Abstract: A method and lactate compound for four unique purposes: (1) the provision of a fuel energy source to skeletal muscles, hearts and other tissues and organs of humans and other mammals during exercise and recovery; (2) cardiac energy supplementation following ischemia; (3) the maintenance of blood glucose and restoration of liver glycogen; and (4) the provision of fluid and electrolytes to humans and other mammals before, during and after exercise. The lactate compound is preferably a glycerol-lactate ester or a glycerol-acetate ester.

Abstract: A method and lactate compound for four unique purposes: (1) the provision of a fuel energy source to skeletal muscles, hearts and other tissues and organs of humans and other mammals during exercise and recovery; (2) cardiac energy supplementation following ischemia; (3) the maintenance of blood glucose and restoration of liver glycogen; and (4) the provision of fluid and electrolytes to humans and other mammals before, during and after exercise. The lactate compound is preferably a glycerol-lactate ester or a glycerol-acetate ester.

Abstract: The invention comprises a novel lactate compound for two unique purposes: (1) cardiac energy resuscitation and the treatment or prevention of reperfusion injury following ischemia, and (2) the provision of a fuel energy source to humans and other mammals during exercise and recovery. The novel lactate compound is particularly a lactate thiolester. Preferably, the thiol is selected from a cysteine or a methionine amino acid. In a particularly preferred form, the compound is a lactate N-acetyl ethyl ester of the cysteine or methionine amino acid. The most preferred compound is lactate N-acetyl cysteine thiolester (LNACE): Further, the invention involves use of mixtures of lactate- and pyruvate compounds as well as hexoses (glucose and fructose), maltodextrins and electrolytes as adjutants to support LNACE in its specific purposes.

Abstract: A reinforced pallet (20) and method for making the same are disclosed. The pallet (20) includes a body (28) having a pair of laterally spaced apart edge portions (56) with a central span (60) extending therebetween. A flexible tensile member (26) extends between the edge portions (56) and generally beneath the central span (60). The tensile member (26) may be in the form of a mesh affixed between upper and lower decks (22,24) of the pallet (20). When the edge portions (56) of the pallet (20) are simply supported and a load is place atop the pallet (20), the central span (60) of the pallet (20) will vertically deflect in response to the load. The central span (60) will bear upon the tensile member (26) with the tensile member providing support against deflection. A method for retrofitting a pallet (200) includes adding a tensile member (210) to the pallet (200) to reduce the amount of deflection of the pallet (200) when simply supported in response to a load placed atop the pallet (200).

Abstract: A reinforced pallet (20) and method for making the same are disclosed. The pallet (20) includes a body (28) having a pair of laterally spaced apart edge portions (56) with a central span (60) extending therebetween. A flexible tensile member (26) extends between the edge portions (56) and generally beneath the central span (60). The tensile member (26) may be in the form of a mesh affixed between upper and lower decks (22,24) of the pallet (20). When the edge portions (56) of the pallet (20) are simply supported and a load is place atop the pallet (20), the central span (60) of the pallet (20) will vertically deflect in response to the load. The central span (60) will bear upon the tensile member (26) with the tensile member providing support against deflection. A method for retrofitting a pallet (200) includes adding a tensile member (210) to the pallet (200) to reduce the amount of deflection of the pallet (200) when simply supported in response to a load placed atop the pallet (200).

Abstract: A cover for holding a document to be scanned against the transparent scanning surface of a scanning system. The cover includes at least one hinged "bending axis" about which a portion of the cover may be pivotally displaced without affecting the remaining portion(s) of the cover. Preferably, the bending axes are such that the cover may be pivoted about either of two lines corresponding to the diagonal axes of the rectangular cover.

Abstract: A supplement containing lactic acid salts and/or polymers, and optionally simple and/or complex carbohydrates, is employed to promote energy supply, fluid and electrolyte balance, blood glucose homeostasis, blood pH buffering and muscle as well as liver glycogen storage during and after strenuous exercise. The disclosed composition takes advantage of the presence of sodium-mediated intestinal lactate and glucose transporters, intestinal conversion of glucose to lactate, hepatic formation of glycogen from lactate, the preferential uptake of lactate for fuel by cardiac and red skeletal muscles, the alkalizing effect of the combustion of lactate to CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O and conversion to glucose of glycogen, and the presence of a sarcolemmal (muscle cell membrane) lactate/hydrogen ion (symport) transport protein to provide beneficial nutritional supplementation during exercise and subsequent recovery.

Abstract: Transition metal complexes of mono- and polynuclear aromatic o-hydroxymercaptans are produced in high yield and purity directly from o-hydroxythiocyanates by reaction thereof with water-soluble transition metal salts. When incorporated into plastic lenses, the complexes afford eye protection against laser radiation.