Abstract: A tire transponder system seats a transponder coil in a flexible resilient tube that is positioned around a vehicle wheel. The transponder antenna is lodged in a groove that extends around the tube, and responds to an excitation signal by transmitting a signal that contains identification information and/or information on the tire condition. For tire condition information, a diode is connected in circuit with the transponder coil to double the frequency of the signal returned by the transponder. A switch that is connected to bypass the diode is operated by a tire condition sensor, such as a pressure sensor, when the sensed condition crosses a threshold level in a predetermined direction. The change in the frequency of the transponder's returned signal when the threshold has been crossed is used to activate a response such as a low tire pressure alarm.

Abstract: A process for the liquefaction of natural gas having a pressure above atmospheric pressure, is disclosed in which a feed gas is cooled to sequentially lower temperatures, by passing the gas through a plurality of cooling stages, in heat exchange with at least three refrigerants, until the gas is substantially completely condensed in the last of the cooling stages. The pressure of the feed gas is reduced to near atmospheric pressure during the cooling of the feed gas by the use of hydraulic expanders which extract work during pressure reduction. Additionally, pressure reduction of the refrigerants within the refrigerant cycles is performed by similar hydraulic expanders. The work extracted by said hydraulic expanders is used to provide power to the liquefaction process, such as by helping to power compressors or pumps used in the liquefaction process.

Abstract: The compounds of the formula I ##STR1## and their pharmaceutical acceptable salts, which are defined herein, are ligands for cholecystokinin and/or gastrin receptors.

Abstract: A biosensor for detecting metal ions of elements such as Hg, Cr, As, Tc, Cu, Ag, Se, V, Mo and U which are capable of being reduced to metal by a reductase enzyme. The reductase enzyme is contained in an immobilized enzyme composition also including a cofactor and a coenzyme. The cofactor, for example NADPH, is oxidized by a reaction coupled with the reductase reduction of the metal ions and the cofactor in its oxidized state, e.g., NADP.sup.+, is re-reduced thereby maintaining a supply of the reduced state cofactor by action of the coenzyme in a further oxidation reaction coupled with the cofactor reduction. The further oxidation reaction may be oxidation of an alcohol to an aldehyde brought about by a dehydrogenase coenzyme. The oxidation brought about by the coenzyme, i.e., the amount of oxidized product, is a measure of the amount of oxidized state cofactor produced which, in turn, is a measure of the concentration of metal ions being detected.

Abstract: The C-terminal tetrapeptide of gastrin, Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH.sub.2, possesses gastrin pharmacological activity. Replacement of the methionyl moiety in the gastrin tetrapeptide, or its analogs, with a naphthylalanyl group produces compounds which interact with gastrin and/or cholecystokinin receptors, but have reduced gastrin and/or cholecystokinin agonist activity. Such partial agonists or antagonists of gastrin and/or cholecystokinin provide useful therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for liquefying a natural gas, having a pressure above about 800 psig, in which the natural gas is introduced into an expander which operates to reduce the pressure of the natural gas and extract work from the expansion of the natural gas during the pressure reduction so that the resulting effluent from the expander can be cooled to sequentially lower temperatures by passing the gas through a plurality of cooling stages, in indirect heat exchange with at least one refrigerant, until the gas is substantially completely condensed in the last of the cooling stages.

Abstract: A cocaine esterase has been isolated from a strain of the bacteria Pseudomonas maltophilta, The cocaine esterase catalyses the debenzoylation of cocaine, This reaction may be used in the detection of cocaine. The enzyme may be incorporated into sensors for this purpose. The cocaine esterase is preferably obtainable from Pseudomonas sp. NCIMB 40427. It catalyzes the debenzoylation of cocaine, has a molecular weight in the unaggregated form of about 120,000 daltons as determined by gel filtration, has esterase activity specifically at the benzoate ester linkage of cocaine, separates at a major band of Rf about 0.2 on PAGE in its aggregated form, and it is completely inhibited by 1 mM phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride but ineffectively inhibited by 1 mM eserine, each determined at 30.degree. C. with respect to 2 mM cocaine as substrate.

Abstract: Arylsulfonamide derivatives of .alpha.-amino dicarboxylic acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid posses anti-cholecystokinin activity. They are useful in the treatment of cholecystokinin-related disorders such as anorexia nervosa, pancreatic inflammation, biliary tract disease, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and various psychiatric disorders, as well as in the potentiation of opiate analgesia, and in the treatment of certain cancers.

Abstract: Two enzymes, one an acetylmorphine carboxyesterase (AMCE), the other a morphine dehydrogenase (MDH), have been isolated from bacteria. The AMCE degrades heroin to morphine and the MDH oxidizes morphine to morphinone, with the aid of a cofactor. More particularly, the invention pertains to a process for preparing a 6-ketone from morphine or a methyl or ethyl derivative thereof. The process comprises oxidizing morphine or an ether derivative in the presence of a morphine dehydrogenase and the cofactor NADP.sup.+. These reactions are used in detection of heroin (using the two reactions coupled together) or morphine. The enzymes can be incorporated in sensors for this purpose.

