Abstract: The methods of the present invention allow the screening of a test composition for non-receptor-specific GPCR desensitization inhibitory activity. The methods involve screening a test composition for an indication of GPCR desensitization inhibitory activity against two or more GPCRs that are different from each other. When there is an indication that a particular test composition has GPCR desensitization inhibitory activity with respect to each of the two or more GPCRs that are different from one another, then, according to the present invention, there is an indication that the test composition has non-receptor-specific GPCR desensitization inhibitory activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to uses of kappa-conotoxin PVIIA (&kgr;-PVIIA), analogs and derivatives for activating ATP-sensitive K+ channels. The activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels is useful for opening KATP channels which can be used to treat a wide range of disease and injury states, including cerebral and cardiac ischemia and asthma.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) 1

Abstract: Preparation of a weld between a structural I-beam end and a beam-to-column attaching end component wherein no beam flange material is removed to participate in the creation of a weld trough. Instead, the space for a weld trough is created in the end component, and this trough is prepared with enough all-over length to establish run-on and run-off regions for molten weld material, which regions extend laterally outwardly from the opposite transverse ends of a flange. Full-section welds between a beam's flanges and the attaching end component are achieved without the need to use any run-on and run-off tabs, and also without the need to employ any traditionally-used backing bars.

Abstract: A bone anchor assembly having a bone screw and a suture attachment, with the suture attachment threaded to the bone screw with a pair of mating threads that are of the opposite hand from the bone-engaging thread of the bone screw. Overtravel clearance is provided between the bone screw and the suture attachment to permit rotation of the suture attachment with respect to the bone screw at least in the same direction as the direction of engagement of the mating threads. The suture attachment can be an eye bolt or an eye nut. A pilot boss is received in a pilot bore in the engaging portions of the bone anchor and suture attachment. The bone anchor and suture attachment are anodized implant grade titanium material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a printer whereby ink is printed by being discharged as dots from a plurality of nozzles by means of pulses. To ensure high quality printed images it is necessary to ensuring that the size of all dots is consistent. Therefore there is provided a method and apparatus whereby before printing of any dots, the temperature of the ink in each nozzle is sensed by Tsense, and a pulse insufficient to fire the ink from the nozzle, yet sufficient to heat up the ink, is fired to each nozzle in the same sequence as the standard print cycle, and the temperature of the ink is sensed. This process is repeated until the required temperature of the ink is reached, and printing is then inititated.

Abstract: An interface that couples a surface coil array having N receiving elements to an NMR scanner having M preamplifier inputs. The interface includes an RF switch array and a transmit/receive bias circuit. The RF switch array and the transmit/receive bias circuit are controlled by a control logic circuit. In response to a predetermined input, the control logic circuit causes a predetermined subset of the N receiving elements to be couple to the preamplifier inputs of the NMR scanner. Preferably, N may be larger than M.

Abstract: The present invention provides a suspension device for an electric pump of an assembly for drawing fuel in a motor vehicle, the device comprising: an outer support suitable for surrounding the electric pump, centered on an axis parallel to the axis of the electric pump, and adapted to be secured to the fuel-drawing assembly; and at least one resilient arm connected to the inside periphery of said outer support, which resilient arm extends essentially in a plane that is transverse to the axis of said outer support and possesses a shape such as to rest at least substantially tangentially against the body of the electric pump over a fraction of its length in order to support it at a distance from the outer support.

Abstract: A fan/motor assembly having an integrated brush support and bearing retainer is disclosed. The fan/motor assembly includes a rotatable shaft, a working air fan coupled to the shaft, and a motor bracket and baffle assembly interposed between the working air fan and the motor assembly. The motor bracket and baffle assembly retains a bearing which rotatably receives the shaft and provides integral brush boxes for the motor assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides aqueous disinfecting (germicidal) dip compositions comprising opacifying complexes formed by the reaction of cationic organic quaternary ammonium compounds (“quats”)and anionic organic sulfonates. The compositions are particularly useful as dairy cow teat dips. Complexes formed by the reaction of quats and organic sulfonates provide turbidity and opacity to these aqueous germicidal dip compositions. Such turbidity and opacity serve to enhance the visibility of the compositions, e.g., when applied to an animal's teat.

Abstract: A method includes performing at least one process for forming a feature of a semiconductor device in accordance with an operating recipe. An electrical performance characteristic of the feature is measured. The measured electrical performance characteristic is compared to a target value for the electrical performance characteristic. At least one parameter of the operating recipe is determined based on the comparison. A system includes a process tool, a metrology tool, and a controller. The process tool is configured to perform at least one process for forming a feature of a semiconductor device in accordance with an operating recipe. The metrology tool is configured to measure an electrical performance characteristic of the feature. The controller is configured to compare the measured electrical performance characteristic to a target value for the electrical performance characteristic and determine at least one parameter of the operating recipe based on the comparison.

