Abstract: The growth hormone supergene family comprises greater than 20 structurally related cytokines and growth factors. A general method is provided for creating site-specific, biologically active conjugates of these proteins. The method involves adding cysteine residues to non-essential regions of the proteins or substituting cysteine residues for non-essential amino acids in the proteins using site-directed mutagenesis and then covalently coupling a cysteine-reactive polymer or other type of cysteine-reactive moiety to the proteins via the added cysteine residue. Disclosed herein are preferred sites for adding cysteine residues or introducing cysteine substitutions into the proteins, and the proteins and protein derivatives produced thereby.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for modulating expression of endogenous cellular genes using recombinant zinc finger proteins.

Abstract: The growth hormone supergene family comprises greater than 20 structurally related cytokines and growth factors. A general method is provided for creating site-specific, biologically active conjugates of these proteins. The method involves adding cysteine residues to non-essential regions of the proteins or substituting cysteine residues for non-essential amino acids in the proteins using site-directed mutagenesis and then covalently coupling a cysteine-reactive polymer or other type of cysteine-reactive moiety to the proteins via the added cysteine residue. Disclosed herein are preferred sites for adding cysteine residues or introducing cysteine substitutions into the proteins, and the proteins and protein derivatives produced thereby.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods of making soluble proteins having free cysteines in which a host cell is exposed to a cysteine blocking agent. The soluble proteins produced by the methods can then be modified to increase their effectiveness. Such modifications include attaching a PEG moiety to form pegylated proteins.

Abstract: An pneumatic seating system for use with a motorcycle including a mount for pivotally mounting a motorcycle seat to the frame of a motorcycle. The system includes an air spring mountable between an end portion of the motorcycle seat and the frame. The air spring being adjustable between inflated and deflated positions, the inflated position wherein pressurized air is retained in the cavity such that a length of the air spring is extended so that the seat is spaced from the frame, the deflated position wherein the air spring is in a retracted position. An air compressor is provided for inflating the air spring. An air release valve is coupled to the opening of the air spring for releasing pressurized air from the air spring. The system providing adjustable cushioning between the seat and the frame of the motorcycle for improving the comfort of a rider on the motorcycle.

Abstract: A system for pre-authenticating a magnetic stripped card or smart card holder for a non-checking account transaction at the point-of-sale that includes a database that contains sensitive data, corresponding to digital photographic images of said account holders that employs a pre-authentication process whereby all account holders undergo a meticulous comparison with their submitted data against a plethora of objective public, private and internal databases culminating in a video displayed image at some point in the future enabling a merchant to make a visual comparison of the account holder either on site or during a mail order or telephone order transaction corresponding to the pre-authenticated image to prevent identity theft. While the invention has been described with respect to particular illustrated embodiments, those skilled in the art of technology to which the invention pertains will have no difficulty devising variations which in no way depart from the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for modulating expression of endogenous cellular genes using recombinant zinc finger proteins.

Abstract: The growth hormone supergene family comprises greater than 20 structurally related cytokines and growth factors. A general method is provided for creating site-specific, biologically active conjugates of these proteins. The method involves adding cysteine residues to non-essential regions of the proteins or substituting cysteine residues for non-essential amino acids in the proteins using site-directed mutagenesis and then covalently coupling a cysteine-reactive polymer or other type of cysteine-reactive moiety to the proteins via the added cysteine residue. Disclosed herein are preferred sites for adding cysteine residues or introducing cysteine substitutions into the proteins, and the proteins and protein derivatives produced thereby.

Abstract: The growth hormone supergene family comprises greater than 20 structurally related cytokines and growth factors. A general method is provided for creating site-specific, biologically active conjugates of these proteins. The method involves adding cysteine residues to non-essential regions of the proteins or substituting cysteine residues for non-essential amino acids in the proteins using site-directed mutagenesis and then covalently coupling a cysteine-reactive polymer or other type of cysteine-reactive moiety to the proteins via the added cysteine residue. Disclosed herein are preferred sites for adding cysteine residues or introducing cysteine substitutions into the proteins, and the proteins and protein derivatives produced thereby.

Abstract: A robust system, method and environment for the programming, collection, manipulation, and propagation of RFID data enhances the integration of RFID elements into new and existing enterprise systems.

