Abstract: Novel therapeutic protocols are provided relating to the use of an anti-IL-6 antibody, e.g., Clazakizumab, in order to prevent, stabilize, reduce or arrest antibody mediated rejection responses in patients receiving solid organ transplants, e.g., patients receiving transplanted kidney, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestines or combinations of any of the foregoing. Also novel therapeutic protocols are provided pertaining to the use of an anti-IL-6 antibody, e.g., Clazakizumab, as part of a desensitization protocol for treating highly sensitized subjects waiting for and/or after allograft transplants, e.g., patients who are to receive solid organ transplants, e.g., kidney, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestines, skin or combinations of any of the foregoing. The foregoing treatments may be effected in combination with one or more other immunosuppressant regimens or other desensitization procedures.

Abstract: A carrier for ice fishing poles that is attached to the back of a snowmobile or ATV. It consists of a frame that has a clamp for fitting the carrier to the vehicle. It also has a center frame member that has a height adjustment. A hinged gate is attached to the center frame member. The inside of this gate is padded. A latching mechanism is on the gate opposite from the hinge. Below the gate is a frame that holds one or more vertical tubes that receive the ends of fishing poles. Thus, with the gate opened, one or more poles can be placed in the tube(s). Then the gate can be closed and secured. The poles are secured and are safe from inadvertent damage. At the fishing place, the user opens the gate to remove one or more poles, secures the gate, and is ready to fish.

Abstract: An RF power amplifier device in which the circuit is provided on two separate dies which are attached together vertically. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the RF power amplifier includes a first die including an amplifying circuit for amplifying an RF signal, and a second die including at least one circuit component coupled to the amplifying circuit. The first die is vertically coupled to the second die, and the second die may be a flip chip and include harmonic loads and/or feedback circuit.

Abstract: This invention provides a graphical user interface which receives a 3-dimensional representation of a first object, provides controls to specify a second object and displays a 3-dimensional representation of the first object in conjunction with the second object. The first object may be a hand of a person and the second object may be a jewellery ring to be made from the specification.

Abstract: A method of distributing 3-dimensional model data, the model data being associated with a physical item, the method of distribution including the steps of: (i) storing at a central data store full 3-dimensional model data; (ii) receiving at the central data store a request for abridged model data in a selected format from a requesting end user; (iii) generating at the central data store abridged model data in the selected format requested by the requesting end user; and (iv) transmitting the abridged model data in the selected format to the requesting end user.

Abstract: A charged particle device is provided comprising a charged particle source configured to direct charged particles in the direction of a specimen under examination and an imaging device configured to convert charged particles to an image representing the specimen. The imaging device comprises a detector defining a pixel array. The detector is configured to generate electric charges for individual pixels of the pixel array such that the electric charges collectively define the image. The imaging device is configured such that a portion of the pixel array can be transitioned between a partially masked state and a substantially unmasked state.

Abstract: An infant simulator with a neck linkage connecting the head to the torso which includes at least (a) a longitudinally extending central shaft fixedly attached to the torso proximate the lower end of the central shaft, (b) a socket fixedly attached to the head, (c) a ball fixedly attached to the central shaft and pivotally captured within the socket for permitting pivoting of the socket relative to the central shaft as between a longitudinally aligned central rest position and a longitudinally angled position, and (d) preferably a spring coaxially positioned around the central shaft and captured between the socket and the upper end of the central shaft, whereby the spring biases the socket into the longitudinally aligned central rest position.

Abstract: A film gate for transporting an elongated film therethrough, comprising:two spaced apart arcuate guide surfaces to engage against opposed edge margins of the film;a drive roller assembly, an idler roller assembly, and two elastic belts engaged around them to lie along respective arcuate surfaces from an entrance position, to an exit position defined by a nip between the drive roller assembly and the guide surfaces, so that upon rotation of the drive roller assembly opposite edge portions of the film can be transported in engagement between the belts and the arcuate guide surfaces from the entrance to exit positions. A scanner using such a film gate, and a method of scanning film using such a scanner, are also provided.

Abstract: An auger carrier designed to hold augers and to be towed behind a snow machine. The device has a curved bottom plate that holds the auger cutting head. Two extension arms are attached to the curved plate. The extension arms are used to extend the length of the auger carrier so that the full length of the auger can be carried. At the top of the extension arms is the mounting plate assembly. This assembly has a fixture for mounting the auger carrier to the back frame of a snow machine, which is then connected by a pivot to a locking mechanism that secures the handle of the auger. The pivot allows the auger carrier to move freely with respect to the snow machine while under tow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for CTD imaging device multiple read-out speeds with optimized operation at all of the available speeds. Image signals from a CTD imaging device are digitally sampled at a defined frequency with the read-out electronics being matched to the defined frequency for optimum operation at that frequency. Digital samples taken during both a first (reset reference) portion of each image signal and a second (image voltage) portion of each image signal are then discarded if taken during a noisy/unstable part of the image signal or accumulated and averaged if taken during a stable part of the image signal. The accumulated and averaged digital samples are then algebraically combined to produce signals representative of an image generated by the CTD imaging device. The read-out speed of the CTD imaging device is a fraction of the sampling speed and can be selected by setting an integer divisor for the defined sampling frequency.

Abstract: A large-format solid state imaging device which can detect optical images without loss of sharpness or resolution is provided and includes a solid state imaging device supported by and secured to a frame. To ensure that the imaging device does not deviate from its desired surface configuration, the device is pressed between an optical coupling plate and a support plate each having at least one matching surface whose curvature matches the other with a precision which permits the solid state imaging device to detect optical images without loss of sharpness or resolution and which conforms the imaging device into a desired configuration. Preferably, the frame is annular and the edges of the imaging device are secured to the frame by at least two spaced bonds.