Abstract: Disclosed are Fc-interferon-beta (Fc-IFN-?) fusion proteins and nucleic acid molecules encoding them. The Fc-IFN-? fusion proteins include variants of the interferon-beta (IFN-?) protein that are altered to achieve enhanced biological activity, prolonged circulating half-life and greater solubility. Also disclosed are methods of producing the fusion proteins and methods of using the fusion proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules for treating diseases and conditions alleviated by the administration of interferon-beta.

Abstract: A distal tip wire relief section may be applied to any cannulated instrument or implant requiring the use of a guidewire with an enlarged head, such as a ball tip guidewire used in conjunction with an intramedullary nail. The implant incorporates an enlarged opening at the leading or distal portion of the cannula. The enlarged opening is selectively placed about the periphery of the distal portion to allow opening relief in areas where guidewire removal will be facilitated. Thus, a surgeon can reliably and repeatedly remove the guidewire after implantation of the implant by pulling the enlarged head of the guidewire proximally into and through the cannula.

Abstract: Exemplary spinal fixation devices, systems, and method are provided for stabilizing vertebrae in a patient's spine. In one exemplary embodiment, methods and devices are provided for coupling one or more bone anchors, such as hooks, screws, etc., and/or one or more spinal fixation elements, such as spinal rods, cables, plates, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, a cross connector is provided for connecting and stabilizing two bone anchors, a bone anchor and a spinal fixation element, or a bone anchor and bone.

Abstract: Sulfone-containing copolymers and copolymer networks and compositions including sulfone-containing copolymers and copolymer networks may be used to bind target ions, such as phosphorous-containing compounds in the gastrointestinal tract of animals. In some cases, sulfone-containing copolymers and copolymer networks may be derived from a multi-amine-monomer and a multifunctional sulfonyl-containing monomer comprising two or more amine-reactive groups.

Abstract: Vehicle-related messaging methods and systems are disclosed herein. In one of the methods, a telematics unit disposed in a vehicle detects that the vehicle is no longer in operation. Upon making the detection, the telematics unit automatically transmits a message to a device, where the message includes a suggestion, a recommendation, an indication, or a notification pertaining to a vehicle utility. An application resident on the device, or on a cloud computing system in communication with the device, presents the message on the device by displaying i) the suggestion, the recommendation, the indication, or the notification and ii) a plurality of actionable items associated with the suggestion, the recommendation, the indication, or the notification.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided. The interactive television program guide provides a user with the opportunity to select a language for playing television programming and displaying program guide text. Television program audio in the desired language may be obtained from a SAP or digital audio track and played in the selected language. Television related information in the desired language may be obtained from a digital track. If television program audio or related information is not provided in the selected language, the program guide may use a default language. The program guide may coordinate program guide display screen text with languages available for television programs when the programs are broadcast to users.

Abstract: A white light LED-based lighting device configured for direct form, fit, and function replacement of existing incandescent and fluorescent devices is provided. The white light LED-based lighting device comprises a group of solid state light emitting diodes, electronics to activate the light emitting diodes, and an encapsulating housing configured for direct form, fit, and function replacement of existing devices.

Abstract: A system for analyzing the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample comprises a test strip and a meter. The test strip is capable of being inoculated by the fluid sample. The test strip includes a test element, which contains at least one reagent adapted to cause a reaction when brought into contact with the analyte. The meter includes a read-head, a repositioning device, and a display. The read-head is capable of producing a signal indicative of the reaction between the analyte and the at least one reagent. The display is capable of displaying the analyte concentration. The repositioning device is adapted to move the test strip from a loading position to a testing position. The testing position positions the test element proximate to the read-head.

Abstract: A user interface for use with an HVAC system, a method of providing temperature data of increased accuracy with a user interface of an HVAC system and an HVAC system incorporating the user interface or the method. In one embodiment, the user interface includes: (1) a case, (2) a backlit display configured to provide information to a user, (3) a processor and memory coupled to the backlit display and configured to drive the backlit display and (4) a temperature sensor thermally isolated from the backlit display and associated with the case.

