Abstract: The present invention relates to oligonucleotide probes useful for determining the presence in a sample of arbuscular endomycorrhizal fungi. These probes are derived from nuclear genes coding for ribosomal RNA of arbuscular endomycorrhizal fungi.

Abstract: A process for making a custom phase-conjugated circular mirror to be used in a laser resonator that will suit specifications of a user is provided. The mirror reverses wavefront of one particular input beam .PSI..sub.o (x) determined by the user, the input beam .PSI..sub.o (x) having a given wavelength, the laser resonator including the mirror and an output coupler cooperating with the mirror and separated therefrom by a laser gain medium, the mirror being at a distance L from the output coupler. The process comprises steps of (a) determining the input beam .PSI..sub.o (x) that will suit need of the user; (b) calculating equation of .PSI..sub.L (x) which is a value of the input beam .PSI..sub.o (x) that is propagated through said laser gain medium at distance L; (c) calculating phase .PHI..sub.o (x) of the input beam, which is a phase of the input beam .PSI..sub.o (x) at distance L, the phase .PHI..sub.

Abstract: Commercially valuable chemicals are extracted from tire-derived pyrolytic oils by subjecting the pyrolytic oils to a fractional distillation at a temperature of up to about 204.degree. C. under atmospheric pressure to isolate at least one commercially valuable chemical selected from the group consisting of paraffins, naphthenes, olefins and aromatics. Particularly valuable chemicals which can be extracted from tire-derived pyrolytic oils are benzene, toluene, xylene, styrene and limonene-dl. The distillation fraction boiling above 204.degree. C. can be used as an extension oil in the manufacture of various rubber and plastic parts. Also disclosed is an improved process for producing carbon black by vacuum pyrolysis of used rubber tires.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antitumor compounds of the formula I: ##STR1## wherein M is selected from the group consisting of an hydrogen atom, a peptide residue, and a protein residue linked to the carbon atom via the amino residue of .epsilon.-lysine present therein which can be an antibody used to target the anti-tumor agent to the malignant cells, and R can be an antitumor agent such as daunorubicin, doxorubicin, or an epirublicin derivative.

Abstract: Commercially valuable chemicals are separated from tire-derived pyrolytic oils by subjecting the pyrolytic oils to a fractional distillation at a temperature of up to about 204.degree. C. under atmospheric pressure to isolate at least one commercially valuable chemical selected from the group consisting of paraffins, naphthenes, olefins and aromatics. Particularly valuable chemicals which can be extracted from tire-derived pyrolytic oils are benzene, toluene, xylene, styrene and dl-limonene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-tumor-conjugation agent-protein compounds of the general formula I: ##STR1## wherein, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently selected from hydrogen atom, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, C.sub.1-6 carboxyalkyl, phenyl, or phenyl substituted by at least one of hydroxy, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, or nitro, with the proviso that R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 cannot be simultaneously a hydrogen, and when one of R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 is a hydrogen, the other one cannot be --CH.sub.2 COOH;A is the residue of an anti-tumor agent containing at least one amino group available to form an amide bound; andB is a free .epsilon.-lysine containing residue selected from a peptide or a protein.

Abstract: Commerically valuable chemicals are extracted from tire-derived pyrolytic oils by subjecting the pyrolytic oils to a fractional distillation at a temperature of up to about 204.degree. C. under atmospheric pressure to isolate at least one commercially valuable chemical selected from the group consisting of paraffins, naphthenes, olefins and aromatics. Particularly valuable chemicals which can be extracted from tire-derived pyrolytic oils are benzene, toluene, xylene, styrene and limonene-dl.

Abstract: Commercially valuable chemicals are extracted from tire-derived pyrolytic oils by subjecting the pyrolytic oils to a fractional distillation at a temperature of up to about 204.degree. C. under atmospheric pressure to isolate at least one commercially valuable chemical selected from the group consisting of paraffins, naphthenes, olefins and aromatics. Particularly valuable chemicals which can be extracted from tire-derived pyrolytic oils are benene, toluene, xylene, styrene and limonene-dl. The distillation fraction boiling above 204.degree. C. can be used as an extension oil in the manufacture of various rubber and plastic parts. Also disclosed is an improved process for producing carbon black by vacuum pyrolysis of used rubber tires.

Abstract: There is provided four distinct hybrid cell lines bearing numbers M75, M300, M344 and 19A211, each producing a different monoclonal antibody of class lgG1, each antibody when used alone or in combination with one or more of the other three antibodies being capable of selective binding with one or more distinct antigens produced by superficial papillary bladder tumors of the human urinary bladder. There is also provided a method for producing such cell lines as well as a method and a test kit for the detection of distinct antigens produced by superficial papillary bladder turmors of the human urinary bladder. Provision is also made for use in flow cytometry (single or multiple laer) and in biosensors for detect of these antigens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biofungicidal composition characterized by its capacity to arrest the growth and/or destroy the cell wall of pathogenic fungi, comprises a composition of a compound of the formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## and R.sub.2 is --H or --OH and mixtures thereof in association with an inert carrier, and to a method for arresting the growth and/or destroying the cell wall of pathogenic fungi by applying thereto a biofungicidal amount of the composition of a compound of formula I in association with an inert carrier.

