Abstract: 2,5-Diaryl tetrahydrofurans, 2,5-diaryl tetrahydrothiophenes, 2,4-diaryl tetrahydrofurans, 2,4-diaryl tetrahydrothiophenes, 1,3-diaryl cyclopentanes, 2,4-diaryl pyrrolidines, and 2,5-diaryl pyrrolidines are disclosed that reduce the chemotaxis and respiratory burst leading to the formation of damaging oxygen radicals of polymorphonuclear leukocytes during an inflammatory or immune response. The compounds exhibit this biological activity by acting as PAF receptor antagonists, by inhibiting the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase, or by exhibiting dual activity, i. e., by acting as both a PAF receptor antagonist and inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase. A method to treat disorders mediated by PAF or leukotrienes is also disclosed, that includes administering an effective amount of one or more of the above-identified compounds or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A method to remove the build-up of water-insoluble metal salts on surfaces, and a method to lower the solids content of industrial liquids that contain water-insoluble metal salts using urea hydrochloride or its equivalent. Also disclosed is a method to use urea hydrochloride or an equivalent strong acid/weak base salt as acid replacements for a variety of purposes.

Abstract: A method for the anionic photoinitiation of polymerization or crosslinking of a substrate by irradiating a mixture of a substrate and a photoinitiator, where the photoinitiator is an inorganic transition metal complex which releases on irradiation a polymerization initiating substance consisting essentially of an anionically charged nucleophile that initiates the polymerization or crosslinking reaction, under conditions that allow the anion to initiate polymerization.

Abstract: 2,5-Diaryl tetrahydrofurans, 2,5-diaryl tetrahydrothiophenes, 2,4-diaryl tetrahydrofurans, 2,4-diaryl tetrahydrothiophenes, 1,3-diaryl cyclopentanes, 2,4-diaryl pyrrolidines, and 2,5-diaryl pyrrolidines are disclosed that reduce the chemotaxis and respiratory burst leading to the formation of damaging oxygen radicals of polymorphonuclear leukocytes during an inflammatory or immune response. The compounds exhibit this biological activity by acting as PAF receptor antagonists, by inhibiting the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase, or by exhibiting dual activity, i.e., by acting as both a PAF receptor antagonist and inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase.A method to treat disorders mediated by PAF or leukotrienes is also disclosed, that includes administering an effective amount of one or more of the above-identified compounds or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Floor mats and methods for producing such mats having wear resistant phosphorescent borders that emit light after removal of ambient light so that the mat edges are visible in the event of a power failure in the facility where the mat is used. The mat border may also contain a bright pigment in the border regions and a contrasting pigment in other regions to make the border visually distinctive under normal lighting conditions. The mats may be produced from solid or foamed polyvinyl chloride materials.

Abstract: Novel polyacrylic acid resins are prepared by polymerizing a monomer selected from the group consisting of H.sub.2 C.dbd.CHCO.sub.2 X, H.sub.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 CO.sub.2 X, HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CHCO.sub.2 X, HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 CO.sub.2 X, HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CHCOX, H.sub.2 C.dbd.CHCOX, H.sub.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 COX, HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 COX, H.sub.2 C.dbd.CHCSO.sub.v X, HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CHCSO.sub.v X, HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 CSO.sub.v X, H.sub.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 CSO.sub.v X, H.sub.2 C.dbd.CHCON(R.sup.3).sub.2, HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CHCON(R.sup.3).sub.2, H.sub.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 CON(R.sup.3).sub.2, OR HR.sup.2 C.dbd.CR.sup.1 CON(R.sup.3).sub.2, or a combination thereof, in the presence of at least 10% by weight of reaction components of an aromatic sulfonic acid or its salt, wherein:R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, aromatic, aralkyl or alkaryl moiety of C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 ;R.sup.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the cryogenic purification of gaseous mixtures is provided. The apparatus comprises a heat-insulated hermetically sealed vessel which contains liquid hydrogen. Immersed within the liquid hydrogen are a number of serially connected cartridges which contain chips of a thermally conductive mixture. A mixture of neon and helium is input into the apparatus. The neon freezes, while the helium passes through the apparatus in a gaseous state. The resulting neon is allowed to thaw into a liquid or gaseous form and is highly pure.

