Abstract: A reagent composition comprising (a) one or more pH buffers, (b) one or more pH indicators, and (c) one or more surfactants as a sensitizer, is suitable for measuring ionic strength or specific gravity of aqueous solution samples such as urine rapidly and precisely.

Abstract: The present invention involves a novel tripyrrole dimethine-derived "expanded porphyrin" (texaphyrin), the synthesis of such compounds, their analogs or derivatives and their uses. These expanded porphyrin-like macrocycles are efficient chelators of divalent and trivalent metal ions. Metal complexes of these compounds are active as photosensitizers for the generation of singlet oxygen and thus potentially for inactivation or destruction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), mononuclear or other cells infected with such virus and tumor cells as well. A variety of texaphyrin derivatives have been produced and many more are readily obtainable. Various metal (e.g., transition, main group, and lanthanide) complexes with the texaphyrin and texaphyrin derivatives of the present invention have unusual water solubility and stability which render them particularly useful. These metallotexaphyrin complexes have optical properties making them unique as compared to existing porphyrin-like or other macrocycles.

Abstract: There is presented a time-temperature indicator capsule comprising a cyliical tube having a closed end and an open end, a cap for connection to and removal from the open end to close and open the tube, and a solution in the tube which is reactive to accumulated temperature and time exposure. There is presented an indicator capsule wherein the solution comprises bacterial spores; a system including the capsule, a pipetting device, and an agar plate for providing a count of the surviving spores to, in turn, provide an indication of the aggregate thermal effect on the solution. There is still further presented methods for determining when food processed under high temperature conditions attains a selected low level of microbial population, the methods utilizing, respectively, the above systems.

Abstract: A method and composition for indicating the presence of a chrome-free pretreatment for improving the paint adhesion and corrosion resistance of a metal surface. The presence of the pretreatment is indicated by adding a compound to the chrome-free pretreatment which causes the pretreatment to fluoresce under an ultraviolet light. The additive which causes the pretreatment to fluoresce under an ultraviolet light is an ultraviolet tracer, such as a stilbene or a coumarin derivative, and the method according to this invention includes exposing the coated metal to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A biosensor for the detection and determination of the concentration of toxins by use of enzyme inhibition. Inhibition biosensors are affected by non-specific denaturation and substrate utilization which both result in a limited operational lifetime. These problems are mitigated by providing in an environment an enzyme which is oxidized by hydrogen peroxide the oxidized enzyme being reduced by an electron transfer agent, such as ferrocene, which is itself oxidized in the process. The electron transfer agent is capable of regeneration back to the reduced state and the extend of electron transfer regeneration gives a measure of enzyme inhibition by toxin. Electro-chemical technique allows for the generation of hydrogen peroxide from oxygen in aqueous media and the reduction of oxidized electron transfer agent. Immobilization of the enzyme to an electrode increases efficiency while potentially reducing denaturation. The biosensor can be used for the environmental determination of toxins like cyanide.

Abstract: A composition is used to measure the ionic strength or specific gravity of a liquid specimen and a test piece prepared from the composition. The composition is an anion type of ion-associable reagent and a cation type of ion-associable reagent. The composition may also contain a pH buffer agent. The use of the composition and test piece prepared from the composition enable the easy, simple, quick, but exact measurement of ionic strength or specific gravity of a liquid specimen without influence by characteristics of the specimen.

Abstract: In general, the invention features a method of marking a product for identification in which a low molecular weight hapten is associated with the product as a marker, where the hapten is non-deleterious to the product, inert with respect to the product, and not already associated with the product.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for measuring asphaltene precipitation in a petroleum product. The inventive method quantifies the precipitation by measuring changes in the petroleum product's conductivity or capacitance. The inventive apparatus comprises a measuring cell adapted to be filled with a petroleum product or a solution of the product and a flocculant, together with an instrument electrically coupled to the measuring cell for measuring the product's or solution's conductivity or capacitance.

Abstract: For quality control of packaged organic substances, preferably packaged foods and drugs, the materials to be examined are brought into contact with a planar optical sensor element which is applied on the inside of the wrapping and responds to a change in the gas composition in the gas space above the sample by a change in color or fluorescence. The change of one of the optical properties of the sensor element is detected visually or opto-electronically.

