Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically altered hybridomas, myelomas and B cells. The invention also relates to utilizing genetically altered hybridomas, myelomas and B cells in methods of making monoclonal antibodies. The present invention also provides populations of hybridomas and B cells that can be utilized to make a monoclonal antibody of interest.

Abstract: An Optical Imaging Device of Retinal Function has been developed to detect changes in reflectance of near infrared light from the retina of human subjects in response to visual activation of the retina by a pattern stimulus. The measured changes in reflectance correspond in time to the onset and offset of the visual stimulus in the portion of the retina being stimulated. Any changes in reflectance can be measured by interrogating the retina with a light source. The light source may be presented to the retina via the cornea and pupil or through other tissues in and around the eye. Different wavelengths of interrogating light may be used to interrogate various layers of the retina. Additionally, various novel patterns and methods of stimulation have been developed for use with the imaging device and methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for the management of the fluid level in a media coating system. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a supply item for the storage of a media coating fluid and an applicator having a trough for receiving the media coating fluid from the supply item. The apparatus utilizes a fluid level detection sensor that is located within the applicator to measure whether the media coating fluid level within the trough of the applicator is either above or below a threshold position and to generates an output signal. The apparatus has a controller for receiving the output signal and controlling delivery of the media coating fluid from the supply item to the applicator.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for treating inflammation and regulating inflammatory responses including cytokine, prostanoid, prostaglandin, and growth factor expression.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to thermostable xylanase enzymes are suitable for feed pelleting applications. The novel xylanase enzymes comprise at least 40% of their optimal activity from a pH range from about pH 3.5 to about pH 6.0, and from about 40 to about 60° C., and exhibit at least 30% of their optimal activity after a pre-incubation step for 30 minutes at 70° C. in the presence of 40% glycerol. Also disclosed are modified xylanase molecules comprising either a basic amino acid at position 162 (TrX numbering), or its equivalent position in other xylanase molecules, at least one disulfide bridge, or a combination thereof. The thermostable xylanase molecules of the present invention have a physiological temperature and pH optima and are useful as animal feeds additives since they can withstand the heat associated with feed sterilization and pellet formation, yet they exhibit optimal activity within an animal to aid in breakdown of ingested feed.

Abstract: Disclosed are androgen receptor-associated proteins, designated ARA24, ARA54, ARA55, and Rb, that have been demonstrated to interact with the androgen receptor to alter levels of androgen receptor-mediated transcriptional activation. Certain of these proteins interact with the androgen receptor in an androgen-dependent manner, whereas certain proteins may induce transcriptional activation in the presence of other ligands, such as E2 or HF. Also disclosed is a method of detecting androgenic or antiandrogenic activity using these proteins in a mammalian two-hybrid transient transfection assay.

Abstract: Antigenic epitopes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and mosaic HCV polypeptides useful as reagents in assays for the diagnosis or monitoring of HCV in a biological sample. The antigenic epitopes and mosaic polypeptides are also useful for the construction of immunogenic pharmaceutical compositions, such as vaccines. The mosaic polypeptides are artificial composite proteins constructed from diagnostically relevant antigenic regions derived from different HCV proteins. Preferably, the mosaic polypeptides contain antigenic epitopes from the core protein, NS3 protein, and NS4 protein. The preferred mosaic polypeptides optionally contain an additional antigenic epitope from either the NS4 protein or the NS5a protein or both.

Abstract: A security system and method in which a base unit at a monitored premises such as a residence can, when its alarm is activated by, for example, the detection of an intrusion, fire or other emergency, establish radio communication with similar base units or compatible devices at residences within the same neighborhood and transmit voice and other audio information to alert them of the activation of the alarm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fatty acid lyase, wherein the activity of the lyase for 9-hydroperoxide substrates is greater than the activity for 13-hydroperoxide substrates and wherein Km and Vmax of the lyase for 9-hydroperoxylinolenic acid are greater than Km and Vmax of the lyase for 9-hydroperoxylinoleic acid. More particularly, the invention provides a lyase present in melon (Cucumis melo). The invention also provides a nucleic acid encoding the lyase, vectors, and expression systems with which the recombinant lyase can be obtained. The invention also provides methods of using the lyase of the invention, including methods of cleaving 9-hydroperoxylinoleic acid, 9-hydroperoxylinolenic acid, 13-hydroperoxylinoleic acid, and 13-hydroperoxylinolenic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of GABA receptor structure and function. In one aspect, the present invention relates to impairment of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in parasitic nematodes, for the purpose of crop protection and/or soil treatment. The invention includes mutated nematode GABA receptor subunits, nematode GABA neuromuscular junction receptor complexes, nucleic acids which encode the mutated and functional receptor complexes, antibodies which selectively bind the GABA receptor complexes and/or subunits, and assays for compounds which adversely affect nematode GABA neuromuscular junction receptor function. The present invention therefore relates broadly to recombinant DNA technology, molecular biology tools, and crop protection and/or soil treatment.

