Abstract: A marking grid is provided for use in radiographic imaging, and a method is provided for manufacturing the marking grid. The marking grid is comprised of a radiolucent substrate with a pressure sensitive adhesive on one side, a plurality of parallel strips of radiopaque material fixed to the substrate on the side opposite the pressure sensitive adhesive, and apertures in the substrate between the parallel strips of radiopaque material. The substrate is provided on a releasable backing with a plurality of holes longitudinally spaced relative to each other, which can be used to register the position of the substrate in the equipment used to produce the marking grids.

Abstract: Methods of reducing gene expression, protein production and messenger RNA output in a cell are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for delivering a selected ribozyme to a target mRNA in a cell. The methods are useful for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: The increase of temperature in heat sensitive devices during heat generating conditions is prevented through the absorption of heat, by providing Organic Acids in an amount sufficient to effect the required heat absorption. Where the heat generating conditions are generated by a heat generator, separate and distinct from the heat sensitive device, the Organic Acid is supported in a position between the heat sensitive device and the heat generator. Where the heat sensitive device is itself the heat generator, the Organic Acid is contacted to the heat sensitive device either directly or indirectly.

Abstract: The increase of temperature in heat sensitive devices during heat generating conditions is prevented through the absorption of heat, by providing Hydrated Salt in an amount sufficient to effect the required heat absorption. Where the heat generating conditions are generated by a heat generator, separate and distinct from the heat sensitive device, the Hydrated Salt is supported in a position between the heat sensitive device and the heat generator. Where the heat sensitive device is itself the heat generator, the Hydrated Salt is contacted to the heat sensitive device either directly or indirectly.

Abstract: Compositions of pro-IFG-I E-peptides for the treatment and amelioration of tumor-producing diseases, and methods for their utilization.

Abstract: A method for inducing differentiation of monocytes contained in an extracorporeal quantity of a subject's blood into functional dendritic antigen presenting cells is provided. The monocytes are first treated by exposure to physical perturbation, irradiation in the presence of a photoactivatable agent capable of forming photoadducts with cellular DNA components, and/or treatment with a DNA binding agent. The treated monocytes are then incubated for a period of time sufficient to maximize the number of functional dendritic cells in the treated cell population. Functional dendritic cells generated from induced monocytes are incubated together with disease effector agents to enhance the presentation of at least one disease-causing antigen expressed by the disease effector agents.

Abstract: A spectrometer is provided having a carrier, a light input for measurement light disposed on the carrier, a diffraction grating disposed on the carrier for dispersing the measurement light received from the light input, an opto-electronic detector disposed on the carrier for receiving and detecting the measurement light dispersed by the diffraction grating, at least one optical component for imaging the measurement light on the detector through the diffraction grating, a base board fastened to said carrier for supporting the opto-electronic detector, wherein the opto-electronic detector is fastened at a predetermined position on the base board, and wherein the base board and the carrier include positioning members for relatively positioning the base board on the carrier in a predetermined position. Preferably, the detector is a detector chip excluding a housing and fastened in a predetermined position on the base board.

Abstract: An equipment mounting strap is disclosed for securing equipment in a rack having side frames. The equipment mounting strap includes two angled brackets, each bracket including a first leg defining a slot for receiving a strap and a second leg having means for fastening the angled bracket to one of the side frames of the rack, a bumper mounted on each angled bracket adjacent the slot, and a composite strap having one end fixedly fastened through the slot of one of the angled brackets and the other end detachably fastened through the slot of the other of the angled brackets.

Abstract: A measuring device for emitted, remitted or transmitted light from a measuring object is provided having an optical detector for capturing light to be measured, said light being radiated from the measuring object; a spectrometer optically connected with the detector for dispersing the measuring light into its spectral components, said measuring light being captured by the detector, said spectrometer including a photo-electric converter for generating respective analog electrical signals from the spectral components of the measuring light; an analog/digital converter for converting the generated analog electrical signals into respective digital measurement data, said analog electrical signals being generated by the photo-electric converter; a digital computer for controlling the photo-electric converter and the analog/digital converter; a bidirectional interface for connecting the computer with an external computer; and a program for controlling the computer, said program for communicating between the computer

Abstract: A potent and highly specific insecticidal toxin comprising 45 residues and three intramolecular disulfide bonds, as well as a method for selecting potent inhibitors of insect calcium channels.

Abstract: A touch operated control system is provided that advantageously provides enhanced functionality, including a programmable timer that sets a light coupled to the dimmer to OFF after a predetermined period of time. The control system generally includes a conductive housing provided with a power receptacle, a power switch, a fuse, and a printed circuit board mounted within the housing. The printed circuit board includes switching circuitry by means of a programmed integrated circuit operationally connected to the housing, and a timer is operationally connected to the switching circuitry. By touching the housing, the switching circuitry is activated to automatically connect or remove power to or from the power receptacle. The sequence and duration of the touch activation function varies the system response to provide enhanced control, functionality and flexibility.

