Abstract: An open-end blind rivet (210) comprises a headed mandrel (218) with a substantially tubular rivet mounted thereon with a flowable sealant (250) disposed between the mandrel and the rivet whereby setting of the blind rivet compresses the sealant between the head (216) of the mandrel and an inner surface of the rivet to form a seal therebetween.

Abstract: A system and method to modularize a signal observation process to allow continual adaptation as the independent modules evolve. Receivers, digitizers, storage, and synchronization means form discrete subsystems that can be integrated together yet still be independently upgraded or modified. The integrated system is controlled by software that allows continuous deterministic signal observation for arbitrarily long periods of time. The software enables a schedule-based temporal collection of signals through a method that controls the tuning of the receivers and the downloading of data to storage media. The control software also allows automatic distributed operation of multiple sites in synchronization to within parts per million or better.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed of the formula 1

Abstract: A method is described for stereoselectively reducing an unsaturated alkyl ketone substituent attached to a fused ring base. In this method, the unsaturated alkyl ketone reacts with a chiral oxazaborolidine reagent. This reaction stereoselectively reduces the unsaturated alkyl ketone to an unsaturated alkyl alcohol. The unsaturated alkyl alcohol can be further reduced, if desired, to produce a saturated alkyl alcohol. The fused ring base can be, for example, a steroid ring base or a base of a vitamin D analog. The process in accordance with the invention can be used with an alkeneone substituent (e.g., a 22-ene-24-one substituent) or an alkyneone substituent (e.g., a 22-yne-24-one substituent) on a steroid ring base to make squalamine or other useful aminosterol compounds and intermediates for making aminosterol compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of pattern etching a layer of a silicon-containing dielectric material. The method employs a plasma source gas comprising CH2F2, CF4, and O2, where a volumetric ratio of CH2F2 to CF4 is within the range of about 1:2 to about 3:1, and where O2 comprises about 2 to about 20 volume % of the plasma source gas. Etching is performed at a process chamber pressure within the range of about 4 mTorr to about 10 mTorr. The method provides a selectivity for etching a silicon-containing dielectric layer relative to photoresist of at least 2:1. The method also provides an etch profile sidewall angle ranging from about 84° to about 90° between the etched silicon-containing dielectric layer and an underlying horizontal layer in a semiconductor structure.

Abstract: This invention is a rapid low-cost technique for manufacturing thick high-performance carbon and ceramic composites in the form of uniformly densified near-net shaped structures. This is accomplished by impregnating composite preforms with low-viscosity wetting monomers which undergo polymerization followed by pyrolysis reactions in the preform ultimately creating ceramic and/or carbon matrices. Since the monomers possess low-molecular-weight they have low viscosities. Thus, if they wet the fiber and partially-densified preform they can easily impregnate even the smallest pores. Once inside the preforms, polymerization of the monomers is then initiated, resulting in a liquid matrix-precursor of the high molecular weight needed to produce a superior matrix (upon pyrolysis) with high efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the significant functional role of several C. elegans genes and of their corresponding gene products in cell division and proliferation processes that could be identified by means of RNA-medicated interference (RNAi) and to the identification and isolation of functional orthologues of said genes including all biologically-active derivatives thereof. The invention further relates to the use of said gene products (including said orthologues) in the development or isolation of anti-proliferative agents, particularly their use in appropriate screening assays, and their use for diagnosis and treatment of proliferative diseases.

Abstract: A motion machine comprised of a lightweight spherical capsule (40) with locations for occupants. The capsule floats on a cushion of compressed air. Drive wheels (46) are positioned around the capsule's circumference controlling capsule pitch and roll. The drive wheels themselves are mounted in a rotatable drive assembly (49) controlling capsule yaw. The activation of drive wheels while in rotation about the capsule provides unlimited rotation of capsule in any direction.

Abstract: An adjustable riser for adjusting the elevational position of an irrigation sprinkler with respect to the surrounding ground level and/or with respect to the height of surrounding vegetation to be irrigated. The riser includes a movable cartridge within an internal bore of a housing having a plurality of catches outwardly projecting from the exterior wall of the cartridge and adapted to resiliently snap into or out of notches carried on the inner wall surface of the bore movably supporting the cartridge. The sprinkler is carried on a tube for discharging water while the opposite end of the tube includes an impact plate against which water pressure from the supply impinges. Upon impact, the tube with the sprinkler is forced upward within a housing against expansion of a spring, which normally urges the tube and sprinkler into a storage position within the housing.

Abstract: A method is described for stereoselectively reducing an unsaturated alkyl ketone substituent attached to a fused ring base. In this method, the unsaturated alkyl ketone reacts with a chiral oxazaborolidine reagent. This reaction stereoselectively reduces the unsaturated alkyl ketone to an unsaturated alkyl alcohol. The unsaturated alkyl alcohol can be further reduced, if desired, to produce a saturated alkyl alcohol. The fused ring base can be, for example, a steroid ring base or a base of a vitamin D analog. The process in accordance with the invention can be used with an alkeneone substituent (e.g., a 22-ene-24-one substituent) or an alkyneone substituent (e.g., a 22-yne-24-one substituent) on a steroid ring base to make squalamine or other useful aminosterol compounds and intermediates for making aminosterol compounds.

Abstract: Aminosterol compounds are described that are useful as inhibitors of the sodium/proton exchanger (NHE). Methods of using such aminosterols compounds are also enclosed, including those employing compounds that are inhibitors of a spectrum of NHEs as well as those using compounds that are inhibitors of only one specific NHE. Advantageous screening techniques and assays for evaluating a compound's therapeutic activity are also disclosed.

