Abstract: The invention relates to peptides derivatized with a hydrophilic polymer which, in some embodiments, bind to human FcRn and inhibit binding of the Fc portion of an IgG to an FcRn, thereby modulating serum IgG levels. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used in some embodiments, for example, in treating autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders. The invention also relates, in further embodiments, to methods of using and methods of making the peptides of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides which bind to human FcRn and inhibit binding of the Fc portion of an IgG to an FcRn, thereby modulating serum IgG levels. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used for example, in treating autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders. The invention also relates to methods of using and methods of making the peptides of the invention.

Abstract: Natriuretic peptide fusion proteins comprising natriuretic peptides linked to antibody Fc domains, nucleic acid molecules encoding the fusion proteins disclosed herein, expression vectors expressing said fusion proteins, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said fusion proteins, and methods for their therapeutic use are disclosed.

Abstract: An inventory stock ledger system, apparatus and method including a process by which one can track inventory efficiently, but can also utilize to perform inventory analysis on a dynamic level. The method includes recording inventory snapshots across various dimensions of a retail business and tracking the inventory levels for select products in to provide real time reports. Central to the apparatus is the idea that inventory can be viewed from a central starting point, and then examined among various dimensions. Inventory management is readily modified and dynamic. The method includes a build capability for examining the inventory levels and snapshots of inventory for a retail market franchise.

Abstract: A shoe structure for foot strike energy dissipation employs compressible members each having an internal void containing a first working fluid. A set of mating compressible members are each connected to a related one of the first compressible members through a fluid conduit such that the first working fluid is transferred from the related compressible member to the mating compressible member responsive to compression induced by foot strike. A sole pad and a foot bed intermediately constrain the compressible members. Resilient structural members are placed intermediate the compressible members to deform responsive to compression of the foot bed induced by foot strike provide both energy dissipation and resilient recovery of the compression cylinders to their uncompressed state. The sole pad and foot bed are interconnected by a peripheral wall forming a cavity which contains a second working fluid that is transmissible between the compressible members responsive to compression of the foot bed.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides which, in some embodiments, bind to human FcRn and inhibit binding of the Fc portion of an IgG to an FcRn, thereby modulating serum IgG levels. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used in some embodiments, for example, in treating autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders. The invention also relates, in further embodiments, to methods of using and methods of making the peptides of the invention.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, inter alia, proteins that bind to FcRn, e.g., immunoglobulins that inhibit FcRn with high affinity and selectivity. The FcRn-binding proteins can be used to treat a variety of disorders including autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides which bind to human FcRn and inhibit binding of the Fc portion of an IgG to an FcRn, thereby modulating serum IgG levels. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used for example, in treating autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders. The invention also relates to methods of using and methods of making the peptides of the invention.

Abstract: A first heat-treating method involves monitoring at least one thermal efficiency parameter associated with an irradiance system configured to produce an irradiance flash incident on a surface of a workpiece, and automatically updating control information used by the irradiance system to produce the irradiance flash, in response to the monitoring of the thermal efficiency parameter. A second method involves predicting a heating effect of an irradiance flash to be incident upon a surface of a workpiece, in response to a measurement of a heating parameter of the surface, and pre-adjusting the irradiance flash, in response to the predicted heating effect. A third method involves measuring a temperature of a surface of a workpiece during an initial portion of an irradiance flash incident on the surface, and controlling a power of a remaining portion of the irradiance flash, in response to the temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for uniquely identifying a digital storage medium is described. In one example, at least one physical attribute of a recording surface is determined. For example, at least one position of the recording surface may be associated with at least one data unit stored on the digital storage medium. Identification indicia is formed from the at least one physical attribute. In another example, a digital recording source is associated with a digital storage medium that was replicated from the source. Identification indicia associated with the digital recording source is obtained by analyzing at least one physical attribute of a recording surface on the digital storage medium. The identification indicia is then compared with the at least one physical attribute to determine if the digital recording source was in fact used to replicate the digital storage medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of performing active update notification. Components of an application are able to specify interest in a data object or set of data objects by registering an interest object with an update management component of the application. The interest object specifies the interested application component, as well as the identity of one or more data objects or an attribute value or range of values to associate with data objects. When modifications are made to data objects corresponding to the registered interest objects, the interested application component or components receive an update notification from the update management component. In one embodiment, active update notification is performed within a multi-tier application. An update management component exists at the application server on the application tier, as well as at each client in the client tier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of performing active update notification. Components of an application are able to specify interest in a data object or set of data objects by registering an interest object with an update management component of the application. The interest object specifies the interested application component, as well as the identity of one or more data objects or an attribute value or range of values to associate with data objects. When modifications are made to data objects corresponding to the registered interest objects, the interested application component or components receive an update notification from the update management component. In one embodiment, active update notification is performed within a multi-tier application. An update management component exists at the application server on the application tier, as well as at each client in the client tier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of performing active update notification. Components of an application are able to specify interest in a data object or set of data objects by registering an interest object with an update management component of the application. The interest object specifies the interested application component, as well as the identity of one or more data objects or an attribute value or range of values to associate with data objects. When modifications are made to data objects corresponding to the registered interest objects, the interested application component or components receive an update notification from the update management component. In one embodiment, active update notification is performed within a multi-tier application. An update management component exists at the application server on the application tier, as well as at each client in the client tier.

Abstract: An integrated three-tier application framework with automated class and database table generation. Schema information in the form of metadata structures is used to generate data classes for the client tier and the application tier. Corresponding client tier and application tier data classes implement a common interface that supports generalized access by other system components. Based on the schema information, factory classes are automatically generated for the client tier and application tier which permit instantiation of the generated data classes. Also, database configuration is automated by the generation of database table creation commands from the schema information.

Abstract: A method for duplicating data on a rotating magnetic disk in sectors on concentric tracks so that the sectors are aligned with each other from track to track and referenced to an index mark. The index mark is sensed as the disk rotates. The time elapsed between sensed index marks is counted to define the angular displacement of the disk. A magnetic head is moved successively to the tracks on the disk. Data to be duplicated is recorded in sequence, sector by sector, on the respective tracks beginning at different offsets from the index mark such that recording begins with the next sector encountered after the head arrives at the respective tracks.