Abstract: A gas scrubbing device for removing odorous gases from streams of natural gas or air. The device can be used either as conventional filter to filter excess odorous gas before the gas is discharged from the system or as a fume hood to capture any odorous vapor that might be released in the air at an odorant injection site.

Abstract: A mobile dynamic implantable spinal apparatus comprising at least one fixed bracket secured on a correcting rod and at least one mobile carrier slidably mounted on the correcting rod. The fixed bracket and the mobile carrier each include a body and a pedicle screw or a transverse process hook articulated to the body. The distribution of the degrees of freedom between the carrier and the rod, and the pedicle screws or hooks and the carrier and the fixed bracket provide a non-rigid assembly which preserves some of the natural mobility of the vertebrae and disk, and the potential growth of the spinal column.

Abstract: Flavone analogues of formula ##STR1## wherein; X is O or S;R.sub.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkenyl;R.sub.2 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl or R.sub.2 O is a sugar residue;R.sub.3 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl or R.sub.3 O is a sugar residue;R.sub.4 is H, OH, or a sugar residue;R.sub.5 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, or R.sub.5 O is a sugar residue;m is an integer of 1 or 2; andn is an integer from 0 to 5,are useful as anti-rejection agents in organ transplants.

Abstract: Value metal belonging to Group IA or IIA of the Periodic Table is recovered from its ore or concentrate by mixing the latter, in finely divided form, with an excess of molten lixiviant reaction metal. This forms a mixture of an alloy of the value metal and the reaction metal and a dispersate of partly depleted source material. Value metal is vacuum refined from the alloy and recovered. The method may be conveniently carried out, continuously, in a closed vessel by the use of an apparatus according to the invention, having an upwardly extending treating passage for containing the reaction metal and extending upwardly to a vacuum space. Lifting gas is injected into the mixture to provide emission of the mixture in the form of a volley of droplets from which the value metal is vacuumed off. The remaining reaction metal and partly depleted source material are deposited in a catchment bath.

Abstract: An artificial shrub comprises a central trunk and a plurality of branches connected thereto by a loop at the end of each branch which is receivable directly on the trunk. Shrubs of this construction are easily user assembled and adjusted for aesthetic effect, particularly where the branches are of appreciable axial extent and downwardly, outswept from the loops. A branch rest in the form of a serrated hoop may be provided to give lateral and radial support for the branch ends.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the extrusion of a thermoplastic material in modified form in which the thermoplastic material is introduced into the barrel of a screw extruder, and is heated and forced through the barrel: the material is passed through valve means which together with the temperature of the material is effective to produce a melt transition in the material at a predetermined point and to thoroughly mix the material; subsequently, the material is forced into a low pressure zone in the barrel where a modifying agent is introduced into the material; the resultant mass is forced out of the low pressure zone, and is passed through a mixing means effective to intensify the dispersion of the modifying agent in the mass, the mass is extruded and the extruded material collected.