Abstract:
A method for thermal characterization of a portion of first material of elongate shape on which there is arranged a portion of a second, electrically conductive material of elongate shape, the method including: a) determining characteristic of the portion of second material, b) applying an electric current of angular frequency between ends of the portion of the second material, and measuring the angular frequency harmonic of the electric voltage between these ends for different values of angular frequency, c) calculating coefficient of thermal conductivity of the portion of first material from the values of the harmonic and of the determined characteristic, a width of the portion of the first material being between about 0.9 and 1.1 times the width of the portion of second material, the portion of first material being surrounded by thermal insulation.
Abstract:
Devices and methods for reshaping a mitral valve annulus are provided. One preferred device is configured for deployment in the right atrium and is shaped to apply a force along the atrial septum. The device causes the atrial septum to deform and push the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve in a posterior direction for reducing mitral valve regurgitation. Another preferred device is deployed in the left ventricular outflow tract at a location adjacent the aortic valve. The device is expandable for urging the anterior leaflet toward the posterior leaflet. Another preferred device comprises a tether configured to be attached to opposing regions of the mitral valve annulus.
Abstract:
The present invention is a wildlife nutritional supplement for free ranging ruminants including about 7.5-8.5% calcium, about 3.5% phosphorus, about 32-37% salt, at least one “B” series vitamin is selected from a group consisting of pantothenic acid, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, cobalamin, and pyridoxine hydrocholoride, about 16-19% sodium, about 0.15% magnesium, about 0.15% potassium, about 2.5% sulfur, about 1,200 PPM iron, about 20 PPM copper, about 105 PPM manganese, about 45 PPM zinc, about 5 PPM cobalt, about 1 PPM selenium, about 1 PPM iodine, about 50,000 IU/LB Vitamin A, about 20,000 IU/LB Vitamin D, about 50 IU/LB Vitamin E, about 134 MG/LB biotin, about 60 MG/LB ascorbic acid, oxytetracycline and fenbendazole.
Abstract:
DNAs which encode human LTC.sub.4 synthase and expression vectors comprising such DNAs are provided. DNAs encoding human LTC.sub.4 synthase may be used in assay methods of the invention for detecting LTC.sub.4 synthase inhibitors. Nucleic acid probes capable of identifying cDNAs and/or genomic DNAs encoding LTC4 synthase, as well as LTC.sub.4 antisense oligonucleotides and analogs which may be administered to viable cells to inhibit production of LTC.sub.4 synthase are also provided.
Abstract:
A card game system/method pitting players against a live or virtual dealer. Players make two mandatory wagers and optionally place bonus and jackpot wagers followed by each player and the dealer receiving six cards. Each player and the dealer must set the six cards into three, two-card hands based on pre-established rules. The main and play wagers are resolved based on a comparison of the player's three hands to the dealer's three hands, respectively. The bonus wager relates to the strongest five-card poker hand formed using the six cards and the jackpot is paid if the player wins all three hands and the two cards of the first hand meet a minimum threshold (e.g., Ace high or better). An automatic winning hand may be utilized as well. For example, any player receiving the King of Spades and King of Clubs would win their main and play wagers automatically. A player v. player (e.g., home version) version of the game is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A card game system/method pitting players against a live or virtual dealer. Players make two mandatory wagers and optionally place bonus and jackpot wagers followed by each player and the dealer receiving six cards. Each player and the dealer must set the six cards into three, two-card hands based on pre-established rules. The main and play wagers are resolved based on a comparison of the player's three hands to the dealer's three hands respectively. The bonus wager relates to the strongest five-card poker hand formed using the six cards and the jackpot is paid if the player wins all three hands and the two cards of the first hand meet a minimum threshold (e.g., Ace high or better). An automatic winning hand may be utilized as well. For example, any player receiving the King of Spades and King of Clubs would win their main and play wagers automatically. A player v. player (e.g., home version) version of the game is also disclosed,
Abstract:
An agricultural yield pod or agricultural yield pad with holed root membrane overlay. The agricultural yield pod encloses soil and vegetation in the soil. The top of the agricultural yield pod is closed except for at least one water and nutrition port and at least one vegetation growth port (or neck). The trunk of the vegetation passes through the at least one vegetation growth port (or neck). The agricultural yield pad is closed by the holed root membrane overlay and contains soil and vegetation in the soil. The trunk of the vegetation passes through the holes in the holed root membrane overlay. Root direction channels 38 may be beneath the overlay.
Abstract:
A central database provides a location for creating and storing samples of known television commercials. The database of commercial samples is downloaded to a set-top box via a communicate link. The set-top box incorporates a processor for comparing a television signal with the database of known commercial messages to detect the presence of commercial messages. The set-top box may be used to control a recording unit to stop recording for the duration of the commercial message or flag the commercial message for muting or manual skipping during playback. Using this system, the user has the ability to positively detect commercial messages and eliminate the commercials from viewing if desired.
Abstract:
A dual chuck device with a shaft grasping assembly and a screw stem grasping assembly each with respective jaws, driving mechanism and sleeve. Upon turning a respective sleeve in one direction or the reverse direction, the respective drive mechanism moves the jaws toward or away from a grasping position. In the grasping position, the screw stem is grasped. When the sleeve is presses against a working surface being penetrated by a driven screw, the driving mechanism moves the jaws in the reverse direction to move them apart to no longer grasp the screw.
Abstract:
A vascular filter for capturing and breaking apart particles in the blood. The vascular filter includes a filter body and an agitation member disposed within the filter body. Movement of the agitation member acts on particles trapped within the filter body for enhancing the dissolution of the particles, thereby reducing the likelihood of filter occlusion and improving the flow of blood through the vessel. The vascular filter is preferably collapsible for percutaneous delivery to a treatment site. The agitation member is preferably rotatably coupled to the filter body and a flow receiving member is provided for causing the agitation member to rotate. A clutch mechanism may be provided such that the agitation member only rotates when a particle, such as a blood clot, is trapped within the filter body.