Abstract: Validating the error map of a CMM using a calibrated probe including a stylus, the probe capable of rotation about at least one axis, includes placing a calibration artifact on a table of the CMM, the table having an upper surface in an XY plane; positioning a Z-ram of the CMM in a first calibration position and a second calibration position with respect to the artifact such that the stylus contacts the artifact; calculating a measured value representing the measured length between the first and second calibration positions; calculating a nominal value based on the length of the stylus of the probe; comparing the nominal value to the measured value; and updating the error map of the CMM if the measured value differs from the nominal value by more than a predetermined value. The probe and/or the stylus moves relative to the Z-ram such that the calibration artifact remains stationary while the Z-ram is positioned in the first calibration position and the second calibration position.

Abstract: This invention pertains to methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions. More specifically, the invention relates to isolated molecules that can be used to diagnose and/or treat cardiovascular conditions including cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, stroke, arteriosclerosis, and heart failure.

Abstract: The invention relates, in part, to a library of chimeric proteins, each chimeric protein including a mini-protein between about eight and about forty amino acids long, wherein the mini-protein has a single disulfide bond formed by a pair of invariant cysteines and has only two cysteines. The chimeric protein also includes at least a portion of an outer surface protein of a genetic package, wherein the chimeric protein is displayed on the outer surface of the genetic package. The invention also includes, in part, a mixture of nucleic acids that encode a library of the invention. The invention also includes, in part, a process for identifying proteins with a desired binding activity against a target, the process including screening a library of chimeric proteins of the invention; and identifying the chimeric protein. The invention, in part, also includes chimeric proteins expressed by a library of the invention.

Abstract: A disk centering system includes: a disk mount portion having a disk mount surface on which a disk form recording medium is to be mounted, the disk mount portion being provided with a predetermined reference point; and at least three disk centering portions for pressing the outer circumferential edge of the disk form recording medium, the disk centering portions being located in radial directions with the reference point as a center, wherein each of the disk centering portions can be moved between a centering position at which the disk centering portion makes contact with the outer circumferential edge of the disk form recording medium mounted on the disk mount surface to thereby center the disk form recording medium and a stand-by position located on the outer side relative to the centering position, and the centering positions are located at an equal distance from the reference point in the radial directions with the reference point as a center.

Abstract: The invention involves identification of a mechanism of ?-amyloid peptide cytotoxicity, which enables treatment of conditions caused by ?-amyloid peptide aggregates by administration of compounds which antagonize the mechanism of cytotoxicity. The invention includes the identification and isolation of compounds which can reduce the neurotoxic effects of such aggregates. Methods for treating conditions resulting from neurotoxic ?-amyloid peptide aggregates, such as Alzheimer's disease and pharmaceutical preparations are provided. Also provided are methods for selecting additional compounds which can reduce the neurotoxic effects of ?-amyloid aggregates.

Abstract: A device and method for treatment of urinary stress incontinence. At least one electrode is implanted in a pelvic muscle of a patient. A control unit receives signals indicative of abdominal stress in the patient and responsive thereto applies an electrical waveform to the electrode which stimulates the muscle to contract, so as to inhibit involuntary urine flow through the patient's urethra due to the stress.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting and targeting multiple submunitions from a delivery vehicle. Each submunition may be self-extracting, recoil-less extracting, self-spin initiating, and/or sensor fuzed.

Abstract: Methods and products for stimulating hematopoiesis, preventing low levels of hematopoietic cells and producing increased numbers of hematopoietic and mature blood cells are provided. The methods and products can be used both in vivo and in vitro. The methods involve administering an agent of Formula I: wherein m is an integer between 0 and 10, inclusive; A and A1 are L-amino acid residues such that the A in each repeating bracketed unit can be the same or a different amino acid residue; the C bonded to B is in the L-configuration; the bonds between A and N, A1 and C, and between A1 and N are peptide bonds; and each X1 and X2 is, independently, a hydroxyl group or a group capable of being hydrolyzed to a hydroxyl group in aqueous solution at physiological pH. A particularly preferred agent that is useful in practicing the invention is a ValBoroPro.

