Abstract: Chronic fatigue syndrome is diagnosed through detection of an about 30 kDa RNase L molecule under native conditions in cellular extracts of RNase L-containing cells such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Proteins are fractionated according to molecular weight under nondenaturing conditions. The fractionated proteins are assayed for the presence of the about 30 kDa protein having 2-5A-dependent RNase L enzyme activity. The severity of the affliction may be determined by testing for the presence of RNase L molecules having approximate molecular weights of 30 and 80 kDa. The presence of the about 30 kDa RNase L, and the absence of the about 80 kDa RNase L molecule, correlates with severe chronic fatigue syndrome. The presence of both RNase L molecules indicates a less severe chronic fatigue syndrome affliction. Under denaturing conditions, and in the presence of protease inhibitors, chronic fatigue syndrome may be diagnosed through the detection of an about 37 kDa 2-5A binding protein.

Abstract: The apparatus has a measuring roller (10, 10i) which comprises independent peripheral regions deformable by compression. The sensors (13, 13i) are fixed to and associated with the deformable peripheral regions of the roller in order to detect the deformation thereof under the effect of the strip and to provide signals in dependence on the deformation. A utilization circuit receives the signals of the sensors in order to derive data and control signals therefrom.

Abstract: A small diameter plastic eel with an overrunning clutch assembly mounted to the hub of the wheel. The wheel designed to be used with self-propelled power equipment operating at less than 1000 RPM. The overrunning clutch includes a clutch housing of generally annular cross-section having an outer periphery and an inner periphery. The housing has a radial stiffness which prevents deformation of the housing during use. The housing has recesses spaced equidistantly thereabout. Each recess has a throat opening, an outer wall, and a pair of side walls. A roller bearing is located in each of the recesses. One of the side walls has a concave surface. The other side wall has a spring for engaging the roller bearing and biasing the roller bearing toward the concave surface of the side wall.

Abstract: A packing apparatus for packing multiple layers of containers into a receptacle is shown. The packing apparatus includes a placement assembly and a carriage assembly. The placement assembly includes a plurality of pickup devices mounted on one end of a moveable arm. The arm is moveable so that the pickup devices can pick up and transfer the containers to the receptacle. The receptacle is supported by the carriage assembly. The carriage assembly includes a moveable carriage that adjustably moves the position of the receptacle, relative to the placement assembly, to enable the articles to be placed into the receptacle in a preselected pattern. A system controller controls the timing, sequence, and movement of the placement assembly and the carriage assembly, both individually and relative to each other, in order to place and pack the containers into the receptacle in the preselected pattern.

Abstract: “Painted, flexible, temporary decorative surface, intended in particular to be exposed in a stretched state, out of doors, such as decorations outside buildings and signs” Surface comprising a substrate of a nonwoven material a decoration produced on the substrate by automatic projection of ink.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of phosphorylating a serine containing substrate by incubating the substrate with ATP and an enzyme that is hsRec2 or muRec2 or a derivative thereof. The natural substrates of the kinase activity of Rec2 are the cell cycle control proteins such as p53 and cyclin E. The over expression of Rec2 is known to cause cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis and the invention discloses that these effects are kinase mediated. Accordingly, the invention provides a method of assessing antagonists and agonists of Rec2, which antagonists and agonists would have pharmacological activity. The invention further discloses that there is specific binding between hsRec2 and at least three cell cycle control proteins: p53, PCNA and cdc2.

Abstract: Chronic fatigue syndrome is diagnosed through quantification of low and high molecular weight forms of RNase L in cellular extracts of RNase L-containing cells such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells. A ratio of low to high molecular weight RNase L of more than 0.15 is characteristic of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Abstract: An integrated order selection and distribution system is provided for selecting and delivering a plurality of articles associated with a preselected customer order. The system includes discrete article receptacles, a conveyor, and a plurality of pack stations. The receptacles releasably retain articles associated with a preselected customer order. Each receptacle is transported to predetermined locations within the system by the conveyor. The pack stations are arranged along the direction of movement of the conveyor to receive the articles to be discharged from the receptacles. A system controller tracks the location of the receptacles in the system and generates a signal that causes each receptacle to discharge its articles at a predetermined location, relative to the pack stations. In the preferred embodiment, the system controller assigns each receptacle to at least one of the pack stations in round-robin fashion based upon the type of articles to be discharged.

Abstract: An instrument for the insertion of an intraocular lens into an eye comprises a body portion, a nose portion through which runs a passage for the lens to pass to a dispensing tip, and a plunger. The nose portion is pivotally connected to the body portion so that the barrel can be broken open for the placement of the lens into the nose portion. The lens is preferably placed on two spaced parallel nose pins to facilitate its folding. A cross pin preferably straddles the nose pins and under which the lens is arranged to pass, to prevent lifting and tilting of the lens.

