Abstract: Treatment of apnea and/or bradycardia employing 5-ethyldihrdo-5-phenyl-4,6-[1H,5H]-pyrimidenedione (primidone).

Abstract: A method for determining the time period since the death of a human cadaver deposited on soil by the steps of removing a sample of soil from beneath the cadaver, testing the sample for a concentration of a chemical which is indicative of the time since the death of the human cadaver, and correlating the concentration with the number of accumulated degree days (ADD) to determine the length of time since the death of the human cadaver. The chemicals include fatty acids, such as propionic acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid, and inorganic ions, such as ammonium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate.

Abstract: A method and composition for promoting the healing of an open wound, such as a fresh surgical incision, a decubitus ulcer, or a diabetes ulcer. The method includes applying to the wound a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a protein fragment of tumor necrosis factor .alpha.(TNF-.alpha.) including amino acids 31 through 68 SEQ ID NO.: 1. The composition may be applied topically or injected locally into a wound or ulcer site. A preferred composition includes a carrier medium selected from sterile water, sterile saline, and albumin. Topical formulations are administered as sprays, gels, ointments or salves.

Abstract: A reflection meter for measuring the percentage of reflected light from a surface. A light source produces light which strikes the surface. The surface reflects the light into a chamber which directs the light to a detector. The detector senses the reflected light and produces a detect signal that represents the light reflected. A microprocessor receives the detect signal and calculates a percentage of light reflected from the surface which is shown on a display. An absorbing receiver engage the surface and absorbs any light that is transmitted through the surface.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for the treatment of black liquor from a kraft or soda pulping process which comprises forcibly conveying the black liquor through an elongate conduit containing at least one vent at a position along its length while subjecting the black liquor to a working action and maintaining the temperature of the black liquor at least about 80.degree. C. so that the black liquor is compressed and mixed as it is conveyed through the conduit to promote the separation of liquid components from the black liquor into the vent by expression and vaporization. As a result, the solids concentration of the material may be increased to provide an improved quality fuel for soda recovery boilers. The process is advantageously carried out using a vented screw extruder which is equipped to supply heat to the black liquor from the screw interiors and barrel housing to promote vaporization of volatiles and to maintain the flowability of the material as it is conveyed through the extruder.

Abstract: An electronic device for monitoring the number of hours worked during a period covering a preselected number of consecutive work days utilizes a case and a computer mounted in the case including memory containing information relating to a maximum number of hours which are permitted to be worked during the period of consecutive work days and to a maximum number of hours which are permitted to be worked during any one work day of the period. The computer includes a keyboard for manually entering at the end of each day of the period the number of hours worked during that one day and a processor responsive to the number of hours entered through the keyboard for calculating the number of hours worked during a consecutive day period ending with that one day, the permitted number of work hours remaining during a consecutive day period ending no earlier than the following day and the number of hours that the user is permitted to work on the following day.

Abstract: A method for producing multiple fiber data from a plurality of single fiber tests. A plurality of individual fibers are subjected to tension tests such that the individual fibers are elongated tensioned and broken while characteristics of the fiber are monitored. Multiple fiber data are obtained by testing a number of fibers from a sample and superimposing the graphical representation of tensile characteristics of the individual fibers upon one another to obtain a composite representation which constitutes multiple fiber data. Characteristics of individual fibers which may be combined to obtain a composite representation constituting multiple fiber data include such characteristics as tension, elongation and cross-sectional characteristics of the fiber.

Abstract: A thermoresistive sensor system compensates for ambient temperature of a medium. First and second side-by-side sensors are mounted in the medium, each having a resistance that varies with temperature change in the medium. A thermal compensation control circuit supplies current to the first sensor such that the cube of its current times its resistance (I.sub.1.sup.3 .times.R.sub.1) is constant. The control circuit supplies current to the second sensor at a multiple of the current through the first sensor. A signal based upon the voltages across each sensor is produced as a temperature compensated output. In this manner, the system automatically compensates for temperature changes in the medium which would otherwise degrade the accuracy of the output.

Abstract: A thermostatically controlled three-way valve is provided with a valve actuating assembly containing a wax-type thermally responsive acutator that is mechanically separate from a valve assembly containing a valve poppet supported by a valve stem so as to facilitate the replacement of a dysfunctioning wax-type thermally responsive actuator. In the event such a problem occurs with the wax-type thermally responsive actuator due to the operation of the valve, a manual override mechanism employing a hollow threaded nut arrangement can be used to engage the valve stem and manually position the valve poppet to control fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a new polypeptide and a method for producing the same. The polypeptide has a molecular weight of approximately 30,000 daltons as a dimer and a monomer molecular weight of about 15,000 daltons, an isoelectric pH of about 4.47 and an activity of at least 21,000 units per milligram of protein in the monomer or dimer state. The preferred method comprises chromatographing a crude polypeptide-containing medium on a dextran derived chromatography column; precipitating the eluate in a water-ethanol solution; electrophoresing the precipitate in a polyacrylamide gel; and chromatographing the extract on a reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography column.

