Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for use in fighting fire in and around heavy, self-propelled vehicles by means of a liquid ballast contained within the large, tubeless tires of the vehicle. In the event of a fire, a hose is connected to a coupling which is in turn connected to a fitting connected to means forming a hole in the rim of a wheel so as to permit liquid to be forced out of the tire and through a nozzle on the end of the hose by air pressure within the tire. The apparatus also includes at least one other fitting and another coupling connectible to the fitting, together with an additional hose connectible to one fitting in order to permit liquid ballast to be added to the tire, as air in the tire is vented through another fitting, and then pressurized by the addition of air through a compressed air line connected to one of the couplings.

Abstract: Bifunctional aromatic compounds are employed as rigid coupling compounds for coupling one organic compound to another. For example, paranitrophenylisocyanate may be employed as a coupling compound for coupling thyroxine to a fluorescent dye to form a tracer for use in an assay.

Abstract: Isocyanate or isothiocyanate substituted lactone or thiolactone is employed for coupling one organic compound to another. For example, such coupling agents can be employed for coupling thyroxine or digoxin to a fluorescent compound for use as a tracer in an assay.