Abstract: Home safety and security are provided using a bedside unit to monitor audible safety and security alarms and send notification signals to the appropriate communication site. A home security system additionally comprises a waking device activated by the bedside unit. A memory device of the unit includes means for determining when the sound received by a microphone of the unit is a security alarm sound or a breathing pattern representing an alarm condition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to photocatalytically active rutile titanium dioxide. The photocatalytically active rutile titanium dioxide of the present invention demonstrates enhanced activity in the visible light spectrum. It may be produced by neutralizing rutile seed to a higher pH than that at which it has traditionally been neutralized prior to washing and thermally treating the seed.

Abstract: The field of the invention relates in general to at least one method and apparatus for the production of soluble MHC antigens and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to at least one method and apparatus for the production of soluble Class I and II HLA molecules. The field of the invention also includes such produced soluble Class I and II HLA molecules and their use. According to the methodology of the present invention, the soluble Class I and II HLA molecules can be produced from either gDNA or cDNA starting material.

Abstract: A method is provided for in-situ gasification of coal wherein a network of fractures is formed by providing a substantially vertically disposed borehole and a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed boreholes in fluid communication with the substantially vertically disposed borehole, at least one substantially horizontally disposed boreholes being a fracturing borehole, at least one substantially horizontally disposed boreholes being an injection borehole and at least one substantially horizontally disposed boreholes being an injection borehole. An initial quantity of liquified gas is introduced into the at least one substantially horizontally disposed fracturing borehole whereby the liquified gas vaporizes forms fractures in the formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for teaching an individual proper body rotation when striking a ball is disclosed which includes an elongated body member having a first end portion, a medial portion and a second end portion. A strap is connected to the elongated body member for securing the elongated body member in a is substantially horizontally disposed position on a portion of a lower lumbar region of the individual's back whereby at least a portion of the medial portion and the second end portion of the elongated body member extends outwardly from the individual. Upon the individual assuming a ball striking position and simulating a swing or a ball striking motion, at least the second end portion of the elongated body member is caused to cross over a ball striking zone when the individual's hips, lower body and upper body are properly rotated during the swing or ball striking motion. The apparatus may further include a back rest assembly, a rib assembly and a propiteal fossa engaging assembly.

Abstract: A baseboard for covering an expansion gap located at an intersection of a vertical wall and a floor. The baseboard is formed of thermoplastic elastomer and has an L-shaped body having a toe portion and a wall portion. The back side of the wall portion has a plurality of spaced-apart ventilation channels extending from the upper end of the wall portion to the lower end thereof. Each ventilation channel has a substantially rectangular shaped cross-section. The back side of the wall portion further includes a plurality of wall contact surfaces extending between each ventilation channel and a plurality of adhesive gripping grooves formed therethrough that function as a catch element when the baseboard is adhesively secured to the wall.

Abstract: A wavelength independent multi-section optical coupler having at least three optical couplers, and at least two differential phase cells. Each optical coupler has two waveguides forming a coupling region having a net coupling value. The coupling value for each coupling region of the at least three optical couplers is different than the coupling values of the other two coupling regions. Each differential phase cell connects adjacent ones of said optical couplers. Each differential phase cell causes a differential phase shift in light signals traversing between the optical couplers, wherein the differential phase shifts of the differential phase cells, and the coupling value for each coupling region are chosen so as to minimize wavelength, and fabrication sensitivity of said wavelength independent multi-section optical coupler for a designed power splitting ratio.

Abstract: A method is described for regulating gene expression related to iron metabolism to ameliorate diseases that include sickle cell disease, cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, Friedreich's ataxia and other neuromuscular disorders, and atherosclerosis. This approach is illustrated by recent findings that show that ferritin-H, an iron-binding protein that is present in cell nuclei, can repress the human ?-globin gene, the gene that is mutated in sickle cell disease. Increased expression of ferritin-H or a related ferritin-family peptide, given to effected cells either as the peptide itself (or a part thereof), as an expression clone of the ferritin-H-subfamily gene, or via a gene regulator that increases expression of the ferritin-H-subfamily gene itself, prevents or ameliorates expression of the disease state in disorders where increased availability of iron is implicated in the etiology of the disease, including those named above.

Abstract: A clamp assembly selectively grips material. The clamp assembly includes a housing, a gripping assembly and means for connecting the clamp assembly to an object. The housing has a first end, a second end, a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions cooperate to define a material receiving slot. The first portion of the housing has an angular disposed channel and an angular disposed recessed portion. The second portion of the housing has a gripping surface. The gripping assembly is slidably disposed within the channel such that the recessed portion cooperates with the channel to define a travel path so that the gripping assembly can be selectively movable between a biased first position and a second position. In the biased first position, the gripping assembly extends into the material receiving slot. In the second position the gripping assembly is withdrawn from the material receiving slot.

