Abstract: An improved scuba weight having a hex-nut locking device molded into the weight is described. The hex-nut locking device secures the weight to a diver's belt, but can be easily loosened, permitting the casting off of the weight, including in underwater operations, if desired.

Abstract: An improved polarity switch for connection between a dual antenna system and a satellite television reception system has a first embodiment which utilizes a pin diode switch between the dual antenna system and each of a plurality of receivers to permit use of the receiver to select one of the two antenna feeds for decoding and display at that television set. A second embodiment is also disclosed which utilizes an electromechanical relay to isolate the antenna feeds from each receiver.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuated winch adapted to be manually mounted and dismounted from a three point hitch of a farm tractor. The winch is mounted on a specialized mounting member that is specifically designed to quickly mount onto the link connections of the three point hitch. Quick connections are provided on the hydraulic lines of the winch adapted to quick connect into the hydraulic power source of the tractor.

Abstract: Halogenated contaminants are removed from soil by reaction schemes which are carried out in a slurry of the soil and a reagent mixture. The latter is made up of an alkaline constituent--an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali metal hydroxide/alcohol or alkali metal hydroxide/glycol mixture, or an alkoxide--and a sulfoxide catalyst.

Abstract: The level of halogenated aromatics is reduced in a hydrocarbon stream by treatment with an alkaline reactant in a sulfoxide solvent.

Abstract: A reagent mixture is admixed with soil to first desorb and then hydrolyze and thereby increase the biodegradability of a toxic or otherwise hazardous polyhalogenated organic compound with which the soil is contaminated. Essential constituents of the reagent mixture are: (1) an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali metal hydroxide/alcohol or alkali metal hyroxide/glycol mixture, or an alkoxide; and (2) a sulfoxide catalyst. The hydrolyzed compounds can be biologically degraded into compounds which pose little if any hazard to the environment or its inhabitants by naturally occurring or artifically introduced Pseudomonas sp. and other microorganisms with adjustment of soil pH (and perhaps orther parameters) to provide a viable environment for the bacteria being carried out after the chemical treatment if inoculation with bacterial cultures is employed.

Abstract: A process for predicting the useful life of a respirator cartridge when used in an environment in which a specified toxic or hazardous organic vapor is present by measuring the weight increase of a preselected sorptive agent in a preselected geometrical configuration when exposed to a constant flow rate of a mixture of known concentration, said mixture consisting of dry air having the toxic or hazardous organic vapor dispersed therein. The invention also includes a kit consisting of some or all of the apparatus or equipment essential for practicing the present invention.

Abstract: A picosecond pulse generator for producing pulses having widths in the or of 10.sup.-12 seconds utilizes a Josephson junction that has an external load resistor connected in shunt therewith by a balanced transmission line. The Josephson junction is driven by a high frequency oscillator, and the AC current, I.sub.1, flowing through it is adapted to have its amplitude varied with respect to I.sub.c, the critical current of the junction. As the value of I.sub.1 /I.sub.c exceeds one and increases, first a single and then an increasing number of picosecond pulses are produced during each half cycle of the high frequency oscillator.