Abstract: Methods for evolving or selecting or producing therapeutic proteins that exhibit reduced adverse side-effects and the resulting proteins are provided. For example, provided herein is an in vitro assay to identify conditionally active therapeutic proteins that exhibit better activity within one in vivo environment compared to another in vivo environment. The methods include the steps of a) testing the activity of a protein under conditions in which normal or increased activity is desired; b) testing the activity of the protein under conditions in which reduced activity compared to normal is desired; and c) comparing the activity in a) with b) and selecting/identifying a protein that has greater activity in a) compared to b). The selected/identified protein is a conditionally active protein.

Abstract: A spray applicator system is provided with a reservoir manifold assembly having a separate reservoir for each different coating to be applied. Reservoirs are filled from a coating supply system and isolated electrically from the supply system when coating is dispensed from a reservoir to the applicator. Multiple sets of reservoirs can be used, so that an empty reservoir in one set can be filled while coating is dispensed from a reservoir in the other set. The set of reservoirs in which a reservoir is being filled is isolated electrically from the applicator, and of the set of reservoirs in which a reservoir is dispensing coating to the applicator is isolated electrically from the supply system.

Abstract: Methods for evolving or selecting or producing therapeutic proteins that exhibit reduced adverse side-effects and the resulting proteins are provided. For example, provided herein is an in vitro assay to identify conditionally active therapeutic proteins that exhibit better activity within one in vivo environment compared to another in vivo environment. The methods include the steps of a) testing the activity of a protein under conditions in which normal or increased activity is desired; b) testing the activity of the protein under conditions in which reduced activity compared to normal is desired; and c) comparing the activity in a) with b) and selecting/identifying a protein that has greater activity in a) compared to b). The selected/identified protein is a conditionally active protein.

Abstract: A spray applicator system is provided with a reservoir manifold assembly having a separate reservoir for each different coating to be applied. Reservoirs are filled from a coating supply system and isolated electrically from the supply system when coating is dispensed from a reservoir to the applicator. Multiple sets of reservoirs can be used, so that an empty reservoir in one set can be filled while coating is dispensed from a reservoir in the other set. The set of reservoirs in which a reservoir is being filled is isolated electrically from the applicator, and of the set of reservoirs in which a reservoir is dispensing coating to the applicator is isolated electrically from the supply system.

Abstract: A packaging container is formed from a single preformed, rigid unit of U-shaped cross-section having a generally flat bottom wall. The unit forms two end closures from first and second closure panels extending from both ends of a main body portion. The closure panels are foldably connected to the main body portion and each other by first and second fold lines. The main body side walls have straight-cut corners at junctures with the first closure panels, and the first closure panel side walls have straight-cut corners adjacent to the main body, forming square corners when folded. The first closure panel side walls also have straight-cut corners adjacent to the second closure panels, and the second closure panels side walls have straight-cut corners adjacent to the first closure panels, forming square corners when folded to form the end closures.

Abstract: A packaging container is formed from preformed, rigid base and cover units of U-shaped cross-section having a generally flat bottom wall. The base unit is configured so that its side walls fit within and are embraced by side walls of the cover unit when assembled as a container. The base unit forms an end closure from first and second closure panels extending from an end of the base unit. The closure panels are separated from the base unit and each other by first and second fold lines. The base unit side walls have straight-cut corners at a juncture with the first closure panel, and the first closure panel side walls have straight-cut corners adjacent to the base unit, forming a square corner when folded. The first closure panel side walls also have straight-cut corners adjacent to the second closure panel, and the second closure panel side walls have straight-cut corners adjacent to the first closure panel, forming a square corner when folded to form the end closure.

Abstract: A rotary torsion cutting apparatus is provided for cutting an article. The cutting apparatus includes a first plate member having a front face, a back face and a side face. The first plate member further includes a central axis and a first opening extending from the front face to the back face of the first plate member. The first opening is shaped and dimensioned for receiving an article to be cut by the rotary torsion cutting apparatus. The cutting apparatus also includes a second plate member having a front face, a back face and a side face. The second plate member further includes a central axis aligned with the central axis of the first plate member and a second opening extending from the front face to the back face of the second plate member. The second opening is shaped and dimensioned for receiving an article to be cut by the rotary torsion cutting apparatus.

