Abstract: A method of transferring a gene to vertebrate cells is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing microprojectiles, the microprojectiles carrying polynucleic acid sequences, the sequences comprising, in the 5′ to 3′ direction, a regulatory sequence operable in the tissue cells and a gene positioned downstream of the regulatory sequence and under the transcriptional control thereof; and (b) accelerating the microprojectiles at the cells, with the microprojectiles contacting the cells at a speed sufficient to penetrate the cells and deposit the polynucleic acid sequences therein. Preferably, the target cells reside in situ in the animal subject when they are transformed. Preferred target cells are dermis or hypodermis cells, and preferred genes for insertion into the target cells are genes which code for proteins or peptides which produce a physiological response in the animal subject.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplemental oxygen administration to a patient that provides enhanced efficiency of oxygen use due to the administration of an oxygen bolus at the beginning of each inhalation by a patient. The supplemental oxygen delivery device utilizes first and second one-way valves corresponding to air inspiration and air expiration ports, respectively, and that are positioned in an air pathway so that air inspiration opens the first one-way valve to permit air flow through the air inspiration port and air expiration closes the first one-way valve and opens the second one-way valve to permit air expiration through the air expiration port. An oxygen supply source is connected to the device so as to provide an air bolus in the air pathway upstream and in front of the first one-way valve so as to provide a burst of oxygen during the first part of inhalation.

Abstract: A machine for preparation of soil comprises a soil lifting device for lifting a layer of soil, a soil breaking device for breaking up the layer of soil, and a frame, the soil lifting device and soil breaking device being attached to the frame.

Abstract: A method for remedying contamination of a subsurface environment by a non-aqueous phase liquid that is denser than water (DNAPL). The subsurface environment has a resident aqueous phase and a DNAPL phase. A dense aqueous solution that has a density greater than a density of the DNAPL phase is introduced to the subsurface environment. The dense aqueous solution displaces the resident aqueous phase and causes the DNAPL phase to rise above the greater density aqueous solution. The DNAPL phase is then recovered, which substantially remedies the contamination of the subsurface environment.

Abstract: An air-cooled shaft seal comprises an annular body having an inner surface and an outer surface. One or more helical channels are formed on the inner surface. A plurality of external surfaces such as radial fins are disposed in axially spaced relationship on the outer surface, and extend radially in a direction away from a longitudinal axis of the annular body. The external surfaces present a substantially increased surface area through which heat energy is transferred from polymeric material contained in the seal to the atmosphere. The seal may be installed on one or shafts of a gear pump for transporting a viscous material under pressure.

Abstract: A bone fusion apparatus and method for positioning over and attachment to a desired bone area which can provide for radial compression of bones, with particular suitability for wrist fusion by attachment to suitable bones such as, for example, a plurality of carpus area bones, with or without attachment to the radius bone and/or to one or more metacarpal bones. The bone fusion apparatus includes an annular plate having an outer side for at least partially contacting bone and an opposite inner side. The plate has a top outer edge of greatest diameter and a smaller diameter, bottom inner edge which defines an at least substantially central opening through the plate. The plate is substantially conical in shape such that the plate tapers outwardly from the inner edge of the plate to the outer edge of the plate. The plate defines a plurality of preferably countersunk holes therethrough between the inner edge and the outer edge, wherein each of the holes is adapted for receiving a bone fastener.

Abstract: A rack assembly for mounting telecommunications equipment and adapted for withstanding seismic forces includes a main frame subassembly including an upper horizontal support member, a lower horizontal support member, a first vertical support member, and a second vertical support member spaced in parallel relation to the first vertical support member. The first and second vertical support members each have a double-bend profile, defined by an inside base portion, a first medial leg and a second medial leg each extending substantially orthogonally from the inside base portion, a first distal leg extending substantially orthogonally from the first medial leg in a direction towards the second medial leg, and a second distal leg extending substantially orthogonally from the second medial leg in a direction towards the first medial leg. An extension frame subassembly is securely attached to the upper horizontal support member of the main frame subassembly.

Abstract: Therapeutic methods for the treatment of prostate cancer are described. The methods include a gene therapy method for prostate cancer using the BRCA family of genes, including the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The BRCA family of gene products inhibit the growth and tumorigenesis of prostate cancer cells. Therapeutic methods using the BRCA family of gene products are also described.

Abstract: An automatic emergency and position indicator includes a trigger; a global positioning system receiver for receiving a plurality of global positioning system satellite signals; a processor, responsive to the global positioning system receiver, for providing global positioning system coordinates from the received global positioning system satellite signals; a geographic information system database coupled to the processor wherein the processor, in response to the global positioning system coordinates and the database, generates a local geographic position; and a transmitter, responsive to the trigger, for transmitting to a predetermined receiving station the local geographic position.

