Abstract: A pseudotyped rAAV is described, which contains sequences derived from AAV5. A method for producing rAAV pseudotyped with AAV5 capsid is described in which the rep proteins of the serotype or any cross-reactive serotype of the AAV ITRs are utilized. A similar method may be provided to generate a pseudotyped rAAV in which minigenes carrying AAV5 ITRs are packaged in capsids of a heterologous AAV serotype. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the pseudotyped rAAV and methods of using them for gene delivery.

Abstract: In a pivoted plastic movable guide for a chain or belt transmission, having a reinforcing plate disposed in a slot on a plate-receiving portion on a back side of the guide, a plunger-engaging part of the plate protrudes slightly from the opening of the slot for contact with the plunger of a tensioner. The plunger-receiving portion of the plate has a curved profile, preferably in the form of a convex or concave circular arc, which engages the plunger over a contact area which does not vary with a changing angle between the plunger and the guide. The edge of the reinforcing plate is also preferably in the form of a circular arc, or has beveled or rounded edges to avoid excessive wear due to load concentration.

Abstract: A wetsuit is composed multiple panels sewn together in edge-to-edge relationship, each panel comprising a highly stretchable base fabric sandwiched between an outer and inner layer of synthetic rubber, the outer synthetic rubber layer is dense and tough, providing protection against damage by abrasion, while the inner synthetic rubber layer is thicker and less dense, providing the material with a good insulating ability. The outer layer is thinner than the inner layer to compensate for the higher elastic modulus of the denser outer layer, so that the layers stretch uniformly. A thin, colored, chloroprene adhesive coating is provided on the outside of the outer layer, and the outer layer is embossed with a mesh pattern. The seams are blind-stitched through the base fabric from the outside. Because the stretchable fabric is on the inside of the wetsuit material, the wetsuit dries rapidly.

Abstract: A miniature LED flashlight is composed of a flashlight assembly and an attachment loop. The attachment loop is configured to require a two-step manipulation for attachment or detachment from a key ring. The flashlight assembly and attachment loop are attached by a snap fit relationship between a projection on one and a recess on the other, and can be readily disconnected by application of a bending force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new 2-Phenyl-1-[4-(2-Aminoethoxy)-Benzyl]-Indole compounds having the general structures below: which are useful in treating vaginal and skin atrophy.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating fluid samples comprises a micro-chip device having first and second covered channels, each channel having openings at both ends. The channels intersect to form a common intersection. Three of the openings of the channels are connected to a multi-port valve to control pressure in the device.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a link plate for a silent chain, a band of sheet steel is intermittently forwarded to string of punching dies and shaving dies. The band tends to follow a slightly curved path, which causes alignment errors in a conventional punching and shaving operation. However, in this case, each shaving die and its corresponding punching die are disposed in symmetrical relationship with respect to an intermediate position along the path of movement of the band, and the intermediate position coincides with the location at which the deviation of the band. As a result, the shaving dies are more accurately aligned with the punched surfaces produced by the corresponding punching dies.

Abstract: An adjustable static stabilizer used to ameliorate shock loading. The static stabilizer has a housing forming a chamber and an upwardly-open cylindrical carrier moveably mounted in the chamber. A plurality of spring washers are mounted in the carrier, and a shoe cap extends transverse to the carrier for engaging the spring washers therein. A tie rod interconnects the shoe cap and the carrier for displacement of the shoe cap relative to the housing, and a threaded means is disposed between the housing and the carrier for rotatably mounting the carrier in the housing which is operable upon rotation of the shoe cap relative to the housing to enable the overall height of the stabilizer to be adjusted.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid molecules, kallikrein-like proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules; and use of the proteins and nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: A method for producing recombinant adeno-associated virus in the absence of contaminating helper virus or wild-type virus involves culturing a mammalian host cell containing an rAd/AAV hybrid virus, an AAV rep sequence and an AAV cap sequence under the control of regulatory sequences directing expression thereof. The rAd/AAV hybrid virus contains a rAAV construct to be packaged into an AAV virion in an backbone containing the adenoviral sequences necessary to express E1a and E1b gene products and to permit replication of the hybrid virus. The method of the invention permits replication of the hybrid virus and production of rAAV virion in this host cell in the absence of a helper virus and obviates a subsequent purification step to purify rAAV from contaminating virus.

Abstract: In a sprocket for use with a roller chain, a wear limit marker, having a different color from that of the base material of the sprocket, is provided on side surface of a sprocket tooth adjacent to a keyway. The wear limit marker is disposed on an imaginary line extending in the direction of the pressure angle, and is located in a hole or groove provided in a side surface of the sprocket tooth. The marker makes it possible to determine easily and reliably whether or not wear at the location at which wear of a sprocket tooth proceeds most rapidly is within a predetermined limit, and the location of the marker makes it possible to evaluate wear conditions even when the sprocket is installed in a machine.