Abstract: A packaging container is formed from preformed, rigid base and cover units of U-shaped cross-section having a generally flat bottom wall. The base unit is configured so that its side walls fit within and are embraced by side walls of the cover unit when assembled as a container. The base unit forms an end closure from first and second closure panels extending from an end of the base unit. The closure panels are separated from the base unit and each other by first and second fold lines. The base unit side walls have straight-cut corners at a juncture with the first closure panel, and the first closure panel side walls have straight-cut corners adjacent to the base unit, forming a square corner when folded. The first closure panel side walls also have straight-cut corners adjacent to the second closure panel, and the second closure panel side walls have straight-cut corners adjacent to the first closure panel, forming a square corner when folded to form the end closure.

Abstract: A packaging container is formed from a single preformed, rigid unit of U-shaped cross-section having a generally flat bottom wall. The unit forms two end closures from first and second closure panels extending from both ends of a main body portion. The closure panels are separated from the main body portion and each other by first and second fold lines. The main body side walls have straight-cut comers at junctures with the first closure panels, and the first closure panels side walls have straight-cut comers adjacent to the main body, forming square comers when folded. The first closure panels side walls also have straight-cut comers adjacent to the second closure panels, and the second closure panels side walls have straight-cut comers adjacent to the first closure panels, forming square comers when folded to form the end closures.

Abstract: A rotary torsion cutting apparatus is provided for cutting an article. The cutting apparatus includes a first plate member having a front face, a back face and a side face. The first plate member further includes a central axis and a first opening extending from the front face to the back face of the first plate member. The first opening is shaped and dimensioned for receiving an article to be cut by the rotary torsion cutting apparatus. The cutting apparatus also includes a second plate member having a front face, a back face and a side face. The second plate member further includes a central axis aligned with the central axis of the first plate member and a second opening extending from the front face to the back face of the second plate member. The second opening is shaped and dimensioned for receiving an article to be cut by the rotary torsion cutting apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed are gene therapy vectors based upon the feline immunodeficiency virus, as well as related packaging cell lines, methods for production, and methods of use.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a unique torsional cutting apparatus. Two plates, referred to as a stationary and rotating plate member, are positioned and held in place next to each other using any convention means such as spring tensioned bolts. There is a zero gap between the two plate members. A hole in the general shape of the object to be cut is fashioned through the two plate members so that the object to be cut can be placed into and through the hole. The hole is tapered towards the center of the rotary torsion cutting apparatus thereby allowing ease of insertion, a more precise cut, and the elimination of burring.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a unique torsional cutting apparatus. Two plates, referred to as a stationary and rotating plate member, are positioned and held in place next to each other using any convention means such as spring tensioned bolts. There is a zero gap between the two plate members. A hole in the general shape of the object to be cut is fashioned through the two plate members so that the object to be cut can be placed into and through the hole. The hole is tapered towards the center of the rotary torsion cutting apparatus thereby allowing ease of insertion, a more precise cut, and the elimination of burring.

Abstract: Disclosed are gene therapy vectors based upon the feline immunodeficiency virus, as well as related packaging cell lines, methods for production, and methods of use.

Abstract: Disclosed are gene therapy vectors based upon the feline immunodeficiency virus, as well as related packaging cell lines, methods for production, and methods of use.

Abstract: A valve has a housing and a component movable within the housing. The housing has first, second and third ports formed in it. The movable component has a first passageway formed in it. Movement of the movable component within the housing selectively connects the first port through the first passageway to the second port, or the second port through the first passageway to the third port. At least one of the first and second ports includes a first member for contacting the movable valve component and a second member for retaining the first member. The second member may be constructed from a semiconductive material. At least a region of the movable component around a first end of the first passageway may be semiconductive.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for non-destructive ultrasonic testing, such as flaw detection and thickness measurement, of elongated bodies, such as pipes and rods or coatings thereon. Ultrasonic signals are sent and received by transducers held in a rotating member while being substantially submersed in an acoustically transmitting liquid such as water. The rotating member is supported by bearings which are resistant to the transmitting liquid.