Abstract: The present invention relates to correlating high gene copy number and/or the overexpression of ?-defensin 2 (“BD2”) with susceptibility to disease conditions resulting from, associated with or mediated by Helicobacter pylori infection, for example, susceptibility to peptic ulcer, non-ulcer dyspepsia, gastric cancer (e.g., gastric adenocarcinoma), and mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

Abstract: There is disclosed an arcjet starter for igniting and sustaining an electric arc in an arcjet thruster. The arcjet starter is capable of delivering a short duration, high voltage pulse for igniting the arc and then providing a continuous low voltage, high amperage current for sustaining the arc. The starter has two separate magnetics, one for initiating breakdown in the arcjet and another for sustaining breakdown during steady state operation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a power supply for igniting and sustaining an electric arc in an arcjet thruster. The power supply is capable of delivering a short duration, high voltage pulse for igniting the arc and then providing a continuous low voltage, high amperage current for sustaining the arc. A circuit in the power supply includes the combination of a low impedance inductor and a high impedance inductor. High voltage is blocked by the high impedance inductor for initiating the arc. As current begins to flow, the high impedance inductor magnetically saturates and the arc sustaining current flows through the low impedance inductor.

Abstract: An integrated system for removal of CO.sub.2 from and thermal conditioning of a gas mixture is disclosed. A pair of regenerating chemically impregnated molecular sieve absorption beds are used for removal of the CO.sub.2. A heat exchanger used in the thermal conditioning subsystem also heats the gas used to regenerate the beds and cools absorption gas. A recirculation fan moves the gas mixture throughout the entire thermal conditioning and gas purification system.