Abstract: A flashlight comprises a cylindrical housing, a solid state light source at the forward end thereof and a tail cap attached to the cylindrical housing at a rearward end thereof. A switch selectively connects the solid state light source and two or more batteries in the housing in circuit for causing the solid state light source to produce light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sporting apparatus (1) to carry out exercises according to the natural physiological trajectory of each person, comprising a support structure (2), or frame, provided with lateral elements (11), with base or resting elements (4) for said lateral elements (11), and with at least a transverse element (19) for fixing said lateral elements (11), the sporting apparatus (1) further providing two sliding elements (3), or poles, substantially vertically provided in correspondence of said lateral elements (11) of the frame (2), said sliding elements (3) being hinged above the same lateral elements (11), and being freely oscillating along said base (4) or resting elements of said lateral elements (11), and provided with guide means (6, 7) to guide the sliding of a weight (9) bearing bar (8); and a counterweight transverse element (10), provided above said sliding elements (3), in such a way to join the same, thus creating a single oscillating structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling-heating combination air conditioner being provided with an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger in a single case. The present invention has advantages of freely adjusting a ventilation rate from 0% to 100% with its simple structure without equipping a separate ventilator, and improving efficiency in cooling and heating effectively by recovering an air discharged during a ventilation process and a waste energy of condensed water generated in the indoor heat exchanger and by maximizing a path along which a coolant is circulated according to cooling-heating mode conversion.

Abstract: A cable lasher is provided for securing a utility cable, such as a telephone or transmission cable, to a support strand strung in the air between adjacent utility poles. The lasher is pulled forwardly along the support strand and releases lashing wire from a drum at the rear of the lasher. The lasher has a pair of drive wheels that rotate on the support strand. The drive wheels translate linear motion of the lasher into rotational motion of the drum as the lasher moves forwardly. Lashing wire is released from the rotating drum and helically wrapped around the cable and the strand. Tension in the lashed wire is maintained by an adjustable latch assembly which prevents the lasher from moving rearwardly to unwind the wire.

Abstract: Novel human MOAT genes and their encoded proteins are provided herein. The MRP-related ABC transporters encoded by the disclosed nucleic acid sequences play a pivotal role in the efflux of pharmacologically beneficial reagents from tumor cells. MOAT genes and their encoded protein provide valuable therapeutic targets for the design of anti-cancer agents which inhibit the aberrant growth of malignant cells.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for forming and/or dispensing minute volume segments of a material is described. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a microfluidic device and method is provided for spatially confining the material in a focusing element. The device is also capable of segmenting the confined material into minute volume segments, and dispensing a volume segment to a waste or collection channel. The device further includes means for driving the respective streams of sample and focusing fluids through respective channels into a chamber, such that the focusing fluid streams spatially confine the sample material. The device may also include additional means for driving a minute volume segment of the spatially confined sample material into a collection channel in fluid communication with the waste reservoir.

Abstract: Fibrin degradation products stimulate cell proliferation and angiogenesis. The present invention provides peptides, analogs, and antibodies which are useful in the modulation of binding fibrin fragment E to cell receptors and the modulation of such activity.

Abstract: Microfluidic systems and methods are disclosed which are adapted to transport and lyse cellular components of a test sample for analysis. The disclosed microfluidic systems and methods, which employ an electric field to rupture the cell membrane, cause unusually rapid lysis, thereby minimizing continued cellular activity and resulting in greater accuracy of analysis of cell processes.

Abstract: A method for maximising critical current density (Jc) of high temperature superconducting cuprate materials (HTSC) which comprises controlling the doping state or hole concentration of the materials to be higher than the doping state or hole concentration of the material that provides a maximum superconducting transition temperature (Tc), and to lie at about a value where the normal-state pseudogap reduces to a minimum. Jc is maximised1 at hole concentration p≈0.19. HTSC compounds are also claimed.

Abstract: In a seat in which the seat is placed so as to be freely moved by a slide rail 4, a striker lock 7 retained and mounted to a striker 8 standing up from a vehicle body floor F is provided in a lower portion close to a rear end of a lower rail 4b, and the seat is placed so as to be freely kicked up from a rear portion side to an upper side in a folded state around a supporting shaft 6 axially supporting and pivoting a front end side of the lower rail 4b corresponding to a supporting point, there is provided a switching mechanism 10 which makes it impossible to unlock the striker lock 7 by an operation lever when the seat is kept at a front seated position, and makes it possible to lock the striker lock 7 by the operation lever when the seat is moved to a predetermined rear position, whereby it is possible to mechanically execute a step of moving the seat to the predetermined position in the rear side within the vehicle, thereafter unlocking the striker lock 7 and kicking up the seat.

