Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of neuromuscular disorders and, more specifically, to the use of apomorphine, bromocriptine, pergolide, ropinirole, octahydropyrazolo[3,4-g]quinolines, and trans-(±)-substituted-5,5a,6,7,8,9-,9a,10-octahydropyrimido[4,5g]quinolines, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts to treat, or to prepare a medicament for treating, symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome by the administration of heterocyclic amine-type compounds, substituted phenylazacycloalkane-type compounds, or cabergoline-type compounds, or a salt of any said compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome by the administration of cabergoline-type compounds or a salt of said compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome by the administration of heterocyclic amine-type compounds, substituted phenylazacycloalkane-type compounds, or cabergoline-type compounds, or a salt of any said compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome by the administration of heterocyclic amine-type compounds or a salt of any said compound.

Abstract: This patent application describes the treatment addictive disorders, psychoactive substance use disorders, intoxication disorders, inhalation disorders, alcohol addiction, tobacco addiction and or nicotine addiction comprising administering a therapeutically effective, nontoxic dose of pramipexole and derivatives and or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof to a patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome by the administration of heterocyclic amine-type compounds, substituted phenylazacycloalkane-type compounds, or cabergoline-type compounds, or a salt of any said compound.

Abstract: This patent application describes the treatment addictive disorders, psychoactive substance use disorders, intoxication disorders, inhalation disorders, alcohol addiction, tobacco addiction and or nicotine addiction comprising administering a therapeutically effective, nontoxic dose of pramipexole and derivatives and or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof to a patient.

Abstract: A design for a RBC (rotary biological contactor), wherein there is provided a plurality of support members enveloped in a chamber, configured so as to support microorganisms or cells. Specifically, the support members are corrugated sheet media which include drain holes formed therein. The corrugated sheet media are supported within a rotating infusion unit which is positioned so as to rotate within an outer jacket. The RBC also includes a system to vary the nutrient environment of said microorganisms or cells, including means to vary the temperature and/or atmosphere within the jacket and infusion unit.

Abstract: In a digital computing system such as the Digital Equipment Corporation's VAX computer system which uses the VMS operating system in which terminal devices are connected to the system through terminal dependent device drivers coupled to terminal independent device drivers so that the operating system of the computer system need not be modified each time a terminal device is added or subtracted, a system and method is provided for effectively paralleling an auxiliary terminal with a selected terminal of the system so that the selected terminal can be monitored for instruction, security, audit, or other purposes, by creating a user controlling driver and a user controlling device coupled thereto, and coupling the user controlling driver and user controlling device combination between the terminal independent device driver and the terminal dependent device driver associated with the terminal device to be paralleled so that the output of the terminal independent device driver intended for the terminal dependent d

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting converting microorganism cells immobilized on the support discs of a rotary biological contactor. A plurality of cell scraper units are located between the discs and are rotated with the discs while the microorganism cells are growing and performing their converting function. The rotation of the scraper units is then stopped while the discs continue to rotate slowly and the stationary scraper units under controlled pressure scrape the cells off the rotating discs.

Abstract: A method for treating waste fluids to remove selected chemicals such as minerals and metals wherein a bacterial culture that will attach to a selected chemical is transferred to a nutrient medium for a time period sufficient to produce satisfactory bacterial cell growth. The bacterial cells are then attached to a porous fiber webbing supported in a suitable container and the nutrient medium is then withdrawn from the container and waste fluid introduced into the container for a period of time sufficient to attach the chemical to the bacterial cells. The waste fluid is then removed from the container and the chemical separated from the fiber webbing.

Abstract: A photochemical reactor is divided into a first section suitable for containing a volume of fluid to be reacted and a second section having at least one light transmitting wall. A porous, high area, fiber webbing is mounted within the reactor so that at least a portion of the webbing is immersed in the fluid. The webbing is moved within the reactor so that the webbing is sequentially immersed in the fluid contained in the first reactor section and then moved to the second reactor section whereat the fluid attached to the webbing is exposed to light transmitted through the light transmitting wall.

