Abstract: A landscape edging or border block has an essentially trapezoidal shape, and is capable of being used to form a linear, serpentine or combination border or edge. The blocks can also be used to enclose an area. By orienting each block such that its inner edge faces inwardly, a substantially circular shape is attained to enclose a circular area. To expand the area to be enclosed, at least two expansion blocks are added for each quadrant of the shape. The two expansion blocks are oriented so as to provide a linear segment in each quadrant between adjacent ends of each arcuate segment. Additional pairs of expansion blocks can be added for each quadrant to further expand the area to be enclosed. In all cases, the enclosed area is formed by placing adjacent blocks such that their edges engage each other to form a shape without the presence of gaps between adjacent blocks.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for moving container between over/under, entrance/exit gravity rollerway conveyors also holds the containers at a position for user interface in removing articles from or inserting articles into the container. The power operated scissors mechanism moves the carriage vertically between the conveyors, while a first piston-cylinder tilts the carriage at an angle to match an aligned conveyor with respect to a first axis and a second piston-cylinder tilts the carriage about a second orthogonally arranged axis to determine an appropriate user interface tilt. An automatic control, in response to a single input command from the user, cycles the carriage for unloading a container, loading a new container, and placing the new container at a predetermined user position. Additional user commands can override the predetermined user position to adjust the tilt and height of the carriage for the user, which adjustment may be temporary or stored as a new predetermined user position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a non-aqueous fluorocarbon composition for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or radiographic imaging (X-ray or computed tomography), particularly imaging of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The invention also relates to an improved fluorocarbon composition with enhanced contrast effects in the GI tract. This invention further discloses an improved fluorocarbon composition having improved palatability. The invention further provides improved preparations for radiographic imaging or MRI. Methods for producing and using such preparations are disclosed, as are methods for improving the palatability of non-aqueous liquids. Finally, methods for improving imaging are disclosed.

Abstract: Generally trapezoidal web sections of non-uniform shape for fabricating structural I-section beams having varying bending modulus are sheared from a continuous roll of metal stock by a shear whose platen is oscillated, as a series of pieces are cut from a length of metal sheet or plate, about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the stock material. The platen angle is determined and controlled by a computer to which design criteria are fed.

Abstract: A set in structure (SIS) list is established for each DAG structure of a DAG structure network. Additionally, a used before set (UBS) list is established for each structure invoking element in the DAG data structure. At each invocation of a DAG structure, a list of traversal state list (TSL) attribute values that need to saved and subsequently restored (SAR) for the invoking DAG data structure is established. The SAR list of an invoked DAG data structure is established based on a list of attributes needed by the invoking DAG data structure (N) and the SIS of the invoked DAG data structure. The N list is established based on the UBS list of the invoking structure element of the invoking DAG structure, and a need from child (NFC) attribute list of the invoking DAG data structure. Only values of the TSL attributes included in the SAR list are saved before the invoked DAG data structure is traversed.

Abstract: A method for improving fat saturation during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by placing a fat saturation enhancing material such as a fluorocarbon, preferably perfluorooctylbromide, perfluorodecylbromide, FC-77, or FC-43, on or around a part of the body of a patient to be scanned with MRI, thereby eliminating the skin-air interface and reducing anatomical imaging problems, wherein the placement of the fat saturation enhancing material may be accomplished by enclosing the fat saturation enhancing material in a container which may also contain the MRI coil.

Abstract: The present invention is used in response to petroleum related spills in the environment. The hydrocarbon materials can be removed from any substrate, particularly ice or beach sand, by impinging in two separate fluid streams, a formable surfactant/emulsifying solution with a latent foaming agent and a foam inducing agent through specially designed variable pressure guns. Once treated, the petroleum-related liquids are lifted above the substrate in a foam matrix formed while the solution is in contact with the spilled contaminants, and captured via standard industrial vacuum technology for later disposal.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive method for using aerial or satellite photographs of an area of terrain to form images to be used in the simulation of a series of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of the terrain as would be observed by a down-looking SAR mounted on an aircraft over the terrain. Scanned and digitized photographic pixels are formed and converted into radar image pixels and combined into composite images as required for SAR simulation. Terrain elevation data are assembled, correlated with the radar image pixels and converted to elevation images. These images are stored on media accessible by aircraft simulators and correlated with simulated aircraft position and altitude data to form composite images with obscured terrain features for display as darkened areas closely duplicating actual SAR images when displayed in an aircraft simulator.

Abstract: A method for improving fat saturation during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by placing a fat saturation enhancing material such as a fluorocarbon, preferably perfluorooctylbromide, perfluorodecylbromide, FC-77, or FC-43, on or around a part of the body of a patient to be scanned with MRI, thereby eliminating the skin-air interface and reducing anatomical imaging problems, wherein the placement of the fat saturation enhancing material is accomplished by containing the fat saturation enhancing material in a bag.

