Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for data analysis of experimental data. The analysis can include reference data that are not directly generated from the present experiment, which reference data may be values of the experimental parameters that were either provided by a user, computed by the system with input from a user, or computed by the system without using any input from a user. Another example of such reference data may be information about the instrument, such as the calibration method of the instrument.

Abstract: A hermetically-sealed, ohmic heating packet for storing, heating and sterilizing food and beverage items. The packet is formed of a multilayer laminate material having interior and exterior polymer layers and an intermediate metallic foil layer. Conductive tags on the exterior of the packet are electrically connected to electrodes on the interior of the packet through reverse-patched regions of the packet's sidewalls. The configuration of the electrical connection prevents current from leaking into the metallic foil layer of the packet during heating, thereby mitigating the risk of a short circuit condition in the packet. The rectangular prism geometry of the packet and the parallel configuration of the electrodes within the packet facilitate uniform heating of the packet's contents.

Abstract: A hermetically-sealed, ohmic heating packet for storing, heating and sterilizing food and beverage items. The packet is formed of a multilayer laminate material having interior and exterior polymer layers and an intermediate metallic foil layer. Conductive tags on the exterior of the packet are electrically connected to electrodes on the interior of the packet through reverse-patched regions of the packet's sidewalls. The configuration of the electrical connection prevents current from leaking into the metallic foil layer of the packet during heating, thereby mitigating the risk of a short circuit condition in the packet. The rectangular prism geometry of the packet and the parallel configuration of the electrodes within the packet facilitate uniform heating of the packet's contents.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the pH of a solution of the present invention includes: (a) a tubular body portion constructed from a flexible electrically-insulating material, the tubular body portion having an interior passage; (b) a first reverse osmosis membrane disposed in the interior passage; (c) a second reverse osmosis membrane disposed in the interior passage; (d) a proton conducting membrane disposed between the first reverse osmosis membrane and the second reverse osmosis membrane in the interior passage; (e) a first electrode; and (f) a second electrode.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the pH of a solution of the present invention comprises: (a) a tubular body portion constructed from a flexible electrically-insulating material, the tubular body portion having an interior passage; (b) a first reverse osmosis membrane disposed in the interior passage; (c) a second reverse osmosis membrane disposed in the interior passage; (d) a proton conducting membrane disposed between the first reverse osmosis membrane and the second reverse osmosis membrane in the interior passage; (e) a first electrode; and (f) a second electrode.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of E6 and/or E7 peptides from human papilloma virus (HPV) to evaluate a cell-mediated response in a patient infected with HPV to determine the prognosis for that patient with respect to the development or recurrence of pre-cancerous or cancerous growths, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of E6 and/or E7 peptides from human papilloma virus (HPV) to evaluate a cell-mediated response in a patient infected with HPV to determine the prognosis for that patient with respect to the development or recurrence of pre-cancerous or cancerous growths, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of E6 and/or E7 peptides from human papilloma virus (HPV) to evaluate a cell-mediated response in a patient infected with HPV to determine the prognosis for that patient with respect to the development or recurrence of pre-cancerous or cancerous growths, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of viral infections. The identification of distinct classes of peptides for use in both anti-viral vaccines and therapeutic formulations is reported. Peptide formulations are disclosed which enhance the systemic distribution, activity, and longevity of anti-viral cytotoxic T cells, and/or which protect human cells from HIV infection.

Abstract: This invention discloses diagnostic, preventative, and treatment therapies of AIDS involving determining whether a subject exhibits an HLA-Cw7-restricted CTL response. Some methods are directed to the use of HLA-Cw7 as a genetic marker for long-term non-progression and amenability to treatment therapies. Diagnostic methods include a method for predicting long term non-progression in an HIV-infected subject. Preventative and treatment methods encompass determining whether a subject exhibits or can exhibit an HLA-Cw7-restricted CTL response. They also encompass ways of eliciting such a response, if necessary. Furthermore, some of the methods involve administering one or more HIV polypeptides or peptides, or polynucleotides encoding them, as a treatment therapy to prevent the development of AIDS.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel method for the rapid screening of candidate cytotoxic T lymphocyte- (CTL-) inducing compounds, such as peptides, by the in vivo priming of CTLs with synthetic peptides. The use of compounds so identified for the development of CTL vaccines for the treatment of various infectious disorders, including the treatment of viral diseases such as AIDS, herpes, influenza, and feline or bovine leukemia, is also disclosed, as is the use of this methodology for the preparation of specifically primed CTLs.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for use in viral binding and inactivation and in protecting cells from viral infection, particularly, for use in protecting target human CD4.sup.+ cells from infection by HIV. Peptides including short sequences from CD4 are identified as being particularly effective at binding to gp120 and inhibiting or reducing HIV infection of human CD4.sup.+ cells by steric hinderance or catalytic inactivation of gp120. The invention thus encompasses improved CD4-based peptide compositions and therapeutic formulations with viral binding and HIV-inhibitory activity.