Abstract: The present invention relates to chalcone and chalcone derivatives and analogs which are useful as angiogenesis inhibitors. The present compounds, which are inexpensive to synthesize, exhibit unexpectedly good activity as angiogenesis inhibitors. The present invention also relates to the use of chalcone and its analogs as antitumor/anticancer agents and to treat a number of conditions or disease states in which angiogenesis is a factor, incluidng angiongenic skin diseases such as psoriasis, acne, rosacea, warts, eczema, hemangiomas, lymphangiogenesis, among numerous others, as well as chronic inflammatory disease such as arthritis.

Abstract: Laparoscopic instruments and trocars are provided for performing laparoscopic procedures entirely through the umbilicus. A generally C-shaped trocar provides increased work space between the hands of the surgeon as well as S-shaped laparoscopic instruments placed through the trocar when laparoscopic instrument-trocar units are placed through the umbilicus. In order to facilitate retraction of intra-abdominal structures during a laparoscopic procedure, an angulated needle and thread with either one or two sharp ends is provided. Alternatively, an inflatable unit having at least one generally C-shaped trocar incorporated within the unit's walls can be placed through the umbilicus following a single incision. Generally S-shaped laparoscopic instruments may be placed through the generally C-shaped trocars to facilitate access to intra-abdominal structures.

Abstract: A golf course has a single fairway with multiple greens. At least two greens are provided, at opposite ends of the fairway. One or more additional greens may be provided between the first two greens and along the fairway. Also, multiple tees are provided for the one fairway. At least one tee is provided at each end of the fairway, the tee facing down the fairway towards the green at the opposite end of the fairway. Each green may be the target of two or more tees disposed at different locations on the fairway. The golf course is occupied for a predetermined limited period of time by an individual or a single group of golfers. The individual or single group of golfers plays back and forth along the fairway, for as long as they have reserved the course. They can play at their own pace, undisturbed by other golfers because there are no other golfers on the course. The only limitation is duration: eventually they will have to stop because their reserved interval of play has terminated.

Abstract: A container with diffuse and extended irrigation for cultivating plants, which includes porous regions in the containment walls, which are arranged in contact with the soil of a plant, and a water reserve for supplying the porous regions. The container further includes a waterproofing layer for covering the porous regions, in their parts that are not in contact, for preventing the water from being lost by evaporation from the porous regions toward the outside of the container. The invention solves the problems of conventional containers, providing the soil with the right amount of moisture in an extremely simple manner for several days, accordingly avoiding periodic watering.

Abstract: At an ultrasonic surgical blade has a blade body with a smooth continuous cutting edge and a shank connected at one end to the blade body and operatively connectable at an opposite end to a source of ultrasonic vibrations. The shank is provided with at an axially extending bore for the conveyance of cooling fluid to the cutting edge, while the blade body is provided with at an axially extending through-slot communicating at one end with the bore. The blade body is preferably provided at an end opposite the shank with a recess communicating with the bore for distributing fluid from the slot towards the cutting edge.

Abstract: An electronic power steering apparatus for a vehicle which. is capable of (a) improving the structures of a stop ring and a groove for thereby preventing a certain operational gap which is formed when installing the system and (b) providing a torque limiting function when an over load occurs in the motor. A circular groove in a motor shaft is formed with a beveled surface disposed in contact with a similarly beveled or inclined surface on a stop ring inserted into the groove. The stop ring is formed to be expandable in the outer direction and upon expansion in the groove moves in an axial direction due to the engaged beveled surfaces.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic apparatus includes a carrier body, a plurality of rigid substrates each bearing at least one solid-state gamma ray sensor, the substrates being attached to the carrier body, and a computer operatively connected to the sensors for receiving signals therefrom and deriving information about location and size of a source of radioactivity in the patient. The carrier body enables disposition of different gamma ray sensors on different sides of the patient so that the sensors at least partially surround the patient. In an associated medical diagnostic method, a chemical composition containing a radioactive isotope is administered to a patient. A plurality of solid-state sensors sensitive to gamma rays generated by radioactive decay of the isotope are subsequently disposed about the patient, and signals from the sensors are conducted to a computer, which is then operated to derive information about location and size of a source of radioactivity in the patient.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient comprises selecting a zone of a patient's iris to be treated, monitoring the patient's eye to determine a position of the selected zone, and, in accordance with the determined position of the zone, directing energy of a predetermined type and a predetermined magnitude toward the zone. The iris zone is selected in part by automatically scanning the patient's iris to generate a signal encoding patterns in the iris, and automatically comparing pattern data in the signal with previously stored pattern data to derive diagnostic information pertaining to the individual patient. The diagnosis and treatment selection are made by a computer programmed with statistical data correlating iris patterns of hue and light or darkness levels with physiological states of different organs and with possible treatments to counter undersirable conditions.

