Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of providing data entities of a database with a time dependent value for an attribute of the entity is disclosed.

Abstract: The present inventor has noted that at least two populations of immune cells are produced in response to retroviruses which infect mammals. More particularly, the immune system of a mammal infected with a retrovirus is capable of mounting an immune response against the virus through a group of cells herein generally referred to as “effector cells”, however, a second population of cells are also produced which regulate the “effector cells”, herein generally referred to as “regulator cells” (or suppressor cells), limiting the mammal's ability to effectively control or eradicate the retroviral infection. Accordingly, the present invention utilizes these observations to provide methods for treating a mammal with a retroviral infection.

Abstract: Method for determining a cellular function or change in cellular function by contacting a sample of cells or a component of cells with an activating agent, directing a beam of infrared light at the sample of cells or a component of the cells, analyzing the infrared spectrum of the sample at at least one range of frequencies and ascertaining whether at least one change in the spectral characteristics has occurred due to activation of the cells or a change in the cellular component, that can be correlated to the cellular function or the change in cellular function by the activating agent and determining the cellular function therefrom.

Abstract: A membrane which can be used in membrane filtration processes and which has a reduced tendency to fouling is a polysulphone or a plyether sulphone and a polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide substituted diamine and can be made by a phase inversion process in the presence of pore modifying agents such as an alcohol, glycerol or glycol to give a membrane which has a pore size of 0.1&mgr; to 1 micron and is hydrophilic.

Abstract: Mercapto amino acid derivatives of formula (I), wherein R is hydrogen, a salt-forming cation of a in vivo hydrolysable ester-forming group; R.sub.1 is selected from (a) and (b) in which A is a monocyclic aryl or heteroaryl ring and B is a monocyclic aryl, alicyclic or heterocyclic ring, C and D are independently --Z.sub.p --(CR.sub.8 CR.sub.9).sub.q -- or --(CR.sub.8 CR.sub.9).sub.q --Z.sub.p -- where p is 0 or 1, q is 0 to 3 provided that p+q in C is not 0, R.sub.8 and R.sub.9 are independently hydrogen or (C.sub.1-6)alkyl or together represent oxo and Z is O, NR.sub.10 or S(O).sub.x where R.sub.10 is hydrogen, (C.sub.1-6)alkyl or aryl(C.sub.1-6)alkyl and x is 0-2, and wherein C and D are linked ortho to one another on each of the rings A and B in formula (b); R.sub.2 is hydrogen, (C.sub.1-6)alkyl or aryl(C.sub.1-6)alkyl; R.sub.3 is hydrogen, (C.sub.1-6)alkyl optionally substituted by up to three halogen atoms, (C.sub.3-7)cycloalkyl, fused aryl(C.sub.3-7)cycloalkyl, (C.sub.3-7)cycloalkyl(C.sub.2-6)alkyl, (C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of treating bacterial infections in humans or animals comprising administering, in combination with a .beta.-lactam antibiotic, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I).

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of detection of light transmitted or reflected from a test object using any one of plural filters each with a unique center wavelength. To prevent chromatic aberration in non-collimated light passed through the filters, the thickness of each filter is unique, depending on its center wavelength.

Abstract: A device and method for separating particulate material from earth drilling fluids is disclosed, wherein the earth drilling fluids containing such particulate material is introduced into a container. A major portion of the particulate material separates out of the earth drilling fluid, and the fluid then passes over a baffle and through a screen, with the movement past the screen being such, combined with the screen orientation, to provide a screen which is somewhat self-cleaning in nature. The screen is periodically scraped by carrying members, and is urged against the carrying members so that the initial contact of the carrying members with the screen causes vibrations which improve the self-cleaning characteristics of the screen.The particulate material which settles out of the drilling fluid, and the particulate material which is screened out of the drilling fluid, is collected in the bottom of the container and is removed therefrom by the carrying members up an inclined wall to a discharge point.