Abstract: A silo type storage tank includes a clean-in-place system comprising a flush opening having an edge transition located at about four and one half inches below the weld seam joining the tank top to the sidewall and fed by an upwardly angled channel in the tank sidewall arranged at approximately 23 degrees from the interior surface of the tank sidewall. The edge transition comprises a chamfer along most of the circumference with an undercut formed along the upper portion of said edge transition. Alternately, a second spray or “helper” tube may be provided that has its opening aligned to spray cleaning fluid immediately beneath the flush opening so that cleaning fluid flowing through the tank sidewall opening and the helper tube washes the entire interior surfaces of the tank. In still another embodiment, a spike may be provided in the spray path instead of a helper tube to divert the spray so that a complete clean-in-place function is achieved.

Abstract: An antiproliferative, antiinflammatory, antiinfective, immunization agent of a metal ion chelating agent such as picolinic acid or derivatives thereof, and methods of using the same. The agents chelate metals in metal containing protein complexes required for growth, replication or inflammatory response. The preparations can be administered systemically or for topical use. The preparations have antineoplastic, antiviral, antiinflammatory and antiproliferative effects and are used in the treatment of warts, psoriasis, acne, skin cancers, sunburn and other proliferative diseases and in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases such as genital warts, herpes and AIDS. The agents also can be used to induce autologous immunological response.

Abstract: An electromagnetic device of significantly reduced size is provided by the specific designs of the end shields of the device and by the specific designs of insulating end caps of the device that insulate the electrical component parts of the device from contact and possible shorting with mechanical structural parts of the device.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor assembly for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a vibration sensor assembly operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibration resulting from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly, a motor operably connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a load roller for applying force to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation thereof. A control circuit is also included for controlling the force applied by the load roller to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation. The control circuit causes the load roller to vary the force applied by the load roller to the wheel/tire assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical device which comprises a polymer coating. The polymer coating comprises a polymer comprising a polymer backbone and having at least two pendant groups selected from: (a) a polyoxyalkylene ether group, (b) a sulphate group, (c) a sulphonate group, or (d) a sulphamate group, and the polymer is produced by polymerizing monomers having such groups.

Abstract: A sol-gel process for producing layers of zirconium oxide is described which comprises the following stages: (i) production of a soluble, zirconium-containing powder by: (a) reaction of a zirconium alcoholate of the general formula Zr (OR)4, in which the residues R are the same or different and represent straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkyl or alkenyl residues with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, which optionally exhibit one or more carbonyl and/or ester and/or carboxyl functions, with one or more polar compounds having complexing, chelating properties, (b) heating the solution, (c) mixing the solution with water, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, (d) concentrating the solution until a powder is obtained, (ii) dissolving the powder forming a sol, (iii) coating a substrate with the sol, and (iv) annealing the coated substrate.

Abstract: A theft-deterrent ironing system comprises an electrical extension cord and an electric iron. The electrical extension cord has a female electrical connector at one end and a male electrical connector at an opposite end. The female electrical connector is adapted for mounting to an ironing board. The male electrical connector is adapted to be plugged into a standard electrical receptacle. The electric iron has a power cord with a first end electrically connected to the iron and a second end connected to a modified male electrical connector. The modified male electrical connector has a front face with a peripheral edge margin, a pair of electrical terminal prongs and a flange. The electrical terminal prongs project forwardly from the front face of the modified male electrical connector. The flange projects forwardly from the peripheral edge margin of the front face generally parallel to the electrical terminal prongs.

Abstract: A novel growth factor, persephin, which belongs to the GDNF/neurturin family of growth factors, is disclosed. The mouse and rat amino acid sequences have been identified. Mouse and rat persephin genomic DNA sequences have been cloned and sequenced and the respective cDNA sequences identified. In addition, methods for treating degenerative conditions using persephin, methods for detecting persephin gene alterations and methods for detecting and monitoring patient levels of persephin are provided. Methods for identifying additional members of the persephin-neurturin-GDNF family of growth factors are also provided.

