Abstract: Using molecular docking screening, a few therapeutical compounds including trovafloxacin and levofloxacin have been first identified as potential inhibitors of fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4). The present invention provides a novel use of levofloxacin as an inhibitor of FABP4 and a drug for the treatment of metabolic diseases or a cardiovascular diseases. The present invention further provides a method of using levofloxacin to inhibit FABP4, or to inhibit adipolysis in adipocytes.

Abstract: Using molecular docking screening, a few therapeutical compounds including trovafloxacin and levofloxacin have been first identified as potential inhibitors of fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4). The present invention provides a novel use of levofloxacin as an inhibitor of FABP4 and a drug for the treatment of metabolic diseases or a cardiovascular diseases. The present invention further provides a method of using levofloxacin to inhibit FABP4, or to inhibit adipolysis in adipocytes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for setting the prices of merchandise in vending machines are provided. According to some implementations, an electrical circuitry may be provided for vending merchandise. The electrical circuitry may comprise an actuator driver configured to control a dispensing mechanism associated with a vending unit for dispensing merchandise from the vending unit to a buyer. The electrical circuitry may also include an electronic price setting circuit configured to individually set the price for the merchandise of the vending unit. The electronic price setting device may include at least one manually adjustable component associated with each vending unit. A currency acceptor of the electrical circuitry is configured to accept currency from the buyer. An electronic control unit may be arranged in electrical communication with the actuator driver, electronic price setting circuit, and currency acceptor.

Abstract: A vending machine having increased capacity and that efficiently dispenses cylindrical articles is provided. The vending machine includes a storage section for cylindrical articles which alleviates the force created when storing articles in conventional vertical columns or stacks. The storage section is provided with a plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls perpendicularly mounted on a back board which form a plurality of column or stack areas. The configuration of the stack area continuously shifts the forces generated by the weight of the articles to lessen the force being applied to the lowest most article. In this manner, jamming of a dispensing section can be eliminated.

Abstract: A refrigerator unit compartment including a refrigeration unit is provided with a seal, with the refrigerator unit compartment having an inclined surface at the back portion thereof, and wherein the refrigeration unit includes a plurality of adjustable elevating devices such that, after the refrigeration unit is pushed into the refrigerator unit compartment, the elevating devices are manually actuated in order to level the refrigeration unit in the refrigerator unit compartment and thereby cause compression of the seal disposed about the evaporator cool air exhaust opening and the evaporator inlet opening of the refrigeration unit.

Abstract: A vending apparatus has a housing and at least one rotatable dispensing coil disposed within the housing. The coil is vertically oriented and rotates in a manner such that products placed between the rungs of the coil move progressively downward during rotation until each product is ejected from a bottom end of the coil. There are retaining walls surrounding the coil on opposite sides of the coil. The walls extend an entire length of the coil but do not encompass the entire circumference of the coil, so that two longitudinal portions of the coil located opposite one another are not surrounded by the retaining walls. A product having a length exceeding the diameter of the coil can be placed in the coil for vending so that the ends of the product extend beyond the coil through the two portions not surrounded by the retaining walls. The retaining walls prevent the product from rotating when the coil rotates, and keep the product moving progressively down the coil until it is ejected from the coil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel spontaneously fluorescent proteins having a unique chromophore formed from the amino acid sequence FR1R2R3F where R1 is Q or S; R2 is Y, W, F or H; and R3 is G, A or S (SEQ ID NO:34). The invention also encompasses the expression of nucleic acids that encode the proteins of the invention in a wide variety of engineered host cells, and the isolation of engineered proteins. In other embodiments, the invention comprises methods of use, generally including tagging a molecule or cell with the proteins of the invention by either chemical means or recombinant techniques.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel spontaneously fluorescent proteins having a unique chromophore formed from the amino acid sequence FR1R2R3F where R1 is Q or S; R2 is Y, W, F or H; and R3 is G, A or S. The invention also encompasses the expression of nucleic acids that encode the proteins of the invention in a wide variety of engineered host cells, and the isolation of engineered proteins. In other embodiments, the invention comprises methods of use, generally including tagging a molecule or cell with the proteins of the invention by either chemical means or recombinant techniques.

Abstract: A coin mechanism for use with a vending machine where there is a coin barrel that receives the particular coins inserted vertically downwardly by the customer into a coin receiver. The coin barrel has an outer position where the coins can be inserted into the coin receiver and an inner position where the coins are checked by a coin discriminating mechanism, and, if proper, will allow the coin barrel to be rotated further by the customer to activate the vending machine to release the particular selected product. In the even the customer has made a mistake or has had a change of mind, the coin barrel is also allowed to be rotated by the customer, when in its outer position, to a position where the coin receiver is facing substantially downwardly so that the coins can be readily retrieved by the customer and are allowed to fall downwardly by the force of gravity.

Abstract: A compact, light weight and energy-efficient illumination module is described for inclusion into a variety of portable products such as an organizer, a book and a handbag. The illumination module allows for convenient, energy-efficient viewing, reading or writing with the portable products. The illumination module comprises a light source, a standalone electrical power source such as a battery, a switching electrical circuit having an integrated user-operated switch, an enclosure and a mechanically adjustable attachment for including the enclosure into the portable products. Upon activation, the light source of the illumination module emits a locally directed spatial illumination light pattern onto the portable product for reading.

Abstract: A coin mechanism for use with a vending machine where there is a coin barrel that receives the particular coins inserted vertically downwardly by the customer into a coin receiver. The coin barrel has an outer position where the coins can be inserted into the coin receiver and an inner position where the coins are checked by a coin discriminating mechanism, and, if proper, will allow the coin barrel to be rotated further by the customer to activate the vending machine to release the particular selected product. In the even the customer has made a mistake or has had a change of mind, the coin barrel is also allowed to be rotated by the customer, when in its outer position, to a position where the coin receiver is facing substantially downwardly so that the coins can be readily retrieved by the customer and are allowed to fall downwardly by the force of gravity.