Abstract: Discs for devices such as automatic swimming pool cleaners are disclosed. The discs includes slots (or other suitable apertures) positioned near their rimmed peripheries. The peripheries themselves, moreover, incorporate rounded edges or beads, and both the discs and associated footpads may include ramped segments facilitating movement over obstacles extending from swimming pool surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging device and method for developing, duplicating and printing graphic media. The imaging device of the present invention is utilized in devices such as copiers, printers, game cards and the like, and comprises a substrate bearing an infrared image producing layer, a thermal image forming layer and a light source. A brief but intense flash of visible light from the light source causes latent heat properties of the infrared layer to generate heat and convert visible light into far infrared light. This far infrared light develops or marks portions of the thermal layer which are adjacent the infrared layer.

Abstract: Precontoured plating, screws, instruments and methods for osteosynthesis. Plates according to the present invention take advantage of the fact that human adult craniofacial structure and shape is highly similar among the population. The plates are thus preformed, pretempered, precontoured, and preconfigured during manufacture to fit a large proportion of the human adult population. The plates consequently require less time during surgery to twist and bend to conform to the skeletal structure and their crystalline and other structural characteristics need not be adversely affected by extensive bending, twisting and shaping in the operating room. The plates may be packaged and presented for use on forms which simulate portions of the skull so that their intended craniofacial location is easily recognized by members of the surgical team.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 3'-substituted-2',3'-dideoxynucleosides and 2'-deoxynucleosides is provided that utilizes inexpensive, non-carbohydrate, acyclic, achiral starting materials and that proceeds with high enantiomeric and stereochemical control. The method can be used to prepare the pharmaceutically important compounds 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyuridine and 3'-fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine.

Abstract: A game resembling a maze is disclosed. The game is formed of a substrate onto which distinct grids are printed, each containing multiple numerals or other suitable symbols. Opaque coatings cover both grids, concealing the symbols printed on the substrate, and adjacent boxes of one grid create multiple pathways from one border of the grid to another. In use, a player removes selected portions of the opaque coatings to determine whether adjacent boxes containing certain exposed symbols form a continuous path connecting separate borders of the grid.

Abstract: Cyclosporine compositions for topical ophthalmic use for treatment of immune disorders, to enhance or restore tear production, and to enhance or effect normal healing of the surface of the eye, containing cyclosporine dissolved in corn oil. The composition may further include antioxidants, lubricants, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, pilocarpine, vasoconstrictors, surfactants, wetting agents, anti-inflammatory agents (i.e. corticosteroids), preservatives, mucolytic agents (i.e. bromhexine, acetylcysteine), as well as other compounds.The preferred composition is 2% cyclosporine, 1 mole % alpha tocopherol and 0.005% methyl paraben in corn oil.

Abstract: Hydrogels of polymerized and crosslinked macromers comprising hydrophilic oligomers having biodegradable monomeric or oligomeric extensions, which biodegradable extensions are terminated on free ends with end cap monomers or oligomers capable of polymerization and cross linking are described. The hydrophilic core itself may be degradable, thus combining the core and extension functions. Macromers are polymerized using free radical initiators under the influence of long wavelength ultraviolet light, visible light excitation or thermal energy. Biodegradation occurs at the linkages within the extension oligomers and results in fragments which are non-toxic and easily removed from the body. Preferred applications for the hydrogels include prevention of adhesion formation after surgical procedures, controlled release of drugs and other bioactive species, temporary protection or separation of tissue surfaces, adhering of sealing tissues together, and preventing the attachment of cells to tissue surfaces.

Abstract: A top sheet and a bottom sheet are thermoformed about a foam core which has feet making spaces for the tines of a fork lift truck. The top and bottom sheets meet at a line on the pallet edge to fuse and bond together and may be applied simultaneously to the core while the core is confined in a mold cavity.

Abstract: A non-piercing fastening device employing generally "V"-shaped clips is disclosed. The device contains a magazine channel into which one leg of each clip may be fitted and thereby snapped into place. The channel and its associated vertical walls additionally cause the vertices of the clips to act as a stop for papers or other objects to be fastened, enhancing the uniformity of the edges of the fastened papers. A rotating cam whose surface contacts substantially the entire length of the free leg of each clip is included to provide more constant pressure along and even crimping of the clip legs. The notched cam surface reduces the possibility of concurrently crimping multiple clips, and the cam can be adjusted automatically relative to the magazine's forwardmost clip to accommodate materials of varying thicknesses.

Abstract: An environmental control systems including a modular isolation chamber is disclosed. Together with associated atmospheric regulatory equipment, the connectable modular chambers provide a smaller, cost-effective alternative to the traditional clean rooms utilized for fabricating or processing semiconductors and other products. Because the work pieces and processing or other machinery are isolated from the remainder of the rooms in which they are located, decontamination of much of each room is not required. Use of the portable, modular chambers of the present invention also permits increased control over particulate contaminates smaller than heretofore satisfactorily regulated and individualized regulation of differing processing environments within a single room.

