Abstract: A dialysate fluid circulation apparatus includes a dialyzer, a first housing and a second housing. The first housing contains material capable of releasing sodium into dialysate fluid flowing through the first housing. The second housing contains material capable of binding sodium ions from dialysate fluid flowing through the second housing. Hydraulic conduit sections are configured to extend between the dialyzer, the first housing, and the second housing to connect the dialyzer with the housings in a primary flow path for dialysate fluid to flow from the dialyzer to the first housing, from the first housing to the second housing, and from the second housing back to the dialyzer.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed recombinant anti-VLA-4 antibody molecules, including humanized recombinant anti-VLA-4 antibody molecules. These antibodies are useful in the treatment of specific and non-specific inflammation, including asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, the humanized recombinant anti-VLA-4 antibodies disclosed can be useful in methods of diagnosing and localizing sites of inflammation.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a TNF alpha-binding polypeptide composition comprising at least one of a modified heavy chain variable region polypeptide or a modified light chain variable region polypeptide that is capable of specifically binding to human TNF alpha. The modified heavy and light chain variable region polypeptides of the TNF alpha binding polypeptide are modified by at least one amino acid residue substitution, deletion or addition and are homologous to the heavy and light chain variable regions, respectively, of a non-human monoclonal antibody that specifically binds human TNF alpha. The polypeptide compositions of the invention comprising modified heavy and light chain variable region polypeptides are less immunogenic in a human than are the homologous heavy and light chain variable region polypeptides from a non-human animal.

Abstract: The invention provides modified forms of bouganin protein having biological activity and a reduced propensity to activate human T cells as compared to the non-modified bouganin protein. The invention also provides T-cell epitope peptides of bouganin, and modified T-cell epitope peptides of bouganin which have a reduced propensity to activate human T cells as compared to the non-modified T-cell epitope peptide. The invention also provides cytotoxins having the having a ligand that binds to a cancer cells attached to the modified bouganin proteins. Also provided are methods of inhibiting or destroying mammalian cancer cells using the cytotoxins of the invention and pharmaceutical compositions for treating human cancer.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a dialysis system are disclosed including an apparatus for delivering saline during dialysis treatment, an apparatus for delivering saline to a patient after dialysis treatment has ended, and an apparatus for alerting a patient that dialysis treatment is about to end. In the apparatus for delivering saline during dialysis treatment, a controller is configured to automatically deliver saline in response to a request. In the apparatus for delivering saline to a patient after dialysis treatment has ended, a controller is configured to automatically deliver saline after dialysis treatment has concluded, but before the patient is disconnected in response to a request. In the apparatus for alerting a patient that dialysis treatment is about to end, a controller is configured to monitor a dialysis treatment and activate an alarm when treatment is about to end.

Abstract: Humanized monoclonal antibodies which bind to IFNAR-1, and related antibody-based compositions and molecules, are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the humanized antibodies and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the humanized antibodies.

Abstract: A fluid pressure cylinder assembly has a sensor to provide a signal indicating the amount of extension of a piston rod from the cylinder. The sensor includes a sleeve that is fixed relative to a base of the cylinder and passes into a longitudinal bore in the piston rod, and the piston rod carries a sensor core that is in the bore and is secured to the piston rod at an end opposite from a piston on the rod. The core slides on the interior of the sensor sleeve. A connection is provided to the sensor sleeve such that as the core moves relative to the sensor sleeve a signal indicating the amount of movement and the relative position of the cylinder base and the piston rod is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for grinding material, including a grinder bit including a drum, a plurality of grinders, at least a portion of the grinders disposed longitudinally in a first helical pattern along the outer surface of the drum, and a plurality of cleats, at least a portion of the cleats disposed longitudinally in a second helical pattern along the outer surface of the drum, the second helical pattern offset from the first helical pattern.

Abstract: An arrester bed system for a runway area of an airport or airfield comprising: an artificial surface securely install in the area; a base beneath the artificial turf, the base configured to slow a moving aircraft; and soil beneath the base.

