Abstract: Acrylate and methacrylate monoesters and diesters having the following formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 are as defined in the specification, are disclosed. These monomers are polymerizable into hydrogen polymers which are extremely hydrophilic. These hydrogel polymers are useful in the preparation of wound dressings. These polymers form complexes with polyvalent metal ions such as Ca, Mg, Mn and Cu, and possess macrophage stimulating activity in addition to the useful properties possessed by other acrylate and methacrylate hydrogel polymers.

Abstract: An adjustable air valve for steam radiators, comprising a cylindrical valve body of seamless brass having a predetermined outer diameter; an upper circular disc cap closing off the top end of said valve body; a lower circular disc cap closing off the lower end of said valve body; a frusto-conical vent wall portion defining a vent orifice of fixed diameter formed integrally within said valve body proximate to said upper cap; said orifice lying in a vertical plane disposed radially inwardly of the outer cylindrical envelope of said valve body; a U-shaped bi-metallic spring cantilevered from inner portions of said valve body opposite said vent orifice; an elastomeric sealing member having a flat circular sealing surface of diameter in excess of the diameter of said vent orifice; said spring being adapted to expand and to contract in response to temperature variations to move said sealing surface selectively into and out of seal contact with said orifice; a cylindrical band having a series of apertures of graduat

Abstract: Surgical needles are described which exhibit a tapered region intermediate the point and barrel sections, over which the needles undergo a gradual transition in shape from a generally rounded circumference to a rectangular I-beam shape. The I-beam shape affords favorable strength characteristics and the gradual transition in shape smoothes the changes in penetration force performance.

Abstract: Acrylate and methacrylate monoesters and diesters having the following formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 are as defined in the specification, are disclosed. These monomers are polymerizable into hydrogel polymers which are extremely hydrophilic. These hydrogel polymers are useful in the preparation of wound dressings. These polymers form complexes with polyvalent metal ions such as Ca, Mg, Mn and Cu, and possess macrophage stimulating activity in addition to the useful properties possessed by other acrylate and methacrylate hydrogel polymers.

Abstract: Quadrol has been found to stimulate macrophage activity in warm blooded animals. As a consequence, Quadrol may be used to combat bacterial infection, remove degenerated tissue, and promote new tissue growth. Quadrol may be applied topically, e.g., as the active agent in a wound dressing.

Abstract: A tremolo bridge for an electric guitar has a fine tuning mechanism installed thereon. Fine tuning screw heads 43 have coplanar top surfaces 44 which do not rise or fall as tuning is effected. When actuated, heads 43 move screws 47 vertically to act on strings 29 through string securing levers 35. With this structure, the tuning heads form an essentially flat surface providing a seat or rest for the hand or forearm of the guitarist.

Abstract: A tremolo plate is pivotally mounted on the guitar body, and a plurality of a combination bridge saddles and lever systems are mounted on such plate, there being one such saddle-lever system for each string of the guitar. The combination systems include saddles adapted to be pivoted by set screws to change string height. They further include levers adapted to be adjusted by screws to effect fine tuning of the strings. The heads for the fine tuning screws are captured by ears. The pivot means for the tremolo plate have a pivot axis so related to the string saddles that the intonation points of the saddles may be adjusted between positions closer to the guitar neck than is such axis, and positions farther from the guitar neck than is such axis.

Abstract: An electric bass guitar incorporating combination string-adjustment, fine-tuning, and bridge-elements. The bridge-elements are accurately adjustable to any position, and are so constructed and related that the lateral positions of the strings will be determined with great precision, regardless of the adjusted position of the saddles. Fine-tuning screws are interposed between the saddles and an anchor wall which both anchors the strings and anchors the ends of adjustment elements for the saddles. The strings are confined closely in vertical slots so that they may not move laterally but may move vertically as fine-tuning occurs. The fine-tuning screws engage the string portions in the slots.

Abstract: An improved tablet hardness tester includes a ram and anvil for fracturing a tablet therebetween, a support for holding a tablet in position for fracturing between the ram and anvil, a strain gauge for measuring the force exerted by the ram in fracturing the tablet, and an indicator for indicating the measured force. The support according to the invention is a plurality of spaced-apart elongated member, preferably a pair of parallel wires. A tablet is placed on these wires and then crushed by the ram and anvil so that the pieces of the broken tablet fall beneath the wires into a container, thus eliminating the need for cleaning the support prior to a subsequent tablet hardness measurement.

