Abstract: Peptides synthesized to match the human .alpha.1(I) and .alpha.2(I) telopeptide sequences of the type I collagen metabolites, preferably selected from among Asp-Glu-Lys-Ser-Thr-Gly-Gly (SEQ ID NO:5), Gln-Tyr-Asp-Gly-Lys-Gly-Val-Gly (SEQ ID NO:6), and Glu-Lys-Ala-His-Asp-Gly-Gly-Arg (SEQ ID NO:7). Useful as calibrators and antigens in immunoassays for detecting type I collagen degradation products in body fluids.

Abstract: Method of monitoring a patient's response to an anti-resorptive therapy such as estrogen, by contacting a body fluid sample of the patient with an immunological binding partner specific for a cross-linked telopeptide having a sequence identical to that of a cross-linked amino-terminal or carboxy-terminal telopeptide produced in vivo upon degradation of type I collagen, detecting any binding of the immunological binding partner in the body fluid sample, and correlating the detected binding to the rate of bone resorption in the patient.

Abstract: The expression of plant defense proteins is induced in plant tissue by contacting plants to be treated with a defense protein inducing agent. The inducing agent, which may be jasmonic acid, lower alkyl esters of jasmonic acid or jasmonic acid-like derivative compounds, induces the expression of genes in the plants resulting in the production of defense proteins, such as proteinase inhibitors, thionins, chitinases and .beta.-glucanases. Plants may be contacted with the inducing agent by direct application to plant tissue or by airborne transmission of the inducing agent.

Abstract: Canine granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (caGM-CSF) corresponding to that found in canine serum and/or tissues, structural variants thereof, genes that encode these materials, related expression vectors and cells, recombinant methods for making caGM-CSF, and veterinary treatments therewith.

Abstract: In a method of analyzing a body fluid sample for the presence of an analyte indicative of a physiological condition, comprising the steps of contacting the body fluid sample with an immunological binding partner which binds to the analyte, detecting binding of the immunological binding partner to the analyte, and correlating any detected binding to the physiological condition, the improvement comprising contacting the body fluid sample with an immunological binding partner which binds to ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## is hydroxylysyl pyridinoline or lysyl pyridinoline, and correlating any detected binding to degradation of type II collagen in vivo.

Abstract: Compositions useful in quantitating collagen peptides to determine the rate of bone resorption are prepared by treating bone with a protease, such as collagenase, and purifying the compositions so as to enrich them with peptides that contain 3-hydroxypyridinium cross-links.

Abstract: Haloperoxidases are used to selectively bind to and, in the presence of peroxide and halide, inhibit the growth of target microbes without eliminating desirable microbes or significantly damaging other components, such as host cells, in the environment of the target microbe. When a target microbe, e.g., a pathogenic microbe, has a binding capacity for haloperoxidase greater than that of a desired microbe, e.g., members of the normal flora, the target microbe selectively binds the haloperoxidase with little or no binding of the haloperoxidase by the desired microbe. In the presence of peroxide and halide, the target bound haloperoxidase catalyzes halide oxidation and facilitates the disproportionation of peroxide to singlet molecular oxygen at the surface of the target microbe. The lifetime of singlet molecular oxygen restricts damage to the surface resulting in selective killing of the target microbe with a minimum of collateral damage to the desired microbe or physiological medium.

Abstract: A method and unit for forming and conveying groups of elongated products, whereby products, fed successively and continuously along a first path, are stacked along a guide by a stacking device to form a group, which is moved along the guide by a lifting device to the input of a second path, and is transferred, along the second path, into a conveying pocket moving along the second path; transfer into the conveying pocket being effected by means of a retaining pocket initially aligned with the guide and moving along the second path.

Abstract: A method of conveying products, whereby a product is fed by a conveying device along a path to a pickup station, through which is fed a gripping member for picking up the product; the product is secured to the conveying device, and a position of the product is detected to regulate the conveying device and feed the product to the pickup station in time with the gripping member.

Abstract: A toy blimp (20) including a gas filled body (22), a plurality of fins (26), a propulsion system (28) attached to a lower surface of the body, and one or more small weight clips (80). A refill valve (30) may be located on the body surface. Various embodiments of the propulsion system are provided, including a rubberband powered system, a small wind-up spring-loaded motor, and a spool-type rubberband motor.

