Abstract: An improved sporting equipment shaft is provided. The present invention relates to aerodynamic drag-reducing structures. In particular, the present invention relates to a vortex splitter plate element that may be formed integrally or attached to the shaft of a sporting equipment shaft preferably a golf club shaft. The T-Blade Drag Reduction Device operates to substantially reduce turbulence produced when the sporting equipment shaft is swung through a fluid, such as air. The reduction in turbulence is reflected operationally in a faster, more powerful swing due to the lessened amount of induced aerodynamic drag. There is also a lessening of shaft vibration, which should increase swing accuracy.

Abstract: A positioning system is provided for use in a wind tunnel that results in accurate and dynamic orientation for a model while reducing aerodynamic interference. The system includes a pitch-yaw sleeve having a generally cylindrical shape and a torque tube disposed askew within the sleeve and rotatable about its longitudinal axis to drive a shaft. The shaft is generally elongated and crooked. The sting, to which a model is affixed, is rotatably attached to a distal end of the shaft. Rotation of the pitch-yaw tube and/or the pitch-yaw sleeve provides precise pitch and yaw orientation of the model, and rotation of the sting relative to the shaft provides precise roll orientation.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing an Internet user to create a web page which may simultaneously display public and private data as integrated data on one digital screen or other network interface device. Integrated data may derive from at least one internal content provider, but may also include data from one or more external content providers. The invention also allows an internal content provider to create a personal profile of a user, based on proprietary data stores of the internal content provider and/or on the user's choices of data for viewing on a web page. Finally, the invention allows an internal content provider to use the personal profile to personalize the user's experience on the provider's web site.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for dissolving a gas in a liquid, the apparatus comprising (a) a closed container containing a liquid at a predetermined level, (b) a contactor module at least partially immersed in the liquid having (1) a gas supply channel to the bore side of the fibers, (2) a liquid supply channel to the shell side of the fibers, and (3) an exit port for transport of a gas-containing liquid, and (c) the remaining space in the closed container being occupied by a pressurized gas. The liquid prepared in the apparatus of the present invention containing a dissolved gas, is used to prepare beverages, such as coffee, tea, soda, chocolate and the like, whether hot or cold.

Abstract: A positioning system is provided for use in a wind tunnel that results in accurate and dynamic orientation for a model while reducing aerodynamic interference. The system includes a pitch-yaw sleeve having a generally cylindrical shape and a torque tube disposed askew within the sleeve and rotatable about its longitudinal axis to drive a shaft. The shaft is generally elongated and crooked. The sting, to which a model is affixed, is rotatably attached to a distal end of the shaft. Rotation of the pitch-yaw tube and/or the pitch-yaw sleeve provides precise pitch and yaw orientation of the model, and rotation of the sting relative to the shaft provides precise roll orientation.

Abstract: A method of treating chronic hepatitis B is disclosed that comprises administering a T cell-stimulating amount of a vaccine to a patient. The vaccine comprises an immunogenic amount of chimeric, carboxy-terminal truncated hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid (core) protein (HBc) that is engineered for both enhanced stability of self-assembled particles and the substantial absence of nucleic acid binding by those particles. The chimeric protein molecule can include one or more immunogenic epitopes peptide-bonded to one or more of the N-terminus, the immunogenic loop or the C-terminus of HBc. The enhanced stability of self-assembled particles is obtained by the presence of at least one heterologous cysteine residue near one or both of the amino-terminus and carboxy-terminus of the chimer molecule.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for designing protein immunogen, which comprises (a) modifying the amino acid sequence of the immunogen, and (b) determining whether the T-helper (Th) cell response to the modified immunogen is of the Th1 type or the Th2 type. The method is useful in identifying immunogens for use in immunotherapy of diseases. For example, chronic hepatitis is believed to be associated with a Th2-dominated response which fails to clear the virus, and switching the Th response to a Th1 response by administration of an immunogen that induces a Th1 response may help in clearing the virus.

