Abstract: The present invention relates to mammalian mahogany genes, including the human mahogany gene, which are novel genes involved in the control of mammalian body weight. The invention encompasses nucleotide sequences of the mahogany gene, host cell expression systems of the mahogany gene, and hosts which have been transformed by these expression systems, including transgenic animals. The invention also encompasses novel mahogany gene products, including mahogany proteins, polypeptides and peptides containing amino acid sequences mahogany proteins, fusion proteins of mahogany proteins polypeptides and peptides, and antibodies directed against such mahogany gene products. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of mammalian body weight disorders, including obesity, cachexia, and anorexia, and for the identification of subjects susceptible to such disorders.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting, locating and quantifying a physical phenomena such as strain or a deformation in a structure. A plurality of laterally adjacent conductors may each include a plurality of segments. Each segment is constructed to exhibit a unit value representative of a defined energy transmission characteristic. A plurality of identity groups are defined with each identity group comprising a plurality of segments including at least one segment from each of the plurality of conductors. The segments contained within an identity group are configured and arranged such that each of their associated unit values may be represented by a concatenated digit string which is a unique number relative to the other identity groups. Additionally, the unit values of the segments within an identity group maintain unique ratios with respect to the other unit values in the identity group.

Abstract: The delivery of tissue engineering media using an airbrush.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying a coating to an interior surface of a conduit. In one embodiment, a spray gun configured to apply a coating is attached to an extension arm which may be inserted into the bore of a pipe. The spray gun may be a thermal spray gun adapted to apply a powder coating. An evacuation system may be used to provide a volume area of reduced air pressure for drawing overspray out of the pipe interior during coating. The extension arm as well as the spray gun may be cooled to maintain a consistent temperature in the system, allowing for more consistent coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mammalian mahogany genes, including the human mahogany gene, which are novel genes involved in the control of mammalian body weight. The invention encompasses nucleotide sequences of the mahogany gene, host cell expression systems of the mahogany gene, and hosts which have been transformed by these expression systems, including transgenic animals. The invention also encompasses novel mahogany gene products, including mahogany proteins, polypeptides and peptides containing amino acid sequences mahogany proteins, fusion proteins of mahogany proteins polypeptides and peptides, and antibodies directed against such mahogany gene products. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of mammalian body weight disorders, including obesity, cachexia, and anorexia, and for the identification of subjects susceptible to such disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mammalian mahogany genes, including the human mahogany gene, which are novel genes involved in the control of mammalian body weight. The invention encompasses nucleotide sequences of the mahogany gene, host cell expression systems of the mahogany gene, and hosts which have been transformed by these expression systems, including transgenic animals. The invention also encompasses novel mahogany gene products, including mahogany proteins, polypeptides and peptides containing amino acid sequences mahogany proteins, fusion proteins of mahogany proteins polypeptides and peptides, and antibodies directed against such mahogany gene products. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of mammalian body weight disorders, including obesity, cachexia, and anorexia, and for the identification of subjects susceptible to such disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of nucleic acids that encode a novel G protein coupled receptor (I5E) protein. The invention encompasses I5E nucleotides, host cell expression systems, I5E proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the receptor, transgenic animals that express an I5E transgene, or recombinant knock-out animals that do not express the I5E, antagonists and agonists of the receptor, and other compounds that modulate I5E gene expression or I5E activity that can be used for diagnosis, drug screening, clinical trial monitoring, and/or used to treat disorders such as inflammatory, central nervous system or gastrointestinal disorders.

Abstract: An aminosterol antibiotic, (3.beta.(N-[3-aminopropyl]-1,4-butanediamine)-7.alpha.,24.zeta.-dihydroxy- 5.alpha.-cholestane 24-sulfate), which can be isolated from the stomach of the common dogfish shark, Squalus acanthias, is disclosed.