Abstract: Polynucleotides and polypeptides of canine, primate, porcine and fish pregnane X receptor (PXR), as well as expression vectors and host cells for expression of these PXR receptors, are provided. Also provided are methods for screening for modulators of these PXR receptors and using these receptors for comparative pharmacology and in selection of appropriate preclinical animal models predictive of human PXR activity.

Abstract: A composition and method of forming an internal neutral density filter on a luminescent screen assembly of a cathode ray tube (CRT) is disclosed. The luminescent screen assembly is formed on an interior surface of a glass faceplate panel of the CRT tube. The luminescent screen assembly includes a patterned light-absorbing matrix that defines three sets of fields corresponding to one of a blue region, a green region and a red region. An internal neutral density filter is formed on the light-absorbing matrix. An array of blue, green and red color phosphors is formed on the internal neutral density filter corresponding to one of the blue region, the green region and the red region defined in the light-absorbing matrix. The internal neutral density filter has a composition including a red pigment, a blue pigment and at least one non-pigmented oxide particle.

Abstract: A tong as may be used for a continuous circulation system in a wellbore. The tong has a housing with a hollow interior. A plurality of spaced apart jaw assemblies reside within the housing's hollow interior for engaging a portion of a tubular to be gripped and rotated by the tong. A gear wheel is secured to the housing for rotating the housing and the jaw assemblies. The gear wheel includes a toothed outer circumference for mating with teeth of a drive shaft of a driving motor. A gear flange is movably mounted on the gear wheel such that rotation of the gear wheel does not rotate the gear flange.

Abstract: A structural latticework frame design, fixed end, cantilevered, or collapsible, on a horizontally openable window, wherein the lattice work frame is used for structural value in the open position. This design allows for the load from the glass and sash to be transferred through the latticework frame to the housing to carry the load, which simplifies the mechanism needed to open and close the window.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding antifreeze polypeptides are provided, together with expression vectors and host cells comprising such isolated polynucleotides. Methods for the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: A walking stick is generally known as a lightweight, straight, rigid wooden stick, held in one hand as an aid in walking. POWERFLEX DELUXE WALKING STICKS are a better concept of walking stick. They are designed to be used in pairs, (imagine a cross country skier without skis or snow), as an aid in walking, to relieve strain on lower body joints, (ankles knees, hips), and to exercise and tone the upper body muscles at the same time. The essential feature is the curved and slightly flexible shaft of the stick, which has a shock absorbing and power releasing effect.

Abstract: A harness arrangement for a seat, the arrangement including an occupant harness configured to be worn by an occupant of the seat, a separate seat harness securable to the seat, and the seat harness being releasably connected to the occupant harness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a soft tissue paper product having two outer surfaces, the soft tissue paper product comprising one or more plies of a tissue paper having a total wet tensile strength of at least about 200 g/in; and a chemical softening composition deposited on at least one outer surface of said tissue, said chemical softening composition comprising a polysilicoxane-polyalkyleneoxide copolymer comprising greater than about 30% by weight of polyethyleneoxide macromonomer; wherein the copolymer has a surface tension of less than about 40 mN/m, has a Ross Miles foam height of less than about 60 mm, and has an HLB of greater than about 4.

Abstract: A method for creating a test for administration to a student includes creating a plurality of test items using a unitary software application. Each test item has a plurality of elements, including an item stem (a question or problem), at least one option (such as a choice of answers, including one correct answer and at least one “distractor” or an open-ended question), and metadata related to the test item. Next, if desired, an image is added to the test item using the software. Each test item is then stored in an electronic database. Access to each test item in the database is provided, wherein the test items are searchable by at least one of the test item elements. The test creator then electronically selects at least one test item from the database and views at least a portion of the selected test item. If desired, the at least one selected test item is assembled into a test.

Abstract: A communications node admits the receive data message to the buffer memory if the receive arriving message falls within the capacity range of a class of the receive data messages and if the buffer memory is not congested. A state detector detects if the buffer memory is congested by evaluating the occupancy rate of the buffer memory, or otherwise. The capacity range determines the utilization of buffer memory by a particular class of data messages, which may be defined in accordance with an estimated economic value rating of the data messages.

