Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating a disease in an animal, which disease is responsive to inhibiting of functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) polypeptide by administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound defined herein (including those compounds set forth in Tables 1-3 or encompassed by formulas (I), (IA), (IB), (II), and (III)) or compositions thereof, thereby treating the disease. The present invention particularly, relates to a method of treating diarrhea and polycystic kidney disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to microRNA profiling in disease. More specifically, the invention provides for methods and compositions of microRNA to inhibit the growth and formation of tumors.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for carrying out a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction, said vessel having a coating of parylene or a derivative thereof, on at least the surface which contacts reactants.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to microRNAs (miRNAs). More specifically, the invention relates to expression vectors comprising multiple miRNA families and clusters capable of targeting multiple oncogenic pathways.

Abstract: A fluid-elastomeric damper assembly operable for damping relative motion between a first structure and a second structure including a housing structure grounded to the first structure and a plurality of elastomer seals coupled to the housing structure, the housing structure and the plurality of elastomer seals defining a fluid-elastomeric chamber operable for containing a fluid. The fluid-elastomeric damper assembly also including one or more piston structures disposed within the housing structure and the fluid-elastomeric chamber, the one or more piston structures grounded to the first structure and driven by the second structure, and the one or more piston structures each including a first substantially fluid-filled chamber and a second substantially-fluid-filled chamber in communication via an orifice, the first substantially fluid-filled chamber and the second substantially fluid-filled chamber also in communication with the fluid-elastomeric chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is related to methods of treating bacterial infections in mammals using antipathogenic benzamide compounds having the formula wherein at least one of the R1 groups is F, Cl, CN or CF3 and R2, R3, Y, Z, m, and n are as defined herein.

Abstract: The path selection and wavelength assignment to a selected path are performed by mapping the wavelength reach to the demand distribution (agile reach) resulting in a 50-60% increase in the network reach. The network reach is further increased (about 2.2 times) when on-line measured performance data are used for path selection and wavelength assignment. The connections may be engineered/upgraded individually, by optimizing the parameters of the entire path or of a regenerator section of the respective path. The upgrades include changing the wavelength, adjusting the parameters of the regenerator section, controlling the launch powers, mapping a certain transmitter and/or receiver to the respective wavelength, selecting the wavelengths on a certain link so as to reduce cross-talk, increasing wavelength spacing, etc.

Abstract: A tonneau system for a vehicle bed includes a rail disposed on a top portion of the vehicle bed. A tonneau cover extends over the vehicle bed and includes an elongate retention clip is adjacent the rail and is connected thereto by an interference fit. The elongate retention clip includes a removal tab. A connection clip is slidable along the linear extent of the rail. An elongate band is slidably received in the tonneau cover and in a band aperture of the connection clip.

Abstract: A fluid-elastomeric damper assembly operable for damping relative motion between a first structure and a second structure including a housing structure grounded to the first structure and a plurality of elastomer seals coupled to the housing structure, the housing structure and the plurality of elastomer seals defining a fluid-elastomeric chamber operable for containing a fluid. The fluid-elastomeric damper assembly also including one or more piston structures disposed within the housing structure and the fluid-elastomeric chamber, the one or more piston structures grounded to the first structure and driven by the second structure, and the one or more piston structures each including a first substantially fluid-filled chamber and a second substantially-fluid-filled chamber in communication via an orifice, the first substantially fluid-filled chamber and the second substantially fluid-filled chamber also in communication with the fluid-elastomeric chamber.

Abstract: The path selection and wavelength assignment to a selected path are performed by mapping the wavelength reach to the demand distribution (agile reach) resulting in a 50-60% increase in the network reach. The network reach is further increased (about 2.2 times) when on-line measured performance data are used for path selection and wavelength assignment. The connections may be engineered/upgraded individually, by optimizing the parameters of the entire path or of a regenerator section of the respective path. The upgrades include changing the wavelength, adjusting the parameters of the regenerator section, controlling the launch powers, mapping a certain transmitter and/or receiver to the respective wavelength, selecting the wavelengths on a certain link so as to reduce cross-talk, increasing wavelength spacing, etc.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for conducting a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction wherein electrically conducting polymer is arranged to act as a heating element. The profile of the electrically conductive polymer differs in different regions of the vessel so as to control thermal gradients. The profile of the electrically conductive polymer may be arranged to either increase or reduce the thermal gradient. Reaction systems comprising combinations of vessels of the invention and apparatus for heating them, as well as particular reactions vessels are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A power inverter is provided for converting DC power into AC power. The inverter may be operable to couple to two or more transformer modules each operable to convert at least a portion of the DC power to at least a portion of the AC power. In one embodiment, two or more transformer modules are removably coupled to the inverter. In an alternative embodiment, the inverter is capable of electrically coupling to an externally-housed transformer module. In an alternative embodiment, the inverter may include two or more transformer modules hard-wired into the device. The inverter may include an AC safety plug for releasably connecting to an AC power network and outputting AC power. The inverter may include one or more sensors configured to detect one or more properties of the AC power network for the purposes of determining whether a connection to the power network should be established.

