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 Fe 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: A mobile device for testing an axle-mounted roller bearing of a railcar to determine possible defects in the bearing. A movable base plate has an electric motor, a drive roller, a driven roller, and a plurality of leveling jacks mounted thereon. The motor actuates the driver roller and the leveling jacks raise the base plate to move the drive roller and driven roller into contacting engagement with the outer race of the roller bearing. The outer race of the bearing is rotated by the drive roller at a predetermined rate. Shock pulses of energy also known as an acoustic emission, are emitted by defects in the bearing. A probe which senses such emissions is connected by a cable to a monitoring instrument. The probe is placed on a test point having direct metallic contact with the bearing, whereby the monitoring instrument will measure the type and magnitude of shock pulses, if any, emanating from the bearing. These readings are used to determine the type and extent of possible defects present in the bearing.