Abstract:
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid is made up of a single species of protein called the core antigen (HBcAg) which self-assembles into particles. The particles are highly immunogenic and are able to present heterologous epitopes to the immune system when the epitopes are inserted into a surface-exposed region of the particles called the “e1 loop”. The structural building blocks of the particles are tightly associated dimers of HBcAg in which the adjacent e1 loops are closely juxtaposed. It is proposed that sequences inserted into the e1 loop are conformationally restrained in the assembled particles when presented in monomeric core protein. The invention seeks to solve this problem by covalently linking core proteins as tandem copies (e.g., as dimers) so that insertions can be made independently in each copy. This is particularly useful for insertion of large sequences into the e1 loop because it allows such sequences to be inserted into just one copy of the core protein per tandem repeat, thereby reducing potential conformational clashes in assembly. Alternatively, a different sequence may be inserted into each e1 loop of a tandem repeat, thus increasing the flexibility of HBcAg particles as an epitope delivery system.
Abstract:
A flat trapezoidal container provides a generally frustoconical single cavity for snugly sheathing a flower pot. The container is specifically dimensioned sheath a flower pot so as either (a) to leave therebeneath, a surplus of film in an transition zone which is concealable under the flower pot, or (b) form a hexagonal gusset in the bottom. The container is made from two flat panels of heat-sealable film, each shaped in the general form of a trapezium; or from a single web folded double. The lower portion of the container is ornamentally imprinted along a border extending beneath a generally lateral line above the longitudinal axis of the web; and, with a marker in the upper portion, identifies the contents, or provides instructions for their use or care. When the cavity is distended by being partially filled, the entire container, except for a transition zone, presents a smoothly arcuate surface of the frustum of a cone. The lower exterior portion is continuously printed with ornamental design elements without an interruption in the printing, such as is present as an elongated blank rectangle in prior art bags. The transparent upper portion is free from an elongated portion of the printed image near the edges, as in prior art containers. A method is disclosed for forming the printed container which method requires discarding the material for more than one-half of one container for each container made by thermally sealing the equally, but oppositely angulated sides of the trapeziums, and the shorter of the remaining parallel sides.
Abstract:
A flat trapezoidal container provides a generally frustoconical single cavity for snugly sheathing a flower pot. The container is specifically dimensioned sheath a flower pot so as either (a) to leave therebeneath, a surplus of film in an transition zone which is concealable under the flower pot, or (b) form a hexagonal gusset in the bottom. The container is made from two flat panels of heat-sealable film, each shaped in the general form of a trapezium; or from a single web folded double. The lower portion of the container is ornamentally imprinted along a border extending beneath a generally lateral line above the longitudinal axis of the web; and, with a marker in the upper portion, identifies the contents, or provides instructions for their use or care. When the cavity is distended by being partially filled, the entire container, except for a transition zone, presents a smoothly arcuate surface of the frustum of a cone. The lower exterior portion is continuously printed with ornamental design elements without an interruption in the printing, such as is present as an elongated blank rectangle in prior art bags. The transparent upper portion is free from an elongated portion of the printed image near the edges, as in prior art containers. A method is disclosed for forming the printed container which method requires discarding the material for more than one-half of one container for each container made by thermally sealing the equally, but oppositely angulated sides of the trapeziums, and the shorter of the remaining parallel sides.
Abstract:
A grinding pump for pumping liquid containing solid and semi-solid matter having an improved efficiency and which requires a lower operating rpm while exhibiting an increased flow rate. The pump includes: a housing having a chamber; a shaft rotatably disposed within the housing, a comminutor on the shaft within the housing and having a helical blade, and an impeller having a vane; and a shredding liner secured to the housing structure in the chamber, so as to cooperate with the comminutor and impeller vane in shredding and pulverizing the matter.
Abstract:
A backhoe pivotally supported from a prime mover is disclosed wherein the hydraulic cylinders operably connected to the outrigger stabilizers are provided with a detent to maintain the outrigger stabilizers in an elevated transport position until being pressurized to extend the cylinders and, thereby, rotate the stabilizers into a ground engaging position. The detent is in the form of a projection extending inwardly from the barrel of the outrigger stabilizer cylinder and positioned for engagement with a deformable detent ring when the piston is moved to the fully retracted position. The detent includes a relief to permit the flow of hydraulic fluid past the engagement between the detent ring and the projection so that hydraulic cylinder will not become hydraulically locked.
Abstract:
A yellow smoke composition useful in hand held signals, such as the U.S. Army M194 yellow smoke parachute signal; which composition contains the nontoxic, environmentally safe, quinoline solvent yellow 33 color agent and critically exhibits the requisite dense yellow smoke for the requisite 9 to 18 second burn time upon use. Further, this inventive yellow smoke composition can be used in current metal tubes and in other media, such as biodegradable cardboard tubes.
Abstract:
The present invention describes an aluminum-based paste composition including an aluminum powder, one or more glass frits, an organo-aluminate compound; and an organic vehicle. The present invention also describes a solar cell including an aluminum-based paste composition applied on a back surface of a silicon wafer.
Abstract:
A remote monitoring and control system comprising synchronized wireless MESH technology for remote monitoring and control of utility grids (e.g., utility meters), commodity distribution networks, industrial equipment, and infrastructure including remote disconnection/connection and self-generating power.
Abstract:
A straightener blade for a turbomachine, comprising a platform arranged at a radially external end of the blade and adapted to be engaged in a annular groove of a housing, and a threaded rod radially extending outwardly from the platform and adapted to pass through an orifice of the housing in order to receive a fixing nut, the upstream and downstream edges of the platform each comprising a protrusion extending in the plan of the platform in order to limit the rotation of the platform in the groove when the nut screwed on the threaded rod is tightened.
Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling an electric motor (14) for, when energized, moving a vehicle window (22) selectively up or down and selectively in an auto up or auto down mode. The apparatus includes an electrical circuit electrically coupled to the electric motor (14) to energize the electrical motor (14) to move the window (22) toward one of the fully open and fully closed positions. The circuit includes a printed circuit board (46) and a first switch (10) for selectively energizing the electrical motor (14). An actuator (32) is movable to actuate the first switch (10) to actuate the electrical motor (14). A second switch (200) for selectively energizing the electrical motor (14) in an auto function mode is activated by a member (150) extending through the printed circuit board (46).