Abstract: The presently described subject matter is based on the finding that inhibition of eotaxin-2 by polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies, has a significant protective effect in animal models of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), colitis, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Thus, provided are pharmaceutical compositions including specific anti-eotaxin 2 antibodies for use alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents in the treatment of inflammatory, autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases. Also provided are specific anti-eotaxin-2 monoclonal antibodies, and methods of treatment utilizing such antibodies.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for drying ceramic green bodies include providing one or more ceramic green bodies in a microwave heating chamber operatively connected to a microwave source and a PLC. The total mass of the ceramic green bodies present in the microwave heating chamber is determined. Microwave energy is generated with the microwave source and transmitted from the microwave source to the microwave heating chamber. A transmitted power of the microwave energy transmitted from the microwave source to the microwave heating chamber is measured with power sensors. The reflected power of reflected microwave energy reflected back from the microwave heating chamber is also measured. The power of the microwave energy transmitted from the microwave source to the microwave heating chamber is adjusted based on the total mass of ceramic green bodies present in the microwave heating chamber, the measured transmitted power and the measured reflected power.

Abstract: Tray assemblies and methods for manufacturing ceramic articles are provided. In one embodiment, a tray assembly includes a tray body having a supporting surface operable to support a ceramic article for passage through a microwave drying apparatus during a microwave drying process and a microwave coupling cover associated with the tray body. The microwave coupling cover envelopes at least a portion of the ceramic article during the microwave drying process. The microwave coupling cover has a dielectric property such that a greater percentage of microwave energy is coupled into the ceramic article with the microwave coupling cover present during the microwave drying process than with the microwave coupling cover not present. Methods may include rotating the ceramic article when the ceramic article is about 40%-60 dry.

Abstract: Novel synthetic oxidized lipids and methods utilizing oxidized lipids for treating and preventing an inflammation associated with an endogenous oxidized lipid are provided.

Abstract: Novel synthetic oxidized lipids and methods utilizing oxidized lipids for treating and preventing an inflammation associated with an endogenous oxidized lipid are provided.

Abstract: An optically-switched fiber optic communication system, such as a Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) based optical fiber link system, may be used to increase the range of peer-to-peer communications. The optically-switched fiber optic communication system may include a head-end unit (HEU) having an optical switch bank. Fiber optic cables comprising optical fibers optically couple the HEU to one or more remote access points in different coverage areas. The optical switch bank in the HEU provides a link between the remote access points in the different coverage areas such that devices in the different cellular coverage areas can communicate with each other over the optical fibers through the HEU. By using the optically-switched fiber optic communication system, the range and coverage of communication between devices may be extended such that devices in different coverage areas and devices using different communication protocols can communicate.

Abstract: Novel synthetic forms of etherified oxidized phospholipids and methods of utilizing same for preventing and treating atherosclerosis and other related disorders, as well as inflammatory disorders, immune mediated diseases, autoimmune diseases and proliferative disorders, are provided. In addition, methods of synthesizing etherified and esterified oxidized phospholipids and of using same for preventing and treating atherosclerosis and other related disorders are also provided.

Abstract: Novel synthetic oxidized lipids and methods utilizing oxidized lipids for treating and preventing an inflammation associated with an endogenous oxidized lipid are provided.

Abstract: Novel synthetic forms of etherified oxidized phospholipids and methods of utilizing same for preventing and treating atherosclerosis and other related disorders, as well as inflammatory disorders, immune mediated diseases, autoimmune diseases and proliferative disorders, are provided. In addition, methods of synthesizing etherified and esterified oxidized phospholipids and of using same for preventing and treating atherosclerosis and other related disorders are also provided.

Abstract: Fiber optic array cables and related systems and methods to determine and/or track locations of objects are disclosed. The fiber optic array cables can be employed in an optical-fiber-based communication system, including a centralized optical-fiber based communication system. In one embodiment, the fiber optic array cable is configured to carry optical RF or radio-over-fiber (RoF) signals to establish communications with objects. The fiber optic array cable includes multiple reference units along the length of the cable. The reference units can be configured to convert received optical RF signals into electrical RF signals to establish RF communications with objects capable of receiving electrical RF signals. The reference units are also configured to convert received electrical RF signals from the objects into optical RF signals, which are then used to determine the location of the object.

Abstract: Electromagnetic (EM) drying of a plugged ware is provided that includes subjecting the ware to an axially non-uniform EM radiation field that causes more EM radiation to be dissipated in either of the plugged regions than in the unplugged region. The EM radiation field is provided by a configurable applicator system that includes a feed waveguide and a conveyor path. The feed waveguide includes configurable slots. The configurable applicator system can be set to selectively vary the amount of EM radiation dissipated by each ware along the longitudinal axis of each ware as a function of ware position along the conveying path, thereby enhancing the EM drying process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for accurately determining the likelihood that a subject will respond to treatment with an immunomodulatory composition comprising detecting one or more markers in a sample from the subject, wherein at least one markers is linked to a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) set forth in Table 1 or 3-5, and processes for selecting suitable subjects for therapy or for continued therapy, and for providing appropriate therapy to subjects, based on the assay results.

