Abstract: Spin trapping compositions in general have now been discovered to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, including disorders such as those arising from ischemia, infection, inflammation, exposure to radiation or cytotoxic compounds, not just of the central and peripheral nervous systems but of peripheral organ disease having a wide variety of etiologies. In the preferred embodiment, the compositions for treating tissue damage from ischemia contain PBN, or active derivatives thereof, in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier for intravenous oral, topical, or nasal/pulmonary administration. Other preferred spin-trapping agents include 5,5-dimethyl pyrrolidine N-oxide (DMPO), ?-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (POBN), and (TEMPO) and spin-trapping derivatives, conjugates with drugs or targeting molecules, dimmers and cyclodextran polymers of PBN.

Abstract: Shaped microporous articles are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nucleating agents using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. The shaped microporous article is oriented in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0. The shaped article may also comprise a diluent, glyceryl triacetate. The shaped microporous article may also have the micropores filled with a sufficient quantity of ion conducting electrolyte to allow the membrane to function as an ion conductive membrane. The method of making a microporous article comprises the steps of melt blending polyvinylidene fluoride, nucleating agent and glyceryl triacetate; forming a shaped article of the mixture; cooling the shaped article to cause crystallization of the polyvinylidene fluoride and phase separation of the polyvinylidene fluoride and glyceryl triacetate; and stretching the shaped article in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (12) contains a serializing transmitter, including a phase locked loop (31) that supplies seven clocks (41) with different phases to a serializer circuit (32). The serializer circuit accepts 7-bit words at a parallel input (42), and outputs these words serially in an end-to-end manner on a twisted pair (17), as a clock signal. The serializer circuit also accepts 7-bit words on a further parallel input (43), and transmits them serially in an end-to-end manner on a twisted pair (18), as serialized data. The integrated circuit also includes a built-in self-test circuit (33), which can supply test information to the two parallel inputs of the serializer circuit, and which can monitor the two twisted pairs while the serializer circuit operates at high data rates typical of normal operation, in order to detect any errors introduced by the serializer circuit. The self-test circuit produces a single digital output (48) to indicate whether an error has been detected.

Abstract: A key click masker and method for disguising key clicks protect sensitive information by randomly varying key click echo generated by a computer system. The key click masker and method disguise the actual keystrokes by generating sounds that would confuse a listener trying to determine the actual keystrokes entered by a user while the user is inputting sensitive information on an input device.

Abstract: A method is described for regulating gene expression related to iron metabolism to ameliorate diseases that include sickle cell disease, cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, Friedreich's ataxia and other neuromuscular disorders, and atherosclerosis. This approach is illustrated by recent findings that show that ferritin-H, an iron-binding protein that is present in cell nuclei, can repress the human &bgr;-globin gene, the gene that is mutated in sickle cell disease. Increased expression of ferritin-H or a related ferritin-family peptide, given to effected cells either as the peptide itself (or a part thereof), as an expression clone of the ferritin-H-subfamily gene, or via a gene regulator that increases expression of the ferritin-H-subfamily gene itself, prevents or ameliorates expression of the disease state in disorders where increased availability of iron is implicated in the etiology of the disease, including those named above.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enhancing muscle performance and/or endurance by administering a composition comprising a desmethyl tocopherol. Athletic performance and sports medicine in general are benefited by the methods of the invention. In addition, the invention provides therapeutic utility to muscle disorders that involve nitrative stress and/or inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention involves the use of tethered bis(polyhydroxyphenyl) compounds to slow the progression of neurological diseases in which pro-inflammatory cytokine stimulation of microglial cells is reasonably anticipated to make a significant contribution to disease pathology. Diseases for which this is the case include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other motor neuron diseases (MNDs) of similar clinical presentation; Parkinson's disease (PD); Alzheimer's disease (AD); spino-bulbar atrophy; (SBA); Huntington's disease (HD); myasthenia gravis (MG); multiple sclerosis (MS); HIV-associated dementia; fronto-temporal dementia (FTD); stroke; encephalomyelitis; traumatic brain injury; age-related retinal degeneration; and other neurological diseases possessing microglial activation as a contributing pathological feature. Specific examples are presented where the tethered bis(polyhydroxyphenyl) compound is resveratrol; piceatannol; nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA); curcumin, or sesamin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning conveyor chains in commercial ovens of the type having a continuous conveyor chain supported in a track for transporting bakery products through the oven. A portion of the conveyor chain and supporting track transits outside the heated baking area of the oven and an automatic chain lubricator is positioned along the portion of the track transiting outside the baking area of the oven. A fan for creating a flow of cooling air and at least one air duct are located outside the baking area. The duct receives one end cooling air from the fan and directs the cooling air on to the conveyor chain along the portion thereof located outside the heated baking area of the oven and upstream from the lubricator. Also, an air knife is disposed upstream of the lubricator and directed onto the chain to remove undesired debris, etc., therefrom.

