Abstract: A caloric testing technique and apparatus for evaluating vestibular ear disorders by independently stimulating the left and right lateral canal receptor organs, using heated and cold air, and measuring the responses in order to obtain an indication of disordered vestibular function. Timed irrigation periods are employed, the periods being adjustable so as to control the magnitudes of the caloric stimulations, and the measurements of responses are made by the electrical recording of eye movements for accurate measurement of nystagmic response intensity.

Abstract: The purification of an endogenous composition isolated from mammalian brain tissue and termed enkephalin ("in the head"). Enkephalin is recovered from brain tissue by acetone solution and purified by means of column and thin layer chromatography. The composition which is a mixture of two pentapeptides, namely, (a) H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-OH and (b) H-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH wherein the ratio of a:b is from 3:1 to 4:1 has been found to be a non-addictive narcotic and an opiate agonist.The synthesis of the pentapeptide composition from the known structure above is accomplished by conventional solution techniques of protection of the amino groups, such as t-butyloxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, and t-amyloxycarbonyl, or the solid phase peptide synthesis of R. Bruce Merrifield using a polymeric support and the same or similar amine protecting groups.

Abstract: A tranquilizer dart for injecting a tranquilizing liquid into an animal consists of a cylindrical chamber with a tapered forward end provided with a pointed hollow needle. A conical valve bears against an annular seat in the chamber and has a triggering pin extending through the needle and normally projecting forwardly beyond its point. Tranquilizer liquid is contained in the chamber between the valve and a front plunger. A rear plunger is provided in the rear end of the chamber, and rearward movement thereof is limited by an insertable stop pin. The rear plunger serves, on loading, to compress the air between itself and the front plunger. Responsive to impact, the triggering pin is pushed back, unseating the conical valve, and the compressed air forces the front plunger forward, thus injecting the liquid into the animal.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous production of high-purity water includes a distillation flask, a carboy and a condenser unit, all of borosilicate glass. A respective filter is provided between the ambient atmosphere and the interiors of the flask, the carboy and the condenser unit to remove airborne bacteria and dust particles. An inlet valve is provided for feeding water to be purified into the flask, all water-contacting parts of this valve being of polytetrafluoroethylene. The open parts are interconnected with flexible, polytetrafluoroethylene tubing. A two-way, stopcock allows high-purity water to be removed from the carboy.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a 2-alkanoylamino-4-nitrophenyl phosphorylcholine-hydroxide useful as a sphingomyelinase-specific chromogenic artificial substrate in the diagnostic testing for Niemann-Pick disease. The method comprises reacting 2-amino-4-nitrophenol with an alkanoyl halide to form the alkananilide; phosphorylating the alkali phenolate salt of the alkananilide with .beta.-bromoethylphosphoryl dichloride to form a mixture of mono- and di-alkananilide phosphoric acid esters; recovering from the mixture the mono-alkananilide phosphoric acid ester and quaternizing it with trimethylamine; and treating the resulting quaternary salt with a mixture of weak acidic and weak basic ion exchange resins to convert it into the 2-alkanoylamino-4-nitrophenyl phosphoryl-choline-hydroxide.

Abstract: An acousto-optical method and device for measuring the radiation produced by a transducer is described wherein such radiation is in the range of about 500 KHz to 10 MHz. The method consists of propagating ultrasound frequencies from the transducer through a transparent liquid medium in a cell, said cell having a transparent window or suitable device to provide a clear path for the radiation waves and passing a light through said cell at about a right angle to the direction of said ultrasound wherein the light is modulated in phase with the frequency of the ultrasound. The modulation of the light corresponding to the frequency of the ultrasound can be detected by a photo-cell measured and displayed on various devices. Further, a transducer can be calibrated absolutely using this method and apparatus from known constants and easily measured quantities. Moreover, it is readily adapted to measure the radiation of an unknown source to a known absolute source.

Abstract: A device and method for the concentration of parasite eggs and larvae consisting of separable upper and lower chambers connected by a mid-piece which incorporates a filter of stainless steel gauze. The sample is emulsified in the upper chamber and is filtered into the lower chamber. Ether is added through the upper chamber and the mid-piece and upper chamber are removed. The lower chamber is shaken and centrifuged, the mid-plug of debris is removed, and the tube is drained and swabbed clean leaving a small sediment containing the parasite eggs and larvae. The sediment is removed by extraction with Lugol's iodine or saline to dilute the sediment.

Abstract: The present invention consists of three process improvements in the so-called multi-step Piper-Montgomery process designed especially to produce the antifolate methotrexate which is closely related to both aminopterin and folic acid. 2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyrimidine sulfite is one starting material and is usually produced in the form of the bisulfite in an acetate buffer. The present modification positively produces the hydrochloride from the bisulfite and eliminates the acetate buffer utilized in prior art processes. Subsequently, a pteridine ring is formed from the pyrimidine hydrochloride using dihydroxyacetone at pH 5.5.+-.0.2 to form the second ring. This strict pH control together with the use of hydrochloride salt minus the acetate buffer assists in preferentially favoring the formation of 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxymethylpteridine.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of pteridine compounds such as methotrexate is disclosed. 2,4-diamino-6-pteridine-methanol.multidot.HBr is reacted with triphenylphosphine dibromide or phosphorus tribromide to form 6-(bromomethyl)-2,4-diamino-pteridine hydrobromide and the bromine atom in the molecule is then replaced with the functional group, N-[4-(methylamino)-benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid in the case of methotrexate and N-(4-aminobenzoyl)-L-glutamic acid in the case of aminopterin.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automotive control system for use by handicapped drivers who have lost the functional mobility of the lower extremities. A second wheel concentric with the steering wheel is added such that it is reachable by either the thumb or fingertips when hands are on a steering wheel in normal driving fashion. Movement of this second control wheel in a direction away from the driver actuates the automotive braking system through an electro-hydraulic servo system. Pulling the second wheel towards the driver actuates the throttle of the automobile through a similar servo system. The brake and throttle servos interface with existing automotive control systems such that little additional "add on" mechanisms are necessary.

