Abstract: The present invention provides methods, culture media, and apparatus to produce useful amounts of specific cell populations ex vivo by the modulation of Opn and/or an active Opn fragment. The present invention provides ex vivo expanded populations of HSC for use in transplantation therapy and in clinical and research activities, such as drug screening, toxicity testing, and other research activities. Also provided are methods, devices and culture media are provided to inhibit Opn binding to HISC to promote the increased production of more differentiated cell populations.

Abstract: A process for gasification of carbon-containing fuel is taught. The process includes heating carbon-containing fuel in a container, introducing air into the container in controlled quantifies to maintain substoichiometric conditions; removing syngas from the container and, removing slag from the container.

Abstract: A composite material is disclosed having a matrix formed of polyethylene terephthalate and cement particles distributed in the matrix. The cement particles may be Portland cement. About 50 wt % or less of the composite material is cement particles. The cement particles have an average particle size of no more than about 100 ?m.

Abstract: Containers, lids, and sleeve structures are disclosed. Particularly, sleeve structures configured for insulating, stabilizing, or both insulating and stabilizing a container are disclosed. Further, a sleeve structure including a plurality of circumferentially adjacent, longitudinally extending sections and a sleeve structure including one or more frustoconical regions are disclosed. Containers, lids, and sleeve structures including at least one stabilizing feature are disclosed. Assemblies including a lower container, associated lid and sleeve structure, wherein at least one of the lower container, the lid, or the sleeve structure includes at least one stabilizing feature for engaging at least a portion of a sleeve structure associated with an upper container, wherein the upper container is positioned longitudinally above and is substantially aligned or centered with respect to a lower container, are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is related to a coating delivery system that includes at least one pressure vessel operable in sealed and unsealed conditions, a deliverable substance including a coating component interspersed with at least one of liquefied carbon dioxide and supercritical carbon dioxide, and a pressurizing fluid. The deliverable substance is disposed in a first pressure vessel of the at least one pressure vessel, and the pressurizing fluid directly exerts a pressure on the deliverable substance to effect transport thereof when the pressure vessel is in the unsealed condition. The deliverable substance may be spray discharged.

Abstract: A process for the separation or concentration of olefinic hydrocarbons from mixtures of olefinic and paraffinic hydrocarbons uses a polyimide membrane, The process is well suited to separating propylene from propylene/propane mixtures. The novel method The membrane exhibits good resistance to plasticization by hydrocarbon components in the gas mixture under practical industrial process conditions.

Abstract: A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo is provided. The pallet system includes a cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface along with a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides having forklift slots generally formed between the upper and lower surfaces, and a pair of oppositely disposed ends generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface. A plurality of drop-down rails is configured to convert the lower surface from a flat bottom to a non-planar bottom. A plurality of extendable rails is used to extend a width of the cargo pallet. A locking mechanism enables the cargo pallet to be coupled to another cargo pallet. A collapsible bale arm assembly can be removed from the cargo pallet when the cargo pallet is stored.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and handling a cargo platform is provided. The apparatus includes a frame having a cradle beam that receives the cargo platform. The cradle beam supports a lower surface of the cargo platform. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism operably associated with the cradle beam and actuates to securely fasten the cargo platform to the frame when the cargo platform is rested upon the cradle beam. The apparatus also includes a plurality of wheel assemblies for wheeling the frame along a ground surface.

Abstract: An antimicrobial, cut-resistant composite yarn has a core including at least one cut-resistant strand, and a cover including at least one strand wrapped around and enclosing the core. At least one strand in either the core or the cover is treated with and incorporates an antimicrobial compound. In addition, the yarn can include one or more channel fibers to facilitate movement of moisture within the composite yarn so that the moisture contacts the antimicrobial compound, thereby enhancing the efficacy of the antimicrobial compound. The yarn can be used to fabricate cut-resistant garments, such as gloves, worn by meat cutters and others who work with knives, saws and other sharp implements. The antimicrobial effect reduces bacteria, mold and fungi growth on the garments between washings.

Abstract: Coupling structures for tubing are disclosed. Particularly, caps configured for receiving one or more tube segments therein, and securing the tube segments to a component having protrusions thereon including bores therethrough in a fluid-tight manner are disclosed. The caps may have bores longitudinally therethrough for receiving the tube segments, the bore walls being free from projections to fit tightly against the tube segments. A longitudinally distal annular recess of the cap may be threaded to be secured to a component. In another alternative, caps having separate apertures for receiving attachment elements to secure the cap and the component are disclosed. Caps configured with a bore for receiving a tube segment, and separate apertures for receiving attachment pins are additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A refinement in optics providing images with improved sharpness, better control of depth of field, vision-improvement applications, and 3-D capture and display.

