Abstract: A graphical user interface for a financial activity network that includes a central managing system connected to a plurality of participant terminals. Rules governing operation of the financial activity are stored for future reference. A participant provides investment information such as a map location for the predicted strike by the natural event and, optionally, one or more secondary parameters relating to the natural event, such as the time interval between the time of investment and the time of all event strike and/or the severity of the event strike according to an established scale. The graphical user interface provides the user with the ability to select options and view data from a screen display, with recalculations of data being displayed on an ongoing basis, reflecting the user's current selections.

Abstract: A reflector comprises a body having a reflecting member constituting the front surface and a base member mounted on the reflecting member and a plurality of reflex reflector structures provided along the front surface of the body, while the front surface has a curved shape arched in a longitudinal section of the body and the optical axes of the plurality of reflex reflector structures are directionally constant along the overall longitudinal direction of the body.

Abstract: A DNA vaccine suitable for eliciting an immune response against cancer cells comprises a polynucleotide construct operably encoding an a Fra-1 protein, such as a polyubiquitinated human Fra-1 protein, and IL-18, such as human IL-18, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the polynucleotide construct is operably incorporated in an attenuated bacterial vector, such as an attenuated Salmonella typhimurium, particularly a doubly attenuated aroA? dam? S. typhimurium. Transformed host cells, methods of inhibiting tumor growth, of vaccinating a patient against cancer, and of delivering genetic material to a mammalian cell in vivo are also described.

Abstract: An ergonomic handle for a hand-held tool, e.g., a chain saw sharpening file, is sized and shaped for cooperative engagement with the hand of a user and comprises an oblong, contoured body having a distal portion and a bulbous proximal portion integral therewith. A tool is received into a central opening that extends along the longitudinal axis of the oblong body.

Abstract: A layered article of manufacture and a method of manufacturing same is disclosed. A substrate has a biaxially textured MgO crystalline layer having the c-axes thereof inclined with respect to the plane of the substrate deposited thereon. A layer of one or more of YSZ or Y2O3 and then a layer of CeO2 is deposited on the MgO. A crystalline superconductor layer with the c-axes thereof normal to the plane of the substrate is deposited on the CeO2 layer. Deposition of the MgO layer on the substrate is by the inclined substrate deposition method developed at Argonne National Laboratory. Preferably, the MgO has the c-axes thereof inclined with respect to the normal to the substrate in the range of from about 10° to about 40° and YBCO superconductors are used.

Abstract: A prostaglandin E composition comprises are substantially free from C1-C4 alcohols and include the prostaglandin E compound together with a (C1-C4)-alkyl(C8-C22)carboxylic ester (e.g., ethyl laurate), an N,N-di(C1-C8)alkylamino substituted, (C4-C18)alkyl(C2-C18)carboxylic ester and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt thereof, and optionally, a viscosity enhancing agent such as guar gum. The prostaglandin E composition can be combined with an aqueous alcoholic diluent to form a pharmaceutical composition for topical application to a patient, for example, to treat sexual dysfunction. The prostaglandin E compositions are stable for prolonged periods of storage at room temperature.

Abstract: A method of depositing nanocrystalline diamond film on a substrate at a rate of not less than about 0.2 microns/hour at a substrate temperature less than about 500° C. The method includes seeding the substrate surface with nanocrystalline diamond powder to an areal density of not less than about 1010sites/cm2, and contacting the seeded substrate surface with a gas of about 99% by volume of an inert gas other than helium and about 1% by volume of methane or hydrogen and one or more of acetylene, fullerene and anthracene in the presence of a microwave induced plasma while maintaining the substrate temperature less than about 500° C. to deposit nanocrystalline diamond on the seeded substrate surface at a rate not less than about 0.2 microns/hour. Coatings of nanocrystalline diamond with average particle diameters of less than about 20 nanometers can be deposited with thermal budgets of 500° C.-4 hours or less onto a variety of substrates such as MEMS devices.

Abstract: The invention concerns human thrombopoietin and in particular modified forms of thrombopoietin (TPO) with improved properties. The improved proteins contain amino acid substitutions at specific positions within the TPO molecule. The invention provides modified TPO molecules, preferably fusion proteins comprising immunoglobulin constant regions and modified human TPO, with improved biological activity concomitant with reduced immunogenic potential in the protein. The improved proteins are intended for therapeutic use in the treatment of diseases in humans.

Abstract: A cellular structure such as a honeycomb window treatment comprises a plurality of rows of elongated cells secured to one another. Each of the rows is constructed by providing a first longitudinally extending length of materia1, which includes a first surface and a second surface, as well as, a lesser width portion and a greater width portion. A second length of material is also provided that includes a first surface and a second surface of the first material. The second surface of the second material is secured to the first surface over the greater width portion of the first material along a plurality longitudinally extending locations on the second surface of the second material to form a row. A longitudinally extending crease may also be formed in the first material such that the lesser width portion and the greater width portion of the first material lie on opposite sides of the crease.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of treating neovascular diseases, such as a retinal neovascular diseases and tumors, by administering to a patient suffering from a neovascular disease or tumor a vascular development inhibiting amount of a combination of the angiogenesis suppressing drugs comprising an angiostatic fragment of tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling inhibitor and an integrin signaling inhibitor. Compositions for use in the methods include an admixture of an angiostatic fragment of tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) and at least one of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling inhibitor and an integrin signaling inhibitor, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

Abstract: The invention relates to the modification of antibodies reactive to human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) to result in anti-TNF alpha antibodies that are substantially non-immunogenic or less immunogenic than any non-modified parental antibody when used in vivo. The invention relates also to peptide molecules comprising T-cell epitopes of the V-regions of the parental antibody which are modified by amino acid alteration in order to reduce or eliminate said T-cell epitopes.

Abstract: Compositions comprising truncated tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase polypeptides useful for regulating angiogenesis, as well as nucleic acids encoding such tRNA synthetase polypeptides are described. Methods of making and using such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating patients suffering from left ventricular dysfunction, exhibited by a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than normal, is disclosed. The method involves applying, during diastole, for a time period of about one hour, about five days each week for at least about seven weeks, an incrementally increasing therapeutic pressure to the patients' lower extremities, from the calves through the thighs and the buttocks. The hourly treatments are carried out at incrementally increasing peak diastolic/systolic pressure ratios (D/S Ratios) in the range of about 0.4:1 up to about 0.6:1 and thereafter at a D/S Ratio in the range of 0.5:1 to 1:1 for each consecutive hourly treatment, with the proviso that the average D/S Ratio over the entire treatment regimen does not exceed about 0.9:1.

Abstract: A fastener module and fabric panel suitable for use with a window covering having a plurality of openable rows is provided. More particularly, the fastener module enables engagement and disengagement of control cords from panels of a window covering.