Abstract: A composition containing the herbs Plantago major and Piper methysticum is presented. Use of the composition, of the present invention, in a form adapted to be orally ingested produces a diminished desire for tobacco (i.e., nicotine) without the use of nicotine itself and advantageously provides anti-depressive and anti-anxiety effects without sedative or hypnotic effects.

Abstract: A practice projectile includes a projectile jacket having a frontal end, a rearward end including a base, a length and a longitudinal axis; a fuze igniting on impact and being disposed in the projectile jacket; a component defining an axial tubular cavity extending throughout a preponderant portion of jacket length; a plurality of axially spaced explosive charges disposed in the cavity; and a transfer charge disposed between adjoining explosive charges for coupling the explosive charges to one another.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for thermally converting volatile fatty acid (VFA) salts to ketones by mixing dry calcium salts of VFAs with hot heat transfer agent in an evacuated container, thereby causing thermal decomposition of the calcium salts of VFAs to form ketone-containing vapor and calcium carbonate; and separating the ketone-containing vapor from the calcium carbonate and heat transfer agent by condensing a mixture of ketones from the ketone-containing vapor. This invention also provides a process for conversion of VFA salts, produced by anaerobic fermentation of cellulosic biomass, into liquid fuels, volatile fatty acids, aldehydes, alcohols, and lactic acid.

Abstract: A telecommunication system coordinates telecommunication services rendered from an intelligent network and a human operator. An operator assistance call center includes one or more human operators each of which has a telephone and an operator workstation. The intelligent network includes a service switching element and a service control element. A party placing a call requests a service having one or more features. The intelligent network receives the call, processes the service request, and integrates one or more service features provided by one of the human operators from the operator assistance call center in rendering the requested service. The operator assistance call center includes a call center server communicating with the plural operator workstations and interfacing with the service control element of the intelligent network. The integration between automated IN services with operator-assisted services broadens the service portfolio that a service provider may offer to subscribers.

Abstract: Alkanes are converted to unsaturated carboxylic acids by contacting an alkane with an oxidizing agent and a heteropolyacid supported on wide pore polyoxometallate salts.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a mining support for supporting rock within a mine. The mining support is constructed of a cable and means for mixing resin in a resin cartridge as the cable is inserted into a bore hole drilled in the rock which the resin cartridge is disposed. In a preferred embodiment, the mixing means is comprised of a helical mixing strand which is fixedly attached to one end of the cable. The mining support can include a drive ferrule, swaged onto the cable, for driving the end of the cable into the bore hole. In a preferred embodiment, the drive ferrule is threaded and there is included a hex nut washer and contact plate for tensioning the cable after the resin has set. The present invention also pertains to a drive tool for driving a metal cable having drive ferrules disposed in proximity to either end of the cable into a bore hole containing a resin cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for frequency encoded ultrasound modulated optical tomography is provided. A function generator (12) produces a frequency sweep signal which is applied to an ultrasonic transducer (20). The ultrasonic transducer (20) produces ultrasonic wave (25) in a turbid medium (21). Coherent light from a laser (22) is passed through turbid medium (21) where it is modulated by the ultrasonic wave (25). A photomultiplier tube (24) detects the light which passes through the turbid medium (21). The signal from the photomultiplier tube (24) is fed to an oscilloscope (30) and then to a computer (32) where differences in light intensity at different frequencies can determine the location of objects in the turbid medium (21).

Abstract: A cup or a mug holder comprising of a body with cut out sides to accommodate mug handle, flexible bands to hold a cup or a mug, movable legs attached to the flexible bands, and the bottom lid. When a cup or a mug is placed in the holder, flexible bands push the legs outside extending horizontal surface of the holder creating a stabile platform. Flexible bands hold the mug and retract the legs when the mug is taken out of the holder. Bottom lid prevents accidental small quantities of liquid from seeping through the bottom of the holder.

Abstract: A kit for monitoring mammalian reproductive cycles by monitoring variations in the quantity of one or more low molecular weight volatile compound having a molecular weight of less than 50 grams per mole present in a body constituent sample is disclosed. Samples of a body constituent selected from the group consisting essentially of humoral fluid, breath and body cavity air are collected from a female mammal a multiple number of times during the reproductive cycle. The quantity of a low molecular weight volatile compound in each sample is measured. In the preferred embodiment, the low molecular weight volatile compound, acetaldehyde, will be measured and monitored. Variations in the quantity of the low molecular weight volatile compound appearing in each sample is monitored to determine the phase of the mammal's reproductive cycle and to predict the occurrence of ovulation.

Abstract: A method for aiming the weapon (4) of a weapon system (1) with an aiming system (5) and a heat imaging device (6) while considering external influences acting on the projectiles to be fired into a target region (3). In order to accomplish that influences acting on the projectiles (2) during their flight into the target region (3) are considered in a simple manner for the aiming of the weapon (4), the amount of lateral deviation (13) of the point of impact (11) of the projectile from a predetermined point of aim (12) of the weapon (4)is determined by measuring or tracking the tracer (10) of the projectile (2) by the heat imaging device (6). The amount of lateral deviation (13) thus determined is then compensated for in the subsequent firing by a corresponding lateral aiming correction of the weapon (4). A weapon system (1) for implementing the method is likewise disclosed.

