Abstract: Apparatus and methods for approving financing for the sale of real estate. The apparatus and methods may involve receiving from a seller, or a seller's agent, information regarding the property so that a financial institution can determine a loan amount before the seller is engaged by a buyer. The financial institution may order from vendors documentation and certification desired or required for closing. The financial institution may issue a seal certifying that the financial institution has pre-approved a loan in a stated amount. The amount may be subject to change based on the qualifications of a buyer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slide control for an audio mixer, whereby a slide can be displaced along a defined path in a slit-shaped opening in a front plate. The aim of the invention is to create one such slide control that clearly indicates the function it is carrying out or the parameters it can influence by its position. To this end, an illuminable element is provided, said element extending along the opening.

Abstract: Recombinant soluble Fc receptors according to the present invention are characterized by the absence of transmembrane domains, signal peptides and glycosylation. Such Fc receptors can easily be obtained by expressing respective nucleic acids in prokaryotic host cells and renaturation of the obtained inclusion bodies, which procedure leads to a very homogenous and pure product. The products can be used for diagnostic as well as pharmaceutical applications and also for the generation of crystal structure data. Such crystal structure data can be used for the modelling of artificial molecules. A further embodiment comprises coupling the Fc receptors according to the invention to solid materials like chromatography materials that can be used to separate and/or enrich antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying fungicides and also inhibitors of the 20S and 26S proteasomes, to methods for isolating 20S proteasomes, to the use of 20S proteasomes for identifying fungicides and to the use of the inhibitors of 26S and/or 20S proteasomes as fungicides.

Abstract: A control system for improving and stabilizing Fourier domain mode locking (FDML) operation. The control system may also provide regulation of FDML operational parameters such as filter tuning, laser gain, polarization, polarization chromaticity, elliptical polarization retardance, and/or dispersion. The control system may be located internal to or external from the FDML laser cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crystal suitable for X-ray diffraction, comprising a complex of insulin-like growth factor I or II (IGF) and a polypeptide consisting of the amino acids 40-92 of IGFBP-5 or a fragment thereof consisting at least of the 9th to 12th cysteine of IGFBP-5 methods for the determination of the atomic coordinates of such a crystal; IGFBP mutants with enhanced binding affinity for IGF-I and/or IGF-II, and methods to identify and optimize small molecules which displace IGFs from their binding proteins.

Abstract: Recombinant soluble Fc receptors according to the present invention are characterized by the absence of transmembrane domains, signal peptides and glycosylation. Such Fc receptors can easily be obtained by expressing respective nucleic acids in prokaryotic host cells and renaturation of the obtained inclusion bodies, which procedure leads to a very homogenous and pure product. The products can be used for diagnostic as well as pharmaceutical applications and also for the generation of crystal structure data. Such crystal structure data can be used for the modelling of artificial molecules. A further embodiment comprises coupling the Fc receptors according to the invention to solid materials like chromatography materials that can be used to separate and/or enrich antibodies.

Abstract: A controller or adjustment device may adjust a value of a parameter for different functions. The adjustment device may include actuators, which may be associated with one or more functions. A light source in proximity to the adjustment device may identify the function of the device. Mixers and filters may automatically modify the hue and/or value of the color based on the selected function. A different color light may be used to identify different functions of the adjustment device.

Abstract: Version management for manufacturing system software involves a two-part data structure, having two identifiers that are separately and automatically modified, depending upon the changes or modifications that are made, respectively, to top-level and lower-level subsets of manufacturing system programs. According to various other aspects of the present invention, methods for managing revisions involve automatically assigning a version designator under preselected conditions, automatically notifying personnel having a need to know of the change, and managing revisions by way of a revision compare function.

Abstract: The present invention concerns pharmaceutical compositions containing one of the receptors Fc?R IIa, Fc?R IIb or Fc?R III in a recombinantly produced, soluble form and their use to treat diseases or conditions which are caused by overshooting immune reactions and a pathologically increased formation of antibodies, in particular of autoantibodies. Multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis are particularly important fields of application.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a Coriolis mass flowmeter with an oscillatable straight measuring tube consisting of a corrosion-resistant metal, in particular of titanium or a titanium alloy, to which are attached mounted parts connected directly to the measuring tube for the implementation of the Coriolis measurement principle. Furthermore, stabilizing elements running parallel to the measuring tube are coupled to the measuring tube via mounted parts connected directly to the measuring tube, the mounted parts and the stabilizing elements consisting of a metal other than that of the measuring tube. The stabilizing elements are manufactured from a second material which possesses a coefficient of thermal expansion adapted to the metal of the measuring tube. The mounted parts connected directly to the measuring tube are manufactured from a third material which possesses a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the metal of the measuring tube.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is an indicator of presence of AC voltage in medium or high voltage conductors and/or conducting elements of transmission and distribution systems, whose basic AC voltage detecting and indicating element is a liquid crystal display (1). The indicator according to the invention is characterized in that its housing (8) has the shape of a frame closed by a transparent plate (9) on the front and by a conducting element (10) on the back. At least one row of circumferential ribs (11) is positioned around the frame window. The liquid crystal display (1) is placed hermetically between the transparent plate (9) of the frame window and the conducting element (10) and it has electrodes in the form of conducting segments.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention relates to a frequency varying wave generator. The generator includes a gain element adapted to amplify a wave having a wavelength; a time varying tunable wavelength selective filter element in communication with the gain element, the tunable filter element adapted to selectively filter waves during a period T; and a feedback element in communication with the tunable filter element and the gain element, wherein the tunable wavelength selective filter element, the gain element and the feedback element define a circuit such that the roundtrip time for the wave to propagate through the circuit is substantially equal to a non-zero integer multiple of the period T.

Abstract: A device for fastening an attachment to a measuring tube of a Coriolis mass flowmeter, comprising a clamping part, which can be pushed onto the measuring tube and can be pressed against the measuring tube by clamping means, the clamping part being formed in the manner of a slotted conical hollow screw, which interacts with a corresponding cone nut as a clamping means in such a way that, when the cone nut is screwed onto the clamping part, the inwardly directed radial force created as a result presses the clamping part against the measuring tube.

Abstract: A polymer film, comprising from 1 to 20% by weight of a thermoplastic elastomer based on styrene (S-TPE) from 80 to 99% by weight of a polyolefin.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a connection between a measuring tube and at least one flange, e.g., in the case of a Coriolis mass flowmeter. In order to ensure reliable connection of the components in this case, the measuring tube can be inserted at one end over a portion through a flange bore, such that it projects out of the bore on the other side, and that the projecting end be flared out over the sealing face of the flange.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel immunogens carrying conformationally discriminating epitopes (CDEs) and to immunization methods for producing antibodies that specifically recognize proteins with very closely related homologues. In particular, the invention relates to antibodies which are specific for either Fc?RIIb or Fc?IIa.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slide control for an audio mixer, whereby a slide can be displaced along a defined path in a slit-shaped opening in a front plate. The aim of the invention is to create one such slide control that clearly indicates the function it is carrying out or the parameters it can influence by its position. To this end, an illuminable element is provided, said element extending along the opening.