Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to immunointeractive molecules and more particularly antibodies which bind to vascular endothielial growth factor-B (VEGF-B) or its functional or structural equivalent and inhibit the biological activity of VEGF-B. In particular the present invention relates to deimmunized such as humanized or human antibodies that bind to VEGF-B and inhibit the biological activity of VEGF-B. These antibodies have uses in the treatment or prevention of diseases associated with perturbations in normal vasculogenesis or angiogenesis or vascular remodelling. The present invention further contemplates a method of modulating diseases associated with perturbations in normal vasculogenesis or angiogenesis or vascular remodelling by the administration of the subject antibodies. The present invention further provides an assay system useful for identifying antibodies which bind to VEGF-B and block the biological activity of VEGF-B. Accordingly, a method of screening for inhibitors of the biological activity of VEGF-B is also provided.
Abstract:
A system for generating addresses for a digital signal processor in which the program instructions include a code for accessing a memory associated with said processor. An address calculation circuit calculates each access address to the memory on the basis of operation codes designated by the address generation code of one of the instructions and of the content of one address register selected from said address registers. Each address generation code defines an operation code to be sent to the calculation circuit. Each of the address registers is further associated with a configuration register designated at the same time as the address register by the address generation code, and each of the configuration registers contains a set of predefined operation codes, each adapted to command a predetermined calculation operation in the calculation circuit.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a screening method for identifying a substance for the treatment of bone disorders that are associated with reduced bone mass in which the substance is tested for its ability to upregulate the expression of Fra-1 or to modulate the expression of a Fra-1 target gene in osteoblasts where the upregulation or modulation results in an increased bone formation in vivo. The identified osteoinductive compounds and DNA molecules encoding biologically active Fra-1 molecules can be used for the therapy of bone disorders characterized by a circumscribed or systemic reduction of bone mass.
Abstract:
In an illustrative embodiment, an audio/video conferencing system comprises two or more audio/video terminals, in which the transmitted and/or received audio is automatically adjusted to provide synchronization between audio and video during periods of monologue (i.e., single talker active for significant duration). During interactive periods in which more than one talker is active, the audio delay is automatically adjusted to be less than the video delay, thus improving audio conference quality.
Abstract:
The invention provides a high-strength hybrid component comprising a relatively soft first part -made of a composite material consisting of an organic matrix reinforced with fibres, a relatively hard second part made of metal, metal alloy or ceramic, and a transition layer made of a composite material consisting of a matrix of a material which is weldable to the hard part and fibres which are extensions of the fibres of the soft part. The transition layer matrix and the hard part may be formed by deposition of molten material on to the fibre preform of the soft part, using flame, electric arc or plasma, and the resin matrix of the soft part is impregnated into the preform and polymerized afterwards.Alternatively, the hard part may be machined to shape and welded to the transition layer before completing the soft part.
Abstract:
According to the invention, a torque-transmitting assembly is described. A female coupling member defines a shape with a tapered bore. A radially flexible sleeve member has a wall with a tapered exterior surface, received within the bore, and an inner surface defining a through-bore. An elongated shaft member made of super-elastic alloy has an outer surface that is received within the through-bore. Relative motion among at least two of the members causes the inner surface to contact the outer surface, inducing a super-elastic activation in the shaft, simultaneously securing the members together in a fixed relative position. The radially flexible sleeve member has a plurality of collet fingers, which preferably contact the shaft at discrete locations. It is further preferred that the super-elastic activation in the shaft occurs as a result of the discrete contact thereby changing the cross-sectional shape of the shaft, which is generally non-circular, e.g., polygonal, in a further preferred form. A surgical device, e.g., a flexible reamer, is descibed as incorporating the present assembly.
Abstract:
A high-strength hybrid component including a relatively soft first part made of a composite material including an organic matrix reinforced with fibers, a relatively hard second part made of metal, metal alloy, or ceramic, and a transition layer made of a composite material including a matrix of a material that is weldable to the hard part and fibers that are extensions of the fibers of the soft part. The transition layer matrix and the hard part may be formed by deposition of molten material on to the fiber preform of the soft part using flame, electric arc, or plasma. The resin matrix of the soft part is impregnated into the preform and polymerized afterwards. Alternatively, the hard part may be machined to shape and welded to the transition layer before completing the soft part.
Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to the field of cancer therapy and prophylaxis. More particularly, the present invention provides growth factor antagonists which inhibit the growth of cancers including tumors and pre-cancerous tissue. Even more particularly, the present invention is directed to antagonists of vascular endothelial growth factor-B and their use to inhibit the growth of cancer including tumor tissue and pre-cancerous tissue.
Abstract:
A broadband array antenna which delivers an axisymmetric main lobe. The antenna includes patches arranged with an interruption of periodicity in one of the planes and is corner-fed by tree like feed lines from a central point of energization. Opposite each path is a parasitic element for broadening the band. This device can be used in particular with measurement radar.
Abstract:
A process for moulding high strength elongated parts made of a fibre-resin composite material, especially turbomachine blades such as fan blades, is disclosed wherein a plurality of heating and cooling elements are arranged within the body of the mould at intervals along the length of the mould cavity, and the liquid resin which is injected at one end into the mould cavity containing the fibre preform is polymerized progressively from the opposite end of the mould cavity, while maintaining the supply of liquid resin under pressure to the cavity, by successively de-activating the cooling elements, which maintain the resin in the liquid state, at predetermined time intervals starting from said opposite end of the mould cavity and progressing in turn towards said one end, and in synchronism therewith successively activating the heating elements to raise the temperature of the resin to the polymerizing temperature progressing in turn from said opposite end to said one end of the mould cavity. The process enables shrink cavities in the finished part to be avoided.