Abstract: Coronavirus S ectodomain trimers stabilized in a prefusion conformation, nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding these proteins, and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the coronavirus S ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be used to generate an immune response to coronavirus in a subject. In additional embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the coronavirus S ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be administered to a subject in a method of treating or preventing coronavirus infection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for integrating multiple portions of a container are provided. The method and system are specifically designed for integrating multiple shell portions with ear lobe-shaped tabs. The method comprises: providing a first set of retention structures to be associated with a plurality of inter-connecting features formed on an edge of a first shell part, wherein the first set of retention structures comprise at least a lead-in feature and a retention feature; providing a second set of retention structures to be associated with a plurality of inter-connecting features formed on an edge of a second shell part, wherein the second set of retention structures comprise at least a deflection feature and a retention feature; and engaging the two shell parts with aid of the retention structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sleeveless energy absorbing rock bolt. A first end of the rock bolt is configured to facilitate the mixing of an anchoring composition and/or anchoring the rock bolt in the rock. The rock bolt comprises manganese alloyed steel, and exhibits, post the yield point thereof, under static load conditions, an increase in load capacity and an increasing displacement until the break or fail point of the rock bolt is reached.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sleeveless energy absorbing rock bolt. A first end of the rock bolt is configured to facilitate the mixing of an anchoring composition and/or anchoring the rock bolt in the rock. The rock bolt comprises manganese alloyed steel, and exhibits, post the yield point thereof, under static load conditions, an increase in load capacity and an increasing displacement until the break or fail point of the rock bolt is reached.

Abstract: The sliding-shoe sole is a device that is permanently attached or removably positioned on fitness shoes or the like. The sliding-shoe sole is fabricated from materials that reduce the degree of factional contact between the sole and a contacting sur -face. The sliding-shoe sole may encompass a portion or the entire bottom of the fitness shoe and portions of the heel, toe and side areas of the shoe. This arrangement enables the wearer to participate more fully in exercises and/or dances that require the foot to not only slide and/or glide along the dance floor or exercise surface along the shoe bottom, but also along the shoe heel, toe and side.

Abstract: The sliding-shoe sole is a device that is permanently attached or removably positioned on fitness shoes. The sliding-shoe sole is fabricated from materials that reduce the degree of frictional contact between the sole and a contacting surface. The sliding-shoe sole may encompass a portion or the entire bottom of the fitness shoe and portions of the heel, toe and side areas of the shoe. This arrangement enables the wearer to participate more fully in exercises and/or dances that require the foot to not only slide and/or glide along the dance floor or exercise surface along the shoe bottom, but also along the shoe heel, toe and side.

Abstract: A goal post retention device, comprising a body having a first member and a second member, wherein the first and second members are integral with one another, the first member comprising a first semi-open cylinder having a top planar annular surface, the cylinder having a first outer diameter, the second member arranged beneath and concentric with the first member, the second member comprising a semi-open cylinder having a second outer diameter which is larger than the first outer diameter, the semi-open cylinder having a bottom rim and a frustoconical inner surface extending upwardly from the bottom rim, the semi-open cylinder having a top annular surface. In one embodiment, a pike extends downwardly within the second member, extending slightly below the bottom rim.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for spray drying a liquid product into a dried powder without applying heat, including: forming a slurry including a liquid solvent, a carrier, and an active ingredient; applying an electrostatic charge to the slurry; atomizing the charged slurry to produce a plurality of electrostatically charged, wet particles; suspending the electrostatically charged, wet particles for a sufficient time to permit repulsive forces induced by the electrostatic charge on at least some wet particles to cause at least some of such particles to divide into wet sub-particles; and continuing the suspending step, without the presence of any heated drying fluids, for a sufficient time to drive off a sufficient amount of the liquid solvent within most of the wet particles to leave a plurality of dried particles (the powder), each dried particle containing the active ingredient encapsulated within the carrier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for spray drying a liquid product into a dried powder without applying heat, including: forming a slurry including a liquid solvent, a carrier, and an active ingredient; applying an electrostatic charge to the slurry; atomizing the charged slurry to produce a plurality of electrostatically charged, wet particles; suspending the electrostatically charged, wet particles for a sufficient time to permit repulsive forces induced by the electrostatic charge on at least some wet particles to cause at least some of such particles to divide into wet sub-particles; and continuing the suspending step, without the presence of any heated drying fluids, for a sufficient time to drive off a sufficient amount of the liquid solvent within most of the wet particles to leave a plurality of dried particles (the powder), each dried particle containing the active ingredient encapsulated within the carrier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for spray drying a liquid product into a dried powder without applying heat, including: forming a slurry including a liquid solvent, a carrier, and an active ingredient; applying an electrostatic charge to the slurry; atomizing the charged slurry to produce a plurality of electrostatically charged, wet particles; suspending the electrostatically charged, wet particles for a sufficient time to permit repulsive forces induced by the electrostatic charge on at least some wet particles to cause at least some of such particles to divide into wet sub-particles; and continuing the suspending step, without the presence of any heated drying fluids, for a sufficient time to drive off a sufficient amount of the liquid solvent within most of the wet particles to leave a plurality of dried particles (the powder), each dried particle containing the active ingredient encapsulated within the carrier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for spray drying a liquid product into a dried powder without applying heat, including: forming a slurry including a liquid solvent, a carrier, and an active ingredient; applying an electrostatic charge to the slurry; atomizing the charged slurry to produce a plurality of electrostatically charged, wet particles; suspending the electrostatically charged, wet particles for a sufficient time to permit repulsive forces induced by the electrostatic charge on at least some wet particles to cause at least some of such particles to divide into wet sub-particles; and continuing the suspending step, without the presence of any heated drying fluids, for a sufficient time to drive off a sufficient amount of the liquid solvent within most of the wet particles to leave a plurality of dried particles (the powder), each dried particle containing the active ingredient encapsulated within the carrier.

