Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for modulating odor sensitivity, as well as screening methods for detecting compounds that modulate odor sensitivity.

Abstract: A device for hot tapping is disclosed. The device includes a tube having a bore with an opening in the tube in fluid communication with the bore. The tube is connected to a valve which is connected to a saddle connection mounted on a pipe element in a piping network. A boring tool is inserted through the tube and the valve and bores a hole in the pipe element. Fluid under pressure flows from the pipe element through the tube and out through the opening. Swarf generated by the boring is entrained in the fluid and is flushed out through the opening. The device also includes a saddle connection having projections which bite into the pipe element and prevent motion. A hot tapping kit including tubes of different diameters is also encompassed by the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for detecting small quantities of analytes such as proteins and peptides. The method involves associating a DNA circle with the analyte and subsequent release and rolling circle replication of the circular DNA molecule. In the method, an amplification target circle is associated with analytes using a conjugate of the circle and a specific binding molecule that is specific for the analyte to be detected. Amplification target circles not associated with the proteins are removed, the amplification target circles that are associated with the proteins are decoupled from the specific binding molecule and amplified by rolling circle amplification. The amplification is isothermic and can result in the production of a large amount of nucleic acid from each primer. The amplified DNA serves as a readily detectable signal for the analytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of biologically active molecules, such as peptides, into the interior of cells by administering to the cells a complex comprising the molecule linked to an importation competent signal peptide. Such delivery can be utilized, for example, to treat and/or prevent inflammatory conditions, e.g., but not limited to, systemic inflammatory reactions such as endotoxic shock, localized inflammatory reactions such as inflammatory skin diseases and conditions, and inflammatory diseases such as autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: A genetic locus and corresponding family of proteins associated with regulation of immune function and cell survival are provided. These genes encode cell surface molecules with conserved IgV and mucin domains. The locus comprising the TIM family is genetically associated with immune dysfunction, including asthma. Furthermore, the TIM gene family is located within a region of human chromosome 5 that is commonly deleted in malignancies and myelodysplastic syndrome. Polymorphisms in the gene sequences are associated with the development of airway hyperreactivity and allergic inflammation, and T cell production of IL-4 and IL-13. The proteins include the human hepatitis A cellular receptor, hHAVcr-1.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated polypeptides having complement-modulating activity. Specifically, the invention resides in the provision of isolated polypeptides having complement-depleting properties, i.e. that effect an efficient consumption of complement in human serum. The current invention thus provides human C3-derivatives that are capable of forming C3-convertases exerting an extended CVF, Bb-like half-life of up several hours, compared to 1.5 minutes of the naturally occurring C3-convertases, thus escaping the physiological degradation mechanisms.

Abstract: A method is provided for the preparation of nanomaterials, which involves the dissolution and/or suspension of a combination of (a) one or more resin substrate materials and (b) one or more magnetic nanoparticulate substances, in a medium made from one or more ionic liquids, to provide a mixture, and recovering the solid nanomaterial by combining the mixture with a non-solvent (solvent for the ionic liquids but not the other components), while also applying an electromagnetic field to the mixture during the recovering step to align the magnetic nanoparticulate substances, along with the use of the resulting nanomaterials to provide unique information storage media, particularly in the form of sheets or films.

Abstract: This invention is a system and method for automated notification of occurrences of events related to personal information and/or the automated execution of transactions involving personal information based on events related to the personal information. A user profile associated with each end user of personal information is scanned to determine whether any trigger event related to the personal information associated with each end user has occurred. For each trigger event found to have occurred, a response associated with the found trigger event is executed. The response will be notification to the end user of the occurrence of the trigger event, the execution of a transaction involving personal information of the end user for whom the trigger event occurred or a combination of notification and execution.

Abstract: In connection with a sales transaction, an electronic receipt is issued to the buyer that includes hyperlinks. A hyperlink can be associated with post-sale interaction with the product seller, the product manufacturer or parties acting on their behalf that involves the product itself, such as a product return procedure, a product warranty procedure, receiving rebate notices and recall notices, product registration procedures and similar functions.

Abstract: A coupling for joining conduits together is disclosed, the coupling having male and female fitting portions held in engagement by a self-locking roller cam positioned on the female portion. The roller cam has a cam body rotatable about an axis offset from the center of the cam body. An annular roller surrounds the cam body and is rotatable relatively to it. An outwardly facing surface on the roller engages an opposing concave surface on the male portion of the coupling. Reaction forces between the roller and the opposing surface operate along a line of action initially positioned to one side of the offset axis to create a torque opposing rotation of the cam into engagement with the opposing concave surface.

Abstract: A fraudulent business transaction application (FBTA) is provided in embodiments of the present invention for monitoring fraudulent transactions. When a consumer supplies account access information in order to carry out an Internet business transaction, the FBTA uses an online fraud mitigation engine to detect phishing intrusions and identity theft. Embodiments are also provided for calculating travel velocity and transaction frequency, which are useful for determining a fraudulent transaction. Further embodiments are provided for authenticating a transaction using a cookie stored on a client device and a behavior profile stored on a server.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided, for connecting prime mover driven alternator to circuit that has an existing alternating current. Alternator is connected to circuit when minimum current flows to or from alternator. The actual current is measured by controller following connection and the value of this current is used to determine the optimal connection conditions when alternator is next connected. Alternator is disconnected by controller by running down prime mover, monitoring the current and stalling prime mover when the current flow is at a minimum.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for producing doped thin layers on substrates comprising the steps of depositing a dopant precursor on the substrate via an atomic layer deposition technique; and exposing the deposited dopant precursor to radicals. The methods can further comprise depositing a compound adjacent the dopant metal via an atomic layer deposition technique; and exposing the deposited compound to radicals, thereby providing a host. The invention relates to articles comprising approximately atomically thin layers of metals or metal oxides doped with at least one different metal or metal oxide. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A valve for fire suppression sprinkler systems is disclosed. The valve has a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. A closure member, positioned within the chamber, is movable to close and open the inlet. A latch engages the closure member to hold it in the closed position. The latch also engages a deformable diaphragm. The diaphragm deforms in response to pressure applied to it and allows the latch to move between a latched position engaged with the closure member and an unlatched position away from the closure member. When the diaphragm is depressurized it allows the latch to move and disengage from the closure member, which opens under fluid pressure from the inlet and allows fluid to flow through the valve.

Abstract: A composite waveguide for evanescent sensing in fluorescent binding assays comprising a substrate layer having one or more thin-film waveguide channels deposited thereon. Binding molecules having the property of binding with specificity to an analyte are immobilized on the surface of the thin-film channels. In preferred embodiments, the composite waveguide includes integral light input coupling means adapted to the thin-film channels. Light coupling means may include a grating etched into the substrate prior to deposition of the thin film, or a waveguide coupler affixed to the upper surface of the thin film. The waveguide coupler has an input waveguide of high refractive index which receives the laser light through one end, propagating it by total internal reflection. Propagated light is coupled evanescently into the thin film across a spacer layer of precise thickness with a lower index of refraction than that of the input waveguide or the thin-film waveguide.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid characteristic of human amyloid precursor protein 770 including the nucleotides encoding codon 670 and 671, wherein the nucleic acid encodes an amino acid other than lysine at codon 670 and/or an amino acid other than methionine at codon 671. Also provided is a method of diagnosing or predicting a predisposition to Alzheimer's disease, comprising detecting in a sample from a subject the presence of a mutation at a nucleotide position corresponding to codons 670 and/or 671 of amyloid precursor protein or fragment thereof, the presence of the mutation indicating the presence of or a predisposition to Alzheimer's disease.