Abstract: A method is disclosed for the monitoring and control of a microbial population in a biotechnological system. The method involves the identification of at least one critical subpopulation and determining the optimal level for said subpopulation. A controlled variable is determined which can be adjusted to alter the level of the subpopulation. The method employs nucleic acid hybridization in the microbial population. This involves the preparation of a labelled probe from nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence substantially complementary to a nucleotide sequence in the nucleic acid in the subpopulation. A representative sample of the microbial population is obtained and treated to free nucleic acids and to denature double-stranded nucleic acids. The resulting sample nucleic acids are contacted with the labelled probe under appropriate conditions to form duplexes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring an ultraviolet laser beam includes disposing in the path of an ultraviolet laser beam a substantially transparent crystal that will produce a color pattern in response to ultraviolet radiation. The crystal is exposed to the ultraviolet laser beam and a color pattern is produced within the crystal corresponding to the laser beam intensity distribution therein. The crystal is then exposed to visible light, and the color pattern is observed by means of the visible light to determine the characteristics of the laser beam that passed through crystal. In this manner, a perpendicular cross sectional intensity profile and a longitudinal intensity profile of the ultraviolet laser beam may be determined. The observation of the color pattern may be made with forward or back scattered light and may be made with the naked eye or with optical systems such as microscopes and television cameras.

Abstract: Liposomes containing phosphatidylethanolamine, palmitoyl homocysteine or oleic acid or palmitic acid, fuse rapidly when the pH of the medium is reduced below 7. Liposome fusion was measured by (a) mixing of the liposomal lipids as shown by resonance energy transfer, (b) gel filtration and (c) electron microscopy. The presence of phosphatidylethanolamine or acid addition esters thereof in the liposomes greatly enhances fusion; whereas the presence of phosphatidylcholine inhibits fusion. During fusion of liposomes containing phosphatidylethanolamine:palmitoyl homocysteine (8:2), almost all of the encapsulate calcein is released. Inclusion of cholesterol (40%) in the liposomes substantially decreases leakage without impairing fusion. Those pH sensitive liposomes are fused to deliver biologically active molecules such as DNA, into living cells.

Abstract: An improved signaling system for command and information signaling over a power system interconnection comprising the utilization of pseudo-random binary pulse code with frequency modulation to overcome the extraordinarily high noise ambient while providing a way of achieving practicable transmission within the constraints typically inherent in a large interconnected power system.

Abstract: A sculpture is constructed by defining a seed having a plurality of algebraic in which the sum (M) of the orders of the surfaces is five or greater and having a plurality of edges at the intersection of the surfaces. The seed is physically modeled and the edges of the seed model are extended into space in accordance with the algebraic equations that define them. All intersection points of the edge extensions are determined and at least one rod is extended from the seed model along at least one of the edge extensions for a predetermined distance. Then, a unique algebraic adjoint surface having a maximal order of M-4 and including all of the intersection points is determined and physically modeled. The combination of the seed, at least one rod and the adjoint surface model comprises the sculpture.

Abstract: A method for preserving blood platelets by freezing the platelets in contact with a cryoprotectant solution containing a sufficient quantity of prostacyclin for the substantially complete inhibition of platelet function and having a pH which promotes the preservation of the platelets.

Abstract: Compounds are described having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl or alkenyl group having from about 11 to about 23 carbon atoms;R.sup.2 is hydrogen or an alkyl or alkenyl group having from about 1 to about 11 carbon atoms;R.sup.3 is NR.sub.4 R.sub.5 or NR.sub.4 R.sub.5 R.sub.6.sup.+ An.sup.-wherein R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are independently hydrogen or lower alkyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and An is an anion; andY represents the hydrogens of a methylene group or the oxygen of a carbonyl group.These compounds are useful as vasodilators and antihypertensive agents.

Abstract: A polypeptide having the formula Asn-Phe-Ser-Thr-Ala-Asp-Ser-Ala-Lys-Ile-Lys-Thr-Leu-Glu-Ala-Glu-Lys-Ala-Al a-Leu-Ala-Ala-Arg-Lys-Ala-Asp-Leu-Glu-Lys-Ala-Leu-Glu-Gly-Ala-Met is conjugated to polylysine.

Abstract: Synthetic immunogenic peptides when linked to a suitable carrier elicit opsonic antibodies which are type specific for type IV streptococci are disclosed.

