Abstract: This disclosure provides novel silk coated articles and methods of preparing same. In some embodiments, silk coated articles include fabrics pretreated with a reducing agent that are coated with aqueous solutions of silk protein fragments having low, medium, and/or high molecular weight.

Abstract: Silk processed, coated, repaired, and/or infused leather or leather articles, and methods of preparing the same are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Briefly, a method and system is provided for testing a cable using a high performance Time Domain Reflectometry (TRD) system and method. The TDR has a timing generator that is constructed to generate a periodic launch pulse to excite a cable under test, and to generate sample signals that are time delayed from the launch pulse. The timing for the launch pulse and the sample signal may be defined by two correlated PLL circuits coupled to the same clock. In one implementation, the timing generator is constructed in a single FPGA. The invention also provides calibration circuitry to compensate for temperature, voltage, and manufacturing variations in the FPGA. In one example, a tester includes a switch system that enables one or more TDR engines to sequentially apply a TDR stimulus to substantially all the wire pairs in a cable harness, and to collect the resulting TDR waveforms. The waveforms are analyzed to determine if the cable harness meets quality standards.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical skin care composition containing a safe and effective amount of a skin care active comprising agmatine, and its salt; a safe and effective amount of a first additional skin care active selected from the group consisting of BHT or BHA, hexamidine, cetyl pyridinium chloride, green tea catechins, phytosterols, ursolic acid, compounds derived from plant extracts, their salts and derivatives; and a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the agmatine composition. The present invention also relates to methods of using such agmatine compositions to regulate hair growth and the condition of mammalian skin. The methods generally comprise the step of topically applying the composition to the skin of a mammal needing such treatment, a safe and effective amount of such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical skin care composition containing a safe and effective amount of a skin care active comprising agmatine, and its salt; a safe and effective amount of a first additional skin care active selected from the group consisting of BHT or BHA, hexamidine, cetyl pyridinium chloride, green tea catechins, phytosterols, ursolic acid, compounds derived from plant extracts, their salts and derivatives; and a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the agmatine composition. The present invention also relates to methods of using such agmatine compositions to regulate hair growth and the condition of mammalian skin. Said methods generally comprise the step of topically applying the composition to the skin of a mammal needing such treatment, a safe and effective amount of such compositions.

Abstract: A device useful in the formation of handcrafted envelopes comprises a board (10) with a planar surface (11) wherein the planar surface is provided with at least one guide means (12), and at least one abutting surface (13) that allows an envelope material such as paper or card to be positioned on the planar surface at a defined angle with respect to the guide means such that the paper or card can be folded to the guide means to form an envelope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical skin care composition containing a safe and effective amount of a skin care active comprising agmatine, and its salt; a safe and effective amount of a first additional skin care active selected from the group consisting of BHT or BHA, hexamidine, cetyl pyridinium chloride, green tea catechins, phytosterols, ursolic acid, compounds derived from plant extracts, their salts and derivatives; and a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the agmatine composition. The present invention also relates to methods of using such agmatine compositions to regulate hair growth and the condition of mammalian skin. Said methods generally comprise the step of topically applying the composition to the skin of a mammal needing such treatment, a safe and effective amount of such compositions.

Abstract: A device useful in the formation of handcrafted envelopes comprises a board (10) with a planar surface (11) wherein the planar surface is provided with at least one guide means (12), and at least one abutting surface (13) that allows an envelope material such as paper or card to be positioned on the planar surface at a defined angle with respect to the guide means such that the paper or card can be folded to the guide means to form an envelope.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for conditionally immortalizing stem cells, including adult and embryonic stem cells, the cells produced by such methods, therapeutic and laboratory or research methods of using such cells, and methods to identify compounds related to cell differentiation and development or to treat diseases, using such cells. A mouse model of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and cells and methods related to such mouse model are also described.