Abstract: Methods and kits for assessing proteolytic enzyme activity and a modulator's effect thereof employ a Ubiquitin or Ubiquitin-like Protein and a signal producing structure. The corresponding fusion polynucleotide is employed for production of transgenic cells, plants and animals that may be produced by stably transfection, optionally transforming the cell, plant or animal with a Ubiquitin-, UBL- or their C-terminal binding functional fragment-Reporter fusion polynucleotide. A method of diagnosing a disease or condition, comprises contacting or administering a sample obtained from a subject suspected of being afflicted with the disease or condition with the cell, plant or animal, detecting any signal produced by the reporter in the presence of the sample and comparing the signal to controls for 0% and 100% signals.

Abstract: An assembly for maintaining tension in a drive belt features a housing mounted on a base. The housing contains a biasing element that exerts torque on the housing to bias the housing in a radial direction. A lever arm is connected to the housing and rotates with the housing in response to the bias of the biasing element. A pulley is connected to the lever arm and engages a drive belt in response to the bias force of the biasing element on the lever arm. The pulley deflects the shape of the belt to provide tension in the belt. In one embodiment, the apparatus allows the user to switch the position of the biasing element and alter the direction of torque on the lever arm. In another embodiment, the lever arm and pulley are removable from the housing and replaceable with other arms and pulleys having different configurations.

Abstract: An RFID system and method utilizes the power level of messages received from an RFID device for monitoring and/or locating and/or tracking the RFID device, e.g., and typically an object associated with the RFID device. The power level of received messages may be indicated by power level information contained in the message, or by the strength of the received signal carrying the message, or by both. The RFID system and method may be employed to monitor a condition of an object, e.g., a closable container, as to whether it is and/or has been closed or not, including being tampered with. Messages received from the RFID device, as well as an indication of a condition, may be relayed to a remote location.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating an invertible 3D hydrodynamic earth model suitable for defining target characteristics of a subsurface area formed by a plurality of formations and comprising drilling positions of potential and real wells. The method comprises constructing an initial 3D earth model by combining solutions for a set of single 1D models, each of the models corresponding to a real or potential well drilling position and covering the entire respective aggregate of formations along the wellbore, with solutions for a relevant set of 2D earth models which are constructed only for single formations, and optimizing the constructed initial 3D earth model by defining an optimal set of formations and an optimal set of calibratable model parameters. A method and system are also provided for application of the earth model construction method for predicting overpressure evolution before and during drilling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for treatment of hepatitis C. More closely, the invention relates to human monoclonal antibodies against HCV E1 antigen, to a reagent comprising such antibodies, and to vaccine compositions comprising such antibodies. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of treating or preventing HCV infection by administration of a vaccine composition comprising the monoclonal antibodies of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high-throughput cell-based assays for real-time monitoring of multi-resistant drug protein activity. The present invention is an improvement over existing assays in that in addition to a fluorescent drug efflux probe as an indicator of MDR protein activity, the instant assays provide an o-tolidine-based dye for quenching extracellular fluorescence of the probe.

Abstract: A water based drilling fluid contains as additive one or more alkyl ethoxylates having the formula RO(CH2CH2O)nH; wherein: R is a C16-22alkyl group (preferably R is aliphatic and more preferably R is linear), and n is an integer in the range 2-30. The fluid further contains one or more viscosifying agents, and is substantially clay-free.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medical devices and methods useful for improving a person's ability to grasp and release an object, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a splint for causing dynamic extension of a finger and/or thumb.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to report the findings of an expert's analysis of image data. The method and system are based on a reporting system that forms the basis of an image management system that can efficiently and systematically generate image reports, facilitate data entry into searchable databases for data mining, and expedite billing and collections for the expert's services. The expert identifies a significant finding on an image and attaches a location:description code to the location of that finding in order to create a significant finding and an entry into a database. Further descriptions of that finding, such as dimensional measurements, may be automatically appended to the finding as secondary attributes. After the evaluation, the system sorts the findings in the database and presents the findings by prioritized categories. The expert edits and approves a multimedia report which may be delivered by electronic means to an end-user.

Abstract: A height adjusting device for an automobile seat is disclosed. The height adjusting device includes a sector gear (13) arranged between a side frame section (1) of a seat cushion frame of the seat and a linkage arm (2) and supported to a fixing pin (2a) of the linkage arm (2), a plating pin (16) for interconnecting the linkage arm (2) and a linkage rod (4), the planting pin (16) being provided at the sector gear (13), and a spiral spring (14) stretched between the fixing pin (2a) projected from the linkage arm (2) and the planting pin (16) with an innermost end portion (14a) thereof being retained around an end of the fixing pin (2a), and with an outermost end portion (14b) thereof being retained around an end of the planting pin (16).