Abstract: A wiring system for distributing three-phase power from a three-phase power supply is provided. The wiring system includes a power distribution cable assembly and a load cable assembly. The power distribution assembly comprises a first power connector head and a second power connector head operatively connected to the respective ends of a length of power cable such that the connection of the power conductors of the respective power terminals disposed in fixed arrays in the respective connector heads is switched. The load cable assembly has a load connector head connected to an end of a load cable. The load connector head has a fixed array of terminals that includes three terminals selected from a group consisting of a first power terminal, a second power terminal, a third power terminal, a neutral terminal, and a ground terminal.

Abstract: The present invention provides the nucleotide sequence of the M antigen gene of H. capsulatum, which is set forth in the Sequence Listing as SEQ ID NO:1, a nucleic acid having the nucleotide sequence complementary thereto, and nucleic acids having a nucleotide sequence which is substantially the same as the foregoing nucleotide sequences. The present invention also provides vectors and host expressions systems containing the foregoing nucleic acids, and isolated or recombinantly-produced antigens encoded by the foregoing nucleic acids. The present invention further provides antibodies generated against the foregoing antigens, and methods and kits for detecting a previous or current Histoplasma capsulatum infection in a subject, and for diagnosing histoplasmosis.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising an endless conveyor belt (5) having a plurality of mechanical conveyor means (12) projecting from a top surface thereof and a delivery tube (1) having an intake end and a discharge end for receiving a delivery portion of the endless belt and a return tube (10) extending along the delivery tube for receiving a return portion of the endless belt. A drive assembly (6, 7) is mechanically connected to the endless belt for rotating it for moving it in the tubes. Means (9) are arranged to guide the endless belt into the return tube with a bottom surface (14) of the belt following at least the upper portion of the return tube when moving through the return tube. The return tube is designed and dimensioned with respect to the width of said belt so as to support transversal end portions of the belt by return tube portions from below when the belt moves through the return tube while following the upper portion thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adeno-associated virus 5 (AAV5) virus and vectors and particles derived therefrom. In addition, the present invention provides methods of delivering a nucleic acid to a cell using the AAV5 vectors and particles.

Abstract: A method is described for making a composite, such as a piezoelectric composite, having a predetermined volume ratio. Initially, a pair of base slabs are diced to form slot having uniform pitch spacing such that a material portion of one diced base slab may be received within the slots of another diced base slab. The diced base slabs are interdigitated and joined to form a first piezoelectric composite that can subsequently be diced to form slots having a uniform pitch spacing that are spaced from the first slots. Two diced first piezoelectric composites are interdigitated and joined to form a second piezoelectric composite of reduced volume ratio and finer pitch.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of making carbohydrate and polyol esters suitable for use as plasticizers for polymer compositions. The invention also relates to plasticized polymer compositions comprising such carbohydrate and polyol esters. The invention also relates to articles prepared from such plasticized polymer compositions. The invention further relates to methods of using these compositions.

Abstract: Methods for delivering a biologically active molecule into a cell by linking a molecule to the cell surface, wherein the molecule can act as a surface receptor, then complexing the biologically active molecule with a ligand for the surface receptor, and finally contacting the biologically active molecule-ligand complex with the cell surface are disclosed. Delivery of any biologically active molecule, e.g. proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, hormones, nucleic acids, and oligonucleotides, is contemplated. The use of biotin or biotinylated antibodies as the surface receptor is disclosed. The use of PEI and PEI-avidin conjugates complexed with oligonucleotides for delivery into a directly or indirectly biotinylated cell surface, along with the PEI-avidin-nucleic acid compositions, are disclosed. Primary and cultured cells with a covalently linked surface receptor molecule, such as biotin, on their surfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: A postoperative bilateral augmentation mammaplasty brassiere for use by women with augmented breasts is disclosed. The brassiere provides a support cup shaped to mimic a spherically shaped breast implant. The brassiere further provides an underwire within the construction of the brassiere, the underwire having an arcuate portion to mimic the round base of an augmented breast. A connector is provided between two support cups, each with an associated underwire, such that the distance between proximal ends of the underwires is established for the comfort of the wearer and the attractive appearance of the brassiere.

Abstract: A system and method for using a dual band transceiver to transmit and receive in a first and second band, while reducing the frequency sources. By reducing the number of frequency sources needed to operate a dual band transceiver and using common transmitter and receiver Intermediate Frequencies, the invention also reduces the number of filters and other components needed for its operation. The oscillating signals from these two frequency sources are scaled, combined, mixed, and filtered, such that only two primary frequency sources are needed to operate the front-end and back-end of both the transmitter and receiver of this dual band transceiver.

Abstract: A continuous coating system has several treatment chambers (1, 2) that are arranged one after the other in such a way that in each case, a wall (3) of one treatment chamber (1) having a passage (5) contacts a wall (4) in the adjacent treatment chamber (2) that also has a passage (6). One of the passages (5) is provided in a sealing insert (7), which supports itself on the same side with a first support surface (9) on the wall (3) of one treatment chamber (1) and with a second support surface (10) against the wall (4) of the adjacent treatment chamber (2). Between the two support surfaces (9, 10) and the respective walls (3, 4), in each case there is a surrounding gasket (13, 14) against the respective support surface (9, 10) and the wall (3, 4).