Abstract: The invention relates to polypeptides that comprise a portion of filamentous bacteriophage gene 3 protein (g3p) sufficient to bind to and/or disaggregate amyloid, e.g., the N1-N2 portion of g3p and mutants and fragments thereof wherein that g3p amino acid sequence has been modified through amino acid substitution to be substantially less immunogenic than the corresponding wild-type g3p amino acid sequence when used in vivo. The polypeptides of the invention retain their ability bind to and/or disaggregate amyloid. The invention relates furthermore to the use of these variant g3p-polypeptides in the treatment and/or prevention of diseases associated with misfolding or aggregation of amyloid.

Abstract: The invention relates to agents and to pharmaceutical compositions for reducing the formation of amyloid and/or for promoting the disaggregation of amyloid proteins. The compositions may also be used to detect amyloid.

Abstract: The invention relates to agents and to pharmaceutical compositions for reducing the formation of amyloid and/or for promoting the disaggregation of amyloid proteins. The compositions may also be used to detect amyloid.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for providing real-time or pseudo real-time processing of transactions for a set of clients using a common or partially common rule base. Each client is assigned to a tier or category with the tier or category defined by specified performance criteria. In some embodiments, the specified performance criteria includes a false positive ratio (FPR). A rule for processing transactions is defined as a combination of an interval of a scoring range of a first risk assessment scoring system and an interval of a scoring range of a second risk assessment scoring system. A proposed rule is tested by determining if its performance falls within a defined range of the performance criteria when applied to data for previous transactions. If application of the rule satisfies the performance criteria, then the rule is accepted as part of the rule base for that tier or category of clients.

Abstract: A protective garment is provided and includes a jacket having various releasably mounted protective components. The jacket includes a protective collar of ballistic resistant fabric for protecting the neck of a wearer and has front and rear portions which are releasably connected together at opposed side portions of the collar so that the front and rear portions can fold down when not in use. A protective plate is releasably fastened to the front of the jacket and the fastening mechanism allows the plate to be held in a number of different vertical positions. The jacket also includes a rear pocket for housing a rear protective plate. The sleeves of the jacket include a sleeve extension which is slideably mounted to the main sleeve to vary its effective length.

Abstract: Coupling systems for use with pool and other covers for attaching one or more cords to deploy the cover over the pool or other structure with which it is used to translate a cover.

Abstract: An actuator is disclosed that utilizes a fixed screw attached at one end to an actuator housing. A rotatable tube concentric with the fixed screw rotationally drives a nut having threads engaging the threaded shaft, such that the nut moves axially relative to the tube, upon rotation of the tube. The actuator is axially coupled to the nut by thrust bearings such that the actuator rod does not rotate with the driven member.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for providing real-time or pseudo real-time processing of transactions for a set of clients using a common or partially common rule base. Each client is assigned to a tier or category with the tier or category defined by specified performance criteria. In some embodiments, the specified performance criteria includes a false positive ratio (FPR). A rule for processing transactions is defined as a combination of an interval of a scoring range of a first risk assessment scoring system and an interval of a scoring range of a second risk assessment scoring system. A proposed rule is tested by determining if its performance falls within a defined range of the performance criteria when applied to data for previous transactions. If application of the rule satisfies the performance criteria, then the rule is accepted as part of the rule base for that tier or category of clients.

Abstract: An actuator is disclosed that utilizes a fixed screw attached at one end to an actuator housing. A rotatable tube concentric with the fixed screw rotationally drives a nut having threads engaging the threaded shaft, such that the nut moves axially relative to the tube, upon rotation of the tube. The actuator is axially coupled to the nut by thrust bearings such that the actuator rod does not rotate with the driven member.

Abstract: A measuring tape end piece (10) is disclosed having a support portion (28) and a grip portion (32). The grip portion is moulded onto the support portion. The support portion provides a keying interface on which the support portion is moulded. The keying interface includes at least one concave formation such as a hole or channel to allow the grip portion to be firmly secured to the support portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a pharmaceutical formulation containing ivermectin and a method and composition that can contain ivermectin plus hexahydropyrazinoisoquinolines, tetrahydropyrimidines and benzimidazoles or febantel. Examples of hexahydropyrazinoisoquinolines, tetrahydropyrimidines and benzimidazoles include praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate and fenbendazole, respectively. A pharmaceutical formulation is provided for use in the treatment of helminthiasis of mammals, and particularly tapeworm, hookworm, roundworm, whipworm and heartworm of domestic animals and farm animals. The present invention also provides a method of treating helminthiasis in mammals, which method comprises administering to the mammal in need thereof an anthelmintically effective amount of a pharmaceutical formulation of the invention.

