Abstract: A method of controlling (e.g., influencing or affecting) C-reactive protein levels in a subject may include administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation. The pharmaceutically acceptable formulation may include a synthetic analog or derivative of a carotenoid. The subject may be administered a carotenoid analog or derivative, either alone or in combination with another carotenoid analog or derivative, or co-antioxidant formulation. The carotenoid analog may include a conjugated polyene with between 7 to 14 double bonds. The conjugated polyene may include a cyclic ring including at least one substituent. In some embodiments, a cyclic ring of a carotenoid analog or derivative may include at least one j e substituent. The substituent may be coupled to the cyclic ring with an ether functionality.

Abstract: A method of treating ischemic reperfusion injury in a subject. The method may include administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation. The pharmaceutically acceptable formulation may include a synthetic analog or derivative of a carotenoid. The subject may be administered a carotenoid analog or derivative, either alone or in combination with another carotenoid analog or derivative, or co-antioxidant formulation. The carotenoid analog may include a conjugated polyene with between 7 to 14 double bonds. The conjugated polyene may include a cyclic ring including at least one substituent. In some embodiments, a cyclic ring of a carotenoid analog or derivative may include at least one substituent. The substituent may be coupled to the cyclic ring with an ester functionality.

Abstract: A method of treating liver disease in a subject. The method may include administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation. The pharmaceutically acceptable formulation may include a synthetic analog or derivative of a carotenoid. The subject may be administered a carotenoid analog or derivative, either alone or in combination with another carotenoid analog or derivative, or co-antioxidant formulation. The carotenoid analog may include a conjugated polyene with between 7 to 14 double bonds. The conjugated polyene may include a cyclic ring including at least one substituent. In some embodiments, a cyclic ring of a carotenoid analog or derivative may include at least one substituent. The substituent may be coupled to the cyclic ring with an ether functionality.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting and/or ameliorating the occurrence of diseases associated with reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, radicals and/or non-radicals in a subject whereby a subject is administered a carotenoid analog or derivative, either alone or in combination with another carotenoid analog or derivative, or co-antioxidant formulation. The analog or derivative is administered such that the subject's risk of experiencing diseases associated with reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, radicals and/or non-radicals may be thereby reduced. The analog or analog combination may be administered to a subject for the inhibition and/or amelioration of any disease that involves production of reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, radicals and/or non-radicals. In some embodiments, the invention may include a chemical compound including an at least partially water soluble carotenoid analog or derivative.

Abstract: A method of controlling (e.g., influencing or affecting) connexin 43 expression in a subject may include administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation. In some embodiments, controlling connexin 43 expression in a subject may effectively treat cardiac arrhythmia and/or cancerous and pre-cancerous cells in a subject. The pharmaceutically acceptable formulation may include a synthetic analog or derivative of a carotenoid. The subject may be administered a carotenoid analog or derivative, either alone or in combination with another carotenoid analog or derivative, or co-antioxidant formulation. The carotenoid analog may include a conjugated polyene with between 7 to 14 double bonds. The conjugated polyene may include an acyclic alkene including at least one substituent and/or a cyclic ring including at least one substituent. In some embodiments, a carotenoid analog or derivative may include at least one substituent.

Abstract: A method of controlling (e.g., influencing or affecting) connexin 43 expression in a subject may include administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation. In some embodiments, controlling connexin 43 expression in a subject may effectively treat cardiac arrhythmia and/or cancerous and pre-cancerous cells in a subject. The pharmaceutically acceptable formulation may include a synthetic analog or derivative of a carotenoid. The subject may be administered a carotenoid analog or derivative, either alone or in combination with another carotenoid analog or derivative, or co-antioxidant formulation. The carotenoid analog may include a conjugated polyene with between 7 to 14 double bonds. The conjugated polyene may include a cyclic ring including at least one substituent. In some embodiments, a cyclic ring of a carotenoid analog or derivative may include at least one substituent. The substituent may be coupled to the cyclic ring with an ester functionality.

Abstract: A method of treating liver disease in a subject. The method may include administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation. The pharmaceutically acceptable formulation may include a synthetic analog or derivative of a carotenoid. The subject may be administered a carotenoid analog or derivative, either alone or in combination with another carotenoid analog or derivative, or co-antioxidant formulation. The carotenoid analog may include a conjugated polyene with between 7 to 14 double bonds. The conjugated polyene may include an acyclic alkene including at least one substituent and/or a cyclic ring including at least one substituent. In some embodiments, a carotenoid analog or derivative may include at least one substituent.

Abstract: A member of a specific binding pair (sbp) is identified by expressing DNA encoding a genetically diverse population of such sbp members in recombinant host cells in which the sbp members are displayed in functional form at the surface of a secreted recombinant genetic display package (rgdp) containing DNA encoding the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof, by virtue of the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof being expressed as a fusion with a capsid component of the rgdp. The displayed sbps may be selected by affinity with a complementary sbp member, and the DNA recovered from selected rgdps for expression of the selected sbp members. Antibody sbp members may be thus obtained, with the different chains thereof expressed, one fused to the capsid component and the other in free form for association with the fusion partner polypeptide. A phagemid may be used as an expression vector, with said capsid fusion helping to package the phagemid DNA.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting and/or ameliorating the occurrence of diseases associated with reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, radicals and/or non-radicals in a subject whereby a subject is administered a carotenoid structural analog, either alone or in combination with another carotenoid analog, or co-antioxidant formulation. The analog or analog combination is administered such that the subject's risk of experiencing diseases associated with reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, radicals and/or non-radicals may be thereby reduced. The analog or analog combination may be administered to a subject for the inhibition and/or amelioration of ischemia-reperfusion injury. The analog or analog combination may be administered to a subject for the inhibition and/or amelioration of liver disease. The analog or analog combination may be administered to a subject for the inhibition and/or amelioration of cancer.

