Abstract: A window treatment is described that includes at least one vane comprising a tube. The tube includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The tube causes the upper surface to be spaced apart from the lower surface and the tube may also be disposed inside a sleeve. The vanes may be assembled to form a shutter, a Venetian blind, a vertical blind or the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: A window covering is described having a carrier grid and plurality of horizontal strips of fabric secured to the carrier grid. The strips are disposed in overlapping and vertically spaced relation to cover an area of a window.

Abstract: A window covering is described having a carrier grid and a plurality of horizontal strips of fabric secured to the carrier grid. The strips are disposed in overlapping and vertically spaced relation to cover an area of a window.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active from may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: A cord-operated window covering is provided with means for equalizing the individual lift cord lengths to maintain a horizontal and level bottom rail, while avoiding the choking danger to small children presented by exposed cord loops that can become entangled with the child. A break-away coupling of the exposed cord ends is provided in the form of a shear-loaded, separable joint that is strong when subjected to shear-type forces in normal use, but which is weak when loaded in peel or tension perpendicular to the joint, as would occur in a potentially dangerous child-entangled situation. The joint is formed by surface-modifying products applied to the opposed abutting surfaces of the individual cordlock members. Also disclosed is an embodiment that utilizes a continuous lift cord loop that is frictionally gripped by a gripper member secured to the shade.

Abstract: Gas barrier layers and composites contain a low gel sheet produced from a composition containing a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a hydroxyl functional copolymer, and a gel reducing additive. The gel reducing additive has functional groups that can react with isocyanate groups to reduce gel formation during the processing of blends of urethane containing polymers and hydroxyl functional polymers. Multilayer composites containing the low gel sheets can be made into inflatable membranes for containing an inflationary gas. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the membranes are used as bladders of cushioning devices in the soles of shoes, particularly athletic shoes.

Abstract: A membrane comprising at least one elastomeric material, at least one polymeric fluid barrier material, and a laminar nano-filler having an average platelet thickness of up to about 10 nanometers and an average aspect ratio of at least about 200 provides desirable appearance and low gas transmission characteristics. The membrane may be a single layer, but preferably the membrane includes at least one layer of an elastomeric material and at least one layer of a polymeric barrier material, in which the elastomeric material layer and/or the polymeric barrier material layer comprises the laminar nano-filler.

Abstract: Therefore, another aspect of the invention is a method for determining whether a compound or composition is a regulator of intracellular glucocorticoid activity in adipose tissue comprising determining whether said compound or composition inhibits reductase activity of 11-Beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11-Beta HSD1) in said tissue.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, method and computer program product for verifying the integrity of remote network devices that request access to network services and resources. Unintended computer programs such as viruses, worms, or Trojan horses, may compromise remote devices. The invention involves downloading verification software over the web into the web browser of a client for the purpose of performing checks to verify the integrity and security of the client's device or system. The results of such checks are returned over the web to be used in security decisions involving authentication and the grant of authorization to access services and resources.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: The interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11&bgr;-hydroxy equivalents can be controlled by the use of inhibitors of the 11&bgr;-reductase enzyme, such as carbenoxolone (3&bgr;-(3-carboxypropionyloxy)-11-oxo-olean-2-en30-oic acid). Such inhibitors may be put to a number of therapeutic uses in humans and animals, for instance to inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis, to lower intracellular cortisol concentration, to increase insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue and muscle, and to prevent or reduce neuronal loss/cognitive impairment due to glucocorticoid potentiated neurotoxicity or neural dysfunction or damage.

Abstract: The interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11&bgr;-hydroxy equivalents can be controlled by the use of inhibitors of the 11&bgr;-reductase enzyme, such as carbenoxolone (3&bgr;-(3-carboxypropionyloxy)-11-oxo-olean-2-en30-oic acid). Such inhibitors may be put to a number of therapeutic uses in humans and animals, for instance to inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis, to lower intracellular cortisol concentration, to increase insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue and muscle, and to prevent or reduce neuronal loss/cognitive impaiment due to glucocorticoid potentiated neurotoxicity or neural dysfunction or damage.