Abstract: A protective garment is provided and includes a jacket having various releasably mounted protective components. The jacket includes a protective collar of ballistic resistant fabric for protecting the neck of a wearer and has front and rear portions which are releasably connected together at opposed side portions of the collar so that the front and rear portions can fold down when not in use. A protective plate is releasably fastened to the front of the jacket and the fastening mechanism allows the plate to be held in a number of different vertical positions. The jacket also includes a rear pocket for housing a rear protective plate. The sleeves of the jacket include a sleeve extension which is slideably mounted to the main sleeve to vary its effective length.

Abstract: A topical formulation having significant parasiticidal activity effective against endoparasites and/or ectoparasites such as heartworms, mites, fleas, ticks, flies is provided, which can be safe to use and avoids the many common deleterious side effects of conventional topical formulations. The topical formulations comprise a combination of a macrocyclic lactone, a neo-nicotinoid and optionally, an insect growth regulator. The topical formulation can be packaged together or packaged so that the macrocyclic lactone and the neo-nicotinoid are stored separately prior to administering the topical insecticide formulation to the animal.

Abstract: A topical insecticide is provided which can be safe to use and avoids many common deleterious side effects of conventional topical insecticides. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the active ingredient of the insecticide formulation is an amine derivative, having a nitro-methylene group, a nitroamino group or a cyanoamino group, which can be formulated to have low toxicity and excellent insecticidal activity. One particularly suitable insecticide is 1-{(tetrahydro-3-furanyl)methyl}-2-nitro-3-methylguanidine (dinotefuran), an aldulticide that will kill adult fleas dissolved in ethyl lactate.

Abstract: A topical insecticide preparation is provided which can be safe to use and avoids many common deleterious side effects of conventional topical insecticides. The topical insecticide contains a combination of a first pyrethroid insecticide effective for killing fleas, a second pyrethroid insecticide effective for killing ticks, and an insect growth regulator (IGR). The topical insecticide preparation can be packaged together or packaged so that the first and second pyrethroid insecticides are stored separately prior to administration of the insecticide preparation to the animal. The combination of the first and second pyrethroid insecticides with an insect growth regulator results in an insecticide preparation formulated to have enhanced insecticidal activity against fleas and ticks compared to the effectiveness of the first and second insecticides used alone.

Abstract: A topical insecticide is provided which can be safe to use and avoids many common deleterious side effects of conventional topical insecticides. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the active ingredient of the insecticide formulation is an amine derivative, having a nitro-methylene group, a nitroamino group or a cyanoamino group, which can be formulated to have low toxicity and excellent insecticidal activity. One particularly suitable insecticide is 1-{(tetrahydro-3-furanyl)methyl}-2-nitro-3-methylguanidine (dinotefuran), an aldulticide that will kill adult fleas dissolved in ethyl lactate.

Abstract: This invention relates to electro-optical displays intended to alert emergency response personnel to the location of the emergency. A conventional electrical switch, as would normally be utilized for the on/off switching of electrical lighting or electrical outlets, is modified such that it activates a strong, luminescent signal when engaged in a signaling mode. By this signal, emergency personnel responding to a fire or medical emergency or criminal activity can readily and quickly identify the proper residence or place of business that is in need of assistance.

Abstract: A first preferred embodiment includes a flow cytometer with a fluidic system to draw a sample fluid into an interrogation zone, a light source to emit light toward the sample fluid in the interrogation zone, an optic system to collect and detect at least one of a scattered light and a fluorescent light from the interrogation zone, and a processor. The flow cytometer, if properly boxed and labeled, complies with the parcel post requirements of the United States Postal Service. A second preferred embodiment includes the method of supplying a flow cytometer by shipping the flow cytometer via the United States Postal Service. A third preferred embodiment includes the method of servicing a flow cytometer by receiving the flow cytometer from a user via the United States Postal Service and servicing the flow cytometer.

Abstract: An optical system for guiding light from an interrogation zone to a detector system. The optical system includes an optical device, a first waveguide, and a second waveguide. The optical device is preferably adapted to collect and partition light into a first channel and a second channel of substantially similar light from a substantially singular orientation of the interrogation zone. The first waveguide is preferably adapted to guide the first channel from the optical device to a detector system without substantial interruption. Likewise, the second waveguide is preferably adapted to guide the second channel from the optical device to a detector system without substantial interruption. Preferably, the light of the first channel can be filtered without affecting the light of the second channel, and the light of the second channel can be filtered without affecting the light of the first channel.