Abstract: A portable device for receiving and dispensing , under gravity, particulate materials, preferrably sand, fed thereto into bags is described. A tapered hopper is supported on legs, which may be telescopically adjustable, has an open top, which is greater in width than the width of a shovel, and has an upstanding deflector around three sides to deflect material into the hopper. The lower end of the hopper is provided with a discharge chute having a diameter somewhat less than the diameter of a receiving bag. The outside of the chute is provided with a pair of upstanding tapered lugs or pins from which to suspend the receiving bag.

Abstract: A device and method for reducing crystal formations, which have a range of resonant frequencies, on electrode plates of an electrical battery, is described. A signal generator is connected to the primary winding of a transformer, having primary and secondary windings, so as to deliver a transformed alternating current signal to the secondary winding. A rectifier is connected to the secondary winding to convert the transformed signal to a train of direct current pulses at a frequency within the range of resonant frequencies, and an output circuit is connected to the rectifier to deliver the train of pulses to the battery causing the crystals to crack and redissolve into the battery solution. There is also a provision for adjusting the frequency of the alternating current signal.

Abstract: Aliphatic nitrate esters having a sulfur or phosphorus atom .beta. or .gamma. to a nitrate group and their congeners having efficacy as neuroprotective agents are described. Preferred nitrate esters may be synthesized by nitration of a 3-bromo-1,2-propanediol, and subsequent reaction to yield the desired mono-, di- or tetra-nitrate ester.

Abstract: A simple pneumatic device for use in comparing and matching curling stones, and evaluating ice surfaces and sweeping broom efficiencies is described. A pneumatic cylinder, charged by means of a compressed gas, is placed against the backboard of a rink and operated to propel a curling stone with a predetermined and accurately controlled force along a sheet of curling ice.

Abstract: A roll brake to prevent relative movement between a pair of rolls, one or both of which may be driven, in a coil wrapping machine or the like is described. A metal brake plank is placed under each end of each roll in a respective pair of parallel rolls and an air bag actuator is placed intermediate each end of each plank and the roll frame. For rotation of the rolls during wrapping the air bags are deflated but when a new coil is loaded onto the rolls the airbags are inflated thus driving the planks into locking relationship with the rotatable rolls and thus preventing any relative rotational movement therebetween.

Abstract: Nerve process growth modulation can be achieved using derivatized cyclodextrins. Processes for making sulfated and aminated .beta.-cyclodextrin derivatives are also described in which a compound of the formula R".sub.2 NCH X'.sup.+ X'.sup.- where R.sup.- is an alkyl containing 1-5 carbon atoms and X is selected from bromine and iodine is used to halogenate the cydodextrin.

Abstract: A system for the non-contact inspection and characterization of an object in which wideband (40 kHz to approximately 2 MHz) air/gas coupled ultrasonic transducers are used. The system of the present invention enables a single set of transducers to be used in an inspection/defect detection arrangement to characterize materials having a wide range of through-thickness, and other resonances. For example, the through-thickness fundamental resonance of 11 mm thick plywood is 44 kHz, 723 kHz for 2 mm thick carbon fiber, and 1.47 kHz for 0.75 mm thick polystyrene, all of which are measurable in the same system. The system is used in a method to characterize a defect by being able to operate at or near the resonant frequency of the normal material and at or near the resonant frequency of the material in a defect region to improve the accuracy of detecting specific types of defects including inclusions, material thinning, delamination and pitting by monitoring changes of various attributes (e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining position size and shape of defects in a bundle of heat exchanger tubes are described. An AC current exciter coil is placed in one tube and a detector coil is placed in an adjacent tube. This configuration of exciter and detector coils reduces the blind spot effect caused by interference by tube support plates and allows the inspection multiple or finned heat exchanger tubing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping coils of metallic strip and the like to protect against atmospheric corrosion are described. A plastic film sleeve is inserted through the open cylindrical centre and held in place by flanged collars at each end. The sleeve is turned back over the collars and the ends are loosely stuffed into the open cylindrical centre. The entire coil is then cocoon wrapped using relatively wide stretch-wrap film. The cocoon wrapping is then sealed to the turned-over sleeve in the vicinity of the end collars so as to seal the coil within a continuous plastic film. The excess cocoon wrapping and sleeve material overlying the cylindrical centre can be trimmed away to leave an open centre to receive coil handling equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping coils of metallic strip and the like to protect against atmospheric corrosion, and the wrapped product are described. A plastic film sleeve is inserted through the open cylindrical center and held in place by flanged collars at each end. The sleeve is turned back over the collars and the ends are loosely stuffed into the open cylindrical center. The entire coil is then cocoon wrapped using relatively wide stretch-wrap film. The cocoon wrapping is then sealed to the turned-over sleeve in the vicinity of the end collars so as to seal the coil within a continuous plastic film. The excess cocoon wrapping and sleeve material overlying the cylindrical center can be trimmed away to leave an open center to receive coil handling equipment.