Abstract: A method, composition and test device for determining the ionic strength or specific gravity of a test sample are disclosed. The method utilizes a test device comprising a test pad, wherein the test pad includes a carrier matrix incorporating a reagent composition capable of producing a detectable and measurable response that correlates to the ionic strength and the buffer capacity, and therefore the specific gravity, of the test sample. The reagent composition, comprising a strong polyelectrolyte, an indicator comprising: (i) a dye that is metachromatic and sensitive to pH changes, or (ii) or a combination of metachromatic dye and a pH indicator dye, in a suitable carrier, and buffered at a pH of 3 or less, is incorporated into a carrier matrix to provide a test pad of a device useful in an ionic strength or specific gravity assay of a test sample.

Abstract: A test kit and a rapid and sensitive method are provided for the multiple detection of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. The test method employs an insect brain material that hydrolyzes a 6-substituted D luciferin ester, preferably a 6-substituted acetyl D luciferin ester, to produce D luciferin. Hydrolysis is inhibited by the pesticides in a test sample. Luciferase and adenosine triphosphate react with the D luciferin to produce oxyluciferin and emitted bioluminescence. The brain material is initially incubated with a test sample followed by the addition of the ester, luciferase and adenosine triphosphate. The kit contains the brain material, the ester and optionally luciferase and adenosine triphosphate, and may also contain means for incubating, and means for measuring emitted bioluminescence, and a control standard.

Abstract: A composition, method and test device for determining the divalent cation concentration or estimating the specific gravity of a test sample are disclosed. The method utilizes a test device comprising a test pad, wherein the test pad includes a carrier matrix incorporating a reagent composition capable of interacting with divalent cations present in the test sample to produce a detectable and measurable response that correlates to the divalent cation concentration or to the specific gravity of the test sample. The reagent composition, comprising a metal-sensitive triphenylmethane dye; a buffer; an optional chelating agent; and suitable carrier, is incorporated into a carrier matrix to provide a test pad of a device useful in a divalent cation assay or a specific gravity assay of a test sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for testing the susceptibility of a mammal to inflammatory diseases which comprises the steps of:administering to a mammal a compound selected from the group consisting of Type 1 mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, opiate antagonists, estrogen antagonists or mixed estrogen agonists/antagonists, progesterone agonists; or a combination of an estrogen antagonist with one or a combination of a Type I glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, a Type II glucocorticoid agonist or a progesterone agonist which is effective in stimulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; andmeasuring the level of at least one hormone secreted by the hypothalamus, pituitary or adrenal glands of said mammal.The present invention is also directed to methods of treating inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Chromogenic solvent detectors are used to detect and map the presence of organic solvent-containing materials on a surface. The detector need only be applied to the surface to be tested. When removed, the dark areas on the detector correspond to those areas of the surface where an organic solvent-containing material was present. This method can be used to test the release properties of a release film.

Abstract: A method of assessing the degree of thermal processing of a food by preparing an aqueous medium including at least a portion of the processed food and monitoring the medium for the presence of a thermally produced compound not present in the unprocessed food to indicate the exposure of the food to heat.

Abstract: An indicator composition and process capable of changing color in relationship to its exposure to a temperature above and below a base line temperature and to the time of said exposure, for monitoring the time-temperature history of a substrate, depositable as a layer on said substrate, comprising a dispersion of either a binder comprising a reaction inert, neutral finely divided absorbent, in the presence of a reactant comprising a salt of an acid or an organic compound substituted by at least one moiety which, in ionic form, is an anion or a binder/reactant, comprising at least one solid organic polymer whose constituent units contain, as a covalent substituent, at least one moiety which, in ionic form, is an anion; as indicator, at least one acid sensitive pH dye and as activator, at least one base. This composition and process may be utilized to form a solid state device for monitoring integral values of time and temperature during storage of perishables.

Abstract: A method for analyzing ultratrace amounts of impurities in thin films present on semiconductor wafers without destroying the semiconductor wafer is described. The wafer having thin films to be analyzed is positioned into a testing device or fixture having at least one fluid reservoir. The testing device is tightened and sealed to the wafer so that the fluid reservoir is open to the thin films on the wafer, but otherwise sealed to the ambient. A reagent fluid is provided in the reservoir which dissolves the thin films on the wafer and allowing sufficient time for the fluid to dissolve the thin films. A diluent is added to the reservoir and the fluids are mixed. The mixed fluids are sampled and analyzed to determine the chemical nature of the thin films on the wafer.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the ion concentration, specific gravity, or osmotic pressure of a solution, which comprises causing to contact a solution under test a coloring substance formed of a pigment or a precursor of pigment having solubility correlated with the ion concentration of said solution and detecting the solubility of said coloring substance in said solution, and an apparatus therefor.

