Abstract: A pivoting door assembly for a downdraft cutting table assembly includes a door for covering a vent of the downdraft cutting table assembly, and an arm assembly coupled to the door. The downdraft cutting table assembly may include a cutting table for supporting a workpiece, a cutting torch assembly for positioning a cutting torch for cutting the workpiece, an exhaust duct for exhausting fumes, and a vent opening into the exhaust duct. The downdraft cutting table assembly may also include a slag removal system. The arm assembly is actuated by the cutting torch assembly as the cutting torch assembly positions the cutting torch over the cutting table. Actuation of the arm assembly by the cutting torch assembly causes the arm assembly to pivot the door open for allowing fumes from the cutting torch to be drawn into the exhaust duct.

Abstract: A downdraft exhaust cutting and shuttle table mechanism includes a cutting area and a loading area, which includes first and second elongated, horizontally disposed cutting tables which are shuttled into and out of a cutting area which includes a material cutting assembly positioned therein, the shuttle table mechanism including horizontal and vertical table movement devices which are operative to move the first and second cutting tables forwards and backwards between the cutting area and a loading area generally adjacent thereto and a vertical table movement device operative to move the first and second cutting tables upwards and downwards, the vertical and horizontal table movement devices cooperating to move each of the first and second cutting tables from a loading position generally horizontally forwards into the cutting area for cutting of material mounted thereon then generally horizontally backwards into the loading area to a position generally underneath the other of the cutting tables which has been

Abstract: This invention provides a class of therapeutic compounds and methods for the treatment of mammals with physiological disorders, such as for example a frequently occurring type of essential hypertension, which are critically associated with the decreased binding of magnesium to the plasma membranes of their cells. These methods consist of administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a compound selected from a series of disubstituted trans, trans 1,3-butadienes, 1,3-disubstituted perhydrobutadienes, 1,2-disubstituted trans ethylenes and 1,2 disubstituted ethanes and disubstituted propanes, each of which embodies, in common, the unique structural feature essential for the biological activity of these compounds. This invention also provides for pharmaceutical formulations that employ these novel compounds.

Abstract: An air drag reduction apparatus includes left and right panels and top and bottom panels for mounting to the rear doors of a tractor trailer along the top, bottom and side edges thereof. Hinges are interposed between the panels and the doors so that the panels can pivot about the hinges between an extended drag-reducing position and a collapsed position generally adjacent the rear doors. Stop devices releasably secure the panels in the extended position, and biasing devices such as tensioning springs are operative to bias the panels outwardly and rearwardly to the extended position and are further operative to permit the panels to pivot between the extended position towards and to the collapsed position upon impact and contact from an external object occurring and then return to the extended position substantially immediately upon contact ceasing thereby significantly reducing the impact damage. The apparatus also includes a ramp and wheel arrangement to facilitate opening and collapsing of the panels.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a viscous substance and tape. The dispenser has a housing with an interior. An intake channel, main conduit, and tape channel are located within the interior. The intake channel receives the viscous substance and is in fluid communication with the main conduit. A first outlet is coupled with the main conduit for dispensing the viscous substance. The tape channel has an elongate slot adjacent the first outlet for dispensing the tape. A piston is slidable within the main conduit between a closed position blocking the flow of substance from the intake channel into the main conduit and an open position allowing substance to flow from the intake channel into the main conduit. The piston is pre-tensioned biasing the piston to the closed position.

Abstract: Stereochemically defined dipeptide esters of nucleoside-analogous antiviral agents including acyclovir and ganciclovir are provided. Certain of these stereochemically defined dipeptide esters are found to have unexpectedly enhanced delivery to and uptake by ocular tissues, crossing the blood-ocular barrier more effectively than other stereochemically defined dipeptide esters. For example, (L-Val)-(D-Val)-acyclovir was found to be taken up more effectively into corneal tissue than were underivatized acyclovir, monoesters (L-Val)-acyclovir or (D-Val)-acyclovir, or diester (L-Val)-(L-Val)-acyclovir.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation system and method for the treatment of neurological disorders is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical stimulation system includes channels of electrodes positioned in electrical contact with tissue of a neuromuscular target body region of a patient to provide pattered neuromuscular stimulation to the patient's musculature. In addition, at least one electrode from a channel is positioned in electrical contact with a tissue of the motor control region of the brain. A series of patterned electrical pulses are then applied to the patient through the channels to provide peripheral neuromuscular stimulation, and a direct current is applied transcranially to the brain. Various exemplary embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved coaxial rotor assembly for a helicopter includes an upper rotor system having a multiple of upper rotor blades each having outer tips and mounted on and extending outwards from a central rotor shaft and a lower rotor system having a multiple of lower rotor blades each having outer tips and mounted on and extending outwards from the central rotor shaft with the upper rotor system spaced an axial distance from the lower rotor system on the central rotor shaft. A rotor blade support ring extends circumferentially around each of the upper and lower rotor systems which movably engages and supports the outer tips of the upper and lower rotor blades in spaced apart relation such that the upper and lower rotor systems rotate in opposite directions and the rotor blade support ring means prevents contact between the upper and lower rotor systems during operation thereof.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient for a condition wherein the bioactive agent of choice is DRUG, wherein DRUG is a substrate that is effluxed by the P-gp transporter, is provided, the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a compound of formula (I): DRUG-X—Y(n)—Z(n?)—Z?(n?)—R??(I) wherein each X, Y, Z, and Z? is independently Met, Val, Thr, Tyr, Trp, Ser, Ala, or Gly; R is H or an amino-protecting group; n is 1, and each n?, or n? is independently 0 or 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with the proviso that DRUG is not acyclovir or ganciclovir and that DRUG is non-peptidyl.

Abstract: Porous ceramic superconductors having a film thickness over 0.5 microns are provided. The superconducting material is applied to a vicinal substrate and optionally nanoparticles are inserted to release local strain. The resultant superconductors exhibit improved Jc values compared to nonvicinal (flat) counterparts and those having no nanoparticles.

Abstract: A building heating/cooling system energy optimization method for a building having a heating/cooling system includes the steps of providing a mathematical model of the heating/cooling system, obtaining real-time weather information, reading the input water temperature (IWT), the output water temperature (OWT) and the supply air temperature (SA) output to the building, periodically transferring the IWT, the OWT and the SA to an optimization system which is operative to analyze the real-time data in coordination with the mathematical model by assigning at least three selected values in a range surrounding and including the current values of each of the IWT, the OWT and the SA and calculating the efficiency profile of the components of the heating/cooling system for each of the selected values, then cooperatively optimizing and selecting those values calculated to provide the highest efficiency profile, then periodically resetting the system values to those selected by the optimization system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical injection assembly in which the assembly is adapted to reduce the risk of accidental injection of a patient and prevent cross contamination of patients or injectors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating joined components, purifying liquid, promoting interaction between two or more components and improving combustion. The apparatus has a housing, a rotor inside of the housing, a plurality of protrusions extending from the rotor, a shaft coupled with the rotor and a prime mover for rotating the shaft. Fluid within the housing cavitates as the rotor rotates and the protrusions move through the fluid. Cavitation causes joined components within the fluid to separate, kills undesirable organisms within the fluid, promotes interaction of components within the fluid and improves combustion of a liquid fuel. The fluid and components may also be subjected to abrasion and centrifugal and impact forces for separating the components, purifying the fluid, promoting interaction of the components and improving combustion.