Abstract: The invention is a prostate specific antigen oligo-epitope peptide which comprises more than one PSA epitope peptide, which conforms to one or more human HLA class I motifs. The prostate specific antigen oligo-epitope peptide in combination with various HLA-class I molecules or interactions with various T-cell receptors elicits PSA specific cellular immune responses. The prostate specific antigen oligo-epitope peptide is useful as an immunogen in the prevention or treatment of prostatic cancer, in the inhibition of prostatic cancer cells and in the establishment and characterization of PSA-specific cytotoxic T-cell lines.

Abstract: The oscillating weight includes a primary oscillating weight (10) secured to a drive arbor (6) and at least one secondary oscillating weight (20), which is mobile relative to the primary weight to cause the initial impulse. The secondary weight (20) is formed by a part assembled to the primary weight (10) from the exterior, while being able to have a travel between two stop members (12a, 12b) of a guide means (14, 18) located on the periphery of the primary weight (10).

Abstract: A pipeline inspection tool has a spirally arranged series of blocks, with each block having a magnet and at least one magnetic flux sensor. An axially extending support may be provided which terminates in mounts and the series of blocks may be mounted between the mounts. The support may be arranged so as to permit bending of said series of blocks but resist torsion of said series of blocks. A supporting tendon may extend from a second of the mounts through a first opening in each block around a tendon supporting pulley of the first of the mounts and back through a second opening in each block to the second mount. A compression spring surrounding each arm of the tendon between the tendon support and the series of blocks. The magnet of each block may be arranged such that a like pole of each magnet is at one side of the series of blocks. The poles of each magnet may be longitudinally elongated and the longitudinally elongated poles may be directed along an axis of said tool.

Abstract: A piston stopper (2) made substantially of rubber has a piston section (8) enclosed in cap-like manner by an inert film (9?) facing the contents of a syringe or carpule cylinder (1), the inert film (9?) being located adjacent to the syringe or carpule cylinder (1). Adjacent to the piston section (8), the piston stopper (2) has a non-coated sealing section (10). According to a device and method for producing one such piston stopper (2), a non-vulcanized rubber sheet (7) is inserted into a form tool, together with an inert film (9). Under the effect of pressure and heat, an entire piston stopper contour is formed from the layered arrangement, extending to a flange (16) which protrudes laterally beyond the piston stopper (2) in the region of the separating plane of the form tool. A receiving cavity (6) for a piston rod is created in the piston section (8). The wall area of the sealing section (10) surrounding the receiving cavity (6) is forced into the receiving cavity (6).

Abstract: Methods and devices for the measurement of clinically relevant analytes in fluids are provided. The devices and methods are particularly relevant for detection of glucose in blood and allow internal calibration of measurements. One device includes a flow path for conducting the fluid through the device; a predetermined amount of the analyte arranged on the flow path such that the analyte mixes with fluid that passes it to form a calibration sample of the fluid and detector means arranged on the flow path for detecting respective analyte levels in an unadulterated sample of the fluid and in the calibration sample. Another device provides a predetermined amount of a calibration analyte of a different species to the clinically relevant analyte arranged on the flow path, and first and second detector means for detecting the levels of the clinically relevant analyte and the calibration analyte.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for dynamically auditing of electronic elections using an electronic registration and voting system. In particular, the present invention provides false voting data associated with false voters to the voting systems, recovers voting records associated with the false voters, and compares the stored voting records to the original false voting data.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates automated audits for systems storing travel services rates based on special or negotiated pricing structures. The invention provides a system and method by which a customer and/or broker of travel related services may invoke an audit against one or more global distribution systems which are commonly used by travel services providers to maintain rate and discount information specific to customers and/or brokers. In cases where a customer and/or broker has negotiated or arranged for a special discounted rate for travel services, it is the responsibility of the travel services provider to enter the rate or discount information into one or more global distribution systems. An audit is intended to examine rates stored within one or more global distribution systems and flag missing or inaccurate entries. Based on an audit report, customers and/or brokers may notify the service provider(s) and inform them of the discrepancies in order that they may perform the required corrections.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to T24 nucleic acid sequences, amino acid sequences, and antibodies. Methods for detecting and diagnosing Taenia solium infection in a subject using the T24 sequences and specific binding agents are also disclosed. The T24 sequences disclosed herein can be formulated into a pharmaceutical composition for administration to a subject. For example, the disclosed T24 polypeptides can also be administered to a subject to stimulate an immune response in the subject, thereby protecting the subject against T. solium infection.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently retrieving secured data by securely pre-processing provided access information, provides data store security based on only a single piece of access information, which is generally public, such as the proper name of a business or individual that is used to retrieve mailing address information. The access information is hashed for access to a secured data store and efficient access and low data storage for permutations of input access information are provided by verifying the presence of an entry for the hashed access information in a look-up table. If an entry is found, the data store is accessed using the hashed access information, but if an entry is not found, another look-up table corresponding to another information type may be tried or the input access information permuted and retried.

