Abstract: The invention features compositions comprising agents that inhibit or reduce self-reactive IgE and/or basophils, and related methods of using the compositions for treating or preventing lupus, lupus nephritis, and lupus-related disorders.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for securing a first stone to a non-metal mount, the mount comprising a base and a cap which, in cooperation with the base, prevents the first stone from being lost. The first stone may be one of a crystal, a gemstone, a birthstone, a gem, or a similar item. The base may be attached to the cap through the use of screws, snaps, Velcro, glue or a thread connection between the base and the cap. The base may include an elevated pedestal on which the first stone rests, and the elevated pedestal may be configured such that a portion of the first stone extends outside of said cap. The base/cap combination may securely affix the stone between the base and the cap, or it may be designed such that the stone may move between the base and the cap.

Abstract: A device for determining the concentration of a compound in an aqueous phase in a dynamic manner and while flowing, and a device (300) for determining the concentration of a compound in a gaseous phase and soluble in an aqueous phase. The device (200, 300) for determining the concentration of a compound in a gaseous phase includes elements (302) for transferring the compounds present in the gaseous phase to an aqueous phase then determining in a dynamic manner and while flowing, the concentration of the compounds in this aqueous phase by fluorescence spectroscopy. The devices (300) are robust, conveyable and less costly, and have greater temporal as well as spatial sensitivity than the devices of the state of the art.

Abstract: A hydraulic chain tensioner for an internal combustion engine includes a support body forming a cylindrical housing which receives a piston slidable in the housing and which carries a pressure pad acted upon by the piston and arranged to come into contact with the chain. A high-pressure chamber is defined by the housing and the piston. A source of pressurized hydraulic liquid supplies the tensioner with lubricating liquid and completes the filling of the high-pressure chamber.

Abstract: In this electrical connection device comprising a female contact (27) which comprises a base portion (28) having, in a first end region (28a), at least one pair of flexible contact blades (29, 30, 31) and, in a second end region (28b), at least one pair of wings (32, 33) adapted to be seated on an electrical current supply conductor, there is provided in the transition region (28c) between the first and second end regions, two wings (34) which are bent toward each other and which bear end to end against each other so as to form with the base portion a closed rigidifying ring (35) which opposes deformation of the first end region (28a) and the modification of the spacing of the contact blades (29, 30, 31) when the wings (32, 33) are seated on the electrical conductor.

Abstract: In this electrical connection device comprising a female contact (27) which comprises a base portion (28) having, in a first end region (28a), at least one pair of flexible contact blades (29, 30, 31) and, in a second end region (28b), at least one pair of wings (32, 33) adapted to be seated on an electrical current supply conductor, there is provided in the transition region (28c) between the first and second end regions, two wings (34) which are bent toward each other and which bear end to end against each other so as to form with the base portion a closed rigidifying ring (35) which opposes deformation of the first end region (28a) and the modification of the spacing of the contact blades (29, 30, 31) when the wings (32, 33) are seated on the electrical conductor.

Abstract: This device projects slow moving light beams on the shadowed regions of a windowed room when the sun shines through the window. It includes a crystal-set (9) directly suspended from the bottom of a vertical rotor (14) of a motor (2) by a thread-like member (12). A small box (1), with attachment means to the window, supports the following interconnected electrical components: the motor (2) discussed above, a solar panel array (5), a capacitor (4), and a circuit (3). The capacitor is repeatedly charged slowly when the solar panel is exposed to sunlight, and discharged quickly by the circuit through the motor windings to occasionally pulse rotate the motor rotor about one turn. This occasional quick rotation activates and sustains the smooth and slow meandering rotation of the crystal-set about a vertical axis because of the loose thread-like member coupling between the motor rotor and crystal-set.