Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are provided for altering the properties of a biological surface using particles such as, for instance, calcium based particles in combination with an agent that binds to the biological surface. Properties such as color, sheen, texture, strength, and odor of biological surfaces such as teeth and bone are alterable.

Abstract: A punch assembly for a punch press has a punch housing with a punch that is slideably mounted for reciprocation along punch axis within the punch housing and at least one resilient member in the housing for yieldably biasing the punch upwardly in the housing along the punch axis. A punch length adjustment subassembly is provided in the punch housing. The subassembly has a base member that is slideable axially but non-rotatably mounted within the housing and a punch head member having an upper end that is positioned to be struck by a punch ram of a punch press for driving the punch downwardly to an operating position. The punch head is mounted for rotation on the punch axis relative to the base member but is held against axial movement relative to the base member.

Abstract: This invention relates, in part, to methods and compositions for modulating the water-gas shift reaction (e.g., promoting the water-gas shift forward reaction) or in which the water-gas shift reaction has been modulated. The methods and compositions, therefore, also relate, in part, to increasing the oxidation rate of carbon monoxide (CO), for increasing the availability of CO (e.g., to the carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH) enzyme complex), for removing and/or promoting the release of hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide (CO2), for regulating the redox potential of cells, for preventing free radical damage and/or promoting cell survivability, etc. The invention also relates, in part, to methods and compositions for modulating CODH activity, such as increasing CODH activity. Methods and compositions are also provided for modulating the PSII reaction (e.g., promoting the PSII forward reaction) or in which the PSII reaction has been modulated.

Abstract: This invention relates, in part, to compositions and methods for the regulation of inflammatory responses. Specifically, the invention relates, in part, to compositions of and methods for using fibroblast growth factor (FGF) proteins, proteoglycans (e.g., syndecans), agents that modulate proteoglycans and agents that affect Wnt signaling. The invention also provides compositions and methods for treating subjects with undesired inflammatory activity and/or diseases associated therewith. The invention further provides, in part, compositions and methods for disrupting intercellular junctions with FGFs, such as for the enhanced delivery of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Substrate protective structures, including high performance polymers and polymer coatings from 1 to over 2500 mils thick, are disclosed. The structures protect metal and other surfaces with heat resistant, abrasion resistant, and chemical inert polymers. The structures are applied to the substrate in a manner that provides easy processing of curved and bent surfaces, increased adhesion of metal to polymer, greater resistance to mechanical and thermal stresses that cause cracking and de-lamination, and increased environmental resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates, in part, to compositions comprising glycosaminoglycans, fragments of glycosaminoglycans or glycosaminoglycan fractions. The compositions provided can be used in various methods of modulating FGF and/or VEGF activity. The method can be in vitro or in vivo methods. Therefore, the invention also relates, in part, to methods of treating a subject with the compositions provided.

Abstract: A machine having an air conditioning system includes a compressor having an inlet and an outlet. A manifold having a housing is attached to the compressor and includes a low pressure channel for directing a low pressure refrigerant from a low pressure port of the manifold to the compressor inlet. The manifold also includes a high pressure channel for directing a compressed refrigerant from the compressor outlet to a high pressure port of the manifold. At least one additional port is in fluid communication with one of the high pressure channel and the low pressure channel.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for reducing the number of cancer stem cells in a mixed population of differentiated cells (for example, cancer cells) and cancer stem cells. The cancer stem cells, if present, can be more resistant to traditional drug-based therapies and can provide a source for new, differentiated cancer cells associated with the development of drug-resistance and more aggressive phenotypes. When combined with traditional cancer therapies, for example, drug-based therapies, the methods and compositions of the invention provide a more effective way for treating cancer and can provide a model system for developing new cancer therapies and new treatment modalities.

Abstract: A punch press tool for stamping successive multicharacter impressions into a workpiece such as a piece of steel, sheet metal, or other workpiece, includes a guide body in which a stamp driver is slidably mounted for being driven downwardly toward the workpiece by a punch press ram which is a standard part of a high speed commercial punch press. A multicharacter marking stamp is supported at the lower end of the stamp driver for reciprocal movement therewith. The marking stamp includes multicharacter wheels that are rotated automatically during operation for advancing characters in sequence responsive to the movement of a character advancing arm. At least one character stamp operating lever is operatively associated with the punch press tool for articulation responsive to motion imparted to the tool by the ram.

