Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing shear stiffness in board is disclosed. The board sample (6) is placed into stationary jaw (2) and jaw (3) which is rigidly connected to inertial mass (7). The mass (7) is twisted around the sample axis with an initial twist chosen to ensure the sample is within the elastic region, and then allowed to freely oscillate. The oscillation frequency is then measured to evaluate the torsional stiffness of the sample.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of bacterial spores in a sample comprises non-destructively to the spores carrying out the steps of assessing the fluorescence of the sample, subjecting the sample to UV radiation, and reassessing the fluorescence of the sample to determine the presence of spores. An increase in fluorescence indicates the presence of spores.

Abstract: Disclosed is a class of compounds which inhibit the enzymatic conversion of fructose-lysine into fructose-lysine-3-phosphate in an ATP dependent reaction in a recently discovered metabolic pathway. According to the normal functioning of this pathway, fructose-lysine-3-phosphate (FL3P) is broken down to form free lysine, inorganic phosphate and 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG), the latter being a reactive protein modifying agent. 3DG can be detoxified by reduction to 3-deoxyfructose (3DF), or it can react with endogenous proteins to form advanced glycation end-product modified proteins (AGE-proteins). Also disclosed are therapeutic methods of using such inhibitors to alleviate deleterious effects of 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG).

Abstract: A transfer conveyor which prevents collisions between works to be conveyed when the works to be conveyed or stored are carried on a conveyer track by a work support having a length shorter than the length of works to be conveyed, which permits reverse traveling during maintenance operations and the like. The collision preventing mechanism includes a sensing element which is biased into a contact position where it engages a leading work support on the conveyor track and is deflected, a sensing lever 132, which mounts the sensing element and pivots in accordance with the contacting/deflecting operation of the sensing element, and a stopper lever downstream from the sensing element, which is connected to the sensing element to be displaced into the path of travel of the next trailing work support when the sensing element is in the contacting position, The stopper lever limits the travel of the trailing work support to a predetermined storage conveying interval.

Abstract: Oxadiazolyl-phenoxyalkylisoxazoles and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, compositions comprising oxadiazolyl-phenoxyalkylisoxazole compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and methods for using oxadiazolyl-phenoxyalkylisoxzazole compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as anti-picornaviral agents are described herein. The methods include using pleconaril as a prodrug for conversion to anti-picornaviral compounds in vivo.

Abstract: A conveyor chain comprising a number of chain links mutually connected in the chain longitudinal direction, each chain link having a plurality of hinge parts comprising laterally-spaced hinge parts in the form of finger members protruding in laterally-spaced relation from a front edge and a rear edge as an integrally molded unit; and a ball unit holding a ball which is free to be rotated while being exposed to both sides of the chain link, the ball unit being detachably installed in a U-shaped mounting region open at one end between the hinge parts and closed at the other end. The finger members of each link are interdigitated with the finger members of the adjacent links, and are retained by a hinge pin. Removal of the ball unit is facilitated by a tool-inserting slot at the other end of the U-shaped region.

Abstract: A microchannel plate and a method of making same are disclosed. The microchannel plate has an active area and at least one solid glass pad. The active area has a plurality of microchannels formed therein. The solid glass pad or pads are formed within the active area, and preferably at peripheral locations, for mounting the microchannel plate. With this arrangement, shrinkage of the microchannel plate during fabrication and hydration induced swelling of the active area after fabrication of the microchannel plate do not result in catastrophic warping or cracking of the microchannel plate.

Abstract: A skimming screen for a swimming pool filtration system is disclosed. The skimming according to the invention includes a support frame having a central opening and a mesh fabric or screen material attached to the support frame so as to extend over substantially the entire area of the central opening. The support frame and the screen material are shaped and dimensioned to cover the intake orifice of the suction line when a strainer basket is removed for cleaning. A method of using the skimming screen to facilitate cleaning of the strainer basket is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to polymers and monomers derived from agricultural feedstocks, and more particularly to methods for the production of monomers from renewable agricultural resources such as feedstocks, for example canola, flax and tallow, and polymers, in particular polyurethanes produced from monomers derived from such feedstocks. The present invention also relates to novel processes for the production of short-chain alcohols, as well as hydroxyl wax esters, from renewable feedstocks. An improved apparatus for carrying out ozonolysis reactions is also disclosed.

