Abstract: An occupant lumbar support system for a furniture member includes a belt member having a longitudinally elastically flexible first portion having opposite first and second ends and a longitudinally inelastic second portion. The first portion is connected to the second portion at the first and second ends. The second portion when spaced freely away from the first portion except at the first and second ends defines a belt member free state. The second portion has opposed first and second connecting ends extending freely away from the first and second ends. First and second tensioning members are each connected to one of the first and second connecting ends whereby operation of the first and second tensioning members longitudinally elastically stretches the first portion until the second portion moves into substantially continuous contact with the first portion between the first and second ends defining a belt member aggressive state.

Abstract: Maternal and fetal birthing simulators are disclosed. The maternal simulator has a rotatable pelvis, legs articulated at the hip and knee joints, and a deformable covering that simulates the feel of the skin and underlying tissues. The fetal simulator has an extensible neck, a movable head, movable clavicles, and arms articulated at the shoulder and elbow joints, and may include sensors to measure spinal extension, head rotation, applied traction force, and brachial plexus displacement.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition and method for the prevention and treatment of a tauopathy. The composition of the invention includes N-terminal amino acid residues of the tau protein, which have been identified as being involved in toxic activation of a PP1/GSK3 signaling cascade and inhibition of fast axonal transport in human tauopathies.

Abstract: A new blood unit cooling system was designed to cool blood rapidly to about 22° C. and maintain it at about that temperature, even in ambient temperature extremes, for several hours. The system incorporating a preferred eutectic solution including 98% 1-dodecanol, 1.5% myristyl alcohol and 0.5% 1-decanol (having a melting point of about 23° C.) contained in a sealed flexible polymer layer, was used to cool whole blood-filled bags. The preferred design used double-layered transparent polyethylene, with two sealed compartments filled with the solution, separated by a flattened and sealed portion between them. One of the two sealed compartments contacts one side of the blood bag and the other compartment is folded over to contact the other side of the blood bag. The transparent compartments allows an operator to verify at any time whether the solution is in a solid state, and the flexibility of the compartments eases the proper positioning of them around a blood bag.

Abstract: A sink drain accessory is provided for assisting a user with disposal of waste materials into a sink drain, while preventing solid objects within the sink from entering the drain. The device comprises a hollow conduit, a funnel portion attached to the upper edge thereof, a sealing rim and sealing rails to provide liquid seals within the drain and maintain the device in a balanced position, along with a plunger tool. The sealing rim is horizontally disposed along the base of the hollow conduit, while the sealing rails are vertically disposed around the outer surface of the hollow conduit. Drain apertures are positioned above the sealing rim to allow liquid to flow from the sink and into the device. Liquid and solid waste may be placed within the funnel portion of the device by a user and pushed down into the sink drain with the aid of the plunger tool.

Abstract: A connector system for a liquid container system for a spray gun includes a lid that includes a liquid outlet and an adapter. The adapter includes a spray gun end and a lid end. The ends are connected with a liquid-tight passageway. Further, the spray gun end is adapted for releasable engagement with a liquid inlet port of the spray gun and the lid end is adapted for releasable engagement with the liquid outlet. The connector system also includes a plurality of interlocking tab assemblies for releasably attaching the adapter to the lid. Each assembly includes a first tab and a second tab, wherein an end of the first tab is adapted to secure the adapter to the lid when the first tab and the second tab are interlocked.

Abstract: A powered headrest operating system includes a headrest connected to a seatback frame using rotational pins. An actuation mechanism rotatably connected to the seatback frame has a power actuated member connected to the headrest operating between retracted and extended positions to rotate the headrest from a fully retracted to a forward rotated position about an axis of rotation of the rotational pins. A release system rotatably connecting the headrest to the actuation mechanism retains the headrest at any forward rotated position while the actuation mechanism returns the power actuated member from the extended to the retracted positions if the headrest encounters an object blocking return to the retracted position. A biasing member connected to the seatback frame and the headrest creating a biasing force during headrest rotation away from the retracted position operates without actuation mechanism operating force to bias the headrest frame assembly toward the retracted position.

Abstract: A power lift lumbar support system for a furniture member includes a lumbar pad. A scissoring portion is rotatably connected to the lumbar pad and moves the lumbar pad between a fully retracted and a fully extended position. A lumbar actuation portion is connected to the scissoring portion and drives the scissoring portion using a powered actuator to displace the lumbar pad. A carrier support rod has first and second carriers slidably disposed on the carrier support rod. The scissoring portion is connected to each of the first and second carriers. Displacement of the first and second carriers toward each other operates through the scissoring portion to displace the lumbar pad away from the carrier support rod and toward the fully extended position.

Abstract: Methods and products for the detection of oncofetal fibronectin indicating molecules in samples are provided. Methods for imaging of oncofetal fibronectin are provided. In some methods provided herein, the sample is treated with a reagent and/or contacted with a non-specific binder. Provided are methods for testing subjects to ascertain health and disease status and to assess the risk of developing a disease or condition. Methods for detecting the presence of oncofetal fibronectin indicating molecules by a variety of methods such as immunoassays and mass spectrometry also are provided. Methods and products for detection of oncofetal fibronection for selection of concepti are provided.

