Abstract: Provided are methods of activating an NKT cell which include a step of contacting the NKT cell with a sufficient amount of isoglobotrihexosylceramide (iGb3) to induce secretion of a cytokine from the NKT cell, stimulate proliferation of the NKT cell or upregulate expression of a cell surface marker on the NKT cell. Methods of activating an NKT cell population in a subject are also provided.

Abstract: Portable hybrid applications for AC/DC load sharing includes circuitry for simultaneously using at least one of external AC, internal DC power and/or external DC power. The apparatus also includes an input power receptacle for receiving at least one of AC power and external DC power. A power router inside the apparatus routes at least one of AC power, internal DC power, and external DC power to provide power for an application. An apparatus for providing DC to DC conversion includes a tip and a DC to DC whip connected to the tip. A male plug is connected to the second end of the whip. A buck converter within the male plug converts DC power to a DC power level associated with the whip and transmits the converted DC power along the DC to DC whip to the tip. Alternatively, an internal DC source provides internal DC power.

Abstract: An electronic ballast system controls one or more ballasts of HID or fluorescent lamps, which are controlled in an “on/off” manner by a ultra low power controller that is isolated for a primary power circuit or derives its very low switch power from the ballast itself. The on/off control provides a near lossless control system. This system may be applied to electronic ballast for operates at fractional power levels corresponding to different lighting intensities and with conventional occupancy sensors. The system may also be applied to other electronically compatible end-use devices and applications.

Abstract: Compositions comprising NKT cell agonist compounds and a physiologically acceptable vehicle are provided. Methods of stimulating an NKT cell and enhancing an immune response are also disclosed. Further provided are vaccine preparations comprising NKT cell agonist compounds.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a magnetic field generator. The magnetic field generator has a power source and a microcontroller in electrical communication with the power source. A coil is also provided that is in electrical communication with the microcontroller. The coil generates a pulsed magnetic wave of an alternating current when a sensor determines that the magnetic field generator is located in proximity to a living being. The magnetic field generator is structured to be coupled to a device and the device is structured to be worn by the living being in proximity to the living being. A method of generating a pulsed magnetic wave to a device is also provided. A magnetic field generator system is also provided that has a magnetic field generator which is structured to be in communication with a charger/tester.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for decreasing or inhibiting influenza virus infection or pathogenesis of a cell in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo, a symptom or pathology associated with influenza infection or pathogenesis in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo, or an adverse side effect of influenza infection or pathogenesis in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. In one embodiment, a method of the invention includes treating a subject with an invention compound (e.g., cationic steroid antimicrobial or CSA).

Abstract: The invention provides methods for decreasing or inhibiting poxvirus infection or pathogenesis of a cell in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo, a symptom or pathology associated with poxvirus infection or pathogenesis in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo, or an adverse side effect of poxvirus infection or pathogenesis in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. In one embodiment, a method of the invention includes treating a subject with an invention compound (e.g., cationic steroid antimicrobial or CSA).

Abstract: The invention provides methods for decreasing or inhibiting herpesviridae (HV) infection or pathogenesis of a cell in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo, a symptom or pathology associated with a herpesviridae (HV) infection or pathogenesis in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo, or an adverse side effect of herpesviridae (HV) infection or pathogenesis in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. In one embodiment, a method of the invention includes treating a subject with an invention compound (e.g., cationic steroid antimicrobial or CSA).

Abstract: The invention provides methods for decreasing or inhibiting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or pathogenesis (e.g., illness) of a cell in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo, a symptom or pathology associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or pathogenesis (e.g., illness) in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo, or an adverse side effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or pathogenesis (e.g., illness) in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. In one embodiment, a method of the invention includes treating a subject with an invention compound (e.g., cationic steroid antimicrobial or CSA).

Abstract: An electronic ballast system controls one or more ballasts of HID or fluorescent lamps, which are controlled in an “on/off” manner by a ultra low power controller that is isolated for a primary power circuit or derives its very low switch power from the ballast itself. The on/off control provides a near lossless control system. This system may be applied to electronic ballast for operates at fractional power levels corresponding to different lighting intensities and with conventional occupancy sensors. The system may also be applied to other electronically compatible end-use devices and applications.