Abstract: The increase of temperature in heat sensitive devices during heat generating conditions is prevented through the absorption of heat, by providing a hydroxide such as Lithium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, Calcium Hydroxide, Beryllium Hydroxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ammonium Hydroxide and the mixtures thereof, in an amount sufficient to effect the required heat absorption. Where the heat generating conditions are generated by a heat generator, separate and distinct from the heat sensitive device, the hydroxide is supported in a position between the heat sensitive device and the heat generator. Where the heat sensitive device is itself the heat generator, the hydroxide is contacted to the heat sensitive device either directly or indirectly.

Abstract: A method for maintaining substantial reliability of color measurements obtained by a number of color measuring instruments includes by measuring color values of a set of master color standards on a master color measuring instrument at a master color lab, and measuring color values of sets of working color standards on the same instrument to determine calibration values. The working sets are provided to remote locations for use on remote color measuring instruments and the working sets are measured on the remote color measuring instruments to obtain color value measurements which are transmitted to the master color lab. The measurements from the remote instruments are compared with the calibration values obtained from measurements on the master instrument to generate profiles which are provided to the remote color labs. The profiles are applied to measured color values for the set of working color standards to obtain corrected color values.

Abstract: The process according to the invention to raise simultaneously to an optimum level the temperature and concentration of an aqueous medium intended for use in bauxite ore digestion in an alumina production plant according to the Bayer process, which includes successive phases (a) to (f) in which: a) the aqueous medium coming from digestion containing pregnant liquor is cooled and evaporated in a multiple staged flash evaporation zone; b) the sterile residue is separated, the aluminium trihydroxide is precipitated and the aqueous medium, consisting of spent liquor, intended for use in digestion is recovered; c) if need be, the required quantity of water, additional to that already evaporated in phase (a) is eliminated by evaporation in a specific evaporation section; d) the aqueous medium intended for use in digestion is heated in several stages; e) the flash vapour generated in each of the stages of the evaporation phase (a) is used in each of the stages of the heating phase (d); f) the aqueous medium in

Abstract: Methods for planting sugarcane seed are provided to achieve high sugarcane plant densities per unit area. The methods include providing sugarcane seed pieces in an appropriate length, preparing the soil for planting the sugarcane seed by creating rows of wide furrows or wide seedbeds, placing the sugarcane seed on the prepared soil in a random orientation to form a layer of sugarcane seed or in an orientation perpendicular to the direction of the furrows or seedbeds, and covering the sugarcane pieces with soil. Soil preparation includes creation of wide rows of furrows, flat seedbeds or raised seedbeds, with each row ranging in width from about 0.5 meters to about 3.1 meters.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating information exchange between individuals and entities interacting on a shared project are provided, and more particularly to a method and system for horizontal, i.e., non-hierarchical, participation in and/or contribution to a spreadsheet-based project. The method and system is Web-based and utilizes conventional browser and spreadsheet technology to achieve collaborative exchanges of information on an enterprise-wide basis. The method and system also facilitate efficacious remote information access and exchange, e.g., over a computer network such as the Internet and/or the World Wide Web, through a caching function that combines individual queries initiated by a spreadsheet program before transmitting across a network to a server for consideration.

Abstract: Processes for producing gray cast iron and the resulting gray cast iron exhibiting consistently good surface finish with prolonged tool life during finish machining with cubic boron nitride and silicon nitride cutting tools at high cutting speeds and low feed rates are provided comprising (1) adding microalloying elements with strong affinity for nitrogen to a gray iron melt; (2) adding microalloying elements with strong affinity for carbon to said melt; and (3) adding microalloying elements with strong affinity for oxygen to said melt, to form a chemically stable, high melting or refractory oxide protective layer at the cutting edge of the tool during metal cutting, thereby suppressing chemical wear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to RJ45 modular inserts that are connected to a printed circuit board used to transfer high speed signals for telecommunication interface media connections. The printed circuit board is configured to reduce near-end cross-talk (“NEXT”) without compromising impedance. NEXT is substantially reduced by utilizing a low reactance dielectric insert with a two-stage combination positive and negative compensation removal technique. By utilizing this method, the pair-to-pair NEXT is substantially reduced and differential pair impedance are controlled in a simple and cost effective manner.

Abstract: A filter element comprising at least one elastomeric end-cap, a thin-walled pleated filter medium having edges thereon constructed and arranged for positioning proximate to the elastomeric end-caps, and a polymeric adhesive material within the end-caps for sealing the edges of the filter media therein, and a method for producing the same.