Abstract: The present invention features polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence structurally related to SEQ ID NO: 1 and uses of such polypeptides. SEQ ID NO: 1 is a truncated derivative of a full-length S. epidermidis polypeptide. The full-length naturally occurring polypeptide is referred to herein as full-length ORF1319e. A His-tagged derivative of SEQ ID NO: 1 was found to produce a protective immune response against S. epidermidis.

Abstract: A switch-type power converter comprising an PET switch operating in a variable duty cycle mode under the control of a Unitrode 3846 integrated circuit controller. Indications of excess input voltage and reverse battery connections are provided by circuits including an element which permanently changes state. A cooling fan mounted on a finned heat sink is operated in a variable speed mode. A single thermistor sensor provides inputs to both the fan speed control and a thermal shutdown circuit connected to shut down the gate drives to the FET switch in the event of a high temperature condition. Another shutdown function is provided in response to an input overvoltage condition by way of an operational amplifier. The converter uses foldback for short circuit protection and is compatible with microprocessor units to selectively provide multiple output voltage levels.

Abstract: The present invention features polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence structurally related to SEQ ID NO: 1 and uses of such polypeptides. SEQ ID NO: 1 is a truncated derivative of a full-length S. epidermidis polypeptide. The full-length naturally occurring polypeptide is referred to herein as full-length ORF1319e. A His-tagged derivative of SEQ ID NO: 1 was found to produce a protective immune response against S. epidermidis.

Abstract: The present invention features polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence structurally related to SEQ ID NO: 1 and uses of such polypeptides. SEQ ID NO: 1 is a truncated derivative of a full-length S. epidermidis polypeptide. The full-length naturally occurring polypeptide is referred to herein as full-length ORF2695e. A His-tagged derivative of SEQ ID NO: 1 was found to produce a protective immune response against S. epidermidis.

Abstract: A computerized method, program product, and a service that facilitates the storage of multiple rows of data in a relational database. If the data is clustered data, the method, program product and the service first obtains the clustered data from its source. An identifying primary key of the clustered data is resolved, and the clustered data is parsed, compressed and stored as a binary large object (BLOB). The BLOB may be stored within the relational database or may be stored separately. Storage and access times for large amount of data used in relational databases are optimized.

Abstract: A switch-type power converter includes a double FET switch operating in a variable duty cycle mode under the control of a Unitrode 3846 integrated circuit controller. Indications of excess input voltage and reverse battery connections are provided by circuits including an element which permanently changes state. A cooling fan mounted on a finned heat sink is operated in a variable speed mode.

Abstract: A computerized method, program product, and a service that facilitates the storage of multiple rows of data in a relational database. If the data is clustered data, the method, program product and the service first obtains the clustered data from its source. An identifying primary key of the clustered data is resolved, and the clustered data is parsed, compressed and stored as a binary large object (BLOB). The BLOB may be stored within the relational database or may be stored separately. Storage and access times for large amount of data used in relational databases are optimized.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method, a system and a computer program product for selecting data to be presented in a report form. A selector window is displayed to a user, the selector window displaying periods of time for indicating those periods of time for which data is available. The periods of time are displayed as a stack of temporally aligned time lines that are each partitioned into time periods of different duration, where each partition of a given time line has a spatial extent that differs from the spatial extent of partitions of other time lines, with longer partitions encompassing a plurality of shorter partitions. In response to the user selecting a point on a time line, the method, system and computer program product displays a report of that data.

Abstract: A high molecular weight polysaccharide intracellular adhesin (SAE) antigen having the general structure of poly-1,6,?-2-amidoglucopyranoside, which is variable substituted with N-acetyl and O-succinyl substituents is described. Also, a method is given for isolating this antigen from Staphylococcus aureus. The SAE can be used in a vaccine, either alone, conjugated to an immunogenic protein, and/or with an immunogenic adjuvant.

Abstract: Human Papillomavirus virus like particles (VLPs) have been constructed so that they contain a modified L2 protein. The L2 protein has been minimized and is fused to a second protein or peptide. The fused protein is incorporated into the VLP and the VLP can deliver the protein to a cell. The modified VLPs can be used to increase the breadth of immune response in vaccine preparations or to deliver other proteins of interest.

