Abstract:
The cloning of a novel PCVII viral genome is described as is expression of proteins derived from the PCVII genome. These proteins can be used in vaccine compositions for the prevention and treatment of PCVII infections, as well as in diagnostic methods for determining the presence of PCVII infections in a vertebrate subject. Polynucleotides derived from the viral genome can be used as diagnostic primers and probes.
Abstract:
A data cartridge handling apparatus comprises a ring-shaped carousel (40) rotatably mounted within a housing (22). Cartridge-accommodating cells (52) are angularly arranged about the carousel between an inner periphery (48) and an outer periphery (50) of the carousel. A transducing drive (70) is mounted within the housing and outside the outer periphery. A motor (60) rotates the carousel to facilitate selective alignment of a selected cell (52S) with the drive (70) along a radial dimension (106) of the carousel. A picker (100, 200) is mounted within the housing at a point within the inner periphery of the carousel (40). The picker (100, 200) has a picker arm (104, 204). A distal end of the picker arm has a gripper (110, 210) which selectively engages and disengages a data cartridge (72). The picker arm linearly translates in the radial dimension for the purpose of moving an engaged data cartridge from the selected cell (52S) to a loading position of the drive (70), and conversely for unloading a data cartridge from the drive and withdrawing the same into the selected cell. The gripper comprises a thumb (112, 230). One of the gripper and the thumb is pivotally connected to the picker arm to allow the thumb to selective engage and disengage a feature (160) on the data cartridge. A trip member (150, 250) is mounted in the housing between the outer periphery of the carousel and the drive for actuating pivoting of the gripper, and thereby actuating the selective disengagement of the picker thumb with the feature on the data cartridge for loading of the data cartridge into the drive.
Abstract:
A system and method of optimizing pay-for-placement advertising is disclosed. The disclosed method includes the selection of a metric for evaluating the performance of a pay-for-placement advertisement or “listing,” and predicting the performance of the listing relative to said metric using a particular search term at a plurality of positions on a plurality of search engines. The method further includes predicting the anticipated cost and effectiveness for each position, search engine combination, and the setting of new bids or retention of old bids for listings based on said predictions. The disclosed method includes the use of historical data regarding the effectiveness of a particular listing or search term to predict future performance at different listing positions or on different search engines or contextual advertising services. The party placing the advertising can then compare the effectiveness of a listing across different search engines or contextual advertising services in order to optimize its advertising campaigns.
Abstract:
A polymer adapted for the Shrink resist treatment of textile materials imparting water, stain and/or oil repellency. The polymer includes a fluorinated polyether.
Abstract:
Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) is a recently identified agent wherein the potential spectrum of PCV-2-associated disease has been expanded by evidence of vertical and sexual transmission and associated reproductive failure in swine populations. PCV-2 was isolated from a litter of aborted piglets from a farm experiencing late term abortions and stillbirths. Severe, diffuse myocarditis was present in one piglet associated with extensive immunohistochemical staining for PCV-2 antigen. Variable amounts of PCV-2 antigen were also present in liver, lung and kidney of multiple fetuses. Inoculation of female pigs with a composition including an immunogen from PCV-2 or an epitope of interest from such an immunogen or with a vector expressing such an immunogen or epitope of interest prior to breeding, such as within the first five weeks of life, or prior to the perinatal period, or repeatedly over a lifetime, or during pregnancy, such as between the 6th and 8th and/or the 10th and 13th weeks of gestation, can lower viral titer, prevent myocarditis, abortion and intrauterine infection associated with porcine circovirus-2. In addition, innoculation of male and/or female pigs with the aforementioned compositions can be carried out to prevent transmission of PCV-2 from male to female (or vice versa) during mating. Thus, the invention involves methods and compositions for preventing myocarditis, abortion and intrauterine infection associated with porcine circovirus-2.
Abstract:
The invention relates to new porcine circovirus strains isolated from pulmonary or ganglionic samples obtained from farms affected by the post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). It relates to purified preparations of these strains, conventional attenuated or inactivated vaccines, recombinant live vaccines, plasmid vaccines and subunit vaccines, as well as reagents and diagnostic methods. It also relates to the DNA fragments which can be used for the production of subunits in an in vitro expression vector or as sequences to be integrated into a virus or plasmid type in vivo expression vector.
Abstract:
A fishing lure has a body with a replaceable bib mounted by releasable locking means within a slot at its forward end. The bib can thereby be replaced by a bib which provides different depth characteristics for the lure.
Abstract:
Poly(vinyl phosphonic acid) is synthesized by polymerizing vinyl phosphonyl dichloride in the presence of a cross-linker such as formaldehyde or 1,3-butadiene di-epoxide, with a free-radical initiator. The product can be reacted with aluminosilicate glass to form an improved cement.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an impact-responsive vest having a piezoelectric layer sandwiched between other layers and connected by wire leads to a control module. The control module includes a programmable read-only memory having parameters identifying, through the amplitude of a signal impact, forces produced by paint ball impacts which are compared with impact signals from the vest. When a match is found, the compare circuit sends a signal to an audible alarm to alert the wearer that he or she has been hit by a paint ball. The control module is compact and is worn by the vest-user. Also disclosed is a remote reset module to provide a reset signal to the control module once the alarm has been activated.
Abstract:
An anchoring cartridge suitable for use in anchoring a reinforcing or fixing element such as an anchor bolt in a borehole in a substrate contains a particulate liquid-settable solid component, such as a hydraulic cement, within a frangible liquid-impermeable casing. Through the solid component passes a discontinuous tube at least one end of which is located at one end of the cartridge so as to be in communication with the exterior. To activate the cartridge, it is placed within an activating liquid, such as water, which flows into the cartridge via the discontinuous tube and thus into contact with the solid component from within the cartridge over substantially its whole length, so that after a relatively short time, i.e. a few minutes, the activated cartridge can be positioned for use in a borehole. This discontinuous tube regulates the flow of activating liquid into the solid component and serves to ensure the formation of a self-setting grouting composition of substantially uniform strength when the cartridge is used in anchor bolting.