Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the diagnosis of tauopathies in an individual and/or for the differential diagnosis of a tauopathy versus a non-tauopathy based on the detection of the ratio of phospho-tau (181)/total tau in said individual. The present invention further provides a phospho-peptide for standardization in a method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of operating a frozen beverage machine is disclosed that utilizes a short “burst” heating of the beverage machine's freezing chamber. The method includes monitoring a beverage mixture within the freezing chamber of the frozen beverage machine, and heating the freezing chamber for a predetermined time period in response to the beverage mixture reaching a first predetermined state. The freezing chamber is then refrigerated until the beverage mixture reaches a second predetermined state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for isolating from the immunological gene repertoire a gene coding for a receptor having the ability to bind a preselected ligand. Receptors produced by the gene isolated by the method, particularly catalytic receptors, are also contemplated.

Abstract: A ratcheting adjustable wrench is disclosed. The wrench has a main body defining a wrench head, handle and fixed jaw. The main body is fabricated of hardened sheet metal formed from laminations. The adjustable wrench has a pin/slot guide mechanism to retain and provide position adjustment for an adjustable jaw. A locking mechanism allows the adjustable jaw to ratchet over the corners of a fastener being tightened. In a locked position, the wrench operates like a standard adjustable wrench. Moving a trigger to an unlocked position allows the worm gear mechanism to shift axially for additional travel. The movable jaw engaged to the worm gear is thereby also allowed to shift position so that the adjustable jaw wrench can rotate over the points of the fastener being torqued.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed to track the position of the sun and direct an object to the direction of the sun, regardless of weather conditions or geographical location, among other disruptive or interrupting factors. The object may include a solar collector, solar cell, or test panel, among other possible devices or applications requiring near continuous exposure to rays of the sun. The apparatus uses a GPS device to determine the position of the object on the earth. The apparatus includes a controller operatively coupling to the GPS device. The controller calculates the relative position of the sun with respect to the object. The controller operatively couples to a positioning system. The positioning system includes a first drive and a second drive coupled to the object. Commands from the controller operate the positioning system to articulate the object and automatically direct it towards the relative position of the sun.

Abstract: A dry out mechanism for controlling a humidifier is disclosed. The mechanism includes a float and a switch. The float contacts the switch when the float is within an operating range. The movement of the float can be manually changed between settings to achieve normal operation or dry out operation of the humidifier. In the normal operation, the float activates the switch based on the fluid level within the humidifer's reservoir. In the dry out setting, the float activates the switch independent from the level of fluid within the reservoir so that the humidifier depletes the reservoir and components of fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting single multiphase fluid flow into plural multiphase fluid flows having substantially uniform composition and flow properties. A manifold comprises an enclosure having an inlet and an inner surface perpendicular to the inlet such that the incident angle of input flow impacts the surface to form a stagnation point whereby an intermediate flow is deflected along the surface substantially symmetrically outward from the stagnation point and channeled to a plurality of parallel fluid outlets connected to the enclosure. The distance between the stagnation point and the plurality of outlets is selected to maintain substantially equivalent fluid pressures and uniform flow rates at the outlets. A preferred embodiment of the manifold channels the intermediate flow between two walls forming a triangular shaped nozzle directing the flow from the stagnation point to the base of the triangle for communication of electrolyte to a metal-based fuel cell through the plurality of outlets.

Abstract: Predictive analysis is performed upon encoded digital motion video (such as an MPEG Transport Stream) to facilitate real-time splicing. The predictive analysis includes estimation of upper and lower bounds of the data levels in a decoder's video and audio buffers for splicing in such a way as to prevent buffer overflow and underflow. This enables buffer management techniques including padding or stuffing, micro-restamping, freeze or repeat of frames, skip or drop of frames, alignment of audio with video. The predictive analysis also includes analysis of the structure of the encoded audio including audio access units (AAUs) and compression windows (AFs), prediction in the compressed domain of initial conditions of the decoder buffer levels for every single Elementary Stream (ES) component of a Transport Stream (TS), and identification of valid splicing In Points and Out Points based on the predicted buffer levels without any special encoder.

Abstract: A subterranean oil or gas well apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a single-bore production tubing hanger arranged concentric with a wellhead. The tubing hanger includes a plurality of ports and channels arranged about the tubing hanger to give operators access to the production tubing annulus and provide chemical injection capability. The ports are closable by a sliding valve. The apparatus also includes annulus and production radial-bore stab assemblies between a christmas tree and an internal crossover assembly. The stab assemblies are extendable and retractable between the chirstmas tree and the crossover assembly to allow the retrieval and installation of each independently.