Abstract: A pteridine compound having the formula of 6-(bromomethyl)-2,4-diaminopteridine hydrobromide. 2,4-diamino-6-pteridine-methanol.HBr is reacted with triphenylphosphine dibromide or phosphorus tribromide to form 6-(bromomethyl)-2,4-diaminopteridine hydrobromide. The bromine atom in the molecule can then be replaced with the functional group, N-[4-(methylamino)-benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid in the case of methotrexate and N-(4-aminobenzoyl)-L-glutamic acid in the case of aminopterin.

Abstract: Polycarbonate membranes useful for hemodialysis are fabricated from polyether-polycarbonate block copolymers by a water gelation process. The process comprises casting onto a substrate surface a layer of a multicomponent casting solution comprising the copolymer dissolved in a water-miscible organic solvent together with a cosolvent which acts as a swelling agent for the copolymer, drying the layer to partially evaporate the solvents therefrom, immersing the partially dried layer in water to form a gelled membrane, and stripping the gelled membrane from the substrate surface. The membrane has improved strength and improved permeability to solutes in the "middle molecule" range while maintaining clinically acceptable ultrafiltration rates and clearance of low molecular weight solutes.

Abstract: A system for the periodic sampling and recording of a condition, such as noise. The system employs a transducer which gates strings of pulses to a tape recorder. The gating time is in accordance with the transducer output voltage at sampling time. At each sampling, a delay in recording is provided to allow the recorder motor to come up to speed. The recorded tape may be played back and the grouped recorded pulses counted and presented as noise levels which can be plotted against time.

Abstract: A method of recovering a hormone from human blood plasma which has morphine agonist properties which comprises heating said plasma, extracting into butanol to recover anodynin, and purifying said anodynin by centrifuging and ion exchange column separation. Anodynin has a molecular weight of about 600.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus provides rotationally symmetric, Gaussian-like focal spot distributions. The apparatus may be constituted by an X-ray tube having a glass envelope, a cathode in the form of a filament for providing thermionically emitted electrons and an anode. The anode is of conical shape and can be rotated. The cathode is arranged to be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the filament and passing through its central point. The apparatus may be constituted by a conventional X-ray tube which is rotatable about an axis coaxial with the central ray of the X-ray field which emerges from the tube. The apparatus may be constituted by a conventional X-ray tube, which is stationary, in combination with a mechanism which effects rotation of the X-ray image receptor and the object being to be examined about an axis coaxial with the central ray of the X-ray field.

Abstract: A wideband, passive detector of electromagnetic fields in free space is disclosed. The apparatus is especially designed to minimize amplitude perturbations of the electromagnetic field being monitored. The apparatus includes an electro-optic modulator having first and second surfaces with electrodes attached thereto and a third and fourth surfaces intersecting an optical path. An electrically small dipole or loop antenna has a first electrode connected to the first electrode of the modulator and a second electrode connected to the second electrode of the modulator, for converting electromagnetic fields intercepted in free space to a voltage signal to be applied to the first and second electrodes of the modulator. A loading resistor may be added in parallel with the electrodes to improve system bandwidth. A light source is located along the optical path, for transmitting light into the modulator through the third surface.

Abstract: Tricyclic aromatic compounds of the formula ##STR1## including those wherein: A. R.sub.1 is H, R.sub.2 is carbomethoxy, and R.sub.3 is methyl;B. R.sub.1 is acetyl, R.sub.2 is carbomethoxy, and R.sub.3 is methyl;C. R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are methyl and R.sub.2 is carbomethoxy;D. R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are hydrogen; andE. R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are methyl and R.sub.2 is hydrogenAre intermediates for the total synthesis of steroids.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus provides rotationally symmetric, Gaussian-like focal spot distributions. The apparatus may be constituted by an X-ray tube having a glass envelope, a cathode in the form of a filament for providing thermionically emitted electrons and an anode. The anode is of conical shape and can be rotated. The cathode is arranged to be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the filament and passing through its central point. The apparatus may be constituted by a conventional X-ray tube which is rotatable about an axis coaxial with the central ray of the X-ray field which emerges from the tube. The apparatus may be constituted by a conventional X-ray tube, which is stationary, in combination with a mechanism which effects rotation of the X-ray image receptor and the object being to be examined about an axis coaxial with the central ray of the X-ray field.

Abstract: A system providing a substantially gapless continuous line display of an analog signal as a function of time on a television monitor. The input is digitized and each level of quantization corresponds to one of the raster display lines to give proper vertical deflection. During each line of raster scan an oscillator and counter sequence the input address to a memory through a desired number of horizontal sampling positions, requiring an address of the order of 8 bits. Each address gives an output of several bits giving in digital form the instantaneous y coordinate of the signal. This is digitally compared with the digitized associated raster line number in a first digital comparator. This is also stored in a register strobed from the above-mentioned counter just before each change of address. The raster line number and the stored previous output are digitally compared in a second digital comparator.

Abstract: A method for the total protein fractionation of saliva and for isolating a novel zinc protein found to be a component thereof is disclosed. Saliva was fractionated using three protein parameters and zinc concentration by a molecular sieving process. The zinc protein was isolated and purified from the saliva of subjects with normal taste acuity by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography maximizing these parameters. The zinc protein has a molecular weight of 37,000 and does not appear to have subunits. It is composed of 8% histidine residues and has two moles of zinc per mole of protein. A decreased concentration of the protein in saliva has been associated with abnormal taste acuity.