Abstract: An articulated amphibious vehicle includes a boat in the front and a rear propulsion unit pivotally connected by an articulation mechanism to the boat. The rear propulsion unit comprises an engine mechanically coupled to a pair of drive tracks for propelling the vehicle. Steering and throttle devices are provided in the boat to enable the operator to turn and power the rear propulsion unit, to thereby steer and control the vehicle. The articulated amphibious vehicle can travel over water, snow, ice, marsh, bogs, swamp, soft wet terrain or even hard terrain (preferably by adding wheels to the boat). Because it can traverse such a wide variety of environments, this “track boat” is more versatile than conventional air boats or conventional all-terrain vehicles.

Abstract: The invention relates to the diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and treatment of neoplastic diseases such as tumor diseases, especially tumor diseases of the endometrium and the metastases thereof.

Abstract: A method of treating an autoimmune disease comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a CD20-binding polypeptide composition comprising a combination of a modified heavy chain variable region polypeptide and a modified light chain variable region polypeptide. The combination can be (a) a modified 2B8 antibody heavy chain variable region polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 48; and a modified 2B8 antibody light chain variable region polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 49; or (b) a modified Leu16 antibody heavy chain variable region polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 50; and a modified Leu16 antibody light chain variable region polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 51.

Abstract: A device and method for temporary hemming/cuffing children's pants legs is disclosed. A base member and a securement member sandwich material to be hemmed between one another. The base member and the securement member are operatively engaged with one another by way of tab extending axially from the securement member, which are engageable with lip portions of the base member. When the securement member and the base member sandwich the material to be hemmed, portions of the material, especially any seams, are positioned within spaces or passages defined by the tabs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic sampling and dilution apparatus for use in a polymer analysis system. The apparatus comprises (a) a primary mixing chamber; (b) a primary pump capable of continuously withdrawing a variable viscosity liquid from a reactor at a selectable, fixed withdrawal rate over a varying viscosity range of about 50 to about 5,000,000 centipoise (cP) for continuously conveying the variable viscosity polymer-containing liquid into the primary mixing chamber; (c) a first dilution pump for continuously delivering a first dilution solvent into the primary mixing chamber at a selectable, fixed flow rate to mix with the variable viscosity liquid in the mixing chamber and thereby form a diluted polymer-containing liquid therein; and (d) a secondary pump for continuously conveying the diluted polymer-containing liquid into a flow-through detector. A polymer analysis system utilizing the automatic sampling and dilution apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A vacuum breaker arrangement for use with a container includes body parts holding a resilient valve member captive. The valve member includes an intermediate body part, intermediate and enlarged head and a valve part. The valve part is made of resilient material which defines an internal passageway communicating with an opening in the body parts. The valve part includes an end portion defining a slit which is closed at a first pressure and which is automatically opened at a second, reduced pressure.

Abstract: This invention provides a lithium-oxygen or lithium-air electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode, an electrolyte, and a porous activated positive electrode comprising lithium-rich electrocatalytic materials suitable for use in lithium-oxygen (air) cells and batteries. The activated positive electrode is produced by activating a precursor electrode formed from a material comprising one or more metal oxide compounds of general formula xLi2O.yMOz, in which 0<x?4, 0<y?1, and 0<z?3, in which M is typically, but not exclusively, a transition metal, excluding Li2MnO3 as a sole metal oxide compound in the precursor electrode. Li2O is extracted from the above-mentioned precursors to activate the electrode either by electrochemical methods or by chemical methods. The invention extends to batteries containing such electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system is disclosed in which a sound barrier defines a horn passageway having a first end and a second open end. A high frequency range driver is provided at the first end, and is mutually coupled with a lower driver to the horn passageway. The lower driver has an upper frequency end lower than a frequency of a first cancellation notch for the drivers. The lower driver is located at a position along the horn passageway at which the passageway has a preselected cross-sectional area which is no greater than an area of a round cross section having a circumference equal to one wavelength at the upper frequency end.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for window coverings, such as, Venetian blinds that eliminates the use of pull cords and tilting wands is provided. The actuator mechanism includes a stop member engageable with at least one of the slats to stop tilting movement thereof and a clutch arrangement between a drive axle and a tilt control mechanism, responsive to the stop member engaging at least one of the slats, to disengage the tilting force applied to a ladder cord supporting the slats.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial grass fiber in particular for use in an artificial mat for an artificial lawn, which artificial grass fiber is made of at least one synthetic material. The invention also relates to an artificial mat, in particular for use in an artificial grass sports field, which artificial mat is built up of a carrier to which at least artificial grass fibers according to the invention are attached. The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved artificial grass fiber which on the one hand can be produced by means of the existing techniques and which on the other hand reduces the number of injuries on the field. According to the invention, the artificial grass fiber to that end furthermore comprises at least one additional material component, which additional material component imposes a permanent volume increase on the artificial grass fiber under the influence of an external stimulus after the artificial mat has been provided with the artificial grass fiber.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system is disclosed in which a sound enclosure defines a soundwave path having a first end, a second open end and at least one bend therebetween. At least one driver is provided at the first end for producing a driver soundwave that is confined by the sound enclosure for travel along the soundwave path. At least one baffle member is situated in the soundwave path, defining a reflective surface of preselected shape that reflects and constricts the soundwave therethrough.

