Abstract: The present invention provides compounds that are inducers or inhibitors of apoptosis or apoptosis preceded by cell-cycle arrest. In addition, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating mammals with leukemia or other forms of cancer or for treating disease conditions caused by apoptosis of cells.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for activating inactive software options preinstalled on a device upon initialization of the device and thereby preventing installation during device operation. The invention includes receiving a request from a user at a centralized facility for access to an inactive option resident on the device. After validation of the request, an option-specific activation key or code is generated at the centralized facility using data from at least one of a user identifier, a system identifier, a host identifier, a use period identifier, and the selected option. The activation key is then transmitted from the centralized facility to the device whereupon only during initialization or reboot of the device is access to the inactive option automatically granted. The limiting of access to the inactive option until device initialization ensures that option enablement is prevented during device operation.

Abstract: A system for granting indefinite use of inactivated software options pre-installed on a device is provided. The system includes receiving, at a remote processing facility, a recurrent use request from a user requesting access to an inactivated software option resident on the device. The system is further configured to validate the request and generate an activation key. The activation key is transmitted from the processing facility to the device automatically activating the option and granting recurrent access. The activation key or code is generated at the processing facility using data from at least one of a user identifier, a system identifier, a recurrent use identifier, and the selected option. A method to permit recurrent use of resident, yet, inactivated software of a device is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that remotely grants limited access and permits use of resident software options in accordance with terms consistent with an access grant. The invention includes receiving an access request from a user to access a software option resident in memory of a device, determining whether to grant access in response to the request, and generating an access grant in response to a qualified access request that is transmitted from a centralized facility to a remote device to automatically enable access to the option.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for requesting remotely enabled access to inactive software options resident on a device. A graphical user interface (GUI) is electronically linked to a centralized facility remotely located from the device. Option identifying parameters, such as a user ID, host ID, system ID, modality selection, and option selection are entered using the GUI and transmitted via an electronic request to the centralized facility. In response to the received request, the centralized facility generates a software key and transmits same to the device for activation of the option if approved by the centralized facility.

Abstract: Apparatus for melting a solid mass of wax is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing having a base and a sidewall. A heating element is disposed inside the housing and positioned near the base for generating heat. A heat conducting plate is positioned above the heating element for conducting the heat from the heating element to melt a bottom surface of the solid mass of wax. A control circuit is provided for automatically controlling a temperature of the heating element. In operation, the apparatus performs a fast and efficient method for melting wax. A bottom surface of the solid wax mass is melted into a bottom layer of melted wax using the heating element. The heating element is shut off once the bottom layer of melted wax reaches a desired volume. A portion of the bottom layer of melted wax is transferred to a top surface of the solid wax mass to create a top layer of melted wax, so that a remaining core of solid wax mass is disposed between the top and bottom layers of melted wax.

Abstract: Apparatus for melting a solid mass of wax is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing having abase and a sidewall. A heating element is disposed inside the housing and positioned near the base for generating heat. A heat conducting plate is positioned above the heating element for conducting the heat from the heating element to melt a bottom surface of the solid mass of wax. A control circuit is provided for automatically controlling a temperature of the heating element. In operation, the apparatus performs a fast and efficient method for melting wax. A bottom surface of the solid wax mass is melted into a bottom layer of melted wax using the heating element. The heating element is shut off once the bottom layer of melted wax reaches a desired volume. A portion of the bottom layer of melted wax is transferred to a top surface of the solid wax mass to create a top layer of melted wax, so that a remaining core of solid wax mass is disposed between the top and bottom layers of melted wax.

Abstract: A heated roller assembly includes a heating platform, a plurality of rollers disposed on the heating platform and a circuit for automatically controlling a surface temperature of each roller. The heated rollers of the heated roller assembly include an outer portion and an inner portion disposed within the outer portion. The inner portion is made of thermoset plastic and includes a groove and a heating element disposed within the groove.

Abstract: Bridged bicyclic aromatic compounds are provided having the structure ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and n are as defined herein. The novel compounds are useful for modulating gene expression of retinoic acid receptors, vitamin D receptors and thyroid receptors. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for modulating gene expression are provided as well.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of screening a substance for the ability to effect the formation of a retinoid X receptor homodimer comprising combining the substance and a solution containing retinoid X receptors and determining the presence of homodimer formation. Also provided is a method of screening a substance for an effect on a retinoid X receptor homodimer's ability to bind DNA comprising combining the substance with the homodimer and determining the effect of the compound on the homodimer's ability to bind DNA. A method of inhibiting an activity of a retinoid X receptor heterodimer comprising increasing the formation of a retinoid X receptor homodimer, thereby preventing the retinoid X receptor from forming a heterodimer and preventing the resulting heterodimer activity is also provided. A method of inhibiting an activity of a retinoid X receptor homodimer is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of screening a substance for the ability to affect the formation of a retinoid X receptor homodimer comprising combining the substance and a solution containing retinoid X receptors and determining the presence of homodimer formation. Also provided is a method of screening a substance for an effect on a retinoid X receptor homodimer's ability to bind DNA comprising combining the substance with the homodimer and determining the effect of the compound on the homodimer's ability to bind DNA. A method of inhibiting an activity of a retinoid X receptor heterodimer comprising increasing the formation of a retinoid X receptor homodimer, thereby preventing the retinoid X receptor from forming a heterodimer and preventing the resulting heterodimer activity is also provided. A method of inhibiting an activity of a retinoid X receptor homodimer is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of screening a substance for the ability to effect the formation of a retinoid X receptor homodimer comprising combining the substance and a solution containing retinoid X receptors and determining the presence of homodimer formation. Also provided is a method of screening a substance for an effect on a retinoid X receptor homodimer's ability to bind DNA comprising combining the substance with the homodimer and determining the effect of the compound on the homodimer's ability to bind DNA. A method of inhibiting an activity of a retinoid X receptor heterodimer comprising increasing the formation of a retinoid X receptor homodimer, thereby preventing the retinoid X receptor from forming a heterodimer and preventing the resulting heterodimer activity is also provided. A method of inhibiting an activity of a retinoid X receptor homodimer is also provided. In addition, a method of screening a response element for binding with a retinoid X receptor homodimer is provided.

Abstract: Bridged bicyclic aromatic compounds are provided having the structure ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and n are as defined herein. The novel compounds are useful for modulating gene expression of retinoic acid receptors, vitamin D receptors and thyroid receptors. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for modulating gene expression are provided as well.