Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of peptides in a biological fluid resulting from the proteolytic degradation of extracellular matrix proteins for diagnosing growth disorders in vertebrates. The method includes determining the concentration of peptides resulting from the proteolytic degradation of extracellular matrix proteins in a biological fluid for determining the efficacy of drugs or agents used to treat growth disorders. A kit for determining the concentration of peptides resulting from the proteolytic degradation of extracellular matrix proteins is also disclosed.

Abstract: A simple and easy to manufacture support device for fishing rods having a lower contiguous member with a lower inwardly bent surface being substantially concave with an approximately 20 degree concave bend. An upper member projects upwardly from the top of the contiguous member and has a cavity with a bushing for tightly receiving the butt end of a fishing rod thereon. Wrapped substantially about the entire lower contiguous member is a cushion sleeve that both protects the contiguous member and cushions and reduces discomfort and pain from the body of the fisherman contacting substantially any portion of the hard surfaced lower contiguous member. Also rounded end caps can further reduce discomfort and reduce pain when the device is being used. The lower concave bent surface of the contiguous member can rest comfortably against any body surface such as the abdomen, the sides the arms, the under arms, the armpits, the thigh, and the crotch/groin area of the fisherman.

Abstract: A positioning device and method for moving a positioning stage is provided. The device includes a movable stage, at least one actuator, and the same number of sensors as there are actuators. Each actuator is placed such that it applies a force along a line parallel to the line of movement of the positioning stage. Each actuator can be operated to generate an input force for moving the movable stage. A sensor is placed along the force line of each included actuator. Each sensor detects movement of the positioning stage. A first force is applied to a first location on the positioning stage. A second force is applied to a second location on the positioning stage. Application of the first and the second forces moves the positioning stage. The first location and the second location are symmetrically located about an axis of the positioning stage.

Abstract: A method of sensitizing tumor cells to radiation thereapy, chemotherapy and immunomodulatory thereapy, comprising the step of exposing the tumor cell to an effective amount of at least one monoterpene or sesquiterpene and treating the tumor cell is disclosed.

Abstract: An electrode useful for generating or receiving electrical signals generally comprises a base and more than one dome-like protuberance on an exterior surface of the base. The electrodes can be utilized in connection with various probe applications. For example, the electrodes can be utilized with an esophageal probe for invasively monitoring cardiac functions, including the ECG or cardiac output of a patient. To further minimize the differences in voltage potential as may be caused by electrolytes present at the point of contact, a gold-plated layer may be provided on the outer surface of the electrodes. An exemplary probe generally comprises a chassis with an electrical cable extending from the proximal end of the chassis and with the cable terminating at an electrical plug configured for connection to a cardiac monitor.

Abstract: The present invention is a shotgun undercarriage, for use in conjunction with a top receiver, barrel, fire control, carrier assembly, magazine assembly, and action system. The undercarriage has an integral and unitary stock, bottom receiver, forearm and integrated bolt buffer. The stock is adaptable for housing an action spring; the bottom receiver has at least one opening for mounting the fire control, the carrier assembly and the top receiver; and the forearm has a magazine housing. The bottom receiver and forearm cooperate to form at least one mounting surface capable of receiving the barrel and the top receiver.

Abstract: A method of sensitizing tumor cells to radiation, comprising the step of exposing the tumor cell to an effective amount of at least one monoterpene or sesquiterpene and irradiating the tumor cell, is disclosed.

Abstract: A double shouldered high torque resistance threaded connection for drill stem components having enhanced resistance to torque forces, tensile loads and material stress and fatigue is disclosed. The tool joint is provided with threads having a 75.degree. included angle between the thread flanks thereof and with generally elliptical root surfaces to minimize material stress and fatigue during operation under high torque and high tensile loads. When made up, the double intrerengaging shoulders of the threaded tool joint are in firm face to face engagement permitting torque forces and tensile loads to propagate through the tool joint in a manner that minimizes bending forces and minimizes high stress concentration so that the resulting service life of the tool joint is significantly enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for producing an illusion of weightlessness. An enclosed room having walls, a floor and a ceiling defining an interior is provided. A plurality of visually polarized objects are rigidly secured to the walls, ceiling or floor to indicate an up and down direction. A user is secured into a cushioned user support member mounted in the enclosed room and rotated into the supine posture. The room is then rotated into alignment with the user's body. The room containing a rich variety of visually polarized objects having recognizable tops and bottoms still appears upright when the room and person in the support member are both rotated at an angle of 90.degree. from the upright position. The gravity sense organs in the inner ear (otolith organs) which normally indicate when the head is erect, are not powerful enough in most people to overcome the strong contradictory visual information.

