Abstract: An exhaust filtration control system for creating environmentally protected zones. The system includes, a diverter valve, a valve actuator coupled to the diverter valve, a control switch electronically coupled to the valve actuator for switching the valve actuator between an engaged state and a disengaged state, a wireless transmitter, and a wireless receiver coupled to the control switch for receiving a signal from the wireless transmitter and for sending a signal to the control switch upon receiving a signal from the wireless transmitter.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of dry skin by applying an effective amount of thyroid hormone in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the skin.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of zucapsaicin (cis-8-methly-N-vanillly-6-nonenamide), the cis-isomer of capsaicin, to treat myocardial disorders, including the prevention, suppression or reversal of an abnormal cardiac rhythm, such as ventricular tachycardia. In vitro, zucapsaicin exhibits electrophysiologic properties distinct from capsaicin. In contrast to capsaicin, zucapsaicin significantly shortens the action potential duration at a dose of 10.sup.-5 M and has no effect on the amplitude of Phase 1 of the action potential in normal Purkinje cells. Zucapsaicin also prevents the induction of ventricular tachycardia of focal Purkinje origin when given intravenously after coronary occlusion in a dog model of acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract: A method for improving the substrate adhesion properties of polymer concrete composition including a substantially non-aqueous slurry of (i) an aggregate component, (ii) a monomer binder component in an amount effective to bind the aggregate component, upon curing, into a polymer concrete, and (iii) a polymerization catalyst. The method involves adding a crosslinking-effective amount of a metal salt of an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid to the polymer concrete.

Abstract: Compositions, methods of providing compositions, flooring assemblies incorporating compositions, and methods for discharging accumulated electrostatic charges utilizing compositions of conductive adhesive are provided. The compositions comprise a non-conductive adhesive in which a plurality of silver plated or coated conductive fibers are dispersed such that the conductive fibers form an electroconductive chain when applied to a substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for mechanized loading and unloading, having an insertable pallet that may be tilted around its longitudinal axis and that can be moved horizontally and vertically. The pallet has a live conveyor for advancing a package along the pallet. Also a method for acquiring packages from a stack of packages with a mechanical loader having a pallet, including the steps of (a) vertically translating the pallet to the height of the package to be acquired, (b) tilting the pallet around the longitudinal axis so that the angle of the pallet roughly matches the angle of the bottom of the package to be acquired, (c) horizontally translating the pallet so that a front edge of the pallet is inserted into a seam between the package to be acquired and the other packages in the stack, and (d) advancing the package to be acquired along the pallet.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use in applications with high temperatures and rapidly changing thermal gradients. The heat exchanger has a shell, a head, a tubesheet, a tubesheet skirt, and a tube bundle. The tubesheet has a peripheral diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the interior of the head and is coupled to the head by the tubesheet skirt. The gap between the tubesheet and the head is sufficient to allow the removal of the tubesheet from the head after the tubesheet suffers typical thermal deformation. In a preferred embodiment, the head defines a chamber having a combined spherical-cylindrical geometry.

Abstract: An intumescent firestop device having a layer of non-curing moldable two-stage intumescent composite and a restraining layer. When the firestop device is installed around a pipe near the wall opening through which the pipe runs, the intumescent composite exudes into the annular space between the pipe and the wall opening thereby forming a cold-gas seal. The composite is a two-stage intumescent composite that contains two different intumescent components that begin to intumesce at two different temperatures to form a hard char.

Abstract: An insertable pallet for unloading or acquiring objects or for loading or piling objects, particularly in a stacked position, comprising at least one live roller for moving an object being unloaded or loaded along the insertable pallet. In the unloading mode of the insertable pallet, the insertable pallet is thrust at an object seam until the insertable pallet is underneath the object being unloaded a sufficient distance to engage at least one live roller of said insertable pallet for moving the object from its initial position along said pallet. In the loading mode of the insertable pallet, an object being loaded is moved to and preferably partially over the front of the insertable pallet by at least one live roller. The insertable pallet is appropriately positioned so that when the object arrives at the front of the insertable pallet an operator can nudge the object off the insertable pallet with a minimum of physical effort.

Abstract: A method for loading and closing containers with flexible open ends employs a chute with an inflatable bladder at the open end, and an elastic closure device. A flexible open end of the container is placed around the end of the chute and the inflatable bladder. The elastic closure device is placed around the open end of the container. The bladder is inflated to secure the container to the chute. Material is delivered into the container through the chute. When a specified quantity of material is loaded into the container, the bladder is deflated causing the container to slide off the chute. When the container slides off the chute, the elastic closure device contracts and closes the flexible open end of container by constricting the size of the flexible open end of the container such that material will not fall out during shipment.

Abstract: A system for sorting objects having a source for providing the object for sorting and a plurality of receivers, spaced apart horizontally and vertically, for receiving the object after sorting. The system includes object receiving and discharging wings for receiving the object from the source and transferring the object to the receiver. The object receiving and discharging wings move the object horizontally and vertically from the source to a selected receiver. The source and at least one of the receivers are vertically aligned. Also, a system for storing and retrieving objects having storage and retrieval conveyor for providing the object to the system for storage and for retrieving the object from the system after storage, and a plurality of object storage areas spaced apart horizontally and vertically.

Abstract: The apparatus is attached to a body part (for example, the back) of the user. The apparatus detects when the body part attitude exceeds a specific attitude range. For every such attitude violation, the apparatus sounds a buzzer and increments a displayed counter value that indicates the total number of such attitude violations. The apparatus may be used as part of physical therapy to modify the behavior of the user during routine physical activities. The sensitivity of the apparatus may be adjusted by controlling the specific attitude range.