Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating asthma by raising the pH of the airways of an individual. The effect can be mediated directly by administering a pharmaceutically acceptable basic solution or alternatively, the effect can be mediated by enhancing the activity of glutaminase.

Abstract: Disclosed are pyrrolopyridazine compounds, methods of preparing such compounds, and their use for the treatment of proliferative, inflammatory, and other disorders.

Abstract: A injection port includes a delivery device guidance configuration which cooperates with a separate fastener delivery device. The delivery device guidance configuration guides and receives the delivery end of the device to locate it in the proper position to apply the fastener. Although not limited thereto, a particular device and fastener are shown in use with the injection port in which a guidance bore guides and receives the delivery end of the device to locate it appropriately to deliver the fastener in the appropriate position.

Abstract: Many proteins, when produced recombinantly, suffer from improper processing, folding and lack normal solubility. Modified proteins, including those indicative of disease states, also can have such defects. The present invention is directed to methods of identifying proper and improper protein folding, aberrant processing and/or insolubility. The method relies on the use of two components: a specialized fusion protein and structural complementation. The fusion protein contains sequences from the protein of interest and one portion of a marker protein that, by itself, is not active. A host cell then provides the remainder of the marker protein that serves to “complement” the function of the fused marker protein such that their association restores activity, permitting detection.

Abstract: A biopsy device having a translating and rotating cutter is disclosed. The translational speed of the cutter is varied using a variable pitch member. The variable pitch member can include a shaft having a relatively coarse threaded portion for rapid cutter advance and a relatively finer threaded portion for cutter advance during tissue severing.

Abstract: A breathing assistance apparatus adapted to deliver humidified gases at a desired level of humidity to a patient including a humidifier and a heated conduit is disclosed. The humidifier includes a controller which determines the flow rate of the gases and then determines the required power input to the humidifier to deliver the gases to the patient at the required patient humidity. This means the need for external sensors is dispensed with and thus the apparatus is simple and less bulky.

Abstract: A non-invasive method of monitoring apoptosis in cell culture, ex-vivo tissues and in-vivo tissues using high frequency ultrasound imaging is provided.

Abstract: An edge protector for the edges of roll shaped articles, e.g. pallets, reeled steel and paper products is made from an elongated sheet (10) of plastics material, the sheet having an indentation (11) extending longitudinally along a major surface of the sheet and extending only partially into the thickness of the sheet. The indentation (11) divides the sheet into webs (12, 13) which are folded into an L-shape.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided which improve the performance of electron imaging detectors by reducing the total interaction volume of the detector and/or reducing the energy converting volume of the detector. In one embodiment, a method for improving resolution and reducing noise in an imaging electron detector for an electron microscope is provided and includes the step of decelerating the energetic electrons either before the electrons interact with, or as the electrons interact with, the energy converting volume of an imaging electron detector. In other embodiments, the lateral spatial travel of energetic electrons is limited as they traverse the imaging electron detector, or, the extent of electron back scatter from the energetic electrons is limited.

Abstract: An illuminated display device (10) according to the present invention comprises an image sheet (48) comprising, in turn, a plurality of series of image portions (47a, 47b, 47c) etc. and a mask sheet (62) having alternative opaque strips (63) and transparent windows (61). The mask sheet (62) is located in face-to-face relation to the image sheet (48). First and second roller means (64, 66) are located in a substantially parallel spaced-apart arrangement relative to the image sheet (48) and the mask sheet (62) and are operatively associated with one of the image sheet (48) and the mask sheet (62). The device (10) is provided with means to oscillatingly move the one of the image sheet (48) and the mask sheet (62) relative to the other of the image sheet (48) and the mask sheet (62).

