Abstract: The present invention relates to a chondroitin synthase gene and methods of making and using same. In more particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a chondroitin synthase gene from Pasteurella multocida and methods of isolating and using same. Additionally, the present invention relates to the use of unsulfated chondroitin and its preparation, as well as conversion into modified versions such as dermatan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate polymers.

Abstract: A local area augmentation navigation system for determining the authenticity of the GPS signal. The system is provided with at least one reference station at a known location, a master station, a monitoring receiver, and a LAAS receiver. Each reference station receives a GPS signal from a GPS constellation and collects and outputs pseudo-range data from the GPS signal. The master station receives the pseudo-range data from the reference stations. The master station forms a correction message from the pseudo-range data and the known locations of the reference station. The master station broadcasts the correction message. The monitoring receiver receives the GPS signal from the GPS constellation and the correction message to determine the accuracy of at least one of the broadcasted correction message and the GPS signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a methodology for the isolation, purification and identification of peptide ligands presented by MHC positive cells. In particular, the methodology of the present invention relates to the isolation, purification and identification of these peptide ligands from soluble class I and class II MHC molecules which may be uninfected, infected, or tumorgenic. The methodology of the present invention broadly allows for these peptide ligands and their comcomittant source proteins thereof to be identified and used as markers for infected versus uninfected cells and/or tumorgenic versus nontumorgenic cells with said identification being useful for marking or targeting a cell for therapeutic treatment or priming the immune response against infected cells.

Abstract: A volumetric liquid crystal display for producing a three-dimensional image is disclosed. The volumetric liquid crystal display includes a volumetric image space having at least two layers of LCD sheeting wherein each layer of LCD sheeting is selectively energized to form image slices. At least one projection system projects at least one array of electromagnetic energy of one or more wavelengths to intersect the energized layer of LCD sheeting illuminating image slices. Successive illumination of image slices on the layers of LCD sheeting provides the appearance of a three-dimensional image. Embodiments and methods of controlling and fabricating a three-dimensional image are disclosed.

Abstract: The presently claimed and disclosed inventions relate, in general, to methods of radiation dosimetry and imaging using scintillation luminescence. More particularly, materials having a scintillation luminescence response to radiation that varies with total radiation dose received can be used for dosimetry monitoring, including, but not limited to nanoparticles for in vivo, real-time dosimetry. Energy-transfer nanocomposite materials as well as methods of making and using such materials in various applications including, but not limited to, in vivo radiation dosimetry and imaging, are disclosed. More particularly, the presently claimed and disclosed inventions relate to nanoparticle scintillation luminescence particles encapsulated in hosts of the general formula BaFX and BaFX:Eu2+ where X=Cl, Br and I.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methodology for polymer grafting by a polysaccharide synthase and, more particularly, polymer grafting using the hyaluronate synthase from Pasteurella multocida.

Abstract: A method of increasing the production of a formation gas from a well bore penetrating a gas producing formation wherein the formation gas has a water content that results in the formation of condensate water from the formation gas as the formation gas passes up the well bore to the surface so as cause the condensate water to accumulate at the bottom of the well bore and impede the flow of formation gas into the well bore from the gas producing formation. The method includes injecting a volume of a diluent gas having a water content less than the water content of the formation gas into the well bore at a pressure sufficient to cause the diluent gas to mix with the formation gas in the well bore and dilute the formation gas but at a pressure insufficient to cause the diluent gas to invade the gas producing subterranean zone to produce a production gas which has a water content that substantially prevents the formation and deposition of condensate water as the production gas passes to the surface.

Abstract: A portable gate assembly for use in combination with a corral or holding pen to capture wild or renegade cows is disclosed. The portable gate assembly includes a frame defining a frame opening extending therethrough, the frame opening being sized such that the cow sought to be captured can pass therethrough. A gate is pivotally connected to the frame such that the gate is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the gate is positioned in at least a portion of the frame opening such that the lower end of the gate is disposed a distance above the ground to permit at least a portion of the cows head to the position thereunder, in the second position the gate being moved inwardly and upwardly into the corral or holding pen and over the back of the cow when the cow moves through the frame opening and into the corral or holding pen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to photocatalytically active rutile titanium dioxide. The photocatalytically active rutile titanium dioxide of the present invention demonstrates enhanced activity in the visible light spectrum. It may be produced by neutralizing rutile seed to a higher pH than that at which it has traditionally been neutralized prior to washing and thermally treating the seed.

Abstract: Home safety and security are provided using a bedside unit to monitor audible safety and security alarms and send notification signals to the appropriate communication site. A home security system additionally comprises a waking device activated by the bedside unit. A memory device of the unit includes means for determining when the sound received by a microphone of the unit is a security alarm sound or a breathing pattern representing an alarm condition.

Abstract: The field of the invention relates in general to at least one method and apparatus for the production of soluble MHC antigens and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to at least one method and apparatus for the production of soluble Class I and II HLA molecules. The field of the invention also includes such produced soluble Class I and II HLA molecules and their use. According to the methodology of the present invention, the soluble Class I and II HLA molecules can be produced from either gDNA or cDNA starting material.

