Abstract: Methods for identifying animals as having reduced body fat and increased bone density are provided herein. Also provided herein are methods for generating animals having reduced body fat and increased bone density. The methods provided herein are based on the effect of TLR4, MD-2, and CD14 activity on body fat and bone density.

Abstract: A panhead (1) having a counterbalance action suitable for heavy cameras or equipment, and provides instantaneous electronic measurements of head settings and position. The improved counterbalance utilizes a dual-tower dual-axis non-linear mechanism as well as position encoders indexed to each axis (7-13) of head movement. Potentiometer setting detectors are also indexed to settable adjustments to read and relay such adjustments, and an electronic display (25) conveys information regarding the current positions and settings of the camera head (1). A novel mounting system situated at the top of the head provides for fast and simple mounting and unmounting of equipment or a dutch roll head. In particular, a novel dovetail (19, 21) engagement mechanism swings a dovetail side down during detachment. In an embodiment of the invention, the dutch roll head can be remotely proportionally actuated by a user via a switch mountable to a handle used for panning and tilting of the pan head.

Abstract: A panhead (1) having a counterbalance action suitable for heavy cameras or equipment, and provides instantaneous electronic measurements of head settings and position. The improved counterbalance utilizes a dual-tower dual-axis non-linear mechanism as well as position encoders indexed to each axis (7-13) of head movement. Potentiometer setting detectors are also indexed to settable adjustments to read and relay such adjustments, and an electronic display (25) conveys information regarding the current positions and settings of the camera head (1). A novel mounting system situated at the top of the head provides for fast and simple mounting and unmounting of equipment or a dutch roll head. In particular, a novel dovetail (19, 21) engagement mechanism swings a dovetail side down during detachment. In an embodiment of the invention, the dutch roll head can be remotely proportionally actuated by a user via a switch mountable to a handle used for panning and tilting of the pan head.

Abstract: A leg for a dual stage tripod including a mechanism for actuating the lower lock assembly from the upper end of the leg. The leg includes telescoping upper (46), middle (48), and lower (50) leg portions, and upper and lower lock assemblies for coupling the upper and middle leg portions together, and the middle and lower leg portions together, respectively. An elongated torque shaft (270) extends substantially parallel the upper leg portion, downward from the upper end of the leg to a transfer assembly coupled to the upper end of the middle leg portion. The transfer assembly is coupled to the lower lock assembly disposed at the lower end of the middle leg portion such that rotation of the torque shaft about its longitudinal axis results in an actuating force which actuates the lower lock assembly.

Abstract: A food package comprising a rigid plastic base tray having at least three compartments, the tray being covered by a flexible film which is airtightly sealed to flanges of the tray to airtightly or hermetically seal the respective compartments. A label structure integrally associated with the flexible film has opaque areas for label information and transparent areas for viewing the product. The label structure may be formed by separate pressure sensitive labels, by printing on the flexible film itself or by a shrink wrapped band with printing thereon. A structure associated with the bottom of the tray may provide rigidity, protect the bottom of the tray, provide an additional area for commercial information and/or provide a stand-up feature. The materials of the package may be selected to maximize recyclability.

Abstract: A food package comprising a rigid plastic base tray having at least three compartments, the tray being covered by a flexible film which is airtightly sealed to flanges of the tray to airtightly or hermetically seal the respective compartments. A label structure integrally associated with the flexible film has opaque areas for label information and transparent areas for viewing the product. The label structure may be formed by separate pressure sensitive labels, by printing on the flexible film itself or by a shrink wrapped band with printing thereon. A structure associated with the bottom of the tray may provide rigidity, protect the bottom of the tray, provide an additional area for commercial information and/or provide a stand-up feature. The materials of the package may be selected to maximize recyclability.

Abstract: A tripod is provided having three pairs of adjacent telescoping legs and a lock mechanism for locking the adjacent legs in a desired position. The lock mechanism comprises a lever connecting a pair of lock assemblies associated with each adjacent leg for movement between an unlocked position wherein the legs may be telescopingly adjusted and a locked position wherein the lock assembly exerts a clamping force on its respective leg for locking the leg in a desired position. Each lock assembly comprises a clamp member for receiving a telescoping leg and a threaded hole adapted to receive a threaded end of a lock screw. A lock screw clamp attached to the head end of the lock screw controls the rotation of the lock screw into and out of the hole.

Abstract: A food package comprising a rigid plastic base tray having at least three compartments, the tray being covered by a flexible film which is airtightly sealed to flanges of the tray to airtightly or hermetically seal the respective compartments. A label structure integrally associated with the flexible film has opaque areas for label information and transparent areas for viewing the product. The label structure may be formed by separate pressure sensitive labels, by printing on the flexible film itself or by a shrink wrapped band with printing thereon. A structure associated with the bottom of the tray may provide rigidity, protect the bottom of the tray, provide an additional area for commercial information and/or provide a stand-up feature. The materials of the package may be selected to maximize recyclability.

Abstract: An instrument support device for adjustably receiving a member of a support plate having an outer spherical surface wherein the socket, formed integrally, is an outer and upper ring portion connected to an inner and lower ring portion by intercrossed ribs with upper surfaces of the ring portions and ribs defining segments of a conical surface capable of cooperating with spherical surfaces of differing radii. The lower surface of the socket forms a substantially spherical clamping surface, such that a locking knob can draw a range of spherical surfaces into a clamped relation with the conical support surface. The socket forms a tripod head by having lugs on the upper ring portion that extend out and embrace the elements of the tripod legs so that the tripod legs are mounted from the outside of their respective elements.

Abstract: A camera panhead, for panning the camera about a vertical axis and tilting the camera about a horizontal axis, including fluid drag systems and a counterbalance system. The fluid drag systems each include a drag disk assembly secured to the rotating shaft and drag sector assemblies pivotally mounted to the housing and disposed about the circumference of the disk assembly to define a space containing viscous fluid. The level of drag exerted may be adjusted by pivoting the sector assemblies toward or away from the disk assembly to vary the space containing viscous fluid. The counterbalance system includes two spring sets mounted in planes perpendicular to the tilt axis. As the camera tilts, one end of each of the springs remains relatively stationary as the opposite ends rotate about the tilt axis to exert a restoring torque to counterbalance the camera. The system may be adjusted to vary the level of restoring torque exerted.

Abstract: A rotary combustor formed of water cooled tubes in an inclined cylindrical array with the lower portion being conical so as to reduce the incline at the lower end. The combustor extends into the cooperating furnace, and is formed with openings between the tubes that increase in size toward the lower end.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding material to the open end of a combustor including a vertical chute leading to a doorway to the combustor which is normally closed by a biased door, and a stepped ram reciprocating at the bottom of the chute for feeding material through the door and into the combustor.