Abstract: The invention is directed to the regulation of glucose homeostasis by modulating the activity of Grb2-associated binder 1 (Gab1) in hepatocytes. This invention also provides for a method for identifying compounds capable of modulating the glucose homeostasis regulatory activity of Gab1. In one aspect, the invention provides a method for identifying a compound that can effectively modulate glucose homeostasis wherein Gabl mediated MapK activity indicates that the candidate compound is an effective compound that modulates glucose homeostasis. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for identifying a compound that can effectively modulate the glucose homeostasis regulating activity of Gabl wherein MAPK is activated to phosphorylate Serine residue 612 of IRS-1, indicating that the candidate compound is an effective compound that modulates glucose homeostasis. In another aspect of the invention is provided a method for diagnosing Gab1 related disorders.

Abstract: A method for extracting mint oil from mint plants, the method includes applying a surfactant on the plant material and subjecting the plant material to steam distillation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal environment enclosure for a semiconductor test system, said enclosure comprising a housing having an exterior surface, an interior chamber and a window therethrough. The housing further comprised of a substantially rectangular top, a pair of substantially rectangular side walls, a front wall, a back wall, a top perimeter edge, and a bottom perimeter edge with an attached sealing gasket. The bottom perimeter edge defines an opening into the interior chamber which is configured for sealed mating with the recessed test area to define a imposed thermal environment test area. The top of the housing comprises a hingeably attached lid with a closing latch, the lid including an attached interior surface sealing gasket defining the interior chamber in combination with other walls when the lid is closed.

Abstract: A product and process for animal feed ingredients free of biologically active proteins as well as bacteria and viruses. The process comprises the steps of: treating a proteinaceous mixture with alkali to cause the pH of the mixture to be raised to where proteins in the proteinaceous mixture will be solubilized to form a gel; maintaining the proteinaceous mixture at a temperature in a range between about 50.degree. to 55.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor etching method comprising exposing the wafer surface, in a plasma etching apparatus, to a radio-frequency plasma comprising a mixture of a noble gas and a saturated or unsaturated reduced carbon compound selected from the group consisting of acetylene (C.sub.2 H.sub.2), benzene (C.sub.6 H.sub.6), graphite or buckminsterfullerene (C.sub.60) and a halogen compound selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen bromide, sulphur hexafluoride and nitrogen trifluoride.

Abstract: A process for the hydrodistillation of mint oils from chopped mint plant. This process selectively collects mint oil condensates according to predetermined time, pressure and temperature parameters to better control the quality and quantity of mint oil distilled during the mint oil distillation process. This improved process provides improved yields and control over the hydrodistillation process of mint oil by manipulating time, temperature and pressure elements in the hydrodistillation process while requiring little or no equipment modification.

Abstract: The invention is an in-line mixer without moving parts, with a generally conical shear head pointed in the upstream direction within a pipe, and centered near the downstream side of an annular seating ring fastened to the inside surface of the pipe. In the upstream, slanted face, or high pressure side of the shear head, there is a series of generally circular ports bored through the shear head. The slanted face of the conical shear head extends through the center of the seating ring in the upstream direction, and is adjusted to be located very close, about 0.020 inches, to the downstream side of the seating ring. At the downstream end of the slanted face of the shear head is a first sharp, approximately 90 degree edge leading away from the inside surface of the pipe in the downstream direction, which first edge is adjusted to be located very close, about 0.004 inches, to the inside surface of the pipe.

Abstract: The invention is an adjustable ratchet-style self-tightening wrench. The a wrench having a main body or handle, including a fixed jaw and a moveable jaw assembly which is pivotably attached to the main body. The handle has a first and a second end. The first end is for holding the wrench and applying force. The second end of the handle is shaped to form a fixed jaw having a substantially planar work surface. The handle also includes a recess near the fixed jaw end of the wrench with two leaf springs that are positioned to be biased against a pivot lug attached to the carriage block. The moveable jaw assembly includes a moveable jaw member, a traveler carriage block and a traveler carriage nut. The moveable jaw member has a traveler carriage segment at one end and a jaw working surface at it's other end. The moveable jaw assembly is pivotably attached to the main handle via a pivot lug that protrudes from the carriage block into the main handle recess.

Abstract: A torso and lumbar support and position stabilizing pillow for a lateral recumbency position comprising a substantially planar base member, a main body and a lumbar support member, the main body having a top surface, a bottom surface, an outside surface and an inside surface. The main body is shaped such that the bottom surface is planar and attached to the base member, while the outside surface of the main body is also planar and perpendicular to the base member, with the inside surface of the main body being opposite the outside surface and disposed at an acute angle with respect to the base member. Optionally, the inside surface can be concave to accommodate the natural curve of the spine, allowing room for the protrusion of a person's shoulder and buttocks areas. In use, the pillow is placed in firm contact with a person's back and side to provide lumbar support when a person is lying in lateral recumbency, on their side.

Abstract: An improved product and process for protein encapsulation of lipid comprising treating a proteinaceous mixture with an alkali raising the pH to where the proteinaceous mixture is solubilized and will form a gel. With this invention the protein can be solubilized without addition of extraneous water to the process and a reduced requirement for the addition of exogenous chemicals is also accomplished. The optimum pH of solubilization and the optimum pH of encapsulation are determined by titration for each proteinaceous mixture to be used; as they vary depending on the types of proteins. Optimum pH of solubilization is determined as an alkali hydrogen ion difference on a graph in which rate of change in hydrogen ion concentration varies with acid equivalent units. Rate of change of hydrogen ion difference is measured and when the slope of the titration curve is essentially zero, then addition of alkali is ceased.

Abstract: A cutter blade (17) for a finger joint cutter head (10) which includes a cantilevered cutting tip attachment. A cantilever pocket (20) is formed in the fillet area of steel backing member (18) to receive and hold the inner end of a hard material cutting tip (19), such as tungsten carbide. Cantilever pocket (20) has tapered sides which diverge outwardly and a rounded vertex or pocket bottom. Cutter tips are elongated to extend well into cantilever pockets (20). Each cutter tip is attached within a pocket (20) and along the joint surface of steel backing members (18), using a sandwich braze, to form braze joints (21) and (22).