Abstract: Binding systems are described for applying compressive forces on the refractory hearth and/or refractory sidewall of a circular furnace having an outer metal shell which may be segmented. One preferred binding system comprises a tensioning band having one or more segments which extends around the furnace hearth and/or sidewall, with a resilient connection being provided between the opposite ends of the band and, where the band is segmented, resilient connections are also provided between the ends of adjacent segments. Another preferred binding system comprises a plurality of pivoting members provided around the circumference of the furnace. Each pivoting member is acted upon by a force-generating member which applies a controlled amount of force to the pivoting member and causes it to apply a compressive force to the hearth.

Abstract: A binding system for applying a vertical compressive force to the refractory walls of a rectangular or circular furnace comprises a compressive member engaging a laterally extending surface of the furnace wall and a support member to which the compressive member is connected. The compressive member preferably comprises a coil spring which acts directly on the laterally extending surface or indirectly through a force-applying member. The force applied by the compressive member is sufficient to control vertical expansion and substantially prevent vertical expansion of the furnace walls due to infiltration of material into the joints between the refractory bricks during operation of the furnace.

Abstract: Macrophage scavenger receptor protein or active fragments thereof bind specifically to the lipoteichoic acid residues on the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall. This protein or active fragments thereof can be used in a variety of methods including methods to specifically purify lipoteichoic acid, to preferentially label or detect lipoteichoic acid or lipoteichoic acid-containing compounds or cells, and to treat patients having Gram-positive bacterial infections such as septicemia and associated pathophysiological states such as septic shock.

Abstract: A kit for assaying the activation of terminal complement cascade is disclosed. The kit includes a plurality of containers which contain a first antibody having a specificity for poly C9 neoantigen. The containers further have a second antibody which is different from the first antibody and has a specificity for a constituent of terminal complement cascade. A third antibody is optionally present which recognizes the second antibody. The kit also includes a substrate splitting enzyme, a substrate for the enzyme which produces a color reaction when split, and a SCb-9 standard microtiter plate. Pipettes and instructions for performing the assay are also included.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantitate fluid phase terminal complement activation. Upon activation to form C5b-9, terminal complement components express neoantigens not present in the unassembled individual components. Rabbit antiserum to polymerized C9 was rendered specific for C9 neoantigenic determinants by serial immunosorbtion with human serum, human C9, and other terminal complement components bound to Sepharose. Using the IgG from this antiserum, a sandwich ELISA was devised to bind SC5b-9 from solution onto polystyrene plates. The ELISA plates were developed with the use of goat antiserum to native C9 epitopes followed by a swine anti-goat IgG alkaline phosphatase conjugate. Quantitation of SC5b-9 in solution was performed by comparing sample OD to a standard curve generated with human SC5b-9 that was purified from zymosan-activated serum.