Abstract: Cariogenic substances such as foodstuffs are treated to incorporate a soluble source of calcium or phosphate ions to provide a product of calcium and phosphate ion concentrations in fluids of salivary retention areas preclusive of carious dissolution of dental enamel. In non-aqueous foodstuffs, the calcium or phosphate ion source should be at least as rapidly soluble as cariogenic, e.g., carbohydrate, components therein. Also provided are mouth rinse solutions comprising a soluble source of calcium or phosphate ions and an osmotically active agent effective in delivering such ions to fluids trapped in salivary retention areas.

Abstract: A conforming valved cervical cap assembly is provided with an elastomeric inner layer molded and cured in situ adjacent the exocervical surface of a cervix uteri. The inner layer is wettable, nonporous and matingly fits and resiliently complements the exocervical surface. In order to prevent the molding material from clogging or otherwise impairing operation of the valve, a valve cover is detachably connected to the valve during molding and curing.

Abstract: Compositions labeled with technetium-99m are purified by passage through a filtration column which contains a reducing agent, colloidal stannous phthalate, antioxidant and a particulate solid substrate capable of binding reduced technetium and of retaining insoluble technetium such as reduced hydrolyzed technetium.

Abstract: A standard Transmission Electron Microscope is modified to include electrostatic deflection plates for deflecting the image of the specimen across an aperture plate. The electrons passing through the aperture plate are detected and converted into image pixels for either instantaneous display or for further conversion into digital form for subsequent storage of the image.

Abstract: Concentrations of large organic cationic species in aqueous solution are measured as a function of potentiometric response, employing a cation-selective electrode having a high degree of selectivity for large organic cationic species with respect to both smaller organic cationic species and inorganic cationic species. The electrode is formed with a cation-selective membrane component composed of a polymeric matrix having dispersed or dissolved therein a cation exchange material whose counter-anion is a high molecular weight alkyl or alkaryl sulfonate or sulphate. By proper choice of the cationic moiety of the cation exchange material, the electrode may be made selective for a variety of large organic cationic species, including a number of such species which are of pharmaceutical or clinical interest, thereby enabling potentiometric assays for such species.

Abstract: New antineoplastic glycosides, phyllanthostatin 1, 2 and 3, and the related glycoside, phyllanthoside, have been isolated from the Central American tree, Phyllanthus acuminatus Vahl. These compounds exhibit activity against the National Cancer Institute's P388 lymphocytic leukemia. Also, phyllanthoside was found to possess a curative level of activity against the murine B16 malanoma.

Abstract: An implement is provided for in situ molding of an impression of a cervix uteri from a medical grade impression paste. In the preferred form, the implement is an impression tray with a flexible cervix uteri-receiving cup and a hollow-elongated stem which is connected to the cup for passage of impression paste into the cup. The cup is fabricated with a circumferential flange that extends radially inwardly from the annular rim of the cup. The circumferential flange provides a retainer which holds the cervix uteri in place and also resiliently seals against the exocervical surface of the cervix uteri to facilitate retention of the impression paste in the cup during in situ molding of the cervical impression.

Abstract: Radioiodination of aminoacyl-transfer RNAs with either .sup.125 I or .sup.131 I resulted in the preferential addition of radioiodine to bound tyrosine. The radioiodinated tyrosyl-tRNA was 10-fold purified by chromatography and was found to consist essentially of monoiodo- and diiodo-tRNA in approximately equal isotopic proportions. The radioiodinated tyrosine was readily incorporated into proteins synthesized in broken cell reactions.The specific activity of the iodine-labeled proteins can be modulated up to the highest theoretical value (radioiodine in each tyrosine) yielding products that are valuable for use in immunoassay procedures in research and in the determination of proteins of clinical importance. In addition to the mature proteins (processed by natural post-synthetic reactions) the product proteins can comprise prohormone-type molecules which represent the precursor of normal circulating forms of hormones. The .sup.

Abstract: Subjecting 1,4-bis-[(pyrrolin-3-onyl)methylamino]-2-butyne to ultraviolet irradiation effects rearrangement in greater than 80% yield to 1,4-bis-[(isocyanatocycloprolpyl)methylamino]-2-butyne. The diisocyanate is useful in the synthesis of polyurethanes and polyureas and also for the in situ photochemical generation of a cross-linking agent for polyurethanes and structurally related polymers.

Abstract: Lower aliphatic carboxylic acids of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or salts thereof are prepared by culturing the microorganism Eubacterium limosum in a nutrient medium containing at least one member of the group consisting of carbon monoxide and a mixture of hydrogen and carbon oxide under substantially anaerobic conditions.