Abstract: An aqueous nitroimidazole composition comprises metronidazole, tinidazole or a combination thereof at a concentration greater than the solubility of the free base form of the nitroimidazole in water at 20° C., and a nitroimidazole crystallization-inhibiting amount of at least one organic acid. The organic acid preferably is a lower alkyl carboxylic acid (e.g., acetic acid), a polybasic acid (e.g., citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, polyacrylic acid, and the like), or a combination thereof. The composition can further include a thickening agent, to form a gel. The composition is free from organic co-solvents, water-soluble vitamins, and cyclodextrins; and free from nitroimidazole crystals at an ambient temperature of about 20° C. Methods of preparing the composition are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating methane from a carbonaceous fuel source with simultaneous sequestration of carbon dioxide, the method comprising anaerobically incubating a particulate alkaline earth metal salt in contact with a particulate and/or dissolved carbonaceous feedstock in a neutral or alkaline aqueous culture medium containing a culture of methanogenic bacteria consortia and collecting methane generated therefrom. At least a portion of carbon dioxide produced during the incubation reacts with the alkaline earth metal salt to form an alkaline earth metal carbonate, thereby sequestering the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation in a mammal is provided. The method comprises the step of administering to the mammal an effective immunological response eliciting amount of a DNA composition comprising a DNA construct operably encoding a VEGF receptor polypeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor, whereby said mammal exhibits an immune response elicited by vaccine and specific to proliferating endothelial cells. The methods of this invention inhibit vascular endothelial cell proliferation in the tumor micro-environment. Angiogenesis inhibition and subsequent decrease in tumor growth and dissemination is achieved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sock for use in sports activities. The sock, includes cushioning in the area of the Achilles tendon for absorbing frictional and impact stresses without force being applied to the Achilles tendon. In one embodiment, the cushioning comprises elongated vertically spaced apart cushions that are in a bent shape. In another embodiment the cushioning comprises vertically spaced apart cushions that are divided by a vertically oriented ridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that are suitable for treatment of disease states and influence cellular vesicular systems, especially the formation and/or function of lipid droplets, said compound having the general formula I (I) wherein X are each independently hydrogen, halogen, —C1-20-alkyl, —C2-20-alkenyl, —C2-20-alkinyl, —C5-6-cykloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, adamantyl, heterocyclic, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, Or —N—(R1, R2) group; n is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; R1 and R2 may each be independently hydrogen, straight or branching alkyl, cyclo-alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclic group, wherein each is un-substituted or halogen substituted; or R1 and R2 together with the nitrogen in between them form a 5 or 6 member ring; A is a single bond, —O—, —S—, —CH2-, or —NH—; Y is O or S; Z is O or S; R? and R? are each independently methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, isobuthyl, sec-butyl or terc-butyl; with the restriction that: X(n) cannot all be fluorine, and A be a single bond, and Y, as well as Z be O, and R?, as well as R? b

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions useful for treating or preventing influenza infections. The composition comprises an isolated polypeptide including a sequence of at least 8 contiguous amino acid residues of the fusion initiation region (FIR) of an influenza hemagglutinin 2 protein or a peptide analog of the sequence. The FIR is a segment of the full length hemagglutinin 2 protein which is bounded by an amino-terminal region within the amino-terminal alpha-helix thereof and a carboxy terminus within the carboxy-terminal alpha-helix thereof, with a cysteine loop therebetween. The amino-terminal region of the FIR comprises a portion of the final 10 to 20 amino acid residues of the amino-terminal alpha-helix of the hemagglutinin 2 protein, and includes 3 or 4 hydrophobic amino acid residues, a positively-charged amino acid residue, a negatively-charged amino acid residue, and an aromatic amino acid residue.