Abstract: Novel antibiotics didemnins A, B, C, D, and E (didemnins), are obtained from a marine organism. These antibiotics, and derivatives thereof, are active against a variety of DNA and RNA viruses; thus, they can be used in various environments to control or eradicate these viruses.

Abstract: A morphine-like amidated opioid octapeptide metorphamide having the struce Try-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-Arg-Arg-Val-NH.sub.2 has been isolated from bovine caudate nucleus extracts and synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis methods. Metorphamide is thus far the only natural opioid peptide having a high .mu.-binding activity.

Abstract: A method for the production of alpha-fluorinated methane diphosphonates consists of the reaction of diphosphonate esters with a strong base, preferably potassium t-butoxide, and perchloryl fluoride to produce alpha-mono and alpha,alpha-difluorinated derivatives which can be converted to the corresponding acids by mild hydrolysis. The synthesis of unsymmetrical alpha-fluorinated methanediphosphonate esters followed by selective hydrolysis produces unsymmetrical diesters of diphosphonic acids.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for spot planting seedlings in which planting instrumentalities intermittently engage ground and plant seedlings at spaced spots. The planting instrumentalities include a site preparation pulverizer, seedling insertion dibble plates, and an impacting packer head for compressing soil. Mechanism is provided for sequentially actuating the various planting instrumentalities and for reducing to zero the relative traversing velocity between the planting instrumentalities and a spot of ground engaged thereby.

Abstract: A fiber optic rotation sensor utilizes multimode optical fiber to improve power coupling and reduce coherent back scattering. A multimode light source such as a light emitting diode can be used. The system is economical and environmentally stable.

Abstract: A plant growth regulating composition which comprises as an active ingredient at least one diterpene glucoside of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or any other cation and R.sup.2 is .beta.-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-.beta.-glucopyranosyl or 2,3-di-O-(.beta.-glucopyranosyl-.beta.-glucopyranosyl, or R.sup.1 is .beta.-glucopyranosyl and R.sup.2 is .alpha.-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-2)-.beta.-glucopyranosyl, .beta.-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-.beta.-glucopyranosyl, 2,3-di-O-(.beta.-glucopyranosyl)-.beta.-glucopyranosyl or (3-O-.beta.-glucopyranosyl)-(2-O-.alpha.-rhamnosyl-.beta.-glcopyranosyl).

Abstract: There is disclosed a sterile, non-pyrogenic composition and method for preparing technetium 99m colloidal material substantially free of sulfur utilized in the scanning of organs of the body.

Abstract: Fiber optic device for controlling the state of polarization of light. In one embodiment, a strand of fiber optic material is bent into a generally planar coil of relatively tight radius to stress the material and form a birefringent medium having principal axes which are rotated to control the polarization of light passing through the strand. In a second embodiment, one portion of a fiber optic strand is twisted about its axis to change the polarization, and a second portion of the strand is formed into a coil which is free to change in radius without additional twisting as the first portion is twisted.

Abstract: Pharmacologically acceptable chemotactic agents when applied to gingival crevices cause the migration of crevicular fluid containing crevicular leucocytes into the said gingival crevice.A quantitative correlation has been found between the amount of crevicular fluid migrating into the crevice and the crevicular fluid migrating into the crevice and the crevicular leucocytes contained therein after chemotactic challenge.It has further been shown that the amount of fluid and leucocytes migrating into said crevice gave a predictable relationship to the migratory activity of leucocytes obtained from the same subject when measured by conventional in vitro means.A rapid, convenient and simple method is thus provided for detecting certain diseases involving leucocyte migratory activity abnormalities for example diabetes mellitus and periodontosis.

Abstract: A destainer for electrophoresis slab gels includes a housing having a height along its vertical axis equal to or less than its length and width thereby forming relatively short end walls which are provided with a plurality of apertures. A stain absorbing material is placed within the housing and prevented from leaving the housing by means of a porous material which permits the free flow of liquid into and out of the housing.

