Abstract: Compositions containing biologically active peptides are disclosed. Active peptides are isolated fragments derived from human hair or sheep wool keratin proteins. Compositions may be prepared for pharmaceutical or topical administration or for use in cosmetic preparations.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for measuring the performance of a subroutine in a software application executing upon a computer system. When characterized as a method, a monitoring application operating according to the present invention first intercepts a call to a subroutine. The monitoring application then examines a system clock. If the clock is in a particular configuration, the monitoring application collects a first set of performance data. Next, the monitoring application passes control to the subroutine. When the subroutine completes, control is returned to the monitoring application. The monitoring application then collects a second set of performance data. The first and second sets of data are then compared to determine the performance characteristics of the subroutine. If the clock in not in the particular configuration, the monitoring application passes control to the subroutine in such a way that processing continues as it would if the monitoring program had never been called.

Abstract: A hidden storage for vehicles such as vans and utility/sports utility vehicles without altering the external appearance of the vehicle. The hidden storage is located adjacent one or both sides of the vehicle between a rearmost side door and the rear of the vehicle. The hidden storage is accessible only via one or more hinged side panel sections of the vehicle, and access to the interior of the vehicle does not provide access to the hidden storage area. The hidden storage is provided by a storage box secured to the side of the vehicle and the interior of the storage box is only accessible through opening of an associated hinged section of the side panel of the vehicle, which can be locked shut.

Abstract: Serum cav-1 is disclosed as a biomarker for prostate cancer that has the power to differentiate between prostate cancer and BPH patients.

Abstract: Systems and methods for in-line blending of biodiesel and diesel fuels in cold weather environments include diluting heated B100 into a portion of heated diesel prior to blending into a cold diesel stream.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multi-dose erythropoietin formulations for parenteral administrations. The formulations contain one or more of the following preservatives benzethonium chloride, phenoxyethanol and phenylethyl alcohol.

Abstract: Process and system for investing in private portfolio includes determining relative risk, excess return and correlation of a private investment portfolio to a public market.

Abstract: A new method of photo-reflectance characterization of strain and active dopant in semiconductor structures has been developed for characterization of physical properties of semiconductor structures. The underlying principle of the strain and active dopant characterization technique is to measure photo-reflectance signals occurring nearby to interband transitions in the semiconductor bandstructure and which are highly sensitive to strain and/or active dopant through the effect of the nanometer scale space charge fields induced at the semiconductor surface. To attain this, the present disclosure comprises an intensity modulated pump laser beam and a continuous wave probe laser beam, focused coincident on a semiconductor structure. The pump laser provides approximately 15 mW optical power in the NIR-VIS. The pump light is amplitude modulated by a signal generator operating in the range of 100 kHz-50 MHz.

Abstract: Nanoparticles having designed or engineered coatings that provide enhanced or improved characteristics to the coated nanoparticles and methods for forming the improved nanoparticles from oxide or ceramic coated nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of inhibiting angiogenesis within a tissue of interest by providing either intact or nicked ?2-Glycoprotein 1 (?2GP1) to cells associated with the tissue. The presence of ?2GP1 inhibits angiogenesis within the tissue, in part by preventing neovascularization into the tissue. The disclosure also provides a method for treating tumors by providing ?2GP1 to the tumor.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the field of medical implants, and more specifically to biodegradable injectable implants and their methods of manufacture and use. The injectable implants disclosed herein comprise glycolic acid and bio-compatible/bio-absorbable polymeric particles containing a polymer of lactic acid. The particles are small enough to be injected through a needle but large enough to avoid engulfment by macrophages. The injectables of this invention may be in a pre-activated solid form or an activated form (e.g., injectable suspension or emulsion).

Abstract: A method for isolating an inner cell mass comprising the steps of immobilizing a blastocyst stage embryo having a zona pellucida, trophectoderm, and inner cell mass, creating an aperture in the blastocyst stage embryo by laser ablation, and removing the inner cell mass from the blastocyst stage embryo through the aperture. The aperture is through the zona pellucida and the trophectoderm. The laser ablation is acheived using a non-contact diode laser. The inner cell mass removed from the blastocyst stage embryo is used to establish human Embryonic Stem Cell lines.

Abstract: A client initially creates a client's request for proposal (RFP) on a client computer. The client also enters information that identifies some of the client's opponents. Next, a service provider creates a service provider profile on a service provider computer. The service provider also enters information that identifies some of the service provider's clients. Next, all of this information is transmitted to a host site computer that is in communication with the service provider computer and the client computer. The host site computer then compares the information identifying the client's opponents to the information identifying the service provider's clients to determine if the service provider should be allowed access to the client's RFP. If one of the service provider's clients is the same as one of the client's opponents, the service provider is refused access to the client's RFP.

Abstract: A method for recovering and recycling catalyst coated fuel cell membranes includes dissolving the used membranes in water and solvent, heating the dissolved membranes under pressure and separating the components. Active membranes are produced from the recycled materials.