Abstract: Recombinant viruses comprising a heterologous DNA sequence coding for a lipase involved in lipoprotein metabolism. The invention also concerns the preparation and use in therapy of said recombinant viruses, especially for the treatment or prevention of dyslipoproteinemia-related pathologies.

Abstract: The invention features ABC1 nucleic acids and polypeptides for the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal cholesterol regulation. The invention also features methods for identifying compounds for modulating cholesterol levels in an animal (e.g., a human).

Abstract: The invention features methods for treating, preventing or modulating a neurological disease or disorder, or for modulating an anaesthetic or a fertility process by administering compounds that modulate ABCA1 expression or activity. The invention also features methods for identifying compounds useful for such methods.

Abstract: A method for determining propensity toward developing a cardiovascular disease in a patient at risk thereof by determining the presence in an ABCA1 gene of said patient of a polymorphism in the DNA sequence of the gene wherein said polymorphism is present in a non-coding region of said gene is disclosed. Also described is a method of identifying a modulator of ABCA1 polynucleotide expression comprising by determining the ability of a test compound to modulate the activity of a polynucleotide comprising a polymorphism disclosed herein, or to mimic the effects of such polymorphism where such effects are beneficial. Treatment of cardiovascular disease, especially coronary artery disease, using agents identified by the disclosed methods is also described.

Abstract: In general, the invention provides methods, reagents, and uses for modulating cell survival. In various alternative aspects, the invention provides methods of modulating cell survival by administering a huntingtin protein or a biologically-active fragment or variant thereof, or methods of treatment or prophylaxis of a cell degenerative disease or a cell proliferative disease by administering a huntingtin protein or a biologically-active fragment or variant thereof. In various alternative aspects, the invention provides diagnostic assays or methods of assaying test compounds using a huntingtin protein or a biologically-active fragment or variant thereof.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for moving a trough from a lowered position to an elevated having a pair of guide tracks operably coupled to a trough cradle by a pair of roller mechanisms. A lifting arm operably couples the trough cradle to a drive mechanism. As the trough cradle is elevated, the roller mechanisms move away from the drive mechanism and the trough cradle to rotate about a transverse axis.

Abstract: A containment device for retaining semiconductor wafers having a first housing member having a frame with inner and outer walls normal to the frame having a gapped relation. The inner wall receives the semiconductor wafers. A second housing member securably attachable to the first housing member by plural latches has a frame forming the top of the device. Each latch has a hook secured to the first housing member passing through a hole in the second housing member and releasably secured within the hole by the hook. In a second embodiment, the latches and holes are replaced with a plurality of rotatable latch members each having a hook at the distal end for engagement with a hole in the second housing member, secured to the first housing member and rotatable about a hinge. One wall of the first embodiment is replaced with a soft liner which absorbs shock.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means of modulating cell survival by modulating wild-type huntingtin protein function by administration of wild-type huntingtin protein, biologically active fragments thereof and/or antagonists of wild-type huntingtin. Accordingly, the present invention also provides biologically active fragments of wild-type huntingtin, antagonists of wild-type huntingtin and nucleic acid sequences encoding the biologically active fragments and peptide antagonists, and their use to modulate cell survival. In particular, the invention provides for means to activate or attenuate cell death within tissue, in order to facilitate the treatment of conditions where there is a dysregulation of cell death or cellular proliferation. Therapeutic application of this invention pertains to diseases and disorders including, but not limited to, Huntington disease, neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, and cancer.

Abstract: A containment device for retaining semiconductor wafers (54) is disclosed. The containment device comprises a first housing member (10) having a frame (12), an inner wall (14) and an outer wall (16). The inner wall (14) and outer wall (16) each extend generally perpendicularly from the frame (12). The inner wall (14) and outer wall (16) have a spaced apart relationship forming a gap (18) therebetween. The inner wall (14) closely receives the semiconductor wafers (54). The containment device also comprises a second housing member (36) that is securably attachable to the first housing member (10). The second housing member (36) has a frame (38) that forms the top of the containment device when the first and second housing members (10, 36) are securably attached together.