Abstract: A method for repairing damaged or diseased urinary tract tissue includes providing a urinary tract tissue graft composition that includes a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa. The distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa may be utilized as an unseeded tissue graft composition, or the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa may be positioned in a tissue culture frame, and smooth muscle and urothelial cells isolated from a tissue specimen of a subject and cultured are then seeded upon the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, thereby forming a urinary tract tissue graft.

Abstract: A purified nucleic acid segment encoding a functionally active hyaluronan receptor for endocytosis (HARE) or an active peptide fragment thereof, and methods for producing functionally active HARE or an active peptide fragment thereof therefrom, wherein the functionally active HARE or an active peptide fragment thereof is able to specifically bind HA, chondroitin and chondroitin sulfate.

Abstract: A health monitoring method and system utilizes a bedside device to monitor breathing patterns and other health measuring signals and communicates these patterns and signals to a medical monitoring station. The medical monitoring service analyzes the signals for health conditions and determines when the signals indicate a medical response is required.

Abstract: A composition having sustained pain-relieving properties such that the composition may be administered to a subject to alleviate chronic pain. The composition includes an effective amount of at least one inhibitor of neurotransmitter synthesis. A method for alleviating chronic pain in a subject for an extended period of time is also disclosed, in which the compound is administered to a subject suffering from chronic pain at a site of inflammation such that the administration of the compound results in a reduction in at least one of thermal and mechanical pain responses at the site of inflammation for a period of at least two days without any resulting acute pain behavior. The composition may further include an effective amount of at least one compound having analgesic effects such that the composition also alleviates acute pain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinantly produced, enzymatically active hyaluronan synthase, wherein the recombinantly produced, enzymatically active hyaluronan synthase is a single protein that is a dual-action catalyst that utilizes UDP-GlcA and UDP-GlcNAc to synthesize HA. The recombinantly produced, enzymatically active hyaluronan synthase may be produced from a hyaluronan synthase gene isolated from a microbial source, such as a streptococcal source.

Abstract: A subsurface drainage assembly for directing fluid drainage from a surface is disclosed. The subsurface drainage assembly includes a plurality of drain structure panels linked together in a manner that permits movement of one drain structure panel relative to the adjacent drain structure panel. The drain structure panels have a laterally extensive backing grid and a plurality of spaced apart tubular support members projecting therefrom. The tubular support members have at least one fluid flow opening formed through a sidewall so as to intersect a second end of the tubular support members at two rounded corners. The tubular support members are tapered so that the tubular support members are nestable with the tubular support members of an identical drain structure panel when the drain structure panels are stacked.

Abstract: Curled decorative grass having a variety of configurations and methods for making such decorative grass is provided which, because of its increased bulk, can also be used as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and a media for plants. The curled decorative grass is produced by curling a substantially flat sheet of material and thereafter cutting the resulting curled sheet of material, or by cutting a pre-curled material.

Abstract: The present relates in general to upconversion luminescence (“UCL”) materials and methods of making and using same and more particularly, but not meant to be limiting, to Mn2+ doped semiconductor nanoparticles for use as UCL materials. The present invention also relates in general to upconversion luminescence including two-photon absorption upconversion, and potential applications using UCL materials, including light emitting diodes, upconversion lasers, infrared detectors, chemical sensors, temperature sensors and biological labels, all of which incorporate a UCL material.

Abstract: A needle valve is disclosed for controlling the quantity of a halide vapor to be injected into a liquid metal. The needle valve may seat in a supersonic nozzle from which the halide vapor exits. Various products made with the apparatus of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel non-splined shaft for connecting cam units (cam sections) in a series to construct a camshaft having zero degree backlash for use within an engine. Such engines typically use a camshaft comprised of a plurality of separate camshaft units (cam sections) which are connected in a series by one or more cam connecting shafts. The entire series of camshaft units and cam connecting shafts may be, for example, 40 feet in length. Examples of natural gas engines in which the cam connecting shafts described herein may be used include, but are not limited to, the INGERSOLL-RAND KVR and KVT series of engines.

Abstract: A system and method of separating metal powder from a slurry of liquid metal and metal powder and salt is disclosed in which the slurry is introduced into a first vessel operated in an inert environment when liquid metal is separated from the metal powder and salt leaving principally salt and metal powder substantially free of liquid metal. The salt and metal powder is transferred to a second vessel operated in an inert environment with both environments being protected from contamination. Then the salt and metal powder are treated to produce passivated powder substantially free of salt and liquid metal. The method is particularly applicable for use in the production of Ti and its alloys.