Abstract: A member of a specific binding pair (sbp) is identified by expressing DNA encoding a genetically diverse population of such sbp members in recombinant host cells in which the sbp members are displayed in functional form at the surface of a secreted recombinant genetic display package (rgdp) containing DNA encoding the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof, by virtue of the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof being expressed as a fusion with a capsid component of the rgdp. The displayed sbps may be selected by affinity with a complementary sbp member, and the DNA recovered from selected rgdps for expression of the selected sbp members. Antibody sbp members may be thus obtained, with the different chains thereof expressed, one fused to the capsid component and the other in free form for association with the fusion partner polypeptide. A phagemid may be used as an expression vector, with said capsid fusion helping to package the phagemid DNA.

Abstract: A member of a specific binding pair (sbp) is identified by expressing DNA encoding a genetically diverse population of such sbp members in recombinant host cells in which the sbp members are displayed in functional form at the surface of a secreted recombinant genetic display package (rgdp) containing DNA encoding the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof, by virtue of the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof being expressed as a fusion with a capsid component of the rgdp. The displayed sbps may be selected by affinity with a complementary sbp member, and the DNA recovered from selected rgdps for expression of the selected sbp members. Antibody sbp members may be thus obtained, with the different chains thereof expressed, one fused to the capsid component and the other in free form for association with the fusion partner polypeptide. A phagemid may be used as an expression vector, with said capsid fusion helping to package the phagemid DNA.

Abstract: A local area network cable capable of high speed signal transmission has a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors enclosed within a jacket. Each of the twisted pairs has a different twist frequency than any of the other pairs, and at least one of the pairs has a direction of twist that is different from the other twisted pairs, that is, it may have a right hand twist where the other pairs have a left hand twist. In a four pair cable, two of the pairs, of different twist frequency, have imparted thereto a right hand twist, and two of the pairs have a left hand twist.

Abstract: A local area network cable capable of high speed signal transmission has a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors enclosed within a jacket. Each of the twisted pairs has a different twist frequency than any of the other pairs, and at least one of the pairs has a direction of twist that is different from the other twisted pairs, that is, it may have a right hand twist where the other pairs have a left hand twist. In a four pair cable, two of the pairs, of different twist frequency, have imparted thereto a right hand twist, and two of the pairs have a left hand twist.

Abstract: A member of a specific binding pair (sbp) is identified by expressing DNA encoding a genetically diverse population of such sbp members in recombinant host cells in which the sbp members are displayed in functional form at the surface of a secreted recombinant genetic display package (rgdp) containing DNA encoding the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof, by virtue of the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof being expressed as a fusion with a capsid component of the rgdp. The displayed sbps may be selected by affinity with a complementary sbp member, and the DNA recovered from selected rgdps for expression of the selected sbp members. Antibody sbp members may be thus obtained, with the different chains thereof expressed, one fused to the capsid component and the other in free form for association with the fusion partner polypeptide. A phagemid may be used as an expression vector, with said capsid fusion helping to package the phagemid DNA.

Abstract: A multi-section golf practice mat including a mat having three indented sections formed therein in a spaced relationship. A first mat insert is provided having simulated grass extending outwardly therefrom. The first mat is removably received within a first of the three indented sections of the mat. The simulated grass of the first mat insert corresponds with fringe grass on a golf course. A second mat insert is provided having simulated grass extending outwardly therefrom. The second mat is removably received within a second of the three indented sections of the mat. The simulated grass of the second mat insert corresponding with fairway grass on a golf course. A third mat insert is provided having simulated grass extending outwardly therefrom. The third mat is removably received within a third of the three indented sections of the mat. The simulated grass of the third mat insert corresponds with rough grass on a golf course.

Abstract: A member of a specific binding pair (sbp) is identified by expressing DNA encoding a genetically diverse population of such sbp members in recombinant host cells in which the sbp members are displayed in functional form at the surface of a secreted recombinant genetic display package (rgdp) containing DNA encoding the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof, by virtue of the sbp member or a polypeptide component thereof being expressed as a fusion with a capsid component of the rgdp. The displayed sbps may be selected by affinity with a complementary sbp member, and the DNA recovered from selected rgdps for expression of the selected sbp members. Antibody sbp members may be thus obtained, with the different chains thereof expressed, one fused to the capsid component and the other in free form for association with the fusion partner polypeptide. A phagemid may be used as an expression vector, with said capsid fusion helping to package the phagemid DNA.

Abstract: A microwave plasma assisted method and system for heating and joining materials. The invention uses a microwave induced plasma to controllably preheat workpiece materials that are poorly microwave absorbing. The plasma preheats the workpiece to a temperature that improves the materials' ability to absorb microwave energy. The plasma is extinguished and microwave energy is able to volumetrically heat the workpiece. Localized heating of good microwave absorbing materials is done by shielding certain parts of the workpiece and igniting the plasma in the areas not shielded. Microwave induced plasma is also used to induce self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) process for the joining of materials. Preferably, a microwave induced plasma preheats the material and then microwave energy ignites the center of the material, thereby causing a high temperature spherical wave front from the center outward.

Abstract: A mixing machine more particularly for pastes, doughs, slurries or the like has a mixing chamber with a central core, a pair of rotary mixing elements, one for sweeping the surface of the core and the other for sweeping the wall of the chamber and a static pin within the chamber between the mixing elements whereby a product is sheared and divided during mixing.