Abstract: A missing golf club warning system that automatically counts and displays the number of golf clubs removed, and not restored, to a golf club bag and further alerts the golfer as he/she is in motion and leaving the area where at least one golf club was removed from the bag and left behind. In addition, this warning system includes a wireless golf bag alarm system which automatically and remotely notifies the golf club/bag owner, and even golf grounds personnel, who at the time may be some distance from and out of visual contact with the bag, as to the non-authorized removal of a club, or of the movement or transport of the golf bag.

Abstract: This invention relates to galactosylceramide compounds.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling and obtaining service from a pull-based management server is presented. A BIOS of a client indicates whether a previous boot up of the client was to the pull-based management server. An indicator in the BIOS is checked by a checking mechanism. A changing mechanism will change a boot sequence of the client if the indicator signifies that the previous boot up was to the pull-based management server. The changing mechanism orders the boot sequence of the client to boot to a local computer-readable medium before booting to a remote management server. Additionally, a boot sequence setting mechanism on a remote computer will have the client boot to a remote management server before booting to a local computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A method of creating a logical device performing polynomial division includes using a hardware description language to build code directly describing synthesizable logic for performing the polynomial division. The logic is then implemented on a target device. The code receives as inputs a parameter identifying a polynomial and a parameter identifying a number of data bits for which the polynomial division is performed. For a given n-degree polynomial, performing the polynomial division includes calculating a next n-term remainder for a data unit having d terms.

Abstract: Portable hybrid applications for AC/DC load sharing includes circuitry for simultaneously using at least one of external AC, internal DC power and/or external DC power. The apparatus also includes an input power receptacle for receiving at least one of AC power and external DC power. A power router inside the apparatus routes at least one of AC power, internal DC power, and external DC power to provide power for an application. An apparatus for providing DC to DC conversion includes a tip and a DC to DC whip connected to the tip. A male plug is connected to the second end of the whip. A buck converter within the male plug converts DC power to a DC power level associated with the whip and transmits the converted DC power along the DC to DC whip to the tip. Alternatively, an internal DC source provides internal DC power.

Abstract: Provided are methods of activating an NKT cell which include a step of contacting the NKT cell with a sufficient amount of isoglobotrihexosylceramide (iGb3) to induce secretion of a cytokine from the NKT cell, stimulate proliferation of the NKT cell or upregulate expression of a cell surface marker on the NKT cell. Methods of activating an NKT cell population in a subject are also provided.

Abstract: A series of novel steroid derivatives are described. The steroid derivatives are antibacterial agents. The steroid derivatives also act to sensitize bacteria to other antibiotics including erythromycin and novobiocin.

Abstract: A method of creating a logical device performing polynomial division includes using a hardware description language to build code directly describing synthesizable logic for performing the polynomial division. The logic is then implemented on a target device. The code receives as inputs a parameter identifying a polynomial and a parameter identifying a number of data bits for which the polynomial division is performed. For a given n-degree polynomial, performing the polynomial division includes calculating a next n-term remainder for a data unit having d terms.

Abstract: A tracking assembly for mounting to a support frame of a conveyor belt installation in order to keep the conveyor belt which travels thereon centrally aligned includes a sub-frame adapted to be mounted to a support frame of a conveyor belt installation. A plurality of independently rotatable idlers are mounted for rotation on the sub-frame to support the conveyor belt of the installation in position. The idlers are aligned generally parallel to each other spaced apart from each other across the width of the belt, with the sub-frame and idlers being mounted to the support frame generally transverse to the length of the belt. Each of the idlers include a support shaft, an outer drum rotatably supported on the shaft, and a pivot assembly located within the drum defining a pivot axis about which the drum is pivotable relative to the shaft, the pivot axis being perpendicular to the belt which in use travels on the idler.