Abstract: A composition configured for oral use is provided, the composition including a filler in an amount of at least 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, and at least one active ingredient including one or more botanical materials, stimulants, amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, cannabinoids, pharmaceutical agents, or a combination thereof. The composition further includes a salt and at least one sweetener. The composition has a moisture content of at least about 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: A silicone base oil for use as impregnant in an electric power cable for fire hazard conditions is rendered non-gassing by the addition of about 2-8% of an aryl alkane having at least two benzene rings spaced apart by not less than one nor more than two aliphatic carbon atoms. The total number of aliphatic carbon atoms in the molecule is limited to six, and the silicone oil should be chosen with a sufficiently high flashpoint for the whole oil to have flashpoint above 150.degree.C. The preferred additive is 1-phenyl 1-(3,4 dimethylphenyl) ethane, also known as PXE.

Abstract: A non-metallic flexible elongate strengthening member suitable for use as a strengthening member of an optical cable comprises a plurality of non-metallic flexible elements helically laid around a central non-metallic flexible element, each of which flexible elements comprises a multiplicity of filaments of non-metallic reinforcing material, e.g. non-optical glass or an aromatic polyamide, bonded together by a heat-softenable organic material, e.g. polypropylene or nylon, and is coated with a release agent, e.g. a film of silicone oil. The flexible elements of the assembly are so deformed and compacted together that any tendency for the flexible elements to spring apart is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: Some forms of corrosion, and inter-granular attack in particular, occur without significantly altering the bulk dimensions of the body attacked. Where elastic properties are changed, this is detected by a sensitive ultrasonic inspection based upon the resonant frequency or frequencies with which the ultrasonic signals reverberate within the body. Resolution is improved by gating out the first, top, surface reflection and by swept gain control through the gating period.

Abstract: An ultrasonic scanning probe 10 for inspecting structures for internal defects and providing a plan position display comprises a transducer 70 mounted within a block 12 of ultrasonically absorbent material, such as polyethylene, adjacent to a window 30 which may be placed in contact with a surface of the structure. The block 12 is turnable about a rotation axis normal to the window 30, while the transducer 70 is oriented at an angle to the axis so as to scan a sector of the surface as the block 12 is turned, and an attenuating coupling medium 160 occupies the space between the transducer 70 and the window 30. The scanning probe 10 may be used in wet or dry situations.

Abstract: An ion source comprises a cylindrical chamber having a longitudinal exit slit formed therein and two parallel anode wires extending the length of the chamber in the central region thereof and symmetrically disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chamber and the exit slit, wherein at each end of the exit slit there is positioned at or near the zero potential equipotential a mask, the separation of the inner ends of the masks defining the width of the ion beam emitted by the source.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus for the inspection of underwater structures consisting of means for scanning a beam of ultrasound over the surface of the structure at a predetermined angle of incidence, means for receiving and displaying echo signals from the structure indicative of discontinuities within the structure, the action of the display means being initiated by control signals derived from echo signals returning from the surface of the structure, thereby rendering the displayed signals independent of the separation between the scanning means and the surface of the structure.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a cross-linked extruded product, a polymer capable of being cross-linked by the use of hydrolyzable unsaturated silane is metered into a first screw extrusion machine together with compounding ingredients comprising a hydrolyzable unsaturated silane, a free-radical generator and a silanol condensation catalyst. The compounding ingredients are mixed with the polymer in the barrel of the first extruder. The mixture of ingredients is fed directly without exposure to the atmosphere to a second screw extrusion machine in which its temperature is raised sufficiently to effect grafting of silane groups to the polymer (the amount of free-radical generator being sufficiently low to limit direct free-radical cross-linking to a level that will not prevent extrusion of the material). The reaction mixture is extruded from the second extruder through an extrusion die to form an elongate shaped product, and the grafted polymer is cross-linked in the shaped product by the action of moisture.