Abstract: A tube is provided for biological fluids that includes a closed bottom, an open top and a cylindrical sidewall extending therebetween. An alignment key is formed at a selected circumferential position on the tube. An array of machine-readable information is provided on the tube at a specified angular position relative to the alignment key. The alignment key functions to position the tube in a laboratory apparatus at a rotational position that will ensure proper alignment between the array of information and a portion of the apparatus that is operative to read the array of information. The array of information may be in the form of a magnetic strip or optically readable information such as a bar code.

Abstract: High spatial frequency optical noise in the form of intensity contrasting picture elements in the display of a projected light image on a bead-oriented image-enhancing filter is significantly reduced by interposing light-scattering material in the optical path between a source of the projected light image and the display in order to inhibit formation and interference of coherent light waves, and to mask the appearance of separate or discrete beaded apertures.

Abstract: A boot has a cavity located in the bottom of the sole and a sole plate that releasably fits within this cavity. A tab located on the toe end of the sole piece fits into a slot located in the sidewall of the cavity to hold the toe end of the sole plate in the cavity. A strap is attached to the heel end of the sole plate and extends to an attachment device located on the back of the boot. The attachment device places the strap in tension to hold the heel end of the sole plate in the cavity.

Abstract: A process for preparing the polyurethane derivative, the process including: providing a polyurethane having a urethane amino moiety, providing a multifunctional linker reagent of a formula: LG-RL-(FG)n, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 3, FG is a functional group, which is a halogen, a carboxyl group, a sulfonate ester, or an epoxy group, LG is a leaving group, which is a halogen, a carboxyl group, a sulfonate ester, or an epoxy group, and RL is an (n+1)-valent organic radical having at least one carbon atom; providing a protected thiol-containing reagent of a formula R—C(O)SH, or a salt thereof, wherein R is a C1 to C6 alkyl group; reacting the multifunctional linker reagent with the urethane amino moiety to form a polyurethane substituted with at least one substituent group of a formula: —RL-(FG)n; reacting the polyurethane with a protected thiol-containing reagent to form the polyurethane derivative.

Abstract: A class of imidazo[1,2-&agr;]pyrimidine derivatives, substituted at the 3-position by an optionally substituted five-membered or six-membered heteroaromatic ring, are selective ligands for GABAA receptors, in particular having good affinity for the &agr;2 and/or &agr;3 and/or &agr;5 subunit thereof, and are accordingly of benefit in the treatment and/or prevention of adverse conditions of the central nervous system, including anxiety, convulsions and cognitive disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for detecting and treating diseased tissue in a blood vessel or other hollow body organ. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter shaft having a distal end comprising a light transmission zone. A first fiber lumen in the catheter shaft contains a diagnostic optical fiber having a distal end terminating within the light transmission zone for emitting and receiving light through the light transmission zone. A diagnostic subassembly at the proximal end and in communication with the diagnostic optical fiber processes diagnostic light for use in connection with a diagnostic method for detecting diseased tissue. A second fiber lumen can be provided in the catheter shaft for containing a treatment optical fiber for delivering treatment light from a light source at the proximal end of the catheter shaft to the light transmission zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of enzymatically active recombinant human and animal lysosomal enzymes involving construction and expression of recombinant expression constructs comprising coding sequences of human or animal lysosomal enzymes in a plant expression system. The plant expression system provides for post-translational modification and processing to produce a recombinant gene product exhibiting enzymatic activity. The invention is demonstrated by working examples in which transgenic tobacco plants express recombinant expression constructs comprising human glucocerebrosidase nucleotide sequences. The invention is also demonstrated by working examples in which transfected tobacco plants express recombinant viral expression constructs comprising human &agr; galactosidase nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: A high performance, high capacitance gain, electric connector for data transfer applications. At least eight sequentially positioned elongate contact members are connected in a series of signal pairs. A first signal pair includes a fourth contact member and a fifth contact member. A second signal pair includes a third contact member and a sixth contact member. In addition, a third signal pair comprises a first contact member and a second contact member. Finally, a seventh and an eighth contact member are in a fourth signal pair. One member of each contact member pair is configured differently from the other member of the pair, the respective contact members being oriented relative to one another such that they substantially remain in generally parallel planes, but define non-parallel paths. Each of the third and fifth contact members mounts a plate-like extension oriented in a first direction and in respective planes generally parallel to one another.

Abstract: Landscaping blocks for decorative edging are designed to form overlapping or interlocking joints between adjacent blocks, so that weed growth between the blocks is prevented or deterred when the blocks are arranged as a border or edging.