Abstract: The present invention provides a method of assessing tissue oedema, in particular lymphoedema, by measuring bioelectrical impedance at a single frequency. Comparison of a single frequency bioelectrical impedance measurement taken at an anatomical region affected by tissue oedema to that taken at an anatomical region unaffected by tissue oedema is a reliable indicator of the presence or possible presence of lymphoedema. The present invention further provides an apparatus for determining the presence of tissue oedema.

Abstract: Peptide inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) have an amino acid sequence motif of XZXXXS(p)X, wherein S(p)=phosphorylated serine or phosphorylated threonine, X=any amino acid, and Z=any amino acid except serine or threonine. These inhibitors, which are about 7 to 50 amino acids long, are specific for GSK-3 and strongly inhibit the enzyme with an IC50 of about 150 &mgr;M. Also provided are methods of treating biological conditions mediated by GSK-3 activity, such as potentiating insulin signaling in a subject, treating or preventing type 2 diabetes in a patient, and treating Alzheimer's Disease by administering peptide inhibitors. Compositions of these peptide inhibitors and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are also provided, as is a method for identifying inhibitors of GSK-3. The invention further relates to a computer-assisted method of structure based drug design of GSK-3 inhibitors using a three-dimensional structure of a peptide substrate of GSK-3.

Abstract: Peptide inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) having an amino acid sequence motif of XZXXXS(p)X, wherein S(p)=phosphorylated serine or phosphorylated threonine, X=any amino acid, and Z=any amino acid except serine or threonine. These inhibitors, which are about 7 to 20 amino acids long, are specific for GSK-3 and strongly inhibit the enzyme with an IC50 of about 150 &mgr;M. Also provided are methods of treating biological conditions mediated by GSK-3 activity, such as potentiating insulin signaling in a subject, treating or preventing type 2 diabetes in a patient, and treating Alzheimer's Disease by administering peptide inhibitors. Compositions of these peptide inhibitors and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are also provided, as is a method for identifying inhibitors of GSK-3. The invention further relates to a computer-assisted method of structure based drug design of GSK-3 inhibitors using a three-dimensional structure of a peptide substrate of GSK-3.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting partial discharge in on-line high voltage electrical equipment containing a dielectric, such as high voltage transformers. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer and an annular capacitive plate for detecting, respectively, the ultrasonic pulse and the radio frequency pulse generated by the occurrence of partial discharge in the equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides from N. caninum which are capable of raising an immune response when administered to an animal. Such polypeptides can be used in vaccination strategies for protecting animals, such as cows and dogs, from neosporosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of assessing tissue oedema, in particular lymphoedema, by measuring bioelectrical impedance at a single frequency. Comparison of a single frequency bioelectrical impedance measurement taken at an anatomical region affected by tissue oedema to that taken at an anatomical region unaffected by tissue oedema is a reliable indicator of the presence or possible presence of lymphoedema. The present invention further provides an apparatus for determining the presence of tissue oedema.

Abstract: An alternating human vibration-exciting method for obtaining a free vibration waveform of buildings or civil structures having a natural vibration frequency more than 2-5 Hz. First and second same-number set of subjects having similar weights alternately apply exciting forces to a wall on a top of the structure. An electronic beat-sound generator is adjusted to a two-beat mode to generate two alternating beat sounds repeatedly so that the first and second sets can apply vibration exciting forces repeatedly at a frequency of half of the natural vibration frequency of the structure obtained by micro-tremor measurement, while alternately synchronizing their actions to the two alternating beat sounds, respectively. The vibration exciting action is stopped after the structure is brought to a sufficient resonance state, thereby obtaining a free vibration waveform.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alternating human vibration-exciting method for obtaining a free vibration waveform of buildings or civil structures having a natural vibration frequency more than 2.5 Hz. First and second same-number sets of subjects having similar weights alternately apply exciting forces to a wall on a top of the structure. An electronic beat-sound generator is adjusted to a two-beat mode to generate two alternating beat sounds repeatedly so that the first and second sets can apply vibration exciting forces repeatedly at a frequency of half of the natural vibration frequency of the structure obtained by micro-tremor measurement, while alternately synchronizing their actions to the two alternating beat sounds, respectively.

Abstract: 3˜6-DOF decoupling structure modular reconfigurable parallel micromanipulator can be configured to different structures and degrees of freedom for different task requirement and work environment. Integral structure of reconfigurable modules like fixed platform module, 2-PSS limb module, 2-PUS limb module, 1-PSS limb module, 2-PUS limb module, 1-PUU limb module, moving platform module and driver module are described. Decoupling structure parallel micromanipulators of 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-DOF are constructed by the reconfigurable modules and theirs structure is described in detail. The invention has the merits of multiplicity and multifunction. What's more, it can solve the problem of the rather large assembly error in the full assembly and the baddish manufacturing process in the integral structure.

