Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an electrical load may be automatically activated to consume electrical energy produced during driveline braking so that driveline braking may be extended. The electrical load may be a windscreen heater or other device.

A method of controlling an automated transmission for motor vehicles with one or several pressure activated positioning cylinders (6, 8, 20), via the assigned shift valves (10, 12), at least one main cut-off valve (4) which is positioned prior to the shift valves, and a control device for controlling the shift and main cut-off valves. The pressure requests, for the shifting, are determined and the respective main cut-off valves are triggered depending on the determined pressure requests. To enable a variable match of the supply pressure during transmission shifts, respective optimized pressures or pressure patterns are determined for certain shift scenarios which, for instance, consider a mass to be synchronized, the existence of a tooth-on-tooth position, or the like. Through this method, for instance, the load on shift elements, the shift timing, and the shift noise can be positively influenced.

Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque transferred via a driveline disconnect clutch is estimated based on characteristics of a torque converter to improve driveline operation.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling an engine system with a variable cam timing device. In one example, the variable cam timing device is operated to adjust engine valve timing differently at engine stop based on whether the engine stop is in response to an operator request or in response to an automatic controller initiated engine stop without an operator request.

When a vehicle speed of a wheel loader (1) is determined to be not higher than a reference value (Yes) in step S4 and a forward/reverse command switch (40) is determined to have been switchingly operated (Yes) in step S5, the routine advances to step S6 where an increment ΔN of engine speed according to an engine load factor is determined. In step S7, the increment ΔN of engine speed is then added to a target engine speed Na corresponding to a depression stroke of an accelerator pedal (38), the thus-determined Na=Na+ΔN is set as a new target engine speed Na, and a target engine speed command i1 is sent to an engine controller (37).

The present invention provides for a transmission shift assembly for a vehicle and methods of monitoring and controlling the same. The transmission shift assembly includes a transmission having a shift position member movable between a plurality of gear positions, an