Abstract: A catalytic heat exchanger useful for carrying out a catalytic reaction wherein a gaseous or vaporized mixture is flowed into contact with a catalytic material reactive with such mixture. The heat exchanger includes a reaction zone divided by a plurality of baffle plates into regions of progressive increasing or decreasing volume. The baffle plates form a tortuous flow path for the gaseous or vaporized mixture that provides intermittent contact with a bundle of heat exchange tubes and the catalytic material. The intermittent contact in turn provides a uniform reaction temperature which promotes reaction specificity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus particularly useful for producing alcohols such as ethanol from sugars such as glucose. The apparatus comprises a container for holding a selected nutrient solution, a substrate comprising a multiplicity of fibers suitable for supporting a selected converting organism supported within the container and means for moving one of the substrate and the nutrient solution relative to the other at a speed slightly below that at which the organism becomes detached from the substrate while maintaining sufficient contact time between the nutrient solution and the converting organism to produce a satisfactory yield.

Abstract: An electric heat storage apparatus comprises an electric heating element, a ceramic heat storage pipe, an air passageway in communication with the pipe, and a thermostatically controlled air circulation means. The ceramic pipe has a scalloped-shaped outer surface providing a plurality of crests and troughs and a series of parallel grooves cut in at least some of the crests. The heating element is located in the grooves in contact with the pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the pipe is provided with a plurality of internal ribs of at least two different lengths. The pipe is supported on a ceramic cradle and a ceramic sponge or metal turnings are inserted into the pipe between the ribs to increase the heat transfer area.

Abstract: A horizontal fermenter which allows the uninhibited growth of an organism is disclosed. The fermenter is particularly useful for producing alcohols such as ethanol from sugars such as glucose, and comprises a container for holding a selected nutrient solution. A fiber or wood substrate is included for supporting a selected organism such as Zymomonas. Also included is means for physically detaching or dislodging the organisms from the substrate.

Abstract: Individual high area contactors suitable for filling a rotary biological contactor and for packing a fluid column or tower are disclosed. According to this invention each of the individual contactors include a tough abrasive-resistant outer member such as perforated substantially spherical members, or cylindrical shaped outer members such as Raschig rings. This tough outer member encloses or protects a more fragile high-area internal member or reaction support member. In a preferred embodiment such as for high temperature uses or uses where the contactor would be exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, the outer member is preferably made of abrasive resistant ceramic and the high-area internal member is a ceramic sponge. In certain embodiments, the outer member can be made with a rather thin shell and still maintain its strength by the use of internal ceramic sponge shaped to provide support to the outer shell.

Abstract: A ceramic sponge made from plastic is described. Because of the ease of cutting the plastic in various shapes before converting to ceramic several unique applications are possible. In case of a column packing better contact between liquid and gas is made. For an auto catalytic converter better contact between gas and catalyst is realized. By cutting in other ways a filter to remove solids is made, permitting longer use before clogging, also a scrubber to remove particulates. A rotary ceramic filter is described; it is also a composite of fibers and ceramic which retains small particulates without excessive pressure drop upon passage of fluid through the filter. An acid resistant collector plate for an electrostatic precipitation is described.

Abstract: A heat-exchanger composed of a body of ceramic sponge defining randomly located interconnected walls bounding a plurality of randomly located interconnected cavities and a plurality of elongate heat-conductive members embedded in the body and having a surface in heat-exchanging relation with the body and an end zone at the surface of the body and another opposite end zone which is located depthwise in the body, so that, heat may be conducted between the interior of the body and the surface of the body along the heat-conductive members. The heat-conductive members may be of suitable material, such as silicon carbide or metallic glass. In another case a silicon carbide rod is attached to a ceramic plate so as to conduct heat directly from one side of the plate to the other. A method of increasing the efficiency of a tube heat exchanger with sponge baffles is described. A method of resistance heating of an auto catalytic converter is detailed.