Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for selectively directing stem cells to a target tissue within a subject using a system that employs one or more vectors that contain a gene switch/biosensor, a tissue-specific promoter, a gene encoding a stem cell-attracting chemokine, and a gene amplification system. In one embodiment, a stem cell-attracting chemokine is expressed in damaged tissue using a stimulus-responsive vector system. The stimulus can be a physiological stimulus associated with cell injury, such as hypoxia or elevated glucose levels, for example. Expression of the chemokine increases the trafficking of stem cells to the damaged tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method to isolate and expand pure progenitor/stem cells from a primary tissue explant, which produces a population enriched in multipotent functional progenitor/stem cells free of contaminating fibroblasts and other cell types. Cardiac progenitor/stem cells isolated by this method maintain their self-renewal and clonogenic character in vitro and differentiate into normal cells in myocardium, including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, after transplantation into ischemic hearts. The present invention also includes substantially pure populations of multipotent progenitor/stem cells, e.g., cardiac progenitor/stem cells, and their use to treat and prevent diseases and injuries, including those resulting from myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method to isolate and expand pure progenitor/stem cells from a primary tissue explant, which produces a population enriched in multipotent functional progenitor/stem cells free of contaminating fibroblasts and other cell types. Cardiac progenitor/stem cells isolated by this method maintain their self-renewal and clonogenic character in vitro and differentiate into normal cells in myocardium, including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, after transplantation into ischemic hearts. The present invention also includes substantially pure populations of multipotent progenitor/stem cells, e.g., cardiac progenitor/stem cells, and their use to treat and prevent diseases and injuries, including those resulting from myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The disclosed inventions include and apparatus and method for providing a universal Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system. Such system may be configured to work in a plurality of modes including a walk-bay, drive-by and fixed network mode. The system configured to provide functionally-self-healing features where the system continues to function after certain hardware failures occur.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cellulase compositions which share unique highly conserved regions with a known useful cellulase. More specifically, the present invention relates to a series of newly discovered enzymes from fungi and bacteria which are related by virtue of having at least one of five important conserved amino acid sequences which are also present in EGIII.

Abstract: A process and system are disclosed for the biofiltration of volatile organic compounds. The process involved recirculating contaminated effluent gas through a biofilter (1), the biofilter (1) having an inlet (20), outlet (15) and micro-organism laden filter media bed (3). The filter media bed additionally having moisture retaining properties. This process has been effective in removing high levels of VOCs from effluent gas streams and also in removing VOCs from an effluent gas stream where the VOC levels and/or volumes of effluent gas vary over time.

Abstract: The reader (1) for a utility meter is disclosed. The reader (1) is capable of receiving data, in a variety of different protocols, by either inductive coupling or by radio frequency transmission. The reader (1) is a hand-held device which comprises an inductive read nozzle (2), a RF module, a display (4), a keypad (5) a trigger switch (6), a handle (7) a communication port (8), a battery charging interface (9), a memory and a microprocessor. The reader (1) is capable of storing utility usage data in memory and/or downloading utility usage data to a computer through the communication port (8).

Abstract: The present inventions relate to a smart transmitter technology that provides for a more stable transmitted signal power level, a more stable transmitted signal carrier frequency, a sleep mode without the need for receiving a wakeup signal, and a universal communication interface. The smart transmitter may comprise selective of a processor, a universal communication interface, transmitter circuitry, a reference-frequency-generator, a depletable power source, and an antenna. The processor configures the transmitter circuitry to adjust the power level of the transmitted signal based on the quality of power supplied to the transmitter circuitry. The processor is further configured to access temperature data from a temperature sensor and compensate for expected changes in the frequency output of the reference-frequency-generator.

Abstract: The disclosed inventions include and apparatus and method for providing a universal Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system. Such system may be configured to work in a plurality of modes including a walk-bay, drive-by and fixed network mode. The system configured to provide functionally-self-healing features where the system continues to function after certain hardware failures occur.

