Abstract: Novel poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates), such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), and blends of these with other polymers are disclosed. A novel process for producing these poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) is also disclosed which entails polymerizing one or more .beta.-substituted-.beta.-propiolactone(s) under polymerization conditions in the substantial absence of water in the presence of an anionic initiator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for the production of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) through the condensation polymerization of esters of 3-hydroxyalkanoic acids at a temperature of about 90.degree. to 200.degree. C. in the presence of a titanium catalyst. Also is disclosed a novel composition that is a poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) containing predominantly carboxylic ester end groups.

Abstract: Novel poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates), such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), and blends of these with other polymers are disclosed. A novel process for producing these poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) is also disclosed which entails polymerizing one or more .beta.-substituted-.beta.-propiolactone(s) under polymerization conditions in the substantial absence of water in the presence of an anionic initiator.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polypeptide compounds which promote the release and elevation of growth hormone levels in the blood of animals. Also disclosed are methods of promoting the release and elevation of growth hormone levels in the blood of animals using the disclosed polypeptide compounds.

Abstract: Novel compositions that are useful as nutrients are disclosed. These compounds are preferably water soluble parenteral nutrients and are glycerol esters of .beta.-acyloxybutyrates of the formula ##STR1## wherein each R is the same or different and is hydrogen, or --COCH.sub.2 CHOR'CH.sub.3), provided that at least one R is not hydrogen and wherein R' is a linear acid ester of even carbon number from 2 to 20 carbons. These compositions are useful as a substitute for glucose in feeding.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides which promote the release of growth hormone when administered to animals are described. These polypeptides have the formula:A.sub.1 --D.sup..beta. Nal--A.sub.3 --Trp--A.sub.5 --A.sub.6 --Zwherein A.sub.1, A.sub.3, A.sub.5, A.sub.6 and Z" are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: Novel parenteral nutrient compositions are disclosed. These compositions are sterile aqueous solutions containing an effective amount of at least one glycerol bisacetoacetate of the formula: ##STR1## wherein one R group is hydrogen, and two R groups are --COCH.sub.2 COCH.sub.3). These compositions are useful as a substitute for glucose in intravenous feeding.

Abstract: Novel poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates), such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), and blends of these with other polymers are disclosed. A novel process for producing these poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) is also disclosed which entails polymerizing one or more .beta.-substituted-.beta.-propiolactone(s) under polymerization conditions in the substantial absence of water in the presence of an anionic initiator.

Abstract: A solution phase process for making peptides having biological activity or peptide intermediates which can be used to prepare peptides having biological activity is described. The process involves the condensation reaction of two peptide fragments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel monomer composition and its preparation that is useful in the production of polyesters. This novel monomer composition is 1-acetoacetamido-2,3-propane diol and can be used in the preparation of polyesters in combination with a dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: Novel poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates), such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), and blends of these with other polymers are disclosed. A novel process for producing these poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) is also disclosed which entails polymerizing one or more .beta.-substituted-.beta.-propiolactone(s) under polymerization conditions in the substantial absence of water in the presence of an anionic initiator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparation of an amino acid, such as phenylalanine, with a high degree of optical purity. The process makes use of the same amino acid as a chiral template.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for synthesis of a dipeptide such as N-acetyl-L-.alpha.-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester wherein one amino acid serves as a chiral template which allows for synthesis of a second amino acid residue to form said dipeptide. The process involves several novel steps such as a nucleophile addition step. In addition, several novel intermediates are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparation of an amino acid, such as phenylalanine, with a high degree of optical purity. The process makes use of the same amino acid as a chiral template.

Abstract: Disclosed are combinations of polypeptides acting in a synergistic manner to promote release and elevation of growth hormone levels in the blood of animals. Also disclosed are methods of promoting the release and elevation of growth hormone levels in the blood of animals using the disclosed combination of polypeptides.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polypeptide compounds which promote the release and elevation of growth hormone levels in the blood of animals. Also disclosed are methods of promoting the release and elevation of growth hormone levels in the blood of animals using the disclosed polypeptide compounds.

Abstract: A circuit is disclosed that includes a pair of varactors coupled to an input sample circuit and having an appropriate capacitance during the sample strobe of the input to minimize sampling errors. The varactors are combined with a control switch having an output timed to symmetrically reduce the capacitance to a new value, preferably a value approaching the input capacitance of a field effect transistor which is included in the output circuit. In this way, a noise-free voltage and power gain of CT0/CT1 can be reached, where CT0 is the initial value of the capacitance of the sampling circuit and CT1 is the final value of the capacitance of the sampling circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing electronic devices having a high density array of pin leads includes a zero insertion force socket having coaxial output leads with the inner conductor being a conductor pair with the coaxial lead terminating at a number of test heads. Each test head includes switching means for terminating the output coaxial lead in a characteristic impedance. The various test heads are then coaxially coupled, maintaining the two conductor inner lead pair, to more distant signal sources and receivers of both the ac and dc types to provide for Kelvin testing by separately connecting the inner conductor pair to power and sense devices or shorting the conductor pair together and conducting ac testing by use of pulsers and discriminators, or other dynamic test sources or sense devices such as sinewave devices.