Abstract: Disclosed are methods for use in transferring nucleic acids into central nervous system cells in vivo and in vitro and/or for stimulating central nervous system cells. Neurotrophic genes are shown to stimulate neurofilament cells and to promote nerve cell growth, repair and regeneration in vivo. Gene transfer protocols are disclosed for use in transferring various nucleic acid materials into central nervous system cells, as may be used in treating various pathologies of the brain and spinal cord.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for comfortably tilting a wheelchair and its occupant to a reclining position such as required for receiving common services such as having their hair done or dental work performed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a standing valve containing a ball, in which during operation, the ball is moved by ball guides to a position off center and yet not impinged against the valve, and in which unequal fluid flow areas are created around the horizontal circumference of the ball. Further disclosed are pumps utilizing such a standing valve.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for making polymerizable and/or reactable vinyl monomer oligomers with narrow molecular weight distributions using catalytic distillation and a catalyst situated in an immobile catalyst bed in a reaction zone of the distillation column reactor. The polymerizable oligomer products comprise at least 50% by weight of a single molecular weight oligomer fraction.

Abstract: A method of treating vegetation by application of a microbial insecticide in which a quinone has been covalently bonded to the viral occlusion body surface of the microbial insecticide in order to improve the UV stability of the microbial insecticide by forming a protective shield around the pathogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable underwire support bra especially suited for larger breasted women. The bra is designed to allow a wearer to create their own most comfortable fit by independently adjusting inner and outer cup support straps. The bra is also designed with a centerpiece in which to embed the underwire to prevent the underwire from slipping or from poking through the fabric causing discomfort to the wearer and/or fabric wear.

Abstract: A press plate for producing decorative laminate from resin impregnated paper, with alumina particles on its pressing surface, is coated with diborides selected from the group consisting of hafnium diboride, molybdenum diboride, tantalum diboride, titanium diboride, tungsten diboride, vanadium diboride, or zirconium diboride or mixtures thereof for making the press plate resistant to scratching. The preferred diborides are titanium and zirconium. The most preferred diboride is titanium. The color, gloss and surface appearance of laminate pressed with a titanium diboride coated press plate is substantially the same as laminate pressed with the press plate before coating.

Abstract: Containers or other apparatus for viscous materials which allow for enhanced drainage or evacuation of the viscous material with a reduction in the amount of residual material that will remain in the container after evacuation. Compositions for making such containers include hydrophobic or poorly hydrophilic polymers and a polar additive. In the method of making such containers, the composition is made moldable and formed into the shape of the container and then cooled.

Abstract: A method of preparing a recipient oocyte from a target zona-intact or zona-free oocyte by centrifuging the oocyte against a density gradient material to force the chromosomal material to pass through the cytoplasmic membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for producing a tripropylene glycol in which alkylene oxide, water, an acid catalyst and a dipropylene glycol are contacted together under conditions suitable to form the tripropylene glycol. Water is present in the reaction mixture in the range of about 1 to about 50 weight percent of the reaction mixture. The ratio of water to alkylene oxide is less than about 9. The tripropylene glycol thus produced exhibits a higher primary hydroxyl group content generally exceeding 36 percent. Such tripropylene glycols find utility in the production of acrylics. Also disclosed is a process for making esters from such glycols.

Abstract: A pressure gauge for a pressurized device is disclosed that provides a simple, efficient and highly visual indication of pressure change from a normal condition to various abnormal conditions. The pressure gauge includes a chamber, a pressure converter located within or operably associated with the chamber, a rotary member coupled to the converter and having an indicator pattern and a cap including at least one window through which at least a portion of the indicator pattern is viewable. Once the gauge is brought into fluid communication with a pressurized device, then the cap may be rotated or adjusted to align the windows with a desired marker type placing the gauge in a normal or first indicator data. A change in pressure in the chamber will cause the gauge to undergo a change to a new or different indicator state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the near simultaneous detection of light emitted from ozone induced chemiluminescence of nitrogen and sulfur species capable of undergoing ozone induced chemiluminescence in a single instrument. A sample containing sulfur and/or nitrogen is first subjected to an oxidative/reductive process which generates ozone reactive nitrogen and sulfur species which are then forwarded to an specially designed ozone/detector chamber. The ozone reactive species are brought in contact with ozone in the special chamber and the chemiluminescence of the nitrogen species and the sulfur species are measured and quantitated.

Abstract: A drier with a curvalinear chamber having a heat transfer surface at one end and baffles at the other end. A fan is provided to circulate air within the chamber. In the process for drying, the product to be dried is positioned within the chamber and air circulated across the heat transfer surface, toward the baffle, past the product, and back to the heat transfer surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analog of Neuropeptide FF (e.g., daY8Ra) and to a pharmaceutical composition containing same. The invention further relates to methods of using the analog to attenuate the effects of drug addiction, drug tolerance, drug dependence or of abstinence syndrome.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating as shear ("S") wave for use in oil and gas exploration, where such S-wave is created by detonating an explosive packaging in a shot hole in a manner that produces directionally controlled S-wave force vectors at each source station across a 3-D survey grid.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for detecting the presence of fecal or ingesta matter contaminants on a poultry or meat item. The poultry or meat is conveyed in front of a UV light transmitter/receiver where UV light is directed onto the poultry or meat item and subsequently light is gathered from the poultry or meat. The gathered light is then compared to a threshold, above which indicates contaminants. If contaminants are present, the controller can generate a signal and/or send the contaminated items to a wash station.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing pulmonary hypertension syndrome in avians, generally including administering a drinking water containing L-arginine compound to the avian.

Abstract: A blend and flexible product made of two copolymers of an olefin and an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic ester monomer. The copolymers are selected such that each copolymer includes greater than 6 weight percent ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic ester monomer, or selected to be more than 10 weight percent of the blend. If the copolyers have similar ester contents, that is differing by less than 6 weight percent, the copolymers are selected such that their difference in their melt flows is greater than about 8. If the copolymers have dissimilar ester contents, that is differing by more than 6 weight percent, the copolymers are selected such that the ratio of their melt flows is about 2 or less.

Abstract: A soccer type goal in which upon scoring a goal, the scoring player pulls on a release strap to allow a cover to uncoil across the goal. An athletic ball game includes a number of these goals at each end of a playing field.

Abstract: Polycarbonate prepolymer is crystallized using a water and solvent mixture, or by application of a shear force while heating, or by orientation of the prepolymer with a shear force followed by a temperature hold. High molecular weight polycarbonate is obtained by the solid state reaction of the crystallized prepolymer.