Abstract: A separator for separating solids and other objects (debris) from a liquid, and having a separator body (2) through which the liquid, having debris entrained therein (16, 19, 20), flows from an inlet (6) to an outlet (13), and a port (5) for diverting flow from the outlet during moderate flows whereby the debris entrained in the liquid is removed. A floor (11) wherein the separator is raised to form a hump (43) adjacent to or in which the opening (5) is located.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method to isolate and expand pure progenitor/stem cells from a primary tissue explant, which produces a population enriched in multipotent functional progenitor/stem cells free of contaminating fibroblasts and other cell types. Cardiac progenitor/stem cells isolated by this method maintain their self-renewal and clonogenic character in vitro and differentiate into normal cells in myocardium, including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, after transplantation into ischemic hearts. The present invention also includes substantially pure populations of multipotent progenitor/stem cells, e.g., cardiac progenitor/stem cells, and their use to treat and prevent diseases and injuries, including those resulting from myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to a method and apparatus for adding Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) capabilities to utility meters that generate a magnetic field comprising magnetic flux that varies proportionally with the rate of resource consumption. The apparatus comprises a dual magnetic field sensor unit for detecting variations in the magnetic flux density for the magnetic field. The sensor unit may be compact in size so that it can be positioned within a utility meter. The sensor unit may be operatively connected to a data-unit located outside the utility meter. The data unit may be further configured for storing processed or unprocessed sensor signals and is connected to a transmitter. To minimize power consumption, the magnetic field sensors may be configured to have sensor on times and sensor off times. The on/off state of the magnetic field sensors may be controlled by either a dedicated sensor controller or the data unit.

Abstract: A method of verifying integrity of an access point on a wireless network comprises registering an access point with a core network, allocating a unique identifier from the network to the access point; recording data including the unique identifier together with a geographical location of the access point; requesting reports relating to access points in the vicinity of a mobile terminal when the mobile terminal sends other data, including the unique identifier as determined by mobile terminals listening to wireless transmissions from said access points, to the core network; and checking data in the reports against recorded data to determine if an access point is genuine

Abstract: A device for collection of a fluid sample, particularly a biological sample from an internal cavity of a mammal, comprises a barrel having an opening at one end thereof, a plunger operable axially within the barrel, the barrel and the plunger defining a fluid chamber having a volume which varies on axial movement of the plunger within the barrel, and a hollow, elongate tube extending from the fluid chamber through the opening in the barrel, the tube being in operative engagement with the plunger for axial movement to extend and retract the tube within respect to the barrel on axial movement of the plunger, and the tube being in fluid communication with the fluid chamber to provide a fluid flow path to and from the fluid chamber through the hollow tube. A method for collection of a fluid sample from an internal cavity of a mammal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of authenticating access points (1, 2, 3) on a wireless network (4) comprises sending a list of nearest neighbours (2, 3) from a trusted access point (1) to a controller (6). At the trusted access point (1), test data related to each of the listed nearest neighbours is received from the controller. Each neighbour (2, 3) is interrogated using its respective test data and the response compared with an expected response. A reliability indication is returned to the controller (6).

Abstract: An apparatus and method of installing a casing string in a borehole, the apparatus comprising a propulsion system movable through the borehole; the propulsion system having an attachment member; and the attachment member being engagable with the casing string causing the casing string to move with the propulsion system through the borehole. The apparatus further including a conduit for circulating fluids through the propulsion system to provide the power to move the propulsion system. The propulsion system may also be disposable.

Abstract: A separator for separating solids and other objects (debris) from a liquid, and having a separator body (2) through which the liquid, having debris entrained therein (16, 19, 20), flows from an inlet (6) to an outlet (13), and a port (5) for diverting flow from the outlet during moderate flows whereby the debris entrained in the liquid is removed. A floor (11) wherein the separator is raised to form a hump (43) adjacent to or in which the opening (5) is located.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of installing a casing string in a borehole, the apparatus comprising a propulsion system movable through the borehole; the propulsion system comprising an attachment member; and the attachment member being engagable with the casing string causing the casing string to move with the propulsion system through the borehole. The apparatus further including a conduit for circulating fluids through the propulsion system to provide the power to move the propulsion system. The propulsion system may also be disposable.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to pharmaceutical compositions, articles of manufacture, and methods useful for treatment of neurological conditions related to, or which can be affected by, modulation of glutamate receptor (GluR) activity. The treatment can be either prophylactic in nature or to alleviate symptoms of such neurological conditions. The pharmaceutical compositions of the subject invention include an aromatic amino acid (AAA), an analog or isomer of an AAA, or combinations thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Methods of the subject invention involve parenterally administering to a patient at least one AAA, an analog or isomer of an AAA, or combination thereof.

Abstract: A system for expressing a heterologous gene in a cell type-specific and inducible manner features at least one vector that includes a nucleic acid encoding a switch/biosensor, a nucleic acid encoding a tissue-specific promoter, a nucleic acid encoding the heterologous gene, and a nucleic acid encoding a gene amplification component. The switch/biosensor allows the system to regulate expression of the heterologous gene in response to a stimulus. The tissue-specific promoter allows the system to selectively express the heterologous gene in a particular cell or tissue type. And the gene amplification component induces expression of the heterologous gene at a level sufficient to exert a physiological effect on a tissue administered the system.