Abstract: Bactericidal/permeability increasing protein (BPI) and biologically active fragments, analogs and variants thereof are solubilized by lipid carriers including phospholipids, liposomes and nonionic detergents and stabilized against particle formation by poloxamer surfactants.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides that encode the chemokine receptors 88-2B or 88C and materials and methods for the recombinant production of these two chemokine receptors. Also provided are assays utilizing the polynucleotides which facilitate the identification of ligands and modulators of the chemokine receptors. Receptor fragments, ligands, modulators, and antibodies are useful in the detection and treatment of disease states associated with the chemokine receptors such as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, tumor growth suppression, asthma, viral infection, AIDS, and other inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: A candy container or dispenser having a sound generating device and having an oscillating member protruding from an aperture is disclosed. The candy dispenser comprises a housing adapted for attachment to a candy container, with the housing defining an internal cavity and including an aperture. A member is pivotally mounted to the housing and protrudes from the aperture. A gear mechanism is disposed within the housing cavity and includes a rotatable wheel having an irregular peripheral surface. The gear mechanism is operatively connected to the member and includes an actuating trigger. A reed is mounted within the cavity and has an end contacting the peripheral surface, so that upon actuation of the trigger the gear mechanism imparts rotational movement to the wheel thereby causing the reed to produce a sound in response to contact with the wheel peripheral surface. At the same time, the member oscillates about its pivot point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pharmaceutical preparation which comprises or consists of the following components: (i) an initial dose of active ingredient, which is provided by the active ingredient together with optional excipients, (ii) a first delayed-release type of pellet, in which the active ingredient and optional excipients are covered with a coating, and (iii) a second delayed-release type of pellet, in which the active ingredient and optional excipients are again covered with a coating, wherein the active ingredient is an ACE inhibitor, and wherein the amounts of the coatings according to (ii) and (iii) are present in a ratio, based on weight, within the range of from 1:2 to 1:7.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spatially-addressable sandwich arrays of compounds, particularly biological compounds such as peptides and polynucleotide probes, and methods of making and using the same. The present invention also relates to a method and device for holding together the substrates of the sandwich array, more particularly, a clamping device for securely yet safely holding substrates of a sandwich array together during assembly, use, storage, and/or transport of the sandwich array.

Abstract: A tape cartridge having a housing formed of upper and lower casings, a single tape reel around which a length of tape is wound and which is turnably held within the housing, the lower casing having an opening through which a drive shaft of a recorder is to be inserted, the tape reel having an upper flange, a lower flange, and a hub which is open at top and closed at bottom, the hub having a hole formed at its bottom in engagement with a brake release plate, a metal disk disposed on the outer side of the bottom of the hub, teeth formed on the bottom around the disk for engagement with the drive shaft of a recorder, the hub having teeth provided on the inner side of its bottom in mesh with a brake lock, a brake release plate mounted in the hub in engagement with its hole, a brake lock mounted further on the brake release plate, the brake lock having brake teeth on the outer periphery of its bottom and follower projections on its top, the hub teeth and the brake teeth of the brake lock being engageable to preven

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a modular roll-up partition assembly, such as a rolling protective shutter, implementing an improved tension adjustment mechanism for torsion springs used in roll-up partition assemblies. In one embodiment, the roll-up partition assembly of the present invention includes a tension adjustment mechanism to adjust the tension of a torsion spring connected between a support rod and the partition support member. The tension adjustment mechanism rotates the support rod to move the end of the torsion spring connected to the rod relative to the end of the torsion spring connected to the partition support member. Unlike previous roll-up partition assemblies which permitted adjustment of the torsion spring tension only in increments of a full rotation of the support member, the tension adjustment mechanism facilitates fine adjustment of the torsion spring in increments of less than a full rotation of the partition support member.

