Abstract: Porous wood-based lignocellulosic material is modified by incorporating into its pore matrix a bonded silica filling. An immobilized-silica precursor such as a water-glass solution of silica subunits or a colloidal silica is used to produce the filling, such as by immersion of the lignocellulosic material therein. The impermeable wood-based lignocellulosic material produced thereby is inflammable and impermeable to penetration by fluids and pests.

Abstract: An irrigation system cleaning formulation contains a sufficient concentration of a water-soluble organic acid which has a pK(1)a of less than about 4.0. A cleansing irrigation water contains a sufficient amount of such cleaning formulation, and a method of cleaning an irrigation system uses such cleaning formulation.

Abstract: An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous in situ manufacture of one or more nitrogen-nutrient raw fertilizers within the irrigation system upstream of the agricultural field being irrigated for a prolonged term. Raw materials, namely nitric acid, urea, ammonium hydroxide, calcium nitrate and/or magnesium nitrate, are intermixed with each other and/or with the stream of the flowing irrigation water. The stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution exotherm. A system wherein raw materials are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm reactor efficiently implements the method.

Abstract: An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous charging of crop-quality-enhancer-feedstock comprised of one or more crop-quality enhancers (fertilizers, soil amendments and the like) to an irrigation system upstream of the agricultural field being irrigated. The crop-quality-enhancer-feedstock is diluted upon so charging to a level within the system solubility limits and the stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution exotherm. A system wherein crop-quality enhancers are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm mixing chamber efficiently implements the method.

Abstract: An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous introduction of concentrated raw materials into a high-dilution irrigation-water environment whereby the stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution and reaction exotherms. A system wherein raw materials are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm reactor efficiently implements the method.

Abstract: An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous introduction of concentrated raw materials into a high-dilution irrigation-water environment whereby the stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution and reaction exotherms. A system wherein raw materials are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm reactor efficiently implements the method.

Abstract: An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous introduction of concentrated raw materials into a high-dilution irrigation-water environment whereby the stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution and reaction exotherms. A system wherein raw materials are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm reactor efficiently implements the method.

Abstract: An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous in situ manufacture of one or more fertilizers within the irrigation system upstream of the agricultural field being irrigated. Co-reactant raw materials, namely sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, potassium hydroxide, urea, ammonium hydroxide, ammonia, calcium nitrate and/or magnesium nitrate, are intermixed with each other and with the stream of the flowing irrigation water. The stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution and reaction exotherms. A system wherein raw materials are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm reactor efficiently implements the method.

Abstract: An agricultural fertigation method includes the in situ manufacture of one or more fertilizers within the irrigation upstream of the agricultural field being irrigated. Co-reactant raw materials, namely sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, potassium hydroxide, urea, ammonium hydroxide, ammonia, calcium nitrate and/or magnesium nitrate, are intermixed with each other and with the stream of the flowing irrigation water. The stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution and reaction exotherms. A system wherein raw materials are efficiently fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm reactor efficiently implements the method.

Abstract: A method of treating an agricultural-water canal to decompose organic debris in the agricultural-water canal provides a controlled delivery of calcium hypochlorite particles to the surface of water by entraining calcium hypochlorite particles in an air stream and then propelling the calcium hypochlorite-laden air stream at high velocity to the surface of the water, whereat the calcium hypochlorite particles are released from the air stream. A device for implementing the method is also disclosed. The device includes a gas blower, a feed hopper and a port which is adapted to direct and propel the biocide-laden gaseous stream to the surface of water in the agricultural-water canal.

Abstract: A method of treating an agricultural-water canal to decompose organic debris in the agricultural-water canal provides a controlled delivery of calcium hypochlorite particles to the surface of water by entraining calcium hypochlorite particles in an air stream and then propelling the calcium hypochlorite-laden air stream at high velocity to the surface of the water, whereat the calcium hypochlorite particles are released from the air stream. A device for implementing the method is also disclosed. The device includes a gas blower, a feed hopper and a port which is adapted to direct and propel the biocide-laden gaseous stream to the surface of water in the agricultural-water canal.

Abstract: A method of treating an agricultural-water canal to decompose organic debris in the agricultural-water canal is disclosed. The method provides a controlled delivery of biocide particles to the surface of water by entraining biocide particles in a gaseous stream and then scattering the biocide particles across the surface of the water by propelling the biocide-laden gaseous stream to the surface of the water, whereat the biocide particles are released from the gaseous stream. A device for implementing the method is also disclosed. The device includes a gas blower, a feed hopper and a port which is adapted to direct and propel the biocide-laden gaseous stream to the surface of water in the agricultural-water canal.

