Abstract: Compounds of formula (1), pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and in vivo hydrolysable esters thereof, have activity as pharmaceuticals, in particular as modulators of chemokine receptor (especially CXCR2) activity, and may be in the treatment (therapeutic or prophylactic) of conditions/diseases in human and non-human animals which are exacerbated or caused by excessive or unregulated production of chemokines.

Abstract: The present invention provides metal-exchanged hexaaluminate catalysts that exhibit good catalytic activity and/or stability at high temperatures for extended periods with retention of activity as combustion catalysts, and more generally as oxidation catalysts, that make them eminently suitable for use in methane combustion, particularly for use in natural gas fired gas turbines. The hexaaluminate catalysts of this invention are of particular interest for methane combustion processes for minimization of the generation of undesired levels (less than about 10 ppm) of NOx species. Metal exchanged hexaaluminate oxidation catalysts are also useful for oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOC), particularly hydrocarbons. Metal exchanged hexaaluminate oxidation catalysts are further useful for partial oxidation, particularly at high temperatures, of reduced species, particularly hydrocarbons (alkanes and alkenes).

Abstract: There is disclosed a unified messaging system in which a voice mail domain object comprising a plurality of fields is provided. At least one of such fields is selected to be defined as an open field such that it is accessible to an administration application of the system. The open fields are preferably stored as a voice mail domain summary in the e-mail directory of the unified messaging system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a family of dark quenchers, termed Black Hole Quenchers (“BHQs”), that are efficient quenchers of excited state energy but which are themselves substantially non-fluorescent. Also provided are methods of using the BHQs, probes incorporating the BHQs and methods of using the probes.

Abstract: Surface-modified nanoparticles of boehmite, and methods for preparing the same. Aluminum oxyhydroxide nanoparticles are surface modified by reaction with selected amounts of organic acids. In particular, the nanoparticle surface is modified by reactions with two or more different carboxylic acids, at least one of which is an organic carboxylic acid. The product is a surface modified boehmite nanoparticle that has an inorganic aluminum oxyhydroxide core, or part aluminum oxyhydroxide core and a surface-bonded organic shell. Organic carboxylic acids of this invention contain at least one carboxylic acid group and one carbon-hydrogen bond. One embodiment of this invention provides boehmite nanoparticles that have been surface modified with two or more acids one of which additional carries at least one reactive functional group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a class of Conformationally Assisted Probes comprising (a) a nucleic acid moiety; (b) an energy donor moiety; (c) an energy acceptor moiety; and (d) one or more stabilizing moieties.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides fluorescent probes and assays. The probes include a fluorophore-quencher pair that undergoes a switch from dark to fluorescent in response to a reaction of the quencher. The switch of the probe from dark to fluorescent is typically mediated by an enzyme that acts directly or indirectly on the quencher, interfering with its ability to quench fluorescence emission from the fluorophore. In another aspect, the invention provides a reporter gene assay system and methods of using this system. The assay system includes a fluorophore-quencher probe and an enzyme that acts directly or indirectly on the quencher, increasing the fluorescent emission of the fluorophore. In still other aspects, the invention provides nucleic acid constructs and cells expressing the peptide products of these constructs. In assays of the invention, the presence of a target substance is detected by the switching of fluorescence mediated by the change in oxidation state of the quencher.

Abstract: The present invention provides a family of dark quenchers, termed Black Hole Quenchers (“BHQs”), that are efficient quenchers of excited state energy but which are themselves substantially non-fluorescent. Also provided are methods of using the BHQs, probes incorporating the BHQs and methods of using the probes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a family of dark quenchers, termed Black Hole Quenchers (“BHQs”), that are efficient quenchers of excited state energy but which are themselves substantially non-fluorescent. Also provided are methods of using the BHQs, probes incorporating the BHQs and methods of using the probes.

Abstract: A new class of releasable corrosion inhibiting materials for protective coatings, methods of making the same, methods of using the same, and coatings containing the same are provided. The materials comprise one or more corrosion inhibitors that are chemically anchored to the surface of a particle having an aluminum oxyhydroxide surface through a carboxylate bond. The carboxylate/aluminum-oxyhydroxide-surface bond breaks under corrosion-causing conditions (for example the presence of high levels of hydroxide ions generated by the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction on metals such as iron and aluminum) thereby allowing the corrosion inhibitors to detach from the particle surface when corrosion is present.

Abstract: There is disclosed a unified messaging system in which a voice mail domain object comprising a plurality of fields is provided. At least one of such fields is selected to be defined as an open field such that it is accessible to an administration application of the system. The open fields are preferably stored as a voice mail domain summary in the e-mail directory of the unified messaging system.