Abstract: The invention pertains to dog P-glycoproteins and related P-glycoproteins which include dog-specific amino acids, as well as nucleic acids which encode those polypeptides. The present invention also includes fragments and biologically functional variants of the dog P-glycoprotein. The invention further relates to methods of using such dog P-glycoprotein nucleic acids and polypeptides, especially in methods for determining bioavailability of drugs and for screening for inhibitors of dog PGP. Also included are dog PGP inhibitors which inhibit dog PGP activity by inhibiting the expression or function of dog PGP.

Abstract: Methods for expanding antigen-specific T cells in vitro are provided. The methods involve contacting hematopoietic precursor or progenitor cells with a heteroconjugate containing an inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase (DPIV) attached to an antigenic peptide, optionally with a culture step to expand T cells with a DPIV inhibitor. The culture may be performed in the absence of exogenously provided cytokines.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods and products related to genotyping. The method of genotyping of the invention is based on the use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to perform high throughput genome scans. The high throughput method can be performed by hybridizing SNP allele-specific oligonucleotides and a reduced complexity genome (RCG). The invention also relates to methods of preparing the SNP specific oligonucleotides and RCGs, methods of fingerprinting, determining allele frequency for a SNP, characterizing tumors, generating a genomic classification code for a genome, identifying previously unknown SNPs, and related compositions and kits.

Abstract: Novel (hydroxyethyl)ureas are described. These compounds are effective inhibitors of certain aspartyl proteases, notably secretases involved in the enzymatic cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) to yield amyloid-&bgr; peptide. Methods are provided for administering the novel compounds to treat &bgr;-amyloid-associated diseases, notably Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention involves methods and products for oral gene therapy. Genes under the control of promoters are protectively contained in microparticles and delivered to cells in operative form, thereby obtaining noninvasive gene delivery for gene therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of screening compounds for potential pharmacological activity using nematode worms, principally but not exclusively the nematode C. elegans. Specifically, the invention relates to the use of nematodes modified to have certain characteristics which provide advantages for compound screening, such as constitutive pharyngeal pumping, increased gut permeability or altered gut molecular transport. Methods for selecting suitably modified nematodes from a population of nematodes are also provided.

Abstract: A method of measuring the response of an electronic device to a high frequency input signal is performed with an analyzer (1).

Abstract: A drop wire clamp comprising a shell, a wedge, and a shim, for securing a cable to a fixed object. The shell is an elongated open ended member that is tapered in length and is formed with a U shaped cross section, sized to receive the wedge in sliding engagement. The wedge has a shim fixed to its lower side with a surface shaped to frictionally engage the upper surface of a cable positioned within the shell and press it against a friction surface forming the bottom of the shell. A bail engages the wedge and shim to pull the wedge into operative engagement with the shell and a segment of cable extending through the shell.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the systems and methods allow for the control of a human transport device such that the human transport device remains in an upright position regardless of the surface being traversed. The systems and methods may include a plurality of operational modes where each mode has different characteristics. Additionally, systems and method for locating a center of gravity of a device are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition of greater than 90% pure ethyleneimine dimer and a method of synthesizing the same. This method of synthesis provides several advantages over previous methods: (1) The starting compounds are all relatively inexpensive; (2) the yield of product is greater than 20% of the theoretical yield; and (3) the steps of synthesis are easy, inexpensive and amenable to large-scale production. All of these advantages allow for less expensive production of ethyleneimine dimer.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a device such that device operates in a smooth manner. The system may switch between control architectures or vary gain coefficients used in a control loop to control the device. As the architecture or gains are switched, the control signal may be smoothed so that the device does not experience an abrupt change in the control signal it receives. In one embodiment, the control signal may be smoothed by adding a decaying offset value to the control signal to create a smoothed control signal that is applied to the device.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating asthma are provided. The methods involve the discovery of a correlation between an eotaxin gene polymorphism and the occurrence of asthma.