Abstract: The apparatus for measuring the intra-muscular fat in carcasses or parts of carcasses or the total content of fat in minced meat has a first pair of electrodes for insertion into a carcass or part of a carcass or into minced meat. An alternating current (AC) generator is connected to these electrodes. Second and third pairs of electrodes are inserted parallel to the first pair. Both the second and third pairs have measurement circuits to measure the voltage and phase between the electrode pairs after insertion. The needle or bar shaped electrodes are tapered and insulated apart from 5-20 mm long free end sections. Electrodes are separated by 10-100 mm with each electrode 10-50 mm from the nearest of the first electrode pair. The portable unit for on-line use has a display output. The AC frequency applied to the first electrode pair may be changed in an exponential series to give different measurements.

Abstract: The invention relates to antigenic preparations useful for inducing the production of antibodies in an individual which will bind to epitopes on zona pellucida. Also disclosed are immunogenic compositions and methods for immunizing an individual to enable the production of antibodies to zona pellucida antigens. Also disclosed are the use of these recombinant molecules and monoclonal antibodies thereto for immunocontraception or sterilization.

Abstract: A liquid pump system for providing liquid to a tank includes a variable-speed motor drive and a control circuit coupling the variable-speed motor drive to a power source. The control circuit has a switch that may be disposed in a state according to the amount of liquid in the tank. The control circuit provides for supplying power to the variable-speed motor drive from the power source regardless of the state of the switch. The control circuit may include a transmitter that generates a high frequency signal representative of the state of the switch. In that embodiment, a detector coupled to the variable-speed motor drive receives the high frequency signal to control operation of the liquid pump system.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a driven impeller that moves working air for the vacuum cleaner. A first housing includes a first wall and a second housing includes a second wall opposite the first wall, and an outlet for the working air. The impeller rotates and draws the working air through an opening and directs the working air radially outwardly toward the first wall and then through an annular passage formed between the first wall and the second wall. The annular passage restricts the flow of working are to provide back pressure on the impeller.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides that encode the chemokine receptors 88-2B or 88C and materials and methods for the recombinant production of these two chemokine receptors. Also provided are assays utilizing the polynucleotides which facilitate the identification of ligands and modulators of the chemokine receptors. Receptor fragments, ligands, modulators, and antibodies are useful in the detection and treatment of disease states associated with the chemokine receptors such as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, tumor growth suppression, asthma, and other inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: A game ball is provided for primarily practicing throwing a football in a passing spiral motion to impact a vertical wall, and then via a reactive force, the game ball returns in a passing opposite spiral motion to be caught by the person, who is practicing throwing a football. The body of the game ball has an external appearance looking somewhat like a football, except having only one conical pointed end, referred to as the trailing end, and having the other end, referred to as the leading end, being a substantially planar wall contacting surface. The body is made to absorb a substantial portion of the wall impact energy, and to quickly release a substantial amount of this absorbed energy, which is then directed in the opposite direction, successfully causing the body, serving as the game ball, to return in a passing opposite spiral motion to the locale, where the game ball was initially thrown by a person in a passing spiral motion.

Abstract: A dedicated electronic catalogue device (150) and a dedicated system for providing goods/services ordered by the electronic catalogue device (150) from a remote location stores in memory (400) a catalogue database which can be accessed by a user by actuation of an appropriate input interface (500) for the user to select a particular product or service to be provided by a provider. A host device (300) at the location of the provider communicates with the electronic catalogue device (150) and obtains transaction information relating to the user's order. The provider then fills the order and provides the appropriate product or service. The dedicated electronic catalogue devices (150) can be provided at any convenient location such as a public location, for example. Any product or service is available which can be supplied by the provider. The catalogue can be updated remotely from the host (300) to update product or service information.

Abstract: The DNA from the bacteria Bactereoides fragilis is extracted, then completely digested with restriction enzyme HindIII, followed by cloning into a suitable vector to select a probe comprising DNA which is essentially contained in Bacteroides fragilis, then the sequence of the probe is elucidated.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for use in illuminating a lamp includes a lamp driving circuit having a pulse-width modulated signal generator, a timing capacitor coupled to the lamp driving circuit, and a power controller. The power controller uses a current sense resistor to detect a current flowing through the lamp and an operational amplifier circuit to compare a signal associated with the detected current to a reference voltage associated with a desired lamp current. Based on the comparison, the power controller provides a correction current to the timing capacitor to control a duty cycle of an output of the pulse-width modulated signal generator.