Abstract: Provided herein is a novel and useful Ligand comprising a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. NO.:6, an analog, a derivative, or a variant thereof, which increases the absorption of biological agents across the blood brain barrier and the gastrointestinal barrier. As a result, a Ligand of the present invention increases the bioavailability of biological agents administered orally.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptide analogs and peptide mimetics that inhibit pleated sheet formation in amyloid &bgr;-peptide, pharmaceutical compositions thereof and their therapeutic use. The inhibitory peptides possess activity as inhibitors in the formation of amyloid-like deposits and are useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

Abstract: A monitor of a body parameter of an infant, comprises at least one monitoring station having at least one sensor arranged to sense a body parameter of an infant, a controller responsive to the sensing of the body parameter of the infant by the at least one sensor to generate a signal that is either indicative of the sensed body parameter or indicative of a result from a comparison of the sensed body parameter with at least one value, and a transceiver arranged to transmit the signal in response to direction from the controller and at least one companion station having a further transceiver and having an output device and being spaced from the at least one monitoring station, the further transceiver being responsive to receipt of the signal to transmit the signal to the output device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and method for storage and controlled release of hydrogen. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of borohydride based solutions as a hydrogen storage source and a catalyst system to release hydrogen therefrom.

Abstract: A method for treating cognitive impairments associated with aging or Alzheimer's disease which comprises treating a patient at risk for having the cognitive impairment with an effective amount of a highly selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor which is N8-benzylnorcymserine, N1-phenethylnorcymserine, N1, N8-bisnorcymserine, N1-N8-bisbenzylnorphysostigmine, N1, N8-bisbenzylnorphenserine, N1, N8-bisbenzylnorcymserine, or pharmaceutical acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: Interleaving of data symbols comprises permuting rows and columns of a matrix of Nr rows and Nc columns, in which data symbols to be interleaved are represented row by row, in accordance with: Row Permutation Ir (k) = [&agr;rk + fc (l)]modNr Column Permutation Ic (l) = [&agr;cl + fr (k)]modNc where Ir(k) represents a data symbol with a row index k, k is an integer from 1 to Nr, &agr;r is an integer, fc(l) is a non-zero function of a column index l, l is an integer from l to Nc, Ic(l) represents a data symbol with the column index 1, &agr;c is an integer, fr(k) is zero or a function of the row index k, and modNr and modNc represent modulo-Nr and modulo-Nc arithmetic respectively, interleaved data symbols being derived from the matrix column by column.

Abstract: A method is provided for secure transmission of a message via a network where a recipient of the message need not be a party to the network or maintain an active address in the network. Instead, new accounts are created dynamically by the system of the invention in response to a message addressed to an unknown user by sender who is a party to the network. In the operation of the method of the invention, messages from a network-party sender addressed to such an unknown user are deposited into a unique account created for the addressed recipient. That addressed recipient is notified via a non-network communication path that a message is stored and available to it at a network address, and is provided instructions for accessing that network address to retrieve its message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of providing endovascular therapy. The steps include arranging optical fibers within a catheter, the catheter having a tip whose length is at least 1 cm and whose diameter of less than 1 millimeter, connecting an excimer laser to the optical fibers; and delivering laser energy from the excimer laser in excess of a fluence of 60 -mJ/mm2 at 40 Hertz through the optical fibers. The delivering of the laser energy may be to non-calcified or calcified deposits of an atherosclerotic lesion to ablate the same. The method also includes the step of inserting the catheter through an artery by pushing the same until the tip is in within laser energy striking distance of the atherosclerotic lesion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing borohydride compounds. In particular, the present invention provides efficient processes and compositions for the large-scale production of borohydride compounds of the formula YBH4 by the reaction of a boron-containing compound represented by the formula BX3 with hydrogen or an aldehyde to obtain diborane and HX, and reacting the diborane with a Y-containing base selected from those represented by the formula Y2O, YOH and Y2CO3 to obtain YBH4 and YBO2. Y is selected from the group consisting of the alkali metals, pseudo-alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, an ammonium ion, and quaternary amines of the formula NR4+, wherein each R is independently selected from hydrogen and a straight- or branched-chain C1-4 alkyl group, and X is selected from the group consisting of halide ions, —OH, —R′ and —OR′ groups, chalcogens, and chalcogenides, wherein R′ is a straight- or branched-chain C1-4 alkyl group.

