Abstract: Novel inhibitors of the Tissue Factor-Protease Activated Receptor 2 (TF-PAR2) signaling pathway for use in the treatment or prevention of heart failure (HF). In-vitro method for identifying a subject at risk for developing ischemic heart failure (IHF) or adverse remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI), comprise the steps of (i) determining the tissue factor (TF) cytoplasmic domain phosphorylation in myeloid cells and the levels of active TGF-?1 in a biological sample collected from said subject, and (ii) comparing the level of phosphorylation of the TF cytoplasmic domain and the level of active TGF-?1 in said biological sample with the level of phosphorylation of the TF cytoplasmic domain and the level of active TGF-?1 in a normal, healthy subject, wherein increased levels of phosphorylation of the TF cytoplasmic domain and active TGF-?1 are indicative for an increased risk of developing IHF or adverse remodeling following MI.

Abstract: An improved riding lawn mower includes a vehicle frame having a front end, a rear end, and a rear motor deck that is secured to the rear end of the frame. A drive motor is mounted above the motor deck while a rear wheel assembly engaged with the motor, is connected to the bottom of the rear motor deck. The mower also includes a front wheel assembly connected to the front end of the vehicle frame. A vehicle body and driver's seat are attached to vehicle frame. A steering column is cooperatively connected at its lower end to the front wheel assembly and includes at its upper end, a steering wheel positioned within reach of the operator seated on the mower. A steering mechanism is linked between the lower end of the steering column and the front wheel assembly. The steering mechanism is positioned above the front wheels of the mower and turns the front wheels asynchronously so that the lawn mower can be driven along an arc path having a radius approximately half the length of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: An improved vehicle frame and cutter assembly lifting mechanism for a riding lawn mower. The frame includes a pair of oppositely opposed support rails extending along a substantial portion of the vehicle frame, a rear support member fixedly secured to the rear end of each of the support rails, a front support member fixedly secured to the front end of each of the support rails, a rear motor deck rotatably connected to the rear support member, a front wheel assembly connected to the front support member, a rear wheel assembly connected to said rear motor deck, an articulating pantograph type lifting mechanism for supporting a mower cutter assembly, and an actuator connected to the articulating pantograph type lifting mechanism for extending and retracting the mower cutter assembly between a cutting position proximate ground level and a fully retracted position.