Abstract: An interlocking gutter system that incorporates a gutter clip and a gutter hanger to affix a gutter to a retaining clip attached to a fascia board of a building, thereby eliminating the need to place holes in the gutter itself to insert screws or nails. The gutter hanger of the present invention is constructed of a single piece which has a hanger portion which is disposed substantially within the gutter and spans the width of the gutter to maintain the shape and structural integrity of the gutter. A vertical portion of the gutter hanger extends vertically from the hanger portion and terminates in a top portion which provides support to a leaf protection device. Alternatively, the gutter hanger is constructed of a hanger portion, and a separate vertical portion which is contiguous with the top portion, and is also removably attachable to the hanger portion.

Abstract: A method for trenching below the water table in environmentally sensitive areas such as the Florida Keys is shown. A first pass made by a trencher digs a first trench from the surface to the water table. During the first pass, relatively dry spoil is removed from the first trench. Next, a much deeper second trench is dug below the first trench; however, wet spoil remains in the now combined first and second trench, the combined first and second trench being large enough to accumulate the wet spoil with expansion. Thereafter, the combined first and second trench may be filled with the relatively dry spoil, packed and driven upon. Later, the packed spoil may be removed and water pipes, electric cables, sewer lines or the like buried in the trench. According to the requirements of the work area, the spoil may be used to partially fill the combined first and second trench or be hauled away.

Abstract: Specially designed non-mammalian GnRH analogs resistant to degradation by the tumor tissue enzymes, post-proline peptidases as well as endopeptidases, are disclosed. The GnRH analogs are further defined as analogs of chicken II GnRH, salmon GnRH, or herring GnRH, but can include any non-mammalian GnRH analog with similar amino acid structure. These non-mammalian analogs incorporate D-arginine, D-leucine, D-tBu-Serine or D-Trp or other similar amino acids at position 6 and ethylamide or aza-Gly-amide or similar amides at position 10. These analogs demonstrate preferential binding to tumor cell GnRH receptors that is greater relative to the binding of the mammalian analogs to the tumor cell GnRH receptor. These non-mammalian GnRH analogs may be used in pharmaceutical preparations, and it specifically in various treatments as an anti-tumor, anti-proliferation, anti-metastatic and/or an apoptotic agent.

Abstract: A hair accessory organizer for holding many different types of hair accessories. The hair accessory organizer is magnetized to hold hair accessories either wholly or partially made of metal. In addition, the hair accessory organizer holds non-metal hair bands and hair accessories. The hair accessory organizer is capable of resting on a countertop, in a drawer or hung on a wall or door. The hair accessory organizer has a curved top member that holds substantially “U” shaped hair bands both on its top surface, and on its bottom surface. Two rings allow for attachment sites of hair clips and hooks. The hooks provide attachment sites for elastic hair bands and the like.

Abstract: A method is shown for magnetostrictive testing of structures using magnetostrictive techniques. A torsional guided wave is generated in the structure either directly, or through a magnetostrictive strip dry coupled or bonded to the structure. A permanent magnetic field is created by either permanent magnets or DC current for a permanent bias in a bias direction in the magnetostrictive strip and/or structure. By pulsing the magnetic field with an AC current pulse, a torsional guided wave will flow through the structure in the same direction as the permanent bias. By saturating the permanent magnetic field, a maximum torsional guided wave is reflected from defects in the structure to given an improved signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: An ornamental planting landscape irrigation distribution and reservoir product and method ecosystem employing a substantially continuous panel on the soil surface on which ornamental landscape plantings are placed or produced, the panel having a primary, lateral water distribution structure which distributes water from a water charging inlet through the lateral area to the panel periphery, where it is restrained, the primary water distribution structure being such that when filled with water or completely submerged in water, air is trapped by the gaps and spaces of the material for ornamental landscape plant usage.

Abstract: A device for eliminating fugitive material dust emanating from material being transferred from an upper conveyor, feeder or crusher to a lower position, or other location. The device allows adjustability of the chute's total flow capacity where increased capacity is required. The device has a sliding gate disposed in the hopper to control the rate of transfer of the material from the hopper. A chute is disposed below the hopper and is movable in both a lateral direction (transverse to the direction of belt travel), and movable in the axis of belt travel. A choke is slidably attached to the chute, and slidable therein. The gate is positioned to maintain a level of material in the hopper to prevent dust from emanating out of the hopper from the chute. The choke is positioned to reduce airflow through the material as it passes through the chute to a lower position.