Abstract: Living cells suspensed in a saline buffering media are exposed to microwave radiation without raising the temperature of the cells, to study the non-thermal effects of radiation on the cells, in an apparatus which includes a vertically disposed microwave waveguide having a partitioned end filled with a temperature controlled liquid solution. The sample is contained in a micropipette which projects across the width of the waveguide through the solution. The radiation projected through the waveguide and into the solution is measured.

Abstract: Wastewater is subjected to biological reaction in a bed containing the biological reaction bacteria on a particulate carrier wherein the lower portion of the bed is fluidized while the upper portion is maintained as a fixed bed. When the fixed bed portion becomes clogged with cellular material, the entire bed is fluidized and wash water is passed through the bed to remove excess cellular material. The method is applicable to advanced wastewater treatment, both secondary treatment for BOD removal, and tertiary treatment for nitrification and/or denitrification. The method is particularly advantageous for treatment of wastewater supplied at varying flow rates.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the separation of a strong mineral acid from other species present in an aqueous solution and the recovery thereof. The process comprises the steps of: (a) bringing an aqueous solution containing the mineral acid to be separated into contact with a substantially immiscible extractant phase, whereupon the mineral acid to be separated selectively and reversibly transfers to the extractant phase; (b) separating the two phases; and (c) backwashing the extractant phase with an aqueous system to recover substantially all the mineral acid contained in the extractant phase. The special extractant phase used comprises a strong organic acid which acid is oil soluble and substantially water immiscible both in free and in salt form, an oil soluble amine which amine is substantially water insoluble both in free and in salt form and a carrier solvent for the organic acid and amine, the molar ratio of the organic acid to amine in the extractant phase being between about 0.5:2 and 2:0.5.

Abstract: Two identical bag-in-bottle bellows assemblies are provided for separately receiving and discharging breathable oxygen/air and oxygen/air/Xenon gas mixtures. An adjustable piston/cylinder gas pump is connected with the bellows assemblies through a system of conduits and valves for selectively operating the bellows of either assembly. Hoses are interconnected between the bellows and a patient mask to form inspiratory and expiratory paths. The expiratory path includes a PEEP valve, a pressure actuated exhalation valve, an O.sub.2 concentration analyzer, and a CO.sub.2 absorber. The apparatus is capable of being instantaneously switched between the isolated oxygen/air and oxygen/air/Xenon delivery systems while continuously ventilating the patient and maintaining ventilation parameters (ventilation rate, inspiratory time, oxygen concentration, end-expiratory pressure, and tidal volume) substantially constant.

Abstract: A moldboard plow implement includes an elongated tool bar and several moldboard plow units, each plow unit including a plow bottom and a plow bottom support frame connected to the tool bar for pivotal movement about a pivot axis situated in vertical alignment with the point of the respective plow bottom. The plow units are pivotally moved in unison in response to the plowing speed to maintain the specific plow resistance constant for all tractor speeds.

Abstract: A first farm implement having a front three-point hitch connection for mounting on a tractor is equipped with a rear three-point hitch means for connection with a front three-point hitch means on a second farm implement so that both farm implements can be lifted and towed in tandem fashion, or each implement can be individually lifted or towed by a single tractor. The first implement includes an elongated transverse tool bar which carries the respective connections of both the front and rear three-point hitch means therefor in alignment longitudinally of the tractor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of chlorine and magnesium oxide. According to the process substantially anhydrous magnesium chloride, containing at least 95% MgCl.sub.2, is admixed with particulate magnesium oxide and contacted with gas comprising oxygen at a temperature from about 700.degree. C. to about 1100.degree. C. One of the advantages of the process according to the present invention is to utilize the exothermicity of the oxidation of the molten magnesium chloride, the reaction being self-sustained. According to a preferred embodiment, the particulate magnesium oxide is preheated at a temperature of above 720.degree. C. before it is admixed with the molten magnesium chloride and serves as the heat transfer agent for the subsequent oxidation of the magnesium chloride.The process may be carried out in a stack reactor or in a fluidized bed reactor. The oxidation is effected with substantially dry, pure oxygen or air.