Abstract: Frost-sensitive plants are protected against frost injury by topical application thereto of non-phytotoxic virulent bacteriophages which are species-specific to the ice-nucleating bacteria normally present on the plants. The bacteriophages selectively attack the ice-nucleating bacteria and inhibit their ice-nucleating activity, thereby reducing the temperature at which frost injury occurs.

Abstract: A non-invasive birth control device in the form of a custom-formed, valved cervical cap is disclosed. The cervical cap comprises a cup-shaped elastomeric shell substantially complementary with contiguous surface of portio vaginalis cervicis when in contact therewith, having an aperture at the apex of the shell, and a depending skirt that is thinner than said shell and is provided with a plurality of spaced slits. The aperture is covered by an elastomeric web secured to the shell and defines, together with the shell, a one-way valve means having a discharge port offset from the aperture. The cervical cap can be fabricated from a specially designed blank of a thermoplastic elastomeric material using a replica of cervix uteri as a mold.

Abstract: An improved solar cell structure is described wherein the cell's front region is provided with a plurality of raised structures, each structure comprising a multilayer of a highly doped region and a high-low junction. On these raised structures sit the solar cell's conductive grid. By emplacing the multilayer structure directly underneath the front region metallized conductive grid, the efficiency losses which would have been present had the highly doped region extended entirely or partially across the front layer, are avoided and the high surface recombination velocity associated with the grid is masked.

Abstract: A non-invasive birth control device in the form of a custom-formed, valved cervical cap is disclosed. The cervical cap comprises a cup-shaped elastomeric shell substantially complementary with contiguous surface of portio vaginalis cervicis when in contact therewith and having an aperture at the apex of the shell. The aperture is covered by an elastomeric web secured to the shell and defines, together with the shell, a one-way valve means having a discharge port offset from the aperture. The cervical cap can be fabricated from a specially designed blank of a thermoplastic elastomeric material using a replica of cervix uteri as a mold.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for isoelectric focusing. A fluid is employed which contains buffering compounds capable of establishing a pH gradient in an electric field. A plurality of ion non-selective permeable membranes are used to streamline the flow of fluid while allowing interchange of fluid constituents therebetween. Electrodes establish an electrical potential transverse the flow of fluid to establish a gradient of pH steps as between successive channels defined by the membranes.

Abstract: The surface of an electrically conductive substrate is electrolytically modulated to a predetermined profile by subjecting the surface to electrodeposition or electrodissolution through ionically conductive body portions of an ionic conductance resist which masks the surface. The rate of passage of ionic species to or from any given point along the masked surface is controlled by the trans-resist ionic conductance or resistance at that point. The predetermined surface profile is generated by providing the resist with a trans-resist ionic conductance or resistance profile which patterns the predetermined surface profile.

Abstract: A specular cavity is provided in which an optical receiver is emplaced. The cavity is provided with a series of V groove-like indentations (or pyramidal-type indentations) which redirect energy entering between the receiver and cavity structure onto the receiver. The aperture opening of each V groove is less than half the cavity opening and in most preferred embodiments, much less than half. This enables the optical receiver to be emplaced a distance g from the cavity wherein 0.414r<g.ltoreq.r (r is the radius of the receiver) leading to an attendant increase in energy concentration capability.

Abstract: An alloy capable of reversible sorption of hydrogen having the formula Fe.sub.1-x Mn.sub.x Ti.sub.1-y V.sub.y, where x is within the range from 0 to 0.2 and y is within the range of from 0.005 to 0.08.

Abstract: The vitamin B.sub.12 (cobalamin) level of human blood and mammalian tissue is routinely assayed utilizing radioisotope dilution assay (RIDA) techniques. The presence of vitamin "B.sub.12 analogues" in most such samples, which analogues are erroneously assayed as true vitamin B.sub.12 utilizing prior art RIDA techniques, has been determined. Such errors are due to the fact that binding proteins commonly used in prior art RIDA techniques usually include proteins which bind both true vitamin B.sub.12 and the previously unrecognized vitamin B.sub.12 analogues which are present in such samples. The errors previously caused by the measurement of vitamin B.sub.12 analogues are avoided by using an assay composition for binding vitamin B.sub.12 which is substantially free of substances which bind vitamin B.sub.12 analogues in said samples. Methods of making and using such assay compositions are taught.

Abstract: A disposable esophageal probe incorporating the capability to detect ECG waveforms, heart sounds and to measure body core temperature is described. The probe incorporates a plastic tube with electrically conductive pathways embedded in its side walls thereby eliminating any lumen obstruction. Its distal end is enclosed by a rubber sheath which provides a diaphragm for the transmission of sounds into the lumen of the tube. An integral disposable connector assembly is provided at its proximal end to enable direct connection to be made to the plastic pathways and the lumen. A modification of the probe which allows it to monitor respiration rate is also described.