Abstract: A novel chromogenic and fluorescent substrate for determining the activity of blood coagulation factor Xa and Xa-like enzymes. The novel substrate according to the present invention has very excellent selectivity as compared with the hitherto disclosed substrates and enables specific determination of blood coagulation factor Xa. The present substrate is therefore useful for the studies of chemical reactions involving formation, inhibition and consumption of factor Xa and can be also used for the determination of various factors associated therewith such as factor X, anti-Xa factor, factor VII, factor VIII, factor IX and heparin.

Abstract: A method for measuring the activity of plasmin in plasma which comprises reacting a compound of the following formula or a salt thereof; ##STR1## with plasmin in a buffer solution having a pH of 7.2 to 7.6 and quantitatively determining the reaction product thereof.

Abstract: A novel substrate for measuring plasmin which has chromophoric and fluoroescent properties against plasmin or a plasmin-like enzyme, which is characterized by being a compound of the formula or a salt thereof: ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## wherein ##STR3## .

Abstract: A small ignition device comprising a string-like silicon carbide heating element extending between and joining in electrical connection respective silicon carbide rod-like terminals. The heating element is joined to the terminals by an electrically conductive silicon joint. The string-like element has all cross-sectional dimensions between 0.05 mm and 2 mm and has a resistivity of between 0.01.OMEGA..multidot.cm and 10.OMEGA..multidot.cm whereby said heating element is heated to between about 1000.degree. C. and 1300.degree. C. in about 1 to 4 seconds after an electric current is connected thereto.

Abstract: A process for producing L-lysine by fermentation, comprising the steps of aerobically cultivating a strain having the ability to produce L-lysine and derived from Nocardia alkanoglutinousa No. 223, in a culture medium containing an assimilable carbon source and an assimilable nitrogen source, to accumulate L-lysine in the culture medium and then recovering L-lysine.

Abstract: Grafted cotton-poly(ethyl acrylate) copolymer and grafted mercerized cotton-poly(ethyl acrylate) copolymer have been prepared by a process which equates their reactivity. The process discloses the reaction of irradiated cotton and irradiated mercerized cotton with certain solutions of ethyl acrylate in either water, methanol, or mixtures thereof to yield the copolymer derivatives which have responded equally and do respond equally to further treatments.