Abstract: A mattress for a patient support apparatus has a cover having bottom and top surfaces, and an inflatable section disposed between the bottom and top surfaces. The inflatable section has a plurality of upper bladders in fluid communication with each other and a plurality of lower bladders in fluid communication with each other. The upper and lower bladders are selectively inflated independently from each other. The upper and lower bladders are formed by three sheets including an upper sheet, a lower sheet disposed below the upper sheet, and an intermediate sheet disposed between the upper and lower sheets. The upper sheet is fixed to the intermediate sheet to define the upper bladders between the upper sheet and the intermediate sheet. The lower sheet is fixed to the intermediate sheet to define the lower bladders between the lower sheet and the intermediate sheet. Other aspects of the mattress are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drainage device for a tank of an aircraft, comprising a drainage duct, a drainage valve positioned between the upstream and downstream ends of the drainage duct, a housing dimensioned to house at least the downstream end of the drainage duct and a hatch moveable between an open position and a closed position in which the hatch closes the housing. The hatch comprises a liquid store positioned on the inner face thereof, into which the drainage duct opens when the hatch is in the closed position. The liquid store collects and stores liquid coming out of the drainage duct in the event of leakage from the drainage valve. Also an aircraft with such a drainage device.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for the repair of potholes in an asphalt paved surface comprises first storage bin for the containment of recycled shingle particles or recycled asphalt or combinations thereof. A first conveyor is provided for conveying the particles from the first storage bin to an inlet of a radiant heated transport mixing conveyor. A second storage bin is provided for the containment of stone aggregate. A second conveyor conveys and pre-heats the stone aggregate to the inlet of the transport mixing conveyor. An oil reservoir has a pump at an outlet thereof for feeding a predetermined quantity of asphaltic oil at the inlet of the mixing conveyor. The mixing conveyor has vanes for displacing, mixing and heating the stone aggregate, the recycled asphalt particles or recycled asphalt and the asphaltic oil to produce an asphalt patch material and feeding same to a dispensing outlet.

Abstract: Methods and kits for diagnosing a psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, bipolar disorder or Tourette syndrome, or a predisposition thereto, in a subject, are disclosed. The methods and kits are based on the detection of the presence of SNP rs1156026, and/or of deletions located in introns of the DNAJC15 gene, in a biological sample from the subject.

Abstract: A sling for suspending an archery bow from an archer's shoulder comprises a pair of retracting mechanisms, each being attached to a shoulder pad using cords. The cords balance the bow while being suspended from the shoulder pad. The sling allows a supported carry position for the bow about the upper leg and hip of the archer. When ready to shoot an arrow, as the bow is brought to the shooting position, the shoulder pad slides off the archer's shoulder allowing the retracting mechanisms to draw the sling out to an offset position. In this manner, as the bow is taken from the archer's shoulder, the sling is quietly drawn tight between the retracting mechanisms and out of the way of the archer's use of the bow.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for the repair of potholes in an asphalt paved surface is described. The apparatus comprises a motor vehicle having a cab and a support platform. A first storage bin for the containment of recycled shingle particles of a predetermined size range or recycled asphalt or combinations thereof. A first conveyor is provided for conveying the particles or recycled asphalt from the first storage bin to an inlet of a radiant heated transport mixing conveyor. A second storage bin for the containment of stone aggregate of a predetermined size range. A second conveyor for conveying and pre-heating the stone aggregate to the inlet of said radiant heated transport mixing conveyor. An asphaltic oil reservoir having a pump at an outlet thereof for feeding a predetermined quantity of the asphaltic oil at the inlet of the radiant heated transport mixing conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a chosen, relatively uniform size of particles having a dry-to-the-touch feel and a pleasant odor from chipped slash or other vegetative material is described. When pine sap and/or other liquids are present in the starting materials, the teachings of the present invention permit the generation of particulates into which such substances are substantially uniformly absorbed. The process of the present invention has been successfully applied to chipped, live trees, dried tree materials, branches, needles, pine cones, hay, flowers, grass, berries, and shrubs.

Abstract: Methods of producing a food product for mammals from the soluble by-product fraction of ethanol production are provided. One method comprises the step of incubating the treated soluble by-product fraction with an enzyme mixture capable of digesting complex polysaccharides to yield a food product having a fermentable sugar content of at least about 10% of the total carbohydrate content of the food product. Another method comprises the steps of incubating the unconcentrated soluble by-product fraction with an enzyme mixture capable of digesting complex carbohydrates followed by removal of at least a portion of the fatty acids from the digested material to render a food product having a fatty acid content of less than about 10% dry weight.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a chosen, relatively uniform size of particles having a dry-to-the-touch feel and a pleasant odor from chipped slash or other vegetative material is described. When pine sap and/or other liquids are present in the starting materials, the teachings of the present invention permit the generation of particulates into which such substances are substantially uniformly absorbed. The process of the present invention has been successfully applied to chipped, live trees, dried tree materials, branches, needles, pine cones, hay, flowers, grass, berries, and shrubs.

Abstract: A system for filling molds with cementitious concrete-like material and for unmolding resulting products, the system is comprised of an unmolding and molding subsystem. This subsystem is comprised of a mold unstacking station, an unmolding station, a mold pre-processing station, a concrete pouring station, a concrete leveling station and a mold stacking station. The system is also comprised of a concrete curing station and a concrete batching station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying the susceptibility or predisposition of an individual to schizophrenia SZ) or to clusters of symptoms associated thereof. Particularly, the tests can be performed before or after the disorders appear. More particularly, the present invention relates to the determination of epistatic effect of at least two genotype related loci. In addition, the invention provides tests for the classification of different subtypes predicting severity of illness of patients affected by or predisposed to SZ or associated clusters of symptoms.

Abstract: A decoy flare for infrared (IR) seeking missiles comprises a tubular shell with a cover member hermetically sealed to an outer front edge of the tubular shell to form a container for a pyrophoric liquid. The cover member has a central rupturing disc that ruptures at a predetermined pressure, a nozzle cap with a nozzle opening being attached to the cover member adjacent an exterior surface of that rupturing disc. Pressure applied by a mechanism to the pyrophoric liquid can rupture the rupturing disc and eject the pyrophoric liquid through the nozzle. A pre-heating chamber formed by an enclosure surrounds the nozzle opening in order to provide for more reliable ignition of the pyrophoric liquid at high altitudes and low flow rates, that enclosure having an outer surface containing a number of perforations through which air can enter the pre-heating chamber and through which pyrophoric liquid can be ejected from the chamber into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A decoy flare for infrared (IR) seeking missiles comprises a tubular outer shell with a first rupturing disc sealing a rear end of the outer shell and a cover member with a second rupturing disc sealing a front end of the outer shell. These form a sealed container for a pyrophoric liquid. A nozzle cap is attached to the cover member with a nozzle being located in front of the second rupturing disc. A piston in the container adjacent the first rupturing disc separates the pyrophoric liquid from the disc. A holder for a gas generator, a disc of energetic material, is connected in sealed relationship to the container to position the gas generator adjacent the first rupturing disc and form a gas generating chamber between the holder and that disc. That holder contains an ignition mechanism for the gas generator and a seal to prevent gases from escaping via the ignition mechanism after it is activated.