Abstract: A method for photoinactivating viral and/or bacterial contaminants in blood, blood products or cell cultures is presented. The blood, blood product or cell culture is mixed with an halogenated coumarin sensitizer and irradiated with UV light to inactivate the viral and/or bacterial contaminants.

Abstract: Compositions containing L-aspartate or L-asparagine for use as additives to foods, soft drinks, vitamins, and the like are described. A method for preventing ethanol toxicity in a human subject is also provided.

Abstract: An oroesophageal introducer assembly for atraumatically introducing a relatively large instrument such as an echotransducer positioned on the distal end of a gastroscope for performing an echocardiographic procedure. The introducer assembly includes an outer sheath having a tapered distal end and a passageway extending therethrough for passing the large instrument therethrough. The assembly further includes a dilator extending from the tapered distal end of the outer sheath for atraumatically dilating the esophagus during introduction. The assembly further includes an introducer guide for initial oral introduction into the esophagus and stomach of the patient. The outer sheath and dilator are interconnected at the proximal ends thereof for extending the tapered distal end of the dilator from the tapered distal end of the outer sheath. The interconnected outer sheath and dilator are then introduced atraumatically into the esophagus over the introducer guide.

Abstract: A process for preparing high-Tc superconducting integrated circuits by using a method in which a thin surface layer of non-superconducting tetragonal YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 Oy wafer is selectively transformed into a superconducting orthorhombic phase by oxygen-diffusion. The superconducting orthorhombic islands are surrounded with non-superconducting tetragonal phases and these are electrically isolated from each other. The process results in the formation of superconducting integrated circuits which are inexpensive and are high in quality.

Abstract: A method for relieving fatigue in a mammalian recipient by administering to the mammalian recipient an effective amount of monosodium L-glutamate or a health food composition thereof.

Abstract: A backward shift control device of a manual transmission gear for use in automobiles includes a fixing boss fixedly disposed in the vicinity of a backward shift control lever and equipped with a suspension pin, a stopper including a suspension part wherein the middle part is rotatably supported on the boss by an axial pin for rotating and controlling rotation of a backward shift control operation portion of a backward shift control lever, a stopper also being provided with a catching member caught by the suspension pin, and an elastic member elastically pressing the suspension part of the stopper to a backward shift control position at all times, whereby the device can prevent erroneous operation of the shift control and resultant damage to an automobile.