Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds that are useful for inhibition and prevention of cell adhesion and cell adhesion-mediated pathologies. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical formulations comprising these compounds and methods of using them for inhibition and prevention of cell adhesion and cell adhesion-mediated pathologies. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention can be used as therapeutic or prophylactic agents. They are particularly well-suited for treatment of many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enhancing angiogenic activity to promote neovascularization comprising administering to a subject a formulation comprising a synergistically effective amount of a TWEAK agonist and an angiogenic factor.

Abstract: The instant invention describes methods of separating or preferentially synthesizing dimers which are linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage from dimers which are not linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage from a mixture comprising the two types of polypeptide dimers. These forms can be separated from each other using hydrophobic interaction chromatography. In addition, the invention pertains to connecting peptides that result in the preferential biosynthesis of dimers that are linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage or that are not linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage. The invention also pertains to compositions in which a majority of the dimers are linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage or are not linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage. The invention still further pertains to novel binding molecules, e.g., comprising connecting peptides of the invention.

Abstract: The instant invention describes methods of separating or preferentially synthesizing dimers which are linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage from dimers which are not linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage from a mixture comprising the two types of polypeptide dimers. These forms can be separated from each other using hydrophobic interaction chromatography. In addition, the invention pertains to connecting peptides that result in the preferential biosynthesis of dimers that are linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage or that are not linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage. The invention also pertains to compositions in which a majority of the dimers are linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage or are not linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage. The invention still further pertains to novel binding molecules, e.g., comprising connecting peptides of the invention.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting IgE production in a human subject using anti-CD23 antibodies.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind human CD23, the low affinity receptor for IgE (FceRII/CD23), and contain either a human gamma-1 or human gamma-3 constant domain, are disclosed. The antibodies are useful for modulating or inhibiting induced IgE expression. Accordingly, they have practical utility in the treatment or prophylaxis of disease conditions wherein inhibition of induced IgE production is therapeutically desirable, including allergic conditions, autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A newly identified heteromeric ligand of the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-family, referred to hereinafter as “APBF” has been identified.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of BAFF comprising BAFF and fragments thereof, antibodies, agonists and antagonists.

Abstract: A heat pipe unit is comprised of a tank, a plurality of pipes provided upright on and joined to a side of the tank to be in communication with the tank, the pipes being closed at an end thereof opposite an end where the pipes are joined to the tank; a working fluid sealed in the tank and movable between the plurality of pipes and the tank, and a plurality of fins fitted over and assembled to the plurality of pipes. The tank of this heat pipe unit is embedded in a base block of metal to provide a heat pipe type heat exchanger. A plurality of heat pipe units may be arranged in a row on the base block. The tank is preferably formed from a pipe of circular cross section and has spiral grooves provided on an inner surface thereof. The heat pipe unit and the heat pipe type heat exchanger are simple in structure and excellent in cooling performance, and are easy to produce.

Abstract: A method of activating a prepaid account uses an existing electronic funds transfer network which includes a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, debit/credit card processing infrastructure and an account issuer authorization center. The method includes obtaining identification data concerning the account to be activated at the POS terminal; sending an activation request from the POS terminal through the card processing infrastructure to the processing center; receiving the activation request message at the processing center, deciding whether or not to activate the account and generating a response code based upon the activation decision, the response code not resulting in the transfer of any funds and being a code other than an approval code or a denial code; sending the response code through the card processing infrastructure to the POS terminal; and receiving the response code at the POS terminal and confirming at the POS terminal that the account has been activated.

Abstract: A method utilizes a keyword based rule set to crawl through the web pages and fetch the related product prices. There are many algorithms involved for accurately matching and selecting the required items. The data is then sorted by the price and brand and compared with the database of a group of known products. The prices of the known products are then adjusted via a set of built-in rules to put them in a very competitive position, such as number 1 or 2 among the same product category. The new prices make the seller's products very competitive online. The new price list will then automatically be posted to the web server to replace the old prices. The whole process is automated by simply placing the program on a computer operating system scheduler and let it run periodically according to the specified date and time.

Abstract: This invention relates to hepatitis B virus (“HBV”) core antigen particles that are characterized by multiple immunogen specificities. More particularly, the invention relates to HBV core antigen particles comprising immunogens, epitopes, or other related structures, crosslinked thereto by ligands which are HBV capsid-binding peptides that selectively bind to HBV core protein. Such particles may be used as delivery systems for a diverse range of immunogenic epitopes, including the HBV capsid-binding peptides, which advantageously also inhibit and interfere with HBV viral assembly by blocking the interaction between HBV core protein and HBV surface proteins. Mixtures of different immunogens and/or capsid-binding peptide ligands may be crosslinked to the same HBV core particle. Such resulting multicomponent or multivalent HBV core particles may be advantageously used in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and compositions, as well as in diagnostic compositions and methods using them.

