Abstract: A novel inert environment enclosure includes an object inlet where production objects enter the enclosure and an object outlet where the production objects exit. At least one of the object inlet and the object outlet includes both a top-side flow obstructer and a bottom-side flow obstructer for preventing air from entering the enclosure. In a particular embodiment, the top-side flow obstructer and the bottom-side flow obstructer each include a curtain constructed from a flexible fabric having a plurality of individual adjacent fingers. In another particular embodiment, the inert environment enclosure is a nitrogen hood that houses a wave soldering machine. A inert gas nozzle is mounted at or near the inlet and/or the outlet. The inert environment enclosure maintains a positive pressure with respect to the surrounding environment when production objects are passed through the enclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymer sFlt-1 conjugates, variants of sFlt-1, compositions comprising such conjugates and variants, including cysteine variants of sFlt-1. Also disclosed is the use of such conjugates, variants and compositions in methods to inhibit the activity of VEGF, to inhibit angiogenesis, and to treat or reduce at least one symptom of diseases and conditions in which it is desirable to inhibit VEGF activity and/or angiogenesis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus measures the presence of total residual oxidant species in aqueous environments. More specifically, the apparatus is operable to measure hypohalites (e.g., hypochlorite and hypobromite) in water containing halide salts using electrochemistry. The apparatus can be a sensor having four electrodes—a reference electrode, a working electrode, and two auxiliary electrodes. The fourth electrode, i.e., the second auxiliary electrode, can be used to generate ionized water near and in contact with the working electrode. The ionized water can clean the working electrode to minimize effects due to scaling or biofilm formation. As such, the working electrode does not need the capability to clean itself. Thus, other elements, originally believed to be unsuitable for use in saline aqueous environments, can be used for the electrodes, for example, gold.

Abstract: An image display system is provided that allows event organizers to sell images of the event to interested parties. The interested parties would have access to the images and allow them to copy and manipulate the same. In addition, customers would have the ability to order image related products containing one or more of the images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool holder (1) that either has a modular design, and the modules of which are centered via interfaces, or/and in which a centered interface (9) is provided between the tool (5) and the tool receiver (4) such that high concentricity, and thus a high processing accuracy are achieved. The present invention further relates to a system comprising a tool holder (1) and a tool (5).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating T-cell mediated diseases and a method of inhibiting the activation of T-cells using certain diketopiperazines. The invention also provides methods of synthesizing diketopiperazines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising certain diketopiperazines. The invention further provides methods of making improved pharmaceutical compositions of proteins and peptides by either increasing or decreasing the content of diketopiperazines in the compositions and the resultant improved pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A system and method for authenticating radio frequency identification (RFID) devices and validating readers of the RFID devices are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention use RFID devices adapted for storing data in a form of data segments selectively associated with promiscuous and non-promiscuous regions of their memories and monitor algorithmic, computational, communicational, or tampered errors of the readers.

Abstract: A system is provided for enhancing the interconnectability of a bathtub to a plumbing system. More specifically, provided is a flexible conduit and an overflow assembly that allows for a portion of the overflow assembly to be easily located with the wall of a bathtub. The flexible conduit provided allows for adjustability of the conduit to the openings of the bathtub. In addition, provided are methods and apparatus that facilitate testing of a plumbing assembly. Finally, an apparatus and methods are provided that protect portions of the finished bathtub assembly to decrease in the need for replacing said hardware. It is envisioned that aspects and inventions disclosed herein can be used in conjunction to facilitate the interconnection and protection of hardware associated with a bathtub.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for executing security-sensitive applications with a general-purpose computing device. In particular, the general-purpose computing device includes an unsecure computing environment and a secure computing environment. The secure computing environment is established with a secure access module that includes data and functions for executing the security-sensitive application on behalf of the unsecure computing environment.

Abstract: A combined electrical and chemical stimulation lead is especially adapted for providing treatment to the spine and nervous system. The stimulation lead includes electrodes that may be selectively positioned along various portions of the stimulation lead in order to precisely direct electrical energy to ablate or electrically stimulate the target tissue. The invention also includes a method of activating electrodes in the electrical stimulation lead whereby an ablative lesion can be formed in a desired shape and size. The invention further includes a method of managing pain in a sacrum of a patient, and a method of assembling an electrical stimulation device.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of prelamin A pre peptide and homologues or analogs thereof for the induction of cell differentiation and tissue or organ growth and repair processes. The invention extends to virtually any cell, including both embryonic and non-embryonic stem cells, such as stem cells that are progenitors for a wide variety of cell and tissue types. Also disclosed is the use of prelamin A pre peptide and prelamin A to determine and establish cell morphology and tissue architecture. Treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions, as well as cosmetic, general health, and anti-aging applications are described.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and systems for identifying an embedded device to a server system so as to provide an improved permission and billing relationship. The invention enables transaction activities by networked devices, each device being connectable to at least one server and associated with at least one stakeholder, wherein each device and each stakeholder has a unique identifier, and wherein there is provided a plurality of electronic certificates each owned by a stakeholder or on behalf of a device, the certificates being held on the at least one server and comprising a data structure which, when interpreted by the at least one server, determines whether a particular device acting on behalf of a particular stakeholder is entitled to carry out a transaction.

Abstract: A lens unit includes a first lens having positive power, an aperture stop, a meniscal second lens having negative power, a meniscal third lens having positive power, and a fourth lens including an object side surface and an image side surface, each being aspherical and including at least one inflection point. The image side surface is concave at an image side. The first lens, the aperture stop, the second lens, the third lens, and the fourth lens are arranged in order from an object side toward the image side. The first lens includes an image side surface that is convex at the image side. The second lens includes an object side surface that is convex at the object side.

Abstract: A mold of a glassware forming machine has a longitudinal plane of symmetry, and two half-molds movable between a closed position and an open extraction position by a powered mold opening/closing device, which has a fixed fastening and supporting structure, two mold-holders, and, for each mold-holder, a respective supporting and actuating arm hinged to the relative mold-holder to rotate about a movable hinge axis, and to the fixed structure to rotate about a fixed hinge axis; the fixed hinge axes being located on opposite sides of the plane of symmetry, and at such a distance from the plane of symmetry that, when the half-molds are in the closed position, the line intersecting the fixed axis and movable axis of each arm extends substantially parallel to the plane of symmetry.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring the oxidation-reduction potential of a fluid sample are provided. The system includes a test strip with a sample chamber adapted to receive a fluid sample. The sample chamber can be associated with a filter membrane. The test strip also includes a reference cell. The oxidation-reduction potential of a fluid sample placed in the sample chamber can be read by a readout device interconnected to a test lead that is in electrical contact with the sample chamber, and a reference lead that is in electrical contact with the reference cell. Electrical contact between a fluid sample placed in the sample chamber and the reference cell can be established by a bridge. The oxidation-reduction potential may be read as an electrical potential between the test lead and the reference lead of the test strip.

Abstract: A transponder detector is provided with capabilities for detecting the presence and type of a transponder in its read range while operating at low power. The transponder detector includes an antenna assembly and a detection signal generator circuit coupled to the antenna assembly. The detection signal generator circuit is capable of generating a progression of detection signals on the antenna assembly across a range of frequencies. The transponder detector further includes a response signal receiver circuit coupled to the antenna assembly to receive a progression of response signals from the antenna assembly resulting from the progression of detection signals. A controller is coupled to the response signal receiver circuit which determines the presence and type of the transponder based on an evaluation of a transponder detection parameter in the progression of response signals.