Abstract: A variant of a polypeptide comprising a human IgG Fc region is described, which variant comprises an amino acid substitution at amino acid position 329, or at two or all of amino acid positions 329, 331 and 322 of the human IgG Fc region. Such variants display altered effector function. For example, Clq binding and/or complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) activity may be reduced or abolished in the variant polypeptide. The application also describes an immune complex and an assay for determining binding of an analyte, such as an Fc region-containing polypeptide, to a receptor.

Abstract: A tissue separator assembly includes a proximal end assembly, typically a handle, and a catheter assembly, including a shaft and a tissue separator movable between a retracted state and an outwardly extending, operational state. An energy source may be selectively coupled to the tissue separator element. The tissue separator element may be moved to the operational state and then automatically rotated to separate a tissue section from the surrounding tissue. A tissue holding element may be used to help secure a separated tissue section to the catheter assembly. A tubular braided element may be used to surround the tissue separator element and any separated tissue section.

Abstract: A variant of a polypeptide comprising a human IgG Fc region is described, which variant comprises an amino acid substitution at amino acid position 329, or at two or all of amino acid positions 329, 331 and 322 of the human IgG Fc region. Such variants display altered effector function. For example, C1q binding and/or complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) activity may be reduced or abolished in the variant polypeptide. The application also describes an immune complex and an assay for determining binding of an analyte, such as an Fc region-containing polypeptide, to a receptor.

Abstract: A method and related system dynamically determines the location of a network outage in a telecommunications network. A plurality of alarm generating network equipments are located at spaced sites along the network. Alarms are generated upon the detection of problems with a signal passing through continuous signal trunks connected between the alarm generating network equipments. The alarm data from the alarm generating network equipments is connected at a single point. Network topology data is stored in a database, defining the relative locations of the alarm generating network equipments in the network and their respectively connected trunks. The alarmed equipment ports are correlated with respective connected alarmed trunks from data obtained in the database as well as collected alarm data. The alarmed trunks are analyzed for identifying the corresponding minimum number of alarm generating network equipments that exist between the alarmed trunks thereby defining effected inter-equipment trunks.

Abstract: A fire resistive cabinet for storing easily damageable electronic data storage materials such as floppy discs to protect them against the deleterious effects of high temperature and high humidity. The cabinet includes an outer housing of fire resistive construction and an insulated inner container. A combined infrared barrier and vapor barrier is formed as a bag which contains the inner insulated container. An endothermic phase transformation material is carried in the double walls of a moisture proof bag and fits inside the polyurethane foam insulation of the inner container. An insulated removable cover closes an opening into the inner insulated container. The width and height of the container are identical so that the container can be inverted to provide either a right hand or a left hand swing for the insulated door of the fire resistive cabinet.