Abstract: Portulaca oleracea has been used throughout history for many different medicinal purposes. This invention is directed to the novel use of P. oleracea for the treatment of cancer. More specifically it is disclosed that P. oleracea has a specific and distinct effect on the inhibition and/or suppression of gastric tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo. An aqueous extract of P. oleracea showed a tumoricidal activity against KATO III (human gastric carcinoma cell line) and COLO 320 HSR cells (human colon adenoma cell line) in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, but not against the non-tumorous cell lines, L929 (murine lung connective tissue) and W138 (human lung diploid cell) cells. Subcutaneous injection of six week old CD1 nude mice with COLO 320 HSR cells and subsequently Portulaca oleracea extract showed a clear inhibition of tumor growth as compared to the control nude mice which received only COLO 320 HSR cells.

Abstract: Eyeglasses are modified to simulate ophthalmologic anomalies which may result from ophthalmic surgery. Various hazed eyeglass lenses are described.

Abstract: A cage system for laboratory animal care has a plastic cage with a molded perforated-bottom, a snap-on plenum cage top, a cage top feeder lid and a snap on waste tray. The floor of the cage is shaped with rounded perforations and domed protrusions to deflect both liquid and solid waste down to the attached waste tray. A filtered air supply is introduced into the lid of the cage and passes through orifices in the bottom of the lid, flowing laminarly through the body of the cage and out perforations in the floor over the waste tray. A water supply system for the cage is provided. No bedding is required in the cage. The system is air tight and air in any one cage is isolated from air in all other cages in the system which can be mounted on a rack.

Abstract: A process for reducing the spontaneous combustion tendencies of thermally beneficiated low rank coals employing heat, air or an oxygen containing gas followed by an optional moisture addition. Specific reaction conditions are supplied along with knowledge of equipment types that may be employed on a commercial scale to complete the process.

Abstract: This invention concerns a suction unit for hoods, ovens and similar appliances having a double auger casing consisting of two sectional half-shells, namely a top and a bottom shell which ensure easy assembly and automatic centring on a fan-motor unit entirely housed in the casing.

Abstract: A method and device for the detection of vapors of cocaine and associated compounds are disclosed. The method involves sampling a volume of air suspected of containing cocaine vapors, passing this air through a filtration system that removes any particulate matter and binds vapors of cocaine and associated compounds, if present, for further analysis. A preferred associated compound-vapor is that of ecgonidine methyl ester (EDME), and a marker for the presence of cocaine. The device is comprised of a sampling, filtration and vacuum port components and can be easily attached to a container, and suction source, for the sampling of air.

Abstract: An emergency alternative fuel for internal combustion engines is stable for storage for a year or more. The alternative fuel is stored in a container which has an outlet sealed with a removable seal. The container is prevented from being reused for storage after the seal is removed. The fuel is a refined mineral spirits and may have 0-30% by volume mixed isomers of primary amyl alcohol blended therewith. A biocide is added to the mineral spirits.

Abstract: A pipe swivel joint comprises a female conduit element and a male conduit element rotatably engaging the female conduit element. A removable plug within the female conduit element maintains a main seal in proper position for bridging a clearance between the female and male conduit elements. The plug is easily removed once the main seal is to be replaced, and is installed back in place once the main seal has been replaced, thereby avoiding dismantling of the swivel joint.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding a snowboard in a stable horizontal position during snowboard base preparation and maintenance, which apparatus also employs mechanism permitting the board to be swung around into a vertical orientation and held there in a stable manner for board edge maintenance procedures. An improved three-point support arrangement which provides substantial support of the snowboard for base preparation and wherein an intermediate support can be quickly and readily swung out of the way to allow the board to be moved into a vertical orientation for edge maintenance. The apparatus may be provided with clamps for securely engaging the ends of the snowboard and holding it firmly in position during repair and maintenance procedures. The apparatus is adaptable for use with a very wide variety of snowboards having different lengths, widths, board tip angles and board thicknesses.

