Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions involving flavivirus envelope protein domain III antigens for the detection of virus and detection of antibodies against the virus. Such methods and compositions may be used to detect TBE serocomplex viruses or West Nile virus infection in a subject, patient, animal or biological fluid. The present invention also concerns kits for implementing such methods. In some embodiments, kits contain a recombinant TBE serocomplex virus or West Nile virus envelope protein domain III antigen.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions involving flavivirus envelope protein domain III antigens for the detection of virus and detection of antibodies against the virus. Such methods and compositions may be used to detect TBE serocomplex viruses or West Nile virus infection in a subject, patient, animal or biological fluid. The present invention also concerns kits for implementing such methods. In some embodiments, kits contain a recombinant TBE serocomplex virus or West Nile virus envelope protein domain III antigen.

Abstract: A process for the hydrodechlorination of carbon tetrachloride to produce chloroform utilizes a supported catalyst having a bimetallic components of platinum and iridium. The bimetallic catalyst may be promoted with small amounts of a third metal, such as tin, titanium, germanium, rhenium, silicon, lead, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, bismuth or mixtures thereof. By-product production is decreased and duration of catalyst activity is improved by the use of the catalyst of this invention.

Abstract: A pivot assembly for a vehicle external mirror having a mirror head mounted to a mirror base, the assembly comprising a first member (20), a second member (30), the first and second members (20, 30) mounted in or being part of the mirror base and the mirror head respectively, the first and second members (20, 30) having respectively first and second detent sides (24, 34), inner sides (26, 36) and apertures (28, 38) extending from the detent side (24, 34) to the inner sides (26, 36) respectively, detent means (56, 59), a spigot (50), a spring (60), means (56, 72) for applying a pre-load to the spring (60), the initial relative rotation between the second member (30) and the first member (20) in a first direction causes loading of the spring (60), the pre-load is maintained during subsequent relative rotations between the second (30) and the first member (20).

Abstract: The present invention includes composition and methods for making and using a combinatorial library to identify thioaptamers that bind to targets on or about pathogens. Compositions, kits and methods are also provided for the identification of pathogens, e.g., viral, bacterial or other proteins related infectious disease, as well as, vaccines and vaccine adjuvants are provided that modify host immune responses.

Abstract: A trolling release device for use during fishing. A ring of the device has peripheral sidewalls with an aperture formed between the sidewalls and a radial slit in one of the sidewalls for extending a tow line through the sidewall. The device also has a handle rigidly mounted to the ring. The handle has peripheral sidewalls with an aperture formed between the sidewalls and a radial slit in one of the sidewalls of the handle. In operation, the ring is mounted to a tow line. A string is attached to a fishing line at one end and the opposite end is inserted into the handle aperture. When a tensile force is applied to the fishing line, such as by a fish striking a lure on the fishing line, the string is cut by a sharp edge of one of the sidewalls of the handle, opposite the ring, thereby releasing the fishing line from the trolling release device.

Abstract: A pivot assembly for a vehicle external mirror having a mirror head mounted to a mirror base, the assembly comprising a first member (20), a second member (30), the first and second members (20, 30) mounted in or being part of the mirror base and the mirror head respectively, the first and second members (20, 30) having respectively first and second detent sides (24, 34), inner sides (26, 36) and apertures (28, 38) extending from the detent side (24, 34) to the inner sides (26, 36) respectively, detent means (56, 59), a spigot (50), a spring (60), means (56, 72) for applying a pre-load to the spring (60), the initial relative rotation between the second member (30) and the first member (20) in a first direction causes loading of the spring (60), the pre-load is maintained during subsequent relative rotations between the second (30) and the first member.(20).

Abstract: A variable geometry device is provided for use in a turbine engine having a support housing, a rotor contained within the support housing and a pair of spaced walls forming an annular and radially extending passageway open at one end to the rotor. An annular recessed channel is formed in one of the support housing walls while a ring is mounted within the channel and movable between a retracted position in which the ring is nested within the channel and an extended position in which the ring protrudes transversely into and variably restricts the passageway so that the restriction of the fluid passageway is substantially proportional to the transverse position of the ring. A plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes are secured to the ring and these vanes extend transversely across the fluid passageway and are slidably received within slots formed in the other support housing wall.