Abstract: An improved portable baby carrier rocking system in which allows almost all existing car seat carriers, baby carriers and baby bassinets to be attached to it. This baby carrier rocker mounts underneath the baby carrier and attaches to it by a simple strap. This baby carrier rocker can be battery operated or powered by an external power supply. It has different rocking speed settings and it will rock any bottom shaped carrier profile from flat to curved. An electric motor drives an offset link in which raises and lowers four supporting arms underneath the baby carrier, thus rocking the carrier back and forth from its center pivoting position. This baby carrier rocker has extendable and retractable legs in which flips out for greater rocker stability. Its novel compact size makes this rocker easily transportable and can be used in small confined areas like in restaurants, camping tents, in crowded rooms, areas etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modular conveyor belt device with a system for easy removal of the belt modules. The belt comprises at least one driving chain and a plurality of belt modules extending transversally and parallely mounted over the entire length of the chains. The belt modules include underside openings, shaped to receive a locking pin extending outwardly from the driving chains and comprising a notch. The belt modules further include side openings intersecting with corresponding bottom openings in which fasteners are removably mounted. Each fastener comprises a projection positionable between a locked configuration and a released configuration. In the locked configuration the projection is embedded in the notch of the locking pin whereas the projection is disembedded from the notch of the locking pin when in the released configuration. The device using the disclosed locking system provides excellent locking capabilities while offering fast and easy removal of the belt modules.

Abstract: An occupant lumbar support system for a furniture member includes a belt member having a longitudinally elastically flexible first portion having opposite first and second ends and a longitudinally inelastic second portion. The first portion is connected to the second portion at the first and second ends. The second portion when spaced freely away from the first portion except at the first and second ends defines a belt member free state. The second portion has opposed first and second connecting ends extending freely away from the first and second ends. First and second tensioning members are each connected to one of the first and second connecting ends whereby operation of the first and second tensioning members longitudinally elastically stretches the first portion until the second portion moves into substantially continuous contact with the first portion between the first and second ends defining a belt member aggressive state.

Abstract: A method and a system for classifying a plurality of random length boards of random grade, using a conveyer provided with reading units to read both the length and the grade of each board at a first end of said conveyer; a processor, receiving length and grade data from the reading units; calculating combinations of board lengths and grades and selecting a preferred combination of boards from the combinations; and a distribution section, located at a second end of the conveyer, and operated by the processor according to the preferred combination; the processor being fed with a large number of identified boards, from which to calculate the combinations of board lengths and grades, before they reach the distribution section.

Abstract: A furniture member component drive mechanism includes a force multiplying gear assembly. A wire member can slide within a flexible sheath in opposed first and second directions. The wire member is connected to the gear assembly for axial displacement. A lever arm connected to the gear assembly defines a lever arm first axis of rotation. Rotating the lever arm in a first direction about the first axis of rotation axially incrementally displaces the wire member in the first displacement direction. The lever arm is rotatably connected to a pivot base defining a second axis of rotation of the lever arm transverse to the first axis of rotation. Rotating the lever arm about the second axis of rotation displaces the wire member in the second displacement direction.

Abstract: A composition for attracting female tropical root weevils (and/or repelling male tropical root weevils), containing (±)-linalool, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, and carvacrol, and optionally a carrier or carrier material known in the art. A method for attracting female tropical root weevils to an object or area, involving treating the object or area with a composition containing a female tropical root weevil attracting effective amount of (±)-linalool, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, and carvacrol, and optionally a carrier or carrier material. A method for repelling male tropical root weevils from an object or area, involving treating the object or area with a composition containing a male tropical root weevil repelling effective amount of (±)-linalool, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, and carvacrol, and optionally a carrier or carrier material.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided including an engine block, a cylinder head mounted on the engine block including a combustion face forming a portion of a combustion chamber, wherein the combustion face includes a pent-roof portion and a hemispherical shaped portion. A first intake valve port formed in the cylinder head includes a first intake valve port opening formed in the pent-roof portion while a second intake valve port formed in the cylinder head includes a second intake valve port opening formed in the pent-roof portion. An exhaust valve port formed in the cylinder head includes an exhaust valve port opening formed in the hemispherical shaped portion. A transition portion may also be included to blend the combustion face connecting the pent-roof and the hemispherical portions. One or more spark plug bore openings are formed and optimally positioned in the combustion face.

Abstract: A furniture member mechanism includes upper and lower housing structures, the lower housing structure including first and second side frames. A mechanism is disposed within both the upper and lower housing structures, including first and second lever arms having an upper end, a body extending into both the upper and lower housing structures, and a lower end positioned in the lower housing structure and rotatably connected to the first and second side frames. A bracket is connected to the first and second side frames. First and second biasing members are connected to the first and second lever arms and the bracket. The first or second biasing member extends when the first or second lever arm is rotated from an initial position in a lever forward direction. A biasing force of the first or second biasing member biases the first or second lever arm toward the initial position.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer compositions having a tunable decomposition temperature. Suitable additives are disclosed for lowering the decomposition temperature of polymer compositions. The invention further provides methods of preparing such polymer compositions with tunable decomposition temperatures.

Abstract: An electrically operated wall proximity furniture member includes a frame and an actuation mechanism rotatably connected to the frame. The actuation mechanism includes first and second independently rotatable seat back support members oriented to face a wall outer surface. An electrically powered drive assembly operates to rotate the seat back member between fully upright and fully reclined positions inclusive. A point of the seat back support members when positioned in the fully upright position defines a rear-most extent of the actuation mechanism. The rear-most extent defines a vertical plane having no portion of the actuation mechanism extending beyond the rear-most extent toward the wall outer surface during any operation of the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A release system for a furniture member leg rest assembly extended from an actuation mechanism includes an actuation mechanism, the actuation mechanism having a leg rest assembly movable between a fully retracted and a plurality of extended positions inclusive, including a fully extended position. A pantograph link of the leg rest assembly is rotatably connected to the actuation mechanism. An extension link is rotatably connected to the actuation mechanism and moves in extension and retraction directions. A member is in contact with the extension link and in releasable contact with the pantograph link. The member is in contact with the pantograph link when the member is operating to push the pantograph link outward toward the fully extended position. The member is spatially separable from the pantograph link when an object is contacted by the leg rest assembly during return from any of the extended positions toward the fully retracted position.