Abstract: Substituted 2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)phthalimides and 1-oxo-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)isoindolines reduce the levels of TNF&agr; in a mammal. Typical embodiments are 1-oxo-2-(2,6-dioxo-3-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-4,5,6,7-tetrafluoroisoindoline and 1,3-dioxo-2-(2,6-dioxo-3-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-4-aminoisoindoline.

Abstract: The present invention cloned a cDNA clone encoding isopentenyl diphosphate (hereafter “IPP”) isomerase (EC 5.3.3.2) from a cDNA library of Hevea brasiliensis latex. The clone has a continuous open reading frame encoding a peptide of 234 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 26.7 kDa. The deduced protein is acidic with an isoelectric point of 4.7 and shows high sequence identity with other IPP isomerases. The recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli showed IPP isomerase activity. In vitro rubber biosynthesis assays using washed rubber particle (WRP) deprived of initiating allylic diphosphates were performed with the addition of IPP isomerase in the reaction mixture. Results revealed that the recombinant IPP isomerase is catalytically active in catalyzing the conversion of IPP to DMAPP, a key activation step of the basic five-carbon isoprene unit in rubber biosynthesis. Southern analysis indicated that the IPP isomerase is encoded by two genes in Hevea rubber tree.

Abstract: A flexible hose with one or more couplings, the hose generally having an inner diameter of greater than 50 mm, the hose typically equipped with a plastic liner, steel reinforcing layers, a cover, steel sleeves inside of the couplings, a sealing compound and a screw for adjusting pressure. A section of the plastic inner liner extends into a sealing area. The section of the inner liner is connected to the coupling by the sealing compound such that the connection cannot be broken by nondestructive methods.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a semiconductor die having an input/output contact surface is interconnected with a substrate. A metal plate having a surface cavity is provided for receiving the die. The plate has peripheral surface regions surrounding the cavity. The die is mounted in the cavity with its contact surface co-planar with the peripheral regions, and a sealable contact region forming closed figure around the die is provided on the peripheral surface regions of the plate. A substrate surface is provided with a corresponding contact regions for receiving the die and the plate. The plate/die structure is mounted and solder bonded on the substrate. The resulting structure has reduced thermal impedance from the die/board surface through the plate and a continuous peripheral hermetic seal around the die.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an animal caging system including a self-sealing animal cage removably connected to an air supply and an exhaust. The self-sealing animal cage is supported by a rack. The self-sealing animal cage is sealed by an air inlet connection and an air outlet connection to the air supply and the exhaust connection. After the cages are removed from the air supply and the exhaust, the air inlet connection and the exhaust connection seals the cage to prevent air from entering or exiting the cage. Accordingly, the animal caging system provides isolation of the self-sealing animal cage and provides containment of airborne pathogens within the caging system. A bio-sensing cage is used in the animal cage system to measure pressure of animal cage connected to the air supply and exhaust which contains an animal. The measurement of pressure in the bio-sensing cage is used by a controller to maintain pressure in the cages independently of environment and cage conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing analog and mixed analog and digital circuits in which test waveforms are generated for testing the analog circuit. The analog circuit can be represented by a directed circuit graph. The directed circuit graph represents nodes of components of the circuit under test connected by directed edges for components having inputs or outputs which effect other components and undirected edges for components in the circuit that are bidirectional. For example, undirected edges are assigned to bidirectional elements such as resistors and capacitors and directed edges are assigned to transistors. The directed graph is partitioned into partitions that carry a signal from the primary inputs toward the primary outputs in the circuit under test. Feedback and local feedback are captured in a single partition. The partition of a faulty component is determined and the operating point of the partition is established to activate the fault.

Abstract: It intends to prevent the reduction in quantity with time of an oxyl compound in vinyl compounds. The quantity reduction of the N-oxyl compound is suppressed by causing an N-oxyl compound, N-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine compound and a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine compound to co-exist in vinyl compounds.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing emergency tracheotomies having a first cylinder having a distal end in a substantially cone shape and a threaded proximal end. An internal hollow cylinder has a distal end open in a frustum of a cone shape. The hollow interior cylinder receives the first cylinder. An external hollow cylinder has a distal end open in a frustum of a cone shape. The external hollow cylinder is slidably received over the hollow interior cylinder. A ring is slidably received coaxially over the hollow external cylinder. The ring stops the forward movement of the device into a desired position. The device also includes a second cylinder with the distal end in the shape of a hemisphere. After initial inserting of the device into the trachea, the first cylinder is removed and the second cylinder is inserted into the hollow interior cylinder for further insertion of the device without injuring the posterior tracheal wall.

