Abstract: This invention provides SIMP nucleic acid and sequences. Also provided are methods for using SIMP nucleic acids, proteins, fragments, antibodies, probes, and cells, to characterize SIMP, modulate SIMP cellular levels, modulate immune responses and diagnose and treat cancers.

Abstract: An improved method for removing and collecting plating wax from waxed components such as turbine engines components from aircraft, and an improved collector for reducing this method to practice. Collectors known in the art generally have 1) a process tank filled with a remover solution into which the waxed component is fully immersed and the wax is removed; 2) a wax separator tank connected to the process tank for receiving therefrom an overflow of remover solution and removed wax; and 3) a circulating pump for pumping the wax remover solution from the wax separator tank back to the process tank. The collector of the invention further has a level controller operating with microwaves for monitoring the level of remover solution in the wax separator tank and a chemical pump connected to and controlled by the level controller in order to maintain the level of wax remover solution in the wax separator tank close to a preset level by pumping a new batch of remover solution in the wax separator tank.