Abstract: Various embodiments of a cutting deck assembly and a grounds maintenance vehicle that includes such assembly are disclosed. The assembly includes a top surface and a sidewall extending from the top surface. The top surface and the sidewall partially surround a first cutting chamber and a second cutting chamber. The assembly further includes a channel disposed adjacent a rear portion of the sidewall and extending along a channel axis between a first end and a second end of the channel, where the first end of the channel is connected to an outlet of the first cutting chamber; and a ramp disposed at least partially within the channel and adjacent the second end of the channel. The ramp includes a directing surface that is adapted to deflect at least a portion of clippings that enter the channel from the outlet of the first cutting chamber.

Abstract: A sealant spreader device fills voids around a drilled hole with sealant in glued-in-rod (GIR) structures. A liquid sealant may be applied to the base of a drilled hole. A sealant spreader device is then inserted to the base of the drilled hole, through the sealant. The sealant spreader device is then withdrawn while rotating. The sealant spreader device includes winged sections having contours which force the sealant radially outward toward walls of the hole, into any voids around the circumference of the drilled hole, and leaves a thin layer of sealant around the circumference of the drilled hole.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly. From the drive output disk in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a cutting deck assembly and a grounds maintenance vehicle that includes such assembly. The assembly includes a top surface and a sidewall extending from the top surface. The top surface and the sidewall partially surround a first cutting chamber and a second cutting chamber. The assembly further includes a channel disposed adjacent a rear portion of the sidewall and extending along a channel axis between a first end and a second end of the channel, where the first end of the channel is connected to an outlet of the first cutting chamber; and a ramp disposed at least partially within the channel and adjacent the second end of the channel. The ramp includes a directing surface that is adapted to deflect at least a portion of clippings that enter the channel from the outlet of the first cutting chamber.

Abstract: Compositions that include Very Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (VLC-PUFAs) are disclosed, along with methods of production and use thereof.

Abstract: Nitrone-based compositions are disclosed that may be utilized for the prevention and treatment of a variety of ophthalmic diseases or conditions where RPE65 protein isomerohydrolase is implicated. Methods of production and use of said nitrone-based compositions, as well as pharmaceutical and ophthalmic compositions containing same, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for production of Very Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (VLC-PUFAs). The present invention also relates to compositions (e.g., nutritional supplements, food products, and pharmaceutic compositions) containing such VLC-PUFAs. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to methods for biosynthesis and production of the VLC-PUFAs described herein (particularly C28-C40 PUFAs, also referred to herein as supraenes or supraenoics) by the expression, in a production host cell, of the full or partial sequence(s) of Elovl4 DNA/mRNA nucleic acids or ELOVL4 protein sequences encoded thereby, from any species (prokaryotic or eukaryotic) for use in the biosynthesis, production, purification and utilization of VLC-PUFAs in particular by the elongation of C18-C26 saturated fatty acids and PUFAs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for production of Very Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (VLC-PUFAs). The present invention also relates to compositions (e.g., nutritional supplements and food products) containing such VLC-PUFAs. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to methods for biosynthesis and production of the VLC-PUFAs described herein (particularly C28-C38 PUFAs, also referred to herein as supraenes or supraenoics) by the expression, in a production host cell, of the full or partial sequence(s) of Elovl4 DNA/mRNA nucleic acids or ELOVL4 protein sequences encoded thereby, from any species (prokaryotic or eukaryotic) for use in the biosynthesis, production, purification and utilization of VLC-PUFAs in particular by the elongation of C18-C26 saturated fatty acids and PUFAs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for production of Very Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (VLC-PUFAs). The present invention also relates to compositions (e.g., nutritional supplements and food products) containing such VLC-PUFAs. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to methods for biosynthesis and production of the VLC-PUFAs described herein (particularly C28-C38 PUFAs, also referred to herein as supraenes or supraenoics) by the expression, in a production host cell, of the full or partial sequence(s) of Elovl4 DNA/mRNA nucleic acids or ELOVL4 protein sequences encoded thereby, from any species (prokaryotic or eukaryotic) for use in the biosynthesis, production, purification and utilization of VLC-PUFAs in particular by the elongation of C18-C26 saturated fatty acids and PUFAs.

Abstract: A bed frame includes a base frame, an articulated support decks, an intermediate frame positioned between the base frame and the articulated support deck, and an auto-contour mechanism. The articulated support deck includes head, seat and foot deck portions. When engaged, the auto-contour mechanism adjusts the elevation of the seat deck portion and the foot deck portion in response to an adjustment of the head deck portion. The auto-contour mechanism is easily engaged/disengaged by manipulating a control lever. The bed frame can include siderails which are provided with a latching mechanism. The bed frame can also include a caster assembly that allows casters to be pivoted in an engaged position in which the bed frame rests on the casters, and a disengaged position in which the bed frame rests on legs.

