Abstract: A self-sealing furring nail has a nail and a furring wad assembly. The furring wad assembly includes a plunger friction fit on the nail and a housing friction fit on a shaft of the plunger at one end of the housing, and at the other end of the housing there is a gap between the housing and the nail. The activating surface of the plunger is located within the housing, and the plunger's shaft extends from within the housing outside of the housing towards the nail head. The housing has a package of sealant material inside. The package has a sealant encased within a burstable bag. When the furring nail is driven through building paper into a frame of a building, the head of the nail contacts the plunger's shaft causing the plunger's activating surface to compress the bag of sealant. The bag bursts and the sealant passes through the gap between the nail and housing and seals the penetration hole between the nail and the building paper.

Abstract: Aromatic diamines, such as toluenediamine, are alkylated in the ortho position by heating the diamine in the presence of an aluminum alloy, aluminium chloride and, optionally, zinc, and then reacting with an alkene at elevated temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A catalytic intermediate useful in the preparation of ortho-alkylated aromatic amines is prepared by heating an amine in the presence of aluminum metal, zinc metal and aluminum chloride. This catalytic intermediate is used to alkylate aromatic amines which may be the same as or different from the amine used in the catalytic intermediate preparation. In a preferred embodiment, toluenediamine is alkylated in the ortho positions to form diethyltoluenediamine.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube holder has a cord with a loop through which the endotracheal tube extends. A tube with slits surrounds the cord adjacent the loop to secure the endotracheal tube in the cord when the tube is placed in the mouth and throat of the patient. The remaining portions of the cord extend over the ears and under the chin of the patient. A lockable collar is positioned on the cord to tighten the cord under the chin so as to position and retain the endotracheal tube in the patient.