Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a pacing lead to the His bundle of a patient's heart includes an elongated sheath having a distal end, and a plurality of mapping electrodes positioned at the distal end. The distal end of the sheath may have a distal tip, and the mapping electrodes may include two electrodes that diametrically oppose one another at a position spaced from the distal tip of the sheath. The sheath includes a plurality of flexible sections spaced apart from one another, and a pull wire that causes the sheath to deflect from a straight configuration to a dual hinged curved configuration that positions the electrodes in the vicinity of the bundle of His.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonic sealing and methods for manufacturing disclosed. Embodiments include a base and a tool profile for sealing a material, for example, a package. The tool profile is supported by the base and defines a seal line forming raised surface extending across a length of the base and having a crest line of uniform height above the base. In at least one embodiment, the raised surface includes a first portion of the length having a first cross-sectional mass and second and third portions of the length having a second cross-sectional mass, with the first cross-sectional mass being less than the second cross-sectional mass. Advantageously, a package to be sealed can be positioned such that its thicker material areas line up with the first portion of the raised surface having reduced mass, which applies less energy to the package than is applied along the larger mass portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonic sealing and methods for manufacturing disclosed. Embodiments include a base and a tool profile for sealing a material, for example, a package. The tool profile is supported by the base and defines a seal line forming raised surface extending across a length of the base and having a crest line of uniform height above the base. In at least one embodiment, the raised surface includes a first portion of the length having a first cross-sectional mass and second and third portions of the length having a second cross-sectional mass, with the first cross-sectional mass being less than the second cross-sectional mass. Advantageously, a package to be sealed can be positioned such that its thicker material areas line up with the first portion of the raised surface having reduced mass, which applies less energy to the package than is applied along the larger mass portions.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and materials for diagnosing a subject's predisposition for pulmonary infection in a CF subject by detecting a pulmonary infection genetic marker. Pulmonary infection markers have been identified in the IL-1 gene cluster and may be useful in predicting CF disease progression and assessing a CF subject's response to therapy.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and materials for diagnosing a subject's predisposition for pulmonary infection in a CF subject by detecting a pulmonary infection genetic marker. Pulmonary infection markers have been identified in the IL-1 gene cluster and may be useful in predicting CF disease progression and assessing a CF subject's response to therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to genetic sequence variations that can be used to predict whether a person will develop asthma. Disease is likely to occur if certain polymorphic forms the CCL11 gene, the CCL2 gene and the TLR7 gene are present.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and materials for diagnosing a subject's predisposition for pulmonary infection in a CF subject by detecting a pulmonary infection genetic marker. Pulmonary infection markers have been identified in the IL-1 gene cluster and may be useful in predicting CF disease progression and assessing a CF subject's response to therapy.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and materials for diagnosing a subject's predisposition for pulmonary infection in a CF subject by detecting a pulmonary infection genetic marker. Pulmonary infection markers have been identified in the IL-1 gene cluster and may be useful in predicting CF disease progression and assessing a CF subject's response to therapy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to genetic sequence variations that can be used to predict whether a person will develop asthma. Disease is likely to occur if certain polymorphic forms the CCL11 gene, the CCL2 gene and the TLR7 gene are present.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and materials for diagnosing a subject's predisposition for pulmonary infection in a CF subject by detecting a pulmonary infection genetic marker. Pulmonary infection markers have been identified in the IL-1 gene cluster and may be useful in predicting CF disease progression and assessing a CF subject's response to therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling valve stiffness in a power steering system. The method includes the step of engaging a pinion and a spool shaft with respect to one another for turning at least two wheels of a vehicle in response to rotation of a steering wheel from an on-center orientation. The method also includes the step of variably assisting movement of the pinion with a hydraulic power steering device having a valve movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The method also includes the step of moving the valve from the open configuration to the closed configuration in response to rotation of the spool shaft relative to the pinion from an on-center orientation to assist the pinion in rotation for turning the at least two wheels.

Abstract: The use of a compound of formula (I): wherein R1 is selected from H, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, halogen, CN, NR5R6, NR4COR5, NR4CONR5R6, NR4CO2R7 and NR4SO2R7; R2 is selected from aryl attached via an unsaturated carbon; R3 is selected from H, alkyl, COR5, CO2R7, CONR5R6, CONR4NR5R6 and SO2R7; R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl or where R5 and R6 are in an NR5R6 group, R5 and R6 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group, or where R4, R5 and R6 are in a (CONR4NR5R6) group, R4 and R5 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group; and R7 is selected from alkyl and aryl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or prodrug thereof, in the treatment or prevention of a disorder in which the blocking of purine receptors, particularly adenosine receptors and more particularly A2A receptors, may be beneficial, particularly wherein said disorder is a movement disorder such as Parkinson's disease or said disorder is depression, cognitive or memory impairme

Abstract: Use of a compound of formula (I) wherein R1 is selected from alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, 0thioalkyl, thioaryl, CN, halo, NR5R6, NR4COR5, NR4CONR5R6, NR4CO2R7 and NR4SO2R7; R2 is selected from N, O or S-containing heteroaryl groups, wherein the heteroaryl group is attached via an unsaturated carbon atom which is adjacent to one or two N, O or S-heteroatom(s), other than ortho, ortho-disubstituted heteroaryl groups; R3 is selected from H, alkyl, COR8, CONR9R10, CONR8NR9R10, CO2R11 and SO2R11; R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl or where R5 and R6 are in an (NR5R6) group then R5 and R6 may be linked to form a heterocyclic ring; R7 is selected from alkyl and aryl; R8, R9 and R10 are independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl, or R9 and R10 may be linked to form a heterocyclic ring, or where R8, R9 and R10 are in a (CONR8NR9R10) group, R8 and R9 may be linked to form a heterocyclic group; and R1 is selected from alkyl and aryl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or prodr

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling valve stiffness in a power steering system. The method includes the step of engaging a pinion and a spool shaft with respect to one another for turning at least two wheels of a vehicle in response to rotation of a steering wheel from an on-center orientation. The method also includes the step of variably assisting movement of the pinion with a hydraulic power steering device having a valve movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The method also includes the step of moving the valve from the open configuration to the closed configuration in response to rotation of the spool shaft relative to the pinion from an on-center orientation to assist the pinion in rotation for turning the at least two wheels.

Abstract: A method of tuning a radio frequency coil for use in MR imaging applications uses reactive shunts having a reactance in parallel with a switch to connect sections of the coil to ground thereby constraining the resonant mode of the coil to a known orientation. A plurality of measurements of the frequency of the resonances along different such constrained orientations is used to deduce the frequencies of the two unconstrained orthogonal resonant modes of the coil and its orientation. The shunts may also be used to tune the coil according to the deduced frequencies of the unconstrained resonance and the desired frequency and orientation by adjusting the reactance of the shunts. A shunt having a variable reactance and a switch for shorting the RF coil as required uses a PIN diode in combination with a variable reactance.