Abstract: Neutrophils (PMN) can migrate along gradients of chemoattractants across endothelial monolayers to sites of inflammation and infection. This chemotaxis through endothelial cell borders is involved in several acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, however our understanding of the role of endothelial second messengers in the regulation of leukocyte emigration is still incomplete. We investigated this using an in vitro model of neutrophil migration across human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) on cell culture inserts. We report that activation of endothelial protein kinase C (PKC) by both phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and Bryostatin-1 (a potent PKC? and c activator) can completely abolish neutrophil migration mediated by both endothelial TNF-? stimulation and a leukotriene B4 (LTB4) gradient. PMA protected against LTB4 induced PMN transmigration for at least 24 hours in HMECs and HUVECs.

Abstract: A system and method for active configuration management of the components of a data repository maintained in memory of a computer system is disclosed herein. The method includes creating a plurality of file system event objects in response to the occurrence of a corresponding plurality of events associated with ones of the components. A plurality of file system event objects are then entered into an event queue. Next, a sequence of configuration management (CM) operations involving identified ones of the components are executed on the basis of corresponding ones of the file system event objects.

Abstract: Method and system for uploading, managing and delivering digital content, including streaming media. The system according to one embodiment allows receives digital content from the client (102), assigns a stream identifier (ID) to the content and stores the content. The client is given a playlist uniform resource locator (URL) for publishing on its web site (610), the URL including the stream ID. Activation of the URL by an end user (104) causes the stream to be served to the end user, without the client receiving or providing an indication of the specifics of where the content was stored. An embodiment of the present provides a system and method that permit clients to actively manage their content, including defining logical folders and subfolders containing item(s) of the content and defining logical stream groups, containing items of the content.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blind of a set of parts for providing a window blind, comprising a plurality of blinds (1) each having a respective different indicia (2) and each having means (3) for supporting the blind at a surround (4) of a window (5). Suitably the support means (3) may be in the form of releasable engagement means such as hooks or hook-like elements at the head of the blind (1), for example held in a head tape. The hooks (3) are releasably engageable with hooks or hook-like elements (6) at a top rail (7) of a surround (4) of the window (5), which hooks 6 may be laterally slidably mounted in a guide for lateral sliding/folding of the blind. However, the blind may also be rollable on itself, or be of a Venetian blind-like construction, or comprised of vertical elements which are rotatable about their longitudinal axes to provide an open or closed blind.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a navigation solution in high interference and dynamic environments using Global Positioning System (GPS) and navigation such as dead reckoning is described. The system configuration is a multi-satellite tracking loop structure obtained by closing each satellite's tracking loop through a multi-state navigation filter. This generates a robust navigation solution that can track GPS signals in a lower signal to noise ratio than can the standard GPS tightly coupled tracking loops. The system contains an Advanced Tightly Coupled (ATC) tracking processor which accepts early, late, and on-time I and Q data from the GPS signal tracker and outputs vehicle to satellite range, range rate and range acceleration residual measurements to a navigation Kalman filter. The ATC includes nonlinear discriminators which transform I and Q data into residual measurements corrupted by unbiased, additive, and white noise.

Abstract: Methods for using modulating agents to enhance or inhibit occludin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of in vivo and in vitro contexts are provided. Within certain embodiments, the modulating agents may be used for cancer therapy or to increase immune cell infiltration into tumors. The modulating agents comprise at least one occludin cell adhesion recognition sequence or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds the occludin cell adhesion recognition sequence. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequences recognized by the other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.

Abstract: For transferring a fluid between at least two floating supports or one floating and one fixed support, a rigid hollow transport line is immersed with a cable suspension system in the sea. A flexible connector links each end of the rigid transport line to one of the supports. The entire rigid transport line including its ends is immersed in the sea at a depth which is greater than the turbulent zone of the sea. Each connector provides continuity of oil flow between the two floating supports via the rigid transport line.

Abstract: Method and system for uploading, managing and delivering digital content, including streaming media. The system according to one embodiment allows receives digital content from the client (102), assigns a stream identifier (ID) to the content and stores the content. The client is given a playlist uniform resource locator (URL) for publishing on its web site (610), the URL including the stream ID. Activation of the URL by an end user (104) causes the stream to be served to the end user, without the client receiving or providing an indication of the specifics of where the content was stored. An embodiment of the present provides a system and method that permit clients to actively manage their content, including defining logical folders and subfolders containing item(s) of the content and defining logical stream groups, containing items of the content.

