Abstract: The present invention encompasses a compound of Formula (I) useful as caspase active site probes. These probes can be used to determine whether a caspase has been activated, in cells or in tissues of animal models of various pathologies. Furthermore, through competition based assays, these caspase active site probes can be used to calculate the percentage of occupancy of active caspases by other, unlabeled inhibitors.

Abstract: A method of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis administers an effective amount of a compound that inhibits phospho-diesterase-4.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing autoantigens, compositions comprising autoantigenic fragments and methods of using autoantigenic fragments in the treatment of a condition associated with an autoimmune response. Also provided are assays for the detection or assessment of an autoimmune response.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a cellulose solution suitable for extrusion as a seamless tubular film by providing a pulp of substantially open-ended fibrillated softwood fibers having a mean fiber length less than 2.0 mm and then dissolving the pulp in a suitable solvent to produce the cellulose solution. In addition, the present invention provides a method of preparing a cellulose food casing from a cellulose solution of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of foodstuffs in casings coated with compositions of natural red colorants and/or liquid smoke, optionally antioxidants and optionally, a peeling aid, resulting in an enhanced reddish-smoky color on the foodstuffs, and the coloring compositions and casings used in such production.

Abstract: Bixin containing coloring compositions and self-coloring casings, particularly tubular cellulosic food casings, coated therewith, which compositions contain a dispersion of bixin in a water-soluble and/or alchol-soluble film forming agent, preferably hydroxypropylcellulose, a polyphosphate and optionally an antioxidant.

Abstract: Bixin containing coloring compositions and self-coloring casings, particularly tubular cellulosic food casings, coated therewith, which compositions contain bixin, a water-soluble film forming agent, preferably hydroxypropylcellulose, a polyphosphate and optionally an antioxidant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounded fibrous dope compositions of amine oxide cellulose solutions having a uniformly dispersed second fibrous material, methods of producing the compositions, and shaped articles such as fibers, paper, films, and food casings produced from the compositions.

Abstract: A cellulose food casing comprising a nonderivatized cellulose film precipitated in tubular form from an extruded thermoplastic solution of cellulose, an amine oxide cellulose solvent and water.

Abstract: A battery separator of a noncellulosic nonwoven substrate extrusion coated on at least one surface with a cellulose film and process for making such separator by contacting a nonwoven noncellulosic textile substrate with a cellulose or cellulose derivative solution on at least one side of said substrate; converting the solution to a solid cellulose or cellulose derivative, preferably having a degree of polymerization of at least 350, more preferably at least 600, to form a coated substrate; washing and drying the coated substrate to provide a battery separator, preferably having a absorption rate of at least 6 mm/5 min. and a 30% KOH absorption of at least 200 g/m.sup.2.

Abstract: A battery separator of a cellulosic nonwoven substrate coated on at least one surface with a cellulose film and process for making such separator by contacting a nonwoven cellulosic textile substrate with a cellulose or cellulose derivative solution on at least one side of said substrate; converting the solution to a solid cellulose or cellulose derivative having a degree of polymerization of at least 500, preferably at least 600, to form a coated substrate; washing and drying the coated substrate to provide a battery separator having a absorption rate of at least 6 mm/5 min. and a 30% KOH absorption of at least 200 g/m.sup.2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for purifying Human interleukin-5 (IL-5) a single chromatographic step. After removing cells from a cell culture expressing human interleukin-5, IL-5 is purified by first adjusting the culture supernatant to the calculated pI value of mature IL-5 (pI=7.44) and then passing the conditioned supernatant through tandem linked anion- and cation-exchange columns. The resulting pass-through fraction contains the IL-5 and is devoid of all other contaminating proteins. An optional hydrophobic-interaction chromatography step is disclosed for positive selection of IL-5 and in order to concentrate the preparation. Pure IL-5 was recovered with a high overall yield (>90%), was N-glycosylated and was entirely homodimeric.

