Abstract: A card connector which can interchangeably couple a holographic memory card or an electronic memory card to a card reader and/or writer which can then read and/or write to the coupled holographic memory card or electronic memory card. The card connector comprises: a memory card receiving section which can interchangeably receive the holographic memory card or the electronic memory card; and one or more card positioning members which cooperate with one or more card locating members on the coupled holographic memory card or the coupled electronic memory card to thereby repeatedly position the coupled holographic memory card or the coupled electronic memory card each time the holographic memory card or the electronic memory card is coupled to the card reader and/or writer, and is in a fully inserted card position, so that data can be read from and/or written to the coupled holographic memory card or the coupled electronic memory card.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a head-forming lettuce plant of the species Lactuca sativa having red leaves throughout the head, including the heart. The red leaves in the heart are red even in the absence of radiation with wavelengths shorter than 400 nm, wherein the absence of radiation with wavelengths shorter than 400 nm is in the growing environment during the complete period from sowing until observation. The ratio between anthocyanin and chlorophyll is between 4 and 50, preferably between 9 and 27. The invention also relates to progeny of the plant.

Abstract: Variant polypeptides derivable from a parent polypeptide having non-maltogenic exoamylase activity, in which the variant polypeptides comprise an amino acid mutation at one or more positions selected from the group consisting of: 121, 161, 223, 146, 157, 158, 198, 229, 303, 306, 309, 316, 353, 26, 70, 145, 188, 272, 339, with reference to the position numbering of a Pseudomonas saccharophila exoamylase sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, as well as articles and holographic recording medium comprising the system, where the system comprises: a polymerizable component comprising at least one photoactive polymerizable material; and a photoinitiator component comprising at least one photoinitiator for causing the polymerizable component to polymerize to thereby form a plurality of holographic gratings when activated by exposure to a photoinitiating light source; wherein when a portion of the polymerizable component has been polymerized to form at least one holographic grating, the unpolymerized portion of the polymerizable component is resistant to further polymerization when not exposed to the photoinitiating light source. The present invention also provides methods for forming at least one holographic grating in a holographic recording medium having such a photopolymerizable system.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to an improved local area network certification system, apparatus, and method. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a certification-based system, apparatus, and method where a certification authority issues and manages a first certification and grants LAN Information Technology Executives and Network Administrators the capacity to request and store on a local gateway User-Specific, Permission-Coded Certificates to control the transfer of data within the LAN and with external sources.

Abstract: This invention relates to nucleic acids encoding amylase polypeptides, the encoded polypeptides and uses thereof. The amylases of the present invention have been engineered to have more beneficial qualities. Specifically, the amylases of the current invention show an altered exo-specificity and/or thermostability. Some embodiments of the invention relate to said polypeptides and nucleic acids and their uses as non-maltogenic exoamylases in producing food products.

Abstract: A monocular holographic storage device or system to provide for compact recording and/or reading of data pages in a holographic storage medium. Also provided are methods for carrying out such data storage and/or data recovery using a monocular holographic storage device or system. Further provided are articles comprising holographic storage media for recording or for reading recorded data using such devices or systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising chitin microparticles and their medical uses, and in particular to compositions for use as vaccines which comprise antigen from an infectious agent, a chitin microparticle preparation, and a further adjuvant.

Abstract: An ophthalmic camera (10) comprising a camera (12) having a lens (18) aligned with a second lens (16) and at least one illumination means (14). The illumination means (14) is capable of movement relative to the camera lens (18) so that the beam of light emitted by the illumination means (14) is able to be focused by the second lens (16) through the pupil onto the fundus. In another embodiment, the ophthalmic camera comprises a camera (52), an illumination means (54) and a beamsplitter (58). The camera (52) and the beamsplitter (58) from an alignment axis X and the illumination means (54) together with the beam splitter (58) form an illumination axis Y perpendicular to the alignment axis X.

Abstract: The present invention relates to consensus nucleotide and protein sequences for HIV-1 Clade A antigens, and to nucleotide and protein sequences for Clade A antigens from circulating HIV-1 field isolates wherein the antigen sequences are closely related to the these consensus sequences. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to HIV-1 Clade A transgenes that are derived from such sequences, and that encode either HIV-1 Clade A Gag, Pol (RT and Int), and Nef (referred to as “GRIN”), HIV-1 Clade A Gag, RT, and Nef (referred to as (“GRN”), or HIV-1 Clade A Env. The invention also relates to vectors containing such transgenes, including in preferred embodiment, adenovirus vectors containing such transgenes.

