Abstract: The present invention relates generally to consumer research methods for measuring emotive response to visual stimuli.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of proteolytically converting a precursor protein (e.g. tau) to a product fragment (e.g., a 12 kd fragment) in a stable cell line, wherein the precursor protein is associated with a disease state in which the precursor protein aggregates pathologically (e.g. a tauopathy), and the methods comprise: (a) providing a stable cell line transfected with nucleic acid encoding: (i) a template fragment of the precursor protein such that the template fragment is constitutively expressed in the cell at a level which is not toxic to the cell; and (ii) the precursor protein, which protein is inducibly expressed in the cell in response to a stimulus, whereby interaction of the template fragment with the precursor protein causes a conformational change in the precursor protein such as to cause aggregation and proteolytic processing of the precursor protein to the product fragment.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining the stage of neurofibrillary degeneration associated with a tauopathy in a subject believed to suffer from the disease, by (i) introducing into the subject a ligand capable of labeling aggregated paired helical filament (PHF) tau protein, (ii) determining the presence and/or amount of ligand bound to extracellular aggregated PHF tau in the medial temporal lobe of the brain of the subject, (iii) correlating the result of the determination made in (ii) with the extent of neurofibrillary degeneration in the subject. The methods can be used for pre-mortem diagnosis and staging of tauopathies such as Alzheimer's Disease. Preferred ligands include sulphonated-benzothiazole-like compounds and diaminophenothiazines.

Abstract: A system and process for managing the migrating enhancements into a production software system is described. Enhancements are first migrated to a model system. After any issues are identified and addressed, the enhancements are migrated to the production software system. An electronic change management process is provided for assisting a developer in providing information about an enhancement to a change manager. An assurance tool of migration strategies is provided for tracking changes and avoiding conflicts between the enhancement and the model and production software systems. Information gathered in the change management may be used for providing an objective evaluation of developers of enhancements.

Abstract: A composition and use thereof for the prophylaxis or treatment of Alzheimer's disease, motor neurone disease, Lewy body disease, Pick's disease or progressive supranuclear palsy. The composition includes an agent which modulates or inhibits tau-tau association and which does not inhibit tau-tubulin binding. In the method the agent is administered to an individual in order to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. Preferably the agent which is administered is a phenothiazine compound.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a present consideration to a consumer and coincidentally establishing a future right for a holder to offer or to provide, at the holder's option, a defined set of goods or services in response to a trigger event.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining an approximation to a measure of the volatility of fuel on-board a vehicle having an internal combustion engine. The method includes the steps of measuring at least one characteristic of the fuel corresponding to a temperature of the fuel, a volume of the fuel, and a concentration of oxygenates within the fuel; determining an approximation of the a measure of the volatility of the sample volume of fuel using a linear function based on the at least one measured characteristic of the fuel corresponding to temperature, volume, and concentration of oxygenates of the fuel. Preferably, at least one temperature measurement is associated with a predetermined volume of the sample as the sample is evaluated. The method can include determining whether a fuel contains ethanol, and if not, whether the fuel is a winter blend of fuel or a summer blend of fuel.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining the stage of neurofibrillary degeneration associated with a tauopathy in a subject believed to suffer from the disease, by (i) introducing into the subject a ligand capable of labeling aggregated paired helical filament (PHF) tau protein, (ii) determining the presence and/or amount of ligand bound to extracellular aggregated PHF tau in the medial temporal lobe of the brain of the subject, (iii) correlating the result of the determination made in (ii) with the extent of neurofibrillary degeneration in the subject. The methods can be used for pre-mortem diagnosis and staging of tauopathies such as Alzheimer's Disease. Preferred ligands include sulphonated-benzothiazole-like compounds and diaminophenothiazines.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of proteolytically converting a precursor protein (e.g. tau) to a product fragment (e.g., a 12 kd fragment) in a stable cell line, wherein the precursor protein is associated with a disease state in which the precursor protein aggregates pathologically (e.g. a tauopathy), and the methods comprise: (a) providing a stable cell line transfected with nucleic acid encoding: (i) a template fragment of the precursor protein such that the template fragment is constitutively expressed in the cell at a level which is not toxic to the cell; and (ii) the precursor protein, which protein is inducibly expressed in the cell in response to a stimulus, whereby interaction of the template fragment with the precursor protein causes a conformational change in the precursor protein such as to cause aggregation and proteolytic processing of the precursor protein to the product fragment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining an approximation to a measure of the volatility of fuel on-board a vehicle having an internal combustion engine. The method includes the steps of measuring at least one characteristic of the fuel corresponding to a temperature of the fuel, a volume of the fuel, and a concentration of oxygenates within the fuel; determining an approximation of the a measure of the volatility of the sample volume of fuel using a linear function based on the at least one measured characteristic of the fuel corresponding to temperature, volume, and concentration of oxygenates of the fuel. Preferably, at least one temperature measurement is associated with a predetermined volume of the sample as the sample is evaluated. The method can include determining whether a fuel contains ethanol, and if not, whether the fuel is a winter blend of fuel or a summer blend of fuel.

