Abstract: A coalescent composition for coating compositions such as paints, adhesives, and coatings comprising a blend of dibasic esters, specifically (i) esters of adipic, glutaric, and/or succinic diacids and/or (ii) esters of isomers of adipic acid have advantages, including efficiency and low VOC.

Abstract: Disclosed are latex polymers and an aqueous coating compositions having excellent freeze-thaw stability, open time, stain resistance, low temperature film formation, foam resistance, block resistance, adhesion, water sensitivity and a low-VOC content. The latex polymers and aqueous coating compositions include at least one latex polymer derived from at least one monomer copolymerized or blended with an alkoxylated compound, for example an alkoxylated tristyrylphenol or an alkoxylated tributylphenol. Also provided is an aqueous coating composition including at least one latex polymer, at least one pigment, water and at least one freeze-thaw additive. Typically, the freeze-thaw additive in an amount greater than about 1.3% by weight of the polymer, typically in an amount greater than about 2% by weight of the polymer, in an amount greater than about 4% by weight of the polymer, in an amount greater than about 7.

Abstract: Disclosed are latex polymers and an aqueous coating compositions having excellent freeze-thaw stability, open time, stain resistance, low temperature film formation, foam resistance, block resistance, adhesion, water sensitivity and a low-VOC content. The latex polymers and aqueous coating compositions include at least one latex polymer derived from at least one monomer copolymerized or blended with an alkoxylated compound, for example an alkoxylated tristyrylphenol or an alkoxylated tributylphenol. Also provided is an aqueous coating composition including at least one latex polymer, at least one pigment, water and at least one freeze-thaw additive. Typically, the freeze-thaw additive in an amount greater than about 1.3% by weight of the polymer, typically in an amount greater than about 2% by weight of the polymer, in an amount greater than about 4% by weight of the polymer, in an amount greater than about 7.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating or preventing a disease in an animal associated with one or more self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s), or -peptide(s) that is present or involved in a non-physiologic process in the animal comprising administering to the animal a self-vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s) or -peptide(s) associated with the disease. Administration of the self-vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s) or -peptide(s) modulates an immune response to the self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s) or -peptide(s) expressed from administration of the self-vector.

Abstract: An article includes (a) a glass substrate having a modified surface that comprises a glass surface and a layer of nanoscale inorganic oxide particles disposed in contact with and bound to at least a portion of the glass surface, and (b) a polymer layer disposed in contact with and bound to the modified glass surface. A method for improving the hydrolytic stability of an interface of a glass surface and a polymer surface, includes the step of, prior to forming the interface of the glass surface and the polymer surface, treating at least a portion of the glass surface with nanoscale inorganic oxide particles to modify the glass surface by depositing a quantity of such particles on the portion of the surface.

Abstract: A multi sensor clearance probe with at least longitudinally and transversely spaced apart first and second sensors operable to measure first and second distances respectively between the sensors and a longitudinally spaced apart rotating rotor. The sensors being operable to measure blade tip clearances between radially outer turbine blade tips and an annular stator shroud circumscribing the blade tips. The blade tips may be squealer tips and the sensors operable to measure the distances between the sensors and tops of squealer tip walls and outwardly facing walls within cavities of the squealer tips. The probe may be operably connected to a controller for sending signals to the controller indicating the first and second distances for controlling an air valve used for active clearance control. Two or more of the probe may be used to determine rotor centerline offset.

Abstract: A method and system adjusts blade tip clearance between rotating aircraft gas turbine engine blade tips and a surrounding shroud in anticipation of and before an engine command that changes an engine rotational speed. The method may include determining when to begin adjusting the tip clearance by expanding or contracting the shroud before the engine command and may be based on monitored aircraft and/or aircraft crew data indicative of the engine. The aircraft and/or aircraft crew data may include communications between aircraft crew and air traffic control authorities or air traffic control surrogates. Determining when to begin adjusting the tip clearance may include using learning algorithms which may use the aircraft gas turbine engine's operating experience and/or operating experience of other jet engines on an aircraft containing the aircraft gas turbine engine and/or on other aircraft.

Abstract: The chimeric empty viral-like particles derived from the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) are formed by the assembly of fusion proteins comprising a region A consisting of an IBDV pVP2 protein or a “1-n” fragment of said IBDV pVP2, wherein “n” is an integer comprised between 441 and 501, bound to a region B consisting of a heterologous polypeptide comprising a polypeptide of interest, such as a polypeptide useful for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hand hygiene compliance management include a hand-held personal liquid dispenser including a pump and pump plunger that dispenses liquid from a reservoir inside the dispenser when depressed. The dispenser includes circuitry that detects and records each depression of the plunger, and a port for connection to an external computer to transfer data such as identifiers for the dispenser and its user, and time and date of dispenser usage. A compliance system includes scheduling, training and education in the use of such dispensers, and data collection to track compliance with desired dispenser usage standards. The system may include receivers, transmitters and transceivers to detect and record hand hygiene opportunities, as in patient-occupied areas in a hospital, and transmit personal dispenser usage and other data to a computer.