Abstract: A system of and method for maintaining data objects in containers across a network of distributed heterogeneous resources in a manner which is transparent to a client. A client request pertaining to containers is resolved by querying meta data for the container, processing the request through one or more copies of the container maintained on the system, updating the meta data for the container to reflect any changes made to the container as a result processing the request, and, if a copy of the container has changed, changing the status of the copy to indicate dirty status or synchronizing the copy to one or more other copies that may be present on the system.

Abstract: A device for storing fuel in an engine-powered transport vehicle including at least one closed construction element which is incorporated as an integral part of the body or chassis structure of the transport vehicle. The closed construction element is arranged as a storage unit for the fuel. As a result of the invention, an improved fuel storage unit is provided for, in particular, hydrogen-gas-powered motor vehicles.

Abstract: The invention relates to non-peptidic compounds that possess bioactive properties, such as the ability to protect neuronal cells from otherwise lethal treatments or the ability to promote the growth or regeneration of neuronal cells. In part, the invention provides compounds that interact with or bind to a cyclophilin and compounds that have activity towards neuronal cells. Methods for using the compounds, such as administering them to cells or animals or using them to treat neurodegenerative conditions, are specifically included.

Abstract: Novel unsaturated esters for use in dentistry as bonding agents are produced by a reaction of a cyclic dianhydride with unsaturated alcohols. The novel unsaturated ester products have the formula: wherein R2 is H or CH3.

Abstract: Novel unsaturated esters for use in dentistry as bonding agents are produced by a stepwise reaction of a cyclic dianhydride with a) unsaturated alcohols, b) unsaturated glycidyl ethers, and c) unsaturated isocyanates. The products used as bonding agents have the formula: wherein R2 is H or CH3.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of stimulating ciliary beat frequency to promote mucociliary or cough clearance of retained mucus secretions from the lungs, sinuses, upper airways, ears, eyes, genito-urinary tract, spermatozoa, ovaries, fallopian tubes, neutrophils, and macrophages of a patient. The method comprises administering uridine triphosphates, adenosine triphosphates, cytidine triphosphates, or dinucleoside tetraphosphates and the derivatives thereof to an affected body of a patient, to treat dysfunction of the mucociliary clearance system as a result of impaired ciliary movement in the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the photolithographic synthesis of biochips in which photolabile protective groups of the 2-(2-nitrophenyl)ethyl type are used, whereby the irradiation step that is common in the photolithographic chip synthesis is carried out in the presence of a base, preferably a secondary or uerriary base.

Abstract: Crankcase scavenged two-stroke internal combustion engine, in which at least one piston ported air passage, with length Lai, is arranged between an air inlet (2) and each scavenging port (31, 31′) of a number of transfer ducts (3, 3′), with length Ls, from the scavenging port to the crankcase. The air passage is arranged from an air inlet (2) equipped with a restriction valve (4), controlled by at least one engine parameter, for instance the carburetor throttle control. The air inlet extends via at least one connecting duct (6, 6′) to at least one connecting port (8, 8′) in the engine's cylinder wall (12). The connecting port (8, 8′) is arranged so that it in connection with piston positions at the top dead center is connected with flow paths (10, 10′) embodied in the piston (13), which extend to the upper part of a number of transfer ducts (3, 3′).

Abstract: The present invention is related to mammary tumor virus (MTV). MTV represents a group of retroviruses which possess very high homology to mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), a virus known to cause neoplastic mammary disease in mice. As described herein, MTV's have been identified in human, cat, and Rhesus macaque. The present invention specifically provides for recombinant nucleic acids and polypeptides derived from these MTV's as well as methods for using these biological molecules.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for separation of suspended solid particles from fluids, for separation and mixing of fluids, and for dissolving gases in aqueous fluids. The apparatus employs a grooved ring to divide the fluid stream and impart a high velocity on each of the divided or sub-streams. A grooved ring with any number of grooves that may be spiral in shape is used to create a high velocity circular motion on a divided stream for separation of suspended solid particles by centrifugal force in a cyclone filter and for saturation of liquid with gases in a fluid mixer where gases are introduced through a diffuser. A grooved ring with any number of grooves that may be radial is used in a fluid mixer to divide a stream of fluid, produce a high velocity flow through each groove, introduce a second fluid through an orifice into the first fluid flowing through each groove, and direct the fluid mixture to a center impact zone where the various streams collide to complete the mixing.