Abstract: The invention provides for bioengineered or tissue engineered heart valves that are more efficiently recellularized and/or have a decreased inflammatory potential. The heart valves are generally decellularized and then recellularized using autologous cells wherein the valves are subjected to pulsatile motion during the recellularization process. Tissue engineered heart valves subjected to the pulsatile motion are characterized by having at least 20% of the cells that remain on or in said previously decellularized tissue two weeks after the recellularization process are located below or interior to the basement membrane of said tissue. A method of making bioengineered tissues having these characteristic is also disclosed. Further provided is a bio-assay and related method for determining the inflammatory potential of a tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a topical composition comprising (i) an amount of an AP-1 signaling inhibitor sufficient to reduce, delay or prevent apoptosis and/or necrosis induced by dermal wounding and/or to induce and/or enhance proliferation of a cell; and (ii) a suitable carrier or excipient e.g., a topical carrier or excipient or other carrier or excipient for dermal application. For example, the AP-1 signaling inhibitor is a peptide analog comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 104. The present invention also provides a method of treating a dermal wound comprising topically administering said topical composition to a subject suffering from a dermal wound.

Abstract: A tissue retaining system having a pair of tissue retainers for retaining two end portions of tubular tissue, such as a heart valve, to a bioreactor is disclosed. Each tissue retainer includes a stepped portion that permits custom fitting of the tissue retainer to a particular size of tubular tissue. The tissue retainer further includes a tubular portion in communication with the stepped portion that provides a means for engaging the tissue retainer to the bioreactor through a tubular connector. The stepped portion of each tissue retainer defines a plurality of progressively larger concentric steps in which one of the concentric steps matches the size of a particular tubular tissue being engaged. The tubular tissue is then anchored to the tissue retainer by suture pull downs that anchor the tubular tissue to one of the concentric steps of the tissue retainer in a fluid tight engagement.

Abstract: The present invention provides for solutions and methods of preparing a decellularized tissue for recellularization. The solutions provide collagen conditioning to restore collagen triple helix structure, strengthening of the collagen structure of the tissue, and biologically preparing the decellularized tissue by placing it in an environment that promotes recellularization. Methods and solutions for recellularization of a decellularized tissue, in accordance with the present invention, are also provided.

Abstract: A method for improving rectifier column performance including positioning a temperature controller on the rectifier column feed tray, wherein said temperature controller is outside the fusel draw region, and controlling distillate composition or temperature, wherein said control is cascaded to the rectifier column flow control is provided.

Abstract: A method for preventing ethanol buildup in a column including providing a column with a bottom temperature and a next temperature above the bottom; providing a first advisory, wherein said first advisory comprises a temperature difference between said bottom temperature and said next temperature above the bottom that exceeds a first predetermined value, wherein a first action is taken should this first advisory occur; providing a second advisory, wherein said second advisory comprises a temperature depression of said bottom temperature of a second predetermined value, wherein a second action is taken should this second advisory occur, and providing a third advisory, wherein said third advisory comprises a temperature depression of said bottom temperature of a third predetermined value, wherein a third action is taken should this third advisory occur is provided.

Abstract: A method for on-line cleaning of a heat exchanger in an ethanol plant, including providing heat exchanger, wherein said heat exchanger has an inlet, and an internal surface, wherein said internal surface has accumulated undesired solids; providing an antifoaming agent to said inlet, during normal operation; providing a caustic to said inlet, during normal operation, and cleaning the internal surface of said accumulated undesired solids, during normal operation is provided.

