Abstract: Healthy glow is characterized by radiant skin, brighter, lighter, even skin tone and clear skin without blemishes. Skin pigmentation is a process known as melanogenesis involving production, transportation, and distribution of melanin from the epidermis's inner layer to the skin's surface. There are multiple biological processes and underlying gene pathways that impact overall melanogenesis. Disclosed is a composition and methods for a combination of Vitamin B3 and Pea and Quinoa peptides obtained from hydrolyzed proteins. This composition was found to offer a holistic approach to the skin glow through multi targeted action controlling key biological pathways. Vitamin B3, Pea peptides, and Quinoa peptides were found to deliver a synergistic effect for desired skin glow, radiance, even skin tone, uniformity, homogeneity, smoothing skin texture, reducing dark spots/hyperpigmentation and improve skin appearance without any reported side effects as compared to formulations without the composition.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of mud gun caps are disclosed herein. An exemplary mud gun cap includes a flame-resistant body that has a tap hole contacting surface. The flame-resistant body has side wall; a first bore and a second bore located within the flame-resistant body. The first bore has a first diameter and second bore has a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter and the second bore is located farther away from the tap hole contacting surface than the first bore.

Abstract: A lift-out pump disconnect system is mounted to two parallel rails that are affixed to a pump enclosure. The disconnect system has a receiver body that is affixed to the rails and slidable along the rail axes with ear portions. The disconnect system further includes an outlet body that mates to the receiver body using tabs that slide on clamping ramped surfaces on the receiver body. Downward movement of the outlet body causes the clamping ramped surfaces to move the outlet body closer to the receiver body until flat sealing surfaces are in biased contact.

Abstract: A lift-out pump disconnect system is mounted to two parallel rails that are affixed to a pump enclosure. The disconnect system has a receiver body that is affixed to the rails and slidable along the rail axes with ear portions. The disconnect system further includes an outlet body that mates to the receiver body using tabs that slide on clamping ramped surfaces on the receiver body. Downward movement of the outlet body causes the clamping ramped surfaces to move the outlet body closer to the receiver body until flat sealing surfaces are in biased contact.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided having a pretreatment tank which receives wastewater from a wastewater source, and an aeration tank which is in fluid communication with the pretreatment tank. A recirculation pump is carried in the aeration tank and returns wastewater from the aeration tank to the pretreatment tank. The recirculation pump returns the wastewater according to a recirculation ratio R:I where R is the volumetric flow rate of wastewater through the recirculation pump and I is average volumetric flow rate of wastewater entering the pretreatment tank. A control panel cycles the recirculation pump on and off according to the recirculation ratio.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided having a pretreatment tank which receives wastewater from a wastewater source, and an aeration tank which is in fluid communication with the pretreatment tank. A recirculation pump is carried in the aeration tank and returns wastewater from the aeration tank to the pretreatment tank. The recirculation pump returns the wastewater according to a recirculation ratio R:I where R is the volumetric flow rate of wastewater through the recirculation pump and I is average volumetric flow rate of wastewater entering the pretreatment tank. A control panel cycles the recirculation pump on and off according to the recirculation ratio.

Abstract: A wastewater geothermal heat system is supplied with processed wastewater through a drip field in proximity to a thermal array part of a geothermal heat pump system. The wastewater treatment system portion provides a periodic source of treated wastewater. Several sensors and a control system regulate a pump that discharges wastewater from the treatment system and enters a drip field where it is released into the surrounding soil. The dampened soil provides an efficient vehicle to transfer heat into or out of a thermal array which is positioned adjacent to the drip field such that it is in contact with the soil that is dampened by the discharged wastewater.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system for processing borne wastewater. The treatment system having a tank with an inlet and an outlet and an access assembly residing at the top of the treatment tank. The treatment tank having an aeration chamber where oxygen is added to the wastewater to encourage bacterial breakdown of the solid waste. The treatment tank also having a clarifying chamber separated by a frusto-conical wall. The treatment tank also containing an ultraviolet disinfection system which exposes the wastewater to ultraviolet light prior to the wastewater exiting the treatment tank such that bacteria in the wastewater is neutralized prior to discharge.

Abstract: A mud gun cap is provided. The mud gun cap includes a flame resistant outer face, a ring and a mounting device wherein the mud gun cap connects to a mud gun nozzle to protect the mud gun nozzle from deterioration because of contact with molten iron and slag. The mud gun cap also prevents, or at least reduces the amount of, mud falling out of the nozzle while the mud gun nozzle is rotated into operation position.

