Abstract: A system for selecting communication routes based on multiple criteria is disclosed. The system can dynamically update route ranking criteria without loading new data tables. Further, the system can be implemented in the context of a route ranking system that provides a list of routes for processing or completing a call. The list of routes can be generated in a ranked order to facilitate attempts to route the call based on the predefined routing criteria. Further, the route ranking system can determine the list of routes based on one or more criteria including, for example, margins, call type, and vendor ratings, to name a few. Advantageously, modifications can be made to values associated with the routing criteria without requiring the loading of new tables associated with the routing criteria. These modifications can be associated with an expiration condition thereby enabling increased flexibility in determining the list of routes.

Abstract: The human Occludin protein is identified as an essential Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) cell entry factor. Occludin is shown to render murine and other non-human cells infectable with HCV and to be required for HCV-susceptibility of human cells. Associated methods for inhibiting HCV infection, transgenic animal models for HCV pathogenesis, methods of identifying compounds or agents that prevent or mitigate interaction of HCV with Occludin, and HCV inhibitory agents are also disclosed. Kits and cell culture compositions useful for identifying compounds or agents that prevent or mitigate interaction of HCV with Occludin are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that the Claudin-1 protein functions as a co-receptor for entry of HCV into cells. Methods of inhibiting, preventing or mitigating HCV infections by inhibiting HCV interactions with Claudin-1 are provided. Methods of identifying agents or compounds that interfere with HCV interactions with Claudin-1 are also provided. Finally, useful kits, cell culture compositions, agents, and compounds related to the inhibition of HCV interactions with Claudin-1 are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that the Claudin-1 protein functions as a co-receptor for entry of HCV into cells. Methods of inhibiting, preventing or mitigating HCV infections by inhibiting HCV interactions with Claudin-1 are provided. Methods of identifying agents or compounds that interfere with HCV interactions with Claudin-1 are also provided. Finally, useful kits, cell culture compositions, agents, and compounds related to the inhibition of HCV interactions with Claudin-1 are also disclosed.

Abstract: The human Occludin protein is identified as an essential Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) cell entry factor. Occludin is shown to render murine and other non-human cells infectable with HCV and to be required for HCV—susceptibility of human cells. Associated methods for inhibiting HCV infection, transgenic animal models for HCV pathogenesis, methods of identifying compounds or agents that prevent or mitigate interaction of HCV with Occludin, and HCV inhibitory agents are also disclosed. Kits and cell culture compositions useful for identifying compounds or agents that prevent or mitigate interaction of HCV with Occludin are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that the Claudin-1 protein functions as a co-receptor for entry of HCV into cells. Methods of inhibiting, preventing or mitigating HCV infections by inhibiting HCV interactions with Claudin-1 are provided. Methods of identifying agents or compounds that interfere with HCV interactions with Claudin-1 are also provided. Finally, useful kits, cell culture compositions, agents, and compounds related to the inhibition of HCV interactions with Claudin-1 are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crystallized N-terminal domain of an NS5A protein of hepatitis C virus, methods of producing the same and methods of use thereof. The present invention also relates to structural elements of the N-terminal domain of hepatitis C virus NS5A protein, and methods of inhibiting hepatitis C virus infection, replication and/or pathogenesis, by interacting with the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of increasing the milk and/or meat quantity of silage-fed animals comprising the steps: a) treating plants and/or propagules and/or sites where the plants are growing or are to grow with at least one strobilurin compound b) producing silage from the plants treated according to step a) c) feeding the milk and/or meat producing animals with the silage produced according to step b) made from the plants treated according to step a). Furthermore, the present invention relates to silage for feeding animals, produced from plants treated with at least one strobilurin compound prior to producing said silage. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of at least one strobilurin compound to increase the milk quantity of silage-fed milk-producing animals. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of at least one strobilurin compound to increase the meat quantity of silage-fed meat-producing animals.

