Abstract: A system for performing chest compression for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. The system includes a motor and gearbox including a system of clutches and brakes which allow for controlling and limiting the movement of the compressing mechanism and includes a control system for controlling the operation and interaction of the various components to provide for optimal automatic operation of the system.

Abstract: A free spinning gyroscopic device has a hollow body with leading and following open ends, in which the outside perimeter of the leading open end has particular relationships to other characteristics of the device. In one aspect, the perimeter may advantageously measure at least 600, 800, 1000, 2000, 3000 or 4000 times the average thickness of the leading edge, or 150, 200, 250, 500, 750, or 1000 times the point of greatest thickness of the body. In another aspect, the perimeter may advantageously measure at least 4.7, 5.0, 7.5 or 10, times the length of the body. In another aspect, the perimeter may advantageously measure at least 9 inches, 12 inches, 15 inches, or 20 inches.

Abstract: A self-evolving generic index for storing marketplace information for multiple types of items allows users to add new parameters, values and possibly new classifications for use in describing items. The new parameters/values/classifications can then be selected by other users for use in describing their own items. It is especially contemplated that the system can display information relating to the usage with which parameters/values/classifications have historically been employed in describing different types of items. This encourages users to be consistent in selecting parameters/values/classifications for both entering and searching data, while still allowing great flexibility.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides are provided which are effective in inhibiting the growth, metastasis and/or angiogenesis of tumors, including particularly melanoma and/or lung cancer. Methods are also provided for use of these oligonucleotides in the treatment of diseases.

Abstract: Novel liquid electrolyte plasticizers having enhanced ambient temperature conductivity are provided. These plasticizers have the following general structures ##STR1## in which R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, R.sup.e, R.sup.f, R.sup.i, .alpha., .beta., .gamma., l, p and q are as defined herein. Also provided are conductive compositions containing these novel plasticizers, particularly film compositions, and batteries formulated with such compositions.

Abstract: A stent and stent catheter for intra-cranial use. The stent is a rolled sheet stent and is releasably mounted on the distal tip of the catheter with a low profile retaining tab. The stent is rolled tightly on the distal tip of the catheter and flexibility of the tightly rolled stent is promoted by ribbed or slatted construction (or, alternatively, slotted construction) in which the various layers of the stent are provided with numerous slats which counter align when the stent is expanded to form an imperforate wall from a plurality of perforate layers.

Abstract: A single-ion electrolyte achieves conductivity greater than 10.sup.-3 S/cm at 20.degree. C. by employing repeating mer units which are functionalized by fluoroalkylsulfonate groups. Preferred backbones for the electrolyte include polysiloxanes, polymethacrylates and poly(alkylene oxides). More preferred backbones have the structure ##STR1## wherein A is selected from the group consisting of C and Si such that when A is C then R.sup.4 is (CH.sub.2).sub.1-100' and when A is Si then R.sup.4 is O; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, fluorinated lower alkyl, fluorinated lower alkoxy, and fluoroalkylsulfonate; and R.sup.3 is null or selected from the group consisting of O, (O).sub.1-100, O--CH.sub.2, (O).sub.1-100 --(CH.sub.2).sub.1-100.

Abstract: Neoplastic cells which over-express CD44, including especially non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma cancer cells, are treated with antisense oligonucleotides to control CD44 expression. Test results show that the claimed oligonucleotides significantly decreases cell growth in a CD44 sequence specific manner of lung cancer or melanoma cells, or both, but are largely non-toxic to normal cells. Examples of dosing in a clinical setting are provided.

Abstract: Hair growth is affected by topical application of a boron containing compounds/complexes in which a central tetrahedral boron atom is covalently bound to four ligands. At least one of the ligands preferably includes an oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, or sulfur atom, and preferably all four ligands include at least one such atom. Preferred ligands are saccharides and amino acids, including fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, sorbose, serine and threonine. Especially preferred ligands have a conformation with at least two hydroxyl groups, or one hydroxyl group and one amino group in a 1,2- and a 1,3- position relative to each other, providing a high association constant in the range of about 3,000 and about 20,000. The compounds/complexes are preferably provided in formulations which provide good transdermal delivery, including appropriate solvent systems, microemulsions, liposomes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided in which a coating is deposited onto a substrate by a process which includes the following steps: depositing a precursor onto the substrate in a desired pattern; depositing an appropriate ligand onto the substrate; and applying sufficient energy to transfer electrons from the ligand to the precursor, thereby decomposing the precursor to form a precipitate. In one aspect of preferred embodiments, the precursor comprises a metallic salt, and the precipitate comprises a metal. Especially preferred salts are carboxylates, halides, nitrates, and pseudo halides. In another aspect of preferred embodiments, the ligand comprises an amine, an amide, a phosphine, a sulfide, or any other ligand containing nitrogen, phosphorous, sulphur or other donor atoms. In another aspect of preferred embodiments, the energy is supplied at least partially as radiant heat.