Abstract: A method is provided for achieving an enhanced finish on a sputter target surface that results in good film uniformity, low particle counts, and little to no bum-in time. The method involves chemically etching the surface of the sputter target by immersing the surface one or more times in an etching solution, with intermediate rinsing steps. The result is a surface substantially free of mechanical deformation that exhibits a surface similar to a sputtered target with a surface roughness of 10-30 &mgr;in.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided which improve the performance of electron imaging detectors by reducing the total interaction volume of the detector and/or reducing the energy converting volume of the detector. In one embodiment, a method for improving resolution and reducing noise in an imaging electron detector for an electron microscope is provided and includes the step of decelerating the energetic electrons either before the electrons interact with, or as the electrons interact with, the energy converting volume of an imaging electron detector. In other embodiments, the lateral spatial travel of energetic electrons is limited as they traverse the imaging electron detector, or, the extent of electron back scatter from the energetic electrons is limited.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided which improve the performance of electron imaging detectors by reducing the total interaction volume of the detector and/or reducing the energy converting volume of the detector. In one embodiment, a method for improving resolution and reducing noise in an imaging electron detector for an electron microscope is provided and includes the step of decelerating the energetic electrons either before the electrons interact with, or as the electrons interact with, the energy converting volume of an imaging electron detector. In other embodiments, the lateral spatial travel of energetic electrons is limited as they traverse the imaging electron detector, or, the extent of electron back scatter from the energetic electrons is limited.

Abstract: A source for a linear homodyne transceiver that generates repeated linear chirps. A YIG oscillator with a main coil and an FM coil receives a basic linear current ramp at the main coil to generate a chirp. The FM coil is coupled to receive a PLL error signal. The PLL receives a sample of the output signal from the YIG oscillator at one input and a linear chirp reference signal at the other input generated by a DDS chirp generator. Any variation between the linear chirp frequency at any instant and the actual frequency output by the YIG is corrected by an error signal to the FM coil to correct for nonlinearities of the YIG caused by variations in the chirp rate, the rate of change of frequency per second per chirp, temperature variations and microphonics.

Abstract: The periodicity of a signal from a voice channel is determined by sampling the signal, computing the log power spectrum, optionally thresholding and differencing the power spectrum, and then performing an autocorrelation function of limited order to confine the search for periodicity to spans of up to about 400 Hz to 500 Hz.

Abstract: The present invention provides a detachable organizer with a fastener for securing the organizer closed and/or for securing the organizer to a target surface, such as the interior surface of the closure flap of a flight case or a litigation briefcase. Alternatively, the organizer can be secured to a wall, countertop, desktop or dashboard or the like. For use by aircraft flight crew personnel, the interior of the organizer comprises a plurality of pockets adapted for receiving and securely holding small necessary items, including passport, small pocket calculator, flight log and expense record, pens and/or pencils, mini-flashlight and the FAA-approved folding multipurpose tool unit (e.g., the Leatherman tool). The preferred fastener by which the organizer is secured closed and attached to the target surface is hook-loop material, and preferably the organizer can be reversibly secured to the target surface in the closed or opened configuration.

Abstract: Provided is a gravity feed flow controller in which fluid communication with a particle sensor allows gas bubbles, present in a liquid flowing therethrough, to escape, under influence of a buoyant force associated therewith, before entering the sensor.

Abstract: A water ski or similar equipment comprising a platform 10 having a downwardly projecting fin, the fin 11 or the platform 10 having means for deflecting the water laterally of the direction of travel through the water, such means being, in one example, a pair of wedge shaped components 12, 13 secured at opposite sides of the fin 11 to present respective angled external surfaces.

Abstract: A printing medium comprises a thermoplastic resin and a rheology-controlling diluent, the medium having a melting point of between 40.degree. and 80.degree. C., and being non-tacky at room temperature. The diluent is preferably selected from liquid resins, high molecular weight esters, fatty alcohols and saturated fatty acids. The medium is used in a method of decorating an article comprising forming an image of the decoration in a flowable ink composition on a heated support, picking up the image from the support on a silicone transfer member at a lower temperature to form a flexible film on the transfer member in a semi-fluid condition, and applying the film to an article to be decorated within a period of time during which the composition remains semi-fluid whereby the composition solidifies immediately on contact with the surface of the article to form a non-tacky coating thereon.

Abstract: A combination lock includes an over-center mechanism for moving the fence of the lock between two alternative positions with a snap action, the over-center mechanism comprising a lever arm secured to the fence and turning about a pivot on the bolt assembly and a stressed spring connected at one end to the lever arm and at the other end to a member capable of movement between two positions in relation to the bolt assembly. In one of the two positions the line of action of the spring passes to one side of the pivot of the lever arm and in the other position it passes to the other side of the pivot, so that when the member moves from one position to the other the lever arm is biased to move the fence from one alternative position to the other.