Abstract: Compositions and methods for treatment of individuals diagnosed with a dystrophin deficiency are disclosed. In particular, inhibitors of NF?B transactivation and/or inhibitors that suppress p65 expression are used to prevent and/or reverse muscle damage in animals or humans lacking dystrophin. Such compositions and methods are useful in the treatment of individuals with muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: A seal (10) includes a seal structure (130) for engagement with first (24) and second fluid components (26) in first (84) and second counterbores (88). The seal also includes a holding plate (20, 30) structure for engagement with first (81) and second surfaces (85) of the components. The holding plate structure includes one or more layers that are preferably formed with the outer layers of the seal structure (30). The seal structure preferably includes at least three abutting layers of metal, the inner layer (70) having a hardness that is selected to be greater than the hardness of the first and second outer layers (20, 30). The invention also relates to a method of achieving a metal to metal seal between two relatively hard metal components in a fluid System.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing one or more workpieces before welding in a weld head unit. The apparatus includes a welding collet which incorporates a cantilevered, flexible spring “finger” or beam to support the workpiece. The finger is adapted to more uniformly distribute bending stresses along the clamping portions of the collet.

Abstract: A fitting for a tube or pipe capable of functioning a high pressures having a first fitting component adapted to receive the conduit end; a conduit gripping device such as a ferrule or ferrules and a second fitting component that can be joined to the first fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled. In one aspect of the invention, the first fitting component is constructed from a material that is softer than the material used to construct the second fitting component. An additional aspect of the invention include a retaining portion on the second fitting component that constrains the tube gripping device against pressure. The retaining portion can also be configured to retain the tube gripping device to the second fitting component prior to installation and in a finger-tight condition.

Abstract: A sanitary diaphragm valve is provided that includes a generally dome shaped diaphragm having a central boss that can be connected to or driven by a valve actuator. The diaphragm includes an outer peripheral edge and a relatively thin web portion that connects the boss to the outer edge. In one embodiment, the web portion is arcuate or dome shaped. The thinner web portion permits the diaphragm to have an extended cycle life and to permit the valve to operate at higher fluid pressures. The diaphragm may be made from a chemically resistant material and optimized to maintain high flexure.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a valve, a mounting plate, a snap-together actuator, and a mounting bracket. The snap-together actuator is assembled by a set of snap wings that are attached to one piece of the actuator housing and inserted into slits in the other piece of the actuator housing. The actuator housing is then bolted to the valve and mounting plate. The mounting plate is received by the mounting bracket, which may be pre-mounted into place in the valve system. The mounting bracket contains a retaining clip and a snap wing that secures the valve mounting plate to the valve mounting bracket.

Abstract: A sanitary diaphragm valve is provided that includes a generally dome shaped diaphragm having a central boss that can be connected to or driven by a valve actuator. The diaphragm includes an outer peripheral edge and a relatively thin web portion that connects the boss to the outer edge. In one embodiment, the web portion is arcuate or dome shaped. The thinner web portion permits the diaphragm to have an extended cycle life and to permit the valve to operate at higher fluid pressures. The diaphragm may be made from a chemically resistant material and optimized to maintain high flexure.

Abstract: A method is provided for inhibiting and substantially decreasing the motility of cells, and especially melanoma cells. In the invention, a cell is contacted with a motility-inhibiting amount of a metal ion selected from the group consisting of cobalt ion, the lanthanide metal ions, and mixtures thereof; particularly preferred metal ions are the Co2+ and Gd3+ ions. Metal ion sources may be administered in the form of soluble metal halide salts to in vitro to cells dispersed in an aqueous saline medium, or by administering an aqueous dispersion thereof to an in vivo mammalian subject at or adjacent a tumor site.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a valve, a mounting plate, a snap-together actuator, and a mounting bracket. The snap-together actuator is assembled by a set of snap wings that are attached to one piece of the actuator housing and inserted into slits in the other piece of the actuator housing. The actuator housing is then bolted to the valve and mounting plate. The mounting plate is received by the mounting bracket, which may be pre-mounted into place in the valve system. The mounting bracket contains a retaining clip and a snap wing that secures the valve mounting plate to the valve mounting bracket.

Abstract: The inventive system provides a set of human input and output devices such as a video monitor and keyboard, in conjunction with a processing means such as a Personal Computer, an in-circuit microprocessor emulation means, and control software which allows a software developer to interactively and intelligently view the contents of bit-mapped hardware control and status registers in a descriptive manner. Further, the system interacts with the in-circuit emulator and code development environment to automatically create hexadecimal representations of complete register values to be read and written, and performs validity rule checking in order to notify the software developer if disallowed combinations of bit fields have been selected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for marking recyclable books permits the user to retain the recyclable value of the books while effectively deterring third-parties from reselling books which are intended to be recycled. The method includes transporting recyclable books past a designated marking location and marking at least a portion of the covers of the books with a distinguishing mark, and then transferring the marked books away from the marking location. The apparatus includes a marking device for marking the covers of the books, a transport device having a first and a second end for transporting the books past the marking device so that the covers of the books become marked thereby, and a removal device for moving the books away from the marking device after the covers of the books have been marked thereby.