Abstract: Disclosed is a human FLAP II polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques. Further, antagonists against such polypeptide are disclosed. Such antagonists may be used for therapeutic proposes, for example, for treating inflamation, bronchial asthma and may also be used as gastric cytoprotective agents and to treat human glomerulonephritis. Diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequences encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A light collector for use with an illumination system, particularly an automotive interior illumination system. The light collector includes several waveguides capable of conducting light through internal reflection with the waveguides being arranged in a stacked configuration. Each waveguide includes an angled input surface at least some of which are oriented at different angles. With this arrangement, light from a single light source can be collected and routed to several locations.

Abstract: A security chain including a plurality of links interconnected. Each link includes a central member having first and second ends. The central member is formed by a hollow elongated tube with openings at the first and second ends. The hollow elongated tube has a generally circular cross section. First and second connector members are each welded across a separate one of the openings providing a high strength security chain suitable for anti-theft applications. Additional types of security chains are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the modulation of restenosis and stenosis characterized by constrictive vascular remodeling and neointimal formation, in a subject, by administering a P-selectin antagonist. The invention further provides methods for modulating leukocyte recruitment, cell to cell adhesion, and cell adhesion to blood vessels in a subject by administering soluble P-selectin ligand, an anti-P-selectin ligand antibody, or an anti-P-selectin antibody. The invention also provides methods for identifying compounds capable of modulating restenosis.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) having a multi-mode acoustic system (120) and a method (500) for radiating sound waves are described herein. The acoustic system (120) generally includes a transducer (530), a first port (510), and a second port (520). The first and second ports (510, 520) may be acoustically coupled to the transducer (530). The second port (520) may be acoustically symmetric relative to the first port (510) such that output from the second port (520) is substantially identical to output from the first port (510).

Abstract: Polyamide compositions and blends toughened with polyvinylbutyral and containing glass fiber are disclosed, together with articles of manufacture. These materials may also contain non-reactive polymers and antioxidants.

Abstract: A low-cost circulator used in fiber optic networks to accomplish bi-directional communication along a single fiber optic cable. The circulator has three ports, namely an input port, an output port and a bi-directional network port. The circulator core is constructed such that when light with a specific polarization is input into the input port, it is bent into the bi-directional network port where it can be propagated to the fiber optic network. Light input from the bi-directional network port can be any state of polarization, and it passes through the circulator core to the output port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for grinding metallic workpieces containing, in particular, nickel, whereby a rotationally driven grinding wheel (2) is continuously dressed by a rotationally driven dressing wheel (3) during the grinding of the workpiece (1) by the continual advance (vfrd) of the dressing wheel. In order to increase the grinding capacity, the invention provides that with a dressing advance velocity of 1 to 2 &mgr;m per rotation of the grinding wheel and with a circumferential velocity of the grinding wheel (vs) of at least 45 m/s, the advance (table velocity vt) is set such that the rate of metal removal is at least 90 mm3/mms.

Abstract: A projectile shooting toy comprises a body housing, a projectile delivery tube formed with an interior of the housing and a motor driven projectile firing apparatus having a trigger and projectile cannon pivotally mounted to the body housing. Activation of the trigger causes the cannon to move from a stored position to a deployed position, allowing a projectile to enter an inlet of the projectile cannon from the projectile delivery tube. Activation of the trigger further causes a firing ram to abruptly strike the projectile and fire it from the cannon. In a preferred embodiment, the projectile shooting toy is in the form of a helicopter.

Abstract: An organic light emitting device is provided. The device has an anode, a cathode, and an emissive layer disposed between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coupling separate series or stacks of structural or shear walls of a multistory building are disclosed. The method comprises constructing a plurality of stacks of shear walls and attaching a rigid coupling member to the top of at least two of the stacks of shear walls between the stacks such that the walls are connected to the rigid coupling member and move together with the coupling member. The apparatus is a rigid coupling member, which may be a beam, such as an I-beam or rectangular beam, made from poured concrete and reinforcing steel. The coupling member may also be a wall of poured concrete and reinforcing steel. The attached rigid member acts to connect the tops of independent stacks of shear walls typically used to build multistory buildings, thereby creating a flexural moment at the top of the building that helps the building resist lateral loads.

Abstract: Compositions for the promotion of muscle protein synthesis and control of tumor-induced weight loss in patients that are, for example, suffering from cancer cachexia, and methods of administering such compositions.