Abstract: PBN (&agr;-phenyl-tert-butylnitrone), and its derivatives nitrone-based free radical traps, significantly reduce preneoplastic nodule development as well as inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) formation at very low levels. The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer development has been strongly implicated for many years. The involvement of ROS has been strongly implicated in cancer development is a model system where feeding a choline deficiency (CD) diet to rats leads to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Administering PBN in the drinking water inhibits HCC formation. Preneoplastic nodule growth in the liver is significantly suppressed by administering PBN, or some of its natural metabolites, in the diet. The effectiveness of PBN in preventing HCC development in the CD liver model is considered due to its prevention of tumor development after the target cells have already been initiated, i.e. genetically changed into tumor cells.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning conveyor chains in commercial ovens of the type having a continuous conveyor chain supported in a track for transporting bakery products through the oven. A portion of the conveyor chain and supporting track transits outside the heated baking area of the oven and an automatic chain lubricator is positioned along the portion of the track transiting outside the baking area of the oven. A fan for creating a flow of cooling air and at least one air duct are located outside the baking area. The duct receives one end cooling air from the fan and directs the cooling air on to the conveyor chain along the portion thereof located outside the heated baking area of the oven and upstream from the lubricator. Also, an air knife is disposed upstream of the lubricator and directed onto the chain to remove undesired debris, etc., therefrom.

Abstract: A method is described for regulating gene expression related to iron metabolism to ameliorate diseases that include sickle cell disease, cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, Friedreich's ataxia and other neuromuscular disorders, and atherosclerosis. This approach is illustrated by recent findings that show that ferritin-H, an iron-binding protein that is present in cell nuclei, can repress the human &bgr;-globin gene, the gene that is mutated in sickle cell disease. Increased expression of ferritin-H or a related ferritin-family peptide, given to effected cells either as the peptide itself (or a part thereof), as an expression clone of the ferritin-H-subfamily gene, or via a gene regulator that increases expression of the ferritin-H-subfamily gene itself, prevents or ameliorates expression of the disease state in disorders where increased availability of iron is implicated in the etiology of the disease, including those named above.

Abstract: Spin trapping compositions in general have now been discovered to be effective in treating a variety of disorders, including disorders such as those arising from ischemia, infection, inflammation, exposure to radiation or cytotoxic compounds, not just of the central and peripheral nervous systems but of peripheral organ disease having a wide variety of etiologies. In the preferred embodiment, the compositions for treating tissue damage from ischemia contain PBN, or active derivatives thereof, in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier for intravenous, oral, topical, or nasal/pulmonary administration. Other preferred spin-trapping agents include 5,5-dimethyl pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), &agr;-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (POBN), and (TEMPO) and spin-trapping derivatives thereof. Examples of derivatives of PBN include halogenated derivatives, bifunctional derivatives, conjugates with drugs or targeting molecules, dimers and cyclodextran polymers of PBN.

Abstract: A seamless passenger side inflatable restraint system for a motor vehicle includes an instrument panel having a deployment opening and a deployment door integral with the instrument panel and closing the deployment opening. The seamless passenger side inflatable restraint system also includes a side inflatable restraint module disposed within the instrument panel and aligned with the deployment opening. The seamless passenger side inflatable restraint system further includes a door reinforcement connected to the deployment door and operatively connected to the instrument panel to rotate the deployment door and retain the deployment door to the instrument panel after inflation of an air bag of the side inflatable restraint module.

