Abstract: A riding apparatus for treating a floor surface has a main steering and drive wheels and a forwardly located seat for an operator and at least one foot rest for feet of the operator. The vehicle has a polishing and cleaning deck mounted in front of the vehicle and is operably connected to the main vehicle. A clearance gap is formed between the vehicle and the polishing and cleaning deck. The at least one foot rest has a gap therebetween for providing a line of sight for the operator through the gap to view the floor surface directly behind the deck.

Abstract: A swing arm for managing a power cord to an electric vehicle has a proximate arm member with a pivotable connection about a vertical axis for connection to the vehicle in proximity to a longitudinal center line of the vehicle. A distal arm member is pivotably connected about a pivot vertical axis to the proximate arm member and resiliently biased to extend straight out with respect to the proximate arm member. The swing arm is dimensioned to extend the distal arm member beyond a side of the vehicle when the swing arm extends laterally with respect to the vehicle. A spring member is connected to the distal arm member for resiliently biasing the distal arm member to extend straight out with respect to the proximate arm member against a side force below a predetermined amount and yieldable to bending of the distal arm member upon exertion of a side force above the predetermined amount.

Abstract: Cross-linked polyelectrolyte polymers with bound counterions that absorb about 20-fold or more of their mass in saline such as physiological saline a with the proviso that sodium does not exceed 60% of total bound counterions when hydrogen is the sole other counterion, are disclosed. Methods of preparing the disclosed polymers and for treating subjects such as patients in need of fluid removal and/or modulation of ions (e.g., sodium and/or potassium) are provided.

Abstract: Cross-linked polyelectrolyte polymers that absorb 60-fold or more, including greater than 60-fold, greater than 70-fold, greater than 80-fold, greater than 90-fold, greater than 100-fold, or greater than 110-fold or more, of their mass in a saline solution are disclosed. Methods for preparing such polymers with enhanced saline holding capacity and methods for treating diseases, disorders or conditions involving fluid overload and/or ion imbalances by administering the polymers are disclosed.

Abstract: A combination of active agents is disclosed which are particularly useful for treating fluid overload conditions. Methods for using the combination of active agent are also disclosed. The combination can include a highly absorbent polyelectrolyte polymer along with an agent that increases the amount of fluid in the intestine.

Abstract: A riding apparatus for treating a floor surface has a main steering and drive wheels and a forwardly located seat for an operator and at least one foot rest for feet of the operator. The vehicle has a polishing and cleaning deck mounted in front of the vehicle and is operably connected to the main vehicle. A clearance gap is formed between the vehicle and the polishing and cleaning deck. The at least one foot rest has a gap therebetween for providing a line of sight for the operator through the gap to view the floor surface directly behind the deck.

Abstract: A swing arm for managing a power cord to an electric vehicle has a proximate arm member with a pivotable connection about a vertical axis for connection to the vehicle in proximity to a longitudinal center line of the vehicle. A distal arm member is pivotably connected about a pivot vertical axis to the proximate arm member and resiliently biased to extend straight out with respect to the proximate arm member. The swing arm is dimensioned to extend the distal arm member beyond a side of the vehicle when the swing arm extends laterally with respect to the vehicle. A spring member is connected to the distal arm member for resiliently biasing the distal arm member to extend straight out with respect to the proximate arm member against a side force below a predetermined amount and yieldable to bending of the distal arm member upon exertion of a side force above the predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method for stimulating active transporters of metabolic waste, in particular urea and creatinine, in the GI tract of a mammal, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a concentrator activation agent to the intestinal tract of the mammal, is disclosed. Methods for concentrating metabolic wastes in the intestinal tract to be above those achieved through passive diffusion alone, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described are enzyme systems specific for acetone and methods of using these enzyme systems to detect acetone in biological or environmental samples. Biosensors containing these enzyme systems are disclosed, in which detection of acetone may be achieved by linking electrochemical, photometric, or other detection means to one or more acetone-specific enzyme reactions or pathways. Methods of using such acetone-specific biosensors include subject management of weight loss, disease detection, and bioavailability monitoring of therapeutics.

Abstract: The subject invention is a method and material for removing fluid from the intestinal tract of a host and may be useful in treating animals or human patients suffering from fluid overload states. In one embodiment, the subject method involves ingesting an enterically coated non-systemic, non-toxic, non-digestible, water absorbing polymer which absorbs fluid while passing through the intestinal tract. The polymer is excreted in the feces wherein the polymer and absorbed fluid is removed from the body. Preferred polymers include super absorbent acrylic acid polymers, preferably provided in bead form. The polymers may include functional groups for selectively removing blood borne waste products, e.g. urea, from the G.I. tract.

Abstract: The subject invention is a method and material for removing fluid from the intestinal tract of a host and may be useful in treating animals or human patients suffering from fluid overload states. In one embodiment, the subject method involves ingesting an enterically coated non-systemic, non-toxic, non-digestible, water absorbing polymer which absorbs fluid while passing through the intestinal tract. The polymer is excreted in the feces wherein the polymer and absorbed fluid is removed from the body. Preferred polymers include super absorbent acrylic acid polymers, preferably provided in bead form. The polymers may include functional groups for selectively removing blood borne waste products, e.g. urea, from the G.I. tract.