Abstract: A dilution apparatus for diluting a gas sample. The apparatus includes a sample gas conduit having a sample gas inlet end and a diluted sample gas outlet end, and a sample gas flow restricting orifice disposed proximate the sample gas inlet end connected with the sample gas conduit and providing fluid communication between the exterior and the interior of the sample gas conduit. A diluted sample gas conduit is provided within the sample gas conduit having a mixing end with a mixing space inlet opening disposed proximate the sample gas inlet end, thereby forming an annular space between the sample gas conduit and the diluted sample gas conduit. The mixing end of the diluted sample gas conduit is disposed at a distance from the sample gas flow restricting orifice. A dilution gas source connected with the sample gas inlet end of the sample gas conduit is provided for introducing a dilution gas into the annular space, and a filter is provided for filtering the sample gas.

Abstract: A system for fluid transport at elevated temperatures having a conduit having a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end and at least one heating element disposed within the conduit providing direct heating of a fluid flowing through the conduit. The system is particularly suited for preventing condensable constituents of a high temperature fluid from condensing out of the fluid prior to analysis of the fluid. In addition, operation of the system so as to prevent the condensable constituents from condensing out of the fluid surprisingly does not alter the composition of the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for treating individuals at risk of or suffering from breast cancer. The system comprises administering to the individual a recombinant poxvirus, where the poxvirus contains in a foreign nucleic acid encoding at least one breast cancer antigen.

Abstract: The present invention is a recombinant vector encoding and expressing at least three or more costimulatory molecules. The recombinant vector may additionally contain a gene encoding one or more target antigens or immunological epitope thereof. The synergistic effect of these costimulatory molecules on the enhanced activation of T cells is demonstrated. The degree of T-cell activation using recombinant vectors containing genes encoding three costimulatory molecules was far greater than the sum of recombinant vector constructs containing one costimulatory molecule and greater than the use of two costimulatory molecules. Results employing the triple costimulatory vectors were most dramatic under conditions of either low levels of first signal or low stimulator to T-cell ratios. This phenomenon was observed with both isolated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel modified CEA agonist (or antagonist) peptides, polypeptides and proteins containing a modified epitope therein, nucleic acids coding therefor, vectors comprising said nucleic acids, mixtures and compositions of the aforementioned agents, and their advantageous use in generating CEA-specific immune responses and/or in the treatment of cancers and the present invention further relates to the foregoing combined with one or more costimulatory molecules.

Abstract: The present invention is a recombinant vector encoding and expressing at least three or more costimulatory molecules. The recombinant vector may additionally contain a gene encoding one or more target antigens or immunological epitope thereof. The synergistic effect of them costimulatory molecules on the enhanced activation of T cells is demonstrated. The degree of T-cell activation using recombinant vectors containing genes encoding three costimulatory molecules was far greater than the sum of recombinant vector constructs containing one costimulatory molecule and greater that the use of two costimulatory molecules. Results employing the triple costimulatory vectors were most dramatic under conditions of either low levels of first signal or low stimulator to T-cell ratios. This phenomenon was observed with both isolated CD4+and CD8+T cells.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition of recombinant virus which has incorporated into its genome or portion thereof a gene encoding an antigen to a disease causing agent and a recombinant virus which has incorporated into its genome or portion thereof a gene encoding an immunostimulatory molecule(s) for the purpose of stimulating an immune response against the disease causing agent. Methods of treatment of diseases such as cancer and diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms is provide using the composition.

Abstract: A method for making an active material comprises the steps of forming a slurry, spray drying the slurry to form a powdered precursor composition, and heating the powdered precursor composition at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form a reaction product. The slurry has a liquid phase and a solid phase, and contains at least an alkali metal compound and a transition metal compound. Preferably the liquid phase contains dissolved alkali metal compound, and the solid phase contains an insoluble transition metal compound, an insoluble carbonaceous material compound, or both. Electrodes and batteries are provided that contain the active materials.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition of recombinant virus which has incorporated into its genome or portion thereof a gene encoding an antigen to a disease causing agent and a recombinant virus which has incorporated into its genome or portion thereof a gene encoding an immunostimulatory molecule(s) for the purpose of stimulating an immune response against the disease causing agent. Methods of treatment of diseases such as cancer and diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms is provide using the composition.

