Abstract: The apparatus of this invention can be used to disinfect a writing instrument used by a health care professional when working with a patient. The apparatus includes an absorbent material pad that has a breach formed, for example, with a slit or a series of slits extending entirely through the pad. The pad is soaked with disinfecting fluid, and a writing instrument is inserted through the breach in the pad to disinfect the writing instrument. To hold the pad in a fixed position, the apparatus includes a holder with first and second members that can be joined together or separated to allow insertion or removal of the pad. The first and second members of the holder define respective apertures that are aligned with the breach in the pad when the first and second members are joined together to enclose the pad.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a composite structure such as an aircraft radome includes preparing seamless female support mold/caul plate tooling, and seamless male support mold/vacuum bag tooling. An uncured composite structure is collated on the external surface of the male support mold/vacuum bag tooling, and then transferred to the female support mold/caul plate tooling for curing. The female support mold/caul plate tooling defines the outer surface of the final composite structure, permitting the outer surface of be smooth and of an aerodynamic shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article of manufacture comprising a textile substrate and a coating being a polymer comprising a non-aromatic unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic ester monomer and an aliphatic conjugated diene monomer. An unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid monomer or a monomer based on the half esters of the dicarboxylic acid monomer can also be included. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of preparing a textile substrate comprising applying to a surface of the textile substrate a coating, the coating being a polymer comprising a non-aromatic unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic ester monomer and an aliphatic conjugated diene and heating the surface of the textile substrate to dry the coating.

Abstract: The use of certain herbicidal semicarbazones and salts thereof as potentiators or enhancers of herbicidal and/or plant growth regulating substances.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch includes a torch body defining a discharge axis, an electrode coaxially aligned on the discharge axis, a nozzle assembly positioned adjacent the discharge end of the electrode, and a heat shield removably secured on the torch body. A power supply delivers electrical current to the electrode to create an electrical arc, and a plasma gas is delivered so as to surround the arc. Also, a pressure sensing system is provided for sensing the pressure of the plasma gas and for disabling the power supply if there is insufficient gas pressure, such as when the heat shield is removed.

Abstract: A silicon carbide semiconductor device includes a silicon carbide substrate, an active layer in the substrate and a silicon carbide buried layer which provides a conduction barrier between the substrate and at least a portion of the active layer. The buried layer is preferably formed by implanting second conductivity type dopants into the substrate so that a P-N junction barrier is provided between the active layer and the substrate. The buried layer may also be formed by implanting electrically inactive ions into the substrate so that a relatively high resistance barrier is provided between the active layer and the substrate. The electrically inactive ions are preferably selected from the group consisting of argon, neon, carbon and silicon, although other ions which are electrically inactive in silicon carbide may be used.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for reducing the grain size of crystalline explosive provide for, first of all, dissolving the coarse crystalline explosive in an organic solvent. Subsequently, the dissolved explosive is brought together with ice water in a precipitation reactor. In the precipitation reactor the precipitation and crystallization of the explosive occur, while turbulent agitation takes place. A filtration stage is connected downstream of the precipitation reactor. A fine crystalline explosive is obtained, having a mean particle size of from 4 to 6 micrometers.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of sulfur from a feedstock, such as sour gas, including hydrogen sulfide, in which the feedstock is contacted with an aqueous mixture of ammonium nitrate, sulfuric acid and nitric acid to produce solid sulfur and gaseous hydrogen.

Abstract: One or more antenna elements are submerged beneath a faired cover over a roof supporting member of a motor vehicle or hidden behind or as part of the front grill. Usually a conductive support extends behind the antenna elements and are electrically isolated therefrom to form the ground plane of the antenna. In some cases the antennas can be the structural members electrically isolated from the remainder of the body, but physically connected thereto. RF absorbers may be positioned spaced from radiating antenna elements to prevent antenna cross talk and exposure of occupants of the vehicle to high RF power densities. The antenna elements are especially useful in providing collision avoidance radar.

Abstract: Method of monitoring the quality of an advancing yarn by continuously measuring the yarn tension, which includes determining the progression of the yarn tension upon occurrence of a defined failure (failure record), storing the failure record in a data memory, comparing the measured yarn tension with the failure record and generating an alarm signal, when a range of the yarn tension progression shows a similarity to the failure record.