Abstract: A system for online shopping and item selection includes an audiovisual system coupled to a remote server, an audiovisual program transmitted from the remote server to the audiovisual system and an input device coupled to the audiovisual system. The audiovisual system includes a video display that displays the audiovisual program. The online shopping and item selection system includes at least one item displayed within the audiovisual program that is selectable using the input device. The system also includes a menu that is selectively displayable on the display information about purchasing the item onscreen.

Abstract: This abstract discusses membranes needed to separate fluids for the production of oxygen-enriched air, nitrogen-enriched-air, for the separation of carbon dioxide from hydrocarbons, and the separation of hydrogen from various petrochemical and oil refining streams. Membranes are needed that provide a resistance to interaction with process components or contaminants, provide the mechanical strength required to withstand high membrane differential pressures and high process temperatures, and exhibit sufficient maximum strain such that membranes are not brittle and can easily be formed into desirable membrane forms. Membranes of polyimide polymers, particularly polyimide polymers sold under the trade name P-84, are annealed in a controlled annealing step to improve the mechanical properties of the polymers used to make separation membranes.

Abstract: Membranes are used to separate fluids for the production of oxygen-enriched air, nitrogen-enriched-air, for the separation of carbon dioxide from hydrocarbons, and the separation of hydrogen from various petrochemical and oil refining streams. Membranes are discussed that provide a resistance to interaction with process components or contaminants, which can lead to plasticizing of the membrane, while providing the mechanical strength required to withstand high membrane differential pressures and high process temperatures. Membranes of blended polymers are used to improve the mechanical strength of the polymers used to make separation membranes. Specifically, polyimide polymers are combined with a blend polymer that is a polyamide and/or a polyamide-imde polymer. The resulting polymer mix is used to produce various forms of high strength, chemically resistant membranes, including hollow-fiber membranes that are suitable for high pressure, high temperature applications.

Abstract: A class of solid surface composite materials has formula parameters that allow for the production of more abrasion resistant surfaces that can be either designed for fabrication of parts with carbide tipped tools, including saw blades and router bits, or to an even more abrasion resistant surface that will not be able to be machined with carbide tipped tools but will require diamond tipped tools or fabrication by other processes such as spraying, casting, injection molding, or press molding. A range of materials are added to a basic solid surface composite composition to yield the desired abrasion resistance. Depending on the amount and type of material added, the composite material can maintain the ability to fabricate parts with carbide tipped tools or it can be made so resistant so that parts cannot be fabricated with carbide tipped tools.

Abstract: A thermo-formed acoustic product formed from an acoustic sheet with a relatively high flow resistance, and a layer of porous flow resistive spacer material attached to one side of the acoustic sheet and having a flow resistance substantially smaller than the acoustic sheet. The acoustic product has locally reactive acoustic behavior and an overall air flow resistance of between 2800 Rayls and 8000 Rayls. A decorative facing can be applied to the acoustic sheet.

Abstract: A vanity basin or kitchen basin is made of upper and lower portions of two dissimilar materials. An inner basin is inserted into an outer basin and extends a portion of the way down. The outer basin is separately attached to the counter. The inner basin may be formed integral with the countertop. The inner basin mates with a receiving surface of the outer basin, and a seal may be formed between the inner and outer basins.

Abstract: A system and method for adding features to an electronic file is provided. The electronic file can be automatically examined to identify information that relates to features such as navigational aids or enhanced content. Certain information is defined to represent the navigational aids or enhanced content. When the information representing the navigational aid or enhanced content is located in the electronic file, the navigational aid or enhanced content is added to the electronic file. Bookmarks, internal links, web links, attachments, digital signatures and multimedia files are some examples of navigational aids and enhanced content that may be added to the electronic file, although other items may also be included.

Abstract: An information apparatus comprising information acquisition resources, distribution resources, association resources and control coordinating resources. The control coordinating resources coordinate the activations of the acquisition and association resources. The association resources provide an association annotation to the distribution resources, and the distribution resources distribute responsive thereto. The association annotation is based on at least one of the information acquired by the acquisition resources or directives provided in accordance with prevailing configuration of the apparatus. The apparatus also comprises one or more of: (a) processing resources, (b) administration resources, the administration resources (comprising at least one of timer facilities, prompting facilities, and configuration facilities), and (c) exploiting resources (to which the distribution resources distribute all or part of the information and the association annotation).

Abstract: A computer-readable medium contains software that, when read by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method for tracing a document. The method includes: on the computer, generating a global unique identifier (GUID) for a master document; embedding the GUID in the master document; making a copy of the master document available for viewing on another computer, wherein the copy of the master document includes the embedded GUID; receiving a version verification request from the other computer about the copy, wherein the version verification request includes the GUID from the copy; and providing a latest version of the master document referenced by the GUID from the copy to the second computer in response to the version verification request.