Abstract: The invention provides an improvement over conventional engine controls by directly measuring fuel volatility, and using this measured value to adjust the engine air/fuel ratio during engine start and initial operation. Engine startability and initial operation are improved as compared to conventional engine control systems by compensating the engine air/fuel ratio during engine start and initial engine operation, using a direct measurement of the fuel volatility.

Abstract: A method of reducing engine cold start up emissions and an apparatus for isolating a fuel sample for testing purposes. According to the methodology the driveability index of the fuel is sensed utilizing an onboard sensor and the sensed fuel driveability index is inputted to the engine controller for utilization by the engine controller in determining the fueling algorithm for minimizing emissions during the next cold start up of the engine. The sensor determines the driveability index by evaluating a fuel sample collected onboard during the previous running cycle of the engine. The fuel sample is pumped from the vehicle fuel tank to an onboard collection point by the vehicle fuel pump during the previous running cycle of the engine. The fuel sampling apparatus includes a sample cup, a cylinder having a bore and an inlet port for connection to the fuel pump and a piston rod defining an axial passage having an inlet port and a discharge port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a volatility of a fuel sample. A fuel sample is collected in a container and heated for a time period using a heater device. Periodically during the heating, the capacitance of the fuel sample and the temperature of the heater device are determined. After a time period passes, the volatility of the fuel sample is determined using the capacitance decrease and the temperature increase. Specifically, a voltage across the heater device is used, along with the current through the heater device to determine the resistance of the heater device, which gives the temperature of the heater device and the sample. The capacitance and temperature are compared to values derived from experimentation for fuels of varying DI. The first measurement of capacitance with a known sample volume can be used to determine the MTBE or ethanol content in gasoline fuels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a volatility of a fuel sample. A fuel sample is collected in a container and heated for a time period using a heater device. Periodically during the heating, the capacitance of the fuel sample and the temperature of the heater device are determined. After a time period passes, the volatility of the fuel sample is determined using the capacitance decrease and the temperature increase. Specifically, a voltage across the heater device is used, along with the current through the heater device to determine the resistance of the heater device, which gives the temperature of the heater device and the sample. The capacitance and temperature are compared to values derived from experimentation for fuels of varying DI. The first measurement of capacitance with a known sample volume can be used to determine the MTBE or ethanol content in gasoline fuels.

Abstract: A composition and use thereof for the prophylaxis or treatment of Alzheimer's disease, motor neurone disease, Lewy body disease, Pick's disease or progressive supranuclear palsy. The composition includes an agent which modulates or inhibits tau-tau association and which does not inhibit tau-tubulin binding. In the method the agent is administered to an individual in order to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. Preferably the agent which is administered is a phenothiazine compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the detection of substances capable of modulating or inhibiting pathological tau-tau protein association. The methods of the present invention are particularly useful in screening substances for the prophylaxis and treatment of Alzheiemer's disease.

Abstract: A low cost, bi-directional airflow sensing device based on sensed temperature differential due to airflow achieves improved sensitivity and accuracy, and reduced manufacturing cost, by providing two separate pairs of upstream and downstream sensing elements on the same substrate, and connecting the sensing elements as the four legs of an on-chip Wheatstone bridge. The sensitivity is at least doubled since sensor elements are connected in each of the bridge legs, and accuracy and cost are improved through the elimination of off-chip bridge resistors. Additional improvements in the susceptibility to electromagnetic interference (EMI) are realized since the bridge is fully closed on the sensor substrate, and the bridge resistors are located in close proximity.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing Construction and Demolition ("C&D") disposal debris into a substitute/alternative daily/initial cover product approved by an environmental regulatory authority for use at a solid waste disposal landfill, wherein the C&D disposal debris, before processing/manufacturing, is considered a raw material/feed stock composed of a commingled inseparable mixture of solid waste components/items which are classified based on their origin as C&D disposal debris. These components are mechanically processed by screening or shredding to a predetermined specification particle size to collectively create/form a "C&D Recovered Screen Material" ("RSM") product. This C&D-RSM product is applied as daily/initial cover material covering compacted and leveled Municipal Solid Waste ("MSW") substituting the normally used sand, dirt or earthen materials at permitted/licensed MSW disposal landfills operating with a landfill leachate containment system or other approved site location.

Abstract: A low cost, bi-directional manifold air flow sensing device based on sensed temperature differential due to airflow achieves improved sensitivity and frequency response by eliminating the heater element of the conventional sensor topology, and operating the sensor elements at a relatively higher current so that each temperature sensing element heats both itself and the other temperature sensing element. The sensitivity is significantly increased due to the increased current in the sensor elements, and the frequency response is significantly increased due to closer spacing of the sensor elements. With this new topology, the sensor elements are said to be mutually heated. In a particularly advantageous mechanization, the sensing device includes two separate pairs of upstream and downstream sensing elements, and the sensing elements are connected in the four legs of a Wheatstone bridge.

Abstract: The durability and reliability of a polymer layer/metal layer sensor structure is improved by the incorporation of a metal oxide, e.g., tantalum oxide (Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5), layer between the polymer, e.g., polyimide, and the metal, e.g., platinum. sensor element.