Abstract: A notebook computer which is controlled by a stylus executing gestures on the computer screen. The stylus and the computer include complementary electronic circuitry by which the proximity of the stylus tip to the computer is sensed. The proximity sensing is used to detect to approach of the stylus tip to the computer screen, and gestural commands are then entered on the screen by moving the stylus. The entry of a command is terminated by removing the stylus tip from proximity with the screen, which is detected by the computer, which then implements the command. Alternative methods of implementing the commands include time-outs and command termination buttons.

Abstract: A separation medium for use in protein separation comprising a water-insoluble matrix carrying a plurality of polyamine groupings, the polyamine groupings having at least three basic nitrogen atoms, the basic nitrogen atoms being separated from each other by a chain of at least two intervening carbon atoms, there being a total of 5 such intervening carbon atoms when there is a total of three nitrogen atoms in each polyamine group, which may be used for at least partially purifying factor VIII.

Abstract: Two enzymes, one an acetylmorphine carboxyesterase (AMCE), the other a morphine dehydrogenase (MDH), have been isolated from bacteria. The AMCE degrades heroin to morphine and the MDH oxidises morphine to morphinone, with the aid of a cofactor. These reactions are used in detection of heroin (using the two reactions coupled together) or morphine. The enzymes can be incorporated in sensors for this purpose.

Abstract: A sensor device for the analysis of a sample fluid comprises a substrate in a surface of which an elongate channel is micromachined. The channel contains a material, such as a starch, agarose, alginate, carrageenin or polyacrylic polymer gel, with a biological material for causing separation of the sample fluid as the fluid passes along the channel. The biological material may comprise, for example, a binding protein, an antibody, a lectin, an enzyme, a sequence of enzymes or a lipid. Pairs of sensing electrodes are spaced apart along the walls of the channel. The device may be used, for example, for testing blood samples.

Abstract: A truncated pyramid structure artificial reef easily assembled on site comprised of identical panels forming openings at the top and bottom of the artificial reef and forming an opening in the side of the artificial reef at a variable distance from the bottom of the structure so as to control the sinking of the structure and the sand held by the structure.

Abstract: A refrigerant-compression temperature regulation system providing for suction gas cooling includes: (a) a compressor for compressing the refrigerant in vapor and gaseous phase; (b) a condenser downstream from the compressor for condensing the compressed refrigerant to liquid phase; (c) a first valve downstream from the condenser for creating a predetermined pressure drop; (d) a first evaporator downstream from the first valve for transferring heat between a load and the refrigerant; (e) a suction gas return line leading from the first evaporator to the compressor for returning heated refrigerant to a suction inlet of the compressor; and, (f) a first indirect heat exchanger having a suction gas cooling path from the first valve to upstream of the first evaporator, the first indirect heat exchanger for passively transferring heat from the gas and vapor phase refrigerant in the suction gas return line to the vapor phase refrigerant entering the first evaporator.

Abstract: A vapor-compression refrigeration system has a continuously operating compressor, with loading on the compressor varied in accordance with conditions and cooling needs. The system avoids any on/off cycling of the compressor or valves in the system, but instead keeps cooling and bypass valves open to varying and proportional degrees depending upon requirements. The system includes several bypass loops, for bypassing coolant fluid to a proportional degree when a desired temperature is approached in a body to be cooled; and when temperature of return gas to the compressor approaches a limit temperature beyond which the compressor should not operate. In the latter case, cool liquid is injected, while expanding and vaporizing, into the hot gas for cooling, to protect the compressor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing compressor slugging in a vapor-compression system having an outlet and an inlet connected by a closed loop injects an immiscible charging gas such as nitrogen into the system in an amount sufficient to raise the system pressure by a predetermined amount. The charging gas is separated from the refrigerant and collected in a charging gas separation area of a receiver in the loop. The charging gas remains in the charging gas separation area of the receiver until the power to the compressor system is shut off. A valve in a branch line leading from the charging gas separation area of the receiver automatically opens when the power is lost which releases the charging gas to pressurize the compressor. Pressurization prevents refrigerant in the system from migrating into the compressor to cause slugging when the compressor is reactivated.

Abstract: A colored compound containing a cationic group and a cellulose reactive group, especially a compound of the formula:A--Y--B IY'--B IIwhereinA is the cationic group;Y is a chromophore;Y' is a cationic chromophoreandB is the reactive group, which is suitable for the preparation of a protein adsorbent or precipitant for use in the separation of mixtures of proteins.

Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is a non-chromophoric bridging group which provides at least three single covalent bonds between Ring B and the group R;R is a group containing a reactive halogen atom; andeach A independently is H or an acidic group;provided that the molecule contains sufficient acidic groups to render it water soluble and then when X provides only 3 covalent bonds between Ring B and R, the latter is not a chlorodifuoropyrimidyl group, which is suitable for the preparation of a protein adsorbent or precipitant for use in the separation of mixtures of proteins.

Abstract: A water-soluble anthraquinone compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein A represents a divalent hydrocarbon group;X represents a divalent hydrocarbon group; andR.sup.1 & R.sup.2 each independently is H or alkyl or together, with X and the N atoms to which they are attached, represent a diazaheterocycle;R represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group;n is 0 or 1;Z is H or a group, Y--B;Y is a divalent heterocycle; andB is an activated halogen atom, and an adduct thereof with a carbohydrate substrate, capable of selectively absorbing certain proteinaceous materials and suitable for use in the chromatographic separation of proteins.