Abstract: This disclosure relates to purified and recombinant granulins, fusions, or variants and vectors encoding the same. In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to uses of these granulins or vectors, alone or in combination, in the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions associated with lysosomal defects such as frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes an elongate handle to be grasped by a user, and an elongate blade connected to the elongate handle. The elongate blade includes a substantially linear proximal portion extending longitudinally outwardly from an end of the handle, and a curved distal portion extending in a downward and forward curve from the proximal portion and ending in a tapered tip. The linear proximal portion and curved distal portion may have about equal lengths. The linear proximal portion may have a sharpened lower edge and the curved distal portion may have sharpened upper and lower edges. In some embodiments, the elongate blade may have a length of less than about twelve inches so that the cutting tool is a knife, and in other embodiments, the elongate blade may have a length of greater than about twelve inches so that the cutting tool is a sword.

Abstract: A flame throwing apparatus includes a handheld frame, a fluid container carried by the frame for containing a flammable fluid, a disposable propellant container, and a disposable propellant container receiver carried by the frame and connected to the fluid container for removably receiving the disposable propellant container, and supplying propellant to the fluid container. A nozzle assembly may be carried by the frame, and may include an extraction tube extending into the fluid container, a control valve connected to the extraction tube, a nozzle connected to the control valve, and an igniter adjacent the nozzle.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes an elongate handle to be grasped by a user, and an elongate blade connected to the elongate handle. The elongate blade includes a downwardly sloping proximal portion extending outwardly from an end of the handle, and a linear distal portion extending substantially parallel to and downwardly offset from an axis defined by the elongate handle and ending in a tapered tip. The downwardly sloping proximal portion may have a sharpened lower edge, and the linear offset distal portion may have a sharpened lower edge. In some embodiments, the elongate blade may have a length of less than about twelve inches so that the cutting tool is a knife, and in other embodiments, the elongate blade may have a length of greater than about twelve inches so that the cutting tool is a sword.

Abstract: A harpoon includes a handle to be grasped by a user for placing the harpoon and a shaft having a proximal end connected to the handle. A distal end of the shaft has a pin receiving passageway formed therein. The pin receiving passageway may include a releasing portion and a retaining portion in communication therewith. The manual harpoon may also include a harpoon tip having an open proximal end for being received over the distal end of the shaft, and a pin carried by the open proximal end of the harpoon tip. The pin may cooperate with the pin receiving passageway to retain the harpoon tip on the shaft when the pin is in the retaining portion of the pin receiving passageway, and to release the harpoon tip from the shaft when the pin is in the releasing portion of the pin receiving passageway.

Abstract: A harpoon includes a handle to be grasped by a user for placing the harpoon and a shaft having a proximal end connected to the handle. A distal end of the shaft has a pin receiving passageway formed therein. The pin receiving passageway may include a releasing portion and a retaining portion in communication therewith. The manual harpoon may also include a harpoon tip having an open proximal end for being received over the distal end of the shaft, and a pin carried by the open proximal end of the harpoon tip. The pin may cooperate with the pin receiving passageway to retain the harpoon tip on the shaft when the pin is in the retaining portion of the pin receiving passageway, and to release the harpoon tip from the shaft when the pin is in the releasing portion of the pin receiving passageway.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes an elongate handle to be grasped by a user, and an elongate blade connected to the elongate handle. The elongate blade includes a downwardly sloping proximal portion extending outwardly from an end of the handle, and a linear distal portion extending substantially parallel to and downwardly offset from an axis defined by the elongate handle and ending in a tapered tip. The downwardly sloping proximal portion may have a sharpened lower edge, and the linear offset distal portion may have a sharpened lower edge. In some embodiments, the elongate blade may have a length of less than about twelve inches so that the cutting tool is a knife, and in other embodiments, the elongate blade may have a length of greater than about twelve inches so that the cutting tool is a sword.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes an elongate handle to be grasped by a user, and an elongate blade connected to the elongate handle. The elongate blade includes a substantially linear proximal portion extending longitudinally outwardly from an end of the handle, and a curved distal portion extending in a downward and forward curve from the proximal portion and ending in a tapered tip. The linear proximal portion and curved distal portion may have about equal lengths. The linear proximal portion may have a sharpened lower edge and the curved distal portion may have sharpened upper and lower edges. In some embodiments, the elongate blade may have a length of less than about twelve inches so that the cutting tool is a knife, and in other embodiments, the elongate blade may have a length of greater than about twelve inches so that the cutting tool is a sword.

Abstract: A flame throwing apparatus includes a handheld frame, a fluid container carried by the frame for containing a flammable fluid, a disposable propellant container, and a disposable propellant container receiver carried by the frame and connected to the fluid container for removably receiving the disposable propellant container, and supplying propellant to the fluid container. A nozzle assembly may be carried by the frame, and may include an extraction tube extending into the fluid container, a control valve connected to the extraction tube, a nozzle connected to the control valve, and an igniter adjacent the nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus for cigar storage preferably includes a main body container having a bottom, side portions connected to and extending upwardly from the bottom, and a plurality of cigar storage compartments formed within the main body and within the confines of the side portions and each having an open upper end thereof to position a cigar therein. The cigar storage compartments advantageously protect each individual cigar from damage, contamination, moisture, such as during travel, extensive use, toting, or other uses of the apparatus. The apparatus also preferably has a container lid positioned to overlie upper portions of the main body container when in a closed position to thereby cover the open upper end of each of the plurality of cigar storage compartments, and a cigar dispenser having portions thereof positioned within the main body container and responsive to a user to display and dispense each of the cigars positioned within the plurality of cigar storage containers.

