Abstract: An attenuated, avirulent recombinant vaccine providing challenged protection against channel catfish virus comprises deletion of gene 50. Gene 50 encodes a secreted glycoprotein. Removal of gene 50, or replacement of gene 50 with foreign genetic material, provides a vaccine with which induces virus specific immunity against CCV disease.

Abstract: A kit for detecting a first substance in a sample including a stabilized 1,2-dioxetane bearing an enzyme-labile substituent, which is destabilized and caused to decompose by contacting the 1,2-dioxetane with an enzyme under conditions which cause the enzyme to cleave the enzyme-labile group from the dioxetane, thereby yielding a negatively charged oxygen anion bonded to the 1,2-dioxetane, which causes the 1,2-dioxetane to decompose without input from an external excitation energy source, the decomposition being accompanied by chemiluminescence; and a second component selected from the group consisting of a specific affinity substance (e.g., an antigen, an antibody or a nucleic acid probe) and an enzyme which destabilizes said 1,2-dioxetane.

Abstract: There is disclosed a complex and a combination of the glycosylated polypeptide fetuin and a therapeutically active small molecule compound having a net positive charge at physiological pH. The presence of fetuin as a drug complex or in combination with the therapeutically active small molecule compound enhances therapeutic activity of the small molecule compound. The present invention further provides a means for screening for therapeutically active small molecule compounds by means of binding to fetuin.

Abstract: A device for fastening an item to a vehicle comprising a strap having a first end, a middle portion, and a second end, and a cross-piece comprising a first end, a middle portion, and a second end. The middle portion of a the cross-piece is attached to the second end of the scrap. The first and second ends of the cross-piece include hook and loop portions respectively, for fastening one end of the cross-piece to the other. When in use, the second of the scrap is wrapped around a portion of a vehicle. Fastening components such as male and female buckle portions are used to secure the item to the vehicle. Excess material on the second end of the strap is rolled upon itself, leaving the first and second ends of the cross-piece exposed. The first and second ends of the cross-piece are then fastened to each other around at least a portion of the role material leaving no excess material exposed to when the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: The present intention relates to an implant for the controlled release of at least one pharmaceutically active principle comprising a core containing at least one active principle and a sheath surrounding said core, wherein said sheath is composed of at least one polymeric film applied around said core. It also relates to a process for the preparation of such an implant, characterised by the production of a core containing at least one active principle, preparation of at least one polymeric film, application of the polymeric film(s) around said core by juxtaposition and/or superposition thereof, and sterilisation of the implant thus obtained.

Abstract: A flowmeter used to measure the flow rate of a fluid in a conduit includes a flow restrictor insert. The conduit is coupled to an upstream and downsteam conduit portion and includes three pressure measuring stations axially spaced along the conduit wall. The flow restrictor insert includes two cylindrical portions, the second of which has a diameter larger than the first. The flow restrictor insert is positioned in the flowmeter conduit such that the first cylindrical portion is aligned with the second pressure measuring station and the second cylindrical portion is aligned with the third pressure measuring station. When a fluid flows through the conduit, the flow restrictor insert causes the fluid to diverge around the cylindrical portions thereby creating a venturi effect. The fluid flow rate is calculated from the pressure differentials derived from the data measured at the three pressure measuring stations.

Abstract: A toilet lid lock for maintaining a toilet lid in a closed position. The toilet lid lock is comprised of an upper portion including a horizontally extending arm and a vertically extending stem and a base including a flange portion with slots and a sleeve. The stem of the upper portion is inserted into the sleeve of the base. The height of the arm is adjusted by a set screw positioned in the sleeve. The arm is positioned across a toilet lid and prevents the toilet lid from being lifted. The arm is unlocked when a user presses a release button and rotates the arm so that it is parallel to the tank ofthe toilet. The toilet lid is then free to be lifted to an upright position. Once the toilet lid is lowered, the toilet lid lock automatically resets by rotating the arm back to its original position.

Abstract: A bicycle derailleur is provided with a parallelogram link that is sufficiently rigid axially to maintain the distance between the link pivot axes during derailleur actuation but substantially flexible in torsion and shear to permit simple alignment of the pivot holes and control of the link width during formation and assembly of the link, thereby ensuring smooth operation of the derailleur during gear shifts.

Abstract: The invention is relative to a window frame, in particular a window for a helicopter intended to fix the window onto a support. This frame includes cutting out means driven by pulling on at least a part of the window perimeter in order to divide into two at least a section of the frame and thus detach the window from the support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-adjusting cable of which the material having PTC behavior is an extrudable alloy of compatible polymers of from 20% to 50% of at least one polar polyolefin, of from 50% to 80% of at least one matrix polymer chosen from poly(C1-C4-alkylene) terephthalates, polyamides, polycarbonates, polyester and polyether copolymers, polyketones and methyl polymethacrylates, or mixture thereof, and of from 5% to 15%, preferably 5% to 10% of at least one conductive filler such as carbon black, and optionally non-conductive fillers. It also relates to the process for the production of said self-adjusting cable.

Abstract: An aerial cable spacer is provided with an anti-dislodging cable retainer. The anti-dislodging cable retainer includes a cable seat. Adjacent the cable seat on one side are ratchet teeth and a guide. Adjacent the cable on the opposite side is a slot. The slot receives a retaining arm. At the end of the retaining arm is a ratchet tooth for engagement with the ratchet teeth. The end of the arm also includes either an abutment or groove to engage the guide and to maintain the engagement of the ratchet tooth with the ratchet teeth.

Abstract: A probe for measuring the viscosity and/or temperature of high temperature liquids, such as molten metals, glass and similar materials comprises a rod which is an acoustical waveguide through which a transducer emits an ultrasonic signal through one end of the probe, and which is reflected from (a) a notch or slit or an interface between two materials of the probe and (b) from the other end of the probe which is in contact with the hot liquid or hot melt, and is detected by the same transducer at the signal emission end. To avoid the harmful effects of introducing a thermally conductive heat sink into the melt, the probe is made of relatively thermally insulative (non-heat-conductive) refractory material. The time between signal emission and reflection, and the amplitude of reflections, are compared against calibration curves to obtain temperature and viscosity values.

Abstract: The present invention concerns alkyl aryl carbonyl compounds that possess anti-infective activity. The compounds of the invention can be used to target specific nuclear localization signal, thereby blocking importation of specific proteins or molecular complex into the nucleus of a cell. The invention encompasses methods of use of such compounds for treatment or prevention of infectious diseases, such as parasitic and viral diseases, including, for example, malaria and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The use of the compounds to detect certain specific protein structures which are present in nuclear localization sequences is also taught.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multiple component process analysis and control includes the steps of obtaining a sample from a process stream, interrogating the sample using spectroscopy according to an established QA/QC protocol to determine the concentrations of a plurality of molecules in the sample, transmitting the determined concentrations to a control computer, determining control system response based upon the determined concentrations and a process model, implementing at least one facility action based on the control system response, and repeating the obtaining, interrogating, transmitting, determining and implementing steps. The apparatus extends the technology of multi-component analytical instrumentation to the direct use in a controller suitable of a wide variety of processes encountered in waste remediation, chemical manufacturing, combustion, and other industrial operations.