Abstract: Spider silk protein encoding nucleic acids, polypeptides and antibodies immunologically specific therefore are disclosed. Methods of use thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods are provided for identifying agents which affect chromosomal stability and aging.

Abstract: A light alloy seat back frame for a vehicle seat, including a pair of spaced apart side sections, an upper section interconnecting the side sections, a lower section formed into a substantially plate-shape having a width, the lower section extending between lower regions of rear sides of the side sections and interconnecting the side sections, the upper, side and lower sections being integrally made of light alloy, and a belt-shaped metal plate fixed onto a surface of the lower section. The seat back frame further includes a recliner mechanism for allowing a seat back of the vehicle seat to be pivoted with respect to a seat cushion of the vehicle seat. The recliner mechanism comprises cam devices mounted onto lower regions of outer surfaces of the side sections, and an actuating shaft extending along the lower section and interconnecting the cam devices. A metal pipe member for reinforcing a lower part of the seat back frame is mounted around an axial portion of the actuating shaft.

Abstract: A tube holder (105) for use with a peristaltic pump includes a housing having a recess (165) for receipt of a pump rotor and a tube race around the recess. The tube race has a first race part and a second race part, a first tube inlet (167a) into the first race part and a first tube outlet (167b) from the first race part, a second tube inlet (167c) into the second race part and a second tube outlet (167d) from the second race part. The tube is insertable in the tube race by movement in a substantially orthogonal direction relative to the tube race so that it extends in through the first tube inlet (167a), around the first race part, out through the first tube outlet (167b), in through the second tube inlet (167c), around the second race part, and out through the second tube outlet (167d).

Abstract: Quantum dots having ligands that comprise tiopronin capping groups are disclosed, along with a method for their preparation. The biocompatibility of these quantum dots is also demonstrated. The functionalization of the quantum dots of the present invention with targeting groups is also described using the example of a translocation peptide that allows the quantum dots to penetrate into the nucleus of cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for amplifying a preselected polynucleotide in a sample by conducting a polynucleotide polymerization reaction. The devices comprise a substrate microfabricated to define a sample inlet port and a mesoscale flow system, which extends from the inlet port. The mesoscale flow system includes a polynucleotide polymerization reaction chamber in fluid communication with the inlet port which is provided with reagents required for polymerization and amplification of a preselected polynucleotide. In one embodiment the devices may be utilized to implement a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the reaction chamber (PCR chamber).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a conducting nanowire between two contacts on a substrate surface wherein a plurality of nanoparticles is deposited on the substrate in the region between the contacts, and the single nanowire running substantially between the two contacts is formed by either by monitoring the conduction between the contacts and ceasing deposition at the onset of conduction, and/or modifying the substrate to achieve, or taking advantage of pre-existing topographical features which will cause the nanoparticles to form the nanowire. The resultant conducting nanowires are also claimed as well as devices incorporating such nanowires.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a human DNA repair enzyme, MED1, is disclosed. Like other mismatch repair genes which are mutated in certain cancers, MED1, encoding nucleic acids, proteins and antibodies thereto may be used to advantage in genetic or cancer screening assays. MED1, which recognizes and cleaves DNA, may also be used for the diagnostic detection of mutations and genetic variants.

Abstract: The Snail transcription factor has been identified as a repressor of the expression of E-cadherin. The expression of Snail induces invasive and metastatic capacity in tumour cells. This invention presents: a new target protein, Snail, for the identification of new antitumoral compounds and a new diagnostic tumour marker, indicative of tissue invasion and metastatic capacity.

Abstract: The Snail transcription factor has been identified as a repressor of the expression of E-cadherin. The expression of Snail induces invasive and metastatic capacity in tumor cells. This invention presents: a new target protein, Snail, for the identification of new antitumoral compounds and a new diagnostic tumor marker, indicative of tissue invasion and metastatic capacity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating a hypertonic condition in a movable extremity are described. The apparatus includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a force sensor and a data communication device for transmitting data signals to a data processor. The method includes moving a limb through a range of motion about an axis of rotation while measuring parameters such as acceleration, velocity, the force on the limb, and the time to move it through the range of motion. The measured parameters are transmitted to a data processor which generates and displays information that characterizes the hypertonic condition for immediate feedback to the examiner or storage in a database for monitoring of the patient's condition. An apparatus and a method for simulating movement of a limb that has a hypertonic condition based on characterizing information from a real limb are also described.