Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding human MEKK1, and isolated human MEKK1 proteins, are provided. The invention further provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals carrying a human MEKK1 transgene. The invention further provides human MEKK1 fusion proteins and anti-human MEKK1 antibodies. Methods of using the human MEKK1 proteins and nucleic acid molecules of the invention are also disclosed, including methods for detecting human MEKK1 activity in a biological sample, methods of modulating human MEKK1 activity in a cell, and methods for identifying agents that modulate the activity of human MEKK1.

Abstract: The invention is a foot measurement system suitable for mailing to consumers. The primary components of the measurement system include a length portion for determining the length of the foot and a width portion for determining the width of the foot. The length portion and the width portion each include sliders that may be positioned in an abutting relationship with areas of the foot. When the sliders are properly positioned, foot dimensions may be determined by reference to scales on each of the length and width portions. The measurement system also includes a container, for receiving and supporting the length portion and the width portion, that is suitable for use as a shipping container. In addition the measurement system may include a calibration device for ensuring measurement accuracy and a register for recording measurements.

Abstract: The present invention is a fence assembly comprising fence segments and connectors. Each fence segment may be secured to another fence segment by a connector. The present invention may use in-line connectors, living hinge connectors, male/female hinged connectors, and/or end caps. The connectors may be adapted to fit into the hollow channel rails by a friction fit, press fit, adhesion, or any other suitable connecting means.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for analyzing spectral images of a micrcirculatory system to measure the volume and concentration of a blood vessel. The images are analyzed to identify vessel structure, measure the light absorption and develop a contrast gradient plus (KGP) estimate. The KGP estimate is used to predict blood characteristics, such as hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit. The KGP is estimated in three distinct phases. First, the images are screened to measure a mean image intensity and motion blur. Second, each image is analyzed to identify background curvate, and create vessel, background and diameter masks. To identify background curvate, the images are analyzed to detect shadows caused by larger blood vessels in the background image. The diameter and area of the vessels are also calculated.

Abstract: An in vivo imaging device having an illumination system that creates a virtual source within a tissue region of a subject in a non-invasive manner. The illumination system transforms a maximum amount of illumination energy from a light source into a high contrast illumination pattern. The illumination pattern is projected onto the object plane in a manner that maximizes the depth to which clear images of sub-surface features can be obtained. The high intensity portion of the illumination pattern is directed onto the object plane outside the field of view of an image capturing device that detects the image. In this configuration, scattered light from within the tissue region interacts with the object being imaged. This illumination technique provides for a high contrast image of sub-surface phenomena such as vein structure, blood flow within veins, gland structure, etc.

Abstract: A dental floss device having an applicator with a handle attached. The applicator may be formed in the shape of a curved trough to allow placing the applicator over the teeth of a person's upper or lower jaw. Dental floss is attached to each upper rim of the side walls of the applicator in positions to be pushed between the teeth for purposes of flossing. The applicator may be used to floss all of the teeth of an upper or lower jaw in a simultaneous application. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The present invention is a fence assembly consisting of fence segments and connectors. Each fence segment may be secured to another fence segment by a connector. The present invention may use in-line connectors, living hinge connectors, male/female hinged connectors and/or end caps.

Abstract: An in vivo imaging device having an illumination system that creates a virtual source within a tissue region of a subject in a non-invasive manner. The illumination system transforms a maximum amount of illumination energy from a light source into a high contrast illumination pattern. The illumination pattern is projected onto the object plane in a manner that maximizes the depth to which clear images of sub-surface features can be obtained. The high intensity portion of the illumination pattern is directed onto the object plane outside the field of view of an image capturing device that detects the image. In this configuration, scattered light from within the tissue region interacts with the object being imaged. This illumination technique provides for a high contrast image of sub-surface phenomena such as vein structure, blood flow within veins, gland structure, etc.

Abstract: An in vivo imaging device having an illumination system that creates a virtual source within a tissue region of a subject in a non-invasive manner. The illumination system transforms a maximum amount of illumination energy from a light source into a high contrast illumination pattern. The illumination pattern is projected onto the object plane in a manner that maximizes the depth to which clear images of sub-surface features can be obtained. The high intensity portion of the illumination pattern is directed onto the object plane outside the field of view of an image capturing device that detects the image. In this configuration, scattered light from within the tissue region interacts with the object being imaged. This illumination technique provides for a high contrast image of sub-surface phenomena such as vein structure, blood flow within veins, gland structure, etc.