Abstract: A containment device for retaining semiconductor wafers (54) which includes a first housing member (10) having a frame (12), an inner wall (14) and an outer wall (16), the inner wall (14) and outer wall (16) having a spaced apart relationship forming a gap (18) therebetween. The inner wall (14) closely receives the semiconductor wafers (54). The containment device also includes a second housing member (36) that is securably attachable to the first housing member (10) and which has a frame (38) that forms the top of the containment device when the first and second housing members (10, 36) are securably attached together. The first and second housing members are secured by a plurality of latches (20), each with a hook (22) secured to the first housing member which passes through a hole (40) in the second housing member and is releasably secured within the hole by the hook.

Abstract: Light dispersive insulated glazing units are disclosed. The light dispersive insulated glazing units comprise two lites of glazing material, spaced apart from and opposing one another and a visible light dispersive film, such as a hologram or diffraction grating, interposed between confronting surfaces of the lites. Methods for producing these light dispersive insulated glazing units are disclosed, as well.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for moving a trough from a lowered position to an elevated having a pair of guide tracks operably coupled to a trough cradle by a pair of roller mechanisms. A lifting arm operably couples the trough cradle to a drive mechanism. As the trough cradle is elevated, the roller mechanisms move away from the drive mechanism and the trough cradle to rotate about a transverse axis.

Abstract: A method for fabricating light dispersive insulated glazing units is provided. According to this method a substantially sealed integral unit comprising a pair of spaced glazing lites and a heat-shrinkable light dispersive film interposed between the glazing lites and spaced apart from the glazing lites is formed, the light dispersive film being fixed along at least two of its edges with respect to the edges of the glazing lites. The assembled structure is then subjected to a heat treatment for a time and at a temperature sufficient to heat shrink the light dispersive film and cause it to become taut and wrinkle-free.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for moving a trough from a lowered position to an elevated having a pair of guide tracks operably coupled to a trough cradle by a pair of roller mechanisms. A lifting arm operably couples the trough cradle to a drive mechanism. As the trough cradle is elevated, the roller mechanisms move away from the drive mechanism and the trough cradle to rotate about a transverse axis.

Abstract: A lightweight packing reel for storing encapsulated semiconductor devices which may be baked for extended periods of time at temperatures sufficiently high to desorb moisture from the packages, and which allows efficient flow of heat and air through the tape and reel assemblage is provided.

Abstract: A containment device for retaining semiconductor wafers (54) is disclosed. The containment device comprises a first housing member (10) having a frame (12), an inner wall (14) and an outer wall (16). The inner wall (14) and outer wall (16) each extend generally perpendicularly from the frame (12). The inner wall (14) and outer wall (16) have a spaced apart relationship forming a gap (18) therebetween. The inner wall (14) closely receives the semiconductor wafers (54). The containment device also comprises a second housing member (36) that is securably attachable to the first housing member (10). The second housing member (36) has a frame (38) that forms the top of the containment device when the first and second housing members (10, 36) are securably attached together.

Abstract: An underwater mining machine includes a chassis mounted on a powered drive arrangement for driving the chassis on an underwater surface, the chassis having a front end and a rear end and being adapted to be manoeuvrable and driven in at least a forward direction, a rotatable cutting drum secured to a boom which is attached to a cradle mounted on the chassis, and material gathering arms adapted to gather material which has been excavated or broken up by the cutting drum.

Abstract: Light dispersive insulated glazing units are disclosed. The light dispersive insulated glazing units comprise two lites of glazing material, spaced apart from and opposing one another and a visible light dispersive film, such as a hologram or diffraction grating, interposed between confronting surfaces of the lites. Methods for producing these light dispersive insulated glazing units are disclosed, as well.

Abstract: A dough transfer hopper and method for partitioning dough pieces having a precise volume from a dough mass is disclosed. The dough transfer hopper includes a hopper assembly having a pair of inwardly angled end walls and a pair of arcuate side walls defining an upper and lower opening. A cutting assembly is operatively disposed within the lower opening and includes a pair of cutters which operate in a counter-rotating manner to partition a dough piece having a precise volume from a dough mass and deposit the dough piece on a horizontal conveyor assembly. The horizontal conveyor transports the dough piece to an inclined conveyor assembly. The inclined conveyor assembly includes a pair of counter-rotating conveyor belts for transporting the dough piece from the horizontal conveyor to a transfer conveyor assembly for further processing.

Abstract: Isolation, cloning and sequencing of the murine Huntington's Disease gene as well as its transcripts and gene products are provided. A transgenic mouse model for Huntington's Disease exhibits cognitive defects similar to symptoms seen in Huntington's Disease in humans.