Abstract: Novel pharmaceutical/cosmetic compositions contain at least one biaromatic ligand activator of a PPAR? receptor, such biaromatic ligand having the structural formula (I): and are well suited, inter alia, for regulating and/or restoring skin lipid metabolism, for treating a wide variety of dermatological afflictions, and for preventing and/or treating the signs of aging and/or dry skin.

Abstract: A portable multimedia projection system includes a portable housing, a DVD player, a channel tuner, an image projection device, a controller and a remote control receiver. The image projection device externally projects images. The controller is electrically coupled to the channel tuner and the image projection device. The controller directs video signals from the channel tuner to the image projection device.

Abstract: The present invention describes the identification, isolation and characterization of novel mammalian proteins encoded by the Ese1 and Ese2 genes which are involved in endocytosis, vesicular trafficking and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Transcripts and products of these genes are useful for detecting abnormal cellular endocytosis processes as well as for developing assay systems to find and elucidate further binding partners of the proteins, to develop therapeutics to alter/restore protein function and for the isolation and manufacture of Ese proteins.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for the detection of a target DNA or RNA is provided, composed of: at least one insulating or semi-insulating layer; one conducting semiconductor layer; two conducting pads on the upper layer making electrical contact with the conducting semiconductor layer, such that electrical current can flow between them at a finite distance from the surface of the device; and a layer of at least one single-stranded DNA probe directly adsorbed on the surface of the upper layer which is either a conducting semiconductor layer or an insulating or semi-insulating layer. The DNA probe may have a sequence complementary to a sequence of the target DNA or RNA, e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an immunogen selected from the group consisting of (i) an anti-p53 mAb; (ii) a fragment of an anti-p53 mAb; (iii) a peptide based on a CDR of the heavy or light chain of an anti-p53 mAb, which peptide is capable of eliciting antibodies to p53; and (iv) a DNA molecule coding for the variable (V) region of an anti-p53 mAb in a suitable gene delivery vehicle, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition useful for induction of anti-tumor immunity in mammals, for activating an enhanced immune response to a p53 molecule in mammals, and/or for induction of immune responses to mutated and wild-type forms of a p53 in mammals. The use of anti-p53 mAbs and novel peptides based on the CDR2 and CDR3 of the heavy chains and CDR3 of the light chains of different anti-p53 mAbs are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides comprising an amino acid sequence homologous to the amino sequence of a fragment of a pyrogenic exotoxin, and functional derivatives of said peptides, capable of eliciting protective immunity against toxic shock induced by a pyrogenic exotoxin or by a mixture of pyrogenic exotoxins. Preferred peptides comprise an amino acid sequence homologous to the amino acid sequence of a fragment of Staphylococcal aureus enterotoxin B (SEB). The invention also relates to broad spectrum pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment, protection against or short-term prophylaxis of toxin-mediated activation of T cells, comprising as active ingredient at least one peptide according to the invention or derivative thereof, and to broad spectrum vaccines for conferring long-term immunity against toxic shock induced by at least one pyrogenic exotoxin are provided. The vaccines comprise as active ingredient at least one peptide according to the invention, or derivative thereof.

Abstract: A chair includes: a hollow frame including, on each lateral side of the chair, a front, a back, a bottom, a front bend arranged between the front and the bottom, and a back bend arranged between the back and the bottom; a seat attached to the front of the frame; a seat back attached to the back of the frame; at least one front stiffener insert arranged inside the frame at the front bend and extending along a partial length of the front and the bottom; and at least one back stiffener insert arranged inside the frame at the back bend and extending along a partial length of the back and the bottom. The front stiffener inserts and the back stiffener inserts stiffen the frame relative to a frame without such inserts. The seat back and the seat may be movable independently of each other relative to the bottom of the frame.

Abstract: An Ink-jet ink composition for piezoelectric in-jet printing comprising: (a) a hydrophobic dye; (b) an oil-in-water microemulsion including: (i) a volatile oil; (ii) water; (iii) a co-solvent; (iv) at least one surfactant; and (v) a binder, wherein upon application of the ink to a substrate surface, the volatile oil evaporates and nanoparticles are formed. The invention additionally discloses a printing process using the ink composition.

Abstract: A method for controlling vibrations includes receiving the vibrations from a vibration-generating substructure at at least two vibration diverters and diverting the vibrations away from each of the vibration diverters, using the respective vibration diverters, to a vibration confiner that interconnects the vibration diverters. The vibration diverters can include passive elements, e.g., plates, ribs, notched plates, plates having wells, etc., active elements, e.g., actuators, sensor/actuators, etc., or a combination of passive and active elements. The vibration confiner can include a passive layer damping material for dissipating vibrations.

