Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a vascular damaging effect in a warm-blooded animal such as a human, which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of ZD6126 or a pharmaceutically NHCOCH acceptable salt thereof, before, after or simultaneously with an effective amount of one of the following therapies: i) ionising radiation; ii) a platinum anti-tumour agent; and iii) a taxane. The invention also relates to the use of ZD6126 and one of the above therapies in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the production of a vascular damaging effect in a warm-blooded animal such as a human and to pharmaceutical compositions and kits each comprising ZD6126 and one of a platinum anti-tumour agent and a taxane.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding saitohin (STH), an isolated nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes to said sequence, and a purified protein encoded by said nucleic acid sequences. The present invention also provides a purified STH protein, and a method of making STH protein. The present invention is further directed to an antibody specific for STH, and a method for producing said antibody. Additionally, the present invention discloses a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding STH, a host cell transformed with said vector, and transgenic nonhuman animals. The present invention further provides methods for determining whether a subject has, or is at increased risk for developing, a neurodegenerative disease, and for assessing said subject's prognosis. Finally, the present invention discloses kits for determining whether a subject has, or is at increased risk for developing, a neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: The invention relates, among other things, a preparation comprising Alzheimer's disease antigen (A68), as well as methods of obtaining this purified antigen, and methods of using this purified antigen, for instance, for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and for detecting human autoantibodies to the Alzheimer disease antigen. The antigen preparation according to the invention is purified in that it is substantially free of immunoglobulin G. The invention further relates to methods of making Alzheimer disease antigens that can be used instead of or along with the A68 antigen preparation (e.g., for diagnosing AD), such as recombinant human tau, tau isolated from various species including human, and phosphorylated recombinant human tau or isolated tau, as well as A68 anti-idiotypic antibodies.

Abstract: In recapitulation, the present invention is a method and apparatus for the reliable removal and installation of a component feeding system, such as a direct die feeder, within a printed circuit board or similar assembly machine such as those used in the assembly of printed circuit boards. The invention employs a docking channel operatively affixed to the assembly machine, where the docking channel includes at least a pair of parallel grooves into which alignment rails on the component feeder may be inserted. In this way, the position of the component feeder may be controlled. The docking channel may further include stops, safety locks, alignment pins and a transport device to facilitate easy removal and exchange of component feeders on an assembly machine.

Abstract: Methods for promoting savings through a computer-enabled certificate program are provided. An exemplary method comprises the steps of: purchasing a certificate; issuing the certificate, wherein the certificate is transmitted to a recipient; redeeming the certificate for a monetary value; and directing the monetary value to a savings vehicle, wherein the savings vehicle is selected by the recipient. Systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method of gutting a cephalopod, such as squid, the cephalopod having an outer mantle containing internal organs, and the method comprising retaining the outer mantle at a fixed distance from a central axis while rotating the mantle about the said axis whereby the internal organs are subjected to a centrifugal force sufficient to eject the organs outwardly through an open end of the mantle.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus conveying a roll of liner stock bearing removably adhered components such as labels. The liner is pulled through the feeder by a capstan drive having opposed fluted nip rollers driven by a stepper motor. Advance of the stepper motor is controlled by a programmable electronic controller. The linered labels are led through a tensioner and around an acute-angle peeler edge which separates the labels from the liner. The peeling action advances a label onto a platform comprising a bed of rollers having an inherently low-adherence surface. Preferably the rollers are undercut to form circumferential ridges and reduce the surface area in contact with the label adhesive and to minimize adherence thereto. When peeling of a label is completed, the label has been advanced onto the roller bed to precisely the proper location for acquisition by a pick-and-place machine.

Abstract: A method of gutting a cephalopod, such as squid, the cephalopod having an outer mantle containing internal organs, and the method comprising retaining the outer mantle at a fixed distance from a central axis while rotating the mantle about the said axis whereby the internal organs are subjected to a centrifugal force sufficient to eject the organs outwardly through an open end of the mantle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for avoiding the inappropriate display of advertisements are implemented. These include, respectively, circuitry and steps for include, respectively, circuitry and steps for watching a datastream representing a page for delivery to a client via a network. It is determined if an advertisement subject to display restrictions is identified in the datastream. It is further determined if the advertisement is restricted from being displayed in the page in response to a content analysis of the datastream.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus conveying a roll of liner stock bearing removably adhered components such as labels. The liner is pulled through the feeder by a capstan drive having opposed fluted nip rollers driven by a stepper motor. Advance of the stepper motor is controlled by a programmable electronic controller. The linered labels are led through a tensioner and around an acute-angle peeler edge which separates the labels from the liner. The peeling action advances a label onto a platform comprising a bed of rollers having an inherently low-adherence surface. Preferably the rollers are undercut to form circumferential ridges and reduce the surface area in contact with the label adhesive and to minimize adherence thereto. When peeling of a label is completed, the label has been advanced onto the roller bed to precisely the proper location for acquisition by a pick-and-place machine.