Abstract: An apparatus for centering a tap drill is provided herein. The device includes a body made of a refractory material that has a tapered shape and a connector secured to body configured to permit connection of the body to a tap drill bit. In addition, a method of operating a blast furnace is provided herein. The method includes providing a blast furnace plug having a refractory body having a tapered configuration. Securing the blast furnace plug to a tap drill bit. Aligning the blast furnace plug with a tap hole plugged with mud, and inserting the blast furnace plug into the mud to create an indentation in the mud having a tapered configuration. Removing the blast furnace plug from the tap drill bit, aligning the tap drill bit with the indentation and tapping the blast furnace.

Abstract: A mud gun cap is provided. The mud gun cap includes a flame resistant outer face, a ring and a mounting device wherein the mud gun cap connects to a mud gun nozzle to protect the mud gun nozzle from deterioration because of contact with molten iron and slag. The mud gun cap also prevents, or at least reduces the amount of, mud falling out of the nozzle while the mud gun nozzle is rotated into operation position.

Abstract: A mud gun cap is provided. The mud gun cap includes a flame resistant outer face, a ring and a mounting device wherein the mud gun cap connects to a mud gun nozzle to protect the mud gun nozzle from deterioration because of contact with molten iron and slag. The mud gun cap also prevents, or at least reduces the amount of, mud falling out of the nozzle while the mud gun nozzle is rotated into operation position. In some embodiments, the mud gun cap has a selectively movable circular barrier that at least partially prevents the mixture of mud and iron/slag in the tap hole.

Abstract: A frost free faucet having a spigot assembly including a drain conduit, a sleeve assembly including an elongated pipe, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a ½ turn valve, a check valve and optionally a pressure relief mechanism. The ½ turn valve includes a rotatable valve element configured with a water passageway and a stationary valve element with one or through holes. The rotatable valve element is circular-shaped and configured with a water passageway in a semicircular portion. The stationary element is a disc shaped configured with one or more through-holes in a semi-circular portion of the stationary valve element. Upon turning the rotatable valve element 180 degrees in a first direction, the water passageway and the one or more through-holes are aligned to an open position and upon turning the rotatable element 180 degrees in a second direction, the water passageway and the one or more through-holes are misaligned to a closed position.

Abstract: A frost free faucet having a spigot assembly including a drain conduit, a sleeve assembly including an elongated pipe, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly including a ¼ turn valve and a check valve. The ¼ turn valve includes a rotatable disc with an inlet and a stationary disc with a through hole. Each disc is formed of a ceramic material, wherein upon turning the rotatable disc 90 degrees in a first direction the inlet and the through-hole align to an open position and upon turning the rotatable disc 90 degrees in a second direction, the inlet and the through-hole misalign to a closed position.

Abstract: An underground storage tank for use for wastewater storage or as a temporary holding tank for wastewater or runoff from drainage systems. The present holding tank includes a generally cylindrical sidewall having a plurality of integrally molded longitudinal and annular reinforcing ribs spaced circumferentially about the sidewall. The ribs greatly strengthen the sidewall against the crushing forces of hydrostatic pressure, and thus the present tank can be constructed from polyethylene. The bottom of the tank terminates in a tapered portion having a plurality of integrally molded reinforced support posts, each of which terminates in a ground support pad. A raised anti-flotation annular collar separates the tapered portion from the main body of the tank and prevents the tank from being lifted by hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: A reflow miniovens is available for soldering/desoldering of BGA and SMT individual components on a printed circuit board (PCB). The minioven is comprised of an apparatus whose top and side oven walls are configured as a gas delivery head terminating in a detachable nozzle fitted over the component, which gas delivery head provides gas delivery and vacuum application apparatus, and with the oven bottom being the PCB and the component being soldered/desoldered being positioned directly above a preheater placed in a table on which an open frame construction board holder holding the PCB is supported, allowing placement of any surface on the PCB in direct and unobstructed view of the preheater. The nozzle is configured to direct heated gas to the component and to direct exhaust gas to a level above the PCB to avoid heating neighboring components on the PCB.

Abstract: A fixative composition for light microscopy including an aqueous solution of glutaraldehyde, trichloroacetic acid, a metallic salt and a surfactant is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a card for displaying information and a method for making the same. The present invention includes printing the desired information in reverse onto a transparent piece of silicon coated vinyl. The vinyl is then fused to a plastic substrate sealing the printed ink between the vinyl and the plastic substrate and allowing the ink to leach into, and permanently mark, the plastic substrate.