Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing and/or prognosing proliferative disorders, especially brain cancers (e.g. gliomas). In particular, the present invention provides a means to conveniently detect malignant tumours merely by assaying or analysing blood (particularly blood serum). Cytokines and/or angiogenesis factors in blood serum have been found to be surprisingly powerful at indicating the presence of brain cancers in a subject. Moreover, spectroscopic analysis, especially ATR-FTIR analysis, of a blood sample has been demonstrated to be surprisingly effective at producing a signature that can be correlated with the presence, extent, severity, or aggressiveness of malignant tumours in a subject.

Abstract: A thinned metal can end having a non-uniform thickness profile is provided. The can end has a central panel having at least a first thickness, a middle portion having at least a second thickness greater than the first thickness, and an end portion having at least a third thickness greater than the first and second thicknesses. The can end is configured to be joined to a can wall by a double seam.

Abstract: A tracking system for a solar collector is disclosed. The tracking system includes at least two polarization cameras and a tracking controller configured to: determine orientations of maximal intensity of polarized light received from the at least one heliostat mirror; generate radial lines based on the orientation of maximal intensity of polarized light from the at least one heliostat mirror; determine a position of the sun based on an intersection of the radial lines; and re-orient the at least one heliostat mirror based on the determined position of the sun. In the preferred embodiment, the sun position may be determined based on radial lines corresponding to three or more cameras mounted around the receiver aperture.

Abstract: Compositions and methods, including novel homogeneous microparticulate suspensions, are described for treating natural and artificial surfaces that contain bacterial biofilm, including unexpected synergy or enhancing effects between bismuth-thiol (BT) compounds and certain antibiotics, to provide formulations including antiseptic formulations. Previously unpredicted antibacterial properties and anti-biofilm properties of disclosed BT compounds and BT compound-plus-antibiotic combinations are also described, including preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-positive bacterial infections, and distinct preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-negative bacterial infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing and/or prognosing proliferative disorders, especially brain cancers (e.g. gliomas). In particular, the present invention provides a means to conveniently detect malignant tumours merely by assaying or analysing blood (particularly blood serum). Cytokines and/or angiogenesis factors in blood serum have been found to be surprisingly powerful at indicating the presence of brain cancers in a subject. Moreover, spectroscopic analysis, especially ATR-FTIR analysis, of a blood sample has been demonstrated to be surprisingly effective at producing a signature that can be correlated with the presence, extent, severity, or aggressiveness of malignant tumours in a subject.

Abstract: A device for projecting images from a video generating device such as a computer, television receiver, or similar device onto a screen or other surface is described in this invention. The device uses a rotating disk containing numerous lenses to direct a light beam from a laser or other light source towards the screen. In one embodiment, a pulsed laser light from red, green, and blue lasers are combined into a single light pulse that is transmitted through the rotating disk that transmit each light pulse to a specific location on the screen.

Abstract: A pointer assembly includes a guide, a helical drive member supported in the guide, a motor for axially rotating the helical drive member, a follower carried by the helical drive member, and a pointer coupled to the follower and movable relative to the guide for indicating a measured value, wherein axial rotation of the helical drive member in a clockwise rotation causes the follower and the pointer to move in a first direction relative to the guide and axial rotation of the helical drive member in a counterclockwise rotation causes the follower and the pointer to move in a second direction relative to the guide.

Abstract: A blade assembly for cutting roots is installed on a hand-carried weed cutter or hand-carried side walk edger. The blade assembly comprises a central blade support that supports a central blade. A plurality of cutting blades are stacked on both sides of the central blade to form a stack of blades. The stack of blades is secured together by fasteners that pass through openings in the blades. The central blade and each of the plurality of cutting blades comprises a plurality of teeth. Outermost blades in the stack of blades are smaller in diameter than the blades directly adjacent to the outermost blades.

Abstract: Compositions and methods, including novel homogeneous microparticulate suspensions, are described for treating natural surfaces that contain bacterial biofilm, including unexpected synergy or enhancing effects between bismuth-thiol (BT) compounds and certain antibiotics, to provide formulations including antiseptic formulations. Previously unpredicted antibacterial properties and anti-biofilm properties of disclosed BT compounds and BT compound-plus-antibiotic combinations are also described, including preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-positive bacterial infections, and distinct preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-negative bacterial infections.

Abstract: A gas-powered, pneumatic ventilator (1) is driven by compressed air from a compressor (2) and its outlet (11) is connected via corrugated tubing (30) to a patient valve (34) and face mask or the like. A source (4) of pure oxygen, such as from an oxygen cylinder (40), is connected via small bore tubing (38) to a gas inlet (37) adjacent the air inlet (33) of the patient valve (34) so that supplementary oxygen is mixed with the air. The patient valve (34) closes and a patient dump valve (16) in the ventilator opens during the exhalation phase to allow oxygen supplied to the patient valve (34) to fill the corrugated tubing (30) from the patient end (32) and displace air in the tubing out of the patient dump valve (16) so that a volume of oxygen is collected in the tubing and is dispensed to the patient during the next inspiratory phase.

