Abstract: Apparatus adapted to hold a conventional hair dryer for the purpose of quickly drying a paint sample which includes a base member adapted to rest upon a horizontal surface, an upright support member extending from the base member, and a dryer retaining member having an aperture therethrough, disposed on the upright support member and spaced from the base member. The aperture is adapted to have a blower tube of a hair drier inserted downwardly therethrough, such that the body portion of the hair dryer will be retained against an upper surface of the dryer retaining member with the blower tube oriented generally downwardly through said aperture.

Abstract: Retinoid-like activity is exhibited by compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is F, Cl, OH or CH.sub.3, Y is H or F, R.sub.1 -R.sub.6 are each independently hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, n is an integer of 1 to 4 and R.sub.7 is hydrogen or a carboxyl-protecting group, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds of the formula I selectively interact with the retinoic acid subtype RAR.gamma. and have been found to lack the liver toxicity associated with systemic administration of non-relative retinoids.

Abstract: Reaction of 1,3,5-tri-substituted-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine is accelerated in H.sub.2 S scavenging by the addition of quaternary ammonium compound. The preferred hexahydro triazines are 1,3,5-tri-methyl-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazines and 1,3,5-tri-methoxypropyl-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazines. The blend of the hexahydro triazine and quaternary ammonium compounds can be used to treat sour gases and liquids (e.g. sour kerosene, crude oil, fuel oils, heating oils, distillate fuels, bunker fuel oil, and the like.

Abstract: A rapidly hydratable konjac flour is disclosed which is distinguishable from native konjac flour in that it gains at least least 60% of its potential peak viscosity within 10 minutes after dispersal into water at 25.degree. C., at least 80% of its potential peak viscosity within 20 minutes after dispersal into water at 25.degree. C., and from 80 to 100% of its potential peak viscosity within 30 minutes after dispersal into water at 25.degree. C. Methods for manufacturing rapidly hydratable konjac flour and uses for the inventive flour also are disclosed.

Abstract: Solid gas-drying forms are made by heating drying salts with a polar solvent to form a saturated solution, then cooling, freezing and forming. Preferred salts are combinations of calcium and lithium bromides and chlorides in particularly effective molar ratios.

Abstract: Substantially dry, rehydratable, water-dispersible, gel-forming, porous hydrocolloid micro-particulates containing internally or internally and externally at least one water-soluble, non-gelling, hydration enhancing hydrocolloid, processes and intermediates for their preparation, and their uses.

Abstract: A carton for a bag stack comprises a bottom wall, opposing front and back walls, and opposing first and second side walls bridging the opposing front and back walls. The first side wall forms a first pair of detents in proximity to the respective front and back walls. The second side wall forms a second pair of detents in proximity to the respective front and back walls. The front and back walls each include a profiled upper edge forming a window adapted to accommodate a human hand and allow retrieval of the plastic bags within the carton via the window. The bag stack includes first sets of plastic bags and second sets of plastic bags interleaved (alternately-arranged) with each other. Each set of plastic bags may include one or more plastic bags. The first and second sets of plastic bags are oriented in opposite longitudinal directions.

Abstract: A composition which, upon reacting with thrombin, functions as a fibrin sealant and is characterized as being free of detectable levels of lipid enveloped virus activity, free of prothrombin complex and active thrombin, and contains no protease inhibitors or other non-human proteins. Also, described is a method for producing the composition.

Abstract: A reclosable plastic bag comprises first and second opposing body panels, a zipper, a slider, and first and second upstanding panels. The opposing body panels are fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The zipper extends along a mouth formed opposite the bottom. The zipper includes a first track with a first profile and a second track with a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The slider is slidably mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. The first and second profiles are engaged to each other while the slider is in the closed position, and the first and second profiles are disengaged from each other in response to movement of the slider from the closed position to the open position. The first and second upstanding panels extend upwardly from the respective first and second body panels.

