Abstract: An overbased salt of an oligomerized alkylhydroxyaromatic compound for use in a lubricating oil composition is disclosed, wherein the alkyl group of the alkylhydroxyaromatic compound is derived from an olefin mixture comprising propylene oligomers having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D86. Also disclosed is a propylene oligomer having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D8, wherein the propylene oligomer contains a distribution of carbon atoms that comprise at least about 50 weight percent of C14 to C20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An overbased salt of an oligomerized alkylhydroxyaromatic compound for use in a lubricating oil composition is disclosed, wherein the alkyl group of the alkylhydroxyaromatic compound is derived from an olefin mixture comprising propylene oligomers having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D86. Also disclosed is a propylene oligomer having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D8, wherein the propylene oligomer contains a distribution of carbon atoms that comprise at least about 50 weight percent of C14 to C20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An overbased salt of an oligomerized alkylhydroxyaromatic compound for use in a lubricating oil composition is disclosed, wherein the alkyl group of the alkylhydroxyaromatic compound is derived from an olefin mixture comprising propylene oligomers having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D86. Also disclosed is a propylene oligomer having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D8, wherein the propylene oligomer contains a distribution of carbon atoms that comprise at least about 50 weight percent of C14 to C20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: An overbased salt of an oligomerized alkylhydroxyaromatic compound for use in a lubricating oil composition is disclosed, wherein the alkyl group of the alkylhydroxyaromatic compound is derived from an olefin mixture comprising propylene oligomers having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D86. Also disclosed is a propylene oligomer having an initial boiling point of at least about 195° C. and a final boiling point of greater than 325° C. and up to about 400° C. as measured by ASTM D8, wherein the propylene oligomer contains a distribution of carbon atoms that comprise at least about 50 weight percent of C14 to C20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A pneumatic cylinder having a cushioning valve assembly. A tubular body is capped by a pair of cylinder heads. A hollow cylinder rod having a piston assembly and cushioning valve assembly is seated within the tubular body for reciprocating action therein. The piston assembly is formed of a piston having a bore passing longitudinally therethrough and a cylindrical collar. The collar is mounted about the outside of one end of the hollow cylinder rod and the piston caps the end. The cushioning valve assembly comprises an elongated rod having a cushion piston at one end and a head at the other and is seated within the bore of the piston, such that the cushion piston is fitted within the interior of the hollow cylinder rod.

Abstract: A board game is provided comprising a game board and a plurality of game pieces positionable on the board. The game board includes a continuous game path comprising a series of spaces along which the game pieces may be moved. At various positions along the game path are provided one or more chambers within which the game pieces may be moved. The game pieces include at least one player game piece and at least one non-player token game piece positionable upon the game path, wherein the token game piece moves independently of the players and the player game pieces and may influence the position of the player game piece on the game board. A timing mechanism is included to provide a deadline within which the players must achieve a common goal, which timing mechanism may be integrated within a lockable safe mechanism that cannot be opened until a certain number of “keys” are inserted into slots provided within the mechanism thereby signaling the completion of the goal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an illumination system using optical feedback to maintain a predetermined illumination output. The illumination system employs an electrically controllable optical filter for filtering light incident thereon. The illumination system also includes a light detector for detecting at least a portion of the light filtered by the electrically controllable optical filter. The light detector is in data communication with the electrically controllable optical filter. Some or all light filtered by the electrically controllable optical filter is detected by the light detector, which, in turn generates a corresponding signal that is compared to at least one predetermined value. If the signal generated by the light detector differs when compared to the at least one predetermined value, one or more filtering characteristics of electrically controllable optical filter are varied which, in turn, varies the amount of light filtered by the electrically controllable optical filter.

Abstract: An optical system and an imaging and display system using the optical system. The optical system has at least first and second optical elements aligned on a common axis. In one embodiment, each of the first and second optical elements can operate in an active state or in inactive state and comprise a photopolymer and liquid crystal combination. Each of the first and second optical elements is configured to transmit incident light substantially unaltered when each of the first and second optical elements operates in the inactive state. In the active state, however, each of the first and second optical elements does not transmit incident light substantially unaltered. Rather each of the first and second optical elements substantially alters light incident thereon when each of the first and second optical elements operates in the active state.