Abstract: The invention is a method of measuring oxygen concentration in a package having an oxygen sensitive product disposed therein. The method includes exposing a luminescent compound that is disposed in an interior of the package to light having a wavelength that is absorbed by the luminescent compound so that the luminescent compound is promoted into an excited state. When the exposure of the light is terminated, the excited luminescent compound emits light that is detectable by a detector positioned outside of the package. The intensity of the emitted light is inversely proportional to the oxygen concentration and is used in conjunction with mathematical function that describes the luminescent intensity of the luminescent compound as a function of oxygen concentration and temperature to calculate the oxygen concentration. The method may be used to verify and track the oxygen concentration of a package as it moves through a distribution system.

Abstract: The present invention provides infectious recombinant Hepatitis C Viruses (HCV), and vectors, cells and animals comprising the same. The present invention provides methods of producing infectious recombinant HCV, and their use in identifying anti-HCV therapeutic agents, as well as sequences of HCV associated with HCV pathogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides infectious recombinant Hepatitis C Viruses (HCV), and vectors, cells and animals comprising the same. The present invention provides methods of producing infectious recombinant HCV, and their use in identifying anti-HCV therapeutic agents, as well as sequences of HCV associated with HCV pathogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crystallized C-terminal domain of an NS2 protein of hepatitis C virus, methods of producing the same and methods of use thereof. The present invention also relates to structural elements of the C-terminal domain of hepatitis C virus NS2 protein, and methods of inhibiting hepatitis C virus infection, replication and/or pathogenesis, by interacting with the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that the Claudin-1 protein functions as a co-receptor for entry of HCV into cells. Methods of inhibiting, preventing or mitigating HCV infections by inhibiting HCV interactions with Claudin-1 are provided. Methods of identifying agents or compounds that interfere with HCV interactions with Claudin-1 are also provided. Finally, useful kits, cell culture compositions, agents, and compounds related to the inhibition of HCV interactions with Claudin-1 are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crystallized N-terminal domain of an NS5A protein of hepatitis C virus, methods of producing the same and methods of use thereof. The present invention also relates to structural elements of the N-terminal domain of hepatitis C virus NS5A protein, and methods of inhibiting hepatitis C virus infection, replication and/or pathogenesis, by interacting with the same.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use in an imaging cartridge includes a gasket having first and second sides, a removable handle attached to an end of the gasket, a removable seal having a first side adhered to the first side of the gasket by an adhesive, a seal tail attached to an end of the removable seal, a release liner having a first side adhered to the second side of the gasket by an adhesive, and a release liner tail attached to an end of the release liner and adapted to be folded back over the release liner.

Abstract: The present invention provides infectious recombinant Hepatitis C Viruses (HCV), and vectors, cells and animals comprising the same. The present invention provides methods of producing infectious recombinant HCV, and their use in identifying anti-HCV therapeutic agents, as well as sequences of HCV associated with HCV pathogenesis.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use in an imaging cartridge includes a removable rigid insertion element having first and second sides. The seal assembly also includes a removable seal having a first side adhered to the first side of the removable rigid insertion element by a low tack adhesive, a second side coated with an adhesive layer, and a seal tail folded over a first end of the rigid insertion element and extending over at least a portion of the second side of the removable rigid insertion element. A release liner covers the adhesive layer and has a release liner tail.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use in an imaging cartridge includes a gasket having an elongate gasket opening and a seal having first and second sides. The first side of the seal is at least partially affixed to a first side of the gasket and covers the gasket opening. The seal includes a seal tail extending over at least a portion of the second side of the seal such that an underside of the seal tail is adjacent to the second side of the seal. A tying element affixes the underside of the seal tail to the seal assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to cells and cell lines that are permissive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication, and methods and materials for making and using them.

Abstract: HCV variants are described. The variants include polynucleotides comprising non-naturally occurring HCV sequences and HCV variants that have a transfection efficiency and ability to survive subpassage greater than HCV that have wild-type polyprotein coding regions. Expression vectors comprising the above polynucleotides and HCV variants are also described, as are the provision of cells and host cells comprising the expression vectors. Methods for identifying a cell line that is permissive for infection with HCV are also provided, as are methods for identifying HCV variant polynucleotides with increased transfection efficiencies. Additionally, methods for identifying one or more HCV sequence mutations that provide drug-resistant HCV variants are disclosed.