Abstract: A method for marketing an artificial surface for application at an airport installed adjacent to a runway/taxiway includes: (i) causing advertising to be displayed on the artificial surface; (ii) obtaining revenue for causing the display of the advertising; and (iii) selling/installing the artificial surface at a discounted price in exchange for receiving at least a portion of the advertising revenue.

Abstract: An organizer for storing items including at least three receptacles, each of the three receptacles having an upper section and a lower base section, each of the base sections having a non-planar bottom surface such that each of the receptacles is incapable of standing on its own when resting on a flat surface, wherein each of the at least three receptacles is fixedly secured to at least one other of the at least three receptacles, such that the at least three receptacles function to support one another in a standing orientation when placed on the flat surface.

Abstract: A system includes a receiver and a communication interface. The receiver is adapted to tune to an audio/video portion over a transport medium. The communication interface is adapted to receive announcement data associated with the tuned audio/video content directed to a first addressable location and to receive a special announcement directed to the first addressable location. The special announcement indicates availability of the announcement data associated with the tuned audio/video program, and the announcement data is associated with the tuned audio/video content and indicates enhancement data is being transmitted. The controller is adapted to redirect the announcement data to a second addressable location other than the first addressable location in response to the special announcement.

Abstract: Humanized monoclonal antibodies which bind to IFNAR-1, and related antibody-based compositions and molecules, are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the humanized antibodies and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the humanized antibodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to artificial modified proteins, preferably fusion proteins, having a reduced immunogenicity compared to the parent non-modified molecule when exposed to a species in vivo. The invention relates, above all, to novel immunoglobulin fusion proteins which essentially consist of an immunoglobulin molecule or a fragment thereof covalently fused via its C-terminus to the N-terminus of a biologically active non-immunoglobulin molecule, preferably a polypeptide or protein or a biologically active fragment thereof. In a specific embodiment, the invention relates to fusion proteins consisting of an Fc portion of an antibody which is fused as mentioned to the non-immunological target molecule which elicits biological or pharmacological efficacy. The molecules of the invention have amino acid sequences which are altered in one or more amino acid residue positions but have in principal the same biological activity as compared with the non-altered molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates a modified human interferon beta (INF?) which is less immunogenic than human INF? (SEQ ID NO: 1) when administered in vivo to a human. The modified human INF? comprises an amino acid residue sequence that differs from SEQ ID NO: 1 by an amino acid residue substitution selected from the group consisting of L57A, L57C, L57D L57E, L57G, L57H, L57K, L57N, L57P, L57Q, L57R, L57S, and L57T and an additional substitution selected from the group consisting of the H140A, H140C, H140G, and H140P.

Abstract: A system includes a receiver and a communication interface. The receiver is adapted to tune to an audio/video portion over a transport medium. The communication interface is adapted to receive announcement data associated with the tuned audio/video content directed to a first addressable location and to receive a special announcement directed to the first addressable location. The special announcement indicates availability of the announcement data associated with the tuned audio/video program, and the announcement data is associated with the tuned audio/video content and indicates enhancement data is being transmitted. The controller is adapted to redirect the announcement data to a second addressable location other than the first addressable location in response to the special announcement.

Abstract: Novel methods for the identification and/or sequencing of proteins are provided. These methods are particularly suited to screening antibody libraries and in preferred embodiments make use of mass spectrometry techniques for direct or indirect sequencing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel T cell assay methods, in particular where T cell responses to test antigens are increased by removal of regulatory T cells. Novel assays where the timing of incubation with antigens or other samples is varied in order to optimize detection of T cell responses are described. The invention has particular application for measurement of human T cell responses to pharmaceuticals, allergens, irritants or other substances.

Abstract: An analyst's performance is evaluated by utilizing information pertaining to at least one revision issued by the analyst involving at least one investment. This evaluation includes determining a conditional performance score indicative of the analyst's performance relative to other investors. The performance score is determined at least in part by considering an average historical performance of the investment, following the revision. In addition, the performance score is also determined using a historical consistency of the analyst's performances with respect to revisions involving the investment, and a number of revisions made by the analyst. Then, the performance score may be adjusted according to one or more adjustments, including adjustments for accentuating a number of issued revisions and a return amount, to generate a final performance score.