Abstract: Inbred Lewis (LEW/N) female rats develop an arthritis in response to Group A streptococcal cell wall peptidoglycanpolysaccharide (SCW) which mimics human rheumatoid arthritis. Histocompatible Fischer (F344/N) rats, on the other hand, do not develop arthritis in response to the same SCW stimulus. To evaluate this difference in inflammatory reactivity between the two strains, the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and its ability to modulate the development of the inflammatory response was studied. It has been found that, in contrast to F344/N rats, LEW/N rats had markedly impaired plasma ACTH and corticosterone responses to SCW, recombinant human Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), the serotonin agonist, quipazine, and synthetic rat corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). In addition, LEW/N rats compared to F344/N rats had smaller adrenal glands and larger thymuses. Treatment of LEW/N rats with replacement doses of dexamethasone decreased the severity of their SCW-induced arthritis.

Abstract: A permanent record test device tests the efficiency of a steam sterilizer apparatus to create a vacuum satisfying the Bowie-Dick test procedure. A sheet of selectively porous material such as one hundred pound blotter paper having a steam sensitive indicator ink printed thereon is laminated between layers of steam and air impermeable polymeric material to substantially occlude the sheet from ambient atmosphere, except for a small metering region. The small metering region may include a hole punched through the laminated sheet. Two parallel and spaced apart strips can be used with a metering hole punched at one end of each of the strips or, alternatively, a metering hole is punched at one end of any one of the strips and the strips can be connected with a fluid passageway at the opposite end of the strips. Strips other then straight strips can be used, e.g., an L-shaped strip can be used with a V-shaped strip.

Abstract: A new and improved integrating indicator system operable to signal the attainment of one or more preselected time-temperature integrals which monitor the temperature and time history of a product utilizes a dual system of specific reaction pairs which simultaneously generate acid and alkali from two neutral substrates. One of the substrates is present in excess of the other. The preferred dynamic indicator system generates a constant pH buffer in the alkali range that is maintained until one of the substrates is depleted. At that time, a rapid pH change in the indicator solution to the acid range occurs, resulting in a very sharp visual color change in a pH-sensitive dye. In preferred embodiments, the specific reaction pairs are enzyme/substrate pairs, preferably urease/urea and yeast/triacetin.

Abstract: A method of cleaning atmosphere gas used in manufacturing high-purity fine particles of reactive metals comprises the steps of: letting the moisture existing in the atmosphere gas condense into dew droplets using a cryogenic cooling medium; removing the moisture defined by the dew droplets through dissociation by letting it react with metallic Na that has been brought into contact with the dew droplets; generating a vapor of metallic Na in the atmosphere gas so as to remove the moisture still persisting in the atmosphere gas; further removing through dissociation the moisture still persisting in the atmosphere gas by letting it react with Na vapor that has been generated and dispersed into the atmosphere gas; letting the atmosphere gas cleaned of moisture come into contact with black barium powder; and detecting the presence of moisture in the atmosphere gas through a change in color of the black barium powder.

Abstract: The methods and test kit of the present invention provide a fast, inexpensive, reproducible, simple, and accurate method for optimizing the dosage of an asphaltene dispersant antifouling agent for a given crude oil containing asphaltenes. A method is provided wherein a sample of the crude oil is diluted with a quantity of an aromatic organic solvent. To the diluted crude oil is added a known amount of the antifouling agent being evaluated. A portion of the diluted crude oil containing the antifouling agent is removed and mixed with a quantity of a liquid paraffinic hydrocarbon. The concentration of materials which remain dispersed in the liquid paraffinic hydrocarbon is measured. The inventive methods are useful to evaluate a single dose of an antifouling agent or may be used to simultaneously evaluate a plurality of doses in order to determine which dose is most effective for a given sample of crude oil.