Abstract: A printable business laminate having an integrated compact disk label including methods of manufacture and use. The laminate has an integrated and printable compact disk label including a carrier lamina, a first adhesive lamina, a printable lamina adhesively secured to the carrier lamina by the first adhesive lamina, a first die cut through said carrier lamina substantially corresponding to the perimeter of a compact disk a second die cut through the printable lamina which may correspond to the hub or hole in a compact disk, and perforations through the printable lamina substantially corresponding to the perimeter of the compact disk.

Abstract: Methods for inactivating matrix metalloproteinases in a vertebrate cell are disclosed. The methods comprise administering to the cell an agent which causes increased endocytosis of the matrix metalloproteinase. Methods for treating vertebrates with disorders mediated by matrix metalloproteinases are also disclosed. These methods comprise administering the above-described agents to the vertebrate. Also disclosed is the use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, also known as statins, as an agent which causes increased endocytosis of matrix metalloproteinases. Assays for determining whether an agent is effective in treating a disorder are also disclosed. These assays comprise testing the agent for activity in increasing endocytosis of a matrix metalloproteinase which mediates the disorder.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor assembly for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a vibration sensor assembly for measuring vibration of the wheel/tire assembly as the wheel/tire assembly is rotated, a motor operably connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a load roller for applying a generally radial force to the wheel/tire assembly during rotation of the wheel/tire assembly and a sensor for measuring the runout of the wheel rim of the wheel/tire assembly at the bead seat.

Abstract: A high resolution spectral estimator (HREE) filter coupled to a spectral plotter processes either Doppler frequencies provided from the output of a pulse-Doppler radar or a frequency based output provided by a Fourier transformer coupled to a sensing device to allow the spectral plotter to determine the power frequency spectrum of either the pulse-Doppler radar output or sensing device output. The HREE filter preferably comprises a bank of first order filters tuned to a pre-selected frequency, a covariance estimator coupled to the filter bank for estimating filter covariances, and a decoder coupled to the covariance estimator for producing a plurality of filter parameters. Further, it is preferable that the filters comprising the filter bank be adjustable to permit their being tuned to a desired frequency based on a priori information.

Abstract: A wheel balancer is provided that includes a shaft adapted for receiving a wheel/tire assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis and being rotatable about the axis so as to rotate a wheel/tire assembly removably mounted thereon, a rotation sensor for measuring rotation of the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a vibration sensor operatively connected to the shaft for measuring vibrations resulting from imbalance in the wheel/tire assembly and a motor operatively connected to the shaft for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, thereby to rotate the wheel/tire assembly. A control circuit is also provided for controlling the application of power to the motor. The wheel balancer also includes an assembly for measuring runout of the rim of the wheel/tire assembly, the control circuit being responsive to a rim runout measurement signal to apply power to the motor such that the wheel/tire assembly rotates at a slow, controlled speed during measurement of the rim runout.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprises pairs of vertically spaced and horizontally oriented pulleys and belts that are positioned on opposite sides of a conveyor path. The belts wrap around the pulleys and engage with opposite sides of an object being conveyed by the conveyor, for example an empty plastic blow molded bottle, and convey the object along the conveyor path between the belts. A vertical adjustment mechanism quickly adjusts the vertical positioning of the pairs of pulleys and belts on each side of the conveyor path to quickly adapt the conveyor for conveying different sized objects.

Abstract: An article of decorative headwear comprises first and second flexible, generally gas-impermeable material. Each of the first and second sheets has a peripheral edge portion. The first and second sheets are sealed to one another at their respective peripheral edge portions to define an inflatable volume between the first and second sheets. The first and second sheets are shaped to define a primary inflatable portion and a pair of inflatable leg portions that extend from the primary inflatable portion. The inflatable leg portions are spaced from one another to define a head-receiving space between them, which is adapted for receiving a wearer's head. The inflatable leg portions are adapted for engagement with side portions of the wearer's head in a manner to retain the headwear on the wearer's head when the inflatable leg portions are inflated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an easy-open can of aluminum or iron for storing beverage therein (high or low carbonated beverage), which comprises an easy-to-open stopper for a beverage can.