Abstract: A method of diagnosis or prediction of infection of a mammalian wound, said method comprising the step of detecting the presence of a cytokine selected from the group comprising procalcitonin, amino procalcitonin (N-ProCT), eotaxin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukins IB monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1a), regulated upon activation normal T expressed and secreted (RANTES) in fluid taken from the wound. Also claimed is the device for use in the method.

Abstract: A method of diagnosis or prediction of infection of a mammalian wound, said method comprising the step of detecting the presence of a cytokine selected from the group comprising procalcitonin, amino procalcitonin (N-ProCT), eotaxin, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukins IB monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1a), regulated upon activation normal T expressed and secreted (RANTES) in fluid taken from the wound. Also claimed is the device for use in the method.

Abstract: A boat has a hull and a deck supported by the hull. The deck has a forward passenger area and a rearward passenger area. A seat is disposed in the rearward passenger area. A passageway allows for communication between the forward passenger area and the rearward passenger area. A door is disposed on the deck for selectively closing the passageway between the forward passenger area and the rearward passenger area. The door has a top, a front, a back, and two sides. A windshield is disposed generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the boat. The windshield is movable between a first position where the windshield extends a first distance vertically above the top of the door and a second position where the windshield extends a second distance vertically above the top of the door. The second distance is less than the first distance.

Abstract: A boat has a hull and a deck supported by the hull. The deck has a rearward passenger area. A seat is disposed in the rearward passenger area. A first console is disposed on the deck at a front of the rearward passenger area and forwardly of the seat. The first console has a top. A first windshield is disposed generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the boat. The first windshield is movable between a first position where the first windshield extends a first distance vertically above the top of the first console and a second position where at least a portion of the first windshield extends a second distance vertically below the top of the first console. When the first windshield is in the second position the at least one portion of the first windshield is in a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A boat has a hull and a deck supported by the hull. The deck has a rearward passenger area. A seat is disposed in the rearward passenger area. A first console is disposed on the deck at a front of the rearward passenger area and forwardly of the seat. The first console has a top. A first windshield is disposed generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the boat. The first windshield is movable between a first position where the first windshield extends a first distance vertically above the top of the first console and a second position where at least a portion of the first windshield extends a second distance vertically below the top of the first console. When the first windshield is in the second position the at least one portion of the first windshield is in a substantially vertical position.

Abstract: A boat has a hull and a deck supported by the hull. The deck has a forward passenger area and a rearward passenger area. A seat is disposed in the rearward passenger area. A passageway allows for communication between the forward passenger area and the rearward passenger area. A door is disposed on the deck for selectively closing the passageway between the forward passenger area and the rearward passenger area. The door has a top, a front, a back, and two sides. A windshield is disposed generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the boat. The windshield is movable between a first position where the windshield extends a first distance vertically above the top of the door and a second position where the windshield extends a second distance vertically above the top of the door. The second distance is less than the first distance.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a vehicle, e.g., a snowmobile, includes a latch and a base. The latch is resiliently coupled to the base using a resilient member, for example, a ring-shaped member. The latch is movable, e.g., pivotable, between first and second stable positions. In the first stable position, the latch can be inserted through an aperture in the base, and in the second stable position, the latch can be moved or pivoted to secure the base with respect to the latch. The base may be attached to a cover member for an engine compartment of the vehicle. In the second stable position, a tab of the latch engages against a first engageable surface of the base, and portion of the latch opposite the tab includes a second engagement surface that cooperates with a second engageable surface provided on the base.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a vehicle, e.g., a snowmobile, includes a latch and a base. The latch is resiliently coupled to the base using a resilient member, for example, a ring-shaped member. The latch is movable, e.g., pivotable, between first and second stable positions. In the first stable position, the latch can be inserted through an aperture in the base, and in the second stable position, the latch can be moved or pivoted to secure the base with respect to the latch. The base may be attached to a cover member for an engine compartment of the vehicle. In the second stable position, a tab of the latch engages against a first engageable surface of the base, and portion of the latch opposite the tab includes a second engagement surface that cooperates with a second engageable surface provided on the base.

Abstract: An apparatus for powerline designing and maintenance provides assistance for the initial design of overhead powerlines and their maintenance. The apparatus includes a device for measuring the initial ground profile along a proposed route, and for defining the required support structures, taking into account the predicted cost of components together with prevailing safety standards and industry guide lines. Facilities are also provided for ordering fittings and for checking line tension at the construction stage. Already constructed lines may be monitored by visual inspection of existing fittings for depreciation and damage or by resurvey and the data gathered can then be compared to the original design specifications.

Abstract: A rectilinear composite building panel having a pair of opposed faces, and a pair of opposed sides, the panel comprising a pair of spaced-apart rigid face sheets (56), a rigid insulating material (58) sandwiched between, and adhering to, the face sheets, connecting means (60) connecting the face sheets together to resist relative movement between the face sheets in the plane of the panel and out of the plane of the panel; the opposed sides (66,70) each have a profiled shape for mating with a correspondingly profiled side of an adjacent panel; each side (66,70) has means (72,74) for securing, or being secured to, a side of an adjacent panel of the same general construction. The panels can be easily assembled together to form a fire-resistant multi-story building.