Abstract: A method for accelerating the process of removing ethanol from the blood through the use of certain additives that accelerate the metabolic oxidation of ethanol, and others which in addition act as catalysts or “pseudo” enzymes for the oxidation. These additives include multivalent transition metal ions, as well as complexes thereof, and NAD+ which enhance the oxidation reaction. The method described can act as a sobriety inducer and/or as an effective palliative for the unpleasant effects of overuse of ethanol.

Abstract: Improved dry-operative ion-selective electrodes and their use are described. The dry-operative ion-selective electrodes include an internal reference electrode comprising a water-soluble salt dispersed in a polymer binder consisting essentially of a monomer having at least one carboxyl group and a hydrophobic monomer. The polymer provides reduced brittleness, good interlayer adhesion and high salt tolerance.

Abstract: A dry immunoassay analytical element, for assaying a ligand, comprising a support bearing:(a) a labeled ligand zone;(b) a spreading zone; and(c) a receptor zone containing a fixed concentration of an immobilized receptor for the ligand and the labeled ligand and the receptor is covalently bonded to polymeric beads having a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 5 .mu.m;characterized in that the element contains a compound containing a vanadium IV (V.sup.+4) ion and the zones can be in the same or separate layers.

Abstract: A method and multilayer analytical element for the determination of catechol and catechol generating substances such as salicylate is described. A series of enzymatic conversions involving tyrosinase is used to convert catechol to o-quinone and the latter to convert a leuco dye to a colored dye.

Abstract: A method and multilayer analytical element for the determination of catechol and catechol generating substances such as salicylate is described. A series of enzymatic conversions involving tyrosinase is used to convert catechol to o-quinone and the latter to convert a leuco dye to a colored dye.

Abstract: A multilayer analytical element for quantitatively assaying ethanol comprising a tetrazolium salt, alcohol dehydrogenase, NAD.sup.+, and an electron transfer agent characterized in that the layer comprising the electron transfer agent also includes a polymer having recurring negatively charged groups and the NAD.sup.+ is in a different layer is disclosed.

Abstract: Sodium ion selective compositions which comprise an ion carrier, a compound capable of solvating the ion carrier, and a supporting matrix are disclosed.The ion carriers of this invention are hemispherand compounds represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or a heterocyclic group and R represents Z-decyl, Z-octyl, 3-octyl, and cyclohexyl methyl.

Abstract: A battery charger 10 includes a capacitor 20 which establishes a level of current sufficient to fast charge in one-hour a battery 18 having from one to twenty cells. An SCR 16 is controlled by a timer 42 to initially delay the supply of current while determining whether the battery 18 is hot or cool. If battery 18 is cool, charger 10 proceeds to fast charge the battery. After battery 18 is fully charged, the battery heats to a temperature where a NTC thermistor 58 responds to trigger a second timer 52 which controls SCR 16 to stop the fast charging operation. Charger 10 is then controlled to prevent the charger from thereafter re-entering a fast charge mode.If battery 18 is initially hot, charger 10 is controlled to further delay the initiation of a fast charge operation until the battery cools to or below the charge-start temperature.

Abstract: Ion-selective compositions which comprise an ion carrier, a compound capable of solvating the ion carrier, and a supporting matrix are disclosed. The ion carrier according to the invention is a lipophilic hemispherand compound. These compositions are particularly useful in ion-selective electrodes. Such an electrode is capable of selectively transporting a first ion in preference to a second ion. Particularly useful hemispherands have a .DELTA.G of complexation with the first ion which is at least 0.3 Kcal/mole greater than the .DELTA.G of complexation with the second ion. Dry-operative electrodes using these ion-selective compositions as membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: An analytical composition, electrode and method are useful for the detection of lithium ions in an aqueous liquid. The lithium ion-selective composition comprises a lipophilic group-substituted 1,10-phenanthroline, a compound capable of solvating the phenanthroline, and a supporting matrix. This composition can be used in a lithium ion-selective electrode as a lithium ion-selective membrane. The electrode can also comprise an internal reference electrode.

