Abstract: Compositions and methods suitable for killing bacteria and controlling biofilms comprising one or more microorganisms are provided wherein molecules capable of emulating cell-to-cell signal molecules of the microorganisms are utilized.

Abstract: Described is a process of producing a concentrated liquid biocide formulation. Mixed together are (a) bromine chloride or bromine and (b) an aqueous solution of alkali metal salt of sulfamic acid having a pH of at least about 7, in amounts such that (i) the active bromine content of the solution is at least about 100,000 ppm (wt/wt), and (ii) the atom ratio of nitrogen to active bromine from (a) and (b) is greater than 1 when bromine is used and is greater than 0.93 when bromine chloride is used. Use of bromine chloride as the source of the active bromine in the process is preferred because in the resulting aqueous compositions, all of the bromine of the bromine chloride is made available as active bromine in solution. In other words, the chlorine of the bromine chloride is converted in the process to dissolved alkali metal chloride salt, thereby liberating all of the bromine in the biocidal composition as active bromine capable of providing biocidal activity.

Abstract: The production process comprises A) forming an acidic aqueous solution comprising alkali metal cations, bromide anions, and sulfamate anions; B) feeding into said aqueous solution a source of alkali metal cations and chlorine-containing bromide oxidant proportioned to keep the resultant aqueous medium acidic and to form an acidic product solution containing at least about 5 wt % of active bromine; and C) raising the pH of the aqueous product solution with water-soluble base to at least about 10.

Abstract: Described are highly concentrated liquid biocidal solutions formed in water from (a) specified bromine sources (e.g., BrCl or mixtures of BrCl and Br2) and (b) alkali metal salt of sulfamic acid and/or sulfamic acid and alkali metal base, wherein the solution contains >160,000 ppm of active bromine. Solutions of this type have been found to have greater stability than a commercially-available solution made from the same components containing 148,600 ppm of active bromine. Also described are new, water-soluble, solid state biocidal products formed by removing the water from solutions made in water from (a) and (b) irrespective of the initial concentration of active bromine. Removal of water can be accomplished by flashing or distillation at reduced pressure or preferably by spray drying. Such solid state products are typically in the form of powders or small particles, but can be compacted into larger forms preferably with the aid of one or more suitable binding agents.

Abstract: The production process comprises A) forming an acidic aqueous solution comprising alkali metal cations, bromide anions, and sulfamate anions; B) feeding into said aqueous solution a source of alkali metal cations and chlorine-containing bromide oxidant proportioned to keep the resultant aqueous medium acidic and to form an acidic product solution containing at least about 5 wt % of active bromine, and C) raising the pH of the aqueous product solution with water-soluble base to at least about 10.

Abstract: Described is a process of producing a concentrated liquid biocide formulation. Mixed together are (a) bromine chloride or bromine and (b) an aqueous solution of alkali metal salt of sulfamic acid having a pH of at least about 7, in amounts such that (i) the active bromine content of the solution is at least about 100,000 ppm (wt/wt), and (ii) the atom ratio of nitrogen to active bromine from (a) and (b) is greater than 1 when bromine is used and is greater than 0.93 when bromine chloride is used. Use of bromine chloride as the source of the active bromine in the process is preferred because in the resulting aqueous compositions, all of the bromine of the bromine chloride is made available as active bromine in solution. In other words, the chlorine of the bromine chloride is converted in the process to dissolved alkali metal chloride salt, thereby liberating all of the bromine in the biocidal composition as active bromine capable of providing biocidal activity.

Abstract: The production process comprises A) forming an acidic aqueous solution comprising alkali metal cations, bromide anions, and sulfamate anions; B) feeding into said aqueous solution a source of alkali metal cations and chlorine-containing bromide oxidant proportioned to keep the resultant aqueous medium acidic and to form an acidic product solution containing at least about 5 wt % of active bromine; and C) raising the pH of the aqueous product solution with water-soluble base to at least about 10.

Abstract: Described is a process of producing a concentrated liquid biocide formulation. Mixed together are (a) bromine chloride or bromine and (b) an aqueous solution of alkali metal salt of sulfamic acid having a pH of at least about 7, in amounts such that (i) the active bromine content of the solution is at least about 100,000 ppm (wt/wt), and (ii) the atom ratio of nitrogen to active bromine from (a) and (b) is greater than 1 when bromine is used and is greater than 0.93 when bromine chloride is used. Use of bromine chloride as the source of the active bromine in the process is preferred because in the resulting aqueous compositions, all of the bromine of the bromine chloride is made available as active bromine in solution. In other words, the chlorine of the bromine chloride is converted in the process to dissolved alkali metal chloride salt, thereby liberating all of the bromine in the biocidal composition as active bromine capable of providing biocidal activity.

Abstract: The process involves (a) continuously forming bromine chloride from separate feed streams of bromine and chlorine by maintaining said streams under automatic feed rate control whereby the streams are continuously proportioned to come together in equimolar amounts to form bromine chloride; (b) continuously forming an aqueous product having an active bromine content of at least 100,000 ppm (wt/wt), a pH of at least 7, and an atom ratio of nitrogen to active bromine greater than 0.93:1 by continuously feeding into mixing apparatus separate feed streams of (1) bromine chloride formed in (a), and (2) an aqueous solution of alkali metal salt of sulfamic acid, under automatic feed rate control whereby the feed streams are continuously proportioned to come together in amounts that produce an aqueous product having an active bromine content of at least 100,000 ppm (wt/wt), a pH of at least 7, and an atom ratio of nitrogen to active bromine from (1) and (2) greater than 0.