Abstract: Proteins capable of modulating or mediating the function of MORT-1 are disclosed. Also disclosed are DNA sequences encoding these proteins, the recombinant production of these proteins as well as their use.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system determines camera movement of a new frame relative to a sequence of frames of images containing at least one dynamic object and for which relative camera movement is assumed. From changes in color values of sets of pixels in different frames of the sequence for which respective locations of all pixels in each set are adjusted so as to neutralize the effect of camera movement between the respective frames in the sequence containing the pixels, corresponding color values of the pixels in the new frame are predicted and used to determine camera movement as a relative movement of the new frame and the predicted frame. An embodiment of the invention maintains an aligned space-time volume of frames for which camera movement is neutralized and adds each new frame to the aligned space-time volume after neutralizing camera movement in the new frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to novel protein molecules and to derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof capable of modulating cellular activity and, in particular, modulating cellular activity via the modulation of signal transduction. More particularly, the present invention relates to human sphingosine kinase and to derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof. The present invention also contemplates genetic sequences encoding said protein molecules and derivatives, analogues, chemical equivalents and mimetics thereof. The molecules of the present invention are useful in a range of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (IA): the preparation thereof, pharmaceutical formulations thereof, and their use in medicine as allosteric adenosine receptor modulators for uses including protection against hypoxia and ischemia induced injury and treatment of adenosine-sensitive cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract: A method for depositing gold on a substrate is provided. By this aspect nucleation centers are bound, deposited or formed at one or more sites on the substrate, the substrate is then contacted with a treatment composition which comprises soluble gold-providing agent from which gold is deposited onto a nucleation center to yield gold metal deposits. The method of the invention may be used for a variety of image enhancing techniques as well as diagnostic and analyte detection techniques.

Abstract: A method of modulating signal transduction and/or cleavage in Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptors (TNF-Rs) is provided. Peptides or other molecules may interact either with the receptor itself, or with effector proteins interacting with the receptor, thus modulating the normal functioning of the TNF-Rs. Such peptides or other molecules may be employed for prophylactic and therapeutic applications in TNF associated diseases.

Abstract: A process for producing a fuel composition from vegetable and/or animal oil comprises hydrodeoxygenating and hydroisomerizing the oil in a single step. The fuel composition has acceptable lubricity and comprises a mixture of C14 to C18 paraffins having a ratio of iso to normal paraffins of 2 to 8 and less than 5 ppm sulfur.

Abstract: A method for controlling the ascent and descent of a tubular member passing through a pipe or casing slip into a well bore. A float control member is affixed beneath the top surface of the pipe or casing slip. The control member is activated to control the raising or lowering of the tubular member. A piston within a cylinder housing is positioned below the top surface of the slip. As the tubular member is lowered, but before there is significant weight on the supporting structure, the piston is moved to its maximum height extension. Once the slips are set and the weight of the tubular member is applied to the slips, the piston begins to descend in the cylinder housing floating the final descent of the string. The string may be raised by activating a pump to force fluid within the housing chamber, raising the piston and thereby raising or lifting the string.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring a system in which a fluid flows and which is characterized by a change in the system with time in space. A preselected place in the system is monitored to collect data at two or more time points correlated to a system event. The data is indicative of a system parameter that varies with time as a function of at least two variables related to system wash-in and wash-out behavior. A calibration map is made on a calculated basis with each pixel or voxel representative of a color hue indicative of wash-out behavior and a color intensity indicative of wash-in behavior. When a satisfactory map is obtained, the collected data is processed on the basis of the map to obtain an image of the preselected place with each spatial unit thereof correlated with a color hue and a color intensity. Software and a data processing system are provided to develop the calibration map. The calibration map and image of the preselected place are also novel implementations.

Abstract: The use of leptin and leptin-related molecules in oncology is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low cogging and easy-to-downsize spindle motor structure. The motor is an axial magnetic flux spindle motor comprising a stator assembly and a rotor assembly. The stator assembly comprises a deck for seating the rotor assembly and at least one bearing placed on the housing of said stator and between the stator and the rotor. The outer periphery part of the bearings is the stationary part; with the inner part of said bearings being the rotating part. A cylindrical shaft is located in the center of the rotor. When the thin windings of stator are excited with current, a rotating magnetic field is created, forcing said rotor into rotation, and as a consequence, bringing the spindle into rotation that generates motor output needed to drive loads.