Abstract: An instrument wherein coatings of two different materials are disposed on external surfaces. The first of these coatings is selected to provide an insulating layer overlying at least a principal surface of the instrument, whereas the second is included to provide an indication of the likely remaining useful life of the insulating layer. The relative characteristics between the two coatings is selected so that when the visual appearance of the second coating progresses to a predetermined level, the insulating qualities of the first coating will still be satisfactory but approaching a point when the instrument has reached the end of its useful life, thus providing a ready and passive visual indication of the time when the instrument should be replaced.

Abstract: An improved bipolar electrosurgical instrument with multi-coated electrodes for use in performing medical procedures. The electrodes of the instrument include opposed electrically conductive working surfaces at the distal ends thereof which are coated with a thin layer of a nickel-free high chromium material. At least non-working exposed surfaces of the distal ends are coated with a coating of an insulating material so as to be electrically insulated.

Abstract: A composition for use in repair of teeth in which a dibasic amino acid partially esterified with allyl alcohol or a hydroxyacrylate or methacrylate and cyclicized, is utilized and the method of tooth repair comprising applying the composition to a tooth requiring repair and curing the composition.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of making polysilanes by polymerization of a silane in the presence of a catalyst comprising a phosphine-stabilized polyhydride of an early transition metal of Groups 4 to 7 of the Periodic Table and the resultant polysilanes which have a molecular weight higher than 1,000 and a polydispersity below about 2.

Abstract: Refractory door jamb assemblies for high temperature furnaces. The door jamb assemblies include alternating courses of refractory brick shapes, selected ones of which are fitted with apertures that are aligned as by drilling, when the bricks are installed. One or more steel rods are inserted through the aligned apertures to fasten and retain the bricks in the desired position so as to cooperatively act with the bricks and prevent them from moving when subjected to thermal and mechanical forces encountered in use.

Abstract: A removable reference laser target for detachable installation at identified target positions on the exterior of a refractory lined high temperature molten metal vessel. The target includes a generally rectangular target plate with an elongated slot generally paralleling the long dimension of the rectangle. On the same side of the plate but on opposite sides of the slot are two mounting and adjusting bolts for detachably affixing the target at an identified position on the exterior surface of the vessel. Extending essentially at right angles to the major rectangular surface of the plate is an extension, the free end of which contacts an external reinforcing member and assures precise re-location of the target to be used with laser equipment to provide a reference for determining thickness and/or condition of a refractory lining of the vessel.

Abstract: A fire retardant mat is disclosed comprising rubber particles bonded together with a binder containing an elastomeric polysulfide and a polyolefin, with the mat also containing a fire retardant. A composite is also disclosed in which the mat is coated with a fire retardant coating in which an elastomeric polysulfide is part of the coating. Further, there is disclosed a method of making the mat by extrusion and also of placing a fire retardant coating on the mat after extrusion.

Abstract: There are disclosed stabilized Ti-Sn-O nanoclusters formed by complexing Ti-Sn-O nanoclusters with a salt of an alpha-hydroxy acid and also complexed nanoclusters with increased charge transfer interaction formed by annealing the complexed nanoclusters. Also disclosed are compositions for protection against ultraviolet radiation in which the nanoclusters are utilized with the usual topical carriers in an amount to give the level of sun protection factor (SPF) desired. Further disclosed is the method of making the nanoclusters involving acid hydrolyzing a titanium alkoxide and then reacting the hydrolyzed alkoxide with a tin halide.

Abstract: A method of making a pool of individual DNA molecular weight markers of defined base pair lengths that are resolved from one another and have substantially equal band intensities and that span the desired range of base pair lengths; the resultant pool of DNA molecular weight markers; the method of determining the presence of a nucleic acid or the length thereof in a specimen suspected of containing a nucleic acid utilizing such resultant pool of markers, and kits utilizing the method of making the pool and/or utilizing the markers.

