Abstract: A deck is disclosed that is level with the top of a concrete/plaster pool having a decorative ribbon of tile along the top of the pool side and an apron surrounding the pool having at least a partially flat surface. The deck has a surface of deck surface members having lengths and ends, the lengths being sized to the dimensions of the pool and the surface being at the same level as the pool apron. Under the deck are supports of joists which are mostly perpendicular to the decking surface members, of underlying beams that form a sturdy base for the joists and beam hangers being secured to the sides of the pool below the decorative ribbon along the top of the pool side and being anchored into the concrete side of the pool. Also disclosed is an improved method for installing such a deck.

Abstract: Excitation of a triad artificial photosynthetic reaction center consisting of a porphyrin (P) convalently linked to a fullerene electron acceptor (C60) and a carotenoid secondary donor (C) leads to the formation of a long-lived C+-P-C60− charge-separated state via photoinduced electron transfer. This reaction occurs in a frozen organic glass down to at least 8 K. At 77 K, charge recombination of C*+-P-C60− occurs on the &mgr;s time scale, and yields solely the carotenoid triplet state. In the presence of a small (20 mT) static magnetic field, the lifetime of the charge-separated state is increased by 50%. This is ascribed to the effect of the magnetic field on interconversion of the singlet and triplet biradicals. At zero field, the initially formed singlet biradical state is in equilibrium with the three triplet biradical sublevels, and all four states have comparable populations. Decay to the carotenoid triplet only occurs from the three triplet sublevels.

Abstract: A method of protecting surfaces from corrosion calls for providing a coating material containing polyisocyanates with unreacted, active NCO groups; and applying the coating material to a rust covered surface, whereby the free NCO groups in the coating material react with the moisture in the rust to dehydrate the rust and produce a strong coating which keeps out water and oxygen which corrode surfaces. The active NCO content is about 3% to about 20% NCO groups. Also disclosed is a composition for coating an iron surface, the composition comprising polyisocyanates whose NCO content is between 5% and 30%; and aluminum flakes at about 5% to about 50% by weight.

Abstract: A flower cup having a flared bell-like shape has a flared rim, tapered sides and a substantially flat base. The rim, sides and a portion of the base have a plurality of perforations running from the rim to the base, where the perforations meet a plurality of lines which radiate from the center of the base. The plurality of side perforations can be six and the plurality of base lines six. The side perforations align with the base lines. The plurality of base lines are partly perforated and partly cut, or half of the base lines are fully cut and the other half of the base lines are partly cut and partly perforated. The flower cup can have a stippled finish. A flower-stem protector has a straw sized to accommodate flower stems and having at least one rib on its proximal end, and a collar affixed to the proximal end of the straw.

Abstract: Medical conditions are treated by administering a therapeutically effective amount of exo-S-mecamylamine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, substantially free of its exo-R-mecamylamine, said amount being sufficient to ameliorate the medical condition. The medical conditions include substance addiction (involving nicotine, cocaine, alcohol, amphetamine, opiate, other psychostimulant and a combination thereof), Tourette's Syndrome, and neuropsychiatric disorders (such as bipolar disorder, depression, an anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, a seizure disorder, Parkinson's disease and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

Abstract: Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) differentiate into neuron-like phenotypes in vitro and in vivo, engrafted into normal or denervated rat striatum. The BMSC did not remain localized to the site of the graft, but migrated throughout the brain and integrated into specific brain regions in various architectonic patterns. The most orderly integration of BMSC was in the laminar distribution of cerebellar Purkinje cells, where the BMSC-derived cells took on the Purkinje phenotype. The BMSC exhibited site-dependent differentiation and expressed several neuronal markers including neuron-specific nuclear protein, tyrosine hydroxylase and calbindin. BMSC can be used to target specific brain nuclei in strategies of neural repair and gene therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions to meet the needs of individuals, including humans and pets. Nutritional beverages, powders to make the same, a pudding and a nutritional bar are disclosed whose compositions include the R-&agr;-lipoic acid in the amount of 0.12 grams to 1.5 grams and L-carnitine in the amount of 0.12 grams to 3 grams in addition to the usual composition. Optionally, effective amounts of coenzyme Q and/or creatine also are added. These additional components fight age-related declines in mitochondrial function which result in less energy and other signs of aging.