Abstract: Modifications of the peptide pyrrhocoricin permit the production of a variety of anti-bacterial or anti-fungal peptides having general formula R1-Asp-Lys-Gly-X-Y-Leu-Pro-Arg-Pro-Thr-Pro-Pro-Arg-Pro-Ile-Tyr-X?-Y?-R2 SEQ ID NO: 1 or multimeric compositions containing more than a single peptide of that formula. These peptides may be straight chain or cyclic peptides, and may contain one or more non-cleavable bonds. These peptides are characterized by anti-bacterial or anti-fungal activity and metabolic stability in mammalian serum. These peptides are useful in anti-bacterial or anti-fungal pharmaceutical compositions and for further drug development or identification of other antibiotic or anti-fungal compounds.

Abstract: A composition which elicits antibodies to greater than 95%, and even greater than 99%, of the known variants of HIV-1 Tat protein contains at least one peptide or polypeptide of the formula of Epitope I (based on amino acids 2-10 of HIV-1 Tat consensus sequence) and optionally one or more of a peptide or polypeptide of Epitope II (based on amino acids 41 to 51 of that sequence), of Epitope III (based on amino acids 52-62 of that sequence), or of Epitope IV (based on amino acids 62 through 72 of that sequence with a C-terminal Pro). Vaccinal and pharmaceutical compositions can contain the antibodies induced by the peptide compositions for use in passive therapy. Diagnostic compositions and uses are described for assessing the immune status of vaccinated patients.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing hydrogen gas serving as fuel for a portable fuel cell, whereby hydrogen gas can be provided easily, safely, and at a low cost. To that end, the method of producing hydrogen gas comprises the steps of causing friction and mechanical fracture accompanying the friction to occur to a metallic material under water and increasing thereby chemical reactivity of atoms of the metallic material, in close proximity of the surface thereof; wherein water molecules are decomposed by accelerating corrosion reaction of water with the metallic material. Further, for the metallic material, an aluminum or aluminum alloy material is used as industrial waste including refuse and cutting chips (curls) of an industrial aluminum material. Meanwhile, pure water not substantially containing ionic impurities and organic molecules is used for the water.

Abstract: A friction mating member is fabricated by providing a surface of a base member with a hard coating having a load point displacement characteristic in which the elastic range, that is, the ratio of elastic deformation to maximum indentation depth, is at least 50% in a load range from 1 to 50 mN. The friction mating member is capable of coping with both an increasing friction coefficient in a high-speed range and decreasing friction coefficient in a low-speed range, without being affected by the type and deterioration of the lubricating oil. The friction mating member maintains an m-V characteristic having a positive gradient over a long period of use. Thus, the friction mating member solves problems attributable to noise and vibration.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide in a landfill is reduced by dispersing a hydrogen sulfide control agent, such as an iron compound, into the landfill. The hydrogen sulfide control agent may be a component of an injected foam. Gas is also recovered from the landfill by introducing water into the landfill, as part of the foam, to promote digestion of organic matter.

Abstract: In a chain tensioner comprising a plunger having toothed racks engageable with wedge-shaped cams which cooperate with oblique cam-guiding surfaces, the cam-guiding surfaces are formed on a cam-receiving ring disposed in an enlarged part of the cam-receiving hole adjacent the front end of the tensioner housing, and axially movable, through a limited distance, in a space between a shoulder and a seal cap. The axially movable cam-receiving ring increases both the minimum and maximum backlash distances of the plunger, thereby making it possible for the tensioner to accommodate different chain conditions by changing the axial dimensions of the cam-receiving ring, or the space in which it moves, instead of, or in addition to, modifying the angle of the cam-guiding surfaces.

Abstract: A slide rail and a rail support are integrally formed from a high-strength first polymer resin. A wear-resistant second polymer resin, applied to the slide rail and rail support in the process of sandwich molding, entirely covers the slide rail and rail support, including the inner circumferential surface of a pivoting hole in the rail support, and an engine block-engaging seating surface of a boss surrounding the pivoting hole. The tensioner lever exhibits excellent mechanical strength and wear resistance, low weight and reduced production cost, and can be recycled easily. The covering of wear-resistant polymer particularly prevents wear on the inner circumferential surface of the pivoting hole and the seating surface of the boss.

Abstract: Provided is a hafnium silicide target for forming a gate oxide film composed of HfSi0.82-0.98, wherein the oxygen content is 500 to 10000 ppm. Manufactured is a hafnium silicide target for forming a gate oxide film, wherein powder of the composition composed of HfSi0.82-0.98 is synthesized, pulverized to be 100 mesh or less, and thereafter subject to hot pressing or hot isostatic pressing (HIP) at 1700° C. to 2120° C. and 150 to 2000 kgf/cm2. Thereby obtained is a hafnium silicide target, and the manufacturing method thereof, suitable for forming a HfSiO film and HfSiON film that may be used as a high dielectric gate insulation film, superior in embrittlement resistance, having a low generation of particles, and which is not likely to cause ignition of sintering powder or explosion of powder dust during the manufacturing process thereof.