Abstract: A freezeless wall hydrant has a normally horizontal fluid inlet tube with an interior end and exterior end. A hollow valve fitting is rigidly secured to the interior end of the inlet tube for a connection to a source of pressurized fluid. A valve seat is located on an interior end of the valve fitting. A valve body is longitudinally movably mounted in the inlet tube adjacent to the valve fitting. A pressure relief valve is mounted on the inlet tube between the interior and exterior ends thereof so that if residual water within and adjacent the exterior end of the inlet tube freezes and exerts pressure on residual fluid within the inlet tube adjacent the interior end thereof, the pressure relief valve will actuate to purge some of the high pressure fluid to decrease the pressure being exerted by such fluid to the interior of the inlet tube.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically changing a clinical study in progress are disclosed. A data collection server receives patient diary data from patient diary software executing on remotely located study participant computers and stores the patient diary data in a diary database. The data collection server determines whether any study changes have been defined in the patient diary database for the patient diary software executing on the study participant computer. In response to determining that a change has been defined, the data collection server downloads change data to the study participant computer. The study participant computer receives the change data and automatically alters the execution of the patient diary software based on the change data.

Abstract: A digital signal processing method for real-time processing of narrow band signals to provide for reconstitution of dynamic amplitude and harmonics beyond the passband. The method utilizes a digital microprocessor implementing a digital algorithm upon a digitized sample of the analog signals. After processing digital-to-analog conversion circuitry may be used to reconvert the processed digital signal into a processed analog output signal for further use. The digital processing effectively provides a primary voltage compressor (PVC) function for processing signals in m different frequency sub-bands by gain factors, and a summing function for digitally summing the gain products so realized, to provide a primarily compressed signal. The processing method then further effectively provides a secondary dynamic voltage compressor (SDC) function for processing the PVC signal in within n different frequency sub-bands by digitally multiplying signals with each of such sub-bands by gain factors.

Abstract: A decorative device for displaying overlapping colors both in a static symmetrical configuration and in a kinetic, random and constantly changing pattern. It takes advantage of shades obtainable when a transparent or translucent layer of one color overlaps another. The device consists of at least two sheet-like chambers in face to face relationship. In each chamber there are at least two immiscible fluid phases of different specific gravities each of a different color although optionally including a colorless phase. Preferably there are two chambers of two phases each, one phase being colorless and the other three phases being colored the three primary colors.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer has an ion source in having two nested frusto-conical members between the narrow ends of which the splayed out end of an inlet pipe is disposed. The inner frusto-conical member is of mesh form and its wide end leads to the inlet of an ion filter. R.f. and d.c. are applied between the frusto-conical members. The ion filter has four elongate hyperbolic plates of conductive material supported within a tubular ceramics support member. The elongate hyperbolic plates are symmetrical with respect to an axis towards which they project and define a passage within the support member. The outlet of the filter leads to an ion detector.

Abstract: In conventional processes for separating metals by selective precipitation, the precipitate is frequently in an amorphous form, eg a slime, which is difficult to filter, wash and handle generally. In the present process mixed solutions and/or sols of the metals are mixed with a suitable soluble organic polymer to form a viscous mixture. The latter is formed into discrete entities, e.g. drops, which are contacted with a reagent which converts each drop to a gelled entity containing at least one of the metals as a precipitate.In one form of the process, the same chemical reagent also serves to dissolve the other metal present in the initial drops. The metals are then easily separated by separating the gelled drops from the reagent. In another form, the reagent includes two different chemical reagents which contact the drop simultaneously, one to precipitate one metal in the gelled drops and the other to dissolve the other metal.