Abstract: An intravenous surgical instrument comprises an inner shaft or post and an outer sheath. At a distal end of the inner post a spring-tail or whip-like electrode is disposed substantially in a sagittal plane, or one perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. Following an insertion into a human vein or other circulatory vessel the distal end of the shaft is protruded from the sheath; thereafter sheath, post and electrode are simultaneously withdrawn from the vein, with a relative rotatory motion being imparted to the electrode. A current flow is preferably simultaneously imposed across the electrode into an inner surface of the surrounding vessel, facilitating a damaging of the vessel inner surface and a collapse of the vessel.

Abstract: A radar detection and imaging system provides for the simultaneous imaging of the stationary objects on the earth's surface and the detection and imaging of moving targets. The radar system includes at least one transmitting aperture and a plurality of receiving apertures that are simultaneously operated in a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mode caused by the motion of the satellite or airborne platform on which they are mounted. Each receiving aperture is connected to its own coherent receiver and the digitized signals from all receivers are processed to image both stationary clutter and moving targets. The system employs space-time adaptive processing (STAP) algorithms to better compensate for channel mismatches, better suppress stationary clutter, and to suppress mainbeam jamming. Moving target detection and estimation modules are also included and are their performance is improved as a result of the STAP algorithms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel carborane cholesterol analogs and their use in the treatment of tumor and cancers in humans, and in particular to the treatment of human brain tumors. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using these compositions in the treatment of tumors and cancer are other aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: A modular quick-fit system for electrical devices includes a base plate, adapted to be anchored to a wall or any another support, and one or more electrical devices, each including a casing adapted to be associated with the base plate. The system includes a means for the temporary engagement of the casing with the plate, which allows to associate the body with the plate without using tools and to temporarily support the casing on the plate, and stable retainers adapted to permanently and detachably anchor the body to the plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gear ratio variable type steering device which includes a variable gear mechanism between a steering wheel and a gear box for varying a gear ratio based on the speed of a vehicle. The variable gear mechanism includes an input shaft for receiving a rotational force of the steering wheel, an output shaft for transferring a rotational force to the gear box, a variable pulley installed in the outer portions of the input shaft and the output shaft and moved in the axial direction, a belt for connecting the variable pulley, and a motor for varying a gear ratio by moving the variable pulley in the axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for feeding a granular or powderlike material to a pressing apparatus for the dry pressing of the material. The device comprises containers for the materials and rollers arranged at openings of the containers. Each roller has a cavity which is suitable to be filled by the material and to be freed of the material following a rotation of the rollers so as to pour the material into a mold. In the method, the rotation of the rollers is produced simultaneously with a movement of the rollers in a direction which lies at right angles to its axis. The invention allows to obtain particular color effects, such as colorings, color shades, basic decorations, complex decorations, natural stone-like effects, et cetera, on the resulting ceramic products, particularly tiles.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade has a blade body with a smooth continuous cutting edge and a shank connected at one end to the blade body and operatively connectable at an opposite end to a source of ultrasonic vibrations. The shank is provided with an axially extending bore for the conveyance of cooling fluid to the cutting edge, while the blade body is provided with an axially extending through-slot communicating at one end with the bore. The blade body is preferably provided at an end opposite the shank with a recess communicating, with the bore for distributing fluid from the slot towards the cutting edge. The recess preferably has a configuration which parallels at least a portion of the cutting edge. Where the cutting edge is circular and the blade body has a planar surface between the fluid distribution guide surface and the cutting edge, for instance, the recess has a fluid distribution surface inclined with respect to the planar blade surface and extending along a circular arc.