Abstract: Nitric oxide has proved to mediate many important physiological processes. The nitric oxide donors of the present invention have a NONOate anion linked to an ortho-substituted aryl, a heteroaromatic substituent, asteroid, or a catecholamine. Preferred ortho substituents are alkoxy, halo, and alkyl. The cation of the salt is an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, an ammonium or substituted ammonium group. Nitric oxide donors provided herein are more stable than that of nitrogen-bonded NONOates described previously. The by product left after release of NO, and the nitric oxide donors themselves, are very probably less carcinogenic than the corresponding nitrogen-bonded NONOates.

Abstract: A universal mounting system for mounting a scope fitted with Weaver style rings to a standard 3/8" or other suitably grooved receiver typically associated with a small caliber firearm. A first embodiment of the invention includes an adapter plate configured to be secured to a base of a tipoff or dovetail style scope mounting system. The adapter plate of the embodiment also includes a central aperture and clamping members provided to secure a Weaver style base to the adapter plate through the use of fasteners. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a base configured with a grooved bottom portion for engaging a dovetail grooved receiver of a firearm. A top portion is rigidly or integrally secured to the bottom portion and exhibits the characteristics of a Weaver style base.

Abstract: Azadirachtin is effectively recovered from the seeds of the neem tree by crushing the seeds, extracting azadirachtin from the crushed seeds with water and then either extracting azadirachtin from the water using a non-aqueous solvent which is not miscible with water and has a higher solubility of azadirachtin than water or a surfactant having a turbidity temperature between 20.degree. and 80.degree. C. The concentrated azadirachtin is easily recovered from the second extraction solution and shows high activity as an insecticide.

Abstract: A video headset is worn comfortably on the head of a user, supported by a pair of spaced apart straps extending over the top of the head and across the lower back of the head. The rear strap may be counterweighted. A pair of headphone type speakers are supported on pivoted arms from a frame of the headset, so as to be swingably adjustable to accommodate ear position. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of LCD video displays are positioned above the level of the user's eyes, each with a beam splitter positioned in front of the eyes to reflect a portion of the light from the video screens to the user. The partially transmissive beam splitters allow the user to see through to the ambient scene beyond, increasing the comfort of the user in viewing the video. A transparent shield preferably is positioned forward of the video optics, with an adjustment under the control of the user for controlling the brightness of the ambient light.

Abstract: Apparatus for pressing vertical arrangements of units that are stored in an elongate container with a front, plural sides, and a cavity includes a mechanism coupled to the front and extending toward the rear of such container and including opposing arms. Each arm is located adjacent a corresponding, opposing side of such container, with the mechanism being actuable to move the arms toward each other a preselected distance as a way of pressing a first arrangement of subunits. The apparatus preferably includes a submechanism actuable with the arms to move inwardly toward the cavity a preselected distance as a way of pressing arrangements of subunits, i.e. loaded subunits, that have already been pressed by the mechanism.

Abstract: A fiber optics sensor (10) and method for attaining accurate measurement are provided. A polarization maintaining optic fiber (22) forms a linear optical path. An optical element (24) is used to convert linearly polarized light waves to circularly polarized light waves which propagate along the optical path and pass through a sensing medium (24). Because of external stresses and disturbances, the optical element (24) introduces light of the wrong state of polarization into the optical path. The result is a scale factor error in the measurement and an extra incoherent D.C. light detected at the detector (36). The presence and magnitude of the extra incoherent D.C. light is used to provide a normalizing factor to compensate for the scale factor error.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enzyme, exo-.alpha.-1,4-glucan lyase, capable of successively cleaving the terminal .alpha.-1,4-D-glucosidic bonds from the non-reducing ends of an .alpha.-1,4-glucan. The enzyme is selected from the group consisting of .alpha.-1,4-glucan lyase isolated from an alga and functional derivatives and analogs derived from a nucleotide sequence related to an alga .alpha.-1,4-glucan lyase. Further, a method of enzymatically cleaving the terminal .alpha.-1,4-D-glucosidic bonds from the non-reducing ends of an .alpha.-1,4-glucan, and the degradation product 1,5-anhydrofructose for use as an oxygen radical scavenger or anti-oxidant and/or as a sugar substitute, are disclosed. Additionally, a method of producing an enzyme capable of successively cleaving the terminal .alpha.-1,4-glucosidic bonds from the non-reducing ends of an .alpha.

Abstract: A quick change pump assembly for an adhesive pumping system includes three main components: a manifold, a pump, and a motor. These components are secured to a subframe which is adapted to be detachably mounted on the mainframe of the system. The subframe with the three components mounted thereon is selectively movable between an operating position and a withdrawn position. In the withdrawn position, any of the components on the subframe may be replaced or repaired.

Abstract: Multi-phase RF ablation employing a two-dimensional or three-dimensional electrode array produces a multitude of currents paths on the surface of the ablation zone. This results in a uniform lesion with a size defined by the span of the electrode array. An orthogonal electrode catheter array suitable for cardiac ablation is used in conjunction with a two-phase RF power source to produce uniform square-shaped lesions of size 1.2 cm.sup.2. Lesions of larger size are created by successive adjacent placement of the square-shaped lesions. A temperature sensor at the electrode tip allows monitoring of ablation temperature and regulation of thereof to minimize the electrode tips from being fouled by coagulum.

