Abstract: The present invention relates to a human type-5 recombinant adenovirus vector for achieving cardiac restricted transcription involving utilization of the cardiomyocyte-restricted cardiac ankyrin repeat protein (CARP) promoter with inclusion of the inverted terminal repeat sequences from human adeno-associated virus (AAV). Using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a marker gene, the recombinant adenovirus vector (Ad/CG/ITR) is shown to direct transgene expression to myocardial tissue in vivo and in vitro in mouse models.

Abstract: A targeted UV phototherapy apparatus has a UV radiation source for emitting UV radiation at a first wavelength and a phosphor element separate from the source for converting the UV radiation in the first wavelength to a different UV wavelength in the therapeutic UVB or UVA range. A radiation directing assembly directs radiation from the UV source to the separate phosphor element, and a shaped exit aperture placed directly against a lesion directs radiation emitted from the phosphor element onto a predetermined target area of the lesion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus, preferably adapted to spray a veterinarian preparation. The apparatus includes: (a) a mixture delivery line to deliver preparation from a source through a lance to a mixture chamber, and (b) air delivery lines to deliver air from a source through a lance to a mixing chamber, and (c) control means for controlling the rate of delivery of mixture and/or air to the mixing chamber, and (d) a nozzle, wherein the arrangement and configuration of the mixing chamber is such that the venturi effect is harnessed to effectively mix the preparation and air, carrying and/or atomising the preparation to spray same. Methods of applying a veterinarian products or preparations using the above spray device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A data distribution system includes a server computer for transmitting email files to a computer network for access by remote computers having email client computer software for displaying the email files; the server includes a script program as a portion of a secondary e-mail message that also includes tracking information; a predefined message is also stored as a main message, the script program also including a command that displays the predefined message by retrieving the second source file. The Script program can further include a command for passing information to the server computer, and a command for replacing a first image with a second image. When the server computer receives the transmitted information, a reply is transmitted, and the script program executes the command for replacing in response to the reply. The command for passing the information can be executed in response to a user action directed to the first image.

Abstract: A knife and sheath assembly includes a knife having a handle and a blade and a sheath having a cavity for releasably receiving the knife blade in a storage condition. A first end portion of the blade is adjustably mounted in the handle and a second end portion including a cutting edge protrudes from the handle. The blade is movable between a first, retracted position in which a first length of the blade protrudes from the handle and a second, extended position in which a second length of the blade longer than the first length protrudes from the handle. A releasable latch member on the handle releasably locks the knife blade in the first and second positions, and the sheath cavity is designed to receive the portion of the knife blade which protrudes from the handle in the retracted position, such that the overall length of the assembly is reduced when the knife is sheathed.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus has a support frame and a seat mounted on the support frame having a forward end. A leg exercise arm has a first end pivoted to the support frame adjacent the forward end of the seat, and a second end. The arm has a continuous curve extending along at least a major portion of its length and bending through an arc of at least 180 degrees. In its rest position, the arm first projects forwards from the pivot and then bends back rearwards. A cable links the arm to an exercise resistance, and a leg engaging assembly is mattached to the arm for engagement by the legs of a user in performing exercises.

