Abstract: A tilt indicator for use on a firearm includes a signal to indicate if the firearm is level or out of level. The signal is located to be viewed by a user via the user's peripheral vision and his secondary concentration so the user can maintain his primary concentration on the target.

Abstract: A cap for curable material dispensing containers prevents the material from curing after opening the dispensing nozzle. Thus, when mounted on a partially-dispensed container, the nozzle cap preserves flowable materials such as air-cured glues, sealants, caulks, etc. In particular, a deformable sealant in the cap remains pliant, conforming in and/or around the nozzle tip to create a seal. A retention member frictionally grips the nozzle to prevent inadvertent release of the cap, yet accommodates nozzle tips cut to varying lengths.

Abstract: A cooling/heating pad of the present invention includes a pad portion, a water reservoir system and a heat exchanger, wherein the pad portion has the pad portion is a foldable, thin, double-layered bag and has a plurality of adhered regions formed by a hot-press or ultrasonic hot melting process to form the water channel between the adhered regions; the water reservoir system has a water reservoir and a water circulating pump, the water reservoir having a water inlet and a water outlet, the water inlet of the water reservoir connected to the water outlet of the water channel, and the water circulating pump moving the cooling water in the water reservoir from the water outlet of the water reservoir to the water inlet of the water channel; and the heat exchanger includes an electrical heating semiconductor chip, and a thermal conductor mounted on one side of the electrical heating semiconductor chip; wherein the thermal conductor directly contacts the cooling water in the water reservoir, or is mounted on a wat

Abstract: A supporting device for a telescope during observation includes a cylindrical housing of a reflexive telescope and an eye-viewing unit fixed on a side surface of the front end section of the cylindrical housing, a grip fixed on a lower surface of the front end section of the housing, and a shoulder stand fixed on a lower surface of a rear end section of the cylindrical housing. The height of the shoulder stand is adjustable. In using, the shoulder stand is placed on a shoulder, and a user holds the grip with one hand, with the height of the shoulder stand adjusted to permit the eye-viewing unit aligned to the level of an eye of the user. Thus the telescope can be stabilized for observing in spite of turning together with the body for tracing a moving object.

Abstract: The present invention provides genomic loci which are hypermethylated and differentially expressed in drug resistant cells compared to non-drug resistant cells. These genomic loci are homologous to the rab6 locus but map to a different chromosomal position. The present invention also provides nucleic acids isolated from these genomic loci by Methyl-Differential Display (MDD) methods, including genomic DNAs and cDNAs. The present nucleic acids are useful as probes for detecting mutations and the methylation patterns of the newly identified genomic loci, and of homologous nucleic acids. Nucleic acids of the present invention are also useful for detecting expression of mRNA from herein identified genes, for measuring expression of those and homologous genes sequences, and for determining suitability of therapeutic treatment. The disclosed nucleic acids and their homologs are useful for inhibition of multiple drug resistance.

Abstract: This invention is related to a process for preparing polymeric Li-ion cell with high-capacity as well as the cells manufactured with the process. The process produces anode paste with lithium salt and cobalt oxide and sprays the paste onto aluminum current collector to form the anode; produces cathode paste with two lithium-embedded carbon materials and sprays the paste to copper current collector to form the cathode; produces a paste with polyvinylidene fluoride, silicon dioxide (gas phase), o-dibutyl phthalate ester, and acetone and sprays the paste onto a polyester film to form the diaphragm; performs extraction for the cell assembled with said anode, diaphragm, and cathode, welds lugs, immerses the cell into electrolyte to, and packs the cell with aluminum-plastic composite film, and finally performs formation for the cell, so that a polymeric Li-ion cell with high-capacity is accomplished.

Abstract: A tilt indicator for use on a firearm includes a signal to indicate if the firearm is level or out of level. The signal is located to be viewed by a user via the user's peripheral vision and his secondary concentration so the user can maintain his primary concentration on the target.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing bleed time in a subject by activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in said subject. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway can be activated by direct or indirect stimulation of the vagus nerve. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway can also be activated by administering an effective amount of cholinergic agonist or acetylcholinesterase inhibitor to the subject.

Abstract: A temperature tag and system for sensing and reporting an internal temperature reading inside a container. The temperature tag mounts on an outside surface of the container, and a shaft with a temperature sensor extends through the side of the container and senses the internal temperature reading. A plurality of readings may be recorded at a predefined sampling rate and stored in a data memory. The temperature tag then sends the temperature readings to a reader device that presents the temperature readings to a user. The reader device may trigger the temperature tag to send the temperature readings with a signal such as an infrared (IR) signal, a radio frequency (RF) signal, and the like. The temperature readings may be analyzed in the temperature tag, the reader device, or may be downloaded to a computer to determine if an alarm condition exists.