Abstract: A baseboard for covering an expansion gap located at an intersection of a vertical wall and a floor. The baseboard is formed of thermoplastic elastomer and has an L-shaped body having a toe portion and a wall portion. The back side of the wall portion has a plurality of spaced-apart ventilation channels extending from the upper end of the wall portion to the lower end thereof. Each ventilation channel has a substantially rectangular shaped cross-section. The back side of the wall portion further includes a plurality of wall contact surfaces extending between each ventilation channel and a plurality of adhesive gripping grooves formed therethrough that function as a catch element when the baseboard is adhesively secured to the wall.

Abstract: A method is provided for in-situ gasification of coal wherein a network of fractures is formed by providing a substantially vertically disposed borehole and a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed boreholes in fluid communication with the substantially vertically disposed borehole, at least one substantially horizontally disposed boreholes being a fracturing borehole, at least one substantially horizontally disposed boreholes being an injection borehole and at least one substantially horizontally disposed boreholes being an injection borehole. An initial quantity of liquified gas is introduced into the at least one substantially horizontally disposed fracturing borehole whereby the liquified gas vaporizes forms fractures in the formation.

Abstract: A method is described for regulating gene expression related to iron metabolism to ameliorate diseases that include sickle cell disease, cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, Friedreich's ataxia and other neuromuscular disorders, and atherosclerosis. This approach is illustrated by recent findings that show that ferritin-H, an iron-binding protein that is present in cell nuclei, can repress the human ?-globin gene, the gene that is mutated in sickle cell disease. Increased expression of ferritin-H or a related ferritin-family peptide, given to effected cells either as the peptide itself (or a part thereof), as an expression clone of the ferritin-H-subfamily gene, or via a gene regulator that increases expression of the ferritin-H-subfamily gene itself, prevents or ameliorates expression of the disease state in disorders where increased availability of iron is implicated in the etiology of the disease, including those named above.

Abstract: An apparatus for teaching an individual proper body rotation when striking a ball is disclosed which includes an elongated body member having a first end portion, a medial portion and a second end portion. A strap is connected to the elongated body member for securing the elongated body member in a is substantially horizontally disposed position on a portion of a lower lumbar region of the individual's back whereby at least a portion of the medial portion and the second end portion of the elongated body member extends outwardly from the individual. Upon the individual assuming a ball striking position and simulating a swing or a ball striking motion, at least the second end portion of the elongated body member is caused to cross over a ball striking zone when the individual's hips, lower body and upper body are properly rotated during the swing or ball striking motion. The apparatus may further include a back rest assembly, a rib assembly and a propiteal fossa engaging assembly.

Abstract: A clamp assembly selectively grips material. The clamp assembly includes a housing, a gripping assembly and means for connecting the clamp assembly to an object. The housing has a first end, a second end, a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions cooperate to define a material receiving slot. The first portion of the housing has an angular disposed channel and an angular disposed recessed portion. The second portion of the housing has a gripping surface. The gripping assembly is slidably disposed within the channel such that the recessed portion cooperates with the channel to define a travel path so that the gripping assembly can be selectively movable between a biased first position and a second position. In the biased first position, the gripping assembly extends into the material receiving slot. In the second position the gripping assembly is withdrawn from the material receiving slot.

Abstract: A purified nucleic acid segment encoding a functionally active hyaluronan receptor for endocytosis (HARE) or an active peptide fragment thereof, and methods for producing functionally active HARE or an active peptide fragment thereof therefrom, wherein the functionally active HARE or an active peptide fragment thereof is able to specifically bind HA, chondroitin and chondroitin sulfate.

Abstract: A method for repairing damaged or diseased urinary tract tissue includes providing a urinary tract tissue graft composition that includes a distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa. The distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa may be utilized as an unseeded tissue graft composition, or the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa may be positioned in a tissue culture frame, and smooth muscle and urothelial cells isolated from a tissue specimen of a subject and cultured are then seeded upon the distal ileal segment of small intestinal submucosa, thereby forming a urinary tract tissue graft.

Abstract: A health monitoring method and system utilizes a bedside device to monitor breathing patterns and other health measuring signals and communicates these patterns and signals to a medical monitoring station. The medical monitoring service analyzes the signals for health conditions and determines when the signals indicate a medical response is required.

Abstract: A composition having sustained pain-relieving properties such that the composition may be administered to a subject to alleviate chronic pain. The composition includes an effective amount of at least one inhibitor of neurotransmitter synthesis. A method for alleviating chronic pain in a subject for an extended period of time is also disclosed, in which the compound is administered to a subject suffering from chronic pain at a site of inflammation such that the administration of the compound results in a reduction in at least one of thermal and mechanical pain responses at the site of inflammation for a period of at least two days without any resulting acute pain behavior. The composition may further include an effective amount of at least one compound having analgesic effects such that the composition also alleviates acute pain.