Abstract: Materials variously treated with sodium silicate were studied until enough information was obtained to find a way to solve the problems that have prevented sodium silicate from being the used as a fire retardant. These problems are: 1) water solubility (miscible with water), which results in extensive leaching when exposed to water, 2) cracking, chipping and peeling of treated surfaces, and 3) surface granulation. During flame tests it was discovered that sodium silicate formed a foam-like material, and this material was found to have become water insoluble, yet its elemental composition had remained virtually identical to that of the unmodified sodium silicate. This investigator proposes that under the influence of heat and dehydration, sodium silicate undergoes a polymerization process resulting in particles sizes too large to dissolve in water, and then developed a mechanism to explain how the process could occur.

Abstract: An implantable injection port consists of a very low profile housing with virtually no residual volume while maintaining a large target area for the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus for hardening the inside contour of a gun barrel (1) with laser radiation, which apparatus includes a laser, a laser head (10) that can be disposed to be displaced along the bore axis (4) of the gun barrel (1), and beam-deflecting optics (17) disposed in the laser head so that the laser radiation can be coupled into the muzzle of the gun barrel (1) and guided perpendicularly to the inside surface (5) of the gun barrel (1) by the beam-deflecting optics (17). To harden the gun barrel (1) with high precision and homogeneity, and make available a processing space that is relatively large in comparison to known apparatuses, an ND:YAG laser is used as the laser, and, due to the shorter wavelength in comparison to CO.sub.2 lasers, a glass or optical fiber (11) is used for transmitting the laser beam to the laser head. Moreover, the laser head (10) is secured to a drawing rod (3) that can be centered within the gun barrel (1) and displaced in the direction of the bore axis (4) of the gun barrel (1).

Abstract: A forced hot air method and apparatus for efficiently and rapidly sterilizing dental and medical implements in a confined space. Implements to be sterilized are positioned in a removable caddy supported within a chamber. Fresh air from outside the housing; is drawn into a plenum and heated. A blower rapidly circulates hot air within the chamber to quickly sterilize the implements. Sterilization can be completed within 3 minutes at temperatures of about 325.degree. F. After sterilization, air from outside the housing is rapidly circulated within the chamber without being heated to quickly cool the implements.

Abstract: A separator plate for an internally manifolded fuel cell stack comprising a centrally disposed active region, a peripheral seal region, and forming at least one pair of perforations substantially geometrically disposed on opposite sides of the centrally disposed active region. The peripheral seal region comprises a peripheral seal structure on each face of the separator plate completely around the periphery of each said face. A manifold seal region in each face completely encloses each perforations, the manifold seal region comprising conduits on one of said faces for communication of a gas between the centrally disposed active region and at least the one pair of perforations. The separator plate is comprised of one sheet of a material suitable for use as a separator plate, preferably a pressed sheet metal.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for providing access to a secured data or area includes at least two secure data modules which contain security data and other information and which belong to a particular security scheme and a dual module reader for reading data and permissions instructions contained on the secure data modules. The two secure data modules include an enabling module and an interrogatable module. The interrogatable module and the enabling module communicate with each other via a dual module reader. Communication between the two modules is allowed as long as the two modules are members of the same security scheme. A scheme is defined by suitable proprietary encryption keys for enabling communication and data transfer between the two modules belonging to a common scheme and for preventing communication and data transfer between two modules belonging to different schemes.

Abstract: For an exact vectoring of active or combat projectiles, a GPS-supported pilot projectile is provided with a satellite navigation system or GPS receiver and continuously detects its own position and speed during the complete operational (firing) sequence--and thus also the ballistic interference variables--and transmits this information via a transmitter to the ordnance unit for evaluation and correction of the firing parameter of a subsequently fired active or combat projectile. If the active or combat ammunition or projectile to be vectored is equipped with submunitions, then the GPS receiver and the transmitter are located in the pilot submunition, so that the ballistic interference variables affecting the submunition can be recorded as well.

Abstract: A plow blade mounting system for mounting an adjustable V-plow blade on any wheeled or tracked vehicle having a vertical lift mechanism including arms extending forwardly of the vehicle. A rear mounting plate assembly has a first swivel plate adapted for attachment to the vertical lift mechanism and a pivot member secured to the first swivel plate. A second swivel plate is pivotally mounted on a pivot member, and a T-frame assembly is securely mounted on the second swivel plate and has a forwardly projecting end and a triangularly shaped plate member secured to the second swivel plate and the T-frame. A hydraulic actuator extends between the first and second swivel plates for effecting relative rotating movement of the first swivel plate relative to the second swivel plate about the pivot member.