Abstract: A solid state automatic tuner is used in a plasma processing system for measuring and adjusting a voltage standing wave ratio of the system. The tuner has a switched variable inductor circuit controlled by an automatic control system coupled to an impedance matching circuit. The impedance matching circuit provides an intermediate impedance and matches an output impedance of an RF generator to the varying impedance of a plasma chamber. A variable inductor of the switched variable inductor is constructed as a transformer and allows different values of inductance to be switched in and out of a secondary winding of the transformer. FET switches control pin diodes permitting the different values of inductance to be switched in and out in steps. A VSWR comparator of the control system continuously compares a desired VSWR set point for the system to the current VSWR of the system. A sequence scanner controls the FET switches.

Abstract: A method of detecting gluteraldehyde adulterant in a urine sample. An aliquot of urine is inserted into an automatic chemical analyzer and a spectrophotometric absorbance reading is taken. Thereafter, the aliquot is mixed with a reagent mixture containing a carbonyl indicator and a second spectrophotometric absorbance reading is taken and compared to the first reading.

Abstract: A cloth body having a central knee hole wrapped around a patient's knee to treat knee flexion contractures. Hook and loop straps secure the cloth body to the patient's knee. Longitudinally extending pockets on opposite sides of the knee hole contain a longitudinal support element and an air bladder. Inflation of the air bladder supports the patient's knee in a rigid position. Latitudinally extending pockets surrounding the posterior portion of the thigh and calf contain a flexible support element.

Abstract: A system for controlling and saving water to be used with a toilet flushing apparatus permitting adjustable partial flush and full flush capabilities. A control housing having a pin inserted therethrough has a pointed tip portion entering an aperture formed in a bottom end of the control housing providing an adjustable needle valve. The effective size of the needle valve determines the rate at which water expels from the housing. A flexible tube attached to the control housing leads to a cavity in a flapper valve. The flapper valve covers a drainage port in a holding tank of a toilet when the toilet is unflushed. When the toilet is flushed, air is drawn from the cavity of the flapper into an inner chamber of the control housing as water leaves the control housing, thereby causing the flapper to change from a positive to a negative buoyancy state. The flapper can therefore be reseated upon the port before all the water has left the holding tank.

Abstract: First, nitrogen oxides are reduced by firing coal in substoichiometric air conditions in a first stage oxidation unit of a combustor to reduce NO.sub.x from fuel bound nitrogen. Hydrated lime, Ca(OH).sub.2, is introduced into the first stage oxidation unit to produce calcium sulfide. The calcium sulfide becomes tied up in a slag eutectic which is removed prior to entry of the fuel gas to a second stage oxidation unit at the entrance of a furnace where additional preheated air is added to the fuel gas.

Abstract: Soil dispersible and water dispersible granular nutrients for use in a method of controlling soil pests include granules having a crystallized saccharide binder with a magnesium carboxylate of a nutrient embedded therein. Preferably magnesium carboxylate is applied to soil in a saccharide binder at the rate of about from 100 to 200 lbs. per acre to control soil pests such as nematodes and insects.

Abstract: A valve head includes an annular valving plate made of a resilient material and a valve guide including projecting legs with elongated slots designed to couple with fins located on the valve body to provide valve guidance between open and closed positions. The valving plate and valve guide are assembled together by heating them to a sufficient temperature to permit a thin layer of the guide to melt and fuse with the valving plate.

Abstract: Apotransferrin bound to zinc or copper is administered to a patient who has endotoxins present in the patient's bloodstream. The apotransferrin improves the elimination of endotoxins from the bloodstream.

Abstract: A fluid absorption mat is applied to the floor of a surgery room during medical procedures. Patient body fluids drip onto the mat while medical personnel stand on the mat. The fluids are absorbed by the mat through an upper and lower non-woven non-cellulose fibrous material and into a copolymer intermediate layer. The upper and lower layer dry while the intermediate layer retains any fluids absorbed by the mat. The mat is then disposed into a waste container. Medical personnel are thereby exposed to minimal patient body fluids and the clean up of the surgery room is more efficient and cleaner.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine wherein a ring shaped ground electrode has a uniform annular hole with an internal diameter about 0.80 to 1.25 times the outer diameter of the center electrode. The ground electrode is vertically spaced below the center electrode and is concentric therewith. The ground electrode is connected to one or more mounting posts attached to a spark plug metal housing. Firing surfaces of the ground and center electrode have platinum alloy inserts laser welded in place. The spark from the center electrode to the ground electrode has multiple paths and results in a spark plug which improves fuel combustion, increases gasoline mileage and engine horsepower and torque and significantly reduces the smolder time or ignition delay time and consequently reduces environmental pollutants of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and other hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Apparatus for the separate supply of film bags to a filling machine, with a belt conveyor receiving the film bags as an oblique, fanned out stack. A drive acts on the belt conveyor. A separating wheel is positioned adjacent to the delivery section of the belt conveyor and rests on the top film bag brought in by the belt conveyor. A lever vertically supports the separating wheel and a drive moves the separating wheel. A sensor determines the height of the separating wheel above the belt conveyor. Such sensor controls the drive for the belt conveyor (12). A linear unit supplies a bag to the filling machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for the reliable filling of at least two containers below the skin surface, particularly of an infusion pump, with two septa made from a soft material, so that easy perforation by needles is possible and further seals which are positioned after the septa, at least one space being in each case provided between the seals and the septa connected to the catheters or containers to be filled, in the case of different septa said spaces being at different distances from a needle stop, a corresponding number of needles with lateral openings for filling purposes are provided and the openings for different needles are at different distances (A, B) from the needle tip.

Abstract: A cloth body having a central knee hole wrapped around a patient's knee to treat knee flexion contractures. Hook and loop straps secure the cloth body to the patient's knee. Longitudinally extending pockets on opposite sides of the knee hole contain a longitudinal support element and an air bladder. Inflation of the air bladder supports the patient's knee in a rigid position.

Abstract: A compact, hand portable, mobile electroplating unit provided with wheels, a seat for the user, and all of the chemical solutions and applicator equipment, including a D.C. power source, required to electroplate a metallic film on a metallic surface.