Abstract: The invention generally provides novel no-bake grain products and methods of preparation of the same. Specifically a no-bake food product with a toasted appearance and flavor and a method of providing a toasted appearance and flavor to a no-bake food product. The no-bake food product includes granola bars, clusters, cereal, instant hot cereal and snacks.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds, compositions and methods for treating myotonic dystrophy. The compounds can selectively bind to CUG repeats in RNA, or to CTG repeats in DNA, and inhibit replication of the nucleic acids.

Abstract: A fluid sensor comprises a formed plastic body and a reagent. The body has a top face with an integral first surface. The body also has a bottom face opposed to the first surface and a sidewall that extends from the periphery of the top face. The first surface is adapted to accept a fluid sample. The reagent is disposed on the integral first surface and causes a color change detectable on the bottom face when the reagent reacts with an analyte in the fluid sample.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction.

Abstract: A cache-based storage architecture has primary and secondary storage subsystems that are controlled by first and second data layout engines to provide a high-performance storage system. The primary storage subsystem illustratively comprises non-volatile electronic storage media configured as a cache, while the secondary storage subsystem comprises magnetic storage media configured as a disk array. The data layout engines illustratively implement data layout techniques that improve read and write performance to the primary and secondary storage subsystems. To that end, the data layout engines cooperate to optimize the use of the non-volatile cache as a primary storage stage that efficiently serves random data access operations prior to substantially transposing them into sequential data access operations for permanent (or archival) storage on the disk array.

Abstract: An expandable slide and lock stent is provided that comprises a plurality of radial elements interconnected to form a tubular member. Each radial element can comprise a helical backbone and at least one elongate member extending from the helical backbone in a circumferential direction. Each backbone can have at least one slot that can be configured to receive an elongate member of an adjacent radial element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expandable stent comprising circumferentially adjacent modules. The modules comprise longitudinally adjacent slide-and-lock radial elements which permit one-way sliding of the radial elements from a collapsed diameter to an expanded/deployed diameter, but inhibit radial recoil from the expanded diameter.

Abstract: Full body safety harnesses for fall arrest comprising a substantially rigid, resilient and water-resistant core throughout substantially the entire body harness frame.

Abstract: A process is presented for the management of sulfur on a catalyst. The catalyst is a dehydrogenation catalyst, and sulfur accumulates during the dehydrogenation process. Sulfur compounds are stripped from the spent catalyst and the catalyst is cooled before the regeneration process. The process includes controlling the amount of sulfur that needs to be removed from the catalyst before regeneration.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a sprinkler is provided, having a first shaft coupled to a drive mechanism and a grooved deflector. A second shaft is disposed within the first shaft, coupled to a water flow adjustment mechanism and an adjustment region on the top of the deflector. The first shaft transfers rotational movement from the drive mechanism to a grooved deflector on the top of the sprinkler. The second shaft rotates with the first shaft during normal operation due to a friction clutch within the sprinkler. When the user desires to adjust the water flow (i.e., the radius of the water), the friction of the clutch can be overcome by rotating the second shaft, increasing openings of flow passages within the sprinkler body. In this respect, flow adjustments can be made from the top of the sprinkler while the deflector rotates.

Abstract: A method predicts and quantifies the threat posed to a human-operated device based on an optimal device trajectory through a constraint-bounded corridor. A model of the device together with a model of anticipated hazards and the current state of both the device and the hazards are used to iteratively generate an optimal device trajectory through a constraint-bounded corridor or region within state space. Device dynamics are forward-simulated over a time horizon. A method generates a threat assessment metric from the resulting sequence of optimal vehicle states. This threat assessment may be used to devise various types and levels of operator assistance. The human operator can control the device within a safe corridor or region. Threat assessment is based on the nearness of successive optimal trajectory predictions to limits of safe device handling rather than on deviation from a predefined path.