Abstract: In a drive system for a mail processing machine a comparatively simple and clear design of the driving tracks and of the bearings for the respective shafts is obtained by feeding drive energy from a common drive motor to a bevel gear drive and a step gear drive. Thereby, the output shafts of the bevel gear drive and the step gear drive have identical sense of rotation because of the sense of rotation reversal within the respective gear drive. The bevel gear drive, at its output, provides a continuous rotation, and the step gear drive provides an intermittent rotation. From the output shafts of the bevel gear drive and of the step gear drive, respectively, driving connections can be led to the driving shafts for a continuously moved conveyor chain for documents and to an intermittently moved conveyor chain for documents, respectively.

Abstract: A method of delivering an active agent to a target tissue, particularly neoplastic tissue, vascular anomaly or tumor tissue, in a vertebrate subject. The method includes the steps of exposing the target tissue to ionizing radiation; and administering a delivery vehicle to the vertebrate subject before, after, during, or combinations thereof, exposing the target tissue to the ionizing radiation. The delivery vehicle includes the active agent and delivers the agent to the target tissue. Exemplary delivery vehicles include platelets; leukocytes; proteins or peptides which bind activated platelets; antibodies which bind activated platelets; microspheres coated with proteins or peptides which bind activated platelets; liposomes conjugated to platelets, leukocytes, proteins or peptides which bind activated platelets, or antibodies which bind activated platelets; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A flexible, plastic packaging apparatus having a plurality of compartments for containing product therein and a center section interconnecting the plurality of compartments and defining a handle therein whereby the packaging apparatus can contain product separately in each of the compartments and the handle can be used to transport the package.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, there is an electronic comparator that monitors and exhibits on one or more video displays current information measured and monitored as to physical attributes relating to a revolvably rotating linearly-extending stirring shaft of which a distal end carries stirring blades positioned within media supported within a vessel stably mounted relative to a stably mounted drive mechanism and the stirring shaft, and a visual display video that during stirring displays visually the measured and monitored current degree of wobble of the stirring shaft, magnitude of vibrations of the stirring shaft, current degree of verticality of the stirring shaft, current temperature of media being stirred by the stirring shaft, current rate of revolutions per unit of time of the stirring shaft, a printing mechanism that prints current measured and monitored physical attributes onto a substrate, a computer interface structure and mechanism thereof adapted to convey measured and monitored physical attribute

Abstract: A method for positively feeding yarn to a circular knitting machine includes adjusting a variable drive mechanism to vary the rate at which yarn is positively fed from a plurality of positive feed units to a circular knitting machine while the machine is operating. Because the positive yarn feed rate is adjustable while the circular knitting machine is operating, the time and labor required to produce knitted products is reduced. The positive yarn feed rate and the yarn tension of a circular knitting machine can be adjusted while the machine is operating. A controller coupled to the variable drive mechanism and the central stitch cam adjustment adjusts the positive yarn feed rate and the yarn tension.

Abstract: Genetic analysis of familial breast and ovarian cancer indicates that BRCA1 is a tumor suppressor gene. The BRCA1 gene encodes a 190 kDa protein with sequence homology and biochemical analogy to the granin family of proteins. Granins are secreted from endocrine cells via the regulated secretory pathway and are proteolytically cleaved to yield biologically active peptides. BRCA1 protein localizes to secretory vesicles, and was demonstrated to be secreted. Gene transfer of BRCA1 inhibits growth and tumorigenesis of breast and ovarian cancer cells, but not colon or lung cancer cells or fibroblasts, suggesting that BRCA1 encodes a tissue-specific growth inhibitor. Thus, BRCA1 is a secreted growth inhibitor and functions by a mechanism not previously described for tumor suppressor genes. The BRCA2 breast and ovarian cancer gene encodes a protein that also includes a granin region, indicating that the BRCA2 protein is also a secreted tumor suppressor.

Abstract: In a method of continuously feeding sheets, a top-sheet pick-up device and a feed table for feeding stacks of sheets to the pick-up device are provided. A stack of sheets are placed on the feed table and fed towards the pick-up device. When it is detected that the uppermost sheets are positioned under the pick-up device, the pick-up device separates the uppermost sheet from the stack. The feed table continues to feed the stack toward the pick-up device by moving additional sheets into position under the pick-up device when no sheet is detected under the pick-up device. Also provided are a feed table including an angle bracket for registering and shingling sheets, and a method of converting a non-continuous high-capacity top-sheet feeder having a top-sheet pick-up device into a continuous high-capacity top-sheet feeder.

Abstract: A method of therapeutically administering certain medicaments in order to maximize the desired effects and minimize the unwanted metabolite effects on the human body, including the central nervous system, in order to maximize therapeutic effects, such as anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant and hypnotic effects, and minimize unwanted side effects, such as ataxic and incoordination effects, of the medicament. Also, a method of inhalation administration or skin administration of certain medicaments in order to decrease metabolism of the medicaments to unwanted metabolites.