Abstract: A front wheel drive power wheel chair has the drive wheel axis of rotation forward of the wheelchair user's eyes and cranial center of perception.

Abstract: (Z)-styryl benzylsulfones of formula I are useful as anticancer agents: wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chloro and nitro; R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, chloro, bromo, and fluoro; and R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, nitro, chloro, bromo, and fluoro; provided that at least one of R1 or R2 is hydrogen. The corresponding (Z)-styryl benzylsulfides are useful as intermediates in the preparation of the biologically active (Z)-styryl benzyl sulfones.

Abstract: A display for a plurality of electrical fixtures, such as lighting fixtures. The display includes a slat board type mounting panel having a plurality of elongated generally horizontal grooves in the front surface thereof. A plurality of mounting plates are provided having flanges that are adapted to be retained within the grooves of the slat board for removably supporting the mounting plates on the front surface of the panel. An electrical wire is secured to the plates. A male plug attached to one end of the wire. A retainer is provided on opposite sides of the mounting panel to support the panel. The retainer has a U shaped channel therein. A series of electrical receptacles are mounted within the channel. The plug may be inserted into the receptacles for providing electrical power to the mounting plates. The retainer includes an opening therein that mates with the grooves of the slat board.

Abstract: A towed vehicle deployment and retrieval system for attachment to an aircraft. The system includes a pylon support that is designed to mount to an aircraft and project outward therefrom. A stores pylon is mounted to the pylon support. The stores pylon has at least one swaybrace reciprocally attached to it for removably engaging with a towed vehicle. The system also includes a winch that is configured for mounting within the aircraft. The winch controls the feeding and retrieval of a winch cable that is attached to the towed vehicle. A tow cable is removably attached to the aircraft and is engaged with the winch cable using a tow pole such that the tow cable fully supports the towed vehicle when the towed vehicle is in the towing position. A method is also disclosed for attaching a winch cable and towed vehicle to a tow cable.

Abstract: A flap actuation system for a helicopter rotor blade. The rotor blade includes a root end, a tip end, a trailing edge and a flap hinged to at least a portion of the trailing edge about a pivot axis. The flap actuation system includes at least one supply line mounted within the rotor blade and extending outward from the root end. The supply line is adapted to channel pressurized fluid. At least one actuator fluidly connected to the supply line. The actuator includes a displacement member and a head member. The head member is engaged with the flap and is adapted to pivot the flap about its pivot axis when pressurized fluid is conveyed through the supply line. In one embodiment of the invention there are two supply lines, each extending outward from the root end and is adapted to channel pressurized fluid. There is at least one actuator fluidly connected to each supply line.

Abstract: An actuation system for pivoting a flap on a helicopter rotor blade to reduce the interaction of the blade with the preceding blade vortex. The actuation system includes a fluid supply which is connected to first and second fluid supply lines. The fluid supply lines convey flows of pressurized fluid from the fluid supply to an actuator. The actuator includes a housing mounted within the rotor blade and having a channel formed in it. A butterfly shaft is pivotally mounted within the channel and has laterally extending arms which separate the channel into four lobes. A first port connects the first fluid supply line with two diametrically opposed lobes in the channel. A second port connects the second fluid supply line with the other two diametrically opposed lobes in the channel. A torque coupling is attached to the butterfly shaft and engaged with the flap such that rotation of the torque coupling produces concomitant rotation of the flap.

Abstract: A laser apparatus for selective photocoagulation of subsurface skin (dermis) for the purpose of increasing skin tone, reducing wrinkles, removing hair, removing tattoos or treating varicose veins without damaging the skin surface (epidermis). A diffuser lens in the laser apparatus is employed to focus the laser energy to the dermis. The laser apparatus includes a highly transmissive contact tip and cooling means to reduce heat build-up in the contact tip, as monitored by a thermocouple mechanism. The device can be used alone or in conjunction with superficial laser resurfacing or chemical peels to increase skin tone.

Abstract: A rolled copper foil for flexible printed circuits contains not more than 10 ppm by weight of oxygen and has a softening-temperature rise index T defined as T=0.60[Bi]+0.55[Pb]+0.60[Sb]+0.64 [Se]+1.36[S]+0.32[As]+0.09[Fe]+0.02[Ni]+0.76[Te]+0.48[Sn]+0.16[Ag]+1.24[P] (each symbol in the brackets representing the concentration in ppm by weight of the element) in the range of 4 to 34. The concentrations of the elements are in the ranges of[Bi]<5, [Pb]<10, [Sb]<5, [Se]<5, [S]<15, [As]<5, [Fe]<20, [Ni]<20, [Te]<5, [Sn]<20, [Ag]<50, and [P]<15 (each symbol in the brackets representing the concentration in ppm by weight of the element).