Abstract: Lignocellulose-containing materials are treated with lime (calcium hydroxide) and water at a relatively high temperature and for a certain period of time under certain conditions. The process variables were: lime loading which ranged from about 2 to about g Ca(OH).sub.2 /100 g dry material; water loading which ranged from about 6 to about 19 g water/g dry material; treatment temperature which varied from about 50.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.; and treatment time which varied from about 1 to about 36 hours. The effects of treatment time and temperature were interdependent.A process for lime recovery is developed. The soluble Ca(OH).sub.2 was washed out of the pretreated material with water and converted to insoluble CaCO.sub.3, by reacting with CO.sub.2, and was thus separated. The CaCO.sub.3 can be heated to produce CaO and CO.sub.2. The CaO is hydrated to Ca(OH).sub.2 which can be reused as the lignocellulose treatment agent. Carbon dioxide is reused for lime recovery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing an immunogenic construct comprising activating at least one first carbohydrate-containing moiety with CDAP, and covalently joining the activated first moiety to a second moiety. Preferably, the first moiety is a polysaccharide and the second moiety is a protein. Immunogenic constructs are prepared by this process using either direct or indirect conjugation of the first and second moieties.

Abstract: A chest pillow for use by a post-surgical patient has a flexible plate and padding surrounding and covering all sides and edges of the plate. A fabric cover surrounds and encloses the padding and the plate. Separable straps extend between upper and lower edges of the pillow, the straps having sufficient length to pass around the upper body of the patient, thereby to hold the pillow in a desired position, ready for use.

Abstract: A thermal transition section for introducing a high temperature cracked process gas into a quench exchanger having an inlet end comprising inner and outer concentric pipes connected to a closure ring to define an annulus between the pipes and an interior exchanger surface having an inside diameter. The transition section has a metal outer wall extending from a downstream end connected to the closure ring to an upstream end connected to a metal transition cone. The transition cone is connected at an upstream end to a line for supplying the process gas. The downstream end of the inner sleeve has an outside diameter matching the inside diameter of the interior exchanger surface. A precast, pre-fired single-piece ceramic insert substantially fills the annulus between the outer wall and inner sleeve. By using the ceramic insert, particularly a relatively long insert, thermal stresses are reduced and coke formation in the annulus is inhibited.

Abstract: Immortal avian T lymphocyte cell lines which produce and secrete immune lymphokines are disclosed. These cell lines may be produced from T cells recovered from fowl which have been hyperimmunized in vivo. The activated T cells are first exposed in vitro to a mitogen effective for secondary stimulation thereof, and then virally transformed to produce an immortal cell line. When cultured in vitro, the cell lines produce and secrete immune lymphokines which may be administered to fowl to increase their resistance to infections.

Abstract: A Pope reel for winding a running paper web into a paper roll on a paper machine. The web is wound on a webwide king roll, which web wraps around the king roll on part of its circumference. A magazine holds a number of winding drums, each of which serves as a winding core. A pair of swivel levers pick up an individual winding drum and transfer it into its winding start position on the king roll. The winding drum with the paper roll being wound migrates along a guideway, and moves away from the king roll up to a delivery position for the finished paper roll. A second king roll is provided, which king roll is powered and is forceable down on the paper roll.

Abstract: An ornamental article utilizing a miniature battery as a source of electrical power for illuminating a gem stone in an article of wear which battery is selectively charged by solar energy.

Abstract: A wide angle rear view mirror assembly for a motor vehicle has a supplemental optically flat wide angle mirror element mounted in a frame which in turn is mounted on the main rear view mirror assembly of a motor vehicle in juxtaposition with the main frame of the main rear view mirror assembly. The wide angle rear view mirror assembly is an after market device in one embodiment and is adapted to be mounted directly on the main mirror element of the main rear view mirror assembly, but can also be integrally built into the housing of the main rear view mirror assembly so as to constitute a feature of the automobile as manufactured. Either way, the wide angle rear view mirror assembly substantially increases the driver's rear view angle of vision utilizing an optically flat mirror, and also has provision for changing the vertical position of the angle of reflection of the wide angle mirror to accommodate different driving circumstances which affect what the driver sees in the wide angle mirror.

Abstract: A temperature-activated polysilicic acid is prepared by heating an acidified aqueous alkali metal silicate. The temperature-activated polysilicic acid is used in the production of paper for improvement of retention and water removal.

Abstract: An improved shortening substitute for food products such as bakery products. The improved shortening substitute includes a mixture of a fruit puree, a sweetener, a preservative, water, a fat mimetic, a pH adjuster and a source of calcium ions. The shortening substitute is formulated to be used in a wide variety of food products and have a 1:1 to 0.5:1 replacement value of the improved shortening substitute to oil, butter or shortening to produce high quality baked products.