Abstract: A motion machine comprised of a lightweight spherical capsule (40) with locations for occupants. The capsule floats on a cushion of compressed air. Drive wheels (46) are positioned around the capsule's circumference controlling capsule pitch and roll. The drive wheels themselves are mounted in a rotatable drive assembly (49) controlling capsule yaw. The activation of drive wheels while in rotation about the capsule provides unlimited rotation of capsule in any direction.

Abstract: A portable signal transfer unit for relaying a signal representative of physiological data of a mammalian subject from a remote physiological sensor to a remote receiver unit. The portable transfer unit includes an input device which operably receives the signal, a memory for buffering the signal, and an output device which wirelessly transmits the signal to the remote unit. The signal transfer unit also includes a signal processor for relaying the signal from the signal input to the output device, wherein the signal processor has two or more receivers each receiver adapted to handle a specified signal carrier frequency. An indicator is also provided which indicates to the subject whether the signal transfer unit is within range of the remote unit to enable effective transmission of the signal from the signal transfer unit to the remote unit.

Abstract: A method is described for stereoselectively reducing an unsaturated alkyl ketone substituent attached to a fused ring base. In this method, the unsaturated alkyl ketone reacts with a chiral oxazaborolidine reagent. This reaction stereoselectively reduces the unsaturated alkyl ketone to an unsaturated alkyl alcohol. The unsaturated alkyl alcohol can be further reduced, if desired, to produce a saturated alkyl alcohol. The fused ring base can be, for example, a steroid ring base or a base of a vitamin D analog. The process in accordance with the invention can be used with an alkeneone substituent (e.g., a 22-ene-24-one substituent) or an alkyneone substituent (e.g., a 22-yne-24-one substituent) on a steroid ring base to make squalamine or other useful aminosterol compounds and intermediates for making aminosterol compounds.

Abstract: This invention is a rapid low-cost technique for manufacturing thick high-performance carbon and ceramic composites in the form of uniformly densified near-net shaped structures. This is accomplished by impregnating composite preforms with low-viscosity wetting monomers which undergo polymerization followed by pyrolysis reactions in the preform ultimately creating ceramic and/or carbon matrices. Since the monomers possess low-molecular-weight they have low viscosities. Thus, if they wet the fiber and partially-densified preform they can easily impregnate even the smallest pores. Once inside the preforms, polymerization of the monomers is then initiated, resulting in a liquid matrix-precursor of the high molecular weight needed to produce a superior matrix (upon pyrolysis) with high efficiency.

Abstract: A method is described for stereoselectively reducing an unsaturated alkyl ketone substituent attached to a fused ring base. In this method, the unsaturated alkyl ketone reacts with a chiral oxazaborolidine reagent. This reaction stereoselectively reduces the unsaturated alkyl ketone to an unsaturated alkyl alcohol. The unsaturated alkyl alcohol can be further reduced, if desired, to produce a saturated alkyl alcohol. The fused ring base can be, for example, a steroid ring base or a base of a vitamin D analog. The process in accordance with the invention can be used with an alkeneone substituent (e.g., a 22-ene-24-one substituent) or an alkyneone substituent (e.g., a 22-yne-24-one substituent) on a steroid ring base to make squalamine or other useful aminosterol compounds and intermediates for making aminosterol compounds.

Abstract: A light weight panel for use in modular and free standing office landscaping systems. The panels form free standing partitions which can be rearranged and assembled into space divider or partition systems. Panels can be interconnected and positioned in a variety of ways relative to adjacent panels via posts and/or special connectors. The panels are constructed with perimeter frame members along each edge, the perimeter frame members being inter-connected with the vertical frame members by corner connectors. The corner connectors have protrusions which engage hollow cavities in the ends of the frame members. The perimeter frame members incorporate formations to secure panel fabric and trim as desired. An inter-panel connection system cooperates with the corner connectors to provide an easy to assemble but rigid partition system.

Abstract: A platform, breakwater, or endless track includes an array of molded cells nterconnected by a system of elongate flexible members, such as wire ropes or lines. The molded cells are cast in molds located at overlapping portions of the cables. The molds may be flexible nylon bags having openings for receiving the cables through them and a fill port to receive material. The molds may be retained on cast cells or removed and reused. A buoyant material, such as expanding self-hardening foam is pumped from foam mixing and pumping equipment into the molds to cast the cells for floating on water, although negatively buoyant cells could be cast for some applications. The cells may be cast on site or elsewhere and then transported to the work site. The cables either can be secured or free running in the molded cells.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from surf zones comprising an elongated enerally cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end, the housing encasing a fuse positioned inside of the first end and a compartment containing a gas generating compound positioned inside of the second end, the fuse detonationally attached to the compound and being capable of causing the compound to initiate burn, the compound having a burn time which is capable of producing sufficient amounts of gas capable of rupturing the housing with the burning of the compound. A method for clearing obstruction which provides the device, interring the device within the subsoil proximate to the obstructions, and, detonating the compound wherein a burning of the compound forms sufficient amounts of gas to rupture the housing and sunder subsoil support of the obstructions effective to clear the obstructions also is disclosed.

Abstract: Aminosterol compounds are described that are useful as inhibitors of the sodium/proton exchanger (NHE). Methods of using such aminosterols compounds are also enclosed, including those employing compounds that are inhibitors of a spectrum of NHEs as well as those using compounds that are inhibitors of only one specific NHE. Advantageous screening techniques and assays for evaluating a compound's therapeutic activity are also disclosed.