Abstract: A contrast agent for nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy adapted for use in a living tissue comprising at least one reporter nucleus, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is disclosed. The contrast agent exhibits a first spectral property when not bound by nitric oxide, and a second spectral property when bound by nitric oxide. Methods of using the contrast agents for the detection of nitric oxide are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for application to foliage of a plant to elicit a biological effect is provided.

Abstract: Exploding conducting film laser optical pumping apparatus. The 342-nm molecular iodine and the 1.315-.mu.m atomic iodine lasers have been optically pumped by intense light from exploding-metal-film discharges. Brightness temperatures for the exploding-film discharges were approximately 25,000 K. Although lower output energies were achieved for such discharges when compared to exploding-wire techniques, the larger surface area and smaller inductance inherent in the exploding-film should lead to improved efficiency for optically-pumped gas lasers.

Abstract: An optically pumped isotopic ammonia laser system which is capable of producing a plurality of frequencies in the middle infrared spectral region. Two optical pumping mechanisms are disclosed, i.e., pumping on R(J) and lasing on P(J) in response to enhancement of rotational cascade lasing including stimulated Raman effects, and, pumping on R(J) and lasing on P(J+2). The disclosed apparatus for optical pumping include a hole coupled cavity and a grating coupled cavity.

Abstract: The pattern of the flow of a gas that is injected into a gaseous stream is made visible by causing the flow of the injected gas to become luminous; and, therefore, to be visible, detectable, and recordable. This luminosity is accomplished by producing long-lifetime (metastable), excited-state species (atoms or molecules) of the main gas flow upstream of the injected gas.