Abstract: A ballot reader images a ballot, checks the ballot, and displays the ballot image for voter review. The voter may cast the ballot causing it to be collected and the vote thereon recorded, or may have the ballot returned. Checking may include, e.g., checking for a complete ballot, undervotes and/or overvotes.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle seat provided with a system for facilitating relieving of fatigue of an occupant on the vehicle seat, the vehicle seat including a seat back, the system comprising an occupant's body-motion promoting means 6 provided in an interior of the seat back 1 for repeatedly locally pressing the occupant on the vehicle seat, to thereby promote blood circulation of the occupant, a lateral acceleration sensor 8 provided in the interior of the seat back 1 for detecting accelerations that are applied in right and left lateral directions relative to a vehicle, and an acceleration-distinction control circuit provided in the interior of the seat back 1 for causing the body-motion promoting means 6 to be maintained in a drivable state according when an acceleration detected by the lateral acceleration sensor 8 is in a predetermined value range, for causing drive of the body-motion promoting means to be once stopped when the lateral acceleration becomes an excessive value exceeding an upper limit of

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a human DNA repair enzyme, MED1, is disclosed. Like other mismatch repair genes which are mutated in certain cancers, MED1, encoding nucleic acids, proteins and antibodies thereto may be used to advantage in genetic or cancer screening assays. MED1, which recognizes and cleaves DNA, may also be used for the diagnostic detection of mutations and genetic variants.

Abstract: A digital sigma-delta modulator (100) for modulating a digital input signal (x) is described. The digital sigma-delta modulator (100) comprises a quantizer (115) for quantizing an input signal (s) and producing a quantized output signal (y) at a first output (110) and an error output signal (?q) at a second output (165), at least one feedback loop (120, 125) connected to an input adder (140) and the first outputs (110) and the second output (165) of the quantizer (115) and a feedback filter (130, 135) in the at least one feedback loop (120, 125). The input adder (140) produces the sum signal (s) by adding the digital input signal (x) at an input (105) and output signals of the at least one feedback loop filters (130,135).

Abstract: The invention relates to immunogenic compositions comprising mutant Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumolysin proteins. The invention further relates to such proteins and nucleic acids encoding these proteins. In particular embodiments, the invention is directed to an isolated mutant pneumolysin (PLY) protein, wherein the mutant PLY protein differs from the wild-type PLY protein of SEQ ID NO:1 presence of a mutation within the region of amino acids 144 to 161 of the wild type such that the toxicity of the mutant is reduced relative to that of the wild-type protein. In particular embodiments, the mutant PLY protein differs from the wild-type protein by the substitution or deletion of amino acids including the deletion of two adjacent amino acids within the region of amino acids 144 to 151 of the wild-type sequence.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing expression levels and secretion of heterologous fusion proteins in a host cell are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid construct and nucleic acid expression vectors directing the expression of a fusion protein consisting of a disease peptide antigen and a first domain of FrC of tetanus toxin. The invention provides nucleic acid (DNA) vaccines for use in inducing an immune response against a disease. There is also provided methods of producing nucleic acid constructs and vectors for use as nucleic acid (DNA) vaccines.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating a polynucleotide sequence or population of sequences from parent single stranded polynucleotide sequences encoding one or more protein motifs, comprising the steps of a) providing single stranded DNA constituting plus and minus strands of parent polynucleotide sequences; b) digesting the single stranded polynucleotide sequences with a nuclease other than DNase I to generate populations of single stranded fragments; c) contacting the fragments generated from the plus strands with fragments generated from the minus strands and optionally, adding primer sequences that anneal to the 3? and 5? ends of at least one of the parent polynucleotides under annealing conditions; and d) amplifying the fragments that anneal to each other to generate at least one polynucleotide sequence encoding one or more protein motifs having altered characteristics as compared to the one or more protein motifs encoded by the parent polynucleotides.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are useful for conducting an exhibition at which visitors visit plural booths and/or stations at which a PDA and an encoded tag reader are provided. Exhibitor information is stored in a memory of the PDA. An encoded tag issued each visitor includes a memory from which information may be transmitted and/or into which information may be stored. Stored information may include visitor information, exhibitor information, visit information, product/service information and/or data items. The PDA and encoded tag reader communicate with the encoded tags and communicate directly or indirectly with one or more processors that process the information, e.g., for providing a report.

Abstract: A hybrid type I polyketide synthase gene typically containing a starter module and a plurality of heterologous extender modules is used to synthesise novel polyketides. It is preferably under the control of type II polypolyketide synthase promoter e.g. act I or S. coelicolor.