Abstract: A process by which heat is removed from a reactant fluid to reach the operating temperature of a known pollutant removal method and said heat is recirculated to raise the temperature of the product fluid. The process can be utilized whenever an intermediate step reaction requires a lower reaction temperature than the prior and next steps. The benefits of a heat-recirculating cooler include the ability to use known pollutant removal methods and increased thermal efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A myo-inositol derivative: R1, R2, R3 and R4 are identical, being selected from PO3H2, PO3Na2, PO3K2, PO3Li2, PO3Ca, PO3Mg, PO3(NH4)2, PO3(RNH3)2, PO3(R2NH2)2, PO3(R4N)2, PO(OR)2, H, COZ and BHPP, where R is benzyl or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and Z is an alkyl or arylalky group providing a cleavable protecting group; R5 is one of H, benzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, COZ, PO3H2, PO3Na2, PO3K2, PO3Li2, PO3Ca, PO3Mg, PO3(NH4)2, PO3(RNH3)2, PO3(R2NH2)2, PO3(R4N)2, PO(OR)2, and BHPP, where R is benzyl or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and Z is an alkyl or arylalky group providing a cleavable protecting group; X is one of CH2, CH2CH2O, and CH2CH2CH2O; n is an integer from 1 to 8; L1 is a single bond or CH2; L2 is one of a single bond, CONH, CH2CONH, CH2CH2CONH, CH2CH2NHCO, CH2CH2NHCONH, CH2CH2NHCSNH, CH2CH2NHSO2, CH2CH2CH2NHCO, CH2CH2CH2NHCONH, CH2CH2CH2NHCSNH, CH2CH2CH2NHSO2, NHCO, NHCONH, NHCSNH, OCONH, CH2, CH2CH2, CH2CH2O, CH2CH2S, CH2CH2NH, CH2CH2CH2, CH2CH2CH2O, CH2CH2CH2S, CH2CH2CH2NH, and NH—SO2; and R6 is a U

Abstract: A method of delivering content updates for user interfaces to devices is disclosed. The content data comprises metadata that determines how upgrades to the content data is delivered, for example locations of the updates, the frequency at which updates are accessed, etc. The metadata may also locate a further data resource, such as a database, that stores the location of the content data upgrades.

Abstract: An arterial clamp has opposed clamping posts arranged to lie at opposite sides of an artery to clamp the artery between opposed clamping faces of the posts. The posts are carried by a pair of arms pivotally movable one relative to the other to move the posts into clamping relationship with the artery. A ratchet device releasably locks the arms in a selected clamping position. The clamp including posts, arms, and ratchet device is formed as a one-piece plastics moulding.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for use in treatment of premature rupture of membranes. The compositions of the invention include a therapeutic amount of an avian thick egg white composition. Preferably, the compositions include the purified thick egg white protein, ovomucin. The methods of the invention involve injecting an effective amount of the compositions into the prematurely ruptured amniotic sac of a patient in order to seal the rupture.

Abstract: For the first time, a hydrogen storage method, apparatus and system having a fluid mixture is provided. At predetermined pressures and/or temperatures within a contained substantially fixed volume, the fluid mixture can store a high density of hydrogen molecules, wherein a predetermined phase of the fluid mixture is capable of being withdrawn from the substantially fixed volume for use as a vehicle fuel or energy storage having reduced and/or eliminated evaporative losses, especially where storage weight, vessel cost, vessel shape, safety, and energy efficiency are beneficial.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for use in treatment of premature rupture of membranes. The compositions of the invention include a therapeutic amount of an avian thick egg white composition. Preferably, the compositions include the purified thick egg white protein, ovomucin. The methods of the invention involve injecting an effective amount of the compositions into the prematurely ruptured amniotic sac of a patient in order to seal the rupture.

Abstract: This invention relates, in part, to methods and compositions that modulate the stem cell environment. More specifically, the invention relates, in part, to methods and compositions for modulating stem cell differentiation. Such modulation, in some aspects of the invention, is accomplished by agents that modulate glycosaminoglycans in the stem cell microenvironment (i.e., at or on the cell surface and/or in the extracellular matrix). Therefore, methods and compositions are provide for modulating glycosaminoglycan moieties, e.g., heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan (HSGAG) moieties, in the microenvironment of stem cells. Methods and compositions for promoting or inhibiting embryonic stem cell differentiation (e.g., differentiation into endothelial cells) are also provided. This invention also relates, therefore, in part, to cell populations (e.g., endothelial cell populations or impoverished endothelial cell populations) that can be produced with the methods and compositions provided.

Abstract: A media cartridge autoloader is disclosed. A rotary arm that operates a cartridge transporter is rotated in one direction to reach a reference position. With reference to the reference position, the rotary arm is rotated through a predetermined angle in the opposite direction to reach a position, which is defined as a home position. The rotary arm includes a flag array, and a non-flag section at an end of the flag array. A photo sensor detects the arrival of the rotary arm at the reference position in response to a detection of the non-flag section.

Abstract: A fluorescent nitrogenous base and nucleosides including the fluorescent nitrogenous base are provided. Nucleosides including the fluorescent nitrogenous base are capable of Watson-Crick base pairing with naturally occurring nucleosides. The nucleosides including the fluorescent nitrogenous base have many uses including but not limited to use in probes, in the synthesis of nucleic acids, and in investigating nucleic acid interactions with other nucleic acids and/or with proteins.

Abstract: Described are various methods and apparatuses that provide for variants for multiple resource types and efficiently managing these resources by use of common variables and an organized file structure. A file structure is organize by a common variables, such as the $lang variable, and includes resource references such that once the common variable is defined, similar resources can be referenced using the same instruction by the use of modifying the common variable. Multiple resource types, including text, images as well as other resource types may be managed using the file structure disclosed herein.