Abstract: An optical security article has a substrate with printed information and an optical security coating adhered to the substrate over the printed information. The security coating contains engraved optical elements which cannot be readily duplicated. The coating has adhesive characteristics whereby it is temporarily adhered to the substrate to resist accidental removal or peeling off, while permitting the coating to be scratched or scraped off to reveal the underlying information.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector assembly has releasably mating first and second units each having a through bore and a respective ferrule mounted in the through bore and having a front end face having a plurality of optical contacts for mating, face-to-face engagement with corresponding contacts in the front end face of the other ferrule. At least one of the ferrules is movably mounted in the through bore for movement between an advanced and retracted position. A ribbon fiber extends through each through bore and the individual fibers in the ribbon fiber extend through the respective ferrule and are terminated at respective contacts in the end face. A biasing device is mounted in the through bore of at least one unit behind the movable ferrule and bears against the rear end of the ferrule to bias it towards its advanced position.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the termination of the inhalation phase in a pressure support ventilation system is disclosed, in which an expiratory trigger sensitivity, or ratio of inspiratory flow rate to peak inspiratory flow rate at which the inspiration phase is terminated, is varied in proportion to variations in a calculated respiratory time constant. The system includes sensors for monitoring pressure and flow of gas during each breath, and, based on the sensor outputs, calculates the respiratory time constant for one breath or a series of breaths. The expiratory trigger sensitivity is automatically increased with increasing patient respiratory time constant, providing a closed loop control of expiratory trigger sensitivity. The expiratory trigger sensitivity may also be varied in response to changes in supra-plateau pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for securing the upper terminal position of a liftable and lowerable object, comprising cable means having a hoist-side end and an object-side end; a stationary bracket having an aperture disposed in a substantially horizontal plane; a housing supported by the object-side end of the cable means and carrying the object, the housing having a lower portion and an upper portion, at least the upper portion being configured to pass through the aperture, a first opening at the top of the upper portion and a second opening at the bottom of the lower portion facilitating the passage of the cable means through the housing, and two oppositely located, elongated slots extending along at least parts of the upper portion; lever means located inside, and extending through a substantial portion of, the housing, the lever means being pivotably mounted in the lower portion of the housing and being provided with catch means and camming means, the lever means having a first limit position in which

Abstract: A cover apparatus for an open-topped container such as a trailer or truck bed has a cover for extending over the open top of the container, a plurality of spaced, parallel bows extending between opposite sides of the cover, each bow having a guide at each end, an endless cable running through the guides at each end of each bow, a front one of the bows being secured to the cable and the guides on the remaining bows engaging slidably on the cable. A plurality of support pulleys support the cable to extend in a predetermined path along the opposite sides of,the container, and a pair of meshing gear drive pulleys control movement of the cable to extend and retract the cover. A reversible drive motor is linked to one of the gear drive pulleys.

Abstract: An automated sample-on-solid-support processing system includes a treatment solution supply subsystem which feeds solvent to a dispenser to dispense a measured amount of treatment solution to each well of a multi-well plate. The dispenser measures the solution within a fill container having a plurality of reservoir wells corresponding to the number of wells in the multi-well plate. The fill container is contained within a reservoir chamber that is filled with an excess of solution. Each reservoir well is surrounded by a plurality of bores which drains excess solution from the top of the fill container so that a precise amount of solution is left in the reservoir wells when solution is drained out of the reservoir chamber. Gas pressure is introduced into the reservoir chamber to force the solution out of the reservoir well through a bundle of tubes, with one tube per well, and into the wells of the multi-well plate.

Abstract: A pipe fitting apparatus includes first and second connector units for releasable connection to respective first and second pipe sections adjacent pipe ends to be coupled, so as to hold the pipe sections relative to one another in the desired relative orientations during welding. Each connector unit has a groove on one face for location against the outside of a pipe, with the longitudinal groove axis extending parallel to the axis of a pipe to which it is secured. The units are adjustably secured together by a pivot coupling having a pivot axis extending transverse to the groove axis for pivotal adjustment of the orientation of the second connector unit relative to the first connector unit, whereby the relative orientation of the first and second pipes to be coupled can be adjusted. A releasable locking device releasably secures the second connector unit at a selected orientation relative to the first connector unit.

Abstract: A pilot signal is generated and injected into the input (108) of a signal modulator (104). The harmonic signal of a pilot signal produced at the output (110) and due to the non-linear transfer function of the signal modulator (104) is coherently sampled in the time domain to produce a plurality of digital samples. The digital samples are averaged to produce an average harmonic signal value. The bias voltage at which the signal modulator (104) is biased is adjusted to minimize the magnitude of the average harmonic signal value.

Abstract: The present invention provides labeled synthetic libraries of random oligomers and methods and apparatus for generating labeled synthetic oligomer libraries. Each member of such a library is labeled with a unique identifier tag that specifies the structure or sequence of the oligomer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the identifier tag is a microchip that is pre-encoded or encodable with information that is related back to a detector when the identifier tag is pulsed with electromagnetic radiation.