Abstract: A digital differential receiver IC that rejects the inter-symbol interference (ISI) that is imposed upon differential digital signals when long runs of a digital state (0 or 1) are transmitted over long cables. The ISI-rejecting differential receiver IC is implemented in either bipolar technology (n-p-n or p-n-p) or in insulated gate FET technology (p-channel or n-channel). The primary differential pair of transistors is connected to a secondary differential pair of transistors through a filter network so that a high pass “shelf” filter transfer function exists between the differential input signals and the output signals. This transfer function mitigates ISI by reducing the gain for long runs of a digital state (low frequencies) and enhancing the gain for the state transition edges (high frequencies).

Abstract: The present invention involves the use of desmethyl tocopherols such as gamma tocopherol for the protection of cardiovascular tissue from nitrative stress. While mechanisms other than scavenging of reactive nitrogen species may be involved, desmethyl tocopherols exhibit significant protection and may be utilized to treat or help prevent cardiovascular particularly arterial vascular disease. The desmethyl tocopherols may be administered dietarily or parenterally when a more direct dosage is desired. Both routes may be utilized together or separately to optimize therapeutic and prophylactic benefits. The lessening of damage induced by reactive nitrogen species leads to the lessening of arterial blockage in thrombosis.

Abstract: A method for using thiazine dyes, especially methylene blue, alone or in combination with low levels of light, to selectively inactivate or inhibit intracellular replication of specific viruses, especially human immunodeficiency virus. Examples of useful thiazine dyes are methylene blue, azure A, azure C, toluidine blue O, and thionine. The preferred dye at this time is methylene blue. Methylene blue is FDA approved for topical, i.v., and oral administration, and has minimal side effects. Since methylene blue absorbs in the red wavelengths, i.e., approximately 670 nm, which penetrates tissue much better than other lower wavelengths, light penetrating the skin to the capillaries at the surface can be used to enhance the activity of the dye.

Abstract: The present invention involves the use of desmethyl tocopherols such as gamma tocopherol for the prevention of and treatment of neurological disorders. Dietary or parenteral administration of desmethyl tocopherols inhibits the undesired nitration of neurological components.

Abstract: PBN (&agr;-phenyl-tert-butylnitrone), and its derivatives nitrone-based free radical traps, significantly reduce preneoplastic nodule development as well as inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) formation at very low levels. The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer development has been strongly implicated for many years. The involvement of ROS has been strongly implicated in cancer development is a model system where feeding a choline deficiency (CD) diet to rats leads to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Administering PBN in the drinking water inhibits HCC formation. Preneoplastic nodule growth in the liver is significantly suppressed by administering PBN, or some ofits natural metabolites, in the diet. The effectiveness of PBN in preventing HCC development in the CD liver model is considered due to its prevention of tumor development after the target cells have already been initiated, i.e.genetically changed into tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention involves the use of desmethyl tocopherols such as gamma tocopherol for the protection of cardiovascular tissue from nitrative stress. While mechanisms other than scavenging of reactive nitrogen species may be involved, desmethyl tocopherols exhibit significant protection and may be utilized to treat or help prevent cardiovascular particularly arterial vascular disease. The desmethyl tocopherols may be administered dietarily or parenterally when a more direct dosage is desired. Both routes may be utilized together or separately to optimize therapeutic and prophylactic benefits. The lessening of damage induced by reactive nitrogen species leads to the lessening of arterial blockage in thrombosis.

Abstract: Compositions containing as the active ingredient a spin-trapping reagent, preferably .alpha.-phenyl butyl nitrone (PBN) or spin-trapping derivatives thereof, in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier for administration to a patient are disclosed for treating or preventing symptoms associated with aging or other conditions associated with oxidative tissue damage. Other spin-trapping agents can also be used, such as 5,5-dimethyl pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) or .alpha.-(4-pyridyl 1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (POBN), and other spin-trapping derivatives thereof. These compositions and methods are useful in the treatment of age-related disorders, pre-surgical and/or pre-anesthetic preparation or administration of chemotherapeutic agents, and in the treatment of disorders or trauma of the brain, cardiovascular system, and lymphatic system.