Abstract: A method of generating an anti-reflection optical coating on a laser diode includes determining a preliminary design for the coating, fabricating the coating on a first laser diode using an in-situ optical monitoring technique and measuring the performance of the laser diode. The steps of modifying the anti-reflection coating on the laser diode and measuring the performance of the laser diode are repeated until a performance maximum is determined. Another anti-reflection coating is fabricated a second laser diode and the performance of the laser diode is measured. Again, the steps of modifying the anti-reflection coating on the laser diode and measuring the performance of the laser diode are repeated until another performance maximum is determined. The above steps are repeated with additional laser diodes, as necessary, until a global performance maximum is determined.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method of calibrating a reflected spectral imaging apparatus used for analysis of living tissue. In addition to the reflected spectral imaging apparatus itself, the calibration apparatus comprises an optical filter that is placed between the light source used in the imaging apparatus and the object under analysis, and a calibration module. The filter is fabricated such that when the light is passed through the filter, an image is projected onto the focal plane where imaging is to take place within the object. The image projected by the filter comprises a plurality of areas, each having a different known optical density. For each area, the calibration module measures the intensity of the light reflected from the area and maps the light intensity measurement to the optical density known to be present at the area. This correspondence of light intensity measurements and known optical densities is then used to calibrate the reflected spectral imaging apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning a light-beam across a sheet mounted on a flat bed, the apparatus including a bridge that extends across the bed from one side to the other and is supported at each end on carriage guided along a respective one of said sides of the bed, a scanning head that is su ported on the bridge, drive devices at each end of the bridge to drive a respective carriage, location devices at each end of the bridge to monitor the position of each carriage along a respective one of said sides, and control device to control operation of each drive devices in accordance with information of the position of the respective carriage driven by the drive devices, determined by the respective location devices, so that both ends of the bridge are moved simultaneously in timed relation to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an image recording device. The apparatus includes an acousto-optic deflector that deflects a beam of light so as to write a sub-scan comprising a predetermined number of picture elements. The image recording device is arranged to write a plurality of sub-scans side by side in a substantially contiguous manner. The apparatus also includes a component that commences sub-scans, a start of sub-scan detector that detects when the light beam is directed towards a start of sub-scan position, and an end of sub-scan detector that detects when the beam of light is directed towards an end of sub-scan position. A timing logic controller generates a start reference signal representing a desired position for the start of a sub-scan. A controller compares an output of the start of sub-scan detector with respect to the start reference signal.

Abstract: A rotary drum scanner comprises a rotatably mounted hub, a drum detachably mounted to the hub and an interlock mechanism which locks the hub against rotation until the drum is locked to the hub.

Abstract: An inflatable portable seat is readily transported for use in a desired environment, with the seat including planar top and bottom walls and an arcuate forward wall. An inflation valve is arranged for inflation of the seat structure, wherein the seat structure is arranged for interfolding and transported in an associated container. A modification of the seat includes an elastomeric strap for mounting of the container when the seat is inflated for convenient storage of the container and may be further provided with a polymeric foam sleeve mounted about the container for removal from the container and support of a beverage container therewithin and mounted within a further elastomeric strap within a side wall of the seat structure when inflated.

Abstract: Cephalosporin antibiotics in which the 7.beta.-acylamido group has the structure ##STR1## (where R is thienyl or furyl; R.sup.a and R.sup.b are each selected from hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-4 alkenyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, furyl, carboxy, C.sub.2-5 alkoxycarbonyl and cyano, or R.sup.a and R.sup.b together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a C.sub.3-7 cycloalkylidene or cycloalkenylidene group; and m and n are each 0 or 1 such that the sum of m and n is 0 or 1) exhibit broad spectrum antibiotic activity characterized by particularly high activity against gram negative microorganisms, including those which produce .beta.-lactamases. The compounds, which are syn isomers or exist as mixtures of syn and anti isomers containing at least 90% of the syn isomer, have particularly high in vitro activity against strains of Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae and Proteus organisms; compounds wherein at least one of R.sup.a and R.sup.

Abstract: Cephalosporin antibiotics in which the 7.beta.-acylamido group has the structure ##STR1## (where R is thienyl or furyl; R.sup.a and R.sup.b are each selected from hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-4 alkenyl, C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, furyl, carboxy, C.sub.2-5 alkoxycarbonyl and cyano, or R.sup.a and R.sup.b together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a C.sub.3-7 cycloalkylidene or cycloalkenylidene group; and m and n are each 0 or 1 such that the sum of m and n is 0 or 1) exhibit broad spectrum antibiotic activity characterized by particularly high activity against gram negative microorganisms, including those which produce .beta.-lactamases. The compounds, which are syn isomers or exist as mixtures of syn and anti isomers containing at least 90% of the syn isomer, have particularly high in vitro activity against strains of Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae and Proteus organisms; compounds wherein at least one of R.sup.a and R.sup.

Abstract: The invention provides novel antibiotic compounds which are 7.beta.-acylamidoceph-3-em-4-carboxylic acids, and non-toxic derivatives thereof characterized in that the acylamido group has the structure ##STR1## where R is a hydrogen atom or an organic group and R.sup.a is an etherifying monovalent organic group linked to the oxygen atom through a carbon atom. The compounds are syn isomers or exist as mixtures containing at least 75% of the syn isomer. These antibiotic compounds possess high antibacterial activity against a range of gram positive and gram negative organisms coupled with particularly high stability to .beta.-lactamases produced by various gram negative organisms. The invention is also concerned with the administration of the compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides novel antibiotic compounds which are 7.beta.-acylamidoceph-3-em-4-carboxylic acids, and non-toxic derivatives thereof characterized in that the acylamido group has the structure ##STR1## where R is a hydrogen atom or an organic group and R.sup.a is an etherifying monovalent organic group linked to the oxygen atom through a carbon atom. The compounds are syn isomers or exist as mixtures containing at least 75% of the syn isomer. These antibiotic compounds possess high antibacterial activity against a range of gram positive and gram negative organisms coupled with particularly high stability to .beta.-lactamases produced by various gram negative organisms. The invention is also concerned with the administration of the compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides novel antibiotic compounds which are 7.beta.-acylamidoceph-3-em-4-carboxylic acids, and non-toxic derivatives thereof characterized in that the acylamido group has the structure ##STR1## where R is a hydrogen atom or an organic group and R.sup.a is an etherifying monovalent organic group linked to the oxygen atom through a carbon atom. The compounds are syn isomers or exist as mixtures containing at least 75% of the syn isomer. These antibiotic compounds possess high antibacterial activity against a range of gram positive and gram negative organisms coupled with particularly high stability to .beta.-lactamases produced by various gram negative organisms. The invention is also concerned with the administration of the compounds.