Abstract: An efficient semi-continuous preparation of manganese thiosulfate (MnS2O3, MnTS) from manganese hydrosulfite and sulfur at elevated temperature is described. Manganese hydrosulfite is prepared from commercial manganese carbonate and sulfur dioxide. The resulting product is an emulation of liquid manganese thiosulfate and solid by-products. A manganese thiosulfate solution is produced according to the invention by use of certain mole ratios of MgCO3 to sulfur, and certain parameters such as the temperature of the reaction process and the pH conditions, including rate and duration of SO2 purging, which causes the by-products to be reduced to less than 2% by weight. The resulting manganese thiosulfate is a pinkish liquid with concentration up to 20%.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for capturing and harnessing energy from environmental wind which impinges the outer wall surfaces of a building. The system includes at least one elongated conduit disposed within an enclosure of a building, the conduit having first and second end portions opening to the building outer wall surfaces. A wind deflector mechanism is disposed at each of the first and second conduit end portions. Each such wind deflector mechanism is adapted to direct environmental wind, which impinges against the building outer wall surface proximate the end portion, into the conduit to provide bi-directional air flow passing through the conduit. At least one wind collector device is disposed within the conduit, and the wind collector has air impact elements mounted to a shaft. Each wind collector device is adapted to interact with the bi-directional air flow moving within the conduit originating from either first or second conduit end portions to rotate the wind collector shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the conversion of gas streams comprising ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and water in the form of liquids or gases that are generated by petroleum refineries and coke ovens to beneficiary agriculture products, by forming ammonium sulfide and then converting the ammonium sulfide, using sulfuric acid, to pure ammonium sulfate.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing nano-particles includes a furnace defining a vapor region therein. A precipitation conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end is positioned with respect to the furnace so that the inlet end is open to the vapor region. A quench fluid supply apparatus supplies quench fluid in a gas state and quench fluid in a liquid state. A quench fluid port positioned within the precipitation conduit is fluidically connected to the quench fluid supply apparatus so that an inlet to the quench fluid port receives quench fluid in the gas state and quench fluid in the liquid state. The quench fluid port provides a quench fluid stream to the precipitation conduit to precipitate nano-particles within the precipitation conduit. A product collection apparatus connected to the outlet end of the precipitation conduit collects nano-particles produced within the precipitation conduit.

Abstract: A snap clip lug, including receptacle member, clasp member and a post. Receptacle member has a body including a sleeve, first post formation means connected to the body, and a locking slot disposed in relation to the sleeve. The sleeve includes a retaining wall and an opening at one end for receiving the clasp member. Clasp member has a base, second post formation means connected to the base, and a resilient arm extending outwardly from the base and having a locking tab for engaging the locking slot. The locking tab is adapted to slidingly engage the retaining wall and to be received by the locking slot. The post, which is disposed perpendicularly between the receptacle member and the clasp member, is formed from first and second post formation means having engaged one another when the resilient arm is inserted in the sleeve.

Abstract: A methodology and system for lysing adipose tissue including directing ultrasonic energy at a multiplicity of target volumes within the region, which target volumes contain adipose tissue, thereby to selectively lyse the adipose tissue in the target volumes and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in the target volumes and computerized tracking of the multiplicity of target volumes notwithstanding movement of the body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating inflammatory arthritis in a mammal. The method typically comprises administering to an animal a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound selected from indigo, isoindigo, indirubin or derivatives thereof, such as NATURA-? or NATURA. The present invention is further directed to pharmaceutical compositions that include a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of the invention, an anti-inflammatory arthritis agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A wheelchair conversion vehicle and a method of manufacturing a wheelchair conversion vehicle include replacing the OEM trailing arm with a trailing arm substitute and substantially reproducing the movement of the rear wheel OEM spindle along first or second arc paths between an upper limit and a lower limit. The upper limit is a distance above the OEM ride height and the lower limit is a distance below the OEM ride height. The conversion vehicle and method of manufacturing further include installing a wheelchair access system to provide wheelchair access to the wheelchair conversion vehicle.