Abstract: In a turbo coder, rate conversion and/or rate matching is achieved by deleting parity bits P1 and P2 from the outputs of two constituent coders, one supplied with data bits to be coded and the other supplied with the same data bits after interleaving. Deleted bits are determined by a rate matching control unit directly for the P1 bits and via a similar position interleaving step for the P2 bits. A similar rate matching arrangement is provided for only two of the three outputs of a rate ⅓ convolutional coder, the third output corresponding to a strongest coding polynomial in terms of minimum free distance and none of its coded data bits being deleted.

Abstract: A rhythmic motion driver having a case containing flywheels and a guide along which the flywheels move linearly while rotating. A spring is within the case that compresses and expands in response to oscillatory motion of a bar that extends through an opening in the case. The spring compression and expansion is slowed but not dampened by the movement of the flywheels.

Abstract: A universal bottle that interfits into a plurality of different housings for liquid vaporization devices. Two of the current commercial devices have specially constructed bottles that are not interchangeable, that is, the bottle intended for use with one of the commercial devices cannot be used with the other device and vice versa. The present bottle is dimensioned so as to interfit into both of the commercial devices and has a neck having an opening and two sets of opposite external surfaces that are dimensioned so that in one orientation, the bottle will fit into one of the commercial devices, and, by rotating the bottle a predetermined amount to another orientation, the bottle can be operatively inserted into the other of the commercial devices. In each instance, a locking system on the bottle cooperates with the housing of the commercial device to retain the bottle in its operative position.

Abstract: A cyclocentric ergometer and method in which a relative position of a seat on a seat slide rack is adjusted, a load is applied on the seat slide rack with elastic cords to confine back and forth movement of the seat slide rack to within a range, and a user sits on the seat and pedals while the load is applied. The seat and seat slide rack move in unison together.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically handling sample cups closed with a screwable cap is disclosed. The apparatus for automatically opening, closing and transporting sample cups comprises a transportable gripper (11) which includes a rotatable gripper tool (21) adapted to enter and engage with a recess (35, 36) of said cap (34) to form a connection which can be locked by rotating the gripper tool (21) in a first sense with respect to said sample cup (31) and which can be unlocked by rotating the gripper tool (21) with respect to said sample cup (31) in a second sense opposite to the first.

Abstract: A tray for stacking and dispensing golf balls, comprising (a) a base frame having a substantially rectangular central region bounded by a peripheral region, (b) a plurality of rails in the central region, and (c) a plurality of resting surfaces also in the central region. The peripheral region including two pairs of opposing and elongated sides forming a substantially rectangular boundary of the central region and that are perpendicular to each other. The rails and resting surfaces are arranged relative to each other such that neighboring rails are separated from each other by a resting surface and neighboring resting surfaces are separated from each other by a rail. Each of the rails has a convex curvature as viewed from the top side of the tray. In addition, each of the rails has an associated apex, the apexes of the plurality of the rails being in a common tangential plane with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of simultaneously pressing different keyboard keys mechanically. The apparatus includes a displacement mechanism that is held by a main carrier that may slide back and forth along an elevated track. The displacement mechanism holds a further track. Further carriers may slide back and forth to desired positions along the further track. Each further carrier holds a rod, whose position relative to the respective further carrier is adjustable. Each rod has an end that constitutes a pressing surface. The displacement mechanism includes a plunger that may be manually pressed against spring bias to lower the further track and thereby the further carriers and the further rods. By doing so, the pressing surfaces of the rods may press against keys of different keyboards that are in alignment beneath the pressing surfaces.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a gait rehabilitation aid and to a method for aiding gait rehabilitation. The gait rehabilitation aid resides in a treadmill having a belt which speed matches a user's own step cycle based on let length and which provides feedback in the form of an evaluation with respect to the user's length, cadence, gait velocity and gait pattern. A controller that is responsive to a user input device is employed to input information that inputs information pertaining to any one of cadence and leg length sets the belt speed to match an appropriate step cycle. In addition, footprints are scrolled on a display together with foot falls that correspond to actual heel strike events on the treadmill belt. The footprints appear in accordance with the user's own step cycle.

Abstract: A flexographic rotary platen printing press for printing indicia on a web of flexible material moving along a longitudinal axis. The flexographic rotary platen printing press includes a print drum assembly that is affixed to a trolley that is moveable in a linear direction across the web generally transverse to the direction of the web movement. When the web is stopped, the print drum is caused to roll across the web that is sandwiched between the print drum and a flat, planar platen to print indicia onto the web in a line contact. A linear drive system causes the movement of the print drum assembly. The speed of the transverse movement is electronically coordinated to the speed of the rotation of the print drum as it moves across the web to carry out the printing operation.