Abstract: A system and method are provided of extracting spectra from data produced by temporally indexed spectral scans from a spectrometer and spectrometer. The method includes the operation of receiving a data matrix from the spectrometer. The noise can then be removed from the data matrix. A further operation is identifying spectra of interest in the data matrix based on information content. In addition, a reduction transformation can be applied to the data matrix based upon the spectra of interest based upon the denizen transformation for the purpose of extracting the spectra of interest from the data matrix.

Abstract: A preferably three layer protective orthotic insert for footwear is provided. According to one embodiment, a bottom layer is a single stainless steel sheet. A middle layer is a polyurethane layer, shaped to the contour of the bottom of a foot and including orthotic supports, disposed over the single stainless steel sheet. And a top layer is a membrane secured to the molded polyurethane layer. A method for making the protective orthotic insert is also provided.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method for controlling a system with multiple observable variables is disclosed. The apparatus and method disclosed use elements of the bottom-up and top-down strategies of artificial intelligence to provide a control system that is able to learn without a training set of information, and that has an learning process that can handle any amount of input data, i.e., cannot become saturated. The control system disclosed is capable of learning and controlling non linear dynamical systems. The control system is also capable of adding additional observable variables or subtracting existing observable variables to determine the state of the plant or system being controlled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for simultaneously concentrating and separating a plurality of analytes which includes generating a continuous electric field gradient within an enclosed passageway, and where the electric field gradient is characterized by the graph of the gradient with respect to position along the length of the axis of the passageway being a non-linear, monotone, non-decreasing function with a non-increasing first derivative. Analytes entrained in a carrier fluid within the passageway are exposed simultaneously to the continuous electrical field gradient and an opposing force selected for exerting a force on the analytes. The analytes are allowed to reach equilibrium with respect to the continuous electric field gradient and the opposing force, then are released in a controlled manner to maintain separation. The unique shape of the electric field intensity curve allows for simultaneous concentration and separation of analytes.

Abstract: A preferably three layer protective orthotic insert for footwear is provided. According to one embodiment, a bottom layer is a single stainless steel sheet. A middle layer is a polyurethane layer, shaped to the contour of the bottom of a foot and including orthotic supports, disposed over the single stainless steel sheet. And a top layer is a membrane secured to the molded polyurethane layer. A method for making the protective orthotic insert is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for realigning the pelvis, femoral head, femur, trochanter, and acetabulum of a patient during a hip joint replacement procedure being performed on the patient. Prior to replacing the hip of the patient with a prosthesis, a pin is inserted into the patient's pelvis. The pin has a plurality of weakened areas of reduced cross-section formed along its length so that the pin is capable of being bent at approximately a 90.degree. angle at each of the weakened areas. The pin is used to establish a point of reference as to the leg length and the desired orientation of the prosthetic joint.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an otic composition that is useful in treating otic infections comprising an antimicrobial such as a quinolone or a salt thereof and silver sulfadiazine in a therapeutically effective combination to treat otic infections in animals.

Abstract: A holder for holding a toothpaste pump dispenser and toothbrushes is provided. The holder has a base which is mounted to a vertical wall. A cup is coupled to the base so as to extend out from the wall. The cup receives and holds a toothpaste dispenser therein. The cup has an upper edge which permits a dispenser nozzle of the toothpaste dispenser to be operated so that toothpaste may be dispensed from the nozzle while the dispenser is located in the cup. Toothbrush mounts are also coupled to the base extending away from the wall. The toothbrush mounts receive and support toothbrushes on the holder.

Abstract: A wheel tiedown device for securing the wheel of a trailered vehicle to the trailer. The novel device comprises a lasso which encircles the wheel. The handle member of the lasso is tethered to the trailer. The loop of the lasso contacts the sides of the wheel, and is prevented from excessive spreading and from slipping to a position too low on the wheel to secure it by a strap spanning right and left sides of the wheel. A second strap attaches to the loop and extends to the opposite side of the wheel from the lasso handle member. The wheel is secured fore and aft by the lasso handle member and the second strap, one engaging the trailer by hook and eye, and the other being held and tightened in a winch. The lasso is made from a strap, and all connection between the lasso and first and second straps is by passing one strap member through a loop terminating the corresponding strap member. Thus, adjustment is enabled by slippage of one strap through the loop of another.

Abstract: Bales of compressed tobacco ribs and/or tobacco leaf laminae having a moisture content of 8-11 percent are advanced past a battery of microwave generators or through one or more electric high frequency fields to raise the temperature of particles in the bales to between 30.degree. and 90.degree. C. The bales or portions of the bales are thereupon loosened, prior to complete cooling back to starting temperature, by the pins of a conveyor which delivers the particles of loosened bales or portions of bales into the magazine of a shredding machine wherein the particles are cut. The moisture content of shreds is raised to 12-13.5 percent at which the shreds are ready for processing into smokers' products, or above 13.5 percent, for example, to between 21 and 30 percent. Such moisturizing to above the processing moisture content is or can be followed by drying of the shreds.

Abstract: Extraction means capable of providing a constant feed rate to the inlet of a tobacco expansion pneumatic transport system is provided at the outlet of a tobacco reservoir zone. The extraction means is preferably in the form of a pinned roller capable of metering tobacco, associated with a pinned tobacco opening roller. The extraction means feeds the extracted tobacco into a transport duct as a stream extending across the full width of the duct at a flow rate which is also uniform across the width of the stream.

Abstract: A craft fabric process wherein a fabric edge has a discontinuity formed by a core yarn which is replaced with an embellishment woven through the discontinuity formed by the removal of the core yarn.

Abstract: A gas chromatograph in which a first portion of sample peaks are eluted in forward flow mode and a second portion of sample peaks are eluted in reverse flow mode without loss of resolution.

Abstract: A fabric for threaded embellishments is formed of a plain consistent weave having no more than 60 warp threads with a continuous filling thread so as to permit a needle and thread embellishment through the interstices thereof.

Abstract: A connector for in-line electrical wires of the same or differing gauges in which an insulating casing envelopes a continuous, wire thread which tapers from each end of the casing towards the middle of the casing and the direction of the thread is right-handed from one end of the casing to the center of the casing and left-handed from the remaining end of the casing towards the center of the casing thus providing an easily applied, low cost connector and one which has minimum insertion resistance and maximum reliability.

Abstract: A broad spectrum anthelmintic composition useful for eliminating nematodes and cestodes from carnivores. Composition comprises anthelmintically effective amounts of compounds which act systemically and via direct contact in carnivore gut, the compounds being carried in a vehicle which provides simultaneous systemic and direct contact availability of the compounds. Preferred composition comprises febantel and praziquantel compounds in an aqueous paste-like formulation.

Abstract: A window washing kit in which a belt to be worn by the window washer is hollow for containing water to be used in washing windows, and has tubes attached thereto for wetting a scrubber used in washing windows. The belt also has holders for holding scrubbers and squeegees when they are not being used by the window washer. The scrubber or water applicators are unique and comprise a metal frame with a layer of foam for retaining water and a layer of cloth or the like for scrubbing windows. Further, the kit includes a pole for holding a scrubber or squeegee during use, and is configured to permit easy swivelling of the scrubber or squeegee during use. The pole also has bifurcated ends for holding a blade or the like for scraping windows.