Abstract: Unique compositions including pyrroloquinoline quinone have been developed in order to make pyrroloquinoline quinone more soluble in a liquid solution. The compositions may be applied to plants in order to increase overall plant health and yield. The compositions may include pyrroloquinoline quinone, a salt, an acid, and water. In one form, the composition includes pyrroloquinoline quinone, diammonium phosphate, phosphoric acid, and water. The composition may be created using various concentration levels of pyrroloquinoline quinone. These formulations may be applied to a seed, the soil, a furrow in the soil, and/or directly to the foliar of a plant to improve overall plant health.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for allowing a conference participant to politely join a conference already in progress. The conference participant may attempt to connect to the conference and the conferencing system may wait to allow the participant access to the conference until a polite moment occurs in the conference. Upon such an occurrence of a polite moment, the participant may be joined to the conference and the participant's presence may be announced.

Abstract: A method of casting an object, usually a railroad wheel, is provided. A graphite mold having a drag section and a cope section has an opening in the drag section allowing molten metal to be fed upwardly by pressure into the cast object cavity. A stopper pipe assembly extends through centrally located openings in the cope section and the drag section. The hub core seals against an opening in the drag section upon cessation of pouring to keep molten metal in the cavity in the mold. The hub core assembly is comprised of refractory material which the molten metal contacts thereby allowing the reuse of the hub core assembly.

Abstract: A method of casting an object, usually a railroad wheel, is provided. A graphite mold having a drag section and a cope section requires a plurality of riser openings in the cope section to ensure proper dimensional accuracy of the cast railroad wheel by allowing molten metal to continue to feed downwardly through the riser openings to the cast wheel cavity during initial cooling. The riser openings are lined with an improved insulating material in an accurate manner such that the insulating material is added between a machined riser opening in the graphite cope mold section and a mandrel inserted in the riser opening.

Abstract: A method of casting an object, usually a railroad wheel, is provided. A graphite mold having a drag section and a cope section requires a plurality of riser openings in the cope section to ensure proper dimensional accuracy of the cast railroad wheel by allowing molten metal to continue to feed downwardly through the riser openings to the cast wheel cavity during initial cooling. The riser openings are lined with an improved insulating material in an accurate manner such that the insulating material is added between a machined riser opening in the graphite cope mold section and a mandrel inserted in the riser opening.

Abstract: An consumer contact toll optimizer providing for the automatic disconnection and reconnection of communication links between communications devices and/or services is provided. The system allows communication links to be terminated before a specified period of time has elapsed, thereby allowing consumers of communications services charging on a time of use basis to minimize the charges incurred while using such services. In particular, the present invention allows consumers to minimize fees in connection with communications networks that charge at a first, lower rate for an initial period of time, and a second, higher rate for subsequent periods of time. The present invention is particularly well-suited for use in connection with wireless telephones having service plans that do not charge for the first incoming minute of a telephone call, and in connection with long distance service plans that charge a lower rate for an initial period of time and a higher rate for a subsequent period of time.