Abstract: A device for coating film passing through a continuous film dispensing head on a coil wrapping machine with a liquid formulation, such as a vapour phase corrosion inhibitor, is described. The formulation is delivered from a reservoir to an applicator bar which is urged into contact with the passing film. Flow of formulation can be established or interrupted while the film is enshrouding the coil.

Abstract: The mechanism of hypertension following acute NO synthase blockade is via endothelin mediated vasoconstriction. Thus, NO appears to inhibit endothelin activity by blocking its expression and not as a chronic direct acting vasodilator. Administration of an endothelin antagonist to a patient in a `normal` physiological state may result in specific regional vasodilation. This treatment finds utility in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnetically treating liquids and gases, is described. The fluid is passed along a pipeline having a permanent magnet aligned therewith, and a coil, rounded at each end, is wrapped around both the pipe and the magnet. Magnetic flux is enhanced by providing a diode in each turn of the coil surrounding the magnet and pipe. Optionally, a collector plate may be provided in the coil remote from the pipe.

Abstract: A liquid phase process for the preparation of an (meth)-acrylate, such as methyl methacrylate, in the presence of water and a bi-functional, heterogeneous catalyst which contains both acidic and noble metal functional groups. The preferred (meth)-acrylate is methyl methacrylate (MMA). A surprising amount of MMA is produced, in spite of a competitive side reaction which produces methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE).

Abstract: A process for producing coherent twin, incoherent twin, low angle tilt, high angle tilt or CSL grain boundaries in materials is described. A planar material or a planar substrate coated with the polycrystalline material is heated in selected areas so as to provide a temperature gradient in the substrate. The temperature gradient is sufficiently large and maintained for a sufficient time so that preferential nucleation occurs and recrystallization in the plane of the polycrystalline material takes place such that coherent twin, incoherent twin, low angle tilt, high angle tilt or CSL boundaries between chains of grains growing along lines of equal temperature are produced.

Abstract: A method and system for correlating accuracy of computer tomography (CT) image resolution is described. Small radio-opaque markers having a diameter less than one slice width of a CT scan are embedded in the object, such as a bony skeletal member, to be measured, the object is then CT scanned so that the radio-opaque markers appear in at two slices of the scan. The markers are also physically located by detecting them with a sensor, such as a positioning pointer. Also described is one form of marker comprising a tantalum sphere mounted in a ceramic, preferably alumina, pin.

Abstract: Lipophilic and amphiphilic therapeutic or diagnostic agents having water solubilizing groups attached thereto by bonds that can be cleaved readily by one or more of the various proteases that are active in the extracellular fluid or on the surfaces of cells in many types of malignant tissue may accumulate selectively in such malignant tissues. Protease mediated removal of the water solubilizing groups converts such drugs into lipophilic or amphiphilic forms which are more soluble in plasma membrane lipids and which therefore enter cells more readily. Since the extracellular fluid in most non-malignant tissues under normal circumstances has little such protease activity, removal of the water solubilizing groups takes place primarily within malignant tissues, with consequent preferential accumulation of the lipophilic or amphiphilic forms of the drug within malignant tissues.

Abstract: A dart game apparatus comprises a T-shaped track structure for a reciprocating, retrievable primary target. The transverse portion Of the T-shaped track has a moveable, secondary target which may be used by a visually challenged player in simulating that player's targeting of the primary board. The apparatus may include a definitive start or toe line to assist the challenged player in placing his or herself in proper orientation for play.

Abstract: A method for rapidly collecting kinetic rate data from a temperature scanning reactor for chemical reactions. The method, which is particularly useful for studying catalytic reactions, involves ramping (scanning) of the input temperature to a reactor and recording of output conversion and bed temperature without waiting for isothermal steady state to be established.