Abstract: A puzzle/decoder for decoding and viewing lens resolvable encoded images. The decoder includes an encoded image which can be decoded with one or more decoding lenses. A retainer is also included in the decoder for retaining the decoding lenses in proximity to the encoded image borne by the substrate. A decoded image is formed when a lens adapted to decode a particular encoded image is slid over the encoded image. The decoder can be a substantially flat slide puzzle, a cylindrically shaped slide puzzle, an enclosed puzzle with freely moving decoding lenses therein, a puzzle shaped as a three-dimensional object or a combination puzzle including two or more individual puzzles.

Abstract: The present invention includes a hot-melt extruded film and method of preparation thereof. The film is made from a precursor composition containing at least a water soluble or water swellable thermoplastic polymer, preferably HPC and/or PEO, and a bioadhesive polymer. The film can also contain a therapeutic agent, preservative, buffering agent, antioxidant, super-disintegrant or absorbent, flavorant, colorant, water insoluble polymer, organic acid, surfactant, film modifier, and/or cross-linking agent. The film does not contain a conventional plasticizer or a material which is generally recognized in the art as a plasticizer for extruded films. The film can be sized and shaped to provide a controlled delivery of a therapeutic agent to the buccal, rectal, uterine, vaginal, abdominal, cranial, ophthalmic, nasal, sinus, or otic cavities. The film can also be used for the treatment of wounds.

Abstract: The invention provides a cart for transporting elongated objects such as compressed gas cylinders and for moving the objects from a first surface having a first height to a second surface having a higher or lower second height. The cart is designed such that an object retainer which is pivotally mounted to the frame of the cart can be removably engaged with the object to be transported at a location which is at or near the center of gravity of the object. The cart of the invention can also comprise a height adjustable object retainer and a height adjustable object rest. The cart will be made movable by a moving means mounted on the base of the cart.

Abstract: Delivery devices capable of delivering one or more active substances by diffusion through plural micropores in the membrane or by osmotic pumping through one or more preformed passageways in the membrane are provided. The device has an about centrally located expandable core completely surrounded by an active substance-containing layer, which is completely surrounded by the membrane. The device is capable of delivering insoluble, slightly soluble, sparingly soluble and very soluble active substances to an environment of use. The preferred delivery rate is zero order. The device can deliver an active substance for a period of about 12-24 hours.

Abstract: A process to recover energy, reduce pollution potential, and add value to organic waste such as animal manure is described. The process involves the anaerobic digestion of feedstocks, such as animal manure, at low to high temperatures in batch, semi-continuous or continuous reactors. The process makes use of existing handling and storage equipment at the farm and requires minimal supervision and skill by the operator. The system is not affected by high concentrations of volatile acids and ammonia or nitrogen. The productivity of the anaerobic digester system, in terms of methane a gas production and quality, is exceptionally high. The anaerobic digester requires only a singe reaction vessel. Consequently, the process is low cost and does not interfere with regular farm operations.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved Winged Fastener in which a large threaded nut is movably engaged with the threaded sleeve of the Winged Fastener wherein the nut is movable set in a washer such that the washer is placed against a surface, while the sleeve of the winged bolt is placed in a bore in a first matrix and a second matrix is set around the sleeve of the Winged Bolt. As the nut is turned on the threaded sleeve, the second matrix which is placed around the threaded sleeve is caused to be compressed and radially moved outward toward an inner surface of the first matrix. If the second matrix is of a rigid material, the cylinder of matrix is split longitudinally and the pieces are driven radially outward. The invention also provides a second improved Winged Fastener in which a hole is placed in a wing and a cable or tendon is attached to the wing through the hole.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple multi-tablet system for the treatment of urinary incontinence with oxybutynin. Particular embodiments of the invention provide a first tablet that releases oxybutynin over a short period of time, e.g. less than six hours, and a second tablet that releases oxybutynin over an extended period of time, e.g., eighteen to twenty-four hours, to maintain therapeutically effective levels oxybutynin in the mammal for a period of about twenty four hours. Unlike other systems, this system is easily adaptable to compensate for patient to patient variability in response to oxybutynin therapy. The invention also provides a method of treating urinary incontinence with the above system and a kit comprising various first and second tablets to rapidly develop a patient's preferred dosing regimen, i.e., the dosing regimen which provides the greatest therapeutic benefit and/or least amount or severity of side effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a versatile construction kit which can be used to easily form models of virtually any conceivable person, place or thing including a variety of vehicles, buildings, people, animals, weapons, machinery, caricatures, objects and the like. The construction kit comprises plural connectors which are connectable by a tongue-and-slot mechanism and optionally also by way of interconnectable notches by which they can be perpendicularly and detachably interconnected. The universal connectors are so versatile they can form virtually any geometric, regular, irregular, asymmetric, or symmetric configuration. They can be used to form a model of any known or imagined object. Generally, the width of the notches and of the slots of the connectors substantially approximates the thickness of the connectors.

