Abstract: The present invention relates to a clk-2 gene which has a function at the level of cellular physiology involved in developmental rate, telomere length and longevity, wherein clk-2 mutations cause a longer life, an altered cellular metabolism and an altered telomere length relative to the wild type, wherein clk-2 overexpression leads to telomere shortening. The present invention also relates to clk-2 co-expressed gene which comprises a cex-7 gene having the nucleotide sequence set forth in FIG. 33 which codes for a CEX-7 protein having the amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 34 wherein said gene is located in the clk-2 operon and said cex-7 gene is transcriptionally co-expressed with clk-2 gene present in said operon.

Abstract: The connection between the core 12 of the flexible joint and the external part concerned is provided by two strips mounted head to foot in a through rectangular opening in the core, on the ends of which the strips abut by their widened head 18. The body 17 of the strips, engaged completely in the rectangular opening, is slightly wider than the terminal part 19 of the strips, narrower to facilitate their assembly. The fixing holes, one in the head 18, the other (22) in the terminal part 19, lie one over the other but are of slightly different diameters.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightening damaged automobile frames or bodies utilizing a rigid structural ramp capable of supporting a vehicle. A preferably hydraulic power source capable of imparting alternatively a compressive or a tensile force to the damaged frame or body is adjustably mounted on a wheeled post which slideably travels a continuous track circumventing the ramp. The ramp is provided with improved chain anchoring openings. A chain can be used for a applying tensile force to the frame directly or indirectly to the frame by connecting a chain first to the anchoring opening, then to the damaged frame, and then to the hydraulic power source.Using two wheeled posts on the continuous track, a rotatable, pivotal, cross bar can be attached at its respective end portions to the wheeled posts. With the power source mounted on the cross bar, repairs can be made to the roof, or interior portions of an automobile.

Abstract: An apparatus for straightening damaged automobile frames or bodies utilizing a rigid structural ramp capable of supporting a vehicle. A preferably hydraulic power source capable of imparting alternatively a compressive or a tensile force to the damaged frame or body is adjustably mounted on a wheeled post which slidably travels a continuous track circumventing the ramp. The ramp is provided with improved chain anchoring openings. A chain can be used for a applying tensile force to the frame directly or indirectly to the frame by connecting a chain first to the anchoring opening, then to the damaged frame, and then to the hydraulic power source.Using two wheeled posts on the continuous track, a rotatable, pivotal, cross bar can be attached at its respective end portions to the wheeled posts. With the power source mounted on the cross bar, repairs can be made to the roof, or interior portions of an automobile (see FIG. 10).