Abstract: An improved applicator for hair building cosmetic fibers, powders and particles uses a gentle stream of gas to suspend the fibers and waft them onto the user's scalp. A low pressure, low velocity gas stream directed downwards into a mass of fibers in a closed container suspends them. The suspended fibers exit through a small orifice connected with a passageway ending in a nozzle. The suspended fibers are propelled from the nozzle in a directed fashion to settle naturally in a controlled area. If a rubber bulb is used to supply air to suspend the fibers, a user can gently squeeze the bulb to allow controlled puffs of air and fibers to waft onto controlled regions of the scalp. A valve arrangement can be operated to provide an air stream to remove excess deposited fibers from regions of the scalp.

Abstract: We disclose a colorless composition comprising silver particles and water, wherein said particles comprise an interior of elemental silver and an exterior of ionic silver oxide, wherein the silver particles are present in the water at a level of about 5–40 ppm, and wherein the composition manifests significant antimicrobial properties. Methods of use of the composition are described.

Abstract: Simple carboxylic acids, in particular dicarboxylic acids such as citric acid shows an unexpected ability to enhance the antimicrobial power of a wide range of disinfectant and/or antibiotic agents. As little as 1% citrate greatly enhances the ability of antibiotics to kill or inhibit a wide range of bacterial species including antibiotic resistant strains. Citrate alone is effective in preventing bacterial growth in platelet concentrates and in red blood cell suspensions. Effective concentrations of citrate cause little if any damage to blood cells. Besides enhancing the power of antibiotics citrate also enhances the antimicrobial properties of disinfectant organic dyes such as crystal violet and methylene blue. In addition citrate enhances the antimicrobial properties of polyphenols of plant origin. Iodine-based disinfectants are also enhanced without enhancing protein denaturation.

Abstract: Monazites and xenotimes are rare-earth phosphates showing a combination of properties expected to be suitable for thermal barrier coatings. For example, lanthanum phosphate (La-monazite) can be used to form thermal barrier coatings to protect superalloy and ceramic parts exposed to high temperature and damage by sulfur, vanadium, phosphorus and other contaminants. The monazite or xenotime coatings can be applied using any of the common application methods including EB-PVD, laser ablation and plasma spraying. The stoichiometry of the coatings can be modulated according to the stoichiometry of specially prepared starting target (source) material. The most effective coatings appear to be largely crystalline and show a columnar structure with feather-like microstructure. For La-monazite, effective coatings between 10 and 500 micrometers in thickness can be deposited on substrates having temperatures between about 750° C. and about 950° C.

Abstract: A method for refining a titanium metal containing ore such as rutile or ilmenite or mixtures to produce titanium ingots or titanium alloys and compounds of titanium involves production of titanium tetrachloride by processing the ore with a chlorinating procedure and removing various impurities by a distillation or similar procedures to form a relatively pure titanium tetrachloride. Thereafter, the titanium tetrachloride is introduced continuously into a reactor at the focal point of a plasma under atmospheric pressures of inert gas along with molten metallic reductant for the initial reduction of gas phase titanium tetrachloride into molten titanium drops which are collected in a set of skulled crucibles. Thereafter, further processing is carried out at atmospheric pressures in under inert gas where the titanium is heated by plasma guns to maximize titanium purity and, in a final optional stage, alloying compounds are added under the same controlled environment and high temperature conditions.

Abstract: The lees or “dregs” produced during wine making are rich sources of antioxidants. Unexpectedly, these materials show significant antibacterial properties as well as antioxidant properties. The lees of red wine which consist of tannins and plant pigments precipitated around crystals of potassium tartarate can advantageously be used directly as a tonic or demulcent. The material can also be used topically for disinfecting the skin, etc. In addition, it is possible to use organic polymers to bind the pigments and/or solubilize them from the tartaric salt to facilitate their use or to make a relatively pure pigment/tannin component.

Abstract: The sensitivity of enzyme-based polarographic electrodes to oxygen concentration can be significantly reduced or eliminated by providing an oxygen-reservoir in intimate contact with the oxidative enzyme. This is achieved by making a stabilized emulsion between the enzyme and a compound in which oxygen is extremely soluble. An aqueous glucose oxidase solution is emulsified with a perfluorocarbon liquid, and the resulting emulsion is stabilized by chemically crosslinking the mixture to form a gel. Thin layers of the emulsion are fabricated by spreading a layer of the liquid emulsion before gelation occurs. Additional carrier proteins such as albumin may be added to the enzyme prior to crosslinking to protect enzymatic activity and enhance gel strength. Additional electron transport compounds may be added to further reduce sensitivity to oxygen concentration.

Abstract: A new miniature rose plant which has abundant, long lasting, dark-red colored flowers and attractive foliage. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for year round production in commercial glass houses as a flowering pot plant. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Abstract: A new miniature rose plant which has abundant, long lasting, red colored flowers and attractive foliage. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for year round production in commercial glass houses as a flowering pot plant. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.