Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously topping and precisely applying sucker control chemicals to tobacco plants and for related uses wherein the apparatus comprises a housing wherein the front and bottom of the housing are open. A blower is positioned in the top of the apparatus for creating a downwardly directed air stream to facilitate decapitating the tobacco plants by a mechanical cutter positioned in the bottom of the apparatus as the tobacco plants pass therebeneath. A pair of spaced-apart rotating belts are located beneath the mechanical cutter and define a pathway from the front to the back of the housing and act to gather tobacco plants at the front and guide the tobacco plants through the housing. A spray manifold is provided for applying sucker control chemicals downwardly in a confined pattern onto decapitated tobacco plants as they pass from the mechanical cutter and beneath the spray manifold.

Abstract: In the prevention of the spread of fires and for directly fighting fires, a cross-linked, water-swellable additive polymer in water/oil emulsion produced by an inverse phase polymerization reaction to be added to the firefighting water is disclosed. The additive has the properties of absorbing large quantities of water, high viscosity for adherence to vertical and horizontal surfaces, and retention of sufficient fluidity to be educted in standard firefighting equipment. The method of adding this additive to the firefighting water by eduction or by a batch addition to the water source is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tree harvesting head assembly which provides an improved cutting means for permitting movement of a saw chain linearly outwardly from a first position behind a tree to be cut to a second position transversely forwardly of a tree to be cut. The cutting means in combination with the grapple means and engagement arms of the head assembly facilitates the harvesting of trees on rough terrain in an expedited and safe manner.

Abstract: A catheter system having an epidural needle, an electrically conductive stimulation wire attached to the needle, a multi-purpose connector, which is adapted to connect to intravenous tubing for supplying local anesthesia, and an epidural catheter for supplying regional anesthesia. When the connector and needle are connected to each other, an operator can insert the needle into a patient with the needle's distal end within the nerve sheath and proximate to the nerve plexus. A voltage is applied via the wire to determine correct positioning. Then, the operator can slide the catheter through the connector and needle until the catheter's distal end is protruding out of the needle's distal end and into the nerve sheath, proximate to the nerve plexus. Then, the needle (and its associated wire) and the connector (and its associated tubing) are slidably removed from the catheter, and the catheter may be left in place.

Abstract: In a mail inserter machine including at least one subassembly with a component driven in reciprocating fashion, an apparatus for inserting a sheet into an envelope. The apparatus comprises a movable gripper jaw assembly, an envelope vacuum cup assembly, an envelope opener assembly including a nozzle in communication with a gaseous fluid supply source, and an insertion assembly. An electrical control circuit is adapted to issue electrical control signals to the respective assemblies, in such manner that the occurrence and duration of the control signals determine relative periods of operation of the assemblies during a cycle of operation of the apparatus and over a range of speeds of the apparatus.

Abstract: A retained earth structure includes an upright soil retaining wall of interlocking facing panels and a plurality of horizontal elongated wire mesh reinforcement panels extending outwardly from the back surface of the modules into the backfill material. The wire mesh panels are connected in tiers to the retaining wall while embedded in the backfill material soil behind the wall by use of a three-way adjustable, turnbuckle-type connector assembly. The three-way adjustable turnbuckle-type connector assembly ensures verticality of the finished precast wall panels.

Abstract: The method of this invention is directed to a treatment of depression in men and women and to a treatment of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) in women by administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of chromium in a pharmaceutically acceptable form either alone or in conjunction with the administration of a standard antidepressant composition, such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor composition. Chromium, preferably in the form of chromium picolinate, is administered to the patient at dosages in a preferred range of about 200 to about 500 micrograms chromium.