Abstract: A health clinic broker system is provided. The system comprises at least one computer system and a health clinic broker application that, when executed on the at least one computer system, receives a plurality of health care service requests containing information about a health care need, at least some of the requests seeking to set an appointment for health care. The system also receives a plurality of health care service offerings and provides at least one recommendation for the appointment for health care based on matching the health care service offerings with the health care service request.

Abstract: A therapy adherence system is provided. The system comprises at least one computer system, a database, and an application that, when executed on the at least one computer system, receives a message from a home-based patient device containing medication compliance information and physical condition information. The system also compares medication compliance information and physical condition information with a current treatment regimen and historical medication and physical condition information stored in the database. The system also calculates an updated regimen and health risk level based on at least current and historical medication compliance information and physical condition information. The system also notifies an at least one health care provider when health risk level exceeds a threshold. The system also receives response from the at least one health care provider, the response comprising adjustments to the updated regimen and a diagnosis and communicates the updated regimen.

Abstract: A method of treating an agricultural-water canal to decompose organic debris in the agricultural-water canal is disclosed. The method provides a controlled delivery of biocide particles to the surface of water by entraining biocide particles in a gaseous stream and then scattering the biocide particles across the surface of the water by propelling the biocide-laden gaseous stream to the surface of the water, whereat the biocide particles are released from the gaseous stream. A device for implementing the method is also disclosed. The device includes a gas blower, a feed hopper and a port which is adapted to direct and propel the biocide-laden gaseous stream to the surface of water in the agricultural-water canal.

Abstract: A self-protecting barrier for retarding fire has a combustible hydric member or a network of combustible hydric members having an ignition temperature above 100° C., at least a first surface which is water-permeable and may be flammable, and a sufficient water absorption capacity for fire retardation. The hydric members may be foamed-polymer elements, or superabsorbent polymer-filled matrixes, or loose superabsorbent polymer-filled pouches or pockets. A self-protecting barrier system for retarding fire further includes fire adjacent the water-permeable surface and steam between the water-permeable surface and the fire, and may further include a combustible object adjacent the barrier opposite the fire. A method of isolating a combustible object from the flames of a fire includes the steps of providing at least one fire-retardant barrier between the object and the flames, volatilizing or boiling a portion of the hydration water at a temperature of about 100° C.

Abstract: A method for disinfecting agricultural irrigation water system-wide comprises (a) continuously feeding chlorine to the irrigation system and (b) monitoring an outer field point to determine whether at least a detectable level of residual chlorine is seen at that point, whereby chlorination disinfection system-wide is achieved. An enhanced irrigation system which is adapted for disinfecting agricultural irrigation water system-wide includes (a) apparatus for continuously feeding chlorine to the irrigation system and (b) apparatus for monitoring residual chlorine at an outer field point (to determine whether at least a detectable level of residual chlorine is seen at that point) for the purpose of achieving chlorination disinfection system-wide.

Abstract: A barrier for retarding fire comprises water-permeable fabric for covering a substantial area, the fabric being porous, hydrophilic and flammable, and having at least 9 pockets per square foot, each pocket having a volumetric capacity of between about 0.03 cubic inches and about 17 cubic inches, wherein substantially all of the pockets contain between about 0.01 and about 2 grams of superabsorbent polymer per cubic inch of volumetric capacity of the pockets.

Abstract: A barrier for retarding fire comprises water-permeable fabric for covering a substantial area, the fabric having at least 9 pockets per square foot, each pocket having a volumetric capacity of between about 0.03 cubic inches and about 17 cubic inches, wherein substantially all of the pockets contain between about 0.01 and about 2 grams of superabsorbent polymer per cubic inch of volumetric capacity of the pockets.

Abstract: A method of preventing the formation of microbiological deposits in the water delivery systems of micro-irrigation systems which have in addition to water delivery systems, a water filtration system, a pump and a water distribution system. This method comprises cleaning the micro-irrigation system to remove existing microbiological deposits thereby providing a clean distribution and delivery system, and then continuously treating the water fed to the delivery system with a few ppm of glutaraldehyde to maintain cleanliness. The invention is particularly effective in controlling microbiological deposits which are either slimes or algae or mixtures thereof.