Abstract: A protein is provided comprising hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) wherein one or more of the four arginine repeats has been deleted, said protein comprising the C-terminal cysteine of HBcAg. The deleted region may be replaced by an epitope from a protein other than HBcAg, in which case the HBcAg acts as a carrier to present the epitope to the immune system. The chimeric protein is useful in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination of a host, for example against hepatitis B virus.

Abstract: A method of treating chronic hepatitis B is disclosed that comprises administering a T cell-stimulating amount of a vaccine to a patient. The vaccine comprises an immunogenic amount of chimeric, carboxy-terminal truncated hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid (core) protein (HBc) that is engineered for both enhanced stability of self-assembled particles and the substantial absence of nucleic acid binding by those particles. The chimeric protein molecule can include one or more immunogenic epitopes peptide-bonded to one or more of the N-terminus, the immunogenic loop or the C-terminus of HBc. The enhanced stability of self-assembled particles is obtained by the presence of at least one heterologous cysteine residue near one or both of the amino-terminus and carboxy-terminus of the chimer molecule.

Abstract: An edge-lit illumination system comprising a light transmitting sheet (10) which has a surface treatment, capable of reflecting or scattering light, on at least one of its opposing surfaces (11, 12), a light source (13) positioned in proximity to, and adjacent to, an edge of this sheet, and a reflective surface (14) positioned adjacent to an edge of the sheet, at an obtuse angle (18) to the plane of the sheet and extending away from one surface of the sheet. The reflective surface is preferably disposed adjacent to the edge of the light transmitting sheet having the light source adjacent to it. The obtuse angle preferably ranges from 100 to 145 degrees. This invention gives an increase in the area of illumination across the light transmitting sheet.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing an Internet user to create a web page which may simultaneously display public and private data as integrated data on one digital screen or other network interface device. Integrated data may derive from at least one internal content provider, but may also include data from one or more external content providers. The invention also allows an internal content provider to create a personal profile of a user, based on proprietary data stores of the internal content provider and/or on the user's choices of data for viewing on a web page. Finally, the invention allows an internal content provider to use the personal profile to personalize the user's experience on the provider's web site.

Abstract: A reclosable cover for converting a two-piece electrical wire and cable duct system into a one-piece reclosable duct. The cover is fabricated from a dual-durometer plastic co-extrusion having a flexible hinge portion extruded of a resilient lower durometer plastic material. A clip assembly formed along one edge of the cover includes a modified U-shaped channel to receive and clamp the top end of a duct channel sidewall. Flexible fins are provided within this channel to further locate and retain the duct cover. A generally V-shaped hinge support member and dual ridges provide enhanced hinge integrity and an interference engagement therebetween to provide a cover `remain-open` function. The clip assembly and support member share common elements to thereby improve on the space and cost efficiency of the duct cover.

Abstract: A universal plastic siding clip for attaching cables and wires to the outside of a building. The siding clip includes cooperating cable retention mechanisms for both horizontal cable spans and vertical cable drops thereby permitting the use of a single fastener for either or both types of cable runs. The retention mechanisms are spaced to avoid cable interference where both cable types are utilized and, further, to position horizontal cables closer to the wall surface thus making use of the intrinsic protection offered by overlapping siding planks while the vertical runs are spaced sufficiently outwardly from the wall surface to avoid interference with such overlapping planks. Cable recesses are provided to permit multiple and widely varying cable cross-sections and diameters in a single clip model. Further, the clip may be injection molded using simplified tooling without movable core members, side actions and similar apparatus that otherwise increases manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A one-piece reclosable ducting system for electrical wiring or the like. The duct system includes an elongated channel and a mating channel cover. The channel and channel cover are formed as integral members in a dual-durometer plastics co-extrusion process. More specifically, the channel and channel cover are maintained in operative relationship along respective first edges by a flexible plastic hinge, again, co-extruded with the channel and cover. The flexible plastic hinge permits repeated access and closure of the channel without hinge fatigue. A cantilever tension arm or support beam is integrally formed in the ducting system and extends from the channel to bias and retain the channel cover in proper orientation thereby assuring latching of the cover while simultaneously maintaining overall ducting system structural integrity.