Abstract: The non-circulating hydroponic kit incorporates a water impervious container capable of holding a variable depth of nutrient solution and a solid container lid with a plurality of apertures through which a multitude of root-impervious tubes or frusto-conical containers can be inserted and supported. The lid stops visible light from entering the plant holding container by fitting over the container, and the reusable tubes can be of a multitude of lengths. Preferred lengths are from 5 to 9 inches long. The tubes have open tops and a plurality of apertures in the side walls, preferably 1/4 to 1/2 inches in diameter. The tube may have a plurality of vertical foils extending inward from the side wall and downward to the lower end to deter roots from spiraling around the side walls. Nutrient solution is placed in the container and the tubes are filled with a particulate growing medium.

Abstract: A unique package for inoculants and a method for enabling the end user to introduce a pure culture of a microorganism into its appropriate growth substance, and later the microorganism enriched substance into a carrier material within a self-contained unit. The basic package separates a stabilized pure culture of the microorganism from the growth substance by a clamp which forms a physical partition. The microorganism is introduced to the substance when the partition is eliminated. After a time of growth to a maximum extent possible in the substance, the package is fractured to release the fresh inoculation at maximum microorganism vitality. Growth of the microorganism in the growth substance in-situ results in maximum numbers of the beneficial microorganism being available at the site of application.

Abstract: A structure for a detector with a high spatial resolution is characterized not only as integrating on the same chip both PIN diodes and readout circuitry for detecting the charge collected through the individual diodes, but places the junction and collection electrode on opposite ends of the PIN diode. This reduces the fields at the collection electrode, and allows the wells containing the readout circuitry, which should be located as close to the collection electrode as possible to minimize collection electrode capacitance, to be placed in a low field region. The bias voltage required on the wells can then be reduced, and the electrodes for collecting the generated charge can be made smaller.

Abstract: A method of removing acridity substances from Araceae tubers without cooking by first soaking the tubers in warm water to achieve maximum starch yield while leaving the starch ungelatinized followed by a dilute alkali treatment to achieve maximum removal of acridity substances.

Abstract: A filmless X-ray imaging system includes at least one X-ray source, upper and lower collimators, and a solid-state detector array, and can provide three-dimensional imaging capability. The X-ray source plane is distance z.sub.1 above upper collimator plane, distance z.sub.2 above the lower collimator plane, and distance z.sub.3 above the plane of the detector array. The object to be X-rayed is located between the upper and lower collimator planes. The upper and lower collimators and the detector array are moved horizontally with scanning velocities v.sub.1, v.sub.2, v.sub.3 proportional to z.sub.1, z.sub.2 and z.sub.3, respectively. The pattern and size of openings in the collimators, and between detector positions is proportional such that similar triangles are always defined relative to the location of the X-ray source.

Abstract: Novel scytophycin compounds and compositions are disclosed, along with methods of making and using the new compounds. Methods for preparing the new scytophycin compounds from new strains of the blue-green algae Scytonema ocellatum, Scytonema burmanicum and purified cultures of the algae are also provided. The scytophycins are useful as anti-cancer agents, antifungal agents and for cell research purposes.

Abstract: An improved batch process for the pyrolytic conversion of woody and herbaceous plant material is provided which yields charcoal, on a dry weight basis, in yields ranging from about 35% to about 50%, having volatile matter content of about 25% or less, and fuel value of 13000 BTU/pound. The batch process can be conducted in two hours or less per batch with virtually instantaneous reloading for subsequent batches without substantial cooling of the reactor utilized for the process and without exposing the hot processed charcoal to air or oxygen sufficient to cause combustion upon removal from the reactor.

Abstract: Oceanographic mining uses a flexible cover draped over a submarine ore-bearing stratum. The cover serves as a blanket-like structure for application of a leaching substance and isolation of the leachate and stratum from the surrounding water. The leachate infiltrates the stratum and becomes pregnant with intended materials. The leaching solution is subsequently pumped to the surface. The ores are separated from the pregnant leaching solution, enabling the solution to be used again. The cover supports and arranges anchor and sealing tubes and leachate and pregnant liquor tubes. Pumps are mounted on a platform connected to the cover. The cover is deployed by sinking parallel coils and filling peripheral tubes to uncoil and anchor the cover on a sea bed. One cover is spread by tube and is sunk in a controlled manner.

