Abstract: A retractable syringe needle featuring an adjustable-length tube having a first end and a second end. The adjustable-length tube has a length which may be reversibly altered from a first contracted length to a second extended length. A syringe barrel may be secured to the first end of the adjustable length tube, and a cylindrical hub having a hollow hypodermic needle attached thereto may be secured to the second end of the adjustable-length tube. A tubular sheath is disposed around the adjustable-length tube. The tubular sheath has a first end which is rigidly connected with the first end of the adjustable-length tube and a second end having an open which is sufficiently large to allow the end of the hypodermic needle to pass therethrough. The length of the adjustable-length tube may be altered from the contracted length to the extended length. When the adjustable-length tube is contracted, the hypodermic needle is entirely disposed within the sheath.

Abstract: A method of reducing the incidence of splenomegalia induced by ultra violet radiation in mammals by exposing a group of test mammals to intense ultraviolet radiation, where the exposure is repeated at regular intervals over a test period such that the cumulative radiation exposure per mammal is sufficient to cause an increase in an average spleen size in a group of unprotected mammals; and administering drinking water containing a defined concentration of betanins to the group of test mammals during the test period, said defined concentration being sufficient to prevent such an increase in average spleen size.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus suitable for use in small boats having enclosed cabins, comprising an insulated compartment; a cooling coil having an inner surface and an outer surface; a small pump for causing a liquid cooling fluid to travel along a defined flow path leading from the insulated compartment, across the inner surface of the cooling coil, and back to the insulated compartment; and a means for causing air to flow across the outer surface of the cooling coil in heat exchange relationship with the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid is cooled by contact with a slowly melting frozen material stored inside the insulated compartment. No on-board vapor compression refrigeration cycle like those used in conventional marine air conditioning systems is used for either chilling the cooling fluid or refreezing the frozen material after it melts. This leads to a significant decrease in power requirements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the effect of betanins on tumor formation in epidermal tissue in mammals which have been exposed to a substance which initiates or promotes tumor formation by sequentially exposing a first group of mammals to a topically applied chemical substance selected from the group consisting of tumor promoters and tumor initiators; providing the first group of mammals with drinking water containing betanins, said betanin having been extracted from beetroot; measuring a percentage of mammals in the first group which exhibit epidermal tumors; and comparing the percentage of mammals in the first group which exhibit epidermal tumors to a percentage of mammals in a second group which exhibit epidermal tumors, said mammals in the second group having been (a) exposed to a chemical substance selected from the group consisting of tumor promoters and tumor initiators and (b) providing with drinking water containing no betanins.

Abstract: A pill container having a plurality of compartments, featuring a hollow cylindrical container having a top plate, a bottom plate, and a tubular wall which rotates relative to the top and bottom plates. A plurality of walls rigidly fastened to the top plate divide the interior of the container into a set of wedge-shaped compartments which may be individually accessed through a hinged door in the tubular wall.

Abstract: A dental flossing apparatus, comprising a length of dental floss having two ends and two floss holders. One floss holder is attached to each end of the dental floss. Each floss holder comprises a flat piece of plastic having an edge with a continuous groove therein. The groove allows dental floss to be wrapped around the floss holder. Each floss holder is molded around one end of the dental floss, forming a very secure bond between the floss and the holder.

Abstract: A novel computer-controlled video microscopy system, features a rotatable objective lens turret. The lens turret is a rotatable cylindrical drum having an open end and closed end. A plurality of light-transmitting objective lenses are evenly spaced about the side wall of the cylindrical drum. The objective lenses are each directed perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the cylindrical drum. A computer is used to select a desired objective lens and signal a motor to rotate the cylindrical drum about its axis of rotation, so as to move the selected objective lens into the path of an approaching light beam. When the light beam enters the drum through the objective lens, a prism or mirror inside the cylindrical drum bends the light beam at a right angle and directs it out of the drum through its open end. An image carried by the light beam is then focused onto the imaging plane of a video camera.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of killing or inhibiting the growth of the malaria causing pathogen Plasmodium falciparum by exposing the pathogen to a preparation containing methylene-bis-aspidinol, desaspidin, and/or aspidin.