Abstract: The invention relates, among other things, a preparation comprising Alzheimer's disease antigen (A68), as well as methods of obtaining this purified antigen, and methods of using this purified antigen, for instance, for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and for detectiing human autoantibodies to the Alzheimer disease antigen. The antigen preparation according to the invention is purified in that it is substantially free of immunoglobulin G. The invention further relates to methods of making Alzheimer disease antigens that can be used instead of or along with the A68 antigen preparation (e.g., for diagnosing AD), such as recombinant human tau, tau isolated from various species including human, and phosphorylated recombinant human tau or isolated tau, as well as A68 anti-idiotypic antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for use in a die feeder used in automated assembly machines and includes, among other aspects and features, a novel nest for holding a die against a vacuum port and releasing same without an independently controlled vacuum source. The invention also includes a novel elevator mechanism, employed to lift the nest to a pick location and means for positioning and aligning the nest for precision travel and pick location placement.

Abstract: A storage case for small format memory cards is taught which utilizes those sections of known and existing computer furniture specifically designed to receive compact disc jewel cases to thereby allow for more reliable storage of small format memory cards. The storage case includes a compact disc jewel case without a disc retaining mechanism therein. A foam insert resides within the compact disc jewel case and has at least one precut cut-out section therein which is removable to provide at least one space in the foam insert to receive a small format memory card. The jewel case is preferably formed from a clear plastic material and there is preferably an insert sheet adapted to be retained proximate to a front wall of the jewel case.

Abstract: A pricing device, method and system that serve as electronic coupons which replace paper coupons which are widely used in advertising discounts on packaged goods. The device includes a Universal Product Code scanner that scans the bar codes of products on a vendor's shelves, a display means which communicate to the user the bar codes of the selected products and related product information. The device also enables wireless connectivity with a database, preferably housed in the vendor's establishment. The database includes customer data files, shopping history profiles, and a control means which computes and communicates to the user discounts offered by the manufacturer, and computes a personal price to that user for a given product. In one embodiment, the device also includes function keys that enable the device to be activated and cleared, and for product indicia to be selected or recalled.

Abstract: A pseudo language system and method are disclosed that permit an operator to meaningfully test multibyte character data in an application such as a software application. The operator can enter single byte characters through an input device. The pseudo language keyboard utility then transcribes the single byte characters into multibyte characters of a pseudo language. The pseudo language characters are entered into the application under test and may be displayed and/or printed. The multibyte pseudo language characters are preferably constructed to appear visually recognizable to the native language of the operator. In this manner, the operator can determine whether the testing has been successful or not as is especially desirable for initial application testing.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for automatically storing and replenishing expandable wafers used in component feeders used in automated printed circuit board assembly systems, for example the Hover-Davis Direct Die Feeder (DDF). In the mass production of printed circuit boards automated pick-and-place equipment accepts die from “chip feeders” and then mounts them at a predetermined location on the circuit board. The present invention includes a wafer or tape reel storage bay and a gripping assembly that is moved by a gantry robot to retrieve a wafer or reel from the storage bay and automatically deposit it into a component feeder.

Abstract: The use of a calcium intracellular store inactivator for inhibiting cell growth is disclosed; for example, thapsigargin or a derivative may be used to inhibit intraocular lens cell growth. Formulations include an emulsion of the compound for coating an IOL, either ex vivo or in vivo.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing an aluminium-based matrix melt, having boride particles dispersed therein, which is castable, and yet when cast produces a product having a surprisingly good combination of mechanical properties such as stiffness, strength, and elongation at failure. In the process, precursors for boride particles are reacted within an aluminium-based melt to produce boride ceramic particles such as titanium diboride, the process being carried out under conditions such that the melt remains fluid.

Abstract: A direct die feeder picks known good die from a wafer and places them on a conveyor belt, which conveys the die to a pickup location. Frame (111) supports a wafer (105) which is a wafer that is sawed while adhered onto a flexible film, which is then stretched and mounted in a ring (110). A fork member (125), on which a pick head (150) is mounted slides along a horizontal axis and frame (111) slides along a vertical axis to allow the pick head (150) to access any die from the wafer. A camera (160) is directed downward at a 45° mirror (162) adjacent to the pick head to capture images of the wafer and determine the precise locations of die and qualify them. The pick head (150) can pick die from the wafer and place them directly on the conveyor belt (170) in the conventional orientation, or pass the die to a flip head (140) which then shifts to the left and lowers the die down past the pick head, placing the die on the conveyor belt in the flipped orientation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a titanium carbide metal matrix alloy, by firing a particulate reaction mixture comprising carbon, titanium and matrix material, under conditions such that the titanium and carbon react exothermically to form a dispersion of fine particles comprising titanium carbide (preferably less than 10 microns) in a predominantly metal matrix. The titanium and matrix are preferably added as a titanium alloy such as ferrotitanium, e.g. eutectic ferrotitanium. The reaction conditions are preferably selected so that during the reaction a molten zone moves through the body of the reaction mixture; the resulting hard particles are of globular form; and their average size is uniform throughout the resulting dispersion.