Abstract: A liquid-phase process for hydrolyzing a carboxylic acid alkyl ester having 2 to 18 carbon atoms to provide a product mixture comprising a carboxylic acid and an alcohol comprising contacting a feedstock comprising the carboxylic acid alkyl ester and water with an acidic carbon catalyst under reaction conditions sufficient to form the product mixture comprising the carboxylic acid and the alcohol. Suitable acidic carbon catalysts include charcoal and carbons produced from a variety of sources including coconut shells, coal, wood and peat. Carbon catalysts may be rendered acidic by treatment with nitric acid.

Abstract: A layered antenna having a linear array of radiating elements 11 is disclosed. Each radiating element comprises an aperture with one or more probes 16,18 which extend into the area defined by the aperture. The elements are deformed about an axis parallel with a longitudinal axis of the linear array to provide beam control. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: Encoded blocks of video information are selected for transmission at a plurality of channel rates based on the corresponding location of the portions of the video image represented by the encoded blocks. Each encoded block is designated an image type which determines its transmitted channel rate. The image types are associated with spatial positions of a video image such that encoded blocks within a first area of the video image are designated a first image type and encoded blocks within a second area of the image are designated a second image type. In general, data blocks representing the central portion of the video image are transmitted at a channel rate having less susceptibility to noise or other degradation, thereby ensuring that such portion can be received in fringe areas.

Abstract: A fishing reel recovers line by rotating a spool mounted on a housing. The spool is positioned on the housing so that line can be discharged in a direction approximately parallel to the axis of the spool. When line is retrieved, a guide mechanism straightens line and distributes it onto the spool by traversing along the length of the spool's axis.

Abstract: A weedless hook apparatus having a regular fishing hook of a barbed type. A spring or other resilient member is attached at one end thereof to the front portion of the fish hook and a loop connected to the other end of the tension spring connects around the barb of the hook to hold it in place. A resilient cone shaped member is attached at the smaller forward end thereof to the spring and encircles the spring. The other, larger rearward end of the cone shaped member extends over and around the pointed portion of the hook when the spring is connected to the barb. The resilient cone will substantially prevent snagging of the hook when it comes in contact with weeds or other snags but when a fish clamps its jaws down against the cone, it will push the spring downwardly. Then as the angler sets the hook in response to such biting by the fish, the hook point penetrates the fish's mouth. In a second embodiment the resilient cone shaped member is eliminated.