Abstract: A process for calibrating the temperature control unit of a vertical gradient freeze crystal growth oven, instead of the fused material a test body (3) is used in the oven (1) that does not melt at the oven temperature, that has a heat conductivity comparable to the fused material and a central bore (4). After turning on the resistance heaters (8, 9, 10) of the oven (1) the temperature at the level of the individual control temperature indicators (11, 12, 13) of the oven (1) is measured via a reference temperature indicator (5) that can be fully inserted into the bore (4) and subsequently the output of the respective resistance heaters (8, 9, 10) is set to a desired temperature value.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating an immune system disorder not involving T cell proliferation, comprising administering to the animal an immunotoxin comprising a mutant diphtheria toxin moiety linked to an antibody moiety which routes by the anti-CD3 pathway, or derivatives thereof under conditions such that the disorder is treated. Thus, the present method can treat graft-versus-host disease.

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: A structural helical pile having an elongate shaft member defining a longitudinal axis. The structural helical pile also comprises a radially extending, generally helical load bearing member integral with the shaft member and projecting outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the shaft member. The helical load bearing member has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The respective leading and trailing edges intersect the shaft member in spaced relationship along the longitudinal length of the shaft member. The helical load bearing member further comprises at least one rib integrally formed therein. In this aspect, each rib extends outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the shaft member and has a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness.

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 a vaccine production strain of Bordetella bronchiseptica that produces a pertussis toxin in high yield. The present invention provides a method for creating a Bordetella bronchiseptica cell line which produces a Bordetella pertussis toxin comprising the steps of introducing a plasmid containing a DNA encoding antibiotic resistance into a Bordetella bronchiseptica strain, selecting for isolates in which the DNA encoding antibiotic resistance is recombinantly incorporated into the chromosome in place of the Bordetella bronchiseptica toxin gene, introducing a plasmid containing DNA encoding subunits of the Bordetella pertussis toxins into the Bordetella bronchiseptica isolates; and, selecting for isolates in which DNA encoding Bordetella pertussis toxin subunit is recombinantly incorporated into the chromosome, the resulting cells producing the Bordetella pertussis toxin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain substituted heterocycles of Formula (200), wherein B, H, I, J and K together with the Ar5 form a ring containing at least one amide residue, and W, X, Y and Z together form a 2,4-thiazolidinedione, 2-thioxo-thiazolidine-4-one, 2,4-imidazolidinedione or 2-thioxo-imidazolidine-4-one residue; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds are useful in the treatment of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, and related disorders of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, including atherosclerosis. The compounds are also useful for treating diseases of uncontrolled proliferation, such as cancers in general, including breast cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides a monoclonal antibody, a fragment thereof, or a molecular complex thereof that binds to an extracellular domain of an EphA2 receptor molecule, wherein binding of the monoclonal antibody or fragment thereof to the EphA2 receptor molecule present in the membrane of a cancer cell favorably alters activity of the EphA2 receptor molecule. The invention further relates to methods of making and using the monoclonal antibodies, fragments, and molecular complexes regarding the same. The monoclonal antibodies of the present invention target the extracellular domain of EphA2 and operate to redirect the function of EphA2 to selectively block the growth and invasiveness of metastatic cells. The invention thus makes possible therapeutic strategies that optimally target metastatic cells while preventing collateral damage to normal tissues.

Abstract: The meter system of the present invention allows for automated water utility resource measurements, data collection and exercise of control and notification of fire hydrant water usage and includes: a portable water meter that is releaseably mountable onto a discharge nozzle of the fire hydrant; a flow sensor that senses the water flow rate passing therethrough the portable water meter; a processor that is configured to receive, process, and/or store data from the flow sensor; and a satellite positioning system that is adapted to receive satellite position determining signals. The hydrant meter system further includes a communication device that is adapted to transmit the processed flow signal and the processed positioning signal to a remote server system via a communication medium.

Abstract: Chimeric flaviviruses that are avirulent and immunogenic are provided. The chimeric viruses are constructed to contain amino acid mutations in the nonstructural proteins of a flavivirus. Chimeric viruses containing the attenuation-mutated nonstructural genes of the virus are used as a backbone into which the structural protein genes of a second flavivirus strain are inserted. These chimeric viruses elicit pronounced immunogenicity yet lack the accompanying clinical symptoms of viral disease. The attenuated chimeric viruses are effective as immunogens or vaccines and may be combined in a pharmaceutical composition to confer simultaneous immunity against several strains of pathogenic flaviviruses.

Abstract: Biological anomalies are detected and/or predicted by analyzing input biological or physical data using a data processing routine. The data processing routine includes a set of application parameters associated with biological data correlating with the biological anomalies. The data processing routine uses an algorithm to produce a data series, e.g., a PD2i data series. The data series is used to detect or predict the onset of the biological anomalies. To reduce noise in the data series, the slope is set to a predetermined number if it is less than a predetermined value. To further reduce noise, a noise interval within the data series is determined and, if the noise interval is within a predetermined range, the data series is divided by another predetermined number, and new values are produced for the data series.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and a method for amplification of nucleic acid sequences of interest. The disclosed method generally involves replication of a target sequence such that, during replication, the replicated strands are displaced from the target sequence by strand displacement replication of another replicated strand. In one form of the disclosed method, the target sample is not subjected to denaturing conditions. It was discovered that the target nucleic acids, genomic DNA, for example, need not be denatured for efficient multiple displacement amplification. The primers used can be hexamer primers. The primers can also each contain at least one modified nucleotide such that the primers are nuclease resistant. The primers can also each contain at least one modified nucleotide such that the melting temperature of the primer is altered relative to a primer of the same sequence without the modified nucleotide(s). The DNA polymerase can be ?29 DNA polymerase.

Abstract: Provided are an isolated peptide having the amino acid sequence DLMGYIPAV (SEQ ID NO: 1), an isolated HCV core polypeptide comprising an L?A substitution at amino acid position 139, an isolated HCV core polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and a fragment of an HCV core polypeptide having fewer amino acids than the entire HCV core polypeptide and comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. Also provided are nucleic acids which encode the peptides and polypeptides of this invention, vectors comprising the nucleic acids of this invention and cells comprising the vectors and nucleic acids of this invention. Further provided are methods of producing an immune response in a subject and/or treating or preventing HCV infection in a subject, comprising administering to the subject, or to a cell of the subject, any of the compositions of this invention.

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 relates to certain compounds of Formula (I) which can be useful in the treatment of diseases, such as, cancer, metabolic disorders, Type 2 Diabetes, dyslipidemia and/or hyperchloesterolemia:

Abstract: A method for producing a unit having a three-dimensional surface patterning on a base layer. A photoresist is applied to a base layer and subjected to a masked exposure matched to a predetermined final surface patterning. Parts of the photoresist layer are removed by developing to provide an initial surface patterning, including photoresist sacrificial subregions. A coating which covers the initial surface patterning is then applied. Energy is then applied to the initial surface patterning to destabilize the sacrificial layer regions. The initial surface patterning is acted on by a high-pressure liquid jet at a predetermined treatment temperature such that at least part of the coating which covers the sacrificial layer regions are mechanically removed or at least broken open to produce the final surface patterning. The liquid has a negligible chemical reaction rate and/or physical dissolution rate with respect to materials of the unit and/or organic fluid-sealing means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic cationic lipids, liposome formulations and the use of such compounds to introduce functional bioactive agents into cultured cells.