Abstract: The ionic strength or the specific gravity of an aqueous liquid is determined by mixing the liquid with a reagent composition which contains at least one pH buffer substance but no polyelectrolyte polymer, or at least one pH buffer substance and/or at least one complex former, determining the pH of the mixture, and evaluating the determined value.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing candidate rocket nozzle materials includes an elated member having a combustion chamber extending therethrough, with an inlet at the forward end of the combustion chamber for admitting and igniting a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and oxygen and a nozzle secured to the combustion chamber at the aft end thereof. The nozzle is made of wafers or petals of materials to be tested, with the wafers being secured together at the edges thereof and having a configuration such that the wafers in transverse cross section form a polygon which has an area which increases with distance from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Packages which are subject to tampering while in a store or deterioration over time due to the presence of oxygen may be readily identified by placing therein a multi-component visual indicator system which is sensitive to the presence of oxygen. The system, which may be prepared aerobically and then placed into an anaerobic environment for use, is not effected by the presence of reducing agents found commonly in foods, drugs, and cosmetics.

Abstract: A device for testing an elastic membrane for permeability ot submicroscopic particles. The device has a first chamber to contain the particles in a fluid medium; a second chamber to contain a reagent for detecting the presence of any of the particles; suitable structure for mounting the membrane between the chambers in a fluid-tight manner so that the membrane separates the chambers; and a mechanism for applying stress to the membrane.

Abstract: A Bowie and Dick type prevacuum steam sterilization test pack for insertion into a sterilization chamber for indicating the presence of unacceptable levels of uncondensable gas comprises a housing, a heat sink and an indicator. The housing defines a single chamber having a large open end, a relatively small closed end opposite the open end, and a sidewall smoothly tapering from the open end to the closed end. The heat sink is disposed in the chamber and extends substantially from the open end to the closed end to define a path through which the steam travels from the open end toward the closed end, the path being adapted to provide sufficient exposure of the steam to the heat sink so that the steam condenses within the path, releasing any noncondensable gas associated with the steam, forcing the noncondensable gas so released toward and concentrating such noncondensable gas within the closed end.

Abstract: A process for preparing a baseoil blend of predetermined coking tendency, and for measuring the effectiveness of additives for reducing coking tendency in baseoils, utilizing the relationship of the content of volatile fractions and low boiling fractions in baseoil to the onset and/or progression of asphaltene formation.

Abstract: The ionic strength or the specific gravity of an aqueous liquid is determined by mixing the liquid with a reagent composition which contains at least one pH buffer substance but no polyelectrolyte polymer, or at least one pH buffer substance and/or at least one complex former, determining the pH of the mixture, and evaluating the determined value.

Abstract: An accurate monitoring of the conditions of a perishable product is achieved by integrating two indicator types - a primary indicator which develops a color change as a result of cumulative time-temperature exposure and a threshold second indicator - into a single device. The combination of the two indicators in the same indicator device provides a human readible signal that gradually and irreversibly develops color as a function of time and temperature and more closely monitors the actual condition of a deteriorative product than does a single indicator. Important features of this integrated monitoring device are reliability and printability. The primary indicator in the system is assisted in color development by the secondary indictor that is set to trigger at a predetermined temperature. When this temperature is reached or exceeded both indicator mechanisms function in an additive mode to cause a break in the typical Arrhenius curve, which a primary indicator alone produces.

Abstract: A new and improved composition and method of determining the specific gravity of an aqueous test sample. The method includes using a test device comprising a carrier matrix incorporating a reagent composition capable of interacting with an aqueous test sample to produce a visually or instrumentally detectable and measurable response that correlates to the specific gravity of the aqueous test sample. The new and improved reagent composition, comprising a molybdate-dye complex indicator, such as a molybdatepyrocatechol violet complex; a protein, such as albumin; a chelating agent, like tartaric acid; and, if necessary, a suitable buffer, is incorporated into a carrier matrix, like filter paper, to provide increased sensitivity to test sample specific gravity and improved color differentiation between test samples having different specific gravities, thereby affording a more accurate and trustworthy specific gravity assay of an aqueous test sample, such as urine.