Abstract: A reusable patch adhesively bondable to the inside of a tire. Disposed within the patch is at least one sensor that generates a radially outwardly directed signal and senses a reflection thereof from the tire's outer surface. Circuitry means is connected to the receiver for receiving data representative of the original and reflected signal and calculating a distance measurement representative of the distance between the sensor and the reflection point. Communication means then transmits the appropriate data to indication means, which triggers an indicator to alert the driver of a tire failure or potential tire failure.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact, collapsible, and easily concealed pistol. The pistol has a barrel and a handgrip which are pivotally attached to the frame. The barrel is locked to the frame by a barrel lock. Operation of the barrel lock releases the barrel, allowing the barrel to pivot for reloading. In the collapsed position, the handgrip folds to cover the frame and the trigger, which is retracted therein. In the firing position, the handgrip is rotated away from the barrel, and locks in place via grip locks disposed in the frame, and the trigger extends from the frame. The hammer is pivotally attached to the frame. The hammer incorporates a firing pin. A safety located on the hammer retracts the firing pin within the hammer to prevent firing the pistol in the safe position, and extends the firing pin to fire the pistol.

Abstract: The invention provides an article of manufacture comprising a substantially non-immunogenic bone xenograft for implantation into humans. The invention further provides a method for preparing a bone xenograft by removing at least a portion of a bone from a non-human animal to provide a xenograft (X); washing the xenograft in saline and alcohol; subjecting the xenograft to a cellular disruption treatment; and treating the xenograft with a glycosidase to remove surface carbohydrate moieties. The invention also provides an article of manufacture produced by the above identified method of invention. The invention further provides a bone xenograft for implantation into a human including a portion (10) of a bone from a nonhuman animal, wherein the portion has substantially no surface carbohydrate moieties which are susceptible to glycosidase digestion. Each xenograft of the invention has substantially the same mechanical properties as a corresponding native bone.

Abstract: A novel design for the connection of lengths of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) casing. Each length of casing has a male end and a female end. The female end has a narrowing interior diameter with its wider interior diameter at its outermost end sufficient to receive the male end of similar length of casing for connection. The diameter of the female end narrows to a diameter which is less than the outer diameter of the male end. The male end has a lip at its leading edge and is slotted and compressible when forced through the narrowed diameter of the female end. A groove in the interior surface of the female end is sufficient to receive the lip at the leading edge of the male end. When the lip at the leading edge of the male end reaches the groove, it allows the compressed male end to expand with the groove receiving the lip therein. The connected lengths of casing are locked together in this manner.

Abstract: An ornamental planting landscape irrigation distribution and reservoir product and method ecosystem employing a substantially continuous panel on the soil surface on which ornamental landscape plantings is placed or produced, the panel having a primary, lateral water distribution structure which distributes water from a water charging inlet through the lateral area to the panel periphery, where it is restrained, the primary water distribution structure being such that when filled with water or completely submerged in water air is trapped by the gaps and spaces of the material for ornamental landscape plant usage.

Abstract: A test fixture for collecting particulate matter carried in the exhaust gas stream of an engine has a pair of coaxially aligned mounting plates, each having a filter cartridge holder mounted thereon. One of the mounting plates is moveable with respect to the other along a predefined longitudinal axis of the test fixture between an open position, whereat a filter cartridge is easily placed or removed, and a closed position at which a filter media mounted in the filter cartridge is sealed during a prescribed test sequence. An actuator mounted on a third coaxially aligned mounting plate has an extendable rod connected to the second mounting plate to effect movement of the second mounting plate between the open an closed positions.

Abstract: When operating in a homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion mode, an in-cylinder condition guided fueling function and a dedicated exhaust burner disposed in an exhaust gas recirculation system of the engine are used to burn excess oxygen in recirculated exhaust gas and to achieve fast and smooth engine response during transient operation.

Abstract: The invention provides an article of manufacture comprising a substantially non-immunogenic heart valve xenograft for implantation into humans. The invention further provides methods for preparing a heart valve xenograft by removing at least a portion of a soft tissue from a non-human animal to provide a xenograft; washing the xenograft in saline and alcohol; subjecting the xenograft to cellular disruption treatment; treating the xenograft with crosslinking agents, and digesting the xenograft with a proteoglycan-depleting factor and/or glycosidase. The invention also provides an article of manufacture produced by the above-identified method of the invention. The invention further provides a heart valve xenograft for implantation into a human including a portion of a heart valve from a non-human animal, wherein the portion has extracellular components and substantially only dead cells. The extracellular components have reduced proteoglycan molecules.

Abstract: A reconfigurable exhaust system provides selective positioning of exhaust gas treatment devices either near, or spaced from, the exhaust gas outlet port of a turbine of a turbocharged Diesel engine. In some embodiments, auxiliary air or a heat exchanger are arranged to cool the exhaust gas when required.

Abstract: A shock balance controller is described, including a support structure configured to support the shock balance controller, the support structure having a chamber including a port disposed in a side of the chamber, the port providing an opening to a housing, and a bladder coupled to the housing, the bladder being filled with a first material configured to receive pressure from a shock, wherein the first material, when receiving the shock pushes a first piston that compresses a spring disposed in the housing, the spring pushing a second piston that increases the pressure of a second material stored in the chamber. A shock balance controller may also include a structure configured to support the shock balance controller, the structure having a chamber, a port, and a housing assembly, and a bladder coupled to the structure using the housing assembly, the bladder and housing assembly being configured to transfer energy between the bladder and the chamber.