Abstract: Methods of treating an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, methods of increasing apoptosis of pro-inflammatory immune cells or synoviocytes, methods of increasing the quantity of the anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells, and methods of slowing the progression of inflammation in a subject include systemically administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition including an effective amount of a TRAIL-conjugate. Preferably, the TRAIL-conjugate is effective for at least 3 days, more preferably at least 7 days, without being part of a nanocomplex that modulates the circulation half-life or release kinetics of the TRAIL-conjugate. Combination therapies including administering a second active agent, most preferably a TNF-? inhibitor, as well as pharmaceutical composition dosage units including a TRAIL-conjugate and a TNF-? inhibitor in an effective amount for a single once weekly dose for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are also provided.

Abstract: A filtering circuit for filtering a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal includes a D flip-flop having an input terminal configured to be coupled to a logic high signal and having an output terminal coupled to an output terminal of the filtering circuit; and a circuit coupled between an input terminal of the filtering circuit and the D flip-flop, the circuit configured to, for a first pulse of the PWM signal having a duty cycle within a pre-determined range: generate a positive pulse at a clock terminal of the D flip-flop as a clock signal of the D flip-flop; and generate a negative pulse at a reset terminal of the D flip-flop as a reset signal of the D flip-flop, wherein a duration between a rising edge of the positive pulse and a falling edge of the negative pulse is equal to a duration of the first pulse of the PWM signal.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data packets through a random-access (RA) transmission channel shared by a plurality of user terminals uses and exploits a function F for assigning and distributing transmission resources F(u) to the user terminals, knowledge of the graph of which is shared by the sending user terminals and the receiving station in a preliminary step. During the decoding of the received packets, the graph {(u, F(u)} of the assigning and distributing function is exploited by the receiving station to minimize, or even to decrease to zero, the number of replica-location correlations required in case of failure of the conventional CRD-SA protocol decoding process.

Abstract: Problems relating to metal corrosion in petroleum exploitation plants are monitored by methods, which include the following steps: i. Modifying the petroleum water content ii. Measuring the metal corrosion of metal in contact with the petroleum of step i. iii. Building, by repeating step i and step 2 several times, a database of water content values and values of metal corrosion corresponding to the respective water content values, and iv. Processing the database to determine an optimum value or an optimum range of values of water content (Mw) of the petroleum when metal corrosion shows a minimum value (MCR).

Abstract: A dental guidance assembly that includes: (a) a rigid body comprising at least one tooth-shaped recess and a coupling structure; and (b) at least two dental bur guides that are each: structured to securely and removably couple to a coupling structure, and having an elongated slot having the following measurements: a length of 4 to 40 millimeters, a width of 1 to 4 millimeters, and a depth of 2 to 10 millimeters. The elongated slot extends along a portion of a circumference of a treated tooth, wherein the elongated slots of the at least two dental bur guides have complementary structures, such that, together, the elongated slots are configured to facilitate a limitation of the motion of a dental bur to: an entirety of the circumference of a treated tooth, and a depth suitable to form a shoulder on the treated tooth, for receiving a dental restoration.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a composition for hemostasis that can be applied uniformly to a bleeding site and exerts a high hemostatic effect. [Solution] Provided is a composition to be applied to the subject as a spray, wherein the composition is characterized in that the spray is for hemostasis, and the composition includes a self-assembling peptide, the self-assembling peptide gelling due to self-assembly when the composition is applied to the bleeding site of the subject, and the self-assembling peptide being included in the composition in a concentration having an improved hemostatic capacity in comparison to direct application.

Abstract: A pressure regulator assembly for an SCBA includes a valve assembly having a piston, a cylinder for receiving the piston, a sealing member for engagement by the piston, a conduit extending through the piston and facilitating fluid communication between an inlet chamber and a cavity of the cylinder, and a driving assembly for facilitating the engagement and disengagement of the piston responsive to a change of pressure in the outlet chamber. A bypass assembly for an SCBA is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting leakage of a reducing fluid throughout an electrolyte membrane of an electrochemical cell is provided. The method includes the following consecutive steps: supplying the cell with anode and cathode streams; brisk and controlled variation of at least one of the following parameters: the pressure of the anode stream in the anode channel, the pressure of the cathode stream in the cathode channel, the flow rate of the anode stream into the anode channel, the flow rate of the cathode stream into the cathode channel, and the strength of the current exchanged between the two sides of the membrane; measurement of a first reducing fluid concentration in a first stream, including the cathode stream leaving the cathode channel; and deducing the presence or absence of leakage on the basis of the variation in the first measured concentration of reducing fluid over time. A corresponding fuel cell system is also provided.