Abstract: A high molecular weight polysaccharide intracellular adhesin (SAE) antigen having the general structure of poly-1,6,&bgr;-2-amidoglucopyranoside, which is variable substituted with N-acetyl and O-succinyl substituents is described. Also, a method is given for isolating this antigen from Staphylococcus aureus. The SAE can be used in a vaccine, either alone, conjugated to an immunogenic protein, and/or with an immunogenic adjuvant.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method, a system and a computer program product for selecting data to be presented in a report form. A selector window is displayed to a user, the selector window displaying periods of time for indicating those periods of time for which data is available. The periods of time are displayed as a stack of temporally aligned time lines that are each partitioned into time periods of different duration, where each partition of a given time line has a spatial extent that differs from the spatial extent of partitions of other time lines, with longer partitions encompassing a plurality of shorter partitions. In response to the user selecting a point on a time line, the method, system and computer program product displays a report of that data.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for displaying, administrating and modifying client-sided cascading choices containing data levels and data items. The invention includes the operations of associating variables for each data level and each data item and generating visibility rules that define the visibility of each data level and each data item at the client display, wherein the visibility rules include at least some of the associated variables.

Abstract: A process for purifying papillomavirus virus-like particles (VLPs) includes the step of passing a partially purified VLP-containing solution through a hydroxyapatite chromatography column. The VLPs are then eluted using a buffer containing phosphate anion. The advantages of this method include the recovery of a high yield of intact VLPs.

Abstract: Recombinant expression vectors encoding the L1 and L2 proteins of papillomavirus, methods of making and using the recombinant proteins and purified virus-like particles comprised of the recombinant proteins are provided.

Abstract: A switched power converter for a recreational vehicle includes a housing and a switched power supply. The switched power supply has a switch and at least one energy storage component, the switch controlling the supply of power to the energy storage component. The output of the energy storage component is a regulated DC output voltage. A controller generates a switching control signal for controlling the state of said switch. A protection circuit is connected to the controller for protecting the switched power supply from damage resulting when a reverse battery connection is made. The circuit also includes a controller for controlling the pulse-width of the control signals input to the switch. A fan may be provided on the housing which is selectively enabled to move cooling air over the switched power supply only when a detected temperature exceeds a threshold level. The controller may be disabled when an ambient temperature exceeds a threshold level.

Abstract: A switched power converter for a recreational vehicle includes a housing and a switched power supply. The switched power supply has a switch and at least one energy storage component, the switch controlling the supply of power to the energy storage component. The output of the energy storage component is a regulated DC output voltage. A controller generates a switching control signal for controlling the state of said switch. A protection circuit is connected to the controller for protecting the switched power supply from damage resulting when a reverse battery connection is made. The circuit also includes a controller for controlling the pulse-width of the control signals input to the switch. A fan may be provided on the housing which is selectively enabled to move cooling air over the switched power supply only when a detected temperature exceeds a threshold level. The controller may be disabled when an ambient temperature exceeds a threshold level.

Abstract: A light system is disclosed for controlling the amount of light supplied from a high density light source to a target. A shutter is positioned between the light source and the target, and a motor is coupled to said shutter to control the position of said shutter. Either manual or automatic control of said shutter is provided by electronic means coupled to said motor.

Abstract: A power supply for a gas discharge lamp includes a current regulator for regulating the current supplied to a lamp and current steering means for steering current from the current regulator in alternating directions through an isolation transformer primary winding, the secondary winding of the transformer being connected with a lamp through an arc striking circuit. The frequency of alternating the current through the transformer is controlled as a function of the lamp voltage in order to regulate the volt-second product of the transformer through all portions of a lamp operating cycle including arc striking. This reduces saturation of the transformer and allows a much smaller transformer to be used. In a preferred embodiment, the current regulation and steering functions are performed in a bridge circuit having FET switches in each leg and in which the transformer primary spans the sides of the bridge.