Abstract: A charge amplifier with DC offset canceling for use in a pixel element of an MOS image sensor is disclosed. The charge amplifier can be manufactured using a standard CMOS single polycrystalline process, making it much more cost effective than prior art designs. The charge amplifier includes an operational amplifier, a source capacitor, a series capacitor, and a feedback capacitor. The source capacitor holds the input signal. The output of the operational amplifier provides the output signal. Switches control the routing of the signal flow from the source capacitor, the series capacitor, and the feedback capacitor.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of monitoring and/or indicating an accurate state-of-charge of a battery compensates for varying current loads and changing temperature conditions. The apparatus and method compensate for the Peukert Effect which manifests itself when varying current loads are applied to the battery. Also, the apparatus and method may compensate for temperature changes in the environment of the battery. The extent of the Peukert Effect and temperature variation on the battery is based on intrinsic characteristics of the battery which may be experimentally defined. Specifically, preferred apparatuses include memories for storing various discharging/charging related values and a processor to calculate and determine values related to accurately monitoring the battery's state-of-charge. Also, the apparatus may include a battery state-of-charge indicator including a multi-segmented, multi-color LED display.

Abstract: A disk flake ice machine (10) includes a cooling member (12) mounted for rotation about an axis(52) and defining a first and second annular cooling surfaces (24) and a peripheral edge (25) in which is formed an annular groove (32). A motor (16) drives rotation of the cooling member. A refrigerant supply (18) supplies refrigerant to cool the cooling member. Liquid material to be frozen is introduced to the cooling surfaces of the cooling member by spray tubes (28). Ice removal blades (30) are disposed adjacent the cooling surfaces of the cooling member to remove flakes of frozen material. A guide member (34) engages the groove in the peripheral edge of the cooling member to limit wobble of the cooling member relative to the ice removal tools during rotation.

Abstract: Several elongated tread plates are pivotally connected together to form the central load-bearing portion of a ramp. Rigid side rails can be latched to the assembly of tread plates to maintain the tread plates with their upper surfaces coplanar. The side rails can be unlatched from the tread plate assembly, whereupon the tread plate assembly can be rolled to compact condition for storage.

Abstract: A bicycle handlebar assembly for dampening and reducing the shock to which a cyclist is normally exposed is disclosed. The assembly includes a mounting block attached to the head of a bicycle front fork assembly. An upper linkage member and a lower linkage member that are parallel and spaced apart from each other are pivotally attached at their tail ends to the mounting block. A handlebar clamp for securing a handlebar thereto is pivotally attached to the front ends of the upper and lower linkage members. A dampening element is disposed against one of the linkage members for slowing the downward movement of the linkage members and serving as a sink for a downward force applied to the linkage members when the handlebars are urged downwards. In some preferred embodiments of the invention the dampening member is a layer of elastomeric material disposed between the upper and lower linkage members. In other embodiments of the invention the dampening members include a spring element.

Abstract: An ink reservoir (34) capable of maintaining an even distribution of a single color of ink on a printer ribbon is provided. The ink reservoir is used in ribbon cassettes (10) for typewriters and dot matrix printers. The ink reservoir (34) includes a series of cylindrical ink-carrying elements (50) separated by a series of separating sheets (52). The separating sheets (52) restrict or prevent the flow of ink from one ink-carrying element to another element. This maintains an even distribution of ink throughout the height of the reservoir which, in turn, results in an even transfer of ink from the ink reservoir onto a transfer roller and subsequently onto a ribbon. The even distribution of ink in the ribbon results in an even distribution of ink in the characters printed using the ribbon and, thus, improves print quality.

Abstract: An improved filter pad assembly, for supporting a filter pad, used in conjunction with a filter system having a pumping unit to filter a contaminated fluid. Included in the filter pad assembly are a filter pad support member, a sealing member, and securing means for maintaining the filter pad support member and sealing member in a closed operative position during the filtering process such that a substantially fluid-tight seal is created therebetween. Thus, the contaminated fluid is prevented from exiting the filter pad assembly without passing through the filter pad. The filter pad assembly may be defined to include, or not include, the filter pad. The filter pad assembly and filter pad also have a one-way guided configuration that ensures the filter pad is properly oriented within the assembly. Three preferred embodiments of the filter pad assembly of the present invention are disclosed.

Abstract: An Intervention Flight Management System (IFMS) that allows a pilot to intervene in the operation of a preprogrammed flight management computer and change the speed and/or flight path of an airplane in response to air traffic control (ATC) instructions is disclosed. The IFMS includes an IFMS control panel via which the pilot interfaces with an IFMS program. The IFMS program includes intervention subroutines that override the preprogrammed instructions that control the flight management computer. The intervention subroutines include a lateral (direction) control subroutine and several vertical subroutines. The vertical subroutines include altitude, speed and vertical path subroutines. The intervention subroutines can be engaged independently of one another. Control axes unrelated to an engaged intervention subroutine remain under the control of the preprogrammed flight management computer instructions.