Abstract: Photoreleasable compounds comprising a caging moiety linked to an effector moiety represented by structural formula (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen; C1-10 alkyl or substituted alkyl; O(CH2)n—Y; N(COZ)(CH2)mY; or N[(CH2)mY′[(CH2)NY]; R2 and R3 are independently selected from: hydrogen; C1-10 alkyl or substituted alkyl; or R2 and R3 together are cycloalkyl; R4 is hydrogen; C1-10 alkyl or substituted alkyl; phenyl or substituted phenyl; (CH2)nY; or (CH2)mO(CH2)nY; wherein m and n are independently between 1 and 10; Y and Y′ are independently selected from hydrogen, CO2H or salts thereof or OPO32−, Z is hydrogen or C1-10 alkyl or substituted alkyl; and, X is an effector moiety or a group capable of being coupled or converted to an effector moiety, which are capable of releasing the effector moiety on irradiation, typically by flash irradiation with UV light.

Abstract: Novel used for WIPK, a member of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family, are provided, based on the discovery that the WIPK protein is activatable in association with development or enhancement of resistance to microbial pathogens. Thus, WIPK may play a critical role in signal transduction for activation of plant defenses against certain microbial pathogens. Methods are disclosed for making WIPK transgenic plants with enchanced resistance to disease causing agents. In addition, transgenic plants transformed with WIPK and having enhanced disease resistance are disclosed.

Abstract: Baton (1) includes two handles (14, 16), a first body portion (2) and a second body portion (3) which telescopically slides between a retracted and an expanded configuration. Retaining device (6) holds body portion (3) within body portion (2) when baton (1) is in the retracted configuration. First handle (14) is oriented perpendicular to body portion (2) and is mounted on collar (15) for rotation around body portion (2). Second handle (16) is moveable between a first position wherein handle (16) is aligned with the outer end of body portion (3), and a second position wherein handle (16) is spaced from the outer end of body portion (3) and is arranged perpendicular to second body portion (3). Baton (1) is telescopically expanded by pulling handle (16) away from body portion (2) until the pulling force exceeds the retaining force provided by retaining device (6).

Abstract: An exercise system comprising a rocking chair and a footstool. The rocking chair comprises a seat, a back support, a base, and rocking means. Rocking resistance means are provided for requiring that an additional force be applied to the rocking chair to maintain a rocking motion. The footstool comprises a foot rest positionable with respect to the rocking chair such that the feet of a user are supported on a foot support surface of the foot rest when the user is seated upon the rocking chair. Means for adjusting the height and angle of the foot rest are also provided. A method for selectively exercising specific muscle groups in a user's legs with the exercise system is also described.

Abstract: Compounds having a mimetic or antagonistic property of an inositol phosphoglycan, and the uses of these compounds are disclosed, together with the use, e.g. to treat a condition ameliorated by administration of an IPG second messenger or an IPG antagonist thereof. Preferred compounds of the invention are based on the substituted cyclitols, and in particular cyclitols linked to a sugar moiety where the molecule is substituted with a negatively charged group such as phosphate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing standing tree stems for readiness for harvesting, or for determining cutting points for processing of felled tree stems, logs, or wood pieces, or for assessing stems, logs, or wood pieces for a particular end use, includes scanning with short-wave or microwave electromagnetic energy and processing the scan data to produce an image indicating the external shape or dimensions of the stem or log and hidden internal characteristics and their position, and assessing the image. Knots and/or whorls, which are not visible from the exterior and the depth of the clear wood sheath from the surface, may be determined.

Abstract: The invention provides a tension structure for constructing a seat back of a seat for an automotive vehicle. Coil springs 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b are provided as tension members which are bridged between respective side portions 11, 12 of a seat back frame 1 and respective vertical bars 20, 21 of a tension assembly 2 in an upper portion and a middle portion. On the contrary, linear wires 5a, 5b in which one wire end is entwined and fastened to axes of the vertical bars 20, 21 and another wire end is inserted and fastened to stop rings 14, 15 of the side frame portions 11, 12 are provided in a lower portion. Accordingly, a sitting attitude is intended to be stabilized by increasing a supporting pressure of a lumbar part applied by the tension assembly 2 by means of the linear wires 5a, 5b.

Abstract: A handcuff key that is partially enclosed in a grip housing having the ends of the handcuff key plate extending out of the grip housing. The external portions of the middle of the handcuff key plate are ribbed and attach to the external end portions of the handcuff key plate. The grip housing has a depression button on one side and a threaded notched cover that can be removed for cell replacement on the other. The grip housing includes a cell that sits in a recess on one side of the handcuff key plate and is lined with a circular conductive strip. The recess surrounds a hole that is integrated in with the structure of the key. An insulated wire is connected to the circular conductive strip and runs to the terminals of two light emitting diodes and then to another conductive strip that is affixed to the internal side of a depression button. The two light emitting diodes sit in grooved slots of the grip housing and face opposite each other toward the respective ends of the handcuff key plate.