Abstract: A method for the production of edible mushrooms, particularly Pleurotus or Volvaria, wherein the inoculum or spawn is in liquid suspension and the substrate is packed before pasteurization. The substrate contained in a specially adapted plastic bag which is no more handled during the following steps: pasteurization, inoculation. The bag is a specially adapted plastic bag which is provided with a number of gas exchange surfaces or membranes which are impervious to outside microorganisms thereby avoiding contamination of the nutrient substrate by outside microorganisms. Inoculation can be performed by injection of the inoculum in suspension through the plastic bag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deriving information on a light beam. The light beam is processed by an optical system to produce two quasi-collinear beams propagating in opposite directions, namely pump and probe beams with orthogonal linear polarizations. The beams interact with the medium contained in a cell, which medium is capable to manifest absorption resonance. As a result of the beams interaction with the medium, the intensity of the probe beam transmitted through the medium, considered along a predetermined polarization axis, becomes representative of a particular state of absorption resonance of the medium, which resonance occurs when the frequencies of the pump and probe beams are located within a narrow absorption resonance frequency bandwidth characterizing the medium. The invention finds applications in the laser spectroscopy technology as well as in the construction of frequency stabilized laser sources, optical filters and optical communication systems, among others.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are derivatives of 5-(lower alkyl)-7-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione having substituents on the amino group. The derivatives have luminescent properties which render them useful as analytical tools in clinical chemistry. Adaptation of the derivatives for luminescent immunoassay provides valuable reagents and assays with outstanding sensitivity.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a method for the separation of hydrophobic from hydrophilic materials in a liquid suspension by means of gas bubbles and a flow of water that drags the hydrophobic material upwards. A distinctive feature of the method is an upward flow of water countercurrent to the flow of settling hydrophilic particles. The disclosure describes a cell in which gas is caused to disperse into an ascending flow of liquid and in which a feed port is provided to introduce particles in a flow countercurrent to that of the bubbles and water.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of used rubber tires by vacuum pyrolysis in a reactor to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons and a solid carbonaceous material is disclosed. According to the invention, the pyrolysis of the tires is carried out at a temperature in the range of about 360.degree. C. to about 415.degree. C., under a sub-atmospheric pressure of less than about 35 mm Hg and such that gases and vapors produced in the reactor have a residence time of the order of a few seconds. The process according to the invention enables one to increase the yield of the liquid hydrocarbons and lower the yields of the gaseous hydrocarbons and solid carbonaceous material, and to thereby produce hydrocarbon oils in substantially maximum yield. These hydrocarbon oils have a high calorific value and are thus suitable for use as heating fuel.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring the fibre orientation anisotropy in a fibrous structure such as a sheet of paper or a textile. According to this method, a linearly polarized, far infrared laser beam is directed towards one side of the fibrous structure whose fibre orientation anisotropy is to be measured. The incident energy of the laser beam is measured before this beam traverses the fibrous structure, and its transmitted energy is measured on the other side of the fibrous structure. The transmission coefficient T of the laser beam is determined in at least two different orientations of the polarization plane of the beam with respect to the fibrous structure, this coefficient T being the ratio of the transmitted-to-incident energies. This coefficient T varies exponentially with the basis weight of the fibrous structure and the ratio .alpha.

Abstract: A simulator, for use with stereoradiographs, as a neurosurgical aid in locating potential paths for the implantation of probes in selected locations of the brain. It has a support, on the top surface of which is mounted a pair of radiographs disposed for stereoscopic viewing. An elongated ruler lies over the stereoradiographs and is movable in translation over them. A pair of transparent flat plotting plates are mounted on the ruler and are slidable therealong. Each plotting plate has a circular hole and a transparent circular disc is rotatable around this hole; a radial line extending from the center of the disc giving a "floating line" in the stereoscopically viewed model to simulate a probe to be implanted in the brain.

Abstract: Electromagnetic wave concentrator, especially a solar energy concentrator, in the form of a thin plate made up of a succession of identical light coupling modules each made up of two identical prisms made of transparent materials and having different indexes of refraction. The physical characteristics of the prisms are selected to cause continuous bending of the light beams, striking an incident face of the concentrator, toward a terminal edge surface of the concentrator plate.

Abstract: A tungsten filament intended as a thermionic source, made from a wire of which the zone defining the point is of a diameter smaller than that of the basal zone and where the diameter of the transitory part of the wire changes progressively. This filament is contained in the same plane and its lower legs are welded to rigid posts in a ceramic base. A novel electrolytic sharpening process is used for the reduction of the diameter of the filament wire, and this process, which permits the progressive reduction of the dimension of a workpiece, can be used in other applications. An apparatus is used for the manufacturing of such a filament by cyclic electrolytic sharpening, as well as means enabling the bending of the wire and its positioning during the welding operation.

Abstract: A digital timing system for sports competitions in which a large number of participants progress independently and simultaneously on the same track between a starting line and a finish line. This system comprises a starting time memory, a finish time memory, and a register which permits the temporary storing of the times of a predetermined number of events happening nearly simultaneously. The time is furnished by means of an oscillator and decade counters of which the multiplexed output is applied to the register where the information is entered. This information is shortly thereafter transferred to the starting time memory or to the finish time memory, as the case may be. A subtractor unit subtracts the recorded starting time of a selected participant from the real time when it is desired to display the lapsing time of the participant. At the final, the final track time is displayed.