Abstract: A clip for slidably attaching a ribbed metal roof panel to a structural support underlying the roof panel includes a base member and a slide member which are interfitted in a manner which permits the slide member to shift relative to the base member. The base and slide members include interfitted sections which are U-shaped in cross section, and the interfitted sections include a cutout and detent which cooperate to limit the amount of relative shifting between the base and slide members. A particular embodiment of the clip is well-suited for use when mounting a ribbed panel in spaced relationship above a ribbed panel of an existing roof structure.

Abstract: A multi-level table including an upper section and a lower section providing superposed tabletop surfaces and a plurality of upstanding support posts connected between the upper and lower sections utilizes mounting members interposed between the ends of the support posts and the upper and lower sections to which the support posts ends are connected. Each mounting member includes a cup-shaped section for accepting a corresponding end of a support post and at least one protuberance extending from the cup-shaped section. The upper and lower sections each include appropriately-sized recesses for accepting the cup-shaped section of a mounting member and a through-opening associated with the recess so that when the cup-shaped section is accepted by the recess, the protuberance of the mounting member is accepted by the through-opening.

Abstract: The specification discloses a new and improved greeting card comprising a first translucent panel having indicia thereon and a second panel connected to the first panel and with an opening which defines an image thereon. The translucency of the first panel and its arrangement relative to the second panel is such that upon disposition of the first panel closely adjacent to the second panel in an overlay fashion, the image on the second panel is relatively indistinctly visible through the first panel in conjunction with the indicia on the first panel to enhance and supplement the experience associated with viewing the indicia.

Abstract: A tensioner for a power transmission belt or the like includes a housing providing an elongated interior cavity opening out of one end of the housing and a piston positioned within the cavity for movement therealong for dividing at least a part of the interior cavity into first and second variable-volume chambers for holding hydraulic fluid wherein the second variable-volume chamber is closer to the one housing end than is the first variable-volume chamber. The tensioner utilizes a distensible bellows section connected between the piston and the housing for separating the second variable-volume chamber from the cavity opening at one end of the housing. A plunger is connected to the piston and extends out of the one end of the housing, and a spring is interposed between the piston and the housing for biasing the piston toward the one end of the interior cavity so that the plunger is urged out of the one housing end.

Abstract: A surgical sponge, particularly of the neurosurgical class, comprising a fibrous web having attached to one surface thereof a locator string comprising a bundle of X-ray detectable monofilaments that are helically overwrapped as by a yarn. One or more of the components of a preferrred string is bondable to the web by means of heat and/or pressure.

Abstract: A palletized container includes a member defining sidewalls for the container, at least one reusable end cap for attachment to the sidewalls as the end cap receives an end of the sidewall-defining member, and a locking system for locking the sidewall-defining member to the end cap. The sidewall-defining member includes a notch adjacent one of its ends, and the locking system includes a slide bar slidably retained within the notch for movement between an advanced position and a retracted position. The end cap includes an outermost wall positionable outside of a sidewall when the sidewall-defining member is received by the end cap, and the outermost wall includes a slotted boss protruding generally inwardly of the outermost wall. When the sidewall-defining member is received by the end cap, the slots in the boss accept the slide bar when it is moved from its retracted position toward its advanced position to thereby lock the sidewall-defining member to the end cap.

Abstract: An apparatus utilizing squat maneuvers is provided for exercising and/or rehabilitating muscles and joints in the lower back, hip and legs. A single carriage assembly comprising four elongated members pivotably connected in the form of a rectanglar provide a parallelogram-type arrangement which provides a pantographic-type motion to a vertically oriented back support that is supported in cantilever fashion by a vertically disposed member of the carriage assembly. The back support is maintained in its vertical orientation during squat maneuvers while being moved along an arcuate path as provided by the pantographic motion of the carriage assembly. The elongated members of the single carriage assembly are formed of structures exhibiting high resistance to twisting moments and the pivotal connections between these members are of near pressed-fit tolerances so as to inhibit any looseness at the pivotal connections which could cause binding at the pivotal connections during squat maneuvers.

Abstract: An endodontic reamer or file instrument for cleaning and shaping root canals includes a shank having a tapered working portion extending along a section of the shank length to a leading end. A pilot is attached to the working portion adjacent the leading end and is smaller in diameter than is the working portion at the leading end. The working portion includes at least one continuous helical flute which spirals along its length and a helical land at the periphery of the working portion which extends between adjacent flutes. The working portion also includes at least one lip adjacent the pilot which has a cutting edge which lies generally in a radial plane of the shank, and each flute which spirals along the length of the working portion toward the leading end terminates at the cutting edge of a corresponding lip so that as the instrument is moved longitudinally through a root canal, root canal tissue disposed to one side of the pilot is exposed to the cutting edge of the working portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for the electrolytic recovery of metals from liquid solutions containing recoverable metal values. The apparatus comprises a housing containing a tubular cathode concentrically disposed about and radially spaced from an elongated anode for defining a solution-containing volume there-between. An elongated tubular baffle means having a plurality of thoroughgoing perforations through the side wall thereof and along the longitudinal length thereof is disposed about a substantial length of the anode and is in registry with the inlet to a solution pumping means located within the housing that is utilized for circulating the solution in a helical flow pattern within the housing volume.