Abstract: The growth hormone supergene family comprises greater than 20 structurally related cytokines and growth factors. A general method is provided for creating site-specific, biologically active conjugates of these proteins. The method involves adding cysteine residues to non-essential regions of the proteins or substituting cysteine residues for non-essential amino acids in the proteins using site-directed mutagenesis and then covalently coupling a cysteine-reactive polymer or other type of cysteine-reactive moiety to the proteins via the added cysteine residue. Disclosed herein are preferred sites for adding cysteine residues or introducing cysteine substitutions into the proteins, and the proteins and protein derivatives produced thereby. Also disclosed are therapeutic methods for using the cysteine variants of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods of making soluble proteins having free cysteines in which a host cell is exposed to a cysteine blocking agent. The soluble proteins produced by the methods can then be modified to increase their effectiveness. Such modifications include attaching a PEG moiety to form pegylated proteins.

Abstract: A data packet filtering accelerator processor operates in parallel with a host processor and is arranged on an integrated circuit with the host processor. The accelerator processor classifies data packets by executing a sequence machine code instructions converted directly from a set of rules. Portions of data packets are passed to the accelerator processor from the host processor. The accelerator processor includes packet parser circuit for parsing the data packets into relevant data units and storing the relevant data units in memory. A packet analysis circuit executes the sequence of machine code instructions converted directly from the set of rules. The machine code instruction sequence operates on the relevant data units to classify the data packet. The packet analysis circuit returns the results of the classification to the host processor by storing the classification results in a register accessible by the host processor.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a series of discrete hygienic articles. The apparatus includes a supply means, at least one manipulation means, a reception means spatially separated from the supply means, a manufacturing path segment extending from the supply means to the manipulation means and continuing to the reception means and a transportation system. The transportation system includes a plurality of independent transportation means for transportation of at least one discrete hygienic article along the manufacturing path segment and a guide means to guide all of the transportation means.

Abstract: The invention provides criteria and methods for selecting optimum subsequence(s) from a target gene for targeting by a zinc finger protein. Some of the methods of target site selection seek to identify one or more target segments having a DNA motif containing one or more so-called D-able subsites having the sequence 5′NNGK3′. Other methods of the invention are directed to selection of target segments within target genes using a correspondence regime between different triplets of three bases and the three possible positions of a triplet within a nine-base site. In another aspect, the invention provides methods of designing zinc finger proteins that bind to a preselected target site. These methods can be used following the preselection of target sites according to the procedures and criteria described above. The methods of design use a database containing information about previously characterized zinc finger proteins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of communicating information comprising providing a datum which includes a digital certificate containing data. The digital certificate including an extension which includes: a first identifier which specifies a major classification of the data; a second identifier which specifies a minor classification of the data; and data in a format according to the major classification and the minor classification, the data indicating an owner of the datum and a use for which the datum is intended. The certificate allows authentication of the certificate itself and the data contained therein, and the data contained in the certificate can include information allowing verification of the identity of the holder of the certificate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of communicating information comprising providing a datum which includes a digital certificate containing data. The digital certificate including an extension which includes: a first identifier which specifies a major classification of the data; a second identifier which specifies a minor classification of the data; and data in a format according to the major classification and the minor classification, the data indicating an owner of the datum and a use for which the datum is intended. The certificate allows authentication of the certificate itself and the data contained therein, and the data contained in the certificate can include information allowing verification of the identity of the holder of the certificate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of communicating information comprising providing a datum which includes a digital certificate containing data. The digital certificate including an extension which includes: a first identifier which specifies a major classification of the data; a second identifier which specifies a minor classification of the data; and data in a format according to the major classification and the minor classification, the data indicating an owner of the datum and a use for which the datum is intended. The certificate allows authentication of the certificate itself and the data contained therein, and the data contained in the certificate can include information allowing verification of the identity of the holder of the certificate.

Abstract: A collapsible sawhorse includes an upper body portion having an open-bottom, double-wall box configuration provided with four legs detachably securable in rectangular corner sockets by respective retaining pins secured against loss by flexible straps. A pair of spaced top panels on the upper body portion form a work surface of the sawhorse provided with a longitudinally extending gap dimensioned to receive a conventional screw operated wood working clamp. A pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending storage compartments formed between inner and outer sidewall members of the upper body portion, on opposite sides of the longitudinal gap, each store a pair of the detached legs in stacked relation in a collapsed orientation of the sawhorse. Each storage compartment includes a pair of hinged doors having adjacent free ends meeting at an intermediate portion along the length of the storage compartment in a closed condition.