Abstract: An improved wood threader that utilizes an aluminum plate as a router mounting base to which a mounting block, that may conveniently be wood, is attached, and to which interchangeable, machined, high-performance plastic threader inserts are attached with an indexing means that assures that each insert will be accurately positioned relative to a router bit or cutter.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating urogenital tumors, and particular, cancer of the prostate, bladder, and kidney, with BCNT, are disclosed. Any boron-containing compound that is sufficiently lipophilic to pass through the appropriate urogenital membranes in a quantity high enough to achieve therapy on irradiation with low-energy neutrons can be used. Carboranyl-containing nucleosides and oligonucleotides are particularly suited for use in BNCT of urogenital tumors. Preferred compounds include 5-carboranyl-2'-deoxyuridine (CDU) and 5-o-carboranyl-1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-.beta.-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil (CFAU). Nucleosides and oligonucleotides bearing an -O-[(carboran-1-yl)alkyl]phosphate, S-[(carboran-1-yl)alkyl]phosphorothioate, or Se-[(carboran-1-yl)alkyl]phosphoroselenoate in place of the (carboran-1-yl)phosphonate moiety can be used.

Abstract: A composite reinforcement for use in pultrusion and other thermosetting manufacturing processes to produce products with smooth surfaces free of wrinkles and laps, methods of producing such a composite reinforcement and thermosetting polymer system products reinforced with the composite. Two or more layers of reinforcement material are bonded with powdered polyethylene or another appropriate polyolefin or polyethylene copolymer adhesive utilizing heat to produce a multi-ply composite reinforcement. This composite reinforcement can then be appropriately sheared, die cut or otherwise processed, if desirable, and thereafter used in pultrusion, cylinder winding, compression molding, open mold processing and other thermosetting manufacturing techniques with thermosetting resins in the final production process.

Abstract: The anatomical distribution, nucleic acid sequence, pharmacological properties, and inferred structural features of a cDNA encoding a high affinity, Na.sup.+ -dependent rat brain L-proline transporter is described. The expression of this carrier in subpopulations of putative glutamatergic pathways supports a specific role for L-proline in excitatory amino acid neurotransmission. The cloned transporter cDNA predicts a 637 amino acid protein with 12 putative transmembrane domains and exhibits 44%-45% amino acid sequence identity with other neurotransmitter transporters. These findings support a synaptic role for L-proline in specific excitatory pathways in the CNS. The sequence can be used for expression of the transporter molecule, to make probes for the same protein from other species and related proteins, in diagnostic assays, and to design functional and structural analogs for use in research and possible clinical treatments.

Abstract: Processes and devices for enhancing communication management and control in an intelligent network. A Service Management System Information Model serves as the basis for generation of Network Element Images which facilitate data communication between the Service Management System and the various Network elements. The Service Management System Information Model also allows a more intuitive and efficient provisioning interface for the Service Management System user. Network Element Interfaces according to the present invention contain embedded Service Management System/Network Element Interface Protocol functionality and may be employed to interpret the Network Element Images and communicate them over the network to the Network Elements. A Network Element Interface Server allows requests from client programs in the service management system to be queued and prioritized as desired for further efficiency, flexibility and reliability.

Abstract: A takraw ball having a relatively soft, or elastically deformable, surface and conventional rebound characteristics. The takraw ball may be woven from composite strips, one component of which is elastically deformable material and forms the ball surface and the another component of which is a springy material. The elastically deformable material and the springy material are selected to produce a desired rebound characteristic. The strips have a wide variety of shapes and compositions. In an alternative embodiment the springy material component forms the ball surface and the elastically deformable material provides reinforcement for the strip.

Abstract: Permanently soil resistant polymeric compositions that have fluorochemical dispersed throughout the polymer are prepared by melt extrusion of the fluorochemical with the desired polymer. Preferred polymers for extrusion with the fluorochemical are polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyamide.

Abstract: A clamping bench dog that provides a simple, economical clamp that may typically be used with conventional round dogs but is also usable with square or rectangular dogs, other clamping dogs and the hold-down described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,391. A section of round metal rod provides a clamp body or post that fits into a bench dog hole. A second, threaded rod passes through a threaded hole near the upper end of the post at an angle of approximately eighty-seven degrees (87.degree.) to the axis of the post. A rotatable foot is attached to one end of the threaded rod and can tilt up to about three degrees (3.degree.). A handle, knob or tangent on the other end of the threaded rod is utilized to rotate it, and a wire spring journaled in a longitudinal groove on the post assures that the post will remain fixed in bench top dog holes by pressing against the wall of the hole to increase the friction between the post and wall.

Abstract: A compact, foldable wrench having a head for engaging a threaded fastener to be rotated, and a handle pivotally attached to the head for use in a folded position substantially surrounding the head or an open position projecting radially from the head. The head may contain an opening to receive a fastener head (e.g., may be in the form of a box wrench), or alternatively, it may house a ratchet mechanism adapted to receive a drive socket or other fastener drive. In another embodiment, the head may house a screw driver.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a flooring system especially designed for facilities which house data processing equipment such as data processing centers, computer rooms and offices having a false floor raised above an existing floor. This false floor is comprised of removable panels laid side-by-side upon raised support members forming channels through which cables, hoses, wires and other computer interconnections can be routed.