Abstract: There is disclosed 103 novel methylation-altered DNA sequences (“marker sequences”) that have distinct methylation patterns in cancer, compared to normal tissue. In many instances, these marker sequences represent novel sequences not found in the GenBank data base, and none of these marker sequences have previously been characterized with respect to their methylation pattern in human cancers including, but not limited to those of bladder and prostate. These 103 sequences have utility as diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic markers in the treatment of human cancer, and as reagents in kits for detecting methylated CpG-containing nucleic acids.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for conducting a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction wherein at least one wall of said vessel comprises a metallic layer and an inner non-metallic layer. Reaction systems comprising combinations of vessels of the invention and apparatus for heating them, as well as particular reactions vessels are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical element for guiding and forming a laser beam, and to a method for recording beam parameters, particularly in a laser system, comprising a carrier substrate (40) and a coating (39), which is applied to at least one side of the carrier substrate (40), and comprising at least one temperature sensor (38). The temperature sensor (38) is comprised of a number of pixels arranged in a matrix, and each respective pixel has at least one temperature-sensitive element (39). The at least one temperature-sensitive element (39) of the pixel is constructed inside the carrier substrate (40) made of silicon.

Abstract: A flow measurement device 100 is provided that includes an electrode terminal chamber 102 with an inlet 104 in communication with a flow channel 108 for receiving fluid and viscoelastic material aspirated from a surgical site, and an outlet 106 that tapers into a flow channel 108. The outlet 108 has a taper angle that is sufficient to smooth flow and cause viscoelastic material entering the electrode terminal chamber 102 to flow substantially within a center portion of the chamber and through the outlet 106. The electrode terminal chamber 102 further includes first and second electrode terminals 130 and 140 disposed on generally opposite sides of the electrode terminal chamber 102 in a spaced-apart manner. The first and second electrode terminals 130 and 140 are positioned a distance from the center of the chamber 102 that is sufficient to substantially avoid contact between the terminals and viscoelastic materials flowing through the chamber 102.

Abstract: A movable platform has a front end, a back end, a longitudinal axis, and at least one axle oriented generally transverse to the longitudinal axis and located between the front and back ends for supporting wheels of the platform. A position sensor is affixed on the platform at a location other than at a location defined by a plane passing through the axle and normal to the longitudinal axis. The position sensor provides position data as the platform traverses a path. A sensor arrangement is supported by the platform and configured to provide subsurface sensor data as the platform traverses the path. A processor is configured to associate the position data with the sensor data relative to a reference frame and in a manner that accounts for dynamic motion of the platform.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the recovery of radiolabelled isotopes from organic substances labelled or contaminated with one or more radiolabelled isotopes, which process comprises: i) adding organic substances labelled or contaminated with a radiolabelled isotope to an acidic aqueous electrolyte containing silver ions as an electrochemically regenerable primary oxidising species; ii) subjecting the acidic aqueous electrolyte to an electric potential; and iii) recovering the radiolabelled isotope from the products of the electrochemical process resulting from the application of the electric potential; wherein the process is carried out at a slight pressure depression.

Abstract: A payment card processing system and method is provided that allows an account holder to upgrade a private label card to a dual card. The dual card may be used for both private label transactions and bankcard transactions. Methods for upgrading to the dual card account include selecting a private label account having associated monetary and non-monetary data and maintained on a first processing platform for upgrade to a dual card account, creating the dual card account on a second processing platform, transferring the non-monetary data associated with the private label account from the first processing platform to the second processing platform for association with the dual card account, and initiating a trailing activity process to identify monetary and non-monetary activity associated with the private label account and update a cross reference table to associate the trailing activity with the dual card account.

Abstract: The path selection and wavelength assignment to a selected path are performed by mapping the wavelength reach to the demand distribution (agile reach) resulting in a 50-60% increase in the network reach. The network reach is further increased (about 2.2 times) when on-line measured performance data are used for path selection and wavelength assignment. The connections may be engineered/upgraded individually, by optimizing the parameters of the entire path or of a regenerator section of the respective path. The upgrades include changing the wavelength, adjusting the parameters of the regenerator section, controlling the launch powers, mapping a certain transmitter and/or receiver to the respective wavelength, selecting the wavelengths on a certain link so as to reduce cross-talk, increasing wavelength spacing, etc.