Abstract: Method for forming a weldment in a nickel based alloy substrate comprising subjecting the substrate prior to welding to a pre-heating step at an elevated temperature which is above ambient temperature and less than an aging temperature of the substrate.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for improving the contact of a conductive material, for example, a hydrogel, with a sensor, for example an electrode, by means of using mechanical force to apply the conductive material to the sensor before use of the conductive material and sensor in a sampling device. The device and methods of the present invention improve the sensor response characteristics in transdermal sampling devices placed in operative contact with a skin or mucosal surface of a biological system to obtain a chemical signal associated with an analyte of interest.

Abstract: An aminopeptidase inhibitor is used when expressing heterologous protein in a bacterial host, such as Streptomyces. Use of such an inhibitor inhibits degradation of the heterologous protein by aminopeptidases. Inhibitors are designed based upon the mechanism and substrate specificity of the target protease and expressed protein.

Abstract: A family of proteases endogenous to Streptomyces cells degrades heterologous proteins secreted from Streptomyces host cells. The previously unidentified proteases include (1) tripeptidyl aminopeptidase--Streptomyces ("Tap"), (2) a Streptomyces protease ("Ssp") which displayed significant amino acid sequence homology to Subtilisin BPN' and showed an ability to remove tripeptides from the amino termini of proteins and peptides, and (3) other proteases derived from Streptomyces which degraded certain substrates under certain conditions. Degradation was alleviated by selective inhibition of secreted proteases or by using hosts with impaired capabilities to produce proteases. An irreversible inhibitor was designed based upon the mechanism and substrate specificity of the target protease. Hosts secreting high amounts of proteases were selected. Impaired hosts were produced by deleting or altering the nucleotide sequence for the proteases.

Abstract: A family of proteases endogenous to Streptomyces cells degrade heterologous proteins secreted from Streptomyces host cells. The previously unidentified proteases include (1) tripeptidyl aminopeptidase--Streptomyces ("Tap"), (2) a Streptomyces protease ("Ssp") which displayed significant amino acid sequence homology to Subtilisin BPN' and showed an ability to remove tripeprides from the amino termini of proteins and peptides, and (3) other proteases derived from Streptomyces which degraded certain substrates under certain conditions. Degradation was alleviated by selective inhibition of secreted proteases or by using hosts with impaired capabilities to produce proteases. An irreversible inhibitor was designed based upon the mechanism and substrate specificity of the target protease. Hosts secreting high amounts of proteases were selected. Impaired hosts were produced by deleting or altering the nucleotide sequence for the proteases.

Abstract: A cover for BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aids includes a hollow latex body configured similar to, but slightly smaller than, an arcuate BTE hearing aid. The cover possesses a larger quadrilateral closed end and a smaller open end. Opposite arcuate planar sidewalls are connected by a convexly curved top wall and a concavely curved bottom wall. The quadrilateral closed end extends transversely between the sidewalls and the top and bottom walls. The sidewalls and top and bottom walls taper and merge smoothly at the open end to form a circular opening. The cover is formed by dipping a complimentary shaped former into a liquid latex mixture, curing the latex to form a solid cover, and removing the cover from the former.

Abstract: A table with means for installation of an electric planer therein so that the planer cutting blades engage a workpiece placed upon the table. An adjustable guide fence is also provided with the table for guiding workpieces over the cutting blades of the planer.