Abstract: An inventory management system utilizes unattended facilities remote from a central warehouse for service parts logistics. Items are placed in inventory in secure enclosures at the unattended facilities by the inventory management service or are delivered directly to the unattended facility. The unattended facilities may be located near one or more customers to reduce a service technician's travel time and customers' inventory costs. A service technician utilizes a passcode to retrieve needed items. The service technician may order items that are not kept in the inventory of the unattended facility in which case the items may be delivered to the unattended facility and the service technician may receive a notification related to all the items that comprise an order that the order is ready for pick up at an unattended facility.

Abstract: Elevated levels of homocysteine have been implicated as an important risk factor for cardiovascular and other diseases. A composition for decreasing levels of plasma homocysteine and a method for administering the composition are provided, the composition containing dextromethorphan (DM), folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12. The composition provides a synergistic therapeutic effect so that lower amounts of the above ingredients may be employed to minimize any undesirable side effects caused by the use of high levels of a component such as DM. Preferred compositions for cardiovascular diseases further include lecithin, vitamin E, betacarotene, procyanidins/flavonoids, trimethylglycine, garlic oil and minerals. Other compositions for treating glaucoma include bilberry, bioflavonoids and beta-carotene and for treating tardive dyskinesia include an antioxidant such a grape seed extract and pine bark extract, lecithin and oligomeric proanthocyanidins.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fabric care composition comprising a cross-linking agent and a amine-containing polymer, a method of treating fabric with such a composition and the use of such a composition to impart crease and/or wrinkle resistance to a fabric and/or to increase the tearing resistance of a fabric.

Abstract: The present invention relates to complexes of hairless protein and proteins or nucleic acids identified as interacting with hairless protein using a yeast two-hybrid assay system. Hairless protein is indispensable for mammalian hair growth. Therefore, such interacting complexes are useful for screening test compounds for inhibition or enhancement of hair growth.

Abstract: A method for determining the effectiveness of a catalyst to remove emissions from the exhaust of an internal combustion engine. The method includes measuring an upstream time history of a signal produced by an exhaust gas oxygen sensor upstream of the converter and a time history of an exhaust gas oxygen sensor disposed downstream of the converter. The time histories vary between a lean air-fuel ratio signal level and a rich air-fuel ratio signal level. A time delay is determined between the upstream time history and the downstream time history during transitions in such time histories from the lean air-fuel ratio signal level to the rich air-fuel ratio signal level. The determined time delay is compared with a reference time delay to determine the efficiency of the converter. The converter is determined to be ineffective if the converter as been determined to be potentially ineffective and the time delay is determined to be less than the reference time delay.

Abstract: The invention is directed to method and process for discriminating supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with 1:1 atrial to ventricular conduction (AV conduction). Upon detection of a rapid heart rate, an implanted medical device may determine whether the rhythm exhibits insufficient evidence of sinus tachycardia, whether the rhythm exhibits 1:1 conduction, and whether an electrical signal corresponding to the rhythm exhibits a normal morphology. When these tests have been satisfied, the device determines that an SVT with 1:1 AV conduction has been detected.

Abstract: A tombstone for communicating audio and visual data related to the deceased from the tombstone to a user, the tombstone comprising an indicia bearing and viewing portion, a visual display, an audio transmitter for communicating sound waves to a user, data related to the deceased, the data comprising audio and visual images of the deceased, the data stored within storage media, and means for reproducing the audio and visual images of the deceased from the data related to the deceased utilizing one or more players, readers or drivers for the one or more of the storage media. The visual display of the tombstone is one or more selected from the group consisting of a television monitor, other CRT or any flat panel, LCD, LED, plasma, crystal or thin film visualization display or monitor or other viewing means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for electrolyzing water for enhanced production of oxygen, hydrogen and heat by the steps of (i) providing an electrochemical cell comprising an isotopic hydrogen storage cathode, an electrically conductive anode and an ionically conducting electrolyte comprising water, and (ii) impressing a repeating sequence of voltages across the cathode and anode comprised of at least two cell voltage regimes, a first cell voltage regime consisting of a voltage sufficient to enhance cathodic absorption of hydrogen, and a second cell voltage regime consisting of at least one voltage pulse which is at least two times the voltage of the first cell voltage regime for a total duration no greater than 0.10 seconds.