Abstract: An integrated circuit memory device includes a plurality of memory cell array blocks, each having M columns by N rows and arranged in linear, spaced apart relation in the integrated circuit to produce a row of memory cell array blocks. The row of memory cell array blocks includes first and second outer blocks and at least one inner block therebetween. Each of the outer blocks includes M/2 columns by N rows of dummy cells. Each common area between cell array blocks includes a common input/output circuit block having M/2 columns in each common area, a respective one of which is connected to M/2 columns by N rows of a respective adjacent pair of memory cell array blocks. The integrated circuit also includes input/output lines in each common area and a plurality of input/output circuit blocks, a respective one of which is connected to the input/output lines in a respective adjacent pair of common areas. Preferably, the plurality of memory cell array blocks comprises a plurality of triplets (i.e.

Abstract: The heterogeneous polymerization of water-insoluble polymer in CO.sub.2 is disclosed. The method comprises providing a heterogeneous reaction mixture comprising CO.sub.2, a monomer, and a surfactant, then polymerizing the monomer to form a water-insoluble polymer.

Abstract: Efficient distribution of work from a server to remote/mobile nodes is provided by a hierarchy of Session Work Objects into which events can be assigned. Session Work Objects can also be assigned to other Session Work Objects in the hierarchy. Session Work Objects can then be assigned to sessions, nodes, or users. Small numbers of related events can be grouped together, thereby simplifying the distribution of work.

Abstract: A packaging structure for holding an object securely against a rigid backing. The structure includes a substantially rigid panel having a pair of generally parallel fold lines which define respective folding side portions and a center portion. A flexible film material is superimposed on one surface of the center panel portion and extends onto the folding side portions. Means, such as opposed glue strips extending along the side portions, are provided for securing the film material to the rigid panel and for cooperating with the folding side portions to tighten the film against objects between the film and the center panel portion when the side portions are folded in a direction away from the film. The panel may include a fold line extending through the center panel portion for allowing the object to be inserted and secured beneath the film. The panel may also include openings into which projection on the folding side portions may be inserted to tighten the film. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydroxyalkylated phenolic or hydroxyalkylated thiophenolic compounds is disclosed. The process comprises providing a phenolic or thiophenolic compound, a cyclic organic carbonate compound, and a catalyst selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, an alcohol-derived salt of the alkali metal, and mixtures thereof; and reacting the phenolic compound and the cyclic organic carbonate compound in the presence of the catalyst to form the hydroxyalkylated phenolic or hydroxyalkylated thiophenolic compound. Preferably, the alkali metal is selected from sodium, potassium, or lithium.

Abstract: An n-on-p integrated heterostructure device of Group III-V nitride compound semiconductor materials is formed on a substrate of p-type monocrystalline silicon carbide and includes a buffer layer of p-type aluminum nitride or p-type aluminum gallium nitride on the substrate. The n-on-p integrated heterostructure includes continuously graded layers of aluminum gallium nitride to reduce or eliminate conduction band or valence band offsets. A multiple quantum well may also be used instead of the continuously graded layer. The n-on-p integrated heterostructure device may include lasers, LEDs and other devices. A p-type negative electron affinity (NEA) photoelectron emitter device may also be provided, including a p-type monocrystalline silicon carbide substrate, a layer of p-type aluminum nitride or aluminum gallium nitride, a continuously graded layer of aluminum gallium nitride and a layer of p-type aluminum gallium nitride. A surface enhancement layer may be located on the layer of aluminum gallium nitride.

Abstract: An apparatus for bundling truss plates includes comprises means for forming a plurality of truss plates and means for forming these truss plates into a unitized bundle that is easily shipped, stored, and handled. The apparatus can include means for orienting each of the plurality of truss plates so that the backing members are substantially parallel to a predetermined plane, aligning means for aligning the oriented truss plates so that the peripheries of their backing members are substantially aligned, stacking means for stacking the oriented and aligned truss plates, and interconnecting means for interconnecting the stacked truss plates into a unitized bundle.

Abstract: Tubes (12), which can have any variety of cross-section and multiple bends, to be cleaned each have one end portion retained within a fixture (16) by an expanded bladder (42) while pressurized cleaning fluid (52) from conduit (50) passes through the tubes (12). Where no tube (12) is positioned within a particular fixture (16), the cleaning fluid (52) is prevented from moving through the fixture by the expanded bladder (42).