Abstract: A posture monitoring system includes one or more contact sensors that are used to map contact or pressure points of a person's body and produce output signals representative of the person's posture. The contact sensors are embedded within a pad, a cushion, an article of furniture or are integrated into a wearable clothing article. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, a contact sensor is formed by depositing at least one set of flex sensors on opposite sides of a flexible substrate and electrically coupling the opposed set of flex sensors to provide a voltage bridge that cancels noise and to provide a contact sensor that measures both concave and convex changes in curvature.

Abstract: A pressurized-gas storage assembly has a liner defining a gas storage chamber and an end portion with a planar surface, with an access opening on the planar surface that is in fluid communication with the gas storage chamber. A raised circular ring extends from the planar surface and surrounds the access opening. The assembly also includes a polar boss having a longitudinally extending part that has a top surface with a recessed opening, and a planar bottom surface, with a channel extending through the polar boss to serve as a passageway through the polar boss. A circular groove is provided on the bottom flat surface of the polar boss, with the raised ring received inside the circular groove. An outer shell is provided around the entirety of the liner, with the outer shell having an edge-defining aperture that receives the polar boss.

Abstract: A pressure indicator system is provided for use a gas storage container. The gas storage container has an interior that stores gas, and a housing having a cavity that opens to atmosphere and which communicates with the interior of the container. A piston or diaphragm communicates with a stem that extends through the cavity and into atmosphere, with the stem having a pressure indicator provided around an upper portion of the stem. A resilient element is retained in the cavity and normally biases the piston or diaphragm towards the interior of the container. The existence of pressure in the container opposes the normal bias of the resilient element to cause the stem and its pressure indicator to extend outside the cavity.

Abstract: Devices and methods for addressing permeation of a gas through a liner of a pressure vessel involve a porous layer between the liner and a composite shell of the pressure vessel around the liner. The porous layer provides fluid communication with atmosphere for gases that permeate through the liner. Such porous layers may be provided in a continuous wound set of fibers about the liner. Further, an inner composite structure may be provided between the liner and the porous layer to reduce the rate of permeation to the porous layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a seal system for sealing a storage tank such as a liquid or air storage tank. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the seal system includes a radial valve body that is disposed within a circular spring energizer, together which are disposed within a boss member. The spring energizer and the boss member are separated by a non-bonded liner. Various radial seal members are placed within the inner surface of the boss member to ensure the seal, and the seal system is installable to the top portion of a liner of a storage tank.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a seal system for sealing a storage tank such as a liquid or air storage tank. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the seal system includes a radial valve body that is disposed within a circular spring energizer, together which are disposed within a boss member. The spring energizer and the boss member are separated by a non-bonded liner. Various radial seal members are placed within the inner surface of the boss member to ensure the seal, and the seal system is installable to the top portion of a liner of a storage tank.

Abstract: This invention provides an infectious retrovirus having inserted between the 5' and 3' long terminal repeat sequences of the retrovirus a nucleic acid encoding an anti-HIV-type specific agent under the control of a pol III promoter. Host cells containing the retroviral vectors of this invention also are provided. Further provided are methods of interfering with or preventing HIV viral replication in a cell infected with HIV or likely to be infected with HIV.

Abstract: Vectors are provided which stably transduce cells, rendering the cells resistant to a target virus. The vectors are amplified upon infection of the cell by a target virus, and spread throughout an infected host in response to infection by the target virus.

Abstract: Methods, kits and compositions for increasing the titer of rAAV vectors are provided.