Abstract: A reconstituted tobacco material incorporates an exogenous tocopherol or derivative thereof, such as in the amount of at least about 0.1 weight percent. A tobacco blend can be formed by combining reconstituted tobacco material incorporating such an additive with one or more additional tobacco materials, such as burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, and flue-cured tobacco. A smoking article, such as a cigarette, contains such a reconstituted tobacco, as part of the smokable material, as part of tobacco paper wrapping material, or as part of a reconstituted tobacco-containing filter element. The invention also provides a method of forming reconstituted tobacco material wherein a tocopherol or derivative thereof is added to the tobacco material, either by adding the tocopherol to an aqueous extract or water insoluble pulp formed during the reconstituted tobacco process or by adding the tocopherol to the solid reconstituted tobacco sheet after the aqueous extract and pulp are recombined.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system wherein the main attachment to the chassis of the steering and suspension components is by the king pin mounting. The suspension system includes a first member attached directly to a shaft rotating with the chassis attachment; a second member attached to the first member by a swivel joint or a bush, allowing vertical movement of a stub axle attached solidly to the second member; and a third member attached to the first member which acts as the steering arm connection and load transference support for the forth member, a telescopic shock absorber and spring unit. The stub axle being at right angles to the king pin. Use of the suspension system allows a lessening or elimination of the toeing in or out of the wheels which commonly occurs with the vertical movement of the wheel.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a molecular marker of the integrity of the extracellular matrix in an animal including a human subject. More particularly, the present invention provides a molecular marker of cartilage integrity. The identification of the molecular marker in circulatory or tissue fluid is indicative of disrepair of the extracellular matrix and in particular cartilage such as caused or facilitated by trauma or a degenerative disease or other condition, for example, arthritis or autoimmunity. The molecular marker is preferably in the form of a glycoprotein but the instant invention extends to genetic sequences encoding the polypeptide portion of the glycoprotein. Expression analysis of such genetic sequences provides predictive utility in detecting normal or abnormal extracellular matrix development.

Abstract: A cover of a plastics material is adhered to the operative surface of a CD or other optical disc to protect that disc surface. The cover is of substantially the same peripheral shape and size as the surface of the disc on which it is affixed. A security tag is adhered onto the outer surface of the cover and is thus held onto the surface of the disc. The security tag may be detectable by external means, for example, at the exit of a premises, whereby a warning is provided if there is an attempt to remove the disc from the premises. The cover may be removable so that both the cover and tag may be removed in order to play the disc.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system wherein the main attachment to the chassis of the steering and suspension components is by the king pin mounting. The suspension system includes a first member attached directly to a shaft rotating with the chassis attachment; a second member attached to the first member by a swivel joint or a bush, allowing vertical movement of a stub axle attached solidly to the second member; and a third member attached to the first member which acts as the steering arm connection and load transference support for the forth member, a telescopic shock absorber and spring unit. The stub axle being at right angles to the king pin. Use of the suspension system allows a lessening or elimination of the toeing in or out of the wheels which commonly occurs with the vertical movement of the wheel.

Abstract: There is variation in the sexual performance of male mammals. The purpose of this invention is to help identify high sexual performing males, particularly for livestock such as sheep. Testosterone is necessary for the normal execution of male behavior, but baseline levels are not predictive of libido. When a male mammal is given an injection of naloxone (an endorphin antagonist), his testosterone or LH response to the injection predicts whether he is a sexually active or inactive individual. This test is based on the premise that libido is more closely linked to the ability to secrete testosterone rather than baseline concentrations. Naloxone challenge may be used as a general method to predict libido in male mammals.

Abstract: A steam turbine blade, such as those used in an electric power generation steam turbine, has an airfoil portion. The airfoil portion includes a metallic section consisting essentially of metal and at least one (lightweight) panel section not consisting essentially of metal. The metallic section extends from generally the blade root to generally the blade tip. Each panel section is an elastomeric section. The metallic section and the at-least-one panel section only together define a generally airfoil shape.

Abstract: An ablative catheter assembly whose electrode is completely covered by a buffer layer. The buffer layer prevents areas of high current density at the surface of the catheter tip, which helps to reduce popping and clotting. The buffer layer may be in the form of a conductive fluid (such as saline solution) pumped into a cavity surrounding the electrode. In this case, the conductive fluid couples the electrode to the surrounding tissue so that RF energy will pass from the electrode to the tissue, thereby effecting ablation. Also, the buffer layer may be in the form of a porous coating which covers an electrode tip. In this case, blood or fluid which infuses the porous coating couples the electrode tip to the surrounding tissues to be ablated.

Abstract: A lightweight steam turbine blade includes a metallic airfoil portion with at least one surface recess containing a void volume having adjacent first and second regions. Filler material is placed in and bonded to the surface recess and generally completely fills the void volume. The filler material in the first region has a higher average modulus of elasticity than that of the filler material in the second region.

Abstract: A lightweight, impact-resistant gas turbine blade, such as an aircraft engine fan blade, includes a metallic airfoil portion with at least one surface recess containing a void volume having adjacent first and second regions. Filler material is placed in and bonded to the surface recess and generally completely fills the void volume. The filler material in the first region has a higher average modulus of elasticity than that of the filler material in the second region.

Abstract: A lightweight, impact-resistant gas turbine blade, such as an aircraft engine fan blade, has an airfoil portion. The airfoil portion includes a metallic section consisting essentially of metal and at least one panel section not consisting essentially of metal. The metallic section extends from generally the blade root to generally the blade tip. Each panel section is an elastomeric section. Preferably, the metallic section and the at-least-one panel section only together define a generally airfoil shape.

Abstract: In a container defining a flexible wall, means for sealingly receiving a puncture member through the wall which comprises an insert member positioned within the container. The insert member defines an aperture for sealingly receiving the puncture member after penetration through the wall. The aperture provides flow communication between the container interior and a puncture member received in the aperture. Thus, access may be provided to a container which has no conventional tubular port carried on its exterior. Optionally, tape means may be removably adhered to the flexible wall so that removal of the tape means exposes a clean surface through which the puncture member can penetrate.

Abstract: A system is provided for connection of a transfer spike on the end of a tube with another tube, in which the connection portions may be ultraviolet sterilized prior to connection. Both the spike and the tube for connection communicate with a housing member having a tubular, collapsible sheath member which is ultraviolet transparent. Also, a clamping system may be provided for closing flow through the system.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus and method for preparing a continuous, hollow, and semipermeable filament for use in a dialyzer which includes a plurality of substantially-equal-length open-ended fibers.The apparatus includes a body having a supply spool of filament and a take-up reel having at least two radially-spaced support means about which the filament is wound. Drive means rotate the take-up reel and a filament guide is provided for laterally positioning the filament on the support member so as to prevent close packing of the filament windings. The take-up reel includes a winding plate for carrying the filament support means and hub-and-locking means for releasably mounting the winding plate on the machine.The method includes winding the filament from the spool onto the take-up reel; grasping each of the sections of filament between the support means; and cutting the filament adjacent the support means so as to form a plurality of bundles of open-ended fibers for use in a hollow fiber dialyzer.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus and method for preparing a continuous, hollow, and semipermeable filament for use in a dialyzer which includes a plurality of substantially-equal-length open-ended fibers.The apparatus includes a body having a supply spool of filament and a take-up reel having at least two radially-spaced support means about which the filament is wound. Drive means rotate the take-up reel and a filament guide is provided for laterally positioning the filament on the support member so as to prevent close packing of the filament windings. The take-up reel includes a winding plate for carrying the filament support means and a hub-and-locking means for releasably mounting the winding plate on the machine.