Abstract: This invention relates to hepatitis B virus (“HBV”) core antigen particles that are characterized by multiple immunogen specificities. More particularly, the invention relates to HBV core antigen particles comprising immunogens, epitopes, or other related structures, crosslinked thereto by ligands which are HBV capsid-binding peptides that selectively bind to HBV core protein. Such particles may be used as delivery systems for a diverse range of immunogenic epitopes, including the HBV capsid-binding peptides, which advantageously also inhibit and interfere with HBV viral assembly by blocking the interaction between HBV core protein and HBV surface proteins. Mixtures of different immunogens and/or capsid-binding peptide ligands may be crosslinked to the same HBV core particle. Such resulting multicomponent or multivalent HBV core particles may be advantageously used in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and compositions, as well as in diagnostic compositions and methods using them.

Abstract: An air purifier is constructed to include a conduit housing a high voltage circuit board and a high voltage generator in a rear section thereof and at least one high voltage electrode and a number of ground electrodes in a front section thereof, the high voltage electrode and ground electrodes functioning as an ionizer as well as an electrostatic precipitator, trapping and removing contaminants from the air when receiving a high voltage output from the high voltage generator, so that air flowing by the high voltage electrode gets ionized and, floating contaminant particles are then combined with air ions, which are drawn to the ground electrodes and get trapped and neutralized by the ground electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reconstructing image data for a region are described. A radiation source and multiple one-dimensional linear or two-dimensional planar area detector arrays located on opposed sides of a region angled generally along a circle centered at the radiation source are used to generate scan data for the region from a plurality of diverging radiation beams, i.e., a fan beam or cone beam. Individual pixels on the discreet detector arrays from the scan data for the region are reprojected onto a new single virtual detector array along a continuous equiangular arc or cylinder or equilinear line or plane prior to filtering and backprojecting to reconstruct the image data.

Abstract: A method of controlling a combined washing and drying machine is provided, which decreases the time required for completing the overall process from washing to drying. The method includes steps of inputting an operational command; performing washing and rinsing steps according to the operational command; simultaneously performing a dewatering step and a first drying step after completion of the watering and rinsing steps; and performing a second drying step after completion of the dewatering step. The first drying step may include the driving of a pump, a fan, a heater, and a drum motor, while the second drying step may include the driving of a supply valve in addition to the pump, fan, heater, and drum motor.

Abstract: A removable cooler on the memory module wherein the PC board is able to attach on the memory module without any modification. The cooler contains a heat sink module and a cooler module. The heat sink module is combined by two heat conductive heat sinks placed oppositely and screwed or tenoned on the memory module to stimulate heat exchange above the extension part of the heat sinks. The cooler module could be a fan or heat conductive tube. As a fan, it could be buckled on the memory module socket for the extension part of the heat sinks to stimulate heat exchange. As a heat conduction tube screwed or tenoned against the extension part of the heat sinks, it stimulates heat exchange and provides heat dispensation function to assure the performance of the memory module.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies which specifically bind to the gc chain of cytokine receptors, as well as to cell lines which produce such antibodies, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treating immunological diseases by treating patients with such antibodies.

Abstract: A removable cooler on the memory module wherein the PC board is able to attach on the memory module without any modification. The cooler contains a heat sink module and a cooler module. The heat sink module is combined by two heat conductive heat sinks placed oppositely and screwed or tenoned on the memory module to stimulate heat exchange above the extension part of the heat sinks. The cooler module could be a fan or heat conductive tube. As a fan, it could be buckled on the memory module socket for the extension part of the heat sinks to stimulate heat exchange. As a heat conduction tube screwed or tenoned against the extension part of the heat sinks, it stimulates heat exchange and provides heat dispensation function to assure the performance of the memory module.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock having a knob which has no divisions or markings relating to the numbers of the combination thereon. The rotation of the knob drives a generator, which produces electrical power. The power generated serves as a power source for the electronics of the lock. A knob position detector indicates to the microprocessor the speed and amount of rotation of the knob. The timing capabilities of the lock provides the opportunity to set the minimum time that can be used in the entering of the combination. The lock waits a period of time, typically, two seconds between the entry of one element of the combination and the lock permitting the entry at the next element of the combination. The microprocessor will also keep a count record of all the failed attempts to open the lock since the last successful operation.