Abstract: The efficient regulation of cholesterol synthesis, metabolism, acquisition, and transport is an essential component of lipid homeostasis. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a transcriptional sensor for bile acids, the primary product of cholesterol metabolism. Accordingly, the development of potent, selective, small molecule agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists of FXR would be an important step in further deconvoluting FXR physiology. In accordance with the present invention, the identification of novel potent FXR activators is described. Two derivatives of invention compounds, bearing stilbene or biaryl moieties, contain members that are the most potent FXR agonists reported to date in cell-based assays. These compounds are useful as chemical tools to further define the physiological role of FXR as well as therapeutic leads for the treatment of diseases linked to cholesterol, bile acids and their metabolism and homeostasis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hard disk drive laser assisted magnetic recording system including a semiconductor laser and magnetic write coil integrally formed into a slider. The slider preferably includes a perpendicular magnetic recording section adjacent a laser section. The laser section may form an air bearing surface of the slider. During recording operations, laser radiation from the laser section heats a region of the magnetic recording media in order to reduce its coercivity.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for generating the focus, tracking, and data signals for a magneto-optical data storage device, using a Wollaston prism and a photodetector having four subdetectors. A reflected beam from a disk is directed into the Wollaston prism and is split into two beams, with the beams oriented substantially parallel to the in-track direction. The beams from the prism are collected asymmetrically by both subdetectors of first and second pairs of subdetectors, so that one subdetector in each pair collects more light than the other, and two diagonally opposite subdetectors receive more light than the other two subdetectors. Two focus composite signals are generated by adding the signals from diagonally opposite subdetectors, and the focus error signal is generated by subtracting one focus composite signal from the other.

Abstract: A process of producing an aluminum alloy sheet product suitable for forming into automotive parts and exhibiting reduced roping effects. The process involves producing an aluminum alloy sheet product by direct chill casting an aluminum alloy to form a cast ingot, homogenizing the ingot, hot rolling the ingot to form and intermediate gauge product, cold rolling the intermediate gauge product to form a product of final gauge, and subjecting the final gauge product to a solutionizing treatment by heating the product to a solutionizing temperature, followed by a pre-aging step involving cooling the product to a coiling temperature above 50.degree. C., coiling the cooled product at the coiling temperature, and cooling the coiled final gauge product from the coiling temperature above 50.degree. C. to ambient temperature at a rate less than about 10.degree. C. per hour to improve T8X temper characteristics of the product.

Abstract: A method of routing calls, messages or information (call routing) comprising storing in a memory a database representing a relationship or organization roles, including names of persons filling the roles and call directory numbers associated with the roles, in response to a request to complete a call to a particular directory number associated with one of the roles, looking up in the database a directory number associated with one of the roles, and processing the call as if the call were directed to the further directory number.

Abstract: A communication system comprised of a computer system connected to a local area network (LAN), a local area communications system (LAX) connected to the LAN including plural line circuits, plural telephones connected to the LAX via the line circuits, one of which is associated with the computer system, control apparatus in the computer for sending messages to the LAX via the LAN for controlling the telephone associated with the computer system, an auxiliary keyboard associated with the one telephone associated with the computer system, connected to the computer system for commanding the control apparatus to send messages to the LAX to control the one telephone.

Abstract: A method of providing a visual indication to a first communication connection (CC) subscriber of the status of a telephone CC comprising the steps of providing ah icon on a display that represents the first CC subscriber, providing a call setup icon on a display representing a command to set up a CC, dragging the icon representing the first CC subscriber to the call setup icon, automatically displaying a directory of subscribers, dragging an identity of a second CC subscriber from the directory to the call setup icon, establishing a CC between communication apparatus used by the first subscriber and communication apparatus used by the second CC subscriber via subscriber's lines, changing the identity of the calls setup icon to a call icon, displaying an icon representing the second CC subscriber in the call icon, and displaying a new call setup icon, whereby icons representing CC subscribers of a call in progress are both represented and are visually discernible by the first CC subscriber in the call icon.

Abstract: A method for the production of commercial quantities of highly purified interleukin-1 inhibitor (IL-1i) from a recombinant host is disclosed. A preferred recombinant E. coli host for use in this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A riveting apparatus comprises a portable riveting assembly which may be hand held or mounted on a robot arm. The assembly comprises a C-frame having an anvil mounted on one arm and a hydraulic ram mounted on the other arm. Rivets are supplied to a head assembly located between the anvil and piston rod via a flexible tube having a T-shaped cross-section. After a rivet has been supplied it is held positively in position ready for setting within pocket members by air pressure supplied along tube. Thus, the assembly can be moved rapidly and used in various orientations without displacing the rivet. Connections between the assembly and rivet supply and hydraulic power source are by way of flexible connections.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a glass optical fibre preform by forming a coating of oxide material on the interior surface of a substrate tube, in particular a coating of silica and one or more dopant oxides on a vitreous silica tube, by causing a reaction to take place between oxygen and the vapor or vapors of one or more compounds such as halides, the reactant vapors are introduced into a perforated tube supported coaxially within the heated substrate tube and pass through the perforations into the annular space between the perforated and substrate tubes, while oxygen, and optionally an additional carrier gas, is passed either into the perforated tube or directly into said space. The coating-forming reaction is caused to take place in said space by generating energy in the space, in the form of a plasma, or a laser beam, and/or heat, and/or gas combustion, whereby the coating is formed simultaneously on the whole heated length of the substrate tube.

Abstract: Exercising equipment having a base, a water receivable tube upstanding from the base and a body incorporating a valve member, the body is suspended in water in the tube and is pulled upwardly by a person exercising, the valve member acts to apply a restraining force against upward movement of the body but permits downward movement of the body by a gravitational force on the body.