Abstract: A bed frame includes a base frame, an articulated support decks, an intermediate frame positioned between the base frame and the articulated support deck, and an auto-contour mechanism. The articulated support deck includes head, seat and foot deck portions. When engaged, the auto-contour mechanism adjusts the elevation of the seat deck portion and the foot deck portion in response to an adjustment of the head deck portion. The auto-contour mechanism is easily engaged/disengaged by manipulating a control lever. The bed frame can include siderails which are provided with a latching mechanism. The bed frame can also include a caster assembly that allows casters to be pivoted in an engaged position in which the bed frame rests on the casters, and a disengaged position in which the bed frame rests on legs.

Abstract: A bed is provided including a frame, an accessory mount coupled to the frame, a siderail, and an ambulatory assist arm assembly. The accessory mount is configured to removably couple the siderail to the frame so that the siderail can be removed and replaced with the ambulatory assist arm assembly.

Abstract: A bed is provided including a frame, an accessory mount coupled to the frame, a siderail, and an ambulatory assist arm assembly. The accessory mount is configured to removably couple the siderail to the frame so that the siderail can be removed and replaced with the ambulatory assist arm assembly.

Abstract: An ambulatory assist apparatus is configured to be mounted to a frame of a bed. The ambulatory assist apparatus includes an ambulatory assist arm having a first end portion and a second end portion configured to provide a handle, a mounting plate configured to be coupled to the frame of the bed, and a pivot pin for pivotably coupling the ambulatory assist arm to the mounting plate. The mounting plate includes a plurality of spaced-apart apertures. The apparatus also includes a locking pin coupled to the first end portion of the assist arm. The locking pin is configured to engage a selected one of the plurality of apertures in the mounting plate to secure the ambulatory assist arm at different orientations relative to the mounting plate. The apparatus further includes an actuator to release the locking pin from the selected aperture to permit pivotable movement of the ambulatory assist arm relative to the mounting plate.

Abstract: The present invention includes new compositions for making polyurethane and polyurethane foam compositions. These compositions comprise the reaction product of an isocyanate A-Side and a B-Side comprising: (i) a polyol having a molecular weight of about 1000 g/mol or more, and having an average functionality of 2.0 or greater; (ii) a polyol having a Tg of about −80° C. or less, and having a molecular weight of about 1000 g/mol or more, and having an average functionality of 2.0 or greater; and(iii) a polyhydric alcohol having a molecular weight of about 90 g/mol or more, and having an average functionality of 3.0 or more. In the case of polyurethane foam compositions, the system also comprises water. The invention also includes processes for making the polyurethane and polyurethane foam compositions, as well as methods of adhering the same to cosmetic layers comprising thermoplastic, acrylic, and gel coat materials. The invention also includes articles made from these reinforced cosmetic layers.

Abstract: An acoustic liner jet engine inlet barrel is formed from a perforated permeable skin, a honeycomb core, and a solid facesheet, each of which is formed in a one-piece configuration such that at most only a narrow single fore-to-aft splice, or no splice at all, is present in the finished product. The acoustic modal content remains unaffected, thus preserving a high degree of liner effectiveness, increasing the total active acoustic area of the barrel while decreasing its weight, and increasing its durability.

Abstract: In one embodiment a plasma ignitor (10) having a first dielectric housing (18), that encases a first portion of a first conductive lead (14) and a first portion of a second conductive lead (16), and end cap (30), that locks its filament (31) into position, is used to initiate a plasma within an etch chamber (64). The plasma is used to etch an integrated circuit substrate (62) and to form an etched surface (78). A conductive layer of material (80) is then deposited on the etched surface (78). The first dielectric housing (18) keeps the first portion of the first conductive lead (14) and the first portion of the second conductive lead (16) from shorting to one another during processing, and the end cap (30) prevents the filament (31) from falling off during processing. Thus, the present invention allows contact resistance to be repeatably minimized.

Abstract: An isocyanate composition is made by using a 2-component catalyst system--one which initiates at room temperature and one which initiates at a temperature of at least 75.degree. C. and has a one-hour half-life temperature of at least 90.degree. C.; the composition has a room temperature stability of at least thirty days.

Abstract: A thermosetting unsaturated polyester-polyurethane hybrid foam resin composition is made without significant blistering by using a 2-component catalyst system--one which initiates at room temperature and one which initiates at a temperature of at least 75.degree. C. and has a one-hour half-life temperature of at least 90.degree. C.; the composition has a room temperature stability of at least thirty days.