Abstract: This present invention generally relates to peptides, compositions, treatment methods, and devices useful for the medical diagnosis and treatment of pathogenic disorders. More specifically, the invention relates to immunostimulatory peptides which can stimulate the production of therapeutically beneficial cytokines. The peptides of the invention can regulate the release of a specific pattern of cytokines that promote angiogenesis, and modulate the immune system of a subject, without inducing deleterious side effects such as inflammation. Therefore, the peptides have therapeutic importance, particularly with respect to wound healing and restoration of circulation to damaged tissues.

Abstract: The present invention provides pepper plants having edible fruit with altered vitamin content, specifically fruit comprising an elevated content of vitamin E, further comprising at least one of an elevated content of pro-vitamin A, an elevated content of vitamin C and combinations thereof. The concentration of vitamin E is at least 5 mg/100 g fresh weight, and the plants are selected to be lacking molecular markers linked to undesirable traits.

Abstract: Nano-particle of MoO3. The nano-particle of the present invention has a surface area in the range of 33 to about 68 m2/g as determined by BET. The nano-particle may also have a rod-like non-hollow configuration.

Abstract: A device for gripping a guide wire includes a body portion having an opening therethrough, and has an open position and a closed position. When the device is in the open position the guide wire may be passed through the opening. When the device is in the closed position the guide wire is gripped at more than one location thereby allowing force or torque to be applied to the guide wire. A device according to the invention may optionally, or instead, include (a) a snout to act as a guide wire director, (b) a structure, such as an opening, configured to receive an end of a guide wire package, (c) a structure for securing a body member to the device, and/or (d) a mechanism for advancing or retracting a guide wire. If the device includes one of these optional features, it need not be designed to grip a guide wire at two or more locations.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal powder product involves: Providing a supply of a precursor metal powder; combining the precursor metal powder with a liquid to form a slurry; feeding the slurry into a pulsating stream of hot gas; and recovering the metal powder product.

Abstract: A methodology and system for lysing adipose tissue including directing ultrasonic energy at a multiplicity of target volumes within the region, which target volumes contain adipose tissue, thereby to selectively lyse the adipose tissue in the target volumes and generally not lyse non-adipose tissue in the target volumes and computerized tracking of the multiplicity of target volumes notwithstanding movement of the body.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to peptides useful for medical diagnosis and treatment of pathogenic disorders. More specifically, the invention relates to immunostimulatory peptides which can stimulate the production of therapeutically beneficial cytokines and, in combination with antibodies against human pathogens such as the immunodeficiency virus (HIV), inhibit replication of such pathogens. The peptides interact synergistically with pathogen-directed antibodies without producing or sustaining serious side-effects such as inflammation, and provide the potential for treatment modalities that are non-specific with respect to pathogen and cell type. Therefore, the peptides of the present invention have wide applicability with respect to medical treatment of pathogen-mediated infections, and the potential to enhance well-being.

Abstract: A computer system for managing property tax information for a plurality of real estate parcels includes a data storage device, an output device and a processor. The processor maintains in the storage device a database of property tax data including a plurality of parcel records, each parcel record including a parcel identifier for each parcel of the plurality of real estate parcels, a tax year identifier for identifying the tax year applicable to each parcel, a state identifier for identifying the state in which each parcel is located and a jurisdiction identifier for identifying a jurisdiction within the state in which the parcel is located. The processor also maintains in the storage device a plurality of templates.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a track on a tracked vehicle may comprise a drive system, a clutch, a brake, and a track control system to operate the clutch and the brake. A control signal generator operatively associated with the track control system produces control signals that vary at a first rate to cause the track control system to transition the clutch from an engaged state to a disengaged state and produces control signals that vary at a second rate to cause the track control system to transition the brake from an initial application state to a full application state, the second rate being less than the first rate.

Abstract: Molybdenum metal powder has surface-area-to-mass-ratios in a range of between about 1.0 meters2/gram (m2/g) and about 3.0 m2/g, as determined by BET analysis, in combination with a particle size wherein at least 30% of the particles are larger than a size +100 standard Tyler mesh sieve. A method for producing molybdenum metal powder includes providing a supply of ammonium molybdate and a reducing gas; causing an exothermic reaction between the ammonium molybdate and the reducing gas at a first temperature to produce an intermediate reaction product and a supplemental reducing gas; causing an endothermic reaction between the intermediate reaction product and the reducing gas at a final temperature to produce the molybdenum metal powder.