Abstract: Senescence in perishable plant tissue is inhibited by the application thereto of an effective amount of a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, --OH or --OR.sub.7, provided that at least one of R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 is a hydroxyl group, R.sub.6 is selected from the group consisting of --OH, --OR.sub.8 and --NHR.sub.9, R.sub.7 is a substituent group, R.sub.8 is the residue of an ester-forming compound and R.sub.9 is the residue of an amide-forming compound. The compound may be prepared synthetically and, in some cases, can be isolated from natural sources, for example, the glucose ester of ferulic acid may be isolated from carnation petals.

Abstract: A reaction vessel has a catalytic core, with an inlet for a first gas and for a second gas. The first and second gasses react in an exothermic reaction during passage through the catalytic core. The first gas passes through conduits which extend through the catalytic core, so as to be preheated and also so as to cool the catalytic core so that the catalyzed reaction proceeds in a preferred temperature range. The gasses are mixed at one end of the vessel in a mixing chamber, and are drawn through the catalytic core into a gathering chamber, from which the reacted gasses exit. A cooling chamber is provided for introduction of a cooling fluid about the periphery of the catalytic core, for drawing away any excess heat during operation.

Abstract: A test strip has a reagent-containing film layer coatingly embedded at least preponderantly on and into only one side of a carrier layer made of a multifilar fabric or fleece.