Abstract: Provided are antibodies capable of binding to a particular epitope or specifically binding to LF or LTx and enhancing the activity of the LF or LTx relative to the LF or LTx absent the antibody binding.

Abstract: Provided are antibodies capable of binding to a particular epitope or specifically binding to LF or LTx and enhancing the activity of the LF or LTx relative to the LF or LTx absent the antibody binding.

Abstract: A vaporizing reservoir including a containment vessel having a first shaft port exposed to ambient and one or more sidewalls defining a body portion having an interior cavity and a vaporizing portion communicated to the interior cavity; an inductive coil disposed within the vaporizing portion, the inductive coil electrically disconnected outside of the containment vessel and configured for inductive heating; and an air shaft communicated to the vaporizing portion and extending to the first shaft port. Fluid or solid material may be present in the interior cavity for vaporization. For fluid material, a wick may be included with the inductive coil to facilitate communication of the material to the inductive coil. An exterior inductive coil heats the inductive coil within the vaporizing portion and vaporizes the material communicated to the interior inductive coil. Vapor from the heated interior inductive coil is extracted through the air shaft.

Abstract: Provided are peptides capable of reducing the ability of antibodies to stimulate the activity of B. anthracis lethal factor. These peptides may be used to reduce activity of LF in a sample containing an LF activity enhancing antibody, to prevent the possibility of LF enhanced activity in a sample or subject, or as a therapeutic to reduce LF activity in a subject that may-have one or more antibodies that enhance LF activity. Also, provided are immunogens that may be used in a vaccine to confer protection to a subject. An immunogen does not include a sequence including the wild-type amino acids present in LF residues 677-680, or mutations of amino acids 677-680 that will also generate antibodies that enhance LF activity.

Abstract: A system, method and software for implementing an automated call routing application in a speech enabled call center environment are provided. In operation, the invention provides for the identification of a call center transaction selection from a natural language user utterance and the invocation of one or more scripts operable to route the user to a call center service agent configured to service the selected transaction. In the event a transaction selection cannot be readily identified or can only be partially identified, the invention provides for the initiation of a dialog module or script directed to eliciting a discernable transaction selection and/or the presentation of one or more menus from which the user may select an available call center transaction.

Abstract: A system, method and software for implementing an automated call routing application in a speech enabled call center environment are provided. In operation, the invention provides for the identification of a call center transaction selection from a natural language user utterance and the invocation of one or more scripts operable to route the user to a call center service agent configured to service the selected transaction. In the event a transaction selection cannot be readily identified or can only be partially identified, the invention provides for the initiation of a dialog module or script directed to eliciting a discernable transaction selection and/or the presentation of one or more menus from which the user may select an available call center transaction.

Abstract: Apparatuses for and methods of applying alignment markings to shoes are provided. One such method comprises overlaying a first alignment template over a first shoe, the first alignment template having first indicia associated with a predetermined stance, marking the first shoe adjacent to the first indicia, removing the first alignment template, utilizing the marking on the first shoe to provide a first alignment stripe on the first shoe, overlaying a second alignment template over a second shoe, the second alignment template having second indicia associated with the predetermined stance, marking the second shoe adjacent to the second indicia, and utilizing the marking on the second shoe to provide a second alignment stripe on the second athletic shoe.

Abstract: A system, method and software for implementing an automated call routing application in a speech enabled call center environment are provided. In operation, the invention provides for the identification of a call center transaction selection from a natural language user utterance and the invocation of one or more scripts operable to route the user to a call center service agent configured to service the selected transaction. In the event a transaction selection cannot be readily identified or can only be partially identified, the invention provides for the initiation of a dialog module or script directed to eliciting a discernable transaction selection and/or the presentation of one or more menus from which the user may select an available call center transaction.

Abstract: A system, method and software for implementing an automated call routing application in a speech enabled call center environment are provided. In operation, the invention provides for the identification of a call center transaction selection from a natural language user utterance and the invocation of one or more scripts operable to route the user to a call center service agent configured to service the selected transaction. In the event a transaction selection cannot be readily identified or can only be partially identified, the invention provides for the initiation of a dialog module or script directed to eliciting a discernable transaction selection and/or the presentation of one or more menus from which the user may select an available call center transaction.

Abstract: A system, method and software for implementing an automated call routing application in a speech enabled call center environment are provided. In operation, the invention provides for the identification of a call center transaction selection from a natural language user utterance and the invocation of one or more scripts operable to route the user to a call center service agent configured to service the selected transaction. In the event a transaction selection cannot be readily identified or can only be partially identified, the invention provides for the initiation of a dialog module or script directed to eliciting a discernable transaction selection and/or the presentation of one or more menus from which the user may select an available call center transaction.

