novel fluorescently labeled histamines or histamine blocker compounds are described. The method allows the visualization of sites on individual cells which are receptors for the histamines or histamine blockers.

Abstract: Novel substrates which are amino acid 4-amino phenazones for detecting enzymes, particularly L-gamma-glutamyltransferase, are described. The amino acid gamma-glutamyl-4-aminophenazone reacts with the enzyme to produce 4-aminophenazone which is an amino dye intermediate. The amino dye intermediate is coupled with a second dye intermediate to form a chromogen. The 4-aminophenazone is particularly reacted with a phenolic naphtholic or aniline compound, particularly the phenolic compound 2-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonate, to form a red chromogen in the presence of an oxidizing agent, such as bilrubin oxidase.

Abstract: Triggerable dioxetanes with a fluorescent molecule containing group bonded or tethered in the dioxetane so as to produce fluorescence from the group are described. The compounds are useful in immunoassays and in probes using enzymes or other chemicals for triggering the dioxetanes to produce light from the flurorescent molecule in the group as a signal.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of drug metabolites in the meconium of newborn infants is described. The method involves separation of the drug metabolites from meconium in solution and then assaying the solution for the presence of the drug metabolites. The method is particularly useful for detection of cocaine, morphine and cannabinoids; however, any drug metabolite in the infant meconium can be tested. Conventional assay methods are used for the drug metabolites in the solutions derived from the meconium. The method provides for early detection of drug presence in infants which contribute to infant illness.

Abstract: Triggerable dioxetanes with a fluorescent molecule containing group bonded or tethered in the dioxetane so as to produce fluorescence from the group are described. The compounds are useful in immunoassays and in probes using enzymes or other chemicals for triggering the dioxetanes to produce light from the fluorescent molecule in the group as a signal.

Abstract: A method and compositions including a 1,2-dioxetane and a fluorescent compound is described. In particular, enzymatic triggering of a triggerable 1,2-dioxetane admixed with a surfactant and the fluorescent compound attached to a hydrocarbon to provide a co-surfactant in a micelle or other structure providing close association of these molecules is described. The method and compositions are useful in immunoassays and in DNA probes used for various purposes.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of vinyl ethers by the coupling reaction of an ester of the formula ##STR1## with a carbonyl containing compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein A and R are passive organic groups and OY is a hydroxyl group or OP where P is a protecting group is described. The ester and the carbonyl containing compound are reacted in an organic solvent with a titanium salt, a metallic reducing agent and an amine base to provide the vinyl ether. The reaction is safe and produces high yields. The vinyl ethers are useful for producing dioxetanes which produce light upon triggering.

Abstract: A parallel analog-to-digital ("A/D") converter utilizing only N comparators and at least N-1 summing networks made of the simple resistance elements. The A/D conversion process operates asynchronously without need for registers, a clock circuit or latches and determines at a high rate of speed the N output bits for a given analog input signal. Each of the summing networks produces a composite analog signal which is fed into a respective one of the comparators. The digital output bit produced by each comparator is fed into the summing networks associated with those comparators whose output bits are less significant. Accordingly, when all output bits are changing on account of a new analog input value, the converter determines the most significant bit first, the next most significant bit next, and so on, until the least significant bit is determined.

Abstract: Novel light producing 1,2-dioxetanes are described of the formula ##STR1## wherein ArOX is an aryl ring substituted with an X oxy group and A are passive organic groups which allow the 1,2-dioxetane to produce light when triggered by removing X. X is a chemically labile group which is removed by an activating agent. The 1,2-dioxetane compounds can be triggered to produce light at room temperatures. The compounds are produced from novel alkenes.