Abstract: A refractory brick that has a rear portion with a geometrical concavity on one side and a corresponding convex projection on the other side, the concavity and projection being matched so that the concavity mates with the corresponding projection of a similar refractory brick when the two are disposed in side-by-side relationship. Extending perpendicular from the base portion is a generally rectangular projection such that when a plurality of bricks are disposed in a side-by-side array, they are locked together by the mating concavities and projections, and the generally rectangular projections extend inwardly to form a thicker lining to withstand the force of a tap stream of molten metal for a longer duration.

Abstract: A cautery instrument having a first predetermined region for contact with flesh or tissue, the instrument being coated with flesh or tissue, the instrument being coated over at least a portion of the predetermined region by a coating consisting essentially of diamond of a thickness permitting transmission of radio-frequency electrical energy from the first predetermined region through the diamond coating to flesh or tissue by capacitive coupling.

Abstract: As electrosurgical instrument that has characteristics especially attractive in performing bipolar electrosurgery. It is believed that the relatively high current densities typically employed in using bipolar instruments result in very high incidents of sticking and other undesired characteristics when such instruments are coated with conventional coatings. A nickel-free high chromium content composite coating that manifests undesired characteristics when employed with monopolar electrosurgical implements has unexpectedly been discovered to embody very desirable characteristics when employed with bipolar instruments and is therefore efficaciously employed as a coating on bipolar implements.

Abstract: A glucosamine-containing composition that includes an anti-inflammatory proteolytic enzyme composition to increase the rapidity of physiological availability of the glucosamine and the method of increasing such availability by the use of proteolytic enzymes.

Abstract: An improved thread conditioning device for use as an accessory to conventional sewing machines. Included are a rectangular baseplate with a pair of upstanding projections. One of the projections near the rear portion of the plate extends upwardly and at its extremity has two essentially right angle bands so as to adapt it for swivelably supporting a small platform having two parallel major surfaces on one of which there is fixed a specially shaped adapter having a plurality of different sized cylindrical recesses for receiving any one of a corresponding plurality of different diameter supports. On the other major surface there is affixed a conditioning pad with a pair of thread guides to guide thread into contact with and past an exposed surface of the conditioning pad for use in tensioning and/or lubricating thread. Optimally included are an additional spool holder mounted on a turn-table and a lubricant reservoir for supplying lubricant to the pad.

Abstract: A method and apparatus system are disclosed for the beneficiation of kish to produce coarse high purity graphite wherein a concentrate containing at least about 90% carbon is formed, treated with a dilute acid solution, and the pulp then subjected to an adjuvant-assisted attrition to form a novel synthetic flake graphite of 99+ wt. % carbon with at least 70% of the mass retained on +100 mesh, and an overall recovery of graphitic carbon from the feed of greater than 85% by weight.

Abstract: A method of making metal oxide clusters in a single stage by reacting a metal oxide with a substoichiometric amount of an acid in the presence of an oxide particle growth terminator and solubilizer. A method of making a ceramer is also disclosed in which the metal oxide clusters are reacted with a functionalized polymer. The resultant metal oxide clusters and ceramers are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved medical slide holder for use in medical procedures including automated microscopy. The slide holder comprises a rectangular frame adapted for receiving slides of differing thicknesses. Compensation for differing thicknesses is achieved through the disposition of two fastening caps, one for each end of the slides, the caps having resilient extending fingers which contact upper surfaces of the slides near their ends. Precision positioning of the slides within the holder is facilitated through provision of slide-supporting ledges having partitions to define positions of the slides; and precision positioning of the holder frame is facilitated through the provision of angled corners and notches each having a right angle and an obtuse angle. The slide holder has a recessed indentation in both the upper and lower locking caps to facilitate their removal once engaged to the frame, thus allowing slide specimens to be removed from the slide carrier for archiving purposes.

Abstract: There are disclosed therapeutic microcapsules for beneficial insects having a non-toxic matrix with a medicament for treating a beneficial insect disorder substantially uniformly distributed therethrough and therapeutic compositions in which the microcapsules are in a carrier. Also disclosed is the method of treating beneficial insect disorders with such microcapsules and compositions.