Abstract: An adsorbent is disclosed which is formed either by coating an adsorption mass such as active carbon with a gel-like substance such as the dibasic metallic salt of a macromolecular polycarboxylic acid, soybean curd, jelly, konjak, agar, perilla, gelidium jelly, or chitosanoxalic acid salt gel and subsequently subjecting the coated basis to a freezing treatment or by effecting the coating with the gel-like substance already made to contain a frost damage preventing substance such as glycerin and subsequently depriving the coated basis of the frost damage preventing substance.

Abstract: A method of producing a non-human mammalian model of chronic cerebral inflammation is disclosed. The method comprises introducing into the mammal's brain a polynucleotide that does not encode amyloid precursor protein (APP). Applicants have discovered that APP expression is not necessary to mimic the symptoms of human neurodegenerative diseases. The mammalian models mimic in an in vivo system some of the physical manifestations of diseases of the central nervous system, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and encephalopathies. The models are useful in screening putative prophylactic and therapeutic compositions for addressing symptoms of chronic cerebral inflammation.

Abstract: A system for operating equipment, aircraft or other like vessels in a smoke filled environment. The system includes a face mask configured to surround a user's eyes and form an airtight seal against the user's face. The mask includes a screen viewable by the user for displaying critical operating system information that permits continued operation of the equipment or aircraft. A signal path means provides the display screen with appropriate signals from instrument display sources of the equipment or aircraft. One embodiment of the system includes a hand-operated communication device that enables non-verbal communication with others. Another embodiment of the system includes independently powered backup instruments covering minimum critical equipment or aircraft operating conditions. The backup instruments would be coupled to the mask by the signal path means in the event that the equipment or aircraft's instruments should become inoperable due to fire and/or electrical power interruption.

Abstract: Novel aryl amides are inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor &agr; and can be used to combat cachexia, endotoxic shock, and retrovirus replication. A typical embodiment is N-benzoyl-3-amino-3-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl)propanamide.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic plants and plant cells thereof which have been transformed with the soybean calmodulin isoform (SCaM5) gene to exhibit greatly enhanced resistance to a wide spectrum of plant pathogens. The present invention also provides the expression vector containing SCaM5 gene and to host cells into which the gene in the expression vector has been introduced to plant pathogens-resistant plants. Transgenic plants expressing a heterologous SCaM5 gene show increased resistance to fungi, bacteria and viruses which normally infect the plants.

Abstract: A modular fixator assembly capable of allowing motion at the wrist during treatment of wrist fractures. The fixator assembly includes a distractor device, a pin outrigger attached to the distrator device, at least one pin for fixating the fracture fragments, and pin clamping assemblies for attaching the pin to the outrigger. The outrigger conforms to the anatomical configuration of the fractured bone thereby enabling direct fixation of the fracture fragments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing an eggshell, which provides a body and handle for holding an egg softly by linkage between them, a removing plate for breaking the eggshell with the handle, an operating device for expanding the removing plate so as to extract the contents in the egg so that the convenience in removing the eggshell is proposed, the eggshells are removed easily and rapidly, and most of all, the sanitation in removing the eggshell is improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a component car system and method for making the same and more particularly to a novel system of car components adapted to enable persons to build a new car having the appearance of a classic or antique car such as a “Tucker”.

Abstract: Compositions for oral delivery having a biological agent or protein, peptide, or derivative thereof, and a poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxypropylene) block copolymer. The compositions are useful in oral delivery of numerous agents. The invention also encompasses methods of treatment using the same.

Abstract: A tunable photonic band-gap device is disclosed which utilizes photoresponsive materials and is tunable over a range of wavelengths with the application of light. The device comprises a structure having a plurality of photoresponsive regions arranged in a matrix whereby the behavior of the device in preventing electromagnetic radiation from propagating through the structure may be modified by applying light to the photoresponsive regions. In one embodiment, a photonic band-gap transistor has a light propagation path defined by a plurality of dielectric and photoresponsive rods disposed in a substrate for the routing of a signal through the structure from an inlet to an outlet. The path comprises an input signal path beginning at the inlet, an output signal path terminating at the outlet, and a control signal path which merges with the input signal path to be joined with the output signal path at a common intersection point.

Abstract: A method for the production of an esterified product is provided which affords an esterified product with high quality by repressing, during the esterification reaction of an alcohol with (meth)acrylic acid, the occurrence of impurities, particularly gel, to be formed owing to the polymerization of the alcohol and the (meth)acrylic acid as raw materials, the esterified product consequently formed, or the mixture thereof.