Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for inducing protective and/or therapeutic immune responses to an antigen in a mammal. In these methods, an antigen is administered to the mammal with a toxin of a Clostridium (e.g., C. difficile), or a fragment or derivative thereof having adjuvant activity.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for prophylactic and antibacterial therapy for Helicobacter, particularly for Helicobacter pylori, infection of humans. The immunogenic composition of the invention is composed of a plurality of multimeric complexes, each complex being composed of recombinant, enzymatically inactive Helicobacter pylori urease. Each multimeric complex is composed of six Urease A subunits and six Urease B subunits. Alternatively, the composition is composed of a mixture of multimeric complexes, wherein each multimeric complex in the mixture is composed of six Urease A subunits and six Urease B subunits or four Urease A subunits and four Urease B subunits.

Abstract: The tag includes an active strip of magnetic material that, when in the presence of a magnetic bias field within a predetermined magnetic field intensity range, responds to excitation by electromagnetic radiation of a first predetermined frequency by radiating electromagnetic radiation of a second predetermined frequency that is a frequency-divided quotient of the first predetermined frequency; and a pair of bias strips of magnetic material disposed in relation to the active strip in a common housing with the active strip for magnetically biasing the active strip with a magnetic bias field within the predetermined magnetic field intensity range. The bias strips are cut from an extruded magnetic material ribbon having a width less than the length of the active strip and a magnetic moment parallel to the lateral dimension of the ribbon.

Abstract: A multiple channel data acquisition system for the transfer of large amounts of data from a multiplicity of data channels has a plurality of modules which operate in parallel to convert analog signals to digital data and transfer that data to a communications host via a FASTBUS. Each module has a plurality of submodules which include a front end buffer (FEB) connected to input circuitry having an analog to digital converter with cache memory for each of a plurality of channels. The submodules are interfaced with the FASTBUS via a FASTBUS coupler which controls a module bus and a module memory. The system is triggered to effect rapid parallel data samplings which are stored to the cache memories. The cache memories are uploaded to the FEBs during which zero suppression occurs. The data in the FEBs is reformatted and compressed by a local processor during transfer to the module memory. The FASTBUS coupler is used by the communications host to upload the compressed and formatted data from the module memory.

Abstract: A pneumatic system for banking consists of a pair of upright customer and teller terminals joined at right angles at their lower ends by a carrier transit tube. Each terminal includes a carrier elevator, a blower and a special ducting such that while only one blower propels the carrier from the sending to the receiving terminal both blowers are used to raise the elevator and carrier at the receiving terminal. Air valves at each terminal influence the movement of the carrier, and various controls initiate the sequence of operations by which the carrier is transferred between the terminals.

Abstract: The customer terminal in a pneumatic drive-up banking arrangement is provided with an inner chamber into which carriers arrive. The usual valve in the receive tube is replaced with a hinged door at the front of the inner chamber which the weight of the carrier opens, the carrier then rolling down a ramp, formed in part by the door, over the funneled mouth of the send tube to a ledge along the front of the terminal from which it can be picked up by a customer. The teller can independently return the carrier from the ledge by means of a solenoid actuated lever which flips the carrier into the send tube mouth.

Abstract: A vertical carrier receiving tube at the teller station in a pneumatic tube system for banking is provided with a door upon which the carrier arrives from the customer kiosk station. The door is counterbalanced so that upon arrival of the carrier its weight opens the door to display the carrier and upon its removal the door automatically recloses, thus eliminating the need for any motor drive to open and close the door.