Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an engineered phospholipid or lysophospholipid (e.g., sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P)) chaperone derived from an Apolipoprotein M (ApoM)-Fc fusion protein having an extended half life in vivo. The disclosed ApoM-Fc fusion protein provides a safe, efficient and effective means of delivering S1P to endothelial cells and to all tissues of the body.

Abstract: Agonists of vascular endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors are described. Compounds such as FTY720 can be phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase-2 into the phosphorylated forms which serve as sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists. The vascular endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists are employed in methods of treating a mammal for vascular permeability disorders and unwanted vascular endothelial cell apoptosis, and for the growth of new blood vessels.

Abstract: Agonists of vascular endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors are described. Compounds such as FTY720 can be phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase-2 into the phosphorylated forms which serve as sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists. The vascular endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists are employed in methods of treating a mammal for vascular permeability disorders and unwanted vascular endothelial cell apoptosis, and for the growth of new blood vessels. The sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists can be used for the manufacture of a medicament for treating vascular permeability disorders and unwanted vascular endothelial cell apoptosis, and for the growth of new blood vessels.

Abstract: Agonists of vascular endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors are described. Compounds such as FTY720 can be phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase-2 into the phosphorylated forms which serve as sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists. The vascular endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists are employed in methods of treating a mammal for vascular permeability disorders and unwanted vascular endothelial cell apoptosis, and for the growth of new blood vessels. The sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists can be used for the manufacture of a medicament for treating vascular permeability disorders and unwanted vascular endothelial cell apoptosis, and for the growth of new blood vessels.

Abstract: Agonist of vascular endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors are described. Compounds such as FTY720 can be phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase-2 into the phosphorylated forms which serve as sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists. The vascular endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists are employed in methods of treating a mammal for vascular permeability disorders and unwanted vascular endothelial cell apoptosis, and for the growth of new blood vessels. The sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists can be used for the manufacture of a medicament for treating vascular permeability disorders and unwanted vascular endothelial cell apoptosis, and for the growth of new blood vessels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beam former which performs coherent composition of signals originating from a given propagation direction, which are received by an array of <I>N </I> receiving transducers. The inventive methodology and devices are suitable for use in the following fields: radar, sonar, acoustic, seismology, ultrasound imaging (echography and non-destructive testing) and others. According to the invention, the beam former employs arrays having elements which can be distributed randomly. In particular, the invention can be used for dynamic focusing with deflection of the beam in azimuth and elevation, using two-dimensional arrays.

Abstract: Agonist of vascular endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors are described. Compounds such as FTY720 can be phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase-2 into the phosphorylated froms which serve as sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists. The vascular endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists are employed in methods of treating a mammal for vascular permeability disorders and unwanted vascular endothelial cell apoptosis, and for the growth of new blood vessels. The sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonists can be used for the manufacture of a medicament for treating vascular permeability disorders and unwanted vascular endothelial cell apoptosis, and for the growth of new blood vessels.

Abstract: A computer-based test creation system and method for generating test items. The test creation process includes creating items in electronic form and allowing access by a plurality of reviewers via a network. The reviewers may review the item for content, fairness and format, and collaborate with each other before indicating that the item is acceptable for inclusion in a test. After the administration of the items to test takers, item performance may be evaluated on-line by reviewing electronic feedback from the administrations and creating electronic evaluation reports. Since the items are created in an electronic form, the items may further include new forms of stimuli such as graphics and multimedia.

Abstract: A computer-based test creation system and method for generating test items. The test creation process includes creating items in electronic form and allowing access by a plurality of reviewers via a network. The reviewers may review the item for content, fairness and format, and collaborate with each other before indicating that the item is acceptable for inclusion in a test. After the administration of the items to test takers, item performance may be evaluated on-line by reviewing electronic feedback from the administrations and creating electronic evaluation reports. Since the items are created in an electronic form, the items may further include new forms of stimuli such as graphics and multimedia.

Abstract: A computer-based test creation system and method for generating test items. The test creation process includes creating items in electronic form and allowing access by a plurality of reviewers via a network. The reviewers may review the item for content, fairness and format, and collaborate with each other before indicating that the item is acceptable for inclusion in a test. After the administration of the items to test takers, item performance may be evaluated on-line by reviewing electronic feedback from the administrations and creating electronic evaluation reports. Since the items are created in an electronic form, the items may further include new forms of stimuli such as graphics and multimedia.

Abstract: An installation for the automatic evaluation of the condition of the rolling band on wheels of moving trains. It comprises a rail beam (1) for each railway line (8), a guard-rail to assure wheel guidance, feelers (P1, P2, P3, P4) intended to come into contact with the wheels passing over them, feeler holders fitted on the rail beam, to ensure wheel-feeler contact, ultrasonics equipment (12) to transmit ultrasonic pulses towards the wheels and to generate the corresponding ultrasonic plots, a local processor (13) to control the ultrasonics equipment and to receive the ultrasonic plot signals generated, a computer (14) connected to the local processor to manage the ultrasonics equipment, and an antenna (15) connected to the computer to identify the compositions of train measurements. The invention is useful to detect cracks in the rolling band of railway vehicle wheels.

Abstract: A computer-based test creation system and method for generating test items. The test creation process includes creating items in electronic form and allowing access by a plurality of reviewers via a network. The reviewers may review the item for content, fairness and format, and collaborate with each other before indicating that the item is acceptable for inclusion in a test. After the administration of the items to test takers, item performance may be evaluated on-line by reviewing electronic feedback from the administrations and creating electronic evaluation reports. Since the items are created in an electronic form, the items may further include new forms of stimuli such as graphics and multimedia.

Abstract: A computer-based test assembly system and method for generating an assembly of test items. The test assembly process includes creating tests in electronic form from already-existing test items and allowing access by a plurality of assembly personnel and reviewers via a network. Assemblers select test items on-line for inclusion in an assembly. Electronic selection is accomplished by means of an automated item selection algorithm or through a manual, but electronic series of queries. The test assembly process also includes an automated test layout feature which automatically assembles a test from the selected items. When a test is assembled, an assembler uses an automated documentation feature which generates a comprehensive documentation of the completed assembly.