Abstract: Sarcoglycanopathies are autosomal recessive diseases caused by mutations in the one of the genes coding for any sarcoglycans (SG). The inventors previously showed that the application of small molecules developed to rescue ?F508-CFTR trafficking, and known as CFTR correctors, improved the maturation of several ?-sarcoglycan mutants that were consequently rescued at the plasma membrane (WO 014086687). Now, the inventors show that some specific CFTR correctors provide additive and even synergic effect when administered in combination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for an accurate quantification in intestinal samples of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii phylogroup I members (PHGI) and/or Faecalibacterium prausnitzii phylogroup II members (PHGII). It further relates to a method for detecting intestinal diseases, including the screening, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and/or monitoring of disease activity or progression in a human subject comprising determining the abundance of PHGI and/or PHGII in an intestinal sample from said subject. Moreover, it relates to a method for the prediction of the efficacy of a drug in the therapeutic treatment of an intestinal disease in a human subject comprising determining the abundance of PHGI and/or PHGII in an intestinal sample from said subject.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula (I): wherein X is and the variables are defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, that are useful as JAK kinase inhibitors. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds to treat respiratory diseases, and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.

Abstract: A last round hold open (LRHO) apparatus comprising a first lever having a first end and a second end; a second lever having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second lever in contact with the second end of the first lever; a bolt catch in contact with the second end of the second lever, and with a bolt carrier; and a follower in contact with the first end of the first lever, such that when the follower pushes up on the first end of the first lever, the second end of the first lever pushes down on the first end of the second lever, and the second end of the second lever pushes up on the bolt catch, resulting in activation of the bolt catch and opening the bolt carrier to alert an operator of the firearm that the firearm is out of ammunition.

Abstract: A frozen confection shaped bakery item dough composition comprising: from 10.0 wt % to 30.0 wt % water; from 5.0 wt % to 35.0 wt % sugar; from 4.0 wt % to 25.0 wt % fat; and, from 35.0 wt % to 60.0 wt % flour. A frozen confection shaped bakery item prepared from the frozen confection shaped bakery item dough composition and a process for its preparation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pantographic-type wiper system for cleaning a vehicle window that includes a drive attachment, a first arm, a second arm and a head configured to hold a wiper blade, where the first arm extends between the drive attachment and the head, where the second arm extends between a holding device attached to the drive attachment and the head, also characterized in that the wiper system includes a connecting body that links the first arm to the drive attachment and where the wiper system includes a pivot link (P) between the connecting body and the drive attachment and includes a rotational link (D) between the connecting body and the first arm; the wiper system also including at least a rotational device that allows motion around a first axis (A) that corresponds to a main elongation axis of the second arm between the head and the second arm or between the holding device and the second arm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnifying glass for skin diagnosis capable of acquiring a distortion-compensated skin image, and more particularly a magnifying glass for skin diagnosis capable of acquiring a magnified skin image and at the same time compensating for distortion occurring at the time of acquisition of the magnified skin image to provide an observer with a distortion-compensated, magnified skin image, thereby improving visibility, and therefore the observer can more clearly and vividly observe the skin. The magnifying glass includes an optical/light radiation structure, a light emission controller, and a housing.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: where X, Ra, Rb, R2, and R7 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds are prodrugs of compounds having neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds; methods of using these compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing these compounds.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of negotiating a trade of a product or a service between a buyer and a seller, the method including receiving from a buyer computing device a bid associated with the product or service, assigning to the bid a trade spread based on a predetermined criteria, receiving from one or more seller computing devices offers associated with the product or service, and classifying each of the offers lying within the trade spread as a tradeable offer. The method additionally includes transmitting the buyer bid and each tradeable offer to the buyer computing device and to each seller computing device with a tradeable offer, automatically displaying the buyer bid and each tradeable offer on the buyer computing device and on each seller computing device with a tradeable offer, and tracking the time the buyer bid and a tradeable offer most approximating the buyer bid are displayed on the buyer computing device and on each seller computing device with a tradeable offer.

Abstract: The vehicle leveler includes a first portion which has a leading edge and a trailing edge, the trailing edge is disposed further from the driveway than the leading edge and forms a ramp section. The first portion has a flat section adjacent the trailing edge. The embodiment also includes a second portion which has a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge of the second portion is disposed further from the driveway than the trailing edge of the second portion. The second portion includes an extension portion. The vehicle leveler also has at least one drainage aperture which is formed within and extends through the second portion for improved user safety.

Abstract: The building of systems on breadboards such as optomechanical systems using reference stop assemblies is presented. Each reference stop assembly has a threaded base engageable with the breadboard to removably mount the reference stop assembly thereto, a support shaft connected to the threaded base and a reference ball. The reference ball is captively mounted to the support shaft and has a translational play in a plane perpendicular to the support shaft. The reference stop assembly also includes a clamping member mounted to the support shaft over the reference ball. The reference stop assembly is configured such that, when the reference stop assembly is mounted to said breadboard, the support shaft projects normally to the mounting surface of the breadboard and the clamping member cooperates with the breadboard so as to apply a clamping force to clamp the reference ball against a circular seat of a mounting hole on the breadboard.