Abstract: A color changing device for monitoring the time-temperature storage history, i.e. shelf life, of perishable products. The device is constructed of an activator tape, containing an activator composition matrix, an indicating tape, containing an indicating composition matrix and an optional barrier matrix between the activator tape and the indicating tape. At least one matrix is a pressure sensitive adhesive. The activating composition, e.g. an organic acid such as citric acid, diffuses through the barrier and/or indicating matrix to continuously contact the indicating composition, e.g. an acid-base dye indicator such as 2,2',4,4',4",-pentamethoxy triphenylmethanol, to produce a visually observable color change at the temperature being monitored. The color intensifies with time and temperature, as more activator composition diffuses into the indicating matrix.

Abstract: A moving boundary device for monitoring the time-temperature storage history, i.e. shelf life, of perishable products. The device is constructed of an activator tape, containing an activator composition in an activator matrix, an indicating tape, containing an indicating composition in an indicator matrix in which the matrices are adhered together to form a wedge-shaped composite matrix, preferably by means of a pressure sensitive adhesive. The device operates by allowing the activating composiiton, e.g. an organic acid such as citric acid, to diffuse through the increasingly thicker composite matrix to continuously contact the indicating composition, e.g. an acid-base dye indicator such as 2,2',4,4',4",-pentamethoxy triphenylmethanol, to produce a visually observable color change at the temperature being monitored. The color change appears as a moving boundary at the color/non-color interface which moves transversely along the length of the device toward the thicker end of the composite matrix.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used for determining the cleanliness of an electronic circuit assembly (ECA) such as printed circuit boards (PCB) following noraml cleaning and flux removal processes. The apparatus and method are used to quantitatively measure the ionic and organic contaminants remaining on an ECA. The apparatus utilizes small volumes of isopropanol, a conductivity/resistivity probe and cell and a spectrophotometric analytical instrument. The apparatus generally provides for washing the "cleaned" of defluxed ECA with a measured volume of isopropanol and thereafter measuring the ionic and organic contaminants in the wash solution. The results can then be compared to a standard.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining the wetting characteristic of a porous medium comprising applying at least one or more drops of each of at least two different liquids having different but closely spaced surface tensions to different locations on the porous medium and if necessary repeating the process until, of two liquids with neighboring surface tension, one is absorbed into the medium, and the other is not.

Abstract: A simplified detection implement for use in the biological or chemical tests such as medical, pharmaceutical, microbiological, enzymological or analytical tests comprising an adhesive sheet (1) having an adhesion material layer (4), the adhesion sheet (1) also having an area "a" in an optimal shape and an area "b" in an optimal shape with a folding line (6) at the border of areas "a" and "b"; a small test material (3) adhered to the adhesion material layer (4) and being placed approximately at the center of area "a" of the adhesive sheet (1); and a peelable protection sheet (2) covering the surface of the adhesion material layer (4) and having an opening (5) big enough to expose the whole surface of the small test material (3) as well as being so positioned to expose the small test material (3) when areas "a" and "b" are overlapped by folding the adhesive sheet (1) at the folding line (6), and when areas "a" and "b" being overlapped the majority or part of area "a" of the adhesive sheet (1) acts as the adhesi

Abstract: A method for detecting the ability of a compound to prevent development of red-to-green congophilic birefringence. The method is carried out by contacting the compound with dense microspheres which are derived from mammalian brain tissue and which, when disrupted, display red-to-green congophilic birefringence upon staining with Congo Red dye under conditions such that said dense microspheres are disrupted. Thereafter the disrupted dense microspheres are stained with Congo Red dye and any development of red-to-green congophilic birefringence in the stained disrupted dense microspheres is detected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite material adaptable to form bodily fluid protection apparel that can alert a wearer that a breach in the apparel has occurred. The apparel comprises a first layer impervious to bodily fluid and a second layer supporting the first layer. The second layer comprises a bodily fluid detection means indicating the presence of bodily fluid. A variety of apparel, including gloves and masks, can be formed. Any one of a number of bodily fluids, including blood, saliva, and semen, can be detected by the detection means.

Abstract: A method for non-destructive testing for approximation of oxygen transmission in hollow fiber blood oxygenators or the like is provided which method includes passing a first fluid at a predetermined temperature and volume flow rate through the hollows of the fibers and a second fluid at a second predetermined input temperature and volume flow rate across the outside of the fibers and measuring the heat rise or fall of the fluids and comparing the results with standards for a given blood oxygenator device.