Abstract: A tilt indicator for use on a firearm includes a signal to indicate if the firearm is level or out of level. The signal is located to be viewed by a user via the user's peripheral vision and his secondary concentration so the user can maintain his primary concentration on the target.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of using a therapeutic composition comprising an ester of an alpha-ketoalkanoic acid for the treatment of cytokine-mediated inflammatory conditions. The cytokine-mediated inflammatory conditions are mediated by, for example, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), interleukin-1? (IL-1?)) or High Mobility Group B-1 (HMGB-1) mediator of inflammation. Exemplary cytokine-mediated inflammatory conditions include, but are not limited to, rheumatoid spondylitis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, endotoxic shock, cerebral malaria, silicosis, pulmonary sarcoidosis, bone resorption disease, graft versus host disease, allograft rejections, fever and myalgia due to infection, AIDS related complex (ARC), Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cachexia and septic shock.

Abstract: A hammer head training target for enhancing the level of training by training realistically and effectively with a life-like target head. The inventive device includes a life-like resilient foam head having an integral oval-shaped handle and a core insert clamshell encasing that traps the handle in place. The head resembles the head of a human being with eye, ear, nose, mouth and temple features. An opening is provided in the back side of the head for access to the handle. The handle is oval in shape and is strategically located at the centroid of the head for optimum angle position for the trainer's hand. The handle is sandwich between the left-hand and the right-hand core insert encasings. The left-hand core insert captivates half of the handle structure. It contains half of the enclosure for protecting the hand during training. The right-hand core insert captivates half of the handle structure. It contains half of the enclosure for protecting the hand during training.

Abstract: A multi-function customer satisfaction survey device, system and method. A plurality of stackable tip trays in a restaurant each include a survey device and a calculator. Survey questions are presented on a display screen, and a survey keypad is used by the customer to enter responses. The responses are stored in a memory in the tray. The trays stack on a base unit that simultaneously collects the responses from the stacked trays, simultaneously programs the stacked trays with survey questions, and simultaneously recharges a battery in each tray.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject with a cytokine-mediated inflammatory disorder comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable cholinesterase inhibitor, provided that the inhibitor is not galantamine.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of using a therapeutic composition comprising a compound of an alpha-ketoalkanoic acid (pyruvate) and/or its derivatives for the treatment of cytokine-mediated inflammatory conditions. The compound is an alpha-ketoalkanoic acid, a physiologically acceptable salt of an alpha-ketoalkanoic acid, an ester of an alpha-ketoalkanoic acid, or an amide of an alpha-ketoalkanoic acid. A component for inducing and stabilizing the enol resonance form of the ester at physiological pH values is also disclosed. The cytokine-mediated inflammatory conditions are mediated by, for example, an “early” (Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), interleukin-1? (IL-1?)) or “late” (high mobility group B-1 (HMGB-1)) mediator of inflammation.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient suffering from pancreatitis comprising treating said patient with a therapeutically effective amount of a cholinergic agonist selective for an ?7 nicotinic receptor in an amount sufficient to decrease the amount of the proinflammatory cytokine that is released from a macrophage wherein said condition is acute pancreatitis. The compounds of the present invention include a quaternary analog of cocaine; (1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-carbamic acid 1-(2-fluorophenyl)-ethyl ester; a compound of formula (I), a compound of formula (II), a compound of formula (III), a compound of formula (IV), and an oligonucleotide or mimetic capable of attenuating the symptoms of acute pancreatitis wherein the oligonucleotide or mimetic consists essentially of a sequence greater than 5 nucleotides long that is complementary to an mRNA of an ?7 cholinergic receptor. The variables of formulae (I), (II), (III) and (IV) are described herein.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the release of a proinflammatory cytokine in a cell is disclosed. The method comprises treating the cell with a cholinergic agonist. The method is useful in patients at risk for, or suffering from, a condition mediated by an inflammatory cytokine cascade, for example endotoxic shock. The cholinergic agonist treatment can be effected by stimulation of an efferent vagus nerve fiber, or the entire vagus nerve.

Abstract: A disk positioning structure disposed inside a disk case for holding a disk is constructed to include a flat base, two finger strips upwardly extended from the flat base, each finger strip having an outwardly extended retaining block for holding down the loaded disk, two stop plates respectively outwardly extended from the finger strips below the retaining block of each finger strip for supporting the loaded disk in place, and a fastening device provided between the finger strips and adapted to lock the finger strips in an inwardly tilted position for the loading of a disk when the user squeezing the finger strips with the fingers.