Abstract: A microcrystalline cellulose-based excipient having improved compressibility, whether utilized in direct compression, dry granulation or wet granulation formulations, is disclosed. The excipient is an agglomerate of microcrystalline cellulose particles and from about 0.1% to about 20% silicon dioxide particles, by weight of the microcrystalline cellulose, wherein the microcrystalline cellulose and silicon dioxide are in intimate association with each other. The silicon dioxide utilized in the novel excipient has a particle size from about 1 nanometer to about 100 microns. Most preferably, the silicon dioxide is a grade of colloidal silicon dioxide.

Abstract: An air cooler including a housing having an air inlet zone and an air outlet zone, a heat exchanger mounted in the housing and defining a first plurality of dry channels extending from the air inlet zone to the air outlet zone. Air is passed through the dry channels from the inlet zone to the outlet zone to be cooled and the cooled air constitutes a total airflow. The heat exchanger also defines a second plurality of moist channels each having an inlet and an outlet and alternating with the dry channels. The moist channels are intended for passing the air to be humidified from their inlets to their outlets and in cross-flow direction to the direction of the total airflow. The air to be humidified constitutes an auxiliary airflow which is formed from a part of the total airflow at the air outlet zone and is extracted from such a section of the air outlet zone, which is situated closer to the outlets of the moist channels than to their inlets.

Abstract: An oven for receiving and heating cooking vessels including a plurality of heating units for generating heat and which are arranged in different horizontal planes. A respective cooking vessel is positionable in association with each heating unit. The oven may include a support structure such as connected rods for supporting the cooking vessels in association with the respective heating unit.

Abstract: A method and device for contact drying a paper web, wherein the paper web is dried initially in a number of successive groups with single-wire draw by pressing the paper web via drying wires of each groups against the heated faces of the drying cylinders and by guiding the paper web on support of the same drying wire from one drying cylinder onto the next drying cylinder over the reversing suction cylinders or rolls in each group with single-wire draw. In the groups with single-wire draw, the paper web is dried to a first dry solids content, after which the paper web is dried directly further by a single group with twin-wire draw to a second dry solids content, after which the paper web is dried further to its final dry solids content by a single normal group with single-wire draw. The limits of the first and second dry solids contents are selected so that, in the middle or in the beginning of the range, the tear strength index and the breaking strength index of the web are at their maximum.

Abstract: A leader for connecting a fishing hook to a fishing line, including an elongate member having a diminishing cross-section formed of a single material and having a thick end and a thin end. The member has a butt section encompassing the thick end and connected to the fishing line and a tippet section encompasses the thin end and connected to the fishing hook. The leader includes material integrated with the member to provide a variable stiffness of the member such that the tippet section has a lower stiffness than the butt section.

Abstract: It is formed by a piece installed on the floor, constituted by a plate (1,101), whose top side is set at the same level as the floor (9) on which the plate is installed; along at least part of the perimeter of the plate, there is a header (4,102) which is open at the top and which does not rise higher than the top side of the plate; the bottom of the header is situated at a lower level than that of said top side of the plate; the header leads into a drainage orifice (7,104) also situated at a lower level with respect to that of said top side; it is characterized in that the header (4,102) presents a top opening (5,103) for the intake of water from the shower base, said opening being narrower than the header as such.It facilitates the access of elderly and disabled people and of people on wheelchairs, and at the same time it can be efficiently cleaned.

Abstract: Novel topical formulations an anti-microbially effective amount of povidone iodine and a water-washable emollient, as well as, methods for their preparation, are disclosed.

Abstract: Arthritic conditions treated by oral administration of inorganic nickel compound(s), with or without bromide(s). In an especially preferred embodiment, the nickel compound used to treat these conditions is NiBr.sub.2.

Abstract: An optical fiber dispenser for the payout of optical fiber from a moving vehicle so as to maintain a wire communication link with a control station. The dispenser has a bobbin carrying a multi-layer optical fiber pack and holding heating means connectable to a power or heat supply.

Abstract: A stable pharmaceutical composition with reduced irritancy is provided, the composition comprising an aqueous solution of elemental iodine and at least one organic substance which reacts with iodine, whereby iodine loss is controlled by providing a source of iodate ions in an amount sufficient to provide from 0.01% to 0.04% by weight iodate ions, preferably from 0.02% to 0.03% by weight iodate ions.

Abstract: A splicing device for a continuous unwind stand for splicing a web of a new machine reel at full speed with a web of a machine reel being emptied including a frame, a first splicing roll and a second roll, the web of the machine reel being emptied running over the first and second rolls, and an elongate lever member having first and second opposed ends. The first roll is mounted at the first end and the second roll is mounted at the second end of the lever and the lever is pivotally mounted to the frame for pivoting between a first basic running position in which the first roll is spaced from the new machine reel and a second splicing position in which the first roll is in nip-defining engagement with the new machine reel and the new machine reel is spliced to the web of the machine reel being emptied. The lever pivots about an articulation point situated between a central axis of the first roll and a central axis of the second roll.

Abstract: A touch screen or touch panel wherein there is a monitoring of relative distribution of force via one or more, preferably symmetrically positioned, sensors such as strain gage sensors. The strain gage sensors are positioned such that bending strain on the touch screen, engendered by touch, is detected by the one or more strain gages and accurately measured by an electronic controller, connected to the strain gage(s). The electronic controller, or associated hardware, is programmed to relate relative bending force to a unique position on the screen and is a charge balancing and multiplying analog-to-digital converter which provides accurate position determination, even with very low forces and with very minor differentiation in position related forces.

Abstract: A testing equipment having a refrigerator incorporated therein which is capable of accomplishing a test for electrical characteristics of a tested object under stable circumstances substantially free from any vibration. A refrigerator and a counter balance put on a floor are connected together through a rigid structure of increased strength, to thereby minimize vibration of the refrigerator. Vibration-proof pads are arranged between the counter balance and the floor. Also, Rubber dampers are arranged between a frame and an upper wall plate. Further, vibration-proof pads are arranged between the frame and the floor. Such arrangement of the pads and dampers substantially prevents transmission of vibration of the refrigerator to both a prober actuation unit and a tested object holder.

Abstract: The specification relates to circular plasmids derived from microorganisms of the genus Rhodococcus, which have sizes of about 3.6 kb and restriction site numbers of BamHI:1, BglII:1, ClaI:1, PstI:1, PvuII:2 and SacI:1. The circular plasmids of the present invention are useful as vectors in industrially useful host-vector systems.

Abstract: A method for incinerating excess sludge from biological waste water treatment plants, in particular sludges arising from the manufacture of paper or paper pulp, preferably using the magnesium fusion process. Before incineration, the excess sludge is neutralized with the same base as used in the paper pulp process and the dust entrained by the combustion gas is precipitated to recover the base.