Abstract: An opening mechanism having a base, a lever member movably mounted to the base and a housing is disclosed. The lever member has a first arm and a second arm, which pivot from a first position to a second position,. The movement of the arms from a first position to a second position causes one of the arms to cause an article to move from a closed position to an open position.

Abstract: The present invention relates ZcytoR21 antagonists, such as soluble receptors and anti-ZcytoR21 antibodies, that are useful in blocking, inhibiting, reducing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-17C. IL-17C is a cytokine that is involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. ZcytoR21 is a receptor for IL-17C. The present invention includes soluble ZcytoR21, anti-ZcytoR21 antibodies and binding partners, as well as methods for antagonizing IL-17C using such soluble receptors, antibodies and binding partners.

Abstract: The present invention relates to blocking, inhibiting, reduceing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-17F, IL-17A, or both IL-17A and IL-17F polypeptide molecules. IL-17A and IL-17F are cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. ZcytoR14 is a common receptor for IL-17A and IL-17F. The present invention includes soluble ZcytoR14, anti-ZcytoR14 antibodies and binding partners, as well as methods for antagonizing IL-17F, IL-17A or both IL-17A and IL-17F using such soluble receptors, antibodies and binding partners.

Abstract: A light generating system including a base comprising a bottom surface comprising a nonmechanical attachment structure and a light generating device rotatably mounted to the base about an axis.

Abstract: A handle for a utility knife includes a housing made up of two or more portions. In one embodiment, a manually operable member for use in releasing the blade is retained to at least one portion of the housing and does not become separated from the housing when the housing is in an open state. In another embodiment, a catch for engaging the blade extends from a support member that is slidably movable within the housing. In another embodiment, the housing is formed of metal and a nose portion is formed of a metal that is more wear resistant than the rest of the housing, in order to improve the durability of the nose portion.

Abstract: A utility knife has a blade carrier defining a blade support surface movably mounted in a housing between retracted and extended positions. A catch is mounted on the blade carrier and is movable between a first position engagable with a blade seated on the blade carrier and substantially preventing the blade from moving relative to the blade carrier, and a second position spaced away from the blade located on the blade carrier and permitting removal of the blade from the blade carrier. An actuator is mounted on the blade carrier and is operable to move the blade carrier between the retracted and extended positions to, in turn, move a blade located on the blade carrier between retracted and extended positions, and move the catch between the first and second positions to release a blade from the blade carrier. The housing has a nose portion that defines the blade aperture and is made of a more wear-resistant material than the other portions of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Receptor (TSLPR) polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The invention also provides selective binding agents, vectors, host cells, and methods for producing TSLPR polypeptides. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the diagnosis, treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with TSLPR polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Receptor (TSLPR) polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The invention also provides selective binding agents, vectors, host cells, and methods for producing TSLPR polypeptides. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the diagnosis, treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with TSLPR polypeptides.

Abstract: A laser alignment device includes a laser generating device, an upper attachment portion, and a lower attachment portion. The laser generating device includes a housing and a laser generator. The upper attachment portion is disposed near a bottom of the housing, and the lower attachment portion is pivotally and/or rotationally connected to the upper attachment portion.

Abstract: A saw handle grip cover includes a molded shell configured to conform to an outer body shape of a saw handle. The molded shell is constructed of relatively stiff material. An outer layer, secured thereto to the molded shell, is constructed of a softer material than said molded shell.

Abstract: A system and methods for communicating over the Internet with devices of a decentralized network using transparent asymmetric return paths are described. Remote capture centers are geographically distributed so as to communicate with devices of a decentralized network that reside in diverse geographical locations. A centralized data center communicates with the remote capture centers so as to generate processed information in the form of reply packets from information received at the remote capture centers from the devices, and transmit the processed information back to the devices in a manner so that the processed information appears to have been transmitted from the remote capture centers.

