Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for a coated fiber modified by actinic radiation to increase back-scattering, which experiences very little back-scattering decay at a temperature and time of exposure that is sufficient to noticeably degrade the coating and/or noticeably degrade the optical fiber due to outgassing of hydrogen from the coating. In one embodiment, an optical fiber comprises a fiber length, a coating having a treated coating weight, wherein the treated coating weight is at least 25% less of an original coating weight prior to an annealing treatment, and an optical back-scatter along the fiber length greater than a Rayleigh back-scattering over the fiber length, wherein the optical back-scatter does not decrease along the fiber length by more than 3 dB after exposure to annealing treatment.

Abstract: A seal pulling tool includes an elongate shaft extending from a manual grip handle. The shaft is bent and includes a seal gripping hook at its outer end and an adjustable fulcrum support post slidably mounted and laterally projecting from the shaft intermediate the handle and hook.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing an item of footwear may stand alone or be integral with an item of luggage. The apparatus has a continuous large flap and two flap ends with a center portion located between the two flaps. The center portion is secured to the luggage, and two flap ends are arranged to partially encircle the body section of the footwear when the footwear is placed upon the center portion. One flap end partially overlaps the other. The flaps are attached to one another such that the flap ends secure the footwear to the luggage substantially at the body section of the footwear. A rear strap is secured to either of the base portion, the center portion or a flap end and encircles the heel, section of the footwear when the footwear is placed upon the base portion. The rear strap secures the footwear to the luggage and prevents the footwear from sliding in a direction toward the heel section of the footwear.

Abstract: An elongated handle with an internal supply of fresh dental floss and a flossing head including a fork provides oral hygiene. A fresh section of floss is advanced by a one-touch arrangement which concurrently relegates spent floss to a separate take-up reel. The fresh floss spanning the tines of the fork is kept taut at all times as a result of various special expedients including a differential spool and drum and a rack and pinion floss locking arrangement. When the supply of fresh floss on the bobbin is exhausted, the device is discarded.