Abstract: The gene encoding Acidothermus cellulolyticus E1 endoglucanase is cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris. A new modified E1 endoglucanase enzyme comprising the catalytic domain of the full size E1 enzyme demonstrates enhanced thermostability and is produced by two methods. The first method of producing the new modified E1 is proteolytic cleavage to remove the cellulose binding domain and linker peptide of the full size E1. The second method of producing the new modified E1 is genetic truncation of the gene encoding the full size E1 so that the catalytic domain is expressed in the expression product.

Abstract: A cavity thickness compensated etalon filter. A tuning medium is placed in a Fabry-Perot etalon cavity. The index of refraction of the tuning medium varies as a function of voltage applied across the medium. The etalon is formed of two generally flat substrates disposed substantially parallel to one another. Each substrate has a layer of conductive material within the cavity adjacent the substrate. Each substrate also has a layer of reflective material within the cavity adjacent the substrate. At least one layer of reflective material is only partially reflective so as to enable light to pass into and out of the cavity. Liquid crystal material may be used as a tuning medium in the cavity. In the case of liquid crystal material, the etalon also comprises an alignment layer disposed within the cavity adjacent each substrate to pre-order the liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A method of finishing window cavities is described. This includes the step of flaring peripheral surfaces which define a window opening outwardly from an exterior wall toward an interior wall. Window cavities finished in accordance with the teachings of this method create a sensation of spaciousness of light.

Abstract: Gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon is treated with a scavenging compound comprising an oil soluble 1,3,5-trihexahydro-1,3,5-tert.-butyltriazine. The compound is an effective nonregenerated scavenger for oil field produced fluids, particularly sour hydrocarbon liquids.

Abstract: A system for the destruction of volatile organic compounds while generating power. In a preferred embodiment the system comprises a combustor and a reaction chamber connected to an exit of the combustor. A primary inlet to the combustor supplies a primary fuel to the combustor. A secondary fuel, comprising air and an amount of one or more volatile organic compounds, is supplied to a compressor, which compresses the secondary fuel and directs the secondary fuel to the combustor and the reaction chamber. The system is suitably configured to enable the stoichiometric reaction of the two fuels in a manner sufficient to destroy the volatile organic compounds contained in the secondary fuel and power a turbine engine connected to an exit of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a medical device such as a stent in the form of an expandable mesh with an expandable polymer layer thereon. The mesh is metal or plastic. The polymer may be any of a variety of expandable polymers, which either expand upon hydration, or expand without significant resistance. The invention may be used, for example, as an expandable biliary, vascular, endotracheal, esophageal, or prostatic device.

Abstract: A reclosable plastic bag comprises first and second opposing panels fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The bag is provided with a reclosable zipper extending along a mouth formed opposite the sealed bottom. The zipper includes a male track with a male profile and a female track with a female profile. A slider is slidably mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. The male and female profiles are engaged to each other while the slider is in the closed position. The male and female profiles are disengaged from each other in response to movement of the slider to the open position. To prevent tampering with the contents of the plastic bag prior to being initially opened, the slider is initially parked in the closed position at one end of the zipper, and upper edges of the male and female profiles are detachably connected to each other, except at the one end of the zipper supporting the parked slider.

Abstract: A process for making gel bead having a mean diameter of less than 50 microns by adiabatically atomizing a hydrocolloid sol to droplet of less than 50 microns under conditions that lower the temperature of the hydrocolloid below its gel temperature.

Abstract: A radome for protecting electromagnetic equipment includes a polyimide foam that preferably is a closed cell foam. The polyimide foam imparts improved impact and moisture resistance to the radome without adversely affecting electromagnetic transmission thereof.

Abstract: A hand held cleaner is provided with a swiveling nozzle that moves from a position perpendicular to the cleaner body to a position of axial alignment with it. A series of stops are mounted on the swiveling nozzle and cleaner body to limit nozzle swing to these two positions. A reciprocable latch is mounted with the nozzle to engage, selectively, in one of a pair of latching apertures in the cleaner body to lockingly maintain the swiveling nozzle of its stopped positions. The agitator and agitator belt are offset from what would be considered their normal centered relationship to accommodate the swiveling action of the hand held cleaner nozzle.