Abstract: A strengthened masonry reinforcement device is used in construction to strengthen the courses of laid hollow block. The masonry reinforcement device is fashioned with ends and a strengthened trough. When used in the construction of a wall the masonry device with the strengthened trough will be light-weight and retain cement to bind hollow block in a lower course to hollow block of an adjacent upper course.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench having a handle and an integral head. The head has a chamber formed therein with a wall about the chamber. At least one tooth is formed on the wall and projects into the chamber. A cylindrical rotor having a plurality of axial teeth is disposed in the chamber. The chamber is non circular and has a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the rotor wherein the rotor is translatably and eccentrically movable within the chamber. Movement of the handle engages a portion of the teeth on the rotor in locked driving engagement with the wall of the chamber and the at least one tooth on the wall of the chamber. Backswinging the handle disengages the rotor. Three embodiments are disclosed. Methods of use of the three embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A passively clamped quasi-resonant DC link ("PCQRL") converter includes an output inverter having a plurality of switches, and a DC link between a DC power source and the output inverter. The DC link is realized by a clamp transformer having a clamp factor not higher than 1.1-1.3 and a small auxiliary inductance which is switched by a pair of auxiliary switches (driven by the same gating signal) and a pair of diodes. When the auxiliary switches are turned "ON", the DC link voltage drops to zero; and the switches of the output inverter then can be switched under zero voltage condition with no switching losses. Most of the modulation schemes, including PWM, are applicable to the DC link design.

Abstract: An intelligent controller for on-line monitoring of circulation system in order to minimize a problem of streaming electrification and to avoid degradation of the electrical insulation of the system. The controller is designed to combine advantages of fuzzy logic and neural networks, and includes a fuzzy logic (employing a pseudo-neural network) for acquiring analog input data from a plurality of sensors and for interpreting this input data into fuzzyfier outputs. A main processor consisting of a fully connected feed-forward neural network serves for processing the fuzzifier outputs in order to obtain controlling instructions for the system.

Abstract: A clamp is placed over the bridge of the nose to apply pressure over the fossa of the nasolacrimal sac, prior to ocular medication to thereby seal the nasolacrimal sac and prevent drainage of medicament away from the eye. The clamp can be embedded in a flexible molded positioning device which has been molded to fit the shape of the bridge of the nose. In an improved embodiment the embedded clamp in a flexible molded positioning device is attached to a modified eyeglass frame. In a further embodiment a band to go around the back of the head or around the ears can be attached to the clamp.

Abstract: A disposable sensor for metal analysis comprises a housing including a first section, a second section, and a flexible intermediate section therebetween. An ampoule containing a reagent is disposed in the intermediate section. A liquid seal is formed between the first and second sections. The intermediate section of the housing of the disposable sensor may be flexed to break the ampoule. When the seal is broken between the first and second sections, and the water (or any other liquid) sample mixes with the reagent, the mixture flows into the second section containing an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly may be disposed in engagement with the monitoring device to determine the concentration of the at least one metal in the water (or any other liquid) sample.

Abstract: A cover plate for a ratchet wrench having a flat body and a plurality of spaced-apart segments formed on a lower surface of the cover plate. Each segment has a chamfered protrusion and a step formed on the protrusion. The protrusion engages a channel formed within the opening in the head of the ratchet wrench to lock the cover plate to the ratchet wrench.

Abstract: A tray to be attached to a slot machine gaming device. The tray has a concave upper surface and an opening to cooperate with the coin accepting slot of the slot machine. The tray is manually removably attached to the slot machine.

Abstract: A permanent magnet machine combines both principles of variable reluctance machines and permanent magnets, and comprises a rotor with salient rotor poles and a stator with salient stator poles. A pair of ferrite arched permanent magnets are embedded in the stator yoke beneath respective stator poles and are arranged symmetrically around the central axis of the machine. A field winding for boosting or weakening the primary flux generated by the permanent magnets is wound in a special arrangement.

Abstract: A new class of doubly-salient motors which incorporate a specific stator/rotor pole arrangement and stationary permanent magnets mounted in the stator to provide a linearly increasing flux linkage over the entire area of pole overlap. The new motors provide greater output torque, higher efficiency, quicker response, and a simpler structure in comparison to conventional reluctance motors.

Abstract: A device and method to measure and correct the cant of a pair of ski boots. A device has a pair of platforms movable with respect to one another. Binding means for the ski shoes are attached to the platform. Each platform is independently rotatable about a longitudinal center line. A pair of vertical indicators indicate the relationship between the respective knee of the skier and the vertical indicators. A second pair of indicators measure the degree of rotation of the respective platforms. Wedges are used to correct the cant and to obtain zero rotation of the respective platforms. The device can also be used to correct the cant of skis with ski boots attached.