Abstract: Gas discharge lamps may conduct current from the common rail to earthen ground through a fixture containing the lamps. A transistor is coupled in series in the current path to the common rail. When the ballast is placed in a quiescent state, the transistor is rendered non-conducting, thereby solating the lamps from the common rail and preventing flicker. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the control electrode of the transistor is coupled to a source of low voltage and the transistor is rendered non-conducting when the source of low voltage is turned off. The lamps can also be isolated from the common rail by using a semiconductor switch in the rectifier section or by referencing the output of the inverter to the high voltage rail.

Abstract: Protein macromolecular dyes, A(B)b are disclosed, wherein A are protein macromolecules including natural protein macromolecules and modified natural protein macromolecules such as casein, gelatin and fur-protein; B are dyes including azo dyes, azo metal complex dyes and anthraquinone dyes which can react with the amino groups of the natural and modified protein macromolecules; b are integers between 1˜2500. The protein macromolecular dyes have excellent properties of crosslinking ability, better dyeing fastness, fixation ration than conventional dyes and the function of normal macromolecules such as compatibility, abilities of filling and forming membranes. They may be used in dyeing protein materials such as leather, wool and silk.

Abstract: Balancing logic is automatically generated from conversion logic in a data conversion system. The balancing logic balances source data from a source system with the corresponding converted data in a target system. The balancing logic determines whether the conversion was properly performed so as to balance the two varieties of data. The balancing logic is automatically generated by a computer system or other electronic device in response to examining conversion logic that is encoded in a script or other representation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses compositions and methods for detecting organisms of the Chlamydiaceae family, including species of Chlamydia and Chlamyclophila, in the persistent phase of their developmental cycle and for the diagnosis of chronic or persistent infections caused by such organisms. The present invention also discloses methods for screening agents that are useful inter alia for modulating a gene whose expression is altered in the persistent phase of the chiamydial developmental cycle or for modulating the level and/or functional activity of an expression product of that gene. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of infections, including chronic infections, caused by chamydial organisms using the aforesaid modulatory agents and optionally agents that are effective in modulating the expression of a gene associated with the lytic phase of said developmental cycle or in modulating the level and/or functional activity of an expression product of that gene.

Abstract: A method for conducting a financial transaction corresponding to a good or service includes providing a plurality of first credit or debit devices; associating a universal identifier with each of the first credit or debit devices; associating one of the first credit or debit devices with a plurality of second credit or debit cards; employing the one of the first credit or debit devices to initiate the financial transaction; selecting one of the second credit or debit cards based upon the unique identifier and the good or service; and employing the selected one of the second credit or debit cards to conclude the financial transaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for adaptive control which models marginally stable systems by creating a reference or disturbance model to account for the slope of the process variable being constant for different control inputs to the process.

Abstract: This invention relates to rotary pumps adapted, but not exclusively, for use as artificial hearts or ventricular assist devices and, in particular, discloses in preferred forms a seal-less shaft-less pump featuring open or closed (shrouded) impeller blades with the edges of the blades used as hydrodynamic thrust bearings and with electromagnetic torque provided by the interaction between magnets embedded in the blades and a rotating current pattern generated in coils fixed relative to the pump housing.

Abstract: A system for treating a contaminated liquid wherein atmospheric air is fed into an oxygen generator with the resulting gases fed into an ozone generator and the resulting gases fed into a treatment tower as the contaminated liquid flows through the treatment tower is modified by locating apparatus between the oxygen generator and the ozone generator which apparatus receives the gases from the oxygen generator, ionizes such gases and feeds the ionized gases to the ozone generator.

Abstract: A process for producing alumina from bauxite is described in which bauxite is treated with an alkali to form a mixture comprising a solution of aluminum-containing ions and alumina trihydrate is precipitated from the solution. The process comprises treatment of the solution before or after the precipitation step with a layered double hydroxide in order to remove impurities from the solution by intercalation into the layers in the double hydroxide. The double hydroxide may contain layers of the formula: [LiAl2(OH)6]+.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of forming a humidity barrier using fats or other materials that can form an amorphous coating for particles comprising sensitive biological materials in a dehydrated and/or a vitrified state. Since the hydrophobic coating may be sticky, a second hard-shell coating is applied to prevent the particles from sticking together. This approach would minimize exposure of the dried biological material to atmospheric moisture and the consequent loss of biological activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for adaptive control which models marginally stable systems by creating a reference or disturbance model to account for the slope of the process variable being constant for different control inputs to the process.