Abstract: A DC feedback control circuit for compensating for a DC voltage level shift in a transimpedance amplifier circuit having a transistor as a high speed switching device. The DC feedback control circuit includes a filter for determining a DC voltage level at an output of the amplifier circuit and a differential pair of transistors for comparing the DC voltage level with a reference voltage. A pair of current mirrors mirror a current dependent on the comparison of the DC voltage level with the reference voltage and apply the mirrored current to an emitter of the transistor so as to maintain a substantially constant bias current through the switching transistor.

Abstract: An occupant restraint assembly and for a motor vehicle operates to sense the tension forces on a seat belt to detect the presence of a human occupant or a child restraint seat. A sensor attached to the seat belt measures tension forces. The sensor is mounted in line with the seat belt. A strain gauge senses tension on the seat belt. An additional embodiment of the sensor includes three prongs attached to a common beam that allow the sensor to be slipped onto the seat belt without modification to the seat belt. A middle prong includes the strain gauge to sense movement relative to outside prongs. The seat belt threads over the outside prongs and under the middle prong such that tension on the seat belt forces the middle prong transversely to tension exerted on the seat belt.

Abstract: The present invention provides metal-exchanged hexaaluminate catalysts that exhibit good catalytic activity and/or stability at high temperatures for extended periods with retention of activity as combustion catalysts, and more generally as oxidation catalysts, that make them eminently suitable for use in methane combustion, particularly for use in natural gas fired gas turbines. The hexaaluminate catalysts of this invention are of particular interest for methane combustion processes for minimization of the generation of undesired levels (less than about 10 ppm) of NOx species. Metal exchanged hexaaluminate oxidation catalysts are also useful for oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOC), particularly hydrocarbons. Metal exchanged hexaaluminate oxidation catalysts are further useful for partial oxidation, particularly at high temperatures, of reduced species, particularly hydrocarbons (alkanes and alkenes).

Abstract: A DC feedback control circuit for compensating for a DC voltage level shift in a transimpedance amplifier circuit (12) having a transistor (20) as a high speed switching device. The DC feedback control circuit includes a filter (30) for determining a DC voltage level at an output of the amplifier circuit (12) and a differential pair (36) of transistors for comparing the DC voltage level with a reference voltage (41). A pair of current mirrors (44 and 50) mirror a current dependent on the comparison of the DC voltage level with the reference voltage and apply the mirrored current to an emitter of the transistor (20) so as to maintain a substantially constant bias current through the switching transistor (20).

Abstract: An occupant restraint assembly and for a motor vehicle operates to sense the tension forces on a seat belt to detect the presence of a human occupant or a child restraint seat. A sensor attached to the seat belt measures tension forces. The sensor is mounted in line with the seat belt. A strain gauge senses tension on the seat belt. An additional embodiment of the sensor includes three prongs attached to a common beam that allow the sensor to be slipped onto the seat belt without modification to the seat belt. A middle prong includes the strain gauge to sense movement relative to outside prongs. The seat belt threads over the outside prongs and under the middle prong such that tension on the seat belt forces the middle prong transversely to tension exerted on the seat belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for flanging the upper and lower ends of a continuous stream of fiberboard cans includes a central rotating turret with a pair of flanges which rotate with the turret and are oriented to grasp each can in its top and bottom opening and press it against a pair of stationary curvilinear rails to spin the can as the rails flange the upper and lower ends of the can. An inlet turret and outlet turret sequentially space the cans and feed them into the rotating turret and flanges.

Abstract: A continuous adhesive applicator for applying adhesive, sealant, or the like to cans as they travel along an automated processing line. The apparatus moves the cans through the station area while holding the cans in a selected orientation, rotates the cans as they move through the station, and applies adhesive or the like to a selected portion of each can as it moves through the station. Restraining means, which are cycled for repetitive movement through the station along the path of travel of the line of cans, capture the cans and move them through the station while holding them in the selected orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus to apply uniform amounts of adhesive to containers at a high rate of speed. Containers are selected at a variable interval. The containers are positioned against dual spiral timing screws (one timing screw above the other). Turning the timing screws a constant (but adjustable) number of degrees with respect to each other while they rotate at the same speed will either advance a container in a level position or they may be advanced while tilted, forward or backward depending upon the relative position of the upper and lower timing screw. While the container is advancing, it is also being turned so that the upper surfaces of the container may be positioned against a rotating cylinder to which a layer of adhesive is continuously applied. In this manner adhesive may be applied around the entire circumference of a container on the top, inside edge, outside edge or both edges.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle comprises three shaft parts (1, 7, 8) connected by universal joints (6, 9) and arranged along non-coincident axes. A jacket (13) surrounding the upper shaft part and fixed to the vehicle body includes a collapsable energy-absorbing element (16). The upper shaft part (1) is rotatably mounted in the jacket (13) by an upper thrust bearing (18) and a lower bearing (19). The lower bearing (19) includes a bearing member (20) which disengages from the jacket (13) during downward movement of the upper shaft part (1) under impact loads so that the shaft part (1) can move radially relative to the jacket.