Abstract: Methods for drilling, running casing in, and/or cementing a borehole in a subterranean formation without significant loss of drilling fluid are disclosed, as well as compositions for use in such methods. The methods employ drilling fluids comprising fragile gels or having fragile gel behavior and providing superior oil mud rheology and overall performance. The fluids are especially advantageous for use in offshore wells because the fluids exhibit minimal differences between downhole equivalent circulating densities and surface densities notwithstanding differences in drilling or penetration rates. When an ester and isomerized olefin blend is used for the base of the fluids, the fluids make environmentally acceptable and regulatory compliant invert emulsion drilling fluids.

Abstract: Treatment fluids are provided that comprise a gelling agent that comprises scleroglucan and/or diutan.

Abstract: Additives for use in treatment operations, and more particularly, additives that include chlorinated carbohydrates, are provided. An example of an additive is a well fluid additive for use in a subterranean formation that includes a chlorinated carbohydrate. Another example of an additive is a well fluid additive for use in a subterranean formation that includes a chlorinated carbohydrate and a tartaric acid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting, ordering, or furnishing apparel for individual members of a group such that the group members dressed to project a commonly-governed image. One or more image criteria are established that associate a set of apparel specifications with corresponding body properties according to the commonly-governed image to be maintained for the group. Virtual sizing sessions are conducted with participating members of the group via an interactive virtual sizing application interfaced with a computer network. User-specific information from a set of users (e.g., group members) is automatically gathered over the computer network, and a set of virtual sizing results is generated by at least processing user-specific information gathered from the set of users. The processing is based on the image criteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that a putative gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with no previously identified function is responsible for the ability of the bacterium to activate thioamide drugs. Since M. tuberculosis has a low rate of synonymous mutations, all mutations in this gene, identified as Rv3854c and now termed “EtaA,” are expected to inhibit the ability of a bacterium with the mutation to activate a thioamide or thiocarbonyl drug. Thus, detecting a bacterium with a mutation in this gene indicates that the bacterium is resistant to treatment with thioamides.

Abstract: A liner (18) for a shaped charge (10) that utilizes a high performance powered metal mixture to achieve improved penetration depths during the perforation of a wellbore is disclosed. The high performance powdered metal mixture includes powdered tungsten and powdered metal binder. The powered metal binder may be selected from the group consisting of tantalum, molybdenum, lead, cooper and combination thereof. This mixture is compressively formed into a substantially conically shaped liner (18).

Abstract: A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also enables the allocation of a portion or all of a charge or loyalty points to different transaction accounts issued by different issuers, or to sub-accounts.

Abstract: In an exemplary system, a capital allocation subsystem is selectively and communicatively coupled to a project screening subsystem. The project screening subsystem is configured to aggregate project data corresponding to a plurality of potential projects within an organization and communicate the project data to the capital allocation subsystem. The capital allocation subsystem is configured to facilitate input of one or more constraints on allocation of capital among the potential projects and adjust at least one of the constraints to select a subset of the potential projects for the allocation of the capital such that a return on the capital is optimized.

Abstract: A point based auction over a computerized network is disclosed wherein providers of products and/or services may bid on an opportunity to sell to a group of consumers who have indicated a desire to purchase such goods and/or services. Consumers may combine one or more loyalty accounts and the system calculates, according to a point to currency conversion, a currency value of a balance of points. The provider is able to see the currency value of the consumer's points, wherein the provider may determine to place a bid in the reverse auction. The system may not provide the consumer with access to the currency value. Both provider and consumer configure, manage, and participate in the auctions over a computerized network such as the internet.

Abstract: Electronic toll management includes capturing an image of a vehicle triggered by a transaction event representing an interaction between the vehicle and a facility, determining a vehicle identifier based on the captured image, checking whether the vehicle identifier matches a vehicle identifier provided by a party, and notifying the party of an occurrence of a match.

Abstract: A methods and systems are provided for presenting one or more topic specific portals. A portal may present various content relating to a common topic. The content may be episodes of a television show, movies, products, games, songs, images, and general information about the topic. The topic may be the television show, a movie studio, an actor, a company, or a particular genre or theme. A service provider may deliver the portal in an interactive programming guide sent to the set top boxes of its subscribers. The portal may be interactive such that subscribers may order or watch the content presented on the portal. A content provider may create or edit the portals and send the portals to the service provider. The delivery of the portal to the service provider by the content provider may be through an application programming interface.