Abstract: Method of characterizing the coking tendency of a baseoil, by:(a) exposing the baseoil to conditions which accelerate asphaltene formation in the baseoil; and(b) testing for the onset and/or progression of asphaltene formation as a function of time.The technique is also useful for determining the efficacy of oil additives.

Abstract: A method is described for treating consumable products, such as foods, drugs or dietary supplements, for example drugs enclosed in capsules, to detect contamination. A colorimetric indicator, which can react with a contaminating substance such as cyanide, is incorporated into the consumable product or the packaging for the product. When the indicator comes in contact with the contaminating substance, a readily detectable color signal is produced.

Abstract: A series of chemically synthesized compounds known as metal mercury iodides or metal tetraiodomercurates having use as infrared detectors are made by reacting potassium tetraiodomercurate(II) with monovalent metal nitrates or iodides, such as thallium(I), indium(I) or copper(I) nitrates. In the case of gold, the gold(I) iodide is used because the nitrate is not known. The precipitated metal (thallium, indium, copper, gold, etc.) tetraiodomercurate is then filtered, dried, and purified (recrystallized) and pressed into a disk under high pressure. Alternatively, the material can be grown as a large crystal by zone melt fusion methods.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for the determination of the environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) of polymer articles made from polymers such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, polycarbonate, polystyrene and blends thereof. The method and device involve the external application of stress to an unstressed test article which has been exposed to a stress cracking agent. The stress is induced by means of a weight located below the horizontal plane of the plastic article. The time between the application of stress and the cracking of the test article is measured to compute a characteristic ESCR parameter and thereby evaluate the environmental stress crack resistance of the article.

Abstract: The effectiveness of a palladium-tin catalyst for subsequent plating thereon is determined by employing cyclic voltammetry.

Abstract: The lamellar body solubilization test (LBST) is a rapid and simple indicator of fetal lung maturity. The amniotic fluid contains lamellar bodies, the presence of which can be correlated to maturation of lung tissue. The test is conducted by measuring a difference in an optical property (turbidity, light scatter, innate or added fluorescence) of a sample of amniotic fluid or other physical property affected by the presence of particulate bodies suspended in a liquid, either 1) kinetically (rate method) or 2) as an end point method (pre- and post-), due to the unravelling or solubilization of the lamellar bodies caused by subjecting the sample to a physical or chemical agent, e.g., detergent or heat. The change in that property either rate of change or delta, by the destruction of the lamellar body structure provides an accurate indication of the concentration and size of the lamellar bodies in the sample of amniotic fluid, which in turn provides a good indication of fetal lung maturity.

Abstract: Dense microspheres extracted and purified to homogeneity from whole brains and used in in vitro and in vivo screening tests for the detection of therapies effective in impeding amyloid formation and disease progression in human brain in Alzheimer's disease and related conditions.

Abstract: A family of acetylenic complexes especially useful as environmental indicators is provided. The complexes include at least one complexing acid and one acetylenic compound of the formula:[R--(C.tbd.C).sub.a --(CH.sub.2).sub.b --(C.tbd.C).sub.c ].sub.2.dHXwherein, a is 1 or 2; b is about 0-5; c is 0 or 1; d is above 0 to about 2, with the proviso that when a is 1, b and c are 0, and when a is 2, b is about 0-5 and c is 0 or 1; and R is --(CH.sub.2)n--NHC(O)NHR'; wherein n is an integer of about 1 to 10; and R' is selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, aklyl, phenyl, alkoxyl, alkoxylcarbonylalkyl, and X is a complexing acid.

Abstract: Acetylenic complexes are disclosed that are useful as environmental indicating materials whereby exposure thereof to environmental stimuli induces a color change. These complexes contain at least one effective complexing metal and at least one acetylenic compound of the general formula:[R--(C"C).sub.a --(CH.sub.2).sub.b --(C"C).sub.c ].sub.2.dHXWherein a is 1 or 2, b is about 0-5; c is 0 or 1; with the proviso that when a is 1, b and c are 0, when a is 2, b is about 0-5 and c is 0 or 1; and R is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -NHC(O)NHR'; wherein n is an integer of about 1 to 10; and R' is selected from the group consisting of: (a) hydrogen; (b) cycloalkyl; (c) alkenyl; (d) cycloalkenyl; (e) alkyl; (f) phenyl; (g) alkoxy; (h) alkoxy alkyl; and (i) alkoxycarbonylalkyl.