Abstract: A particular class of triarylmethane leuco dyes are useful in analytical compositions, elements and methods. These leuco dyes are triarylmethane compounds having an aromatic heterocyclic moiety attached to the central methane carbon and which, upon interaction with hydrogen peroxide, provide dyes having a maximum absorption at a wavelength equal to or greater than about 600 nm. Particularly useful leuco dyes have the structure: ##STR1## wherein R is a 5- to 15-membered aromatic heterocyclic moiety; and R' and R" are independently open chain or cyclic amines. These compounds are useful for providing detectable dyes in compositions and elements useful for detection of hydrogen peroxide or other analytes which react to produce hydrogen peroxide in aqueous liquids, e.g. biological fluids.

Abstract: Potassium ion-selective compositions which comprise valinomycin and a particular carrier solvent capable of solvating valinomycin are disclosed. The carrier solvent is a dicarboxylic acid diester having at least 25 carbon atoms, a viscosity of less than about 120 centipoise at 20.degree. C. and a boiling point greater than about 170.degree. C. at 5 mm pressure. A preferred carrier solvent is diisodecyl phthalate. Membranes prepared from these compositions preferably have a glass transition temperature greater than about -50.degree. C. These membranes are particularly useful in dry-operative potassium ion-selective electrodes which are capable of selectively determining potassium ions in preference to other ions.

Abstract: Ion-selective compositions which comprise an ion carrier, a compound capable of solvating the ion carrier, and a supporting matrix are disclosed. The ion carrier useful in this invention is a hemispherand compound represented by the structure: ##STR1## wherein X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 are independently alkyl or alkenyl, or any one of X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 is taken with one of the others of X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3 and X.sub.4 to form an alkylene group or an alkylene group interrupted with hetero atoms; and R represents the atoms necessary to complete a macrocyclic ring structure having from 16 to 19 atoms in the backbone of the ring structure, with the proviso that R contains (a) at least one coordinating site for sodium ions and (b) at least two alkylene groups as part of the ring structure. These compounds and the compositions containing same are particularly useful in ion-selective electrodes.

Abstract: Ion-selective compositions which comprise an ionophore, a compound capable of solvating the ionophore and a supporting matrix are disclosed. The ionophores useful in these compositions are certain crown ethers. These ion-selective compositions are particularly useful in ion-selective membranes and electrodes which are capable of selectively transporting a first ion in preference to a second ion. Such compositions, membranes and electrodes are useful for potentiometric measurement of alkali metal ions, e.g. lithium, sodium and potassium, in aqueous solutions, e.g. biological fluids. Dry-operative electrodes using these ion-selective compositions as membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ion-selective compositions which comprise an ion carrier, a compound capable of solvating the ion carrier, and a supporting matrix are disclosed.The ion carriers of this invention are hemispherand compounds represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or a heterocyclic group; and X is benzyl or an electron donating group capable of forming at least one coordinating site for sodium ions. A preferred hemispherand according to this invention is 2'-benzyloxy-3,3"-[2,6-pyridylenebis(methyleneoxymethylene)]-2,2"-tetramet hylenedioxy-5,5',5"-trimethyl-1,1':3',1"-terphenyl. These compounds and the compositions containing same are particularly useful in ion-selective electrodes. Such an electrode is capable of selectively transporting sodium ions in preference to other cations. Dry-operative electrodes using these ion-selective compositions as membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Certain organic, carbon acid silver halide complexing agents in a photographic diffusion transfer system provide suitable replacement for conventional silver halide complexing agents. Such organic, silver halide complexing agents include certain sulfones, nitriles and onium salts. These are especially useful in a silver salt diffusion transfer system. They can be employed with silver halide developing agents, such as in a monobath, and are especially suitable with a hydroxylamine silver halide developing agent. Other addenda commonly employed in photographic diffusion transfer systems can be employed in combination with these silver halide complexing agents.

Abstract: A dry-operative ion-selective electrode comprising:(a) a dried, internal reference electrode, and(b) in contact with the reference electrode, a hydrophobic ion-selective membrane.The ion-selective electrode described herein requires no preconditioning prior to use in an ion-sensing operation.The reference electrode may comprise either a metal/metal salt reference half-cell or multiple-layer redox couple reference electrode. The hydrophobic membrane includes a binder having dispersed therein a solution of an ion carrier dissolved in a suitable carrier solvent.A preferred embodiment provides for electrodes of the type described wherein the hydrophobic membrane layer is of a predetermined, uniform thickness in regions thereof intended for contact with a sample for analysis. When necessary or desirable, the electrode includes a support. A novel technique for making measurements of ion concentration by reading electrode potential prior to equilibration of the electrode is also described.