Abstract: An apparatus for effectively washing a wide variety of smaller fruits and vegetables which can be conveniently used as a household kitchen appliance. The washing apparatus is comprised of a washing chamber or bowl with fluted or channeled interior sides, anti-skid pads on the bottom, a central axis agitator, a lid with incorporated strainer port and a geared manual crank handle. The crank handle has a gear ratio of approximately 6:1 which, under typical or normal rotation, will produce approximately 200 revolutions per minute (RPM's) across the diameter of the agitator. The agitator is designed to create the maximum amount of water uplift and central and circumferential water flow. The agitator design incorporates a semi-rigid plastic material and modified leading edges to reduce and eliminate damage and bruising to food items.

Abstract: A medical pump with an improved continuity low flow delivery system and method for use with a pumping chamber, for example in a cassette, is disclosed. The pump includes a pump drive for exerting a force on the pumping chamber and a sensor for sensing the force/pressure exerted by the pump drive on the pumping chamber. The pump drive position sensor senses the position of the pump drive. The medical pump also includes a processing unit and a memory having a programming code adapted to calculate the rate of change of the sensed force/pressure values and determine whether the rate of change of the sensed force/pressure values meets a rate of change threshold. Once the rate of change threshold is met, the programming code is adapted to calculate a remaining pump drive travel value for determining how much farther the pump drive should travel before the end of an effective pump cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.

Abstract: A medical pump with a closed loop stroke feedback system and method, for use with a pumping chamber, for example in a cassette, is disclosed. The pump includes a pumping element that intermittently pressurizes a pumping chamber during a pumping cycle. A pressure sensor detects the pressure exerted by the pumping element on the pumping chamber. A position sensor detects the position of the pumping element. A processing unit processes pressure data from the pressure sensor and position data from the position sensor to determine a calculated stroke volume of the pump for a pump cycle, and to adjust a stroke frequency of the pump to compensate for variation in the stroke volume.

Abstract: Compositions comprising antibodies directed to amylin in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for use in blocking the effects of amylin.

Abstract: Antibody methods for blocking the effects of diabetes-associated peptide, or "amylin", a hormone found in the amyloid masses of Type 2 diabetics, are disclosed. This putative hormone has been discovered to function both to inhibit insulin secretion and to inhibit glycogen synthesis. Regulation is accomplished by blocking the binding of amylin or amylin agonists, including calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), or biologically active sub-peptides thereof. Inhibitors include antibodies directed to amylin and amylin agonist active sites. Other antagonists include anti-idiotype antibodies directed to antibodies directed to amylin.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for blocking the effects of diabetes-associated peptide, or "amylin", a hormone found in the amyloid masses of Type 2 diabetics. This putative hormone has been discovered to function both to inhibit insulin secretion and to inhibit glycogen synthesis. Regulation is accomplished by blocking the binding of amylin or amylin agonists, including calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP], or biologically active sub-peptides thereof. Inhibitors include substituted peptides or sub-peptides of amylin or CGRP, cross-linked amylin and amylin agonists, synthetic amylin, anti-amylin receptor antibodies and anti-idiotype antibodies, and antibodies directed to amylin and amylin agonist active sites. Other antagonists include organic compounds which can be screened and assayed for anti-amylin effects by disclosed methods.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for blocking the effects of diabetes-associated peptide, or "amylin", a hormone found in the amyloid masses of Type 2 diabetics. This putative hormone has been discovered to function both to inhibit insulin secretion and to inhibit glycogen synthesis. Regulation is accomplished by blocking the binding of amylin or amylin agonists, including calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP], or biologically active sub-peptides thereof. Inhibitors include substituted peptides or sub-peptides of amylin or CGRP, cross-linked amylin and amylin agonists, synthetic amylin, anti-amylin receptor antibodies and anti-idiotype antibodies, and antibodies directed to amylin and amylin agonist active sites. Other antagonists include organic compounds which can be screened and assayed for anti-amylin effects by disclosed methods.

Abstract: An electric car is powered from a primary power source in the form of a three-phase parallel resonant electric motor operated at a constant speed (the speed of resonance). The electric motor is provided with operating power from an invertor coupled to storage batteries in the electric car. The motor drives a main hydraulic pump, which is hydraulically connected with a pair of variable displacement drive motors, each connected to different drive wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle. The fluid flow through the pump is varied from 0% to 100% to control the speed of operation of the drive motors connected to the drive wheels of the vehicle.