Abstract: A method and system for removing from an aqueous system which is contaminated therewith: (1) mercury present as colloids, ions and/or organically bound compounds, and (2) hydrocarbons solubilized, dispersed, and/or emulsified in the said system. Pursuant to the invention the aqueous system to be treated (such as “produced water”) is passed successively through three filtration stages. The first filtration stage is provided with absorption media which effects reduction/removal of dispersed organically bound mercury species and of the dispersed and partially dissolved hydrocarbon phases, as well as of some colloidal mercury and other dissolved metallic species. The second filtration stage utilizes a salt modified reticulated granular filtration media for reduction/removal of slightly dissolved hydrocarbon phases, mercury in colloidal and ionic form and other dissolved metals.

Abstract: A forward head position correction collar is provided which in combination includes a shoulder collar assembly, a chin mastoid piece for engaging and positioning the head of a wearer of the collar; and interconnecting means for interconnecting the chin piece to the collar assembly as to enable the chin piece to be manually and preferably incrementally adjustable with respect to the shoulder collar assembly in a Z-direction to thereby adjust the supported head of the wearer from the forward head position to an increasingly corrected position. The interconnecting means is further adapted for displacing the chin-mastoid piece in a vertical direction with respect to the shoulder collar assembly simultaneously with and proportional to the incremental adjustment of the chin-mastoid piece along the Z-axis.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of identifying inducible genetic regulatory sequences that can control the transcription of specific gene transcripts. Methods of using inducible genetic regulatory sequences are also discussed. In particular, the genetic regulatory sequences of the present invention can modulate the transcription of a nucleic acid transcript in vivo.

Abstract: An improved exercise device in the nature of a kettlebell. The device has a frame covered by a shroud that is configured to lessen the impact of the device on the user. There are a plurality of weights that can be easily attached and detached from the frame to increase or lessen the load to the user. The weights are designed so that they can be added or taken away without altering the center of gravity of the device or the external physical shape of the device. There is also a base that holds the device while the weights are being changed and which also interacts with the device to assist in that exchange. The attaching and detaching system includes a pin that is used to affix the weights to the frame. A dual locking system assures that the pin does not inadvertently come loose during use of the device.

Abstract: A vehicle seat for use in military vehicles provides increased protection for a helmeted or unhelmeted combatant soldier. The seat includes a seat portion having a layer of high impact energy absorbing material. A back support portion adjoined to the rear of the seat portion extends upwardly for supporting the rearward side of the seated soldier. The back portion has a lower section for supporting the thorax and lower back, and two overlying sections which are positionable for supporting and restraining rearward movement of the helmeted or unhelmeted head and the neck. The overlying sections are moveable toward and away from the soldier and together define a surface and contour which interacts with the seated soldier during rear end impact to maintain the pre-collision shape of the soldier's supported spinal curves, to aid in avoidance of whiplash and similar injuries. Swivelable side portions actuated by sensors flank the sides of the soldier for further protection.

Abstract: A dispersion lance is for use in combination with a fluid treatment system of the type which includes a flow duct in which a fluid stream is mixed with a treating agent. The dispersion lance includes a pipe mounted in the duct with its axis approximately transverse to the direction of the fluid stream flow, the pipe having a series of openings along its length for injecting a treating agent into the fluid stream. A baffle extends lengthwise along the pipe, the baffle having a cross-section the central portion of which is V-shaped, with the apex of the V facing upstream of the fluid stream flow, and with generally flattened wing portions extending from the legs of the V beyond the sides of the pipe in a direction where they transversely intersect the stream flow. The baffle acts to generate a low pressure zone on its downstream side which enhances turbulence in the fluid.

Abstract: Novel [1.2.4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrazine and imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following: The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, pain, inflammation, and others.

Abstract: A bed frame comprising T shaped side rails provide support for a box spring and mattress. A leg assembly is affixed to the bed frame and is affixed to the side rail and to the cross rails for better strength of connection. The use of T-shaped side rails provides more resistance to twisting and bowing and thereby more resistant to damage a leg or other structural component of the bed frame from moving the bed frame across the floor. The use of the T-shape cross section side rails enables the overall bed frame to support more weight with less deflection than the convention L-shaped side rails. There are also headboard and footboard brackets that take advantage of the greater height of the vertical flange of the side rail to have affixation means, such as rivets, that are further spaced apart to provide a more rigid connection between the brackets and the side rails.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent for introduction into a hollow organ, in particular the gastrointestinal tract, of a human or animal patient, which brings about vacuum sealing of leaks, such as anastomosis insufficiencies, in the hollow organ.

Abstract: The invention relates to ?-galactoside binding protein (?GBP) and compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, comprising ?GBP for use in therapy and related applications. In particular, the invention relates to use of ?GBP and the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment or prevention of conditions in which disease associated cell division occurs, wherein the cells which result from said disease associated cell division comprise a cell in respect of which the effect of ?GBP is not inhibition of growth. The invention also relates to methods of inducing apoptosis, methods of treating or preventing conditions in which disease associated cell division occurs and methods of assessing the suitability of ?GBP as a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A high speed electrostatic printing machine has a toner supply of a high viscosity highly concentrated liquid toner to a pick-up roller and then a metering roller. A doctor blade bears against the metering roller which bears against a development member with an interference fit. An image forming stage comprising an image carrying member having a surface adapted to retain an electrostatic latent image thereon with the development member engaging against the image carrying member with an interference fit to give a selected contact time therebetween. Then there is a development stage and a transfer stage. A carrier liquid displacement device acts upon the thin layer of toner on the development member to push toner particles in the thin layer towards the surface of the roller and to leave a carrier liquid rich layer on the outside of the thin toner layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions useful for delivering antigens to dendritic cells which are then useful for inducing antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and T helper cells. This invention also provides assays for evaluating the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. According to the invention, antigens are targeted to dendritic cells by apoptotic cells which may also be modified to express non-native antigens for presentation to the dendritic cells. The dendritic cells which are primed by the apoptotic cells are capable of processing and presenting the processed antigen and inducing cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity or may also be used in vaccine therapies.

Abstract: A method and system for removing from an aqueous system which is contaminated therewith: (1) mercury present as colloids, ions and/or organically bound compounds, and (2) hydrocarbons solubilized, dispersed, and/or emulsified in the said system. Pursuant to the invention the aqueous system to be treated (such as “produced water”) is passed successively through three filtration stages. The first filtration stage is provided with absorption media which effects reduction/removal of dispersed organically bound mercury species and of the dispersed and partially dissolved hydrocarbon phases, as well as of some colloidal mercury and other dissolved metallic species. The second filtration stage utilizes a salt modified reticulated granular filtration media for reduction/removal of slightly dissolved hydrocarbon phases, mercury in colloidal and ionic form and other dissolved metals.

Abstract: Novel triazolopyridine compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following: The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, ECM degradation, joint degradation and/or inflammation, and others.