Abstract: An improved novelty item is disclosed. The novelty item has a container that receives a solid piece of carbon dioxide when the solid carbon dioxide contacts water vapor in the container a fog is created. As the solid carbon dioxide sublimates, the water vapor is emitted from the container as a visible fog. The container may be in the shape of any number of designs for which the visible fog streaming from the container creates a pleasing illusion.

Abstract: An improved novelty item is disclosed. The novelty item has a container that receives a solid piece of carbon dioxide when the solid carbon dioxide contacts water vapor in the container a fog is created. As the solid carbon dioxide sublimates, the water vapor is emitted from the container as a visible fog. The container may be in the shape of any number of designs for which the visible fog streaming from the container creates a pleasing illusion.

Abstract: An adjustable catch mechanism comprising a housing having one or more sidewalls and a face plate that includes an opening. A front plate adapted to be positioned over the face plate. The front plate is provided with an opening aligned with the opening of the face plate. An adjustable plate is positioned in the housing and has a base section that has a threaded portion adapted to receive a threaded member on a mounting frame. The mounting frame has a base with a top side and a bottom side wherein the bottom side has the threaded member and the top side has a catch member.

Abstract: An adjustable catch mechanism is described. The mechanism has a housing that has one or more side walls and a face plate. The face plate has an opening therein such that said opening communicates with an interior portion of the housing. There is a front plate adapted to be positioned over the face plate. The front plate is provided with an opening that is generally aligned with the opening in the face plate and shaped so that a catch means can retractably pass through said opening. An adjustable plate is positioned in said housing and has a base section with a top surface and a bottom surface. The adjustable plate is prevented from undergoing rotational movement in the housing and the base section has a threaded portion that is adapted to receive a threaded member on a mounting frame.

Abstract: A pair of door mounting assemblies mount an oven door assembly to an oven such that the oven door assembly may move between a closed baking position, a broiling position, and an open position. Each of the door mounting assemblies includes a mounting member that is pivotally connected to the door assembly. Each door mounting assembly includes a spring biased mechanism to enable the oven door assembly to be biased by the weight thereof when in a first range of movement, to be biased toward and into the broiling position when in a second range of movement, and to be biased toward and into the baking position when in a third range of movement. A damper assembly provides resistance to the movement of the oven door assembly within the second and third ranges to limit the rate of movement of the oven door assembly toward the broiling and baking positions.

Abstract: A filter can estimate the signal in an observed input having signal and noise. The filter has a level device and a feedback device. The level device has an input and output terminal for providing on the output terminal a rescaled output variably proportional to the input on the input terminal. This level device can repetitively change the variable proportions between its input and output terminal. The feedback device is coupled between the output and input terminal of the level means for applying to the input terminal an input proportional to the difference between the observed input and the output on the output terminal.

Abstract: A pulsed gas laser in which a multitude of sheet-form conductors are assembled face to face with aligned apertures defining a beam path through the thickness of the assembly. In the embodiment shown the conductors are paired to form transmission lines, one conductor of each transmission line being interrupted and exposed at the aperture to form a discharge gap while the opposite conductor is electrically isolated from the aperture. The impedance introduced to the transmission line discharge circuit by a suitable aperture is found to be sufficiently low to permit application of a fast rise voltage wave for energizing gas at the gap. Increase in the number of elements in the assembly can progressively increase performance over a wide range.

Abstract: A laser featuring, in one aspect, a volume of gas having a lasing constituent, a light source arranged to emit light having ionizing photons for ionizing the gas, the effective photon energy spectrum of the ionizing photons lying below the ionization potential of the lasing constituent and below the level of photon absorption bands of the gas, the spectrum being selected to provide an average penetration depth of the ionizing photons into the gas of at least 1 cm. and to photoionize the gas predominantly by a multiple step process involving absorption of successive photons at least the first of which has a photon energy less than the ionization potential of said lasing constituent, and an electric field source for applying to the gas a voltage sufficient to produce an avalanche breakdown in the gas to effectively raise the lasing constituent to its lasing level; and in another aspect a seed gas comprising an amine having the structure ##EQU1## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.