Abstract: A high impact bow for firing an elongate arrow is provided. The system includes a high impact bow having a grip member, an upper arm extending outwardly from an upper end portion of the grip member and having a first predetermined length, and a lower arm extending outwardly from a lower end portion of the grip member and having a second predetermined length that is substantially shorter than the first predetermined length of the upper arm to thereby define the upper arm as a longer upper arm and the lower arm as a shorter lower arm. The high impact bow also includes a draw string connected to distal end portions of the longer upper arm and the shorter lower arm.

Abstract: A firearm scope mounting apparatus and methods of positioning a firearm scope are provided. The firearm scope mounting apparatus preferably advantageously includes a pivot base having a bottom member adapted to be connected to a firearm and a top member overlying the bottom member and pivotally connected to the bottom member along a proximal end portion thereof. An elevation member is adapted to be connected to the distal end portion of the pivot base to elevate the top member of the pivot base above the bottom member of the pivot base along the distal end portion thereof and thereby increase the distance between the top and bottom members of the pivot base adjacent the distal end portion of the pivot base. A firearm scope connector preferably is positioned to connect to a medial portion of the top member of the pivot base and is adapted to connect a firearm scope to the pivot base.

Abstract: A high impact bow for firing an elongate arrow is provided. The system includes a high impact bow having a grip member, an upper arm extending outwardly from an upper end portion of the grip member and having a first predetermined length, and a lower arm extending outwardly from a lower end portion of the grip member and having a second predetermined length that is substantially shorter than the first predetermined length of the upper arm to thereby define the upper arm as a longer upper arm and the lower arm as a shorter lower arm. The high impact bow also includes a draw string connected to distal end portions of the longer upper arm and the shorter lower arm.

Abstract: A firearm scope mounting apparatus and methods of positioning a firearm scope are provided. The firearm scope mounting apparatus preferably advantageously includes a pivot base having a bottom member adapted to be connected to a firearm and a top member overlying the bottom member and pivotally connected to the bottom member along a proximal end portion thereof. An elevation member is adapted to be connected to the distal end portion of the pivot base to elevate the top member of the pivot base above the bottom member of the pivot base along the distal end portion thereof and thereby increase the distance between the top and bottom members of the pivot base adjacent the distal end portion of the pivot base. A firearm scope connector preferably is positioned to connect to a medial portion of the top member of the pivot base and is adapted to connect a firearm scope to the pivot base.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cigar storage are provided. The apparatus preferably has a main body container having a bottom, side portions connected to and extending upwardly from the bottom, and a plurality of separate, individual and elongate cigar storage compartments formed within the main body and within the confines of the side portions and each having an open upper end thereof to position a cigar therein. The separate and individual storage compartments advantageously protect each individual cigar from damage, contamination, moisture, and other aspects such as during travel, extensive use, toting, or other uses of the apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-ignition cartridge and associated methods for use with a firearm are provided. The cartridge preferably includes a casing having an interior cavity which at least partially encloses at least one projectile. Chances of misfire and cold fire are substantially reduced by including in the casing a plurality of chambers. Each of the chambers preferably is in fluid communication with the cavity and containing an ignitable substance to ignite a main charge in the casing to propel the projectile from the casing. The ignitable substance in a chamber is ignited by striking a strike plate that can be positioned in contact with the casing. Related methods are provided for propelling the projectile of a firearm by simultaneously increasing pressure in multiple chambers of a cartridge casing so as to ignite in at least one chamber the ignitable substance contained in each so as to ignite a main charge that propels the projectile.

Abstract: A hand held skinner having a handle portion, a base portion and a neck portion connecting the handle portion to the base portion. The base portion has finger portions extending from the neck portion toward a first and second tip respectively. The fingers are angularly spaced apart to define a channel therebetween. A cutting member is mounted so as to transverse the channel.

Abstract: A multipurpose armored utility vehicle based on a civilian production base vehicle is configured to be used in hostile and dangerous police related missions. The vehicle comprises an armored drivers compartment and a rear mounted armored utility compartment comprising a plurality of view ports, gun ports, entry means and a roof mounted hatch with side protection where the vehicle can be used in rescue, and offensive and defensive modes of operation under fire.

Abstract: An improved bullet featuring a large, heavy non-aerodynamically shaped projectile that is to be used in short range life or death situations. This projectile and cartridge would be used in large game applications where the intent is not to fire unless in imminent danger. The projectile and cartridge combination of this invention would cause immediate destruction and transfer energy rapidly. The projectile is shaped to increase aerodynamic resistance by redirecting the displaced air into its preferred path. The large cross section and short body height further limit aerodynamic ability. The casing is machined from solid stock to provide a stronger more stable enclosure. This large diameter personal defense bullet uses a soft projectile body of high mass and improved shape, in conjunction with a high capacity casing of one piece precision machined construction to deliver maximum stopping power.

Abstract: A projectile attachment is disclosed that has open-biased arm members that can be either mounted directly onto the projectile base or may be mounted to a mutual connection means which is then attached to the projectile base. The arms are compressed into a restrained position so that they may be inserted into the casing of the bullet. Upon firing, the arms extend to the unrestrained position. Upon impact the projectile penetrates the target then the extended arm members engage the target surface to cause widespread damage while slowing the projectile. The members may optionally have hook-like ends.