Abstract: An improved surgical needle of the type having one or more cutting edges converging towards the needle tip and formed by the intersection of a plurality of planar surfaces, for use in cutting through hard body tissue material. The forward end of the needle has one or more smaller additional cutting edges located at the tip to aid initial insertion into the tissue. These additional cutting edges are formed by at least two additional intersecting planar surfaces at the tip portion. The needle is preferably curved in the reference plane defined by one of the cutting edges and the axis of the needle.

Abstract: A method of preparing a purified glucosyltransferase (GTF) for use in immunization against dental caries, which method comprises: culturing a Streptococcus mutans in a medium containing glucose and dialyzable nutrients to form a mixture of culture cells and supernatant; recovering the supernatant by the removal of the culture cells; admixing the recovered supernatant with a water-insoluble, polymerized polysaccharide as solid particulate material for a period of time, to provide a GTF, solid particulate complex; recovering the GTF complex in solid particulate form by filtration; washing the solid GTF complex to remove unbound GTF and medium components; removing GTF from the solid particulate material by a denaturing solvent; recovering the water-insoluble particulate material for reuse in the method; and recovering the GTF from the water-insoluble polysaccharide and purifying the recovered GTF.

Abstract: Immunization of animals with preparations containing more purified forms of glucosyltransferase (GTF) results in the presence of antibody in saliva demonstrable by functional inhibitions of enzyme activity and binding of radioactive enzyme. Serum antibody was also present. Immunized groups of animals had lower mean caries scores than comparably sham-immunized or nonimmunized control groups. Local immunization with GTF of serotype c or g of a Streptococcus mutans reduces the colonization, caries, and lesions caused by infection with S. mutans of serotype g (strain 6715) or c, or with serotype g or c, or with serotype a or g, respectively.

Abstract: Immunization of animals with preparations containing more purified forms of glucosyltransferase (GTF) results in the presence of antibody in saliva demonstrable by functional inhibitions of enzyme activity and binding of radioactive enzyme. Serum antibody was also present. Immunized groups of animals had lower mean caries scores than comparably sham-immunized or nonimmunized control groups. Local immunization with GTF of serotype c or g or a Streptococcus mutans reduces the colonization, caries, and lesions caused by infection with S. mutans of serotype g (strain 6715) or c, or with serotype g or c, or with serotype a or g, respectively.

Abstract: A wrapping machine has film feed rolls driven through a one revolution clutch to advance a wrapper length of stock in each cycle, past a continuously driven cutter, to separately driven and intermittently operating sheet locating belts. First sensing means disengage the clutch when no articles are ready to be wrapped. Second sensing means stop the belts in correct wrapping position of the sheet. Movable pressure rollers hold sheets on the belts, to stop with belts. Electrically actuated lifting devices lift the rollers from the belts. Cyclically driven switch means and holding circuits are connected to successively engage an electric clutch to drive the belts while opening a circuit to a brake for stopping the belts and deenergizing the roller lifting devices, then deenergize and disengage the electric clutch while conditioning the circuit to the brake for completion by the second sensing device, then energize the lifting devices for lifting the rollers from the belts.

Abstract: A novel group of amine formal polymers of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, --CH.sub.2 R" or ##STR2## R' is hydrogen or --CH.sub.2 R" and R" is hydrogen, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, n is 1 to 8, m is 0 to 8 and R, R', and R" may be the same or different. The polymers may be prepared by reacting bis(haloethyl)formals with ammonia or primary amines and/or monoalkanolamines in the presence of aqueous alkali. The products may be used as, e.g., rust inhibitors, acid scavengers, antioxidants and epoxide and urethane curing catalysts. Certain of the polymers are especially useful as epoxide curing agents.

Abstract: Elastomeric compositions of discrete parts of curable polymer and a curing agent are converted, by means of a portable, hand held conversion and dispensing apparatus, to a curable mass. The apparatus in a single compact package includes means for (1) receiving the uncured composition or article (2) breaking or fragmenting the composition (3) conveying the fragmented composition to a mixing zone (4) mixing the curable composition and (5) discharging or dispensing the mixed curable material into or on a substrate for in situ curing thereat. Also included is a power source and power transmission means wherein different rotational speeds and directions are obtained between the conveying and mixing means.