Abstract: An astringent retraction cord for use in dental therapeutics is provided by coating a gingival retraction cord with an astringent gel containing an astringent salt such as aluminum potassium sulfate and a bodying agent sufficient to stiffen the salt solution to stand on the cord. The gel coated retraction cord is adapted to be inserted into the gingival sulcus to effect retraction of gingival tissue.

Abstract: Aqueous reconstitutible, powder milk incorporates an enzyme system for providing a bacteriostatic effect upon aqueous reconstitution. The enzyme system contains (a) oxidoreductase enzyme that is hydro-interactable with and specific to oxidizable substrate in the powder milk for producing hydrogen peroxide and (b) peroxidatic peroxidase for interacting with the hydrogen peroxide and oxidizable anion from the powder milk to produce, in the reconstituted milk, oxidized anionic bacterial inhibitor. In an illustrative embodiment, powder milk incorporates (a) glucose oxidase that interacts with glucose in powder milk, upon aqueous dilution, to produce hydrogen peroxide and (b) lactoperoxidase for interacting with hydrogen peroxide and, for example the chloride ion from the powder milk to produce, in the reconstituted milk, the hypochlorite ion, a bacterial inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention transforms the vast amount of existent vehicular travel into an equally-vast alternative energy resource employable for the generation of electricity. This transformation is achieved by means of a novel system which generally includes a momentum-conversion assembly configured to convert available vehicle momentum into operational momentum for an associated momentum-referenced electricity generator. The conversion assembly is accordingly structured to be responsive to the passage along an associated roadway of vehicles having predeterminable roadway-traversal momentum, with a portion of this momentum then being that which is cooperatively applied to the generator. The resulting double utilization of associated energy resources for both vehicle motion and electricity generation constitutes an effective increase in resource conversion efficiency.

Abstract: A peripherally sealed package (20) contains a bunched up portion (22a) of dental floss or other filament (22) with the outer ends (22b) of the floss or filament being disposed within and secured by sealed ends (26b and 26d) of the package. A notch (30) whose cut (30a and 30b) enables the package to be opened, uses a segment (34) of the package as a handle to draw the filament untangled and unknotted from the package. The package is formed using instrumentation including a feed tube (84) and a mandrel (86) which are concentrically positioned and relatively movable with respect to one another in timed movements. These movements, in conjunction with an accompanying sealer (54), holders (58, 72) and cutter (74a, 74b), draw an uncut length of filament (22) between two films (52a, 52b) of wrapping material, and bunch up a measured amount (22a) of the filament for deposit into an open-ended compartment (28) formed from the wrapping material.

Abstract: A di-enzymatic dentifrice is provided which contains an oxidizable substrate and an oxidoreductase enzyme specific to such substrate for producing hydrogen peroxide upon oral application of the dentifrice and further contains a thiocyanate salt and lactoperoxidase for interacting with hydrogen peroxide to produce a hypothiocyanate bacterial inhibitor. An illustrative enzymatic system for this purpose contains glucose, glucose oxidase, potassium thiocyanate and lactoperoxidase.

Abstract: Enzymatic absorbent materials such as bandages and pads, for body contact applications, contain serum-activated oxidoreductase enzyme for producing hydrogen peroxide upon contact of the enzymatic materials with serum. An illustrative serum-activated oxidoreductase enzyme is glucose oxidase with the corresponding substrate in serum being glucose.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing computer disk substrates having low surface amplitude which comprises: (a) forming a liquid suspension containing aluminum powder, an aluminum alloying element and a borate composition by initially admixing the borate composition with a volatile liquid medium to obtain a borate solution and thereafter admixing the aluminum powder and aluminum alloying element with the borate solution to produce the liquid suspension; (b) heating the liquid suspension to remove the liquid medium and to obtain a dry aluminum powder composition; (c) isostatically pressurizing the dry aluminum powder composition and roller compacting the same into sheet form; (d) heating and sintering the sheet form in a non-oxidizing atmosphere; and (e) cutting and compressing the sintered sheet into computer disk substrate configuration.

Abstract: A sweetener composition comprising glycerol, glycine and gum arabic is adapted for use as a sugar substitute and is advantageously employed in the preparation of low carbohydrate foods and beverages. The sweetener composition, which contains from about 92 to about 98 wt. % glycerol, from about 0.5 to about 3.0 wt. % glycine and from about 2.0 to about 5.0 wt. % gum arabic, can be prepared by blending a glycerol solution of glycine with a glycerol solution of gum arabic wherein each of the glycerol solutions is produced by admixing the constituents thereof at a temperature from about 100.degree. to about 115.degree. C.

Abstract: A di-enzymatic chewable dentifrice is provided which contains an oxidizable substrate and an oxidoreductase enzyme specific to such substrate for producing hydrogen peroxide upon chewing of the dentifrice and further contains a thiocyanate salt and lactoperoxidase for interacting with hydrogen peroxide to produce a hypothiocyanate bacterial inhibitor. The concentration of lactoperoxidase is at least about 2% of the concentration of the oxidoreductase enzyme, in International Units, to thereby limit the ratio of hydrogen peroxide to lactoperoxidase during oral chewing of the dentifrice. An illustrative enzymatic system for this purpose contains glucose, glucose oxidase, potassium thiocyanate and lactoperoxidase.

Abstract: An enzymatic dentifrice is provided which contains an enzyme system comprising Beta-D-glucose and glucose oxidase for producing hydrogen peroxide upon oral application of the dentifrice. The enzymatic dentifrice is stabilized against the production of hydrogen peroxide prior to oral application of the dentifrice by limiting any water in the dentifrice to an amount not more than about 10 wt. % based on the weight of the dentifrice.

Abstract: Powdered alginate compositions formulated with a polymer comprising polyacrylamide have enhanced smoothness characteristics upon admixing with water to obtain orally settable, dental impression material.

Abstract: An oral, settable, dental composition is prepared by interacting Component A containing an alkali metal alginate in an aqueous paste with Component B containing a divalent metal salt such as calcium sulfate and a reaction rate retarder such as tetrasodium pyrophosphate in a fluid plasticizer paste that is substantially free of unbound water. A non-grainy, smooth texture of the pre-set, blended components is obtained by incorporating into Component A a polymer comprising polyacrylamide.

Abstract: An air scrubbing and purifying system is provided for effecting removal of combustion products from contaminated air generated by a fire in progress in an enclosed room. The system comprises (a) electrically-powered intake fans for withdrawing contaminated air from the enclosed room, (b) air washing and filtering stations adapted to treat and remove soot, smoke, and other combustion-product gasses from the contaminated air, and (c) electrically-powered discharge fans for impelling the treated air into the enclosed room. The system is actuated and made operational by means of a smoke or fire detector and is powered by integral batteries kept in a charged state by an appropriate trickle charging device. The system is advantageously disposed within a door structure for the enclosed room and may include extendable seal strips at the peripheral surfaces of the door to aid in sealing the enclosed room from adjacent areas.

Abstract: Cyanic extraction of precious metal from comminuted, refractory precious metal ore as well as refractory precious metal concentrates and tailings from such ore is effected with rapidity and high yield by agitationally treating the refractory material with an aerated, alkaline solution containing a high concentration of water soluble cyanide and a low concentration of chemical oxidizer such as potassium permanganate.