Abstract: A semi-permeable membrane based purification system expresses permeate through a membrane, and uses an air lift pump to raise the permeate. In particularly preferred embodiments, a plurality of membranes are positioned at least several hundred feet below the surface of the each, and are used to desalinate salty or brackish water. Ozone may be used to further purify the water and help maintain the integrity of the membranes.

Abstract: A wire frame stent or occluding device for use within the vasculature. The device can be stretched into a double wire or single wire configuration for easy deployment into the vasculature.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods are provided for use in the stepwise, layer by layer fabrication of three-dimensional objects, in which a build material contains a metal having a covalent bond to a non-metal, and the layers are processed to produce the three-dimensional object at least in part through a chemical reaction which alters the covalent bond of the metal. In a first aspect of the invention the build material includes a metal that is covalently bound to a polymeric precursor. In another aspect of the invention, the build material includes a metal, Me, that is covalently bound to a first ligand, L.sub.1. Following deposition of the build material, the first ligand undergoes a redox reaction with a second ligand, L.sub.2, thereby breaking the covalent bond of the metal. In more preferred embodiments of this class, L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 react to form a gas, and the metal reacts to form an oxide such as MeSO.sub.x, MeNO.sub.x, MeCO.sub.x and so forth.

Abstract: The present invention provides various novel oligonucleotide analogs having one or more properties that make the subject compounds superior to conventional oligonucleotides for use in procedures employing oligonucleotides. The compounds of the invention are oligonucleotide analogs in which the furanose ring of a naturally occurring nucleic acid is replaced with an amino acid or a modified amino alcohol residue. Some embodiments of the novel compounds of the invention are particularly useful for the antisense control of gene expression. The compounds of the invention may also be used as nucleic acid hybridization probes or as primers. Another aspect of the invention is to provide monomeric precursors of the oligonucleotide analogs of the invention. These monomeric precursors may be used to synthesize the subject polynucleotide analogs. Another aspect of the invention is to provide formulations of the subject polynucleotide analogs that are designed for the treatment or prevention of disease conditions.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for a water craft, for use on a body of water, having a bottom, and an inflatable keel, coupled to the bottom, wherein the keel contacts the surface of the water during operation of the craft, the keel comprising an inflatable bladder wherein inflating the bladder results in the keel at least partially transitioning from a collapsed state to an inflated state.

Abstract: Complexes of boron with sugars or/or sugar alcohols are utilized as nutritional supplements, with the carbohydrate portion being selected to provide a relatively high boron-sugar association constant of at least 250, and preferably 500 or more. In one class of preferred embodiments, boron is complexed with a saccharide having co-planar cis-OH groups capable of forming five or six membered rings through ester bonding with boric acid. Such complexes may advantageously comprise fructose, mannose, xylose or sorbose. In another aspect of the invention, a carbohydrate-boric acid complex may be charge neutralized with calcium, magnesium or other cation(s). A particularly preferred form is calcium fructoborate. In yet another aspect of preferred embodiments, the boron supplement can be included in a food, especially in a high magnesium food, and more especially in a snack food such as a snack containing chocolate and/or nuts.

Abstract: A ratcheting, open-end wrench concurrently engages more than half the corners of a nub during torquing. In preferred embodiments a wrench has a contacting cavity for receiving and torquing a nut, bolt head or other angularized nub. A chain carries a plurality of teeth about the inner perimeter of the cavity, and the chain is ratcheted so that the teeth move readily in one direction, but can be blocked from moving in the opposite direction. The teeth are arranged on the chain such that the cavity changes shape from an open configuration in which the nub can be received into the cavity, and a closed configuration in which the nub is locked into the cavity.

Abstract: Herbal combinations which reduce serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels comprise (1) herbs having substantial recognized activity in enhancing circulatory function (ECF herbs) and (2) herbs having substantial recognized effects in promoting bowel motility (PBM herbs). Preferred combinations have a combined total of at least 16% (dry weight basis) of at least two ECS herbs in combination with a combined total of at least 16% (dry weight basis) of at least two PBM herbs. Particularly preferred combinations are selected from the following herbs: Crataegus, Ho Shou Wu, Chrysanthemum, Lotus Leaf, Alisma and Hu-Zhang, Cassia Seed, and Rhubarb.