Abstract: A system and method for active configuration management of the components of a data repository maintained in memory of a computer system is disclosed herein. The method includes creating a plurality of file system event objects in response to the occurrence of a corresponding plurality of events associated with ones of the components. A plurality of file system event objects are then entered into an event queue.

Abstract: Device for transferring fluid between at least two floating supports of the type comprising a rigid hollow transport line (1) submerged catenary-fashion in the sea, flexible connecting means (10) connecting each end (2,3) of the rigid transport line (1) to one of the said floating supports (4,5), and it is characterized in that the entirety of the rigid transport line (1) including the said ends (2,3) is submerged in the sea to a depth (P1) which is greater than the said turbulent zone, the said connecting means (10) ensuring continuity of flow of the crude between the two floating supports (4,5) via the said rigid transport line.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid covalently linked to a photolabile caging group which reversibly prevents expression of the nucleic acid. The present invention further provides a method of selectively expressing a nucleic acid in a cell, comprising: a) covalently linking the nucleic acid to a photolabile caging group which reversibly prevents expression of the nucleic acid; b) introducing the nucleic acid of step (a) into the cell; and c) exposing the cell of step (b) to light, whereby exposure to the light unlinks the nucleic acid and the caging group and the nucleic acid is selectively expressed in the cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid covalently linked to a photolabile caging group which reversibly prevents expression of the nucleic acid. The present invention further provides a method of selectively expressing a nucleic acid in a cell, comprising: a) covalently linking the nucleic acid to a photolabile caging group which reversibly prevents expression of the nucleic acid; b) introducing the nucleic acid of step (a) into the cell; and c) exposing the cell of step (b) to light, whereby exposure to the light unlinks the nucleic acid and the caging group and the nucleic acid is selectively expressed in the cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid covalently linked to a photolabile caging group which reversibly prevents expression of the nucleic acid. The present invention further provides a method of selectively expressing a nucleic acid in a cell, comprising: a) covalently linking the nucleic acid to a photolabile caging group which reversibly prevents expression of the nucleic acid; b) introducing the nucleic acid of step (a) into the cell; and c) exposing the cell of step (b) to light, whereby exposure to the light unlinks the nucleic acid and the caging group and the nucleic acid is selectively expressed in the cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid covalently linked to a photolabile caging group which reversibly prevents expression of the nucleic acid. The present invention further provides a method of selectively expressing a nucleic acid in a cell, comprising: a) covalently linking the nucleic acid to a photolabile caging group which reversibly prevents expression of the nucleic acid; b) introducing the nucleic acid of step (a) into the cell; and c) exposing the cell of step (b) to light, whereby exposure to the light unlinks the nucleic acid and the caging group and the nucleic acid is selectively expressed in the cell.

Abstract: Uncreped throughdried cellulosic webs having improved smoothness and stretch are produced by transferring a newly formed web from the forming fabric to a slower moving, high fiber support transfer fabric, preferably using a fixed gap or kiss transfer in which the forming fabric and the transfer fabric converge and diverge at the leading edge of the transfer shoe. The web is then transferred to a throughdrying fabric and throughdried to final dryness, producing a web having an improved softness due to increased surface smoothness.

Abstract: A pre-moistened wet wipe provides functional wet strength in use, yet is dispersible if flushed down the toilet so that plumbing and sewage treatment facilities do not become clogged. A particular embodiment of the wipe consists of three uncreped through-air-dried tissue plies that are attached to each other by edge embossing. The two outer plies contain a wet strength agent to provide wet poke-through resistance to two large, centrally-located unembossed regions. The center ply contains no wet strength agent to aid in dispersibility. The embossing around the edges of the wipe further degrades the strength of the wipe in the embossed areas to assist in dispersibility when the wipe is flushed.

Abstract: Uncreped throughdried cellulosic webs having improved smoothness and stretch are produced by transferring a newly formed web from the forming fabric to a slower moving, high fiber support transfer fabric, preferably using a fixed gap or kiss transfer in which the forming fabric and the transfer fabric converge and diverge at the leading edge of the transfer shoe. The web is then transferred to a throughdrying fabric and throughdried to final dryness, producing a web having an improved softness due to increased surface smoothness.