Abstract: The IBDV VP2 icosahedral superstructures are made up of 12 empty VP2 dodecahedral capsids, lacking genetic material. They have a size of approximately 60–68 nm in diameter and contain 720 IBDV VP2 subunits. These VP2 icosahedral superstructures can be used for vaccinal and diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment of demyelinating autoimmune disease. Therapeutic doses are administered of an ordered peptide comprising a repeated motif {SEQ ID NO: 1} [1E2Y3Y4K]n, where n is from 2 to 6. Some specific peptides of interest include those having the sequence {SEQ ID NO:4} EYYKEYYKEYYK. The peptide may consist only of the ordered repeats, or may be extended at either termini by the addition of other amino acid residues. For therapy, the peptides may be administered topically or parenterally, e.g. by injection at a particular site, including subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, intravascularly, or the like or transdermally, as by electrotransport. In a preferred embodiment, subcutaneous injection is used to deliver the peptide. The subject methods are used for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes. The compositions of the invention may also contain other therapeutically active agents, e.g. immunosuppressants, ?-interferon, steroids, etc.

Abstract: A garage door is connected to a track extending from a front wall of the garage to a sidewall within the garage. The garage door is horizontally moveable along the track, such as with a chain-driven mechanism, from a generally closed position within the garage vehicle entrance of the garage to a generally open position away from the garage vehicle entrance and disposed adjacent to a sidewall of the garage. A second horizontally moving garage door may be used in conjunction with the first garage door to cooperatively close the garage vehicle entrance.

Abstract: A method for providing an image of software installed on a computer system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of deconstructing the image into at least one portion and creating at least one module from the at least one portion of the image. The deconstructing step can include the steps of scanning an image and identifying at least one portion of the image to be modularized. The creating step can include the steps of extracting the at least one portion of the image identified to be modularized and generating at least one module from the extracted portion of the image. The modules that are created in accordance with the present invention can be formatted for use in a new image or part of a new image to be used with a software program such as with a hardware-independent imaging tool.

Abstract: The IBDV VP2 icosahedral superstructures are made up of 12 empty VP2 dodecahedral capsids, lacking genetic material, they have a size of approximately 60-68 nm in diameter and contain 720 IBDV VP2 subunits. These VP2 icosahedral superstructures can be used for vaccinal and diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating or preventing a disease in an animal associated with one or more self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s), or -peptide(s) that is present or involved in a non-physiologic process in the animal comprising administering to the animal a self-vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s) or -peptide(s) associated with the disease. Administration of the self-vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s) or -peptide(s) modulates an immune response to the self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s) or -peptide(s) expressed from administration of the self-vector.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment of demyelinating autoimmune disease. Therapeutic doses are administered of an ordered peptide comprising a repeated motif {SEQ ID NO: 1} [1E2Y3Y4K]n, where n is from 2 to 6. Some specific peptides of interest include those having the sequence {SEQ ID NO: 4} EYYKEYYKEYYK. The peptide may consist only of the ordered repeats, or may be extended at either termini by the addition of other amino acid residues. For therapy, the peptides may be administered topically or parenterally, e.g. by injection at a particular site, including subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, intravascularly, or the like or transdermally, as by electrotransport. In a preferred embodiment, subcutaneous injection is used to deliver the peptide. The subject methods are used for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes. The compositions of the invention may also contain other therapeutically active agents, e.g. immunosuppressants, &bgr;-interferon, steroids, etc.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining the antibody specificity profile in an individual. This specificity profile reveals the individual's immune response to multiple antigens and/or epitopes of autoantigens, allergens, graft antigens, etc. The antibody specificity profile is determined through the binding of patient samples comprising antibodies to the arrays. The array can comprises antigens and epitopes. The invention also provides the means and methods for determining antigen or epitope specificity profiles that can be used in the development of either generic and individualized diagnosis and treatment for immune related diseases, including autoimmune disease, allergy and graft rejection.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment of demyelinating autoimmune disease. Therapeutic doses are administered of an ordered peptide comprising a repeated motif {SEQ ID NO: 1} [1E2Y3Y4K]n, where n is from 2 to 6. Some specific peptides of interest include those having the sequence {SEQ ID NO:4} EYYKEYYKEYYK. The peptide may consist only of the ordered repeats, or may be extended at either termini by the addition of other amino acid residues. For therapy, the peptides may be administered topically or parenterally, e.g. by injection at a particular site, including subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, intravascularly, or the like or transdermally, as by electrotransport. In a preferred embodiment, subcutaneous injection is used to deliver the peptide. The subject methods are used for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes. The compositions of the invention may also contain other therapeutically active agents, e.g. immunosuppressants, &bgr;-interferon, steroids, etc.

Abstract: A compound of formula ##STR1## wherein Z is a tetrahydro-pyrano group selected from ##STR2## having antifungal activity in combination with other antifungal agents.