Abstract: The present invention relates to novel regulatory T cell proteins. One protein, designated PD-L3, resembles members of the PD-L1 family, and co-stimulates ?CD3 proliferation of T cells in vitro. A second, TNF-like, protein has also been identified as being upregulated upon ?CD3/?GITR stimulation. This protein has been designated Treg-sTNF. Proteins, antibodies, activated T cells and methods for using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a crystallizable composition comprising a TSHR polypeptide, to crystals comparing a TSHR polypeptide and to TSHR-related applications.

Abstract: Heteromeric taste receptors are provided. These receptors comprise a first polypeptide containing extracellular domains and transmembrane domains wherein the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the extracellular domains of specific T1R1 polypeptides and the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding transmembrane domains of the specific T1R1 polypeptide or a different GPCR; and a second polypeptide comprising extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the extracellular domains of specific T1R3 polypeptides and the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding transmembrane domains of the specific T1R3 polypeptide or a different GPCR.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of Ginkgo biloba for the treatment of mitochondrial diseases of genetic origin and more particularly mitochondrial encephalomyopathies.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and an apparatus for producing shock waves in a fluid for medical applications. In a work volume filled with fluid, the pressure is increased mechanically by pulses. The pressure pulse produced in the work volume is transferred to the fluid volume by means of a partition, in order to produce shock waves in the fluid volume.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing flexible financing are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a business card product with a customer activated credit line extension for accommodating large ticket purchases where the credit line extension may be linked to other business loan/lease products so that balances may be transferred to a customer's preferred financing product (or products). The purchases may be considered secured or unsecured loans/leases that may be capitalized as well as appreciate and depreciate in value. The purchases may include various types of revenue producing property, such as computer, office equipment, office furniture, copiers, farm equipment, and other types of revenue producing property.

Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner housing with a frame element forming at least a portion of a handle and extending in a main handle direction. A through hole passes through and is encircled by the frame element, and is configured to receive one or more fingers of an operator. A top casing element is connected to the frame element and covers at least some of a top side of the frame element. A bottom casing element is connected to the frame element and covers at least some of the bottom side of the frame element. The frame element, top casing element and bottom casing element are arranged to form at least part of a vacuum source housing for accommodating at least a part of a vacuum source. A vacuum cleaner having a similar housing, as well as a detachable second housing having a debris compartment and nozzle, is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for, and method of, identifying an entity representation. In some embodiments, search criteria are used to identify an entity representation in a universal database, and this identification is then used to identify a corresponding entity representation in a foreign database. Certain embodiments provide assurance, with a know probability of error, that the entity representation identified in the universal database is correct.

Abstract: A method for converting source data to a channel-modulated signal having a plurality of pairs of in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) data in a mobile station, wherein the mobile station uses at least one channel, includes the steps of: a) encoding the source data to generate at least one data part and a control part; b) generating at least one spreading code to be allocated to the channel, wherein each spreading code is selected on the basis of a data rate of the data part and the control part and spreading codes are selected so that two consecutive pairs of the I and Q data are correspondent to two points located on same point or symmetrical with respect to a zero point on a phase domain; and c) spreading the control part and the data part by using the spreading code, to thereby generate the channel-modulated signal. The method is capable of improving a power efficiency of a mobile station by reducing a peak-to-average power ratio in a mobile communication system.

Abstract: A storage device includes two flash memories of different flash memory types, and respectively including multiple data blocks. Each data block corresponds to a physical and a logical block address. The storage device further includes a processing module including a controller, which is capable of accessing two mapping tables respectively corresponding to the two flash memories and respectively recording the physical block addresses and the logical block addresses that correspond to the data blocks of the two flash memories. The controller is configured to determine, upon receipt of a command that contains a target logical block address therein, a selected one of the flash memories according to the target logical block address, and to locate a selected one of the physical block addresses by searching one of the mapping tables that corresponds to the selected one of the flash memories with reference to the target logical block address.

Abstract: A device, in particular a therapy device, for the application of acoustic shock waves aimed at a region to be treated in a human or animal body and comprising a housing with a coupling surface for coupling the shock waves into the body to be treated, a shock wave generating device and a means suitable for focusing the shock waves, in which the shock wave generating device and the means suitable for focusing the shock waves are enclosed in a housing and designed such that they can be moved relative to the coupling surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that specific human taste receptors in the T2R taste receptor family respond to particular bitter compounds present in, e.g., coffee. Also, the invention relates to the discovery of specific compounds and compositions containing that function as bitter taste blockers and the use thereof as bitter taste blockers or flavor modulators in, e.g., coffee and coffee flavored foods, beverages and medicaments. Also, the present invention relates to the discovery of a compound that antagonizes numerous different human T2Rs and the use thereof in assays and as a bitter taste blocker in compositions for ingestion by humans and animals.

Abstract: The method according to exemplary embodiments comprises establishing an interest-free revolving amount or account, establishing a periodic payment for maintaining the interest-free revolving amount or account, and automatically revising the interest-free revolving amount or account or the periodic payment based upon at least one user performance metric over a predetermined period of time; wherein the interest-free revolving amount or account or the periodic payment for maintaining the interest-free revolving amount is determined by the user via a network.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for fault protection. The apparatus may include one or more electronic components configured to receive a single phase-to-ground fault signal and a double phase-to-ground fault signal subsequent to receiving the single phase-to-ground fault signal. The one or more of electronic components may be further configured to provide for a delay while the single phase-to-ground fault signal indicates that a single phase-to-ground fault is present on the ungrounded power system and the double phase-to-ground fault signal indicates that the double phase-to-ground fault is present on the ungrounded power system. The delay may allow for an opportunity to isolate a phase-to-ground fault on a first phase from a phase-to-ground fault on a second phase. Associated methods and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Assays for identifying compounds that modulate, preferably inhibit bitter taste associated with the activation of hT2R4, hT2R44 and/or hT2R61 are provided. The compounds identified according to these assays should modulate, e.g., inhibit bitter taste associated with bitter tasting compounds including quinine, 6-nitrosaccharin, saccharin and/or denatonium. These compounds are useful additives for foods, beverages or medicinal preparations having a bitter taste.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, such as the pancreatic enzyme insufficiency associated with cystic fibrosis. The invention also provides compositions comprising lipase from Candida cylindracea, alone or in combination with amylase or amyloglucosidase, protease and/or lactase. Furthermore, the invention discloses methods for treating pancreatic enzyme insufficiency comprising administering compositions to patients in need thereof.

Abstract: Heteromeric taste receptors are provided. These receptors comprise a first polypeptide which comprises extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the transmembrane domains of specific T1R1 polypeptides, and the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding extracellular domains of the specific T1R1 polypeptide or a different GPCR; and a second polypeptide which comprises extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the transmembrane domains of specific T1R3 polypeptides, and the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding extracellular domains of the specific T1R3 polypeptide or that of a different GPCR.