Abstract: A process is provided for removing organic sulfur from a sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous fuel substrate such as coal or petroleum products having sulfur-carbon bonds. The process comprises contacting the substrate with a microorganism having all the identifying characteristics of Rhodococcus species ATCC 55309 or ATCC 55310 which cleaves the sulfur-carbon bonds resulting in the removal or the organic sulfur from the substrates.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument that is particularly adapted to lift individual ones of sutures from the skin of a patient and to hold each suture by means of a knot at one end thereof while cutting the suture to free it from the skin. The instrument comprises a longitudinally extended body having a generally straight handle portion at one end and a pair of tines at the other end. Both tines are upturned and are of unequal length with blunt innermost edges defining a narrow slot open at one end to snare the knot of a suture. The tine ends are blunt and rounded, the longer of which is insertable under the suture. A longitudinal sharp, thin cutting edge, which comprises a replaceable steel blade in a polycarbonate plastic embodiment, is disposed along a portion of the outermost edge of the longer tine adjacent the junction of both tines and the body.