Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel peptides that having immunomodulatory activities in vitro and in vivo. The peptides can include a particular striapathic region of alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic modules that can adopt an amphipathic conformation under physiological conditions. This disclosure provides peptides that can specifically bind to key functional regions on one or more signaling proteins, particularly pro-inflammatory cytokines, macrophage inhibition proteins, and histone regulation proteins. This disclosure includes peptides that are sufficiently stable in the circulation to allow for intravenous administration. Pharmaceutical compositions including the subject peptides are also provided. The subject peptides find use in methods of modulating macrophage activity. In some cases, the peptide is a CD206-binding agent. Also provided are methods of treating a subject for a condition associated with chronic inflammation using the peptides and compositions of this disclosure.

Abstract: A technique for identifying electronic billers of a consumer whose bills are available by electronic presentment is provided. A request to identify electronic billers of the consumer is received. This request includes information that identifies the consumer, but excludes any information identifying any biller, electronic or not, of the consumer. From this information that does not identify any biller of the consumer, one more candidate electronic billers of the consumer are identified. Then, a positive determination is made that at least one of these candidate electronic billers is definitely an electronic biller of the consumer. Thus, electronic billers of the consumer are identified without the consumer identifying any biller.

Abstract: A system and method for determining and displaying payment options in an electronic payment system is disclosed. A payee for a payor is identified. Prior to receiving a payment request to submit a payment to the payee on behalf of the payor, at least one funding method is identified from a list of potential funding methods. The at least one funding method is a funding method that is available to the payor for the payment to the payee, and the identification of the at least one funding method is based at least in part on at least one risk-based criteria. An interface screen is then generated for displaying at least one option to pay the payee, wherein the at least one option is associated with the at least one funding method.

Abstract: A technique for identifying electronic billers of a consumer whose bills are available by electronic presentment is provided. A request to identify electronic billers of the consumer is received. This request includes information that identifies the consumer, but excludes any information identifying any biller, electronic or not, of the consumer. From this information that does not identify any biller of the consumer, one more candidate electronic billers of the consumer are identified. Then, a positive determination is made that at least one of these candidate electronic billers is definitely an electronic biller of the consumer. Thus, electronic billers of the consumer are identified without the consumer identifying any biller.

Abstract: A technique for identifying a payees and billers to be paid by an electronic commerce service provider on behalf of a consumer is provided. An electronic commerce service provider receives information identifying a consumer. The consumer identifying information does not identify any payee or biller. The electronic commerce service provider identifies one or more candidate payees by accessing at least one of credit report information, geographic information, industry classification information, and socio-demographic information. The service provider then presents identified candidate payees to the consumer.

Abstract: A technique for identifying payees to be paid by an electronic commerce service provider on behalf of each of a plurality of consumers is provided. A first consumer transmits information identifying himself or herself. A second consumer also transmits information identifying himself or herself. The information identifying the first consumer and the information identifying the second consumer each lack any information identifying any payee. The first consumer receives information identifying a first potential payee from the electronic commerce service provider. The second consumer receives information identifying a second potential payee from the electronic commerce service provider. The second consumer does not receive information identifying the first potential payee. The first consumer has never before identified the first potential payee to the electronic commerce service provider, and the second consumer has never before identified the second potential payee to the electronic commerce service provider.

Abstract: Stable emulsions for use in the field of adhesives have been prepared using a non lignin, nonionic surfactant in phenol-aldehyde/wax emulsions. The adhesives have utility for binding wood particles into a unitary mass such as used in the strandboard, chipboard, particles board, plywood, laminated veneer lumber and high and medium density fiberboard industries and exhibit storage stability.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for treating fibrosis related diseases and disorders, particularly scleroderma by treating a patient in need with a pharmaceutically efficacious amount of a prostacyclin derivative. The most preferred prostacyclin derivatives are cicaprost and iloprost.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for treating fibrosis related diseases and disorders, particularly scleroderma by treating a patient in need with a pharmaceutically efficacious amount of a prostacyclin derivative. The most preferred prostacyclin derivatives are cicaprost and iloprost.

Abstract: A copper converting process starting with white metal or a mixture of white metal and metallic copper in which oxidizing gas contacts the molten copper mass either at or near the top surface of the molten mass while the mass is sparged with an inert gas from at or near the bottom of the mass and sparging is continued after contact with the oxidizing gas ceases.