Abstract: A method for cleaning exchangers including providing a heat exchanger with a liquid contact side and a vapor contact side, providing acid to clean the liquid contact side, and providing caustic to clean the vapor contact side is provided. In the method, the exchanger may be a beer preheater. In the method, the acid may be sulfamic acid. In the method, the liquid contact side may be the beer side. In the method, the exchanger may be a plate-in-frame heat exchanger or a a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. In the method, the acid may be provided from a central storage tank. In the method, there may be a recirculation pump. In the method, the acid may be provided from a local storage tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for producing nucleic acid fragment libraries that express highly diverse peptides or protein domains and, in particular, methods for producing nucleic acid fragment libraries wherein the nucleic acid fragments of the libraries are derived from two or more diverse characterized genomes.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved N-hybrid assays. In particular, the present invention provides an improved reverse N-hybrid assay comprising modulating the amount of a substrate of a reporter gene and/or the amount of a reporter gene thereby enhancing cell death in the absence of a peptide inhibitor of a DNA-protein or protein-protein interaction and/or enhancing cell survival in the presence of a peptide inhibitor of a DNA-protein or protein-protein interaction. Furthermore, the present invention provides an improved forward N-hybrid assay comprising modulating the amount of a reporter gene thereby enhancing cell death in the absence of a heterologous peptide or protein capable of binding to the DNA or protein in a cell and enhancing cell survival in the presence of a heterologous peptide or protein capable of binding to the DNA or protein in a cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data exploration in a data processing system. An apparatus according to an embodiment includes: an analyzing component for analyzing a data model to identify a first and a second data entity and a relationship between the first and the second data entity; a generator component for creating a first and second atom data entity associated with the first and the second data entity; a generator component for creating a link data entity associated with the relationship between the first and second data entity; and an assignor component for assigning a behavior to one of the atom data entities or the link data entity, wherein the atom data entity exhibits a behavior associated with the link data entity and wherein the link data entity exhibits a behavior associated with one of the atom data entities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plurality of interchangeable modules each of which is adapted to interface with at least one image receptor having predetermined physical interface parameters, including means for receiving image data from the at least one image receptor, processing means for converting the received image data into a converted, common format, and bus means for adapting to and communicating with a mother board. The interchangeable modules can be embodied in a plurality of daughter boards that are adapted for electrical connection to a mother board. Each daughter board can include the physical interface corresponding with the image receptor for which it has been programmed to receive data, with the physical interface being adapted for extending outwardly from a cabinet enclosing the daughter board and the mother board.

Abstract: The present invention provides interchangeable modules each of which is adapted to interface with at least one image receptor having predetermined physical interface parameters, including means for receiving image data from the at least one image receptor, processing means for converting the received image data into a converted, common format, and bus means for adapting to and communicating with a mother board. The interchangeable modules can be embodied in a plurality of daughter boards that are adapted for electrical connection to a mother board. Each daughter board can include the physical interface corresponding with the image receptor for which it has been programmed to receive data, with the physical interface being adapted for extending outwardly from a cabinet enclosing the daughter board and mother board.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved reverse hybrid assay methods for identifying amino acid residues within a protein that are required for its interaction or physical association with another protein, wherein disruption of an interaction between a protein of interest and its binding partner protein is assayed for a library of mutations of said protein of interest, and maintenance of an interaction between the protein of interest and another binding partner is assayed simultaneously in a single step, thereby reducing the incidence of uninformative mutations in the protein of interest that are detected.

Abstract: A pressure pickup probe assembly includes a probe housing, a plurality of openings, and a pickup probe. The probe housing is configured to be mounted within, and extend at least substantially across, a flow passage. The probe housing further includes at least an inner surface and an outer surface. The probe housing inner surface defines at least a plenum therein. The plurality of openings is formed in the probe housing, and each opening extends between the probe housing inner and outer surfaces and is in fluid communication with the probe housing plenum. The pickup probe is disposed at least partially within the probe housing, and has at least a first end, a second end, and a bore extending between the first and second ends and that is in fluid communication with the probe housing plenum.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for producing nucleic acid fragment libraries that express highly diverse peptides or protein domains and, in particular, methods for producing nucleic acid fragment libraries wherein the nucleic acid fragments of the libraries are derived from two or more diverse characterized genomes.

Abstract: An apparatus is operable for writing data to a mirrored storage component, the mirrored storage component being configured to position a data item in a minimum seek time region of a first medium and to position a mirror copy of said data item in a non-minimum seek time region of a second medium. The apparatus includes a data receiving component to receive the data item to be written; a data storing component to store the data item; a first write component to cause writing of the data item to the minimum seek time region of the first medium; and a second write component to cause deferred reading of the data item from the data storing component and deferred writing of the mirror copy to the non-minimum seek time region of the second medium.

Abstract: Methods for producing nucleic acid fragment libraries that express highly diverse peptide domains, wherein the nucleic acid fragments are derived form microorganisms or eukaryotes with compact genomes. Also peptides derived form the libraries wherein the peptides are selected on the basis of their abilities to bind selected target proteins, including c-jun and antibodies raised against dust mite allergens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating a software application into an information technology (IT) infrastructure. An inventory is created using a Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) approach from the Object Management Group (OMG). The inventory includes information about: each component of the IT infrastructure, the software application, how each component communicates with each other component, and how the software application communicates with each component. Each element of information in the inventory has a single source and owner. The inventory is used to analyze the IT infrastructure and the software application during integrating the software application. From contents of the inventory, using the MDA approach from the OMG, artifacts that execute the integration are generated, and test programs are generated to verify that the integration is complete and correct.

Abstract: The invention provides a replacement heart valve which contains an acellular matrix as a structural scaffold. The scaffold is seeded with isolated myofibroblasts and/or endothelial cells prior to implantation into a recipient mammal.