Abstract: Novel antigens are provided herein. The antigens are associated with recognition of CD1 molecules by T cells. These antigens can be used as antigens, adjuvants or as immunomodulatory agents in a variety of therapeutic and prophylactic applications.

Abstract: Compositions for immunomodulation that include acylated peptide antigens recognized by CD1c-restricted T cells, and methods of using the compositions, are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel CD1a-presented antigens. These antigens can be used as antigens, adjuvants or as immunomodulatory agents in a variety of diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel CD1a-presented antigens. These antigens can be used as antigens, adjuvants or as immunomodulatory agents in a variety of diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic applications.

Abstract: Compounds having quinone and quinone analogs useful for pharmaceutical preparations have now been found which inhibit cysteine proteases, in particular, caspases and 3C-cysteine proteases. The cysteine protease inhibitors of the present invention can be identified by their mode of action in disrupting the ability of cysteine proteases and, in particular, caspases to cleave a peptide chain. These compounds are useful in inhibiting cysteine protease or cysteine protease-like proteins and for treating infections diseases or physiopathological diseases or disorders attributed to the presence of excessive or insufficient levels of cysteine proteases.

Abstract: A method for identifying molecules and designing novel pharmaceuticals is disclosed. The disclosed method of novel pharmaceutical design identifies a novel chemical group that triggers a mechanism of action for an identified reaction, thereby avoiding the various structural complexities associated with the application of the structure-based drug design. Additionally, examples of potential therapeutics identified by the mechanism based drug design method are provided.

Abstract: A cover is disclosed for a pickup truck bed with the cover being comprised of upper and lower metal sheet members secured at their edges to define a compartment therebetween which is preferably filled with a foam strengthening material. Preferably, the sheet members are constructed of an aluminum material.

Abstract: A truck lid hinge and opener system for removably connecting a lid or cover to the bed of a truck wherein the bed includes a vertical front wall, first and second vertical side walls extending rearwardly from the front wall, and a tailgate at the rearward end of the bed with the side walls having downwardly extending flanges at the upper end thereof. A pair of hinge units removably hingedly connect the forward end of the lid to the truck bed. A pair of like opener mechanisms pivotally interconnect the sides of the lid to the side walls of the truck bed. Each of the open mechanisms includes a gas spring which is adjustably mounted to compensate for varying temperature conditions. The hinge units and opener mechanisms are clamped onto the truck bed to avoid drilling holes in the truck bed.

Abstract: A truck lid hinge and opener system for removably connecting a lid or cover to the bed of a truck wherein the bed includes a vertical front wall, first and second vertical side walls extending rearwardly from the front wall, and a tailgate at the rearward end of the bed with the side walls having downwardly extending flanges at the upper end thereof. A pair of hinge units removably hingedly connect the forward end of the lid to the truck bed. A pair of like opener mechanisms pivotally interconnect the sides of the lid to the side walls of the truck bed. Each of the open mechanisms includes a gas spring which is adjustably mounted to compensate for varying temperature conditions. The hinge units and opener mechanisms are clamped onto the truck bed to avoid drilling holes in the truck bed.

Abstract: A truck lid hinge and opener system for removably connecting a lid or cover to the bed of a truck wherein the bed includes a vertical front wall, first and second vertical side walls extending rearwardly from the front wall, and a tailgate at the rearward end of the bed with the side walls having downwardly extending flanges at the upper end thereof. A pair of hinge units removably hingedly connect the forward end of the lid to the truck bed. A pair of like opener mechanisms pivotally interconnect the sides of the lid to the side walls of the truck bed. Each of the open mechanisms includes a gas spring which is adjustably mounted to compensate for varying temperature conditions. The hinge units and opener mechanisms are clamped onto the truck bed to avoid drilling holes in the truck bed.

Abstract: A computer driven system which receives time-binned echo strength data, and hich, for each series of echo strengths received, stores the echo strength data in computer memory, and automatically associates with that data the latitude, longitude and time at which the data were generated. From these data, the algorithm classifies the sediments, which produced the echo strengths, determining such parameters as sediment acoustic impedance, porosity, attenuation, grain size, density, acoustic velocity, and shear strength. System software can produce additional result files in which these properties are associated with corresponding echo strength data. Both the raw and reduced data are displayable in human readable form, preferably on a computer monitor, for operator review. System software can also generate navigation plots which trace on a map, preferably on computer monitor, points at which data are taken, and the bottom sediment at those points.

Abstract: A portable fire ring comprises a plurality of curved sections which are secured together in an end-to-end relationship to form a semi-circle. A grill extension is then assembled and connected to the ends of the semi-circle. A pivotal grill extends over the grill extension to permit the fire chamber of the grill section to be opened to enable coals to be placed in the fire chamber. Disassembled, the fire ring may be lifted and moved to the desired position or moved to a new location. The portable fire ring is easily assembled and disassembled and may be carried in a bag or the like when disassembled.

Abstract: Flow control apparatus is provided for reducing the pressure on a liquid as it flows from a container where it is maintained at a relatively high pressure to a dispensing valve member where the liquid is dispensed at a relatively low pressure wherein the flow control apparatus comprises a hollow housing, a hollow core member and a flow regulator which are assembled to be in a relatively fixed relationship and to provide a gradually increasing cross-sectional area between the flow regulator and the hollow core member and the hollow housing to reduce the pressure on the liquid. Also, closure members are disclosed and have displaceable sealing portions that may be displaced by a displacing member when attaching a dispensing valve to the container so that the liquid may be displaced from the container.

Abstract: A data transmission system for interfacing with a telephone communication line includes a bar code reader and a hand-held bar code scanning device for reading bar coded information, such as a lottery ticket number, and generating electrical signals representative thereof. The system also includes a program-storing memory and a processor for converting the electrical signals to a format recognizable by a telephone system, i.e. dial pulses or dual tone signals. A display is provided for displaying the electrical signals. A telephone network interface is employed to transmit the telephone system recognizable signals to the telephone line.

Abstract: An expandable pouch for applying a pressure to a material to be dispensed from a container wherein two sheets of a fluid impervious material are permanently joined together at their edges and divided into a plurality of compartments by semi-permanent peelable strips. One of the compartments is divided into sub-compartments with fluid communication being provided between two sub-compartments. One of a two component chemical gas generating system is located in each of the two sub-compartments so that when the pouch is inverted, the chemicals combine to start generating gas to force open the peelable strips.

Abstract: A self-generating gas pressure apparatus such as an expandable closed pouch for placement within a container from which a flowable material therein is to be dispensed under pressure. The apparatus has a plurality of internal compartments formed by pressure-rupturable seals and containing two respective chemical compounds which, when mixed, produce a gas. One of the chemical compounds is in aqueous solution, while the other is a precipitate present in a water-dispersible suspension medium such as a gum, an algin, pectin, or mixtures thereof. The suspension provides for uniform dispersal of the precipitated chemical and a resultant effective reaction rate with the aqueous chemical reactant.

Abstract: Abrasive sheet material knitted from at least two or more yarns at least one of which is a shrinkable yarn and provides a knitted ground structure, loops of a non-shrinkable yarn being secured to the knitted ground structure so that upon shrinking of the shrinkable yarn or yarns, loops of the non-shrinkable yarn upstand from the surface of the ground structure.