Abstract: Our invention is a cost model for healthcare, based not on “age”, as it is done currently, but on “chronic illness” as a risk factor. Using the model it is possible to derive two burden numbers, “Primary” and “Secondary” that is an inverse measure of the success of primary and secondary preventive care programs. Using this new metric, a better explanation for cost increases is possible. It can help estimate increases more accurately and make explicit suggestions on where the focus of attention should be to lowering costs. Trendlines of the metric can measure performance of care programs month by month and not have to wait a decade to yield perceptible results. A particular embodiment of this model is the software program described in this application, called HealthKeys, which serves as a decision support system for CFOs of companies and healthplans to help institute relevant preventive care programs and measure the success of them.

Abstract: A radio-over-fiber (RoF) optical fiber cable system with transponder diversity for a RoF wireless picocellular system that includes at least one optical fiber cable. The at least one optical fiber cable supports one or more groups of two or more transponders, wherein the transponders in a given group are arranged to form substantially co-located picocells. The transponders in each transponder group may also have one of two orthogonal antenna polarizations. A diversity combiner optically coupled to each transponder determines respective signal strengths from each transponder in each transponder group. The transponder with the greatest signal strength in a given transponder group is selected to form the picocell for the given group. This allows for the optical fiber cable system to adjust to changes in the signal strength of each picocell, such as caused by a transponder obstruction or failure.

Abstract: Methods for determining when to regenerate an exhaust gas particulate filter (10), for regenerating, and for calibrating a pressure drop across such filters are disclosed. An example method involves reducing a first amount of particulates (52) accumulated in the filter to a residual amount RADP. The method also includes measuring the residual amount RADP by exciting the microwave resonant cavity (126) in which the filter resides with microwave radiation (182) and then monitoring the microwave cavity response. The method also includes using the measured value of RADP to calibrate a pressure drop threshold ?PTH SO that it is representative of a limit (TDP) of particulate accumulation in the filter. The methods may also include regenerating the filter a number of times and each time re-setting the pressure drop threshold ?PTH based on measurements of RADP taken after each filter regeneration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for drying ceramic green bodies include providing one or more ceramic green bodies in a microwave heating chamber operatively connected to a microwave source and a PLC. The total mass of the ceramic green bodies present in the microwave heating chamber is determined. Microwave energy is generated with the microwave source and transmitted from the microwave source to the microwave heating chamber. A transmitted power of the microwave energy transmitted from the microwave source to the microwave heating chamber is measured with power sensors. The reflected power of reflected microwave energy reflected back from the microwave heating chamber is also measured. The power of the microwave energy transmitted from the microwave source to the microwave heating chamber is adjusted based on the total mass of ceramic green bodies present in the microwave heating chamber, the measured transmitted power and the measured reflected power.

Abstract: Novel synthetic oxidized lipids and methods utilizing oxidized lipids for treating and preventing an inflammation associated with an endogenous oxidized lipid are provided.

Abstract: Novel synthetic oxidized lipids and methods utilizing oxidized lipids for treating and preventing an inflammation associated with an endogenous oxidized lipid are provided.

Abstract: The radio-over-fiber (RoF) transponder includes a converter unit adapted to convert RF electrical signals into optical signals and vice versa, and an antenna system electrically coupled to the converter unit. The antenna system includes first and second Z-shaped patch antenna elements formed on an antenna substrate. These patches are adapted to respectively transmit and receive radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation at a first frequency fA (e.g., 2.4 GHz) over a first picocell. The antenna system also includes a square patch antenna element formed atop the antenna substrate surface between the first and second Z-shaped patch antenna elements. The square patch antenna is adapted to transmit and receive RF electromagnetic radiation at a second frequency fB (e.g., 5.2 GHz) over a second picocell substantially co-located with the first picocell. One or more spaced-apart transponders can be supported by one or more optical fibers to form an array of picocells.

Abstract: A method for drying a ceramic article comprises providing microwave radiation from a microwave generating source, providing a ceramic honeycomb structure having a middle portion and at least one end, and exposing the ceramic honeycomb structure to the microwave radiation while shielding the at least one end from directly receiving the microwave radiation, such that the radiation absorbed by the middle portion is equal to or greater than the radiation absorbed by the at least one end, and the proper drying of the entire honeycomb structure without heat-induced structural degradation is thus ensured.