Abstract: Abstract: Methods for identifying compounds that modulate bile acid synthesis by assessing their ability to act as ligands for short heterodimerizing partner-1 or liver receptor homologue-1 are provided. Also provided are compositions containing these ligands as well as methods for administering these compositions to modulate bile acid synthesis and cholesterol and lipid homeostasis.

Abstract: A color cathode-ray tube (CRT) having an evacuated envelope with an electron gun therein for generating at least one electron beam is disclosed. The envelope further includes a faceplate panel having a luminescent screen with phosphor lines on an interior surface thereof. A tension focus mask, having a plurality of spaced-apart first electrodes, is located adjacent to an effective picture area of the screen. The plurality of spaced-apart first electrodes has a screen-facing side having a predetermined width and a relatively wider electron-gun-facing side. Each side forming sharp corner edges extending along the length of each first electrodes. A substantially continuous insulating material is deposited on the screen-facing side and on the corners of the first electrodes to shield the sharp corner edges of the first electrodes. A plurality of second electrodes are oriented substantially perpendicular to the plurality of first electrodes and are bonded thereto by the insulating material layer.

Abstract: A housing assembly which can accommodate either one of a split arm drive mechanism and a dual arm drive mechanism for a casement window. The housing assembly includes an escutcheon and a base as well as an adjustable bushing that is adjustable to at least two positions, one for the split arm drive mechanism and the other for the dual arm drive mechanism. A worm drive assembly is contained within the housing assembly for driving the drive mechanism. A handle is snap fitted into the worm drive assembly for rotating the worm drive assembly and moving the casement window. A spacer is mounted to the base to enable the base to fit a wide variety of window configurations.

Abstract: A tong as may be used for a continuous circulation system in a wellbore. The tong has a housing with a hollow interior. A plurality of spaced apart jaw assemblies reside within the housing's hollow interior for engaging a portion of a tubular to be gripped and rotated by the tong. A gear wheel is secured to the housing for rotating the housing and the jaw assemblies. The gear wheel includes a toothed outer circumference for mating with teeth of a drive shaft of a driving motor. A gear flange is movably mounted on the gear wheel such that rotation of the gear wheel does not rotate the gear flange.

Abstract: A rotational spring clip is provided for connecting a male component to a female component. The spring clip is pivotally secured to a female component. The male component includes a male member that extends through a hole in the female component. The spring clip is then rotated to engage the male component with a structure that includes two spaced apart legs that define an open mouth. The legs of the clip are trapped between a flange formed at the outer distal end of the male member that extends through and beyond the female component. The legs of the clip are then frictionally trapped between the flange of the male member and an outer surface of the female component.

Abstract: A harness arrangement for a seat, the arrangement comprising an occupant harness configured to be worn by an occupant of the seat, a separate seat harness securable to the seat, and means releasably to connect the seat harness to the occupant harness.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of cholestatic liver disease and reduction and prevention of hepatic injury resulting from cholestasis via administration of a FXR ligand are provided.

Abstract: This method uses a simple relationship to compute total raw coal seam (coalbed) desorbed gas volumes from geophysical logs in a well bore. Laboratory total measured raw coal seam gas desorption volumes on coal core samples are calibrated to geophysical log measurements to obtain the relationship. The relationship has different constants and exponents for coal seams in each geologic basin and depositional setting. The calibrated relationship is applied to geophysical log measurements in cored and non-cored coal seams of the same type in the same basin to obtain a continuous total gas desorption volume estimate over the entire well in order to compute natural gas reserves in place. The method can be applied to coal seams where appropriate geophysical log measurements are available in any well.

Abstract: An electrophoresis system for removing or reducing concentration of a metabolic component from blood or plasma of a subject, the system comprising: (a) a first ion-permeable barrier having a defined pore size and pore size distribution disposed in an electric field area; (b) a second ion-permeable barrier having a defined pore size and pore size distribution disposed between a cathode zone and the first barrier so as to define a treatment chamber therebetween; (c) means adapted for cooling blood or plasma from the subject; (d) means adapted to provide dialysate to the cathode zone and an anode zone; and (e) means adapted to provide blood or plasma from the subject to the treatment chamber; wherein, upon application of the electric potential, a metabolic component from the blood or plasma moves through at least one barrier into at least one of the cathode or anode zones.