Abstract: A pipe end trimming device for hand-held use in beveling the outer surface of the end of one pipe so that the beveled end may fit within the end of a similar diameter pipe for a strong connection therebetween. The preferred embodiment abrasive cylinders which are motor driven. An aligning arm with an adjustable aligning edge allows for quick, uniform beveling of different diameter pipe. Shielding adjacent to the abrasive cylinders protects the operator from debris thrown from the pipe during the beveling process.

Abstract: A device for use in a swimming pool to prevent a floating chlorine feeder from spending an inordinate amount of time near a single location in a swimming pool due to water currents is disclosed which uses a tether to place the feeder in a central location in the swimming pool. A retainer is attachable to a floating feeder, and a retainer hook is attached to the edge of the pool furthest away from the location to which the feeder is drawn by water currents. A tether cord between the hook and the retainer keeps the feeder in the central location in the pool, where it is maintained by the currents in the pool.

Abstract: A device for use in a swimming pool to continuously dispense chlorine for sanitizing the water is disclosed which is advantageously made of five main segments which may be molded using only simple and inexpensive molds. The device is for the most part snapped together in a manner preventing relative rotation of the various components, with only a single adhesive operation required to seal the waterproof float assembly. The device is manufactured in a sturdy fashion, with all the parts being held firmly together in a unit not dependent on single axis connecting hardware.

Abstract: A device for use in a swimming pool to continuously dispense chlorine for sanitizing the water is disclosed which provides an indication when the device has either depleted or nearly depleted its chlorine supply. The float supporting the feeder and the chlorine is of two colors, one color on the top and a second color on the bottom. When an adequate amount of chlorine is contained in the feeder, the bottom color is below the waterline and not readily visible, and when the chlorine is depleted to a desired minimum amount, the bottom color is sufficiently above the waterline to provide a readily perceived visual warning of chlorine depletion.

Abstract: A device for use in a swimming pool to continuously dispense chlorine for sanitizing the water is disclosed which has a metering valve designed for precise adjustment of the rate of dispersion of the chemical contained in the feeder. The metering mechanism is made of two segments, with a metering valve cap fitting over a metering valve body to adjust the apertures in the metering mechanism. Precise control is afforded both by a screw-type adjustment of aperture size and by a prevention of inadvertent readjustment of the metering mechanism caused by the device being bumped.

Abstract: The pool cleaning pole assembly includes an elongated cleaning pole having an improved adapter releasably connected to the bottom cleaning end thereof, and a cleaning accessory releasably connected to the adapter. The adapter includes(a) a first member having an upper hollow tubular portion releasably connected in the pole lower end by spring biased pins and bearing a base below the pole, and(b) a second member rotatably secured to the underside of the base for limited rotation. The second member has a bracket to which a pool cleaning accessory such as a brush, vacuum head, etc., is releasably connected. The adapter also includes a pin or the like inserted in aligned openings in the base and second member and connected to a Bowden wire or push rod passing up through the hollow tubular member and pole to the pole's upper end where it can be easily moved up and down by the operator to lock the second member against rotation or free it to rotate.

Abstract: A solvent mixture consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide and formaldehyde is used for the hydroxy-alkylation of cellulose.

Abstract: A training object ball for use in teaching billiard players to sight an object ball by the method known as "sighting by object ball displacement". The training ball is segmented at 30.degree. intervals to yield twelve legended segments which facilitate lining up one edge of a cue ball with the edge of the area of the training ball displaced by the cue ball.The method of training players to sight by object ball displacement includes the step of orienting the training ball so that an imaginary line extending from the center of the ball and through the boundary of two adjoining segments bisects the pocket to be made. An edge of the cue ball is lined up with a properly oriented segment boundary which corresponds to the edge of the area of the training ball that is displaced by the cue ball.Instructions for lining up a segment boundary which corresponds to the edge of the displaced area of the object ball with an edge of the cue ball is also disclosed.