Abstract: The method involves removing wax from a substrate using a non-chlorinated solvent process. The substrate is dipped in a hot wax bath or heated in an oven to remove substantially all of the wax. The substrate is then submerged in either a single or a series of hot mineral oil baths to remove any remaining wax. The oil is then removed by a semi-aqueous or light organic cleaner. The semi-aqueous cleaner is subsequently removed in an alkaline-base cleaner bath. Following the alkaline-base cleaner is a cleansing with a rinsing solution preferably a countercurrent series of rinses. Finally, the substrate is dried.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three dimensional stuffed figure provides a face combining the sculptured appearance of a hard face and the softness of a plush face. The face has a front surface of stretch material and a rear surface of non-stretch material defining a stuffing aperture through which is stuffed a quantity of fiberfill sufficient to stretch the stretch material relative to the non-stretch material. Facial details of the front surface of the stuffed face are contoured by tensioning threads (extending from the non-stretch material through the stretch material and back to the non-stretch material) and optionally colored by air brushing. The inverted head is secured to the inverted body to define an inversion aperture, and the inverted head and body are re-inverted through the inversion aperture.

Abstract: Corrosion resistance of valves or fittings exposed to corrosive attack by the environment in which they are normally used can be improved by covering those portions of the valve or fitting of thinner cross-section by a thin metal sleeve fabricated from an alloy resistant to corrosive attack by the environment.

Abstract: This invention concerns the production of oriented polymeric films in which a layer of an ambient temperature curable silicone resin composition is formed on a layer of a polymeric film which is thereafter stretched at an elevated temperature to effect orientation of the film. The silicone resin composition includes a volatile inhibitor for inhibiting curing of the composition while stretching is effected. Suitable inhibitors include alkanols when the silicone resin has hydroxyl functionality. Films so produced can be used as release films.

Abstract: The invention concerns polymeric films including a layer of polypropylene homopolymer with a layer of voided polypropylene on one side and a layer of a printable polymer on the other side.The printable polymer is preferably an acrylic polymer, a co- or terpolymer containing units derived form at least two of ethylene, propylene or but-1-ene, and/or a linear low density polyethylene. Films of the present invention have good gloss combined with printability and a pearlescent effect. They can also provide evidence of tampering with packaged goods.

Abstract: There is provided a self-leveling silicone composition comprising(a) an acyloxy-terminated polydiorganosiloxane,(b) an effective amount of condensation catalyst, and(c) an amount of amine effective for rendering said composition self-leveling.

Abstract: A system and method for muliplexing two lumens of a catheter to a single pressure transducer and monitor setup such that the pressure found in either of the two lumens may be alternately monitored. Included in the present invention is a pressure mulitplexing valve provided with a four-port body and a rotor which may be selectively rotated to either of two monitoring positions. The rotor is privided with passageways that interconnect the ports. In one embodiment both catheter lumens are always connected to a medical infusion device regardless of which lumen is connected to the transducer. In another embodiment, one lumen is shut off when not connected to the transducer. The present invention provides a compact system removably mounted on a single carrier.

Abstract: A cap unit for a retaining wall constructed of a plurality of courses of concrete blocks, in which at least the uppermost course of blocks in the retaining wall is provided with a connector member having an upstanding portion extending above the upper surface of the block, is provided with a recess or cavity in its underside for receiving the upstanding portion of the connector member. The cap unit is constructed such that the upstanding portion of the connector member abuts a side of the cavity so as to prevent lateral forward movement of the cap unit relative to the block therebelow. The cavity comprises a slot extending the width of the cap unit to accommodate varying placements of the connector member relative to the cap unit. The cap unit is formed so as to provide first and second end surfaces substantially parallel to each other, with a first side surface extending therebetween. The first side surface is perpendicular to both the first and second end surfaces.

Abstract: A specially constructed block for use in forming a mortarless retaining wall is disclosed, as is a retaining wall constructed therefrom and a method of constructing a retaining wall. Each block has a front face of a predetermined width and a rear wall having a substantially equal width. The block side walls provide a maximum block width at the front face and a minimum block width adjacent the rear wall. When such blocks are placed in a side-by-side relationship, a substantially closed cavity is formed between the blocks for receiving backfill material and thereby reinforcing the wall. A wall constructed from a plurality of such blocks utilizes an engagement clip disposed between blocks in upper and lower courses for preventing relative forward movement between the blocks. The clip is engageable with the upper surface of the rear web of the block for easy installation after the block is laid in a course.

Abstract: A process for enhancing heat transfer between combustion products formed in a fluidized bed combustion (FBC) reactor and the water-containing tubes surrounding the reactor wherein particles of an inert material, e.g., mineral calcium sulfate (gypsum), having a spheroidal shape ranging in size from about 50 to 1000 .mu.m and having a Moh's hardness of between 2.0 and 4.0 are introduced into the reactor in the presence of a solid fuel and an oxygen-containing gas. Introduction of such particles into the FBC reactor increases the particle density within the reactor thereby increasing radiant and convective heat transfer between the circulating bed and the surrounding water cooled walls. The improved process allows more precise control of the operating temperature regime. Erosion of the reactor walls is also substantially reduced.