Abstract: The non-circulating hydroponic kit incorporates a water impervious container capable of holding a variable depth of nutrient solution and a solid container lid with a plurality of apertures through which a multitude of root-impervious tubes or frusto-conical containers can be inserted and supported. The lid stops visible light from entering the plant holding container by fitting over the container, and the reusable tubes can be of a multitude of lengths. Preferred lengths are from 5 to 9 inches long. The tubes have open tops and a plurality of apertures in the side walls, preferably 1/4 to 1/2 inches in diameter. The tube may have a plurality of vertical foils extending inward from the side wall and downward to the lower end to deter roots from spiraling around the side walls. Nutrient solution is placed in the container and the tubes are filled with a particulate growing medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a P. falciparum merozoite antigenic polypeptide of approximate molecular weight 185,000. The polypeptide and processing fragments are specific to, and isolable using, a monoclonal antibody produced by hybridoma cell line HB 9148. The polypeptides are useful in immunizing against malaria.

Abstract: Methods of using N,N'-disubstituted thiocarbamide compounds for reversibly inhibiting hyperthyroidism are provided. Active compounds reversibly inhibit catalytic iodination without producing sulfenic acid intermediates which can permanently inactivate thyroid peroxidase. By preventing sulfenic acid formation, side effects due to toxicity in liver and bone marrow can be reduced compared to currently used drugs. The compounds can be formulated for administration to a hyperthyroid patient until remission occurs with less risk of possible everdosing.

Abstract: A particle detector has pixels arranged in rows and columns in a array-like formation and readout circuits for determining which of these pixels were hit by an ionizing particle. The pixels each including a PIN diode and charge transferring circuitry are integrated on a common silicon substrate with the readout circuits. Column buses and row buses are provided, associated with the pixels on the same column or row. A priority encoder gives the address of the highest numbered input that is asserted. Electric charge collected by a hit pixel is stored momentarily on a collection electrode and affects the current flow from the column bus to the row bus associated with the pixel. The column buses are sequentially activated and variations in the row currents are examined in parallel. To efficiently and accurately collect charge from the substrate, wells are used to which also contain the transferring circuitry and readout circuits.

Abstract: Novel cyclic anti-tumor promoter compounds and therapeutic compositions are disclosed, along with method for their production and use as anti-cancer and cancer-prevention agents.

Abstract: New hapalindole-type alkaloids called A89271 A-F and I are antifungal and antitumor agents. Methods for preparing them and for preparing hapalindoles G and H by culturing the blue-green alga Fischerella ambigua ATCC 55210 are provided. Methods for preparing A89271 factors B and F by culturing the blue-green alga Hapalosiphon hibernicus ATCC 55225 and a biologically pure culture of this alga are also provided. Further provided are methods and compositions for the inhibition of fungal growth and the treatment of susceptible neoplasms.

Abstract: Scytophycins A, B, C, D and E, an aldehyde and alcohol derivative of scytophycin B and the specified alkanoyl and benzoyl esters of scytophycins A, B, C, D and E and the B derivatives (scytophycin compounds) are novel antineoplastic and antifungal agents. Antifungal compositions containing a scytophycin compound and methods of inhibiting fungi, especially plant pathogenic fungi, using these compositions are included. A method for producing the scytophycin complex, comprising scytophycins A, B, C, D and E, using a new strain of the blue-green alga Scytonema pseudohofmanni, and a biologically purified culture of the alga are also provided.

Abstract: Novel cyclic anti-tumor promoter compounds and therapeutic compositions are disclosed, along with method for their production and use as anti-cancer and cancer-prevention agents.

Abstract: A method of using measurements of the dc photocurrent produced by a photodetector to determine the wavelength or color of incident light, or to characterize certain properties of a semiconductor device or material. The intrinsic wavelength filtering ability of the photodetector is used as the basis for determining the wavelength of incident light by relating measurements of the dc photocurrent versus reverse bias voltage to the absorption coefficient of the semiconductor material from which the detector is fabricated. Color detection is accomplished by expressing the measured photocurrent as a linear combination of the photocurrents due to detection of each of the three primary colors. The coefficients of each of the terms of the linear combination are then varied to obtain the best fit to the measured photocurrent. This allows a determination of the color of the detected light based on the respective contributions of each of the primary colors to its actual color.

Abstract: A method is provided, whereby a crustacean virus is grown in fish cells. In particular, infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) is grown in the established fish cell line, epithelioma papillosum cyprini (EPC).

Abstract: A VLSI radiation/particle detector includes detecting elements based on one or more PIN diodes which are biased for collecting the charge generated by incident radiation or ionizing particles, and readout circuitry integrated on the same chip for detecting the collected charge. The junction of the PIN diode and the well containing the readout circuitry are separated far from each other such that the bias voltage required on the well to direct most generated charge to the collection electrodes can be reduced, and these can be made smaller to improve the detector's spatial resolution.

Abstract: Novel azulenic retinoid compounds and therapeutic compositions are disclosed, along with method for their production and use as anti-cancer and cancer-prevention agents. The compositions of the present invention will also find use in treating dermatological disorders such as acne and psoriasis, as well as dermatologically-related conditions such as repair and effacement of wrinkles.