Abstract: Equipment for cooling or maintaining the temperature of food or other products is disclosed. The cooling equipment uses turbulent rather than laminar (or no) airflow to promote and enhance product cooling and contemplates refrigeration tubing contacting the interior sides rather than exterior surfaces of an associated liner. Isolating the airflow system from the ambient environment reduces the possibility of product warming or contamination caused by contact with warmer, debris-laden ambient air.

Abstract: A purified heparinase I, II and III free of lyase activity and each having a molecular weight of 42,800 84,100, 70,800, respectively, are produced by culturing Flavobacterium heparinum. The kinetic properties of the heparinases have been determined as well as the conditions to optimize their activity and stability.

Abstract: A ductile brazing material containing, by weight, 75-98% gold, 0.5-20% nickel, 0.5-6% vanadium, 0.25-5.9% molybdenum and, optionally chromium is disclosed for directly bonding ceramic/ceramic, ceramic/metal or metal/metal systems over an optimum temperature range.

Abstract: An efficient process for the deoxygenation of 2'- and or 3'-hydroxyl groups of a nucleoside that includes reacting the hydroxyl group with 3-halopropionitrile or 2-nitroethylhalide and carbon disulfide in base to form a 2'- or 3'-(cyanoethylthio or nitroethylthio)thiocarbonyl, that is reductively eliminated and replaced with hydrogen. The deoxygenation process can be used in a wide variety of nucleoside syntheses that require the elimination of the 2'- or 3'-hydroxyl groups, including the preparation of 3'-substituted-2',3'-dideoxynucleosides such as 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine and 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyuridine.

Abstract: Dithiocarboxylates, and in particular, dithiocarbamates, block the induced expression of the endothelial cell surface adhesion molecule VCAM-1, and are therefor useful in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis, post-angioplasty restenosis, coronary artery diseases, and angina, as well as noncardiovascular inflammatory diseases that are mediated by VCAM-1.

Abstract: Joint forms for use in concrete slab formation. Such joint forms may be locked vertically and, if desired, laterally onto joint forms stakes by virtue of a number of aligned stake ear slots 26 and locking slots 28 which cooperate with corresponding ears and locking tabs on the stakes. The joint forms may include a number of stake retention slots aligned with the stake ear slots and locking slots, so that the stakes may be passed through portions of the joint forms in order to lock the forms laterally to the stakes as well as vertically so as not to separate from the stakes during concrete pouring.

Abstract: A composition of matter useful particularly as a desoldering flux is disclosed. In some embodiments the invention combines a "low solids" flux normally provided for automatic wave and other soldering equipment with additional naturally-occurring rosin to create a composition capable of use with copper desoldering braid and manual desoldering operations.

Abstract: A method using compounds inhibiting binding reactions involving GMP-140 to modulate an inflammatory response. The method is based on the discovery that GMP-140, released from the storage granules of platelets, endothelial cells, and megakaryocytes, and redistributed to the surface of the cells within seconds of activation by mediators such as thrombin, ionophores or histamine, binds to a ligand on neutrophils, and the plasma proteins C3b and protein S. Adhesion of the cells following activation is blocked directly by administration of antibody to GMP-140 or its ligand, or by competitive inhibition by administration of soluble GMP-140, the GMP-140 ligand, or the specific carbohydrate portion of the ligand bound by GMP-140.

Abstract: A brazing alloy in accordance with this invention has the following composition, by weight: 91 to 99 gold, 0.5 to 7% nickel; 0.10 to 2% titanium. Alternatively, with palladium present, the composition is as follows, by weight: 83 to 96% gold; 3 to 10% palladium; 0.5 to 5% nickel; 0.10 to 2% titanium.

Abstract: A flame-resistant carpet tile having low smoke values and improved flame resistance which carpet tile comprises a primary backing having a fibrous face and a fibrous back, a barrier layer adjacent to fibrous back to an acrylic polymer heavily loaded with a metallic flame-retardant salt filler material which acrylic polymer is compatible with a vinyl chloride polymer layer and a relatively thick vinyl chloride polymer backing layer adhering to the barrier layer.The method of preparing a flame-resistant carpet tile which comprises pre-coating the back of a carpet with an acrylic polymer latex containing a metallic salt flame-retardant filler material, coating the latex material with a PVC layer, thereafter laying the latex PVC coated carpet into the top surface of a liquid PVC backing layer, heating the laid-in carpet to fuse the PVC layers, cooling the carpet and cutting the carpet into carpet tile.