Abstract: A heliostat array comprising a modular grid is disclosed. The array comprises a plurality of grid members; a plurality of stanchions connected to six of the plurality of the grid members; a plurality of heliostats mounted on stanchions and grid members. Each stanchion may consist of a threaded rod and locking mechanism for rigidly affixing the six grid members to the threaded rod. Each of the plurality of heliostats comprises a mirror, a circular track, and a carousel for rotating the mirror about the circular track. The circular track is concentric with a stanchion and mounted to three grid members that are 120 degrees apart. Each of the carousels may be operably coupled to and biased toward the corresponding circular track.

Abstract: A hair styling apparatus comprising a pair of closable jaws (20,22) to engage a user's hair. Said jaws (20,22) have complementary shapes with, a first said jaw (20) defining a curved ridge and a second said jaw (22) defining a curved recess. One or both of said jaws (20,22) includes a heater such that, when said jaws are closed, hair is heated in a heating region (16) between the ridge of said first jaw (20) and the recess of said second jaw (22). Said second jaw (22) has a curved longitudinal surface having an active cooling region (14). A transverse cross section through said second jaw (22) defines at least one S-shaped curve having a forward curve into which said ridge of said first jaw (20) fits, and a linked reverse curve bearing said active cooling region (14) on which hair may be cooled and curved. Said heating region (16) is located on said forward curve; and said active cooling region (14) is located on said reverse curve.

Abstract: A splice device for electromagnetically sealing a junction or bond between a plurality of cables is provided. A first and second cable each has a conductive core wire, an inner insulation, a braided sleeve, and an insulating cover. The junction or bond fixes and electrically connects the core wire of the second cable to the core wire of the first cable. A plurality of ferrules overlays the braided sleeve and the insulating cover of the first cable and the braided sleeve and the insulating cover of the second cable. A plurality of ring collars overlays the plurality of ferrules and is fixed to the plurality of ferrules. A splice cover or shield overlays the first cable, second cable, plurality of ferrules, and plurality of ring collars and electromagnetically seals the junction/bond between the core wires of the first cable and the second cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing and/or prognosing proliferative disorders, especially brain cancers (e.g. gliomas). In particular, the present invention provides a means to conveniently detect malignant tumours merely by as saying or analysing blood (particularly blood serum). Cytokines and/or angiogenesis factors in blood serum have been found to be surprisingly powerful at indicating the presence of brain cancers in a subject. Moreover, spectroscopic analysis, especially ATR-FTIR analysis, of a blood sample has been demonstrated to be surprisingly effective at producing a signature that can be correlated with the presence, extent, severity, or aggressiveness of malignant tumours in a subject.

Abstract: A method dynamically assigns tasks for visually presenting data. A server receives a request, from a client device, to display a visual representation of data in a designated format. The request specifies one or more client device characteristics, including: client memory capacity; current client memory utilization; client processor capability; current client processor utilization; and the client's web browser. The server determines whether to render the requested visual representation at the server or at the client device based on several factors, including the client device characteristics and the size of the data set. When rendering at the client, the server sends the requested data to the client, including data necessary to render the visual representation in the designated format. Otherwise, the server renders the requested visual representation according to the designated format using the data, and sends the rendered image to the client.

Abstract: Compositions and methods, including novel homogeneous microparticulate suspensions, are described for treating natural and artificial surfaces that contain bacterial biofilm, including unexpected synergy or enhancing effects between bismuth-thiol (BT) compounds and certain antibiotics, to provide formulations including antiseptic formulations. Previously unpredicted antibacterial properties and anti-biofilm properties of disclosed BT compounds and BT compound-plus-antibiotic combinations are also described, including preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-positive bacterial infections, and distinct preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-negative bacterial infections.

Abstract: A protective apparatus for an article, the apparatus including a surrounding sidewall having a first end portion and an opposing second end portion, the sidewall also having a perpendicularly oriented first margin portion and an opposing second margin portion, also with a primary interior. The interior includes a plurality of flexible longwise channels that are attached in a juxtapose position to one another. In addition, included is a plurality of particulate items loosely disposed within each of the flexible longwise channels and a structure for removable engagement positioned adjacent to the first and second margins. The removable engagement structure facilitates the first and second margins to be removably engaged allowing the surrounding sidewall to envelope the article. The primary interior can be evacuated, thus removing the air spaces between the particulate items and in the interior resulting in rigidifying the surrounding sidewall partially encompassing the article to protect the article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a compound containing a moiety of formula (I) as a reagent for linking a compound of formula R1—H which comprises a first functional moiety of formula F1 to a second functional moiety of formula F2 wherein X, X?, Y, R1, F1 and F2 are as defined herein. The present invention also provides related processes and products. The present invention is useful for creating functional conjugate compounds, and specifically conjugates in which at least one of the constituent molecules carries a thiol group.

Abstract: Water repellant conductive fabrics and methods for making the same are provided. The water repellant conductive fabrics may have a conductivity suitable to operate touch-sensitive electronic devices without a conductive path to the human body.

Abstract: A compressor may include a shell, a crankshaft, a piston and a connecting rod. The shell may define a cylinder. The crankshaft is supported for rotation relative to the shell. The piston reciprocates within the cylinder in response to rotation of the crankshaft. The piston and the cylinder define a compression chamber therebetween. The connecting rod includes a first bushing rotatably coupled to the piston and a second bushing rotatably coupled to the crankshaft. The second bushing may include a driving surface contacting the crankshaft and having a recess formed therein. The recess receives an insert.