Abstract: A display system for use with a sign panel includes a bracket with a securement for attachment to a sign panel structure such as a support rib, to receive support therefrom. The bracket includes pairs of diagonally spaced apart support surfaces with each pair of support surfaces defining a channel for receiving a respective flag staff, to support opposite sides of a flag staff at spaced apart locations. A pivot connection pivotally attaches the flag staffs to the bracket, bringing the flag staffs into alignment with the support surfaces as the flags are rotated between an open or display position and a closed or storage position.

Abstract: A fastener module 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.

Abstract: Devices incorporating a thin wafer of electrically and ionically conductive porous material made by the method of introducing a mixture of a thermoplastic binder and one or more of anion exchange moieties or cation exchange moieties or mixtures thereof and/or one or more of a protein capture resin and an electrically conductive material into a mold. The mixture is subjected to temperatures in the range of from about 60° C. to about 170° C. at pressures in the range of from about 0 to about 500 psig for a time in the range of from about 1 to about 240 minutes to form thin wafers. Devices include electrodeionization and separative bioreactors in the production of organic and amino acids, alcohols or esters for regenerating cofactors in enzymes and microbial cells.

Abstract: Improved laser energy delivery devices, providing greater transmission efficiency, longevity of use and safety are described. In one embodiment, a device for delivering laser energy includes a conventional optical fiber within a metal or plastic cannula provided with a laser energy emission window. A reflective material is disposed in a space between the distal end portion of a metal or plastic sheath and the optical fiber, as well as about any extension or endpiece of the distal end of the sheath. The reflective material reflects aberrant emissions of laser energy from the optical fiber as it erodes, and laser energy backscattered from the target tissue away from the distal end of the sheath back into the optical fiber or out of the distal end of the sheath, thereby preventing damage due to overheating. Other embodiments include devices that transmit laser energy more safely, efficiently and durably laterally from the axis of the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preventing or inhibiting viral infection of a cell and/or fusion between the envelope of a virus and the membranes of a cell targeted by the virus (thereby preventing delivery of the viral genome into the cell cytoplasm, a step required for. viral infection). The present invention particularly relates to the families of RNA viruses, including the arenaviruses, coronaviruses, filoviruses, orthomyxoviruses, paramyxoviruses, and retroviruses, having Class I membrane fusion proteins as the fusion proteins that mediate this fusion process. The present invention provides for a method of identifying a conserved motif or domain called the fusion initiation region (FIR) in these viruses. The present invention further provides for methods of preventing infection by such viruses, by interfering with their FIR. The present invention further provides for methods of treatment and prophylaxis of diseases induced by such viruses.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses novel mammalian cell cycle checkpoint genes/DNA repair genes, cDNA or genomic DNA, isolated nucleic acids corresponding thereto, proteins encoded thereby, expression vectors comprising said nucleic acids, host cells transformed with said expression vectors, and methods for treating a cell using such nucleic acids or proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for inhibiting ocular neovascularization in a patient. The method comprises administering to a patient an ocular neovascularization inhibiting amount of a water-soluble polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 7, and an ocular neovascularization inhibiting fragment thereof, which includes at least one of amino acid residue signature sequences HVGH (SEQ ID NO:10) and KMSAS (SEQ ID NO:11). A method for assaying the angiogenesis inhibiting activity of a composition is also provided.

Abstract: Glasses are provided having one temple which is clipped to a cap, preferably to the brim or visor of a cap. The temple is associated with at least one joint which permits the lens portions to be pivoted from a use position before a user's eyes to a storage position along the user's head over one ear.

Abstract: A device for removing suspended particles from an airflow has an intake opening, an air conveying the duct, and a fan. The air conveying duct deflects the airflow with regard to its flow direction at least sectionally. In order to filter the suspended particles almost completely from the air, the airflow is guided in the air conveying duct by positive guiding elements along a general conveying direction such that the airflow is subjected to at least a twofold sequentially arranged curve-shaped deflection in different directions. The height of at least one positive guiding element projecting into the air conveying duct is smaller than the free height of the flow cross-section of the air conveying duct in the area of the positive guiding element.

Abstract: A system for the extraction, drainage and wet transport of the petroleum coke produced by the coking chambers is described. Such system provides the collection, drainage and transport of the petroleum coke coming from the coking chambers during the cutting phase all the way to the boilers' feeding. The material extracted from the coking chamber (7) through the use of high pressure water is conveyed on the pre-crusher (4) through a connection system (1a). Between the pre-crusher (4) and the draining belt conveyor (2) there is a drainage and containment hopper (1) which has the dual function of accumulation and possible drainage thanks to some holes that serve as weir. The material which falls from above in different sizes, after having being reduced in size by the pre-crusher (4), gets transported by the belt (2) that carries out a first drainage phase through the holes made on the same belt. The coke is collected on the belt while the drained water is collected in a lower collection channel (8).

Abstract: A lithium metal oxide positive electrode for a non-aqueous lithium cell is disclosed. The cell is prepared in its initial discharged state and has a general formula xLiMO2.(1?x)Li2M?O3 in which 0<x<1, and where M is one or more ion with an average trivalent oxidation state and with at least one ion being Mn or Ni, and where M? is one or more ion with an average tetravalent oxidation state. Complete cells or batteries are disclosed with anode, cathode and electrolyte as are batteries of several cells connected in parallel or series or both.

Abstract: A target protein is rendered less immunogenic to a given species by (a) determining at least part of the amino acid sequence of the target protein; (b) identifying in the amino acid sequence one or more potential epitopes for T-cells (“T-cell epitopes”) of the given species; and (c) modifying the amino acid sequence to eliminate at least one of the T-cell epitopes identified in step (b) to reduce the immunogenicity of the protein when exposed to the immune system of the given species.