Abstract: Methods of identifying molecular interaction sites in eukaryotic and prokaryotic nucleic acids, especially RNA, are described. Secondary structural elements are identified from highly conserved sequences. Methods of preparing databases relating to such molecular interaction sites are also provided herein as are databases themselves. Therapeutic, agricultural, industrial, and other applicability results from interaction of such molecular interaction sites with “small” and other molecules.

Abstract: A catalyst for reacting carbon monoxide and oxygen to form carbon dioxide, comprising platinum black deposited on a platinum wire, and having a moderate activation temperature of about 150.degree.-300.degree. C. A catalytic apparatus includes this catalyst, means for directly heating the catalyst, and electronic means for controlling and monitoring the heating of the catalyst. Carbon dioxide laser systems incorporating this catalytic apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and improved apparatus for aligning a diffraction grating, as, for example, one used in tuning the output of a laser. The total angular misalignment .epsilon. between the incident and diffracted beams is a function of three angles: the tuning angle .theta.16, the angle of tilt .beta. between the plane of the grating 15 and the tuning rotational axis, and the angle .alpha. between the grating lines and the projection of the turning rotational axis in the plane of the grating 15. The present invention provides a method of aligning the diffraction grating so that the residual alignment error is very small over the desired range of tuning angle .theta. 16, by adjusting only .alpha. or only .beta. to zero at two reference tuning angles .theta..sub.0 and .theta..sub.1. Knowledge of the value of either .alpha. or .beta. is not necessary. For a CO.sub.2 laser tuned over the wavelength range 9.11 to 10.88 .mu.

Abstract: A flash economizer employing an enclosed upright container has upper, intermediate and lower chambers for flashing pressurized blowdown effluent in the nature of moisture-contaminated steam. It is constructed to initially separate and remove pure steam in its upper so-called flashing chamber and to thereafter maximize, principally in the intermediate chamber, an indirect transfer of heat from the remaining heat-containing condensate or water to a clean effluent, such as make-up water. An upwardly spiraled tubing array positioned about and along the intermediate chamber receives the clean effluent and advances it in an upwardly spiraled counterclockwise path therealong, while the heat-containing condensate is directed in a downflow, counter or clockwise-spiraled path along the tubing array. The tubing array is carried by an enclosing support structure that defines a spiral downflow path for the heated condensate therealong and therabout.

Abstract: A plasma torch (40) comprises a handle (41) having an upper end (41B) which houses the components forming a torch body (43). Body (33) incorporates a rod electrode (10) having an end which cooperates with an annular tip electrode (13) to form a spark gap. An ionizable fuel gas is fed to the spark gap via tube (44) within the handle (41), the gas from tube (44) flowing axially along rod electrode (10) and being diverted radially through apertures (16) so as to impinge upon and act as a coolant for a thin-walled portion (14) of the annular tip electrode (13). With this arrangement the heat generated by the electrical arc in the inter-electrode gap is substantially confined to the annular tip portion (13A) of electrode (13) which is both consumable and replaceable in that portion (13A) is secured by screw threads to the adjoining portion (13B) of electrode (13) and which is integral with the thin-walled portion (14).

Abstract: A sheet roll assembly for a copying machine in which a sheet reproduction of a sheet original is printed and processed, the sheet reproduction and original being conveyed to the outside of the machine after printing and processing. The sheet roll assembly is attached to the exterior of the machine proximate to and below the level at which a sheet emerges from the machine. The sheet roll assembly comprises a belt conveyor having an upper surface moving in a direction opposite to the direction of displacement of the emerging sheet and adapted to engage the leading edge of the sheet, and a curved plate mounted on the end of the upper surface of the belt conveyor for catching the leading edge of the sheet and causing the sheet to be spirally rolled against the curved plate, the sheet being continuously driven against the curved plate by the translation motion of the belt conveyor.