Abstract: A gasket having a metal base sheet wherein the sheet includes apertures. The apertures are bounded by an edge of the sheet. The edge includes coined angles. An elastomeric material is disposed on the coined angles and the edge to form a sealing bead. The coined angles increase the surface area of the base sheet exposed to the elastomeric material to form a stronger bond between the base sheet and the elastomeric material. A texture may be applied to the coined angles to further increase the surface area of the base sheet exposed to the elastomeric material. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and processing armed triggers associated with specific call functions in an intelligent network, using a distributed intelligent network triggering architecture. The complex trigger profile is removed from call processing at the service switching point to a trigger processing server, so that a much simplified and reduced profile can be sent to the service switching point associated with a roaming subscriber, which overcomes the problem of lack of support for long messages within the signalling infrastructure, and the problems associated with wide variation in the capabilities of service switching points. The reduced processing at the service switching point means that the detection points for armed triggers residing therein need only have a minimal triggering capability and a generic trigger for each detection point, and therefore do not need to be upgraded as new triggers are defined or as new criteria are defined for existing triggers at a given detection point.

Abstract: One of the features of the Intelligent Network (IN) is the storage of subscriber profile information at network databases, such as, but not limited to, service control points (SCPs) and Home Location Registers (HLRs.) Such profiles may also be stored at the local switch level, and be made accessible to all other nodes via the signaling network. The present invention extends service logic functionality for a given subscriber to allow for the interaction of subscriber profiles on behalf of a single subscriber, and sharing of data contained in these profiles, to enhance single-ended, single point-of-control services specific to either the calling or called party offered in an Intelligent Network. As such, an enhanced service tailored to both the called and calling parties is made available.

Abstract: The present invention is a recombinant vector encoding and expressing at least three or more costimulatory molecules. The recombinant vector may additionally contain a gene encoding one or more target antigens or immunological epitope thereof. The synergistic effect of these costimulatory molecules on the enhanced activation of T cells is demonstrated. The degree of T-cell activation using recombinant vectors containing genes encoding three costimulatory molecules was far greater than the sum of recombinant vector constructs containing one costimulatory molecule and greater than the use of two costimulatory molecules. Results employing the triple costimulatory vectors were most dramatic under conditions of either low levels of first signal or low stimulator to T-cell ratios. This phenomenon was observed with both isolated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.

Abstract: A method for making an active material comprises the steps of forming a slurry, spray drying the slurry to form a powdered precursor composition, and heating the powdered precursor composition at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form a reaction product. The slurry has a liquid phase and a solid phase, and contains at least an alkali metal compound and a transition metal compound. Preferably the liquid phase contains dissolved alkali metal compound, and the solid phase contains an insoluble transition metal compound, an insoluble carbonaceous material compound, or both. Electrodes and batteries are provided that contain the active materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a two-dimensional image of a three-dimensional object illuminates the surface of the object using an illumination source. Portions of the surface are imaged through an aperture in a plate onto a portion of a matrix sensor. The object is rotated about its principle axis while being simultaneously translated, and, at the same time the aperture is also rotated. By synchronizing these translational and rotational movements, successive portions of the object surface can image onto respective successive portions of the matrix sensor, thereby providing an improve two-dimensional image of the surface of the object.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus (100) for detecting small glass particles (12) in bottles (1) filled with beer (10). The beer (10) is caused to rotate with respect to the bottle (1), and successive images are obtained from the bottle by means of a CCD-camera (40) which is arranged such that its optical axis (41) makes an angle &agr; of about 135° with the axis (13) of the bottle (1), which is illuminated from below. The successive images are subtracted from each other to detect refracted light emanating from glass particles. These measurements are repeated a plurality of times. The invention thus offers an improvement in sensitivity and reliability of a detecting method. An apparatus (100) comprises a carousel (103) with a plurality of cameras dedicated to a single bottle. A system is described to reduce costs by having eight cameras share one image processing unit.

Abstract: A method for testing an hydraulic device of an hydraulic control system, the system having a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure and a fluid reservoir, and the device having a fluid inlet which is releasably coupled to the source when the system is in operation, a fluid outlet which is releasably coupled to the reservoir when the system is in operation, and an element which restricts fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet, by: halting operation of the system; providing a portable analyzing apparatus having a supply of hydraulic fluid, an outlet conduit, a unit for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure from the supply to the outlet conduit, a return conduit communicating with the supply, a fluid pressure monitor connected to the outlet conduit, and a fluid flow monitor in the return conduit; disconnecting the fluid inlet of the device from the source and connecting that fluid inlet to the outlet conduit; disconnecting the fluid outlet of the device from the reservoir and connecting that fluid outl