Abstract: A vasectomy procedure is performed using a vas irrigation solution having a spermicidal agent that (a) acts to reduce the viability of downstream sperm following a vasectomy procedure and (b) has been established as safe and non-toxic in humans when administered by intravenous or other routes of injection for the treatment of other conditions. Preferred spermicidal agents are methylene blue and diltiazem. A kit having a pair of single-use, pre-filled injection devices is also disclosed.

Abstract: A needle holding device includes a handle, a pivot point and two opposing jaws opposite the handle and pivotable about the pivot point. The jaws have inner opposing surfaces and at least one inner opposing surface has at least one needle groove formed therein for receiving and gripping a needle. At least one of the opposing surfaces has a knurled or rugged platform for securely gripping at least one needle. The needle holding device may have a plurality of substantially parallel or non-parallel needle grooves formed therein for simultaneously receiving and gripping a plurality of needles.

Abstract: A bicycle saddle including a contoured upper seating surface that primarily supports the rider's ischeal tuberosities and further including a depressed, extremely soft central anterior portion to reduce pressure placed on the perineum is disclosed. The saddle is essentially constructed from a shell, foam padding, a self-contained gelatin pack, a leather cover, and a suspension rail for mounting the saddle onto a bicycle. The seating surface of the saddle includes laterally spaced apart right and left cup-shaped posterior support surfaces for supporting primarily the right and left ischeal tuberosities in the buttocks of the bicycle rider. The right and left posterior support surfaces are formed by a pair of essentially concave depressions in the posterior portion of the shell of the saddle, and corresponding cup-shaped depressions in the foam padding covering the shell.

Abstract: A method for autotransplantation, is provided including the steps of (a) obtaining a piece of tissue from one part of a body, (b) preserving the tissue by contacting it with a tissue preserving medium, without tissue culturing occurring, and (c) grafting the tissue in another part of the body. The method is especially advantageous for the repair of hypospadias using buccal mucosa tissue. The tissue preserving medium preferably is a solution of (a) 80-120 mM NaCl, (b) 3-6 mM KCl, (c) 0.1-0.3 mM MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O, (d) 1-3 mM CaCl.sub.2.2H.sub.2 O, (e) 0.2-0.6 mM NaH.sub.2 PO.sub.4, (f) 1.5-4 mM glucose, (g) 15-25 mM Na lactate, (h) 0.2-0.6 mM Na pyruvate, (i) 0.01-0.05 mM phenol red, (j) 0.1-0.4 mM L-glutamine, (k) 2-35 mM sodium bicarbonate, (l) 125-200 units/ml penicillin-G, (m) 40-60 .mu.g/ml streptomycin sulfate, (n) vehicle consistent with tissue preservation; said medium having a pH ranging from 7.0-7.8.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for both supporting and preserving a piece of graft tissue during pre-implantation preparation, and for creating a tubular graft from the piece of graft tissue. The purpose of the device is (1) to support, stabilize, and preserve a piece of graft tissue; (2) to provide a rotating base to debride or otherwise prepare the donor tissue; and (3) to place the tissue around a mandrel for tubularization. The apparatus may be used as a support for preparing a piece of tissue for use as a skin graft or the like. Additionally, the preferred embodiment of the invention provides an advantageous method and apparatus for forming the graft tissue into a tubular configuration for use as a tubular graft.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microsurgical needle for use in microsurgical techniques. The distal segment of the needle is straight with a circular cross section, and has a sharpened tip with a triangular cross section having three sharp edges for cutting rather than tearing tissue during penetration. The middle segment of the needle has an acutely angled arched shape, and a transitional cross section which transitions between a squared cross section of the main shaft segment and the circular cross section of the straight distal segment. The main shaft segment of the needle has a generally squared cross section, and forms a broadly curved or arched shaft segment which may be easily gripped by a needle holder. The proximal end of the needle forms a suture attachment segment, and may be circular in cross section. The shape of the needle provides an easy angle, better stability, superior tissue alignment, and better control than conventional. needles, while the point is designed to minimize tissue trauma.

Abstract: A cellulose binding domain (CBD) having a high affinity for crystalline cellulose and chitin is disclosed, along with methods for the molecular cloning and recombinant production thereof. Fusion products comprising the CBD and a second protein are likewise described. A wide range of applications are contemplated for both the CBD and the fusion products, including drug delivery, affinity separations, and diagnostic techniques.

Abstract: A cellulose binding domain (CBD) having a high affinity for crystalline cellulose and chitin is disclosed, along with methods for the molecular cloning and recombinant production thereof. Fusion products comprising the CBD and a second protein are likewise described. A wide range of applications are contemplated for both the CBD and the fusion products, including drug delivery, affinity separations, and diagnostic techniques.

Abstract: A cellulose binding domain (CBD) having a high affinity for crystalline cellulose and chitin is disclosed, along with methods for the molecular cloning and recombinant production thereof. Fusion products comprising the CBD and a second protein are likewise described. A wide range of applications are contemplated for both the CBD and the fusion products, including drug delivery, affinity separations, and diagnostic techniques.