Abstract: The sliding-shoe sole is a device that is permanently attached or removably positioned on fitness shoes or the like. The sliding-shoe sole is fabricated from materials that reduce the degree of factional contact between the sole and a contacting surface. The sliding-shoe sole may encompass a portion or the entire bottom of the fitness shoe and portions of the heel, toe and side areas of the shoe. This arrangement enables the wearer to participate more fully in exercises and/or dances that require the foot to not only slide and/or glide along the dance floor or exercise surface along the shoe bottom, but also along the shoe heel, toe and side.

Abstract: A low swage load fastening system is provided for installing swage-type fasteners to secure a plurality of workpieces together. The fastener includes a pin member having an elongated pin shank to be located in aligned openings in the workpieces. An enlarged head at one end of the pin engages one side of the workpieces. A grooved pin portion extends past an opposite side of the workpieces. A collar includes a shank portion adapted to be swaged into the pin lock grooves in response to a relative axial swage load applied by an installation tool. As one aspect of the system, the collar is as-headed and does not require thermal processing yet provides an optimum balance of reduced collar shank wall thickness and increased hardness, whereby the swage load is minimized. A low swage load thread form for the lock grooves of the pin is also provided, a reduced diameter, relatively short pull portion pin extension, installation tool improvements, and an associated method of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lighting device (132) includes a circuit having a power supply and a plurality of light emitting diodes (120) connected in series with the power supply. The plurality of light emitting diodes (120) includes at least two groups of series-connected light emitting diodes, the groups of series-connected light emitting diodes being connected in series. A different optically isolated field effect transistor (U3-U5) is connected in parallel with each group of series-connected light emitting diodes, for selectively shunting around the group of series-connected light emitting diodes. A different capacitor (C8-C10) can also be connected in parallel with each group of series-connected light emitting diodes. A controller (U2) is connected to a gate of each of the optically isolated field effect transistors (U3-U5) for selectively turning the optically isolated field effect transistors (U3-U5) on and off.

Abstract: An apparatus combination useful in carrying out work within hazardous environments, especially radioactive environments. The combination includes (a) a plurality of portable input modules, each portable input module being capable of receiving video, audio and radiation dosimetry communications data and transmitting that data via a single portable input module data transmission cable, (b) a relay module for receiving the communications data from the plurality of portable input modules via each of the single portable input module's data transmission cables and for transmitting that data via a single relay module data transmission cable, and (c) a communications output station for receiving the communications data from the relay module via the single relay module data transmission cable and for translating that data into user recognizable video, audio and radiation dosimeter data output forms.

Abstract: An arrangement for securing a power transistor (4, 6, 8) or like component which is inserted into a printed circuit board (2) in a vertically downward direction. The printed circuit board is housed in a housing (20, 60) whose lower part (20) has upstanding walls (24, 26) with pairs of vertical slots (4A & 4B, 6A & 6B, 8A & 8B). Spring clips 52 are inserted vertically downwardly so that their legs (52A, 52B) engage in the slots and their center portions (54) urge the transistors toward the upstanding walls so that the housing acts as a heat sink for the transistors, obviating the need for additional components. Also, since all insertion is performed vertically from above, assembly can be performed straightforwardly by an automatic insertion machine, resulting in more rapid assembly and increased reliability.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a membrane-type filter device. Vents located opposite the hydrophilic membrane remove entrapped gases in the inlet chamber of the housing. There are preferably two such vents on either end of the inlet chamber, of which the corners are preferably non-rectangular, and which remove entrapped gases from the fluid without regard to filter device orientation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a container for handling small livestock, particularly poultry, in the transportation of the poultry from a poultryhouse to a central factory at which the poultry is processed. The container comprises a frame of openwork construction which supports several tiers of superposed drawers mounted for movement relative thereto between open and closed positions. The container comprises locking mechanism which is operative to lock all the drawers simultaneously. The container comprises a lifting formation which enables the container to be lifted by (for example) a modified forklift truck, and as a consequence of such lifting, the locking mechanism is automatically rendered operative. Desirably, the primary transporter (lorry or trailer) upon which the container is placed by the forklift truck is provided with a formation which is operative to retain the locking mechanism operative while the container rests on the lorry.