Abstract: An electromechanical shutter device comprising a base member and a shutter assembly comprising: an electrical current source member; a shutter member movable between a light beam blocked position and a light beam passed position; a light beam blocking member associated with the shutter member; a shutter coil associated with the shutter member which generates an electromagnetic force when energized; at least one magnet which generates a magnet flux directed towards and intersecting the shutter coil; electrically conductive means connecting the electrical current source member to the shutter member for passing electrical current to energize the shutter coil and to control movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked and passed positions; wherein when the shutter coil is energized, an electromagnetic force is generated that interacts with the magnetic flux to thereby cause movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked and light beam passed positions.

Abstract: Provided is a method for obtaining DNA from a plant by collecting the root border cells from a growing root and extracting DNA from the root border cells. Preferably, the root border cells are contained in the root exudate of the growing root, which is growing in a medium, for example, water, tissue culture medium, or soil. Suitably, the root is part of a germinating seed, or the root of a seedling, or the adventitious root of a tissue culture plant or plant part.

Abstract: A change in viral tropism occurs in many HIV positive individuals over time and may be indicated by a shift in coreceptor use from CCR5 to CXCR4. The shift in coreceptor use to CXCR4 has been shown to correlate with increased disease progression. In patients undergoing HAART, the predominant populations of virus may be shifted back to CCR5-mediated entry soon after the CXCR4-specific strains have emerged. The present invention relates to a diagnostic method to monitor coreceptor use in the treatment and clinical management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The present invention further relates to a diagnostic method applied to HIV-positive individuals undergoing HAART to monitor the suppression of CCR5- or CXCR4-specific strains. The diagnostic methods may be used to assist in selecting antiretroviral therapy and to improve predictions of disease prognosis over time.

Abstract: Laminated flooring panels include decorative motifs, mechanically embossed-in-registration surface textures, recessed perimeters, and locking mechanisms. The locking mechanisms facilitate the alignment of adjacent flooring panels. Adjacent flooring panels substantially aligned allow embossed-in-registration patterns to be substantially continuous across adjacent flooring panels. The recessed perimeter prevents the edges of the flooring panel from prematurely wearing. Individual flooring panels within the flooring system may comprise at least one partial sub-panel having a decorative motif and/or embossed surface texture that is complementary with a decorative motif and/or embossed surface texture of a neighboring partial sub-panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, an assay and a kit for providing an indication of abnormal cell function. It was surprisingly found that the change in the serum ADAM12 concentration in individuals was useful as a prognostic tool to predict the clinical outcome, complications and mortality following an abnormal cell function. The present inventors describes ADAM12 as a overall general marker for abnormal cell function, and the present inventor for the first time demonstrate that ADAM12 is an important indicator of fetal chromosomal disease and placenta function. Specifically ADAM12 is a good marker for e.g. Downs's syndrome, trisomy 18, preeclampsia, Turner syndrome in both first and second trimester. The present inventors developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay for the quantification of ADAM12 in serum.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a scaffolding and worktable apparatus with pivotally connected end legs, and in particular, to an apparatus that can be modified from a scaffold to a worktable by rotating collapsible end legs from a first position to a second position and an apparatus that can also be stored or used in a flattened configuration by rotating the end legs to a third stored position.

Abstract: A method and system for excavating a subterranean formation including pumping a fluid through a nozzle such that an exit velocity of the fluid is greater than an entrance velocity of the fluid. A plurality of solid material impactors may be circulated with the fluid through the nozzle. A substantial portion by weight of the solid material impactors has a mean diameter of approximately 0.100 inches or less. The substantial portion by weight of solid material impactors exit the nozzle, contact the formation and rebound into a junk slot.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for treating cancer, particularly hematopoietic tumors of lymphoid or myeloid lineage, prostate cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, breast cancer and melanoma, which comprise administering to the mammal a compound, salt, hydrate, tautomer or N-oxide according to formula (I): and in particular, those of subgenus VIIa These compounds inhibit or modulate the activity of the heat shock protein Hsp90.

Abstract: Laminated flooring panels include decorative motifs, mechanically embossed-in-registration surface textures, recessed perimeters, and locking mechanisms. The locking mechanisms facilitate the alignment of adjacent flooring panels. Adjacent flooring panels substantially aligned allow embossed-in-registration patterns to be substantially continuous across adjacent flooring panels. The recessed perimeter prevents the edges of the flooring panel from prematurely wearing. Individual flooring panels within the flooring system may comprise at least one partial sub-panel having a decorative motif and/or embossed surface texture that is complementary with a decorative motif and/or embossed surface texture of a neighboring partial sub-panel.

Abstract: A method of preparing a flour dough, said method comprising adding to the dough components an enzyme that under dough conditions is capable of hydrolysing a glycolipid and a phospholipid, wherein said enzyme is incapable, or substantially incapable, of hydrolysing a triglyceride and/or a 1-monoglyceride, or a composition comprising said enzyme, and mixing the dough components to obtain the dough.