Abstract: The present invention provides generally a support post system comprising a support member. The support member comprises at least one recess in a surface of the support member for receiving a rail member. The support post further comprises at least one attachment member which extends outwardly substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support member. The attachment member extends through the recess. The support post system further comprises a finish plate for being placed over the rail member when after the rail member is seated in the recess. The finish plate has a passage formed therein to allow passage of the attachment member therethrough. The support post system also comprises a mechanism for removably securing the finish plate to the attachment member.

Abstract: A safety harness comprises a strap portion for extending over a portion of a person's body to retain the person within the safety harness. The strap portion is fabricated from a flexible material having an elastic extension in the range of approximately 3 to approximately 15% under a tensile load of approximately 10 pounds. The material of the strap portion also has a ultimate tensile load of at least approximately 5,000 lbs.

Abstract: A device for use with a climbing or scaling apparatus comprises generally a first elongated rail member and a second elongated rail member. The device further comprises a gate mechanism. The gate mechanism maintains a spaced connection between the first rail member and the second rail member, while allowing the rungs to pass between the first rail member and the second rail member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for indicating an operating point of an aircraft comprising a sensor to measure air speed and a sensor to measure vertical acceleration. The device also comprises a processor in communicative connection with each of the airspeed sensor and the vertical acceleration sensor. The processor is also in communicative connection with a display. The display presents an operating envelope diagram of the aircraft. The display also displays the current operating point of the aircraft relative to the operating envelope diagram. The present invention also provides a method for indicating an operating point of an aircraft in which the operating envelope diagram and the measured operating point of the aircraft are displayed upon the same display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a project optimization software tool in which a single window in a graphical user interface serves as a tool for planning future actions, reviewing past actions, organizing meetings and launching executable software tools. A project pathway window supports: 1) the listing and viewing of sequences of pathway steps, which, if accomplished, lead towards a defined project goal, 2) the ability to link software tools to those pathway steps, and launch the software tools for execution, 3) the creation of meeting agendas, each of which may encompass several pathway steps, without demoting the included pathway steps, and 4) the marking of the status of pathway steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for assisting a person in achieving proper alignment. The device and method are particularly useful for achieving proper alignment for a golf stroke in which a golf ball is struck to move towards a target. In one embodiment, the device comprises a support member to be worn by the person. A light source is attached to the support member. The light source is adapted to generate a generally linear, visible alignment beam of light on the ground in front of the person when the person is in position to perform a task. The alignment beam is generally parallel to an alignment of the portion of the person's body upon which the support member is worn and, thus, provides an indication of such alignment readily visible to the user in real time.

Abstract: The present invention provides several methods of synthesis and separation in which organic/fluorous phase separation techniques are used to effect separations. The present invention also provides novel compositions of matter comprising fluorous Si, Sn and Ge compounds.

Abstract: Organisms that degrade hydrocarbon-based substances are encapsulated in wax to form organism-containing wax microshells that are used for removing oil-based substances such as oil spills on land and water. The organism is preferably of the genus Candida that produce lipase. The microshell may contain nutrients that sustain the organism. The wax is paraffin wax or beeswax, and the microshell may be coated with talc or carbon powder to provide insulation and to prevent one microshell from sticking to another. When used for remediating an oil spill on water, the microshells are preferably contained in a buoyant container that acts as a flotation device. The flotation device may contain flotation means such as gas-filled microballoons that facilitate flotation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for carrying out a chemical reaction comprising the steps of forming an organic/fluorous solubilizing liquid phase comprising a solvent system. The solvent system is selected or adapted to substantially solubilize a fluorous reaction component or components (that is, a fluorous reagent, a fluorous catalyst and/or a fluorous reactant). The "fluorous reaction component" is functionalized to comprise at least one fluorous moiety having the formula -(R).sub.d (Rf).sub.e. (Rf).sub.e is at least one fluorous group and e is a whole number. (R).sub.d is an organic (for example, hydrocarbon) spacer group, which may be present or absent, and d is an integer equal to at least zero. The solvent system is also adapted to substantially solubilize an organic reaction component or components. After the reaction occurs in the organic/fluorous solubilizing liquid phase, a phase separation into at least a fluorous phase and an organic phase is effected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retractable lifeline safety device in which the side of the housing thereof comprises at least two extruded metal housing member which are connected to form the side of the housing. The present invention also provides a retractable lifeline safety device comprising a roller disposed in housing to reduce friction and abrasion. The present invention further provides a retractable lifeline safety device comprising a pawl clip means for maintaining the pawl adjacent the drum flange. The present invention also provides a ratchet brake assembly comprising abutment means extending radially outward therefrom to abut the housing and prevent rotation of the ratchet brake assembly relative to the housing. The present invention also provides retractable lifeline safety device comprising a drum assembly in which the drum flanges are removable from the drum hub to facilitate changes in the lifeline type.

Abstract: The present method provides a short, convergent total synthesis of novel intermediates in the synthesis of (.+-.)-camptothecin and related compounds. The synthesis scheme includes a novel 4+1 radical annulation followed by another cyclization to simultaneously assemble rings B and C of the Camptothecin compound. In the synthesis, the following novel precursor is reacted with a phenyl isocyanide: ##STR1## The resulting tetracyclic intermediates comprise a quinoline fused to a pyrrolidine ring, with the pyrrolidine ring being fused to an alpha-pyridone ring. The tetracyclic intermediates thus comprise the A, B, C, and D rings characteristic of camptothecin and camptothecin derivatives, and are easily convertible to camptothecin and camptothecin derivatives via hydroxymethylation and oxidation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a intravaginal collection device for the collection of vaginal discharge. The present collection device comprises a first layer that allows the passage of fluid therethrough but substantially prevents the passage of tissue and blood cells therethrough. The perimeter of the first layer is attached to a resilient rim. The rim is sufficiently resilient to provide an outward resilient force suitable to maintain the device in position within a user's vaginal canal during use. The device also comprises a second layer attached at its perimeter to the resilient rim. The second layer is suitable to substantially prevent the passage of fluid therethrough. The device further comprises a fluid retention layer positioned between the first layer and the second layer. The fluid retention layer is suitable for retaining fluid passed through the first layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for assisting a golfer in achieving proper alignment for a golf stroke in which a golf ball is struck to move towards a target. In one embodiment, the device generally comprises a frame member to be worn by the golfer. An alignment member comprising a planar mirrored surface thereon is hingedly or rotatably attached to the frame member to enable adjustable positioning of the mirrored surface such that a reflection of the target may be viewed by the eye of the golfer closest to the target. The device also preferably comprises a level means attached to a distal end of the alignment member for determining whether the alignment member is being held level with respect to the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A composite lead screw for use in a linear drive assembly is provided. The lead screw comprises a generally cylindrical carrier means. The carrier means has disposed therein at least one helical seating groove. This helical seating groove has a lead substantially equivalent to the lead of the lead screw. The lead screw also comprises at least one helical guide means having a lead substantially equivalent to the lead of the lead screw. The helical guide means is seated in the helical seating groove. A follower nut for use in a linear drive assembly in conjunction with the lead screw is also provided.