Abstract: A device for measuring the length of a root canal of a subject is provided. The device includes a flexible sheath slidable over a dental handpiece head. The sheath includes electrically conducting wires for connecting to an apex locator. Also provided is a device for measuring root canal length that includes an endodontic file having a metallic element at the file end far from the end inserted into a root canal. The modified file provides a region in the metallic element for electronic attachment to an apex locator such that the rubber stopper may be moved along the entire file surface without interference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oscillatory flow mixing reactor (OPM) oscillatory flow which is designed so that a flow with angular momentum is superposed by means effecting circular acceleration on the mixture flowing in with oscillation, with the result that good mixing of the individual phases of the mixture is achieved with the use of low shear forces. A use of the reactor according to the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing a vinyl isothiocyanate comprises contacting a halogen-substituted allyl thiocyanate, in solution and at an elevated temperature, with an acidic material which is either an acid or a halide or oxyhalide of an inorganic acid. The halogen-substituted allyl thiocyanate may be prepared from a dihalogenated alkene. The vinyl isothiocyanate may subsequently be converted to a thiazole.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a substituted thiazole comprises reacting an isothiocyanate compound of the general formulaHal.CH(R.sub.1). CH.dbd.C(R.sub.2).NCSin which Hal is a chlorine or bromine atom and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is each a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms, in solution with a chlorinating or brominating agent. The compound 2-chloro-5-(chloromethyl) thiazole, which is an important intermediate in the manufacture of agrochemical and pharmaceutical products, may very advantageously be prepared by this method.