Abstract: The method according to the present invention includes the step of adding sufficient amounts of an alkalinizing agent to an aqueous solution into which a redispersible polymer powder will be dispersed or to an aqueous dispersion which will be dried to form a redispersible polymer powder. The method of the invention is particularly well suited for nonionic polymers. A surfactant, plasticizer and/or preservative can also be used in addition to the alkalinizing agent. Redispersible polymer powders processed according to the invention form acceptable tablet coatings which are comparable in quality to those coatings formed from aqueous polymer dispersions that have not been dried into redispersible polymer powders.

Abstract: Novel herbicidal compounds, compositions containing them, and methods for their use in controling weeds are disclosed. The novel herbicidal compounds are optionally substituted phenylmethoxy or phenylmethylthio heterocycles of the formula: ##STR1## in which Q is selected from: ##STR2## R=halogen; R.sup.1 =lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, lower alkylthio, lower sulfonyl, or lower alkylsulfinyl; R.sup.2 =lower alkyl, or lower haloalkyl; X=H, halogen, or lower alkyl; W=O or S; Z, Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2 are independently selected from H, halogen, straight or branched chain lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, is lower haloalkoxy, cyano, lower cyanoalkyloxy, or aryl; or Z and Z.sup.1 are adjacent to each other on the benzene ring, and taken together are --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 --; or Z.sup.2 is OA in the 2-, 3-, or 4-position of the phenyl ring; A is a derivative of an alkanoate bonded to the phenoxy oxygen at the alpha carbon; R.sup.3 is H or lower alkyl; R.sup.

Abstract: A method for the biological control of various weeds such as sicklepod using the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria. In a typical application, conidia of the fungus are applied with liquid surfactant to the weeds in amounts effective to produce typical plant lesions which kill or suppress, and thus control, the weeds. In another embodiment, phytotoxin produced by the fungus is used to control the weeds. In still another embodiment a synergistic combination of M. verrucaria and the fungus Alternaria cassiae is used to control sicklepod and in a fourth embodiment phytotoxin produced by M. verrucaria is used synergistically with A. cassiae to control sicklepod. A strain of M. verrucaria is on deposit with the Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La. and with the patent collection of the International Mycological Institute in Surrey, UK and has been assigned the number IMI 368023.

Abstract: A method of isolating microorganisms and viruses, including phages, bacteriophages and cyanophages from an environment, particularly an aquatic environment, and propagating the isolated microorganisms or viruses for inoculum formulation. A specific target organism or selective growth medium is first immobilized in a stable substrate form such as sodium alginate gel pellets. The substrate containing the target organism or growth medium is then introduced into the environment to be sampled and microorganisms and/or viruses which are pathogenic to the immobilized target organism, or which can utilize the nutrient included in the growth medium, colonize the pellets. The colonizing microorganism or viral pathogens are removed from the gel pellets using standard laboratory techniques. One of the isolated pathogens, particularly an isolated viral pathogen, may be selected and propagated for inoculum formulation.