Abstract: A new and improved skate light apparatus which includes a self-contained, battery-powered light assembly and either an adjustable bracket or an adjustable strap for connecting the light assembly to the skate. The light assembly includes a housing, a battery pack, a light source, and a switch connected between the battery pack and the light source. In addition, the light assembly may also include a rotatable reflector and an electric motor for rotating the reflector. The adjustable bracket which supports the light assembly is connected to support structures, such as struts or studs, on the skate. When a strap is used to attach the light assembly to the skate, the light assembly housing includes a slot for receiving an adjustable strap, and the adjustable strap is threaded through the slot and extends around the foot on which the skate is fitted. The adjustable strap can include hook material and complementary loop material for securing the adjustment of the strap around the foot.

Abstract: A radiation image generating system for providing planar and tomographic views of portions of a patient's anatomy for use in radiation therapy procedures comprises a fluoroscopic simulator apparatus having a radiation source; a computer system for acquisition and processing of radiation transmission images; a manual input; display and storage devices for such images; means for simulation of an irradiation beam; and, apparatus for the cutting of blocker contour templates, blocker patterns and blockers. The system provides planar transmission images and tomographic views associated and correlated therewith. The system's radiation image detecting means includes an area solid state camera having a planar detector array that is cooled below ambient temperatures. The system further includes means for passively converting radiation transmission images into light images for detection by the camera.

Abstract: A linear detector selectively detects successive line images from different angles while the linear detector and a radiation source are rotated about a patient. Radiation-transmission images are generated and detected and converted to computer-grabbed images by a computer which acquires, processes, stores and reconstructs the images. A visual monitor display reconstructs video images including a planar image and tomographic images representing sections orthogonal to the planar image. Selectively-positionable field-delineating lines corresponding to intersectional outlines between a simulation beam and the planar image are overlaid on the planar image. Beam-delineating lines are updated by the computer to correspond to intersectional outlines as the field-delineating lines are positioned.

Abstract: A simulation/generation/verification system for blocker patterns and blockers for use in radiation therapy comprises a fluoroscopic simulator apparatus, a computer system for acquisition and processing of fluoroscopic images, a manual input device for superposing blocker pattern outlines onto such images, display and storage devices for such images, apparatus for automatic cutting of blocker contour templates, blocker patterns and blockers, and apparatus for verification thereof. The system also facilitates acquisition of compensator contours and generation of corresponding compensator filters for incorporation with blockers. The system facilitates simulation, generation, and verification of blocker patterns or blockers per se in one substantially continuous procedure that minimizes intervening manual steps, while a patient is aligned within the system during an uninterrupted session.

Abstract: Electromagnetic linear induction pump for liquid metal which includes a unitary pump duct. The duct comprises two substantially flat parallel spaced-apart wall members, one being located above the other and two parallel opposing side members interconnecting the wall members. Located within the duct are a plurality of web members interconnecting the wall members and extending parallel to the side members whereby the wall members, side members and web members define a plurality of fluid passageways, each of the fluid passageways having substantially the same cross-sectional flow area. Attached to an outer surface of each side member is an electrically conductive end bar for the passage of an induced current therethrough. A multi-phase, electrical stator is located adjacent each of the wall members. The duct, stators, and end bars are enclosed in a housing which is provided with an inlet and outlet in fluid communication with opposite ends of the fluid passageways in the pump duct.

Abstract: A tomographic x-ray machine has camera and film-plane sections which move about a primary axis for imaging a selected cross-section of an anatomical member onto a film. A "scout image" of the member is obtained at right angles to the plane of the desired cross-section to indicate the cross-section's orientation with respect to the primary axis. The anatomical member is then moved to place it on the primary axis and a second film is located at the same angle that the selected cross-section makes with the primary axis. The second film and the cross-section are then maintained in parallel planes throughout motion of the camera and the second film during tomographic radiography.

Abstract: A low dark current vidicon is disclosed having a target comprising a thallium doped layer of hexagonal, or trigonal, polycrystalline selenium. A mechanically stable blocking contact for holes is also provided by a transparent tin oxide electrode in intimate proximity to the layer along a major surface of a faceplate in contact with the target.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air line lubricator safety device for automatically actuating an air actuatable member located outside of the lubricator. The air actuatable member may be a normally open air valve in an air line leading to an air operated tool, said air valve being automatically closed when the oil level in the lubricator falls below a predetermined level and thereby prevents operation of the tool; or the air actuatable member may be a signal device such as a whistle or light or other signal automatically air actuated when the oil level in the lubricator falls below a predetermined level.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a signal device for detecting the condition of a fluid line filter and automatically activating a signal indicating that the filter requires cleaning or replacement. The signal device may be built in or installed as an attachment in the fluid lines leading to and from a filter for removing moisture and/or contaminants from the line. The signal device comprises a piston housing containing a piston movable to signalling position in response to reduced fluid pressure adjacent one end of the piston resulting from reduced volume of fluid passing through the filter, locking means for retaining the piston in said signalling position, and signal actuating means activated by fluid pressure when the piston is in said signalling position. The signal may be visual or audible, actuated mechanically or electrically.