Abstract: Method and system of producing microparticles loaded with biologically active drugs, including proteins such as ICAM-1, for controlled release of the drugs in a nasal passageway. The method includes introducing a drug/polymer feed solution and an emulsifier into a first mixing chamber to create an emulsion, then mixing a cross-linking agent together with the emulsion under controlled conditions to create microparticles loaded with the drug. The system includes a first mixing chamber, in which the emulsion is created, having a first port for introducing the drug/polymer solution, and a second port angled substantially perpendicular to the first port for introducing the emulsifier. A second mixing chamber adjacent to the first mixing chamber receives the emulsion and either contains a cross-linking agent or receives a stream of a cross-linking agent to solidify the microparticles.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of promoters for ribonucleic acid amplification and other genetic manipulations. Processes are provided wherein complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) is synthesized from a ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence using a complementary primer linked to an RNA polymerase promoter region complement and then anti-sense RNA (aRNA) is transcribed from the cDNA by introducing an RNA polymerase capable of binding to the promoter region. Additional processes using the resulting aRNA are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the treatment of vision loss in a mammal by transplanting an effective amount of hNT-Neuron cells. The treatment can be accomplished by injecting the cells into the retinal area of the eye. Additionally, the cells can be injected into the visual cortex of the brain. Conditions to be treated are vision loss due to optic nerve damage, including glaucoma, optic nerve sheath meningioma and glioma, Graves' ophthalmopathy, benign or malignant orbital tumors, metastatic lesions, tumors arising from the adjacent paranasal sinuses or middle cranial fossa, giant pituitary adenomas, brain tumors or abscesses, cerebral trauma or hemorrhage, meningitis, arachnoidal adhesions, pseudotumor cerebri, cavernous sinus thrombosis, dural sinus thrombosis, encephalitis, space-occupying brain lesions, severe hypertensive disease or pulmonary emphysema.

Abstract: The present invention reveals an apparatus for mechanically finger vortexing microcentrifuge tubes. The apparatus is made of a box; a tube-holding rack having a frame, where the top of a microcentrifuge tube is held in a pivotal position; a base plate having a plurality of upright ribs, where the ribs cause a pull-and-release action either directly or indirectly on a microcentrifuge tube; a wheel, where the wheel is connected to an armature and where the armature is connected to the base plate; and a motor with a shaft, where the shaft is connected to the wheel. In the operation of the apparatus, the motor and the shaft impart a circular motion to the wheel and the armature transposes the circular motion of the motor-wheel to a reciprocating motion on the base plate. The reciprocating motion of the base plate causes the ribs to mix the contents of the microcentrifuge tubes.

Abstract: Nicotine-responsive neuropsychiatric disorders can be treated by administering a nicotine antagonist, particularly mecamylamine. Combination therapy of mecamylamine with a neuroleptic drug also is disclosed. The neuropsychiatric disorders include Tourette's syndrome, schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, tremors, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, hemidystonia, rage outbursts and tardive dyskinesia.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide and amino acid sequences that identify and encode a novel purinergic P.sub.U2 receptor (PNR) expressed in human placenta. The present invention also provides for antisense molecules to the nucleotide sequences which encode PNR, expression vectors for the production of purified PNR, antibodies capable of binding specifically to PNR, hybridization probes or oligonucleotides for the detection of PNR-encoding nucleotide sequences, genetically engineered host cells for the expression of PNR, and diagnostic tests based on PNR-encoding nucleic acid molecules or antibodies produced against the polypeptide PNR.

Abstract: Method of producing microparticles loaded with biologically active drugs, including proteins such as ICAM-1, for controlled release of the drugs in a nasal passageway. The method includes introducing a drug/polymer feed solution and an emulsifier into a first mixing chamber to create an emulsion, then mixing a cross-linking agent together with the emulsion under controlled conditions to create microparticles loaded with the drug in a second mixing chamber. The formed microparticles are filtered and deaggregated to form individual microparticles that then may be formulated for nasal passageway delivery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating patients with Alzheimer's Disease which comprises administering a an effective amount of a celastrol formulation to the patients. One source of raw material for such a celastrol formulation is the root of the vine tripterygium wilfordii Hook F.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide and amino acid sequences that identify and encode a human homolog of rat elastase IV (HEIV) expressed in pancreas tissue. The present invention also provides for antisense molecules to the nucleotide sequences which encode HEIV, hybridization probes or oligonucleotides for the detection of HEIV-encoding nucleotide sequences, and a diagnostic test based on HEIV-encoding nucleic acid molecules. The present invention further provides for genetically engineered host cells for the expression of HEIV, biologically active HEIV, antibodies capable for binding specifically to HEIV, and treatment methods comprising administration of compounds, such antibodies or inhibitors, capable of binding HEIV to alter its activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide (gipl) the partial sequence for which was initially isolated from a THP-1 cDNA library and which identifies and encodes a novel human phospholipase inhibitor (GIPL). The invention provides for genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequence encoding GIPL.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide and amino acid sequences that identify and encode a new human interleukin-1 converting enzyme homolog (ICEY). The present invention also provides for expression vectors for the production of purified ICEY, hybridization probes for the detection of ICEY-encoding nucleotide sequences, genetically engineered host cells for the expression of ICEY, diagnostic tests for ICEY or for polynucleotides encoding ICEY, and use of the protein to produce antibodies capable of binding specifically to the protein and use of the protein to screen for inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide and amino acid sequences that identify and encode a novel expressed chemokine (FSEC) from human fetal spleen cells. The present invention also provides for antisense molecules to the nucleotide sequences which encode FSEC, expression vectors for the production of purified FSEC, antibodies capable of binding specifically to FSEC, hybridization probes or oligonucleotides for the detection of FSEC-encoding nucleotide sequences, genetically engineered host cells for the expression of FSEC, diagnostic tests for chemokine activation based on FSEC-encoding nucleic acid molecules and antibodies capable of binding specifically to the protein.