Abstract: An article of furniture comprising:a) a support frame comprising two hollow vertical supports and a horizontal strut connecting the upper end of the first vertical support to the upper end of the second vertical support;b) a bench comprising a horizontal support member, a plurality of arm rests mounted on said support member, a seat back, and a means for pivotably mounting said seat back to said plurality of arm rests; andc) a means for suspending the bench from the horizontal strut;wherein the interior of the vertical supports is accessible through doors provided in the vertical supports.

Abstract: The invention is a system for securing a hairpiece to a defined portion of a person's scalp. The system comprises:a) a plurality of first magnets adapted to be surgically implanted between the skin of the defined portion of the person's scalp and the person's skull, said first magnets being shaped like flat disks and coated with a hypoallergenic material; andb) a hairpiece adapted to cover the defined portion of the person's scalp, said hairpiece comprising:(i) a base fabric;(ii) a plurality of fibers secured to one side of the base fabric; and(iii) a plurality of second magnets, said second magnets being fastened to the other side of the base fabric. After the first magnets are implanted beneath the scalp, the hairpiece is secured to the scalp by magnetic attraction between the first and second magnets.

Abstract: The invention is a method of building structures from tapered logs which have been manufactured in an industrial setting. The logs are stacked crosswise by fitting a notch in a first log, where the notch has a standardized size and shape, over an end of a second log, where the end of the second log has a predetermined size and shape, allowing it to fit into the notch in the first log. Structures built using this method strongly handcrafted structures built from natural logs.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of killing or inhibiting the growth of the malaria-causing pathogen Plasmodium falciparum by exposing the pathogen to an effective amount of a preparation comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of:a) a compound of formula I: ##STR1## where ##STR2## b) a compound of formula II; ##STR3## where each R' is --H or each R' is --OH; and c) a compound of formula III; ##STR4## where R" is --NH.sub.2, --H, or --SO.sub.3 M, and where M is H, Na, or K.

Abstract: The invention is a device for teaching children about good nutrition, comprising a board divided into a plurality of regions and a plurality of tokens adapted to stick to the board. The tokens comprise at least:a) a plurality of first tokens, each of the first tokens corresponding to a single portion of a food or beverage item selected from a first specific food group; andb) a plurality of second tokens, each of the second tokens corresponding to a single portion of a food or beverage item selected from a second specific food group. The regions on the board comprise at least:a) a first region, where the first region is labelled as corresponding to the first specific food group; andb) a second region, where the second region is (1) labelled as corresponding to the second specific food group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a watt/watthour meter which is capable of automatically correcting incorrect connections between the apparatus and a multiphase AC system. Each power line of the multiphase system is connected to the watt/watthour meter by means of a voltage input line and a current sensing coil. The apparatus is able to determine whether a given voltage input line is connected to the same power line as a given current sensing coil by determining whether the voltage applied to the given voltage input line has the same phase as the current running through the given current sensing coil. If the current and the voltage are the same, this information is stored, and the given voltage input line may be taken as being connected to the same power line as the given current sensing coil.

Abstract: A checkout counter advertising display includes visible information containing for example an advertisement displayed through a transparent or translucent portion of a countertop of the checkout counter. A customer can signal an operator at the checkout counter that he/she wants to buy merchandise advertised in the display. The signalling can be performed orally or visually, or by activating a signalling device on the countertop.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for holding an open container in one hand while providing unrestricted access to the container. The apparatus comprises a sleeve which is adapted to fit around a user's finger, a means for detachably fastening the apparatus to the container, and a means for connecting the fastening means to the sleeve. In use, the user's finger is inserted into the sleeve while the fastening means is connected to the container. The user then supports the container with the palm and remaining fingers of his hand while the apparatus links the user's finger to the container in such a way that the container is prevented from overbalancing.