Abstract: A short cavity gas discharge laser stabilized by use of a highly reflective output coupler adjustably connected to a support isolated from the longitudinal thermal expansion of the laser enclosure. A flexible seal between the output coupler and the laser enclosure accommodates positional adjustment of the output coupler relative to the mirror to optimize performance. In one embodiment, the laser gas is contained by the enclosure and is in contact with the electrodes which divide the interior of the enclosure into two portions that provide gas ballast for the laser. In another embodiment a pair of electrodes are located adjacent to and outside of a discharge tube made of dielectric material. The laser discharge occurs in the discharge tube and the electrodes are not in physical contact with the discharge. Gas ballast is optionally provided through at least one reservoir in fluid communication with the discharge tube.

Abstract: A game device includes a plurality of user-selectable cells extending between start and finish areas, where each of the cells is associated with a character performing an answer to a question or clue that may be provided in the form of a category. One or more participants move from the start to the finish area by selecting cells whose characters when taken in order form a valid answer. A number of valid answers or paths between the start and finish areas can exist. The participant is scored at least in part based on the characters forming the valid answer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin and metabolic conjugates thereof to prevent and reduce atherogenesis in males and females without causing endometrial proliferation in females and without producing feminizing changes in males. 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin was evaluated for its effects on plasma lipid and lipoprotein, glucose, insulin concentrations, coronary artery vasomotor function, and reproductive organ and mammary gland proliferation in atherosclerotic mammals. 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin was found to prevent endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction in males (p<0.05) and ovariectomized females (p<0.08). 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin treatment increased plasma apolipoprotein A-1 concentrations (p<0.05) and lowered fasting insulin concentrations (p<0.05) without changing fasting plasma glucose concentrations in males. 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin had no other effects on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in either males or females.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin and metabolic conjugates thereof to prevent and reduce atherogenesis in males and females without causing endometrial proliferation in females and without producing feminizing changes in males. 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin was evaluated for its effects on plasma lipid and lipoprotein, glucose, insulin concentrations, coronary artery vasomotor function, and reproductive organ and mammary gland proliferation in atherosclerotic mammals. 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin was found to prevent endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction in males (p<0.05) and ovariectomized females (p<0.08). 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin treatment increased plasma apolipoprotein A-1 concentrations (p<0.05) and lowered fasting insulin concentrations (p<0.05) without changing fasting plasma glucose concentrations in males. 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin had no other effects on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in either males or females. Also, 17.alpha.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin and metabolic conjugates thereof to prevent and reduce atherogenesis in males and females without causing endometrial proliferation in females and without producing feminizing changes in males. 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin was evaluated for its effects on plasma lipid and lipoprotein, glucose, insulin concentrations, coronary artery vasomotor function, and reproductive organ and mammary gland proliferation in atherosclerotic mammals. 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin was found to prevent endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction in males (p<0.05) and ovariectomized females (p<0.08). 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin treatment increased plasma apolipoprotein A-l concentrations (p<0.05) and lowered fasting insulin concentrations (p<0.05) without changing fasting plasma glucose concentrations in males. 17.alpha.-dihydroequilenin had no other effects on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in either males or females. Also, 17.alpha.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting the development and relieving the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are provided. A phytoestrogenic isoflavone compound is administered to a human predisposed to developing Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, or having Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, in an amount effective to inhibit the development or relieve the symptoms of the disease. The phytoestrogenic isoflavone compound is selected from at least one of genistein, genistin, 6'-OMal genistin, 6'-OAc genistin, daidzein, daidzin, 6'-OMal daidzin, 6'-OAc daidzin, glycitein, glycitin, 6'-OMal glycitin, or mixtures thereof. The phytoestrogenic isoflavone compound is effective to up-regulate choline acetyltransferase mRNA and nerve growth factor mRNA.