Abstract: A guardrail defined by a number of vertical supporting posts fixed successively to the ground along the edge of a road, and by one or more longitudinal members fixed successively and substantially horizontally to the vertical posts to form a longitudinal transverse retaining member extending along the edge of the road, at a predetermined height off the ground; each of the longitudinal members being defined by a rigid, controlled-deformation strip of composite material, which is bent back on itself to form a substantially S-shaped first longitudinal portion and a substantially C-shaped second longitudinal portion adjoining and covering the first longitudinal portion, so as to form a tubular, complex-section body extending from one vertical post to another and substantially parallel to and a predetermined height off the ground.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds that can be used as an energetic binder used for improving the performance and the properties of a high explosive, and a preparation method thereof. More specifically, provided are glycidyl dinitropropyl formal of chemical formula IV having a nitro group (—NO2) as an energy group and having no hydrogen bonding to carbon to which the nitro group is binding, poly(glycidyl dinitropropyl formal) of chemical formula V polymerized using the glycidyl dinitropropyl formal as a monomer, and a preparation method thereof.

Abstract: A contact block includes a contact having a pair of contact pieces spaced apart, and an electrically insulating combining block for combining the contact pieces. Each contact piece is provided with a horizontal U-shaped or a horizontal V-shaped intermediate region having a folded end portion and a pair of arm portions vertically spaced apart from the folded end portion; a first tip region extending downward from the tip portion of one of the arm portions; and a second tip region extending upward from the tip portion of the other arm portion. The folded end portions of both contact pieces are buried within the combining block and the remaining parts of both contact pieces are projected from the combining block. Thereby, in a state of being assembled into the electrical connecting apparatus, adjoining contacts are positioned by the combining block, and contacts can be exchanged by exchanging contact blocks.

Abstract: An electrical connecting apparatus comprises: a base plate provided with a first and a second mounting portion groups respectively having a plurality of first and second mounting portions arranged so as to be alternately positioned in a first direction; and a first and a second contact groups respectively having a plurality of first and second contacts individually mounted on the first and second mounting portions and in a cantilever state, the first and second contacts being displaced from each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction at the mounting positions on the base plate. This prevents any damage to adjacent mounting portions due to heat at the time of mounting the contacts, so that an arrangement pitch of the contacts can be made small.

Abstract: In a vertical shaft bioreactor, improved devices and methods are provided for enhanced secondary and/or tertiary treatment of wastewater, including residential, municipal and industrial wastewater. The devices and methods of the invention are useful for enhanced secondary wastewater treatment, including BOD and TSS removal. Tertiary treatment can alternately or additionally be achieved in the bioreactor with nitrification of ammonia, with nitrification and denitrification, and with nitrification, denitrification, and chemical phosphorus removal. A vertical shaft bioreactor is also provided which achieves thermophilic aerobic digestion and pasteurization of sewage sludges, optionally to produce class A biosolids.

Abstract: The invention provides electrolytes for the electrochemical generation of nitrogen gas by anodic oxidation of triazole and tetrazole derivatives. Electrolytic cells incorporating these electrolytes are also disclosed. The nitrogen gas so produced may be useful to actuate mechanical transducers in fluid dispensers.

Abstract: A contact includes: a first and a second conductive contact pieces and at least one sheet-like electrical insulator such as polyimide. Each contact piece has a sheet-like body portion having a base portion, an elongate portion extending from the base portion, and a conductive contact portion formed in the base portion; and a terminal contact portion formed in the elongate portion. Both base potions are made to confront each other in their thickness direction with an electrical insulator interposed, such that one of the terminal contact portions, without being in electrical contact with the second contact piece, extends toward the second base portion, while the other terminal contact portion, without being in electrical contact with the first contact piece, extends toward the first base portion.

Abstract: Two-domain MHC polypeptides useful for manipulation of antigen-specific T-cells are disclosed. These polypeptides include MHC class II-based molecules that comprise covalently linked ?1 and ?1 domains, and MHC class I-based molecules that comprise covalently linked ?1 and ?2 domains. These polypeptides may also include covalently linked antigenic determinants, toxic moieties, and/or detectable labels. The disclosed polypeptides can be used to target antigen-specific T-cells, and are useful, among other things, to detect and purify antigen-specific T-cells, to induce or activate T-cells, and to treat conditions mediated by antigen-specific T-cells.

Abstract: Non-invasive methods are provided for obtaining biological samples of mammary fluid or mammary fluid components by administering oxytocin to a patient to stimulate expression of mammary fluid. During or after mammary fluid expression, a biological sample is collected in the form of whole mammary fluid, whole cells or cellular components, other selected liquid or solid fractions of the mammary fluid, purified or bulk proteins, glycoproteins, peptides, nucleotides or other desired constituents of mammary fluid. Methods and kits are also provided for determining the presence or amount of a breast disease marker in biological samples of mammary fluid or mammary fluid components obtained according to the above sample collection methods. Also provided within the invention are novel breast pump and breast pump adapter devices which incorporate a solid phase sample collection medium integrated within the breast pump or adapter or otherwise fluidly connected therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (?)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, compositions comprising (?)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and methods for treating or preventing a disorder alleviated by inhibiting dopamine reuptake. In one embodiment, the disorder is attention-deficit disorder, depression, obesity, Parkinson's disease, a tic disorder, or an addictive disorder. The (?)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is preferably substantially free of its corresponding (+)-enantiomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (?)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, compositions comprising (?)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and methods for treating or preventing a disorder alleviated by inhibiting dopamine reuptake. In one embodiment, the disorder is attention-deficit disorder, depression, obesity, Parkinson's disease, a tic disorder, or an addictive disorder. The (?)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is preferably substantially free of its corresponding (+)-enantiomer.

Abstract: Highly purified factor XIII and methods of purifying factor XIII are disclosed. Factor XIII is purified from a biological fluid, such as a cell lysate. The methods provide factor XIII compositions that are greater than 99% pure with respect to contaminating proteins. The methods further provide factor XIII compositions wherein 1% or less of the factor XIII is activated factor XIII.

Abstract: A weighted training ball for baseball and softball batting training which has a solid body of molded elastomeric material and a regulation circumference of between approximately 9-16 inches. The body is weighted to have a greater than regulation weight of between approximately 7.5-20 ounces. The body is also softer than regulation baseballs and softballs, with a type A-2 Shore durometer of between approximately 40-70.

Abstract: A portable golf ball warming device comprising a hollow container having separate loading and dispensing apertures and a warming reservoir, which collectively define a staged warming pathway. The warming device has a fully self-contained warming element which uses a non-rechargeable, chemical heating composite to continuously, serially warm golf balls during extended cold-weather play.