Abstract: This invention relates to proteins, termed INSP093, herein identified as secreted proteins, in particular, as members of the Interleukin (IL) 8-like chemokine family and to the use of these proteins and nucleic acid sequences from the encoding genes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease.

Abstract: A microfluidic analysis system (1) performs polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis on a bio sample. In a centrifuge (6) the sample is separated into DNA and RNA constituents. The vortex is created by opposing flow of a silicon oil primary carrier fluid effecting circulation by viscous drag. The bio sample exits the centrifuge enveloped in the primary carrier fluid. This is pumped by a flow controller (7) to a thermal stage (9). The thermal stage (9) has a number of microfluidic devices (70) each having thermal zones (71, 72, 73) in which the bio sample is heated or cooled by heat conduction to/from a thermal carrier fluid and the primary carrier fluid. Thus, the carrier fluids envelope the sample, control its flowrate, and control its temperature without need for moving parts at the micro scale.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a tubing expansion tool (300) comprising a body (302) adapted for rotation within tubing to be expanded, and three expansion member modules (306) each comprising an expansion member (310) rotatably mounted with respect to the body (302), each expansion member module (306) being releasably coupled to the body (302) as a unit.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a gauge in particular for the measurement of film thickness, uses a calibration variable to compensate for short term changes in probe tip condition, instead of a constant value. A calibration constant is based only on the dielectric constant for a coating such as lacquer, and is independent of the probe tip variable.

Abstract: The invention is directed to bioengineered vascular graft support prostheses prepared from cleaned tissue material derived from animal sources. The bioengineered graft prostheses of the invention are prepared using methods that preserve cell compatibility, strength, and bioremodelability of the processed tissue matrix. The bioengineered graft prostheses are used for implantation, repair, or for use in a mammalian host.

Abstract: This present invention relates to a novel protein, termed INSP085, herein identified as an IL-8 like protein and to the use of this protein and nucleic acid sequence from the encoding genes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease.

Abstract: In a zip fastener the elements (10) on one tape have a head which engages a shoulder (20) of an opposed element to limit out of plane movement. A small number of elements (30) have a head (38) which bears on a shoulder 46 when twisted in one direction but passes the shoulder (46) when twisted in the opposite direction to allow partial separation of the elements to create a point of weakness. The coupled elements can be peeled apart when sufficient pressure is applied to one side of the tape at the point of weakness, but the elements resist twisting when pressure is applied to the opposite side.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel protein (INSP002), herein identified as a secreted protein that is a member of the Dan family of the cystine-knot fold cytokine superfamily and to the use of this protein and nucleic acid sequences from the encoding genes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for displaying and packaging gift items. Each gift item is placed and secured in a shaped mold having further having an elongated and rigid stem structure that is attached thereto. Each stem preferably has one or more petals formed from pieces of paper, cellophane or the like, attached thereto, such that each stem with a gift item resembles a flower and a group of gift items resembles a flower bouquet.

Abstract: A composition comprising a polymer selected from a polyolefin, a polyamide or mixtures thereof, in admixture with an acrylic polymer additive, wherein: the extensional viscosity of the composition is greater than the extensional viscosity of the same composition not containing the acrylic polymer additive; or, the shear viscosity of the composition is greater than the shear viscosity of the same composition not containing the acrylic polymer additive; or, both the extensional viscosity and the shear viscosity of the composition is greater than the extensional viscosity and shear viscosity, respectively, of the same composition not containing the acrylic polymer additive, when measured at an identical applied specific shear rate in the range of 3000 S?1 to 500 S?1 under substantially the same conditions.

Abstract: A laminated film in which a metal foil is sandwiched between two polymeric films is cold formed to define one or more blisters, and the base of the blister stamped with indicia, in two discrete stages. The blister is formed in the first stage using a standard technique of advancing a pin in a direction transverse relative to the plane of the film. According to the invention, once the blister forming stage is completed, indicia are stamped into the base of the blister in the second stage by advancing a die from one side thereof to clamp the blister base against a mold held against the other side. The direction of the die and disposition of the die and mold may be selected such that the indicia project inwardly or outwardly from the blister base.

Abstract: A system and method for determining mismatched or faulty data records in a telecommunications or other system containing large data sets from records in first and second data sets identifies potentially mismatched or faulty data records in the first data set at least in part by comparing records in the first data set to records in the second data set. The potentially mismatched or faulty records identified as potentially mismatched or faulty are verified as defective using at least one predetermined criteria.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tubing expansion device and a method of expanding tubing. In one embodiment, an expansion device (10) is disclosed which comprises at least one expansion member (14) adapted to expand a tubing (12) by inducing a hoop stress in the tubing (12), and at least one further expansion member (16) adapted to expand the tubing (12) by inducing a compressive yield of the tubing (12); and a method of expanding tubing (12) comprising the steps of expanding the tubing (12) at least in part by inducing a hoop stress in the tubing (12), and expanding the tubing (12) at least in part by inducing a compressive yield of the tubing (12).

Abstract: A composition comprising a polymer selected from a polyolefin, a polyamide or mixture thereof, in admixture with an acrylic polymer additive, wherein: the shear viscosity of the composition is less than the shear viscosity of the same composition not containing the acrylic polymer; or, the extensional viscosity of the composition is less than the extensional viscosity of the same composition not containing the acrylic polymer additive; or, both of the shear viscosity and extensional viscosity of the composition is less than the shear viscosity and extensional viscosity of the same composition not containing the acrylic polymer addictive,when measured at an identical applied specific shear rate in the range of 5000 s−1 to 500 s−1 under substantially the same conditions.

Abstract: A composition comprising a polyester and an acrylic polymer, wherein the acrylic polymer has a thermal degradation temperature of less than or equal to 295° C.

Abstract: A data capture system (1) has modular amplifier circuits (10) connected to modular capture circuits (11) within a rotor 2. Each capture circuit (11) has an FPGA (26) operation according to low-frequency and high-frequency state machines (M1, M2) to control ADCs (25) and upload from memories (30) to a host (15) During sampling, each FPGA (26) runs through a ready mode, a sampling mode, and again a ready mode according to a host command.

Abstract: A arrangement is described for transmitting, radiating and receiving high-frequency signals. The arrangement is comprised of a system connected to a transmitting and receiving device (3) which includes at least one high-frequency element (1) capable of guiding electromagnetic waves and a first signal cable (5) extending parallel thereto. To improve the service reliability of the arrangement, a second signal cable (6) which is also connected to the transmitting and receiving device (3), is arranged parallel to the high-frequency element (1) and maintains a significant spatial separation to the first signal cable (5).

Abstract: A gravity meter comprises a casing, a vacuum tube mounted in the casing in a vibration-free manner, a sensor mechanism mounted within the vacuum tube, the sensor mechanism comprising two masses of different size acting on the respective arms of a beam balance comprising a material whose shape is arranged to change in response to changes in gravity and whose shape can be restored by the application of an electrical current thereto, and detector means arranged to provide from the restoring current an output representative of changes in gravity. The material is preferably a piezoelectric material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to bioengineered vascular graft support prostheses prepared from cleaned tissue material derived from animal sources. The bioengineered graft prostheses of the invention are prepared using methods that preserve cell compatibility, strength, and bioremodelability of the processed tissue matrix. The bioengineered graft prostheses are used for implantation, repair, or for use in a mammalian host.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a tubing expansion tool (300) comprising a body (302) adapted for rotation within tubing to be expanded, and three expansion member modules (306) each comprising an expansion member (310) rotatably mounted with respect to the body (302), each expansion member module (306) being releasably coupled to the body (302) as a unit.