Abstract: There is provided a substrate for lysing cells and purifying nucleic acid having a matrix and a coating and an integrity maintainer for maintaining the purified nucleic acid. Also provided is a method of purifying nucleic acid by applying a nucleic acid sample to a substrate having an anionic detergent affixed to a matrix, the substrate physically capturing the nucleic acid, bonding the nucleic acid to a substrate and generating a signal when the nucleic acid bonds to the substrate indicating the presence of the nucleic acid. A kit for purifying nucleic acid containing a coated matrix and an integrity maintenance provider for preserving the matrix and purifying nucleic acid is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to pigment preparations containing (a) at least one organic or inorganic pigment; (b) at least one cyclic imide of general formula (1) wherein R1 represents a linear-chain, branched or cyclic aliphatic radical having 10 to 30—preferably 12 to 25—carbon atoms, or an alkenyl radical having 10 to 30—preferably 12 to 25—carbon atoms, the aforementioned radicals being able to be substituted by at least one, e.g. 2, 3, 4 or 5, substituent from the group consisting of C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C6-C10-aryl, hydroxy, carboxy, and sulfo, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are the same or different and represent hydrogen, C1-C10-alkyl, C1-C10-alkoxy, halogen, OR6, NR6R7, —COOR6, —CONR6R7, —NR6—COR7, SO2NR6R7, —SO3M, —NO2, —CN or CF3, R6 and R7 representing H or an alkyl radical having 1 to 10 C atoms and M representing an equivalent of a cation having a valency of 1 to 3; and (c) optionally further standard additives.

Abstract: A split seal (1) having an annular cross-section and a central axis (X) comprises at least two components (2,3) of arcuate form, each component having two end portions (4,4',5,5') and each end portion having a surface (F1,F2) formed and arranged for mating engagement with a respective complementary end portion surface of another of the components. Each end portion surface (F1,F2) extends in an indirect manner over one of the radial width (.delta..sub.r) and the axial length (l) of the seal and each end portion surface (F1,F2) extends substantially continuously in non-reentrant manner over the other one of the radial width (.delta..sub.r) and the axial length (l) of the seal so that the matingly engaged components are substantially smoothly, relatively translatable in one of a generally axial direction and a generally radial direction. In a preferred embodiment each end portion surface (F1,F2) extends in a zigzag manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring and/or monitoring the surface tension of fluids in which a circular region of the surface of the fluid is excited to oscillation, a system of circular standing capillary waves is produced and this is determined by measuring the intensity of reflected light radiation. Such a method is distinguished by simple operation and is also suitable for automatic monitoring of surface tension.

Abstract: This invention relates to Rhizobium strains having good infecting and nitrogen-fixing characteristics and which are resistant to fungicides. These strains are produced by cultivating a Rhizobium strain sensitive to a particular fungicide in the presence of an amount of the fungicide, and for a time less than that sufficient to kill the entire Rhizobium population but sufficient to kill a majority of the population. The remaining Rhizobium population is isolated and recultured in the presence of an increased amount of the fungicide, again an amount and a time less than sufficient to kill the entire Rhizobium population, but sufficient to kill a majority of the population. This procedure is repeated for sufficient passages, with increasing amounts of said fungicide, to provide a Rhizobium strain sufficiently resistant to said fungicide so that the Rhizobium strain multiplies and enters into a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis in the presence of agriculturally effective amounts of the fungicide.

Abstract: This invention relates to Rhizobium strains having good infecting and nitrogen-fixing characteristics and which are resistant to fungicides. These strains are produced by cultivating a Rhizobium strain sensitive to a particular fungicide in the presence of an amount of the fungicide, and for a time less than that sufficient to kill the entire Rhizobium population, but sufficient to kill a majority of the population. The remaining Rhizobium population is isolated and recultured in the presence of an increased amount of the fungicide, again an amount and a time less than sufficient to kill the entire Rhizobium population, but sufficient to kill a majority of the population. This procedure is repeated for sufficient passages, with increasing amounts of said fungicide, to provide a Rhizobium strain sufficiently resistant to said fungicide so that the Rhizobium strain multiplies and enters into a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis in the presence of agriculturally effective amounts of the fungicide.