Abstract: A stylus profiling apparatus and method maintains constant separation, and thus constant force, between a conductive cantilever beam which extends over a conductive portion of a base and which is positioned in spaced apart relation therefrom. In particular, a piezoelectric actuator is coupled to the base and is controlled to move the base relative to the free end of the cantilever beam so as to maintain constant spacing, and thus constant force, therebetween when a stylus on the free end is moved by a surface profile. A capacitor having a pair of plates, at least one of which is coupled to the piezoelectric actuator, produces an electrical signal in response to the displacement of the actuator to provide measurement of the surface profile. The base is preferably of trapezoidal cross section and includes electrical pads on one side thereof. A probe holder includes a mating shoulder and electrical contacts for cooperatively mating with the electrical pads.

Abstract: A metabolic rate analyzer is provided comprising a CO.sub.2 detector, an O.sub.2 detector, a flow resistance, a differential pressure transducer, a solenoid-actuated metering valve for producing a volumetrically-proportional sample of respired gas, a vacuum regulator for receiving the sample, a pump for drawing the sample from the vacuum regulator, and a processor for periodically sampling the differential pressure signal to provide a flow signal, to modulate power applied to the solenoid-actuated flow proportioning valve, and to provide a measure of the total volume of respired gas. The processor correlates the total volume of respired gas, O.sub.2 content and CO.sub.2 content to provide a measure of metabolic rate. Flow is recycled between the pump and the regulator valve to provide a source of mixed respired gas for analysis and digital integration of the flow signal provides a measure of the total volume of respired gas.

Abstract: A mobile data processing and communications system having a keyboard converter mounted in a vehicle and detachably interconnected to a self-contained removable hand-held portable computer. The hand-held portable computer includes a microprocessor with an interactive display and an integral internal RF antenna to enable the user to perform data processing and communications functions outside the vehicle. When the hand-held portable computer interfaces with the keyboard converter, the user may enter data through the keyboard converter and communicate via an external RF antenna attached to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring flying height changes of a transducer head relative to a disk surface of a rotating disk in a disk file. A predetermined pattern is written on at least one predetermined region of the disk file. The predetermined region is normally not rewritten during operation of the disk file. At least one readback signal is sensed from at least one predetermined region of the disk surface. A plurality of sample values are identified corresponding to each readback signal. A change in the flying height is calculated utilizing the identified sample values. A frequency equalization number K can be utilized to calculate the magnitude and sign of the flying height change. Alternatively, real-time digital analysis of a predetermined pattern written on at least one predetermined region of the disk surface can be utilized to calculate the magnitude and sign of the flying height change.

Abstract: A clear bed gooseneck trailer hitch is provided. The trailer hitch is comprised of a wide metal plate, or disc, supported on a truck bed and having a standard long shank hitch ball fixedly connected perpendicularly therethrough. The threaded shaft of the shank hitch ball attaches to a threaded hole provided in a steel plate or channel of suitable design affixed underneath the truck bed to the frame rails of a pickup truck over the rear axle area. The plate has two handles on its top side located near the edge of the disc for use in turning the disc manually or by a torque bar upon attachment to or removal from the truck bed. Once the disc is removed, the truck bed remains clear and unobstructed for use in other conventional manners. The disc is used with a rubber bed mat, or a rubber washer, having a circumference slightly larger than the disc.

Abstract: The metabolic rate analyzer comprises a flow proportioning valve for producing a proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject being studied. A sample cylinder is provided for drawing a proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject being studied from the flow proportioning valve. A test chamber is provided and an O.sub.2 sensor is provided. The test chamber is provided with a selectively-permeable membrane, the selectively-permeable membrane having a selective permeability for CO.sub.2, whereby CO.sub.2 is selectively vented from the test chamber. The sample cylinder is also used for charging the test chamber with the proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject. A pressure sensor is provided for monitoring the pressure of the sample and determining the rate of pressure decay in the test chamber due to the selective venting of CO.sub.2 through the permeable membrane. An analyzing means is provided for determining CO.sub.

Abstract: The metabolic rate analyzer comprises a flow proportioning valve for producing a proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject being studied. A sample cylinder is provided for drawing a proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject being studied from the flow proportioning valve. A test chamber is provided and an O.sub.2 sensor is provided. The test chamber is provided with a selectively-permeable membrane, the selectively-permeable membrane having a selective permeability for CO.sub.2, whereby CO.sub.2 is selectively vented from the test chamber. The sample cylinder is also used for chrging the test chamber with the proportional sample of the expired gas of the subject. A pressure sensor is provided for monitoring the pressure of the sample and determining the rate of pressure decay in the test chamber due to the selective venting of CO.sub.2 through the permeable membrane. An analyzing means is provided fo determining CO.sub.