Abstract: An impact force shaping head includes an elongated casing having an interior wall, an open end and a closed end and contains a liquid. A piston is slidingly mounted within the casing and extends longitudinally beyond the open end of the casing. The piston sealingly engages the interior wall of the casing to define a liquid-filled first chamber between the piston and the closed end of the casing. A reservoir contains liquid and a conduit connects the first chamber with the reservoir. A control valve controls the flow of liquid through the conduit. The control valve is operative in response to changes in the pressure of the liquid contained in the first chamber.

Abstract: A unitary lightweight, inexpensive, simple telescoping frame is provided for handling and storing an extension cord or similar flexible line in a figure eight configuration. The device eliminates the tangling and twisting associated with the use of such cords and provides convenient, flat, hanging storage and presents the cord so that it can be readily payed out and extended with substantially no resistance or tangling.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle for training beginning skaters is provided which has a fixed handlebar and seat mounted above a straddlebar extending between the two. The straddlebar is rigidly fixed to front and rear legs which are rigidly mounted to a wide and long base comprising two horizontal transverse base bars having swivelling caster wheels at their outer ends. The rear leg extends downward and considerably to the rear. The vehicle permits a beginning skater to train in a relatively uninhibited manner with support from a fall forward by the handlebars and skate toes and support from a rearward fall by the seat.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for the extraction of metal ions having a reduction potential of above about +0.3 from an aqueous solution. The method includes contacting the aqueous solution with a polymeric extractant having primary phosphinic acid groups, secondary phosphine oxide groups, or both phosphinic acid and phosphine oxide groups.

Abstract: A method of obtaining young blood platelets is disclosed which comprises adding at least one lectin to a mixture of blood platelets allowing this mixture to agglutinate, isolating the agglutinated product, and then removing the young agglutinated platelets from the lectin. This results in a composition consisting essentially of young blood platelets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which a blunt interior needle is positioned within a larger external needle and a sample cavity is formed at the blunt end of the interior needle. An optical fiber extends from the sample cavity up the interior needle and to a light source and light detector. A reflective surface is placed at the end of the sample cavity reflects light back to the optical fiber. A beam splitter separates the incident and reflected light.To make an in-vivo measurement of chemical concentrations in a body, the needle is inserted into the body and fluids are aspirated into the sample cavity. Light is then transmitted to the cavity by the optical fiber and is transmitted from the cavity to a detector by the same fiber. By measuring the amount of light reflected, one can determine the amount of light absorbed in the cavity and may thus determine concentrations of selected chemicals.

Abstract: Compounds having the structure ##STR1## in which A is alkanoate having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, hemiadipate, or hemiglutarate, and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are n-propyl, or n-butyl, or R.sub.1 is hydrogen, n-propyl or n-butyl and R.sub.2 is benzyl, and their corresponding non-toxic pharmacologically acceptable acid salts. The compounds are useful as active agents in therapeutic compositions having antitumor activity.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in an ultralight aircraft, glider, or sailplane to detect and navigate within thermal updrafts is disclosed. The apparatus includes a right temperature sensor and a left temperature sensor mounted on the wings of the aircraft. A difference circuit and difference indicator measure and indicate whether the right or left sensor is warmer and indicate a measured temperature difference. A derivative circuit and derivative indicator measure and indicate whether the air temperature is increasing or decreasing and indicate a rate of temperature change. The derivative circuit may be responsive to any of the right temperature sensor, the left temperature sensor, both the right and left temperature sensors, or to a third temperature sensor mounted on the aircraft. The apparatus detects thermal updrafts and indicates to the pilot when and how rapidly to turn to obtain the maximum lift from the thermal updraft.

Abstract: A solid support is sensitized with soluble rubella virus antigen which is obtained by disruption and solubilization of whole (intact) rubella virus. The sensitized support is useful in an assay for rubella virus antibody.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for grading fibers in which a tone burst of sound having a known spatial frequency distribution is transmitted along a sound path through a sample of fibers. After the sound waves have passed through the sample, they are detected, and the detected sound waves are analyzed to determine their spatial frequency distribution which is indicative of the grade of the sample of fibers.

Abstract: A method for producing genes conferring resistance to herbicides, growth regulators or other chemical agents in vascular plants is disclosed. Mutagenized spores of ferns of the genus Ceratopteris are grown in the presence of a herbicide, growth regulator, or other chemical agent and resistant mutant gametophytes are selected. Self-fertilization in the selected mutant gametophytes yields homozygous diploid sporophytes which also exhibit resistance. The sporophytes grown to maturity yield mutant spores having identical haploid genotypes which are grown to confirm the existence of resistance to the herbicide, growth regulator, or other chemical agent. The method produces vascular plant genes conferring resistance to the herbicide, growth regulator or other chemical agent.