Abstract: Novel oligopeptides are provided having serologic activity for the a determinant of hepatitis B virus surface antigen. Included in the oligopeptide chain are a sequence of at least two cysteines and a lysine in proximity to the cysteines. The oligopeptides can find use in immunoassays, the formulation of vaccines, and the production of antisera.

Abstract: A ski binding for releasably securing a ski boot to a ski includes strain gages mounted between the ski and the ski binding housing. The strain gages measure forces induced on the binding and develop electrical signals commensurate thereto. The signals are analyzed to develop a release signal when any component of a force exceeds a predetermined limit. The ski binding includes bias elements for maintaining a pair of clamps in a locked position for securing a boot plate of the ski boot to the housing and in response to the release signal releases the clamps to free the ski boot from the ski binding to prevent injury to the user.

Abstract: A laminar microjet atomizer and method of aerial spraying involve the use of a streamlined body having a slot in the trailing edge thereof to afford a quiescent zone within the wing and into which liquid for spraying is introduced. The liquid flows from a source through a small diameter orifice having a discharge end disposed in the quiet zone well upstream of the trailing edge. The liquid released into the quiet zone in the slot forms drops characteristic of laminar flow. Those drops then flow from the slot at the trailing edge of the streamlined body and discharge into the slipstream for free distribution.

Abstract: An internally sterile pulsatile infusor system comprises an elastic reservoir or bulb connected to a closed, sterile source of a liquid infusion solution. A check valve is connected between the source and bulb to prevent reflux of the solution therepast and a reciprocating piston is arranged to intermittently compress the bulb to create a pulsating discharge of solution through a cannula. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, controls are provided to vary the rate of compressions of the bulb and to also modulate the force of the pulsating discharge through the cannula. The pulsatile infusor system is useful in many areas in the fields of medicine and surgery, including extracapsular cataract extraction and intravenous infusion procedures wherein bloodclots and like blockages must be removed from the cannula.

Abstract: A urinary catheter which comprises two internal heavy metal-containing electrodes disposed proximate the distal orifice of the catheter. The catheter is adapted for iontophoresis application for the purpose of preventing bacterial infection associated with catheterization procedures. Provision is made for connecting the electrodes to a constant electromotive force source. Iontophoretic operation of the catheter employs electromotive force to generate heavy metal ions at the electrode surfaces. The heavy metal ions are driven into an electrolyte solution provided by urine or tissue fluid near the site of the catheter tip. Heavy metal ions such as gold, silver, platinum, iron, and copper have been demonstrated to have antibacterial activity.

Abstract: Immunoassay and compositions therefore for detection of human vitamin K-dependent bone protein. Heterologous labeled vitamin K-dependent protein or antigenic fragment thereof is employed with antibodies to the protein in an assay for the protein in various physiological fluids for bone extracts. The assay may be used in the diagnosis of bone diseases, by itself or in conjunction with an alkaline phosphatase assay.

Abstract: A novel class of chemical compounds useful as pesticides consists of N-phosphinoaminosulfinylcarbamate esters. The preparation of these compounds and their formulation to control insects are exemplified.

Abstract: Halogenated carbon compounds containing at least three halogen atoms and capable of undergoing bimolecular nucleophilic substitution are degraded by reaction in an aprotic solvent with a strong nucleophile selected from superoxide ion and hydroxide ion. The process is particularly applicable to compounds in which at least three halogen atoms are covalently joined to a tetrahedral carbon atom. In a specific embodiment, superoxide ion is electrolytically generated in an aprotic solvent containing a soluble organic electrolyte. In a further embodiment, the aprotic solvent is dimethyl sulfoxide, which, when converting carbon tetrahalide, forms dimethylsulfone and carbonate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for planting seeds in a field. An anti-cohesion liquid chemical is injected at 30 to 50 p.s.i. into a narrow ribbon of soil, no more than two inches wide and two inches deep. Immediately thereafter, the soil ribbon is vigorously agitated at 900 to 2000 r.p.m. to insure coating of all of the soil particles with the chemical to a depth below that at which the seed is to be planted. The seeds are then placed at precise locations within and covered by the treated soil, and the soil over them is firmed.

Abstract: A method for purifying a DNA fragment of specific desired nucleotide sequence containing a restriction site, from a population of DNA molecules homogeneous in length by endonuclease cleavage and fractionation.

Abstract: In the course of a reaction in which one of the reactants is on the surface of carrier particles in a solution and another of the reactants is tagged with a fluorescent substance, some of the fluorescently tagged reactant attaches to, or is displaced from the carrier particle. The present invention relates to a method and device for determining the amount of fluorescently-tagged reactant which is attached to the carrier particle or which is free in solution, without physically separating the carrier particles from the solution. In a particular application of the invention (immunoassay) the reaction is between antibodies and antigens, and from the amount of fluorescently-tagged reactant which is attached to the carrier particle one can determine the unknown amount of antigen in a sample.

Abstract: Novel methods and compositions are provided for preparing vectors for the introduction of DNA into plant cells for transcription and expression of the DNA. Particularly, cauliflower mosaic virus DNA is inserted into a bacterial cloning vehicle to provide a recombinant plasmid for cloning in a microorganism. The resulting cloned plasmid is genetically manipulated to introduce exogenous or heterologous DNA. Conveniently, linkers can be inserted which provide for a unique restriction site for insertion of exogenous or heterologous DNA. At each stage the modified plasmid may be cloned to provide for relatively large amounts of material for modification and isolation. Besides insertions, deletions may be made, removing non-essential portions of the virus. After completion of the viral modifications, the CaMV is excised from the hybrid plasmid by restriction enzyme cleavage and may be used for systemic infection of plants.

Abstract: A current limiting device for use with a circuit breaker in an electric power system utilizes mutual inductance variation between movable windings to limit current to safe levels. In the device, first and second coil windings are electrically connected for current flow therethrough and magnetically linked for mutual inductive coupling. The effective inductance of the connected coil windings is functionally related to the relative physical positioning of the coil windings. The coil windings are movable relative to one another, so as to provide for variation in the effective inductance of the two coils. Structure is provided for disposing the coils in an initial relative positioning, the structure being yieldable to a force produced between the coils due to a predetermined magnitude of current flow through the coils. The force produced between the coils acts to change the relative positioning of the coils, increasing the effective inductance, and thereby limiting the current therethrough.

Abstract: Noise suppression apparatus is interposed between the transducer and the amplifier of a hearing aid, allowing the user to adjust the operation of an automatic level control circuit to provide suppression of background sounds with negligible effect on audibility of close-in sounds.

Abstract: An internal fixation plate for bridging two portions of a broken bone is formed to have properties, in terms of bending, axial, and torsional stiffness suitable for the bone being mended. These properties include high resistance to bending and torsional stresses, and relatively low axial stiffness. One plate configuration which has been determined to have the desired stiffness properties is an elongated flat hollow metal plate or tube. Arrangements are provided for precluding bone ingrowth, and this may be achieved by filling the member with a medically inert substance, such as silicone rubber or ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, or by sealing the openings into the tubular plate. The materials of the bone fixation plate may be selected for their mechanical properties, and also as biologically inert substances which will not have adverse physiological effects when embedded in the human body.

Abstract: An internal fixation plate for bridging two portions of a broken bone is formed to have properties in terms of bending, axial, and torsional stiffness suitable for those of the bone being mended. These properties include high resistance to bending and torsional stresses, and relatively low axial stiffness. One plate configuration which has been determined to have the desired stiffness properties is formed from a hollow tube deformed to have an external configuration substantial the same as conventional bone fixation plates. Arrangements are provided for precluding bone ingrowth, and this may be achieved by filling the member with a medically inert substance, such as silicone rubber or ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, or by sealing the openings into the tubular plate. The materials of the bone fixation plate may be selected for their mechanical properties, and also as biologically inert substances which will not have adverse physiological effects when embedded in the human body.

Abstract: A method of packaging or encapsidating genetic material for use in gene transfer or cloning. An organism having a function or capability desired to be transferred or cloned is first selected. The DNA of this organism is extracted is cleaved to separate the exogenous genes controlling the function desired to be transferred or cloned. This exogenous gene is inserted in the linear DNA of a virus whose linear DNA has protein 5' termini, the virus DNA being extracted and cleaved so as to retain the genes specifying DNA replication. The resulting hybrid DNA is introduced into a cell-free in vitro medium along with a source of virus proheads and accessory viral structural and packaging proteins to assemble a hybrid virus encapsidating the hybrid DNA. This hybrid virus is similar in infectivity to the original or wild-type virus except that now either a segment of its DNA has been replaced by the desired exogeneous genes or the desired exogenous genes have been added to the viral DNA.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for the linear predictive coding of human speech in which the speech is sampled through the use of analog filters and the linear predictive coding computations are performed with respect to such samples using digital techniques. The filters are MOS switched capacitor filters which can be implemented on a silicon chip together with the digital circuitry. Specific circuits for implementing two different linear predictive coding speech analysis techniques are disclosed.

Abstract: Radiopharmaceuticals and method are provided for scintigraphic evaluation of the liver. The radiopharmaceuticals comprise a radionuclide (technetium) labeled neoglycoprotein which provides for specific binding of the radiopharmaceutical to hepatocytes and allows for accurate determination of rates of binding and release of Tc-99m to and from the liver. The observed rates may then be used to determine diseased states, conveniently using an appropriate algorithm for the calculation.

Abstract: Non-addictive narcotic antitussive preparations including a normally addictive narcotic analgesic cough suppressive agent and a highly selective long-acting narcotic antagonist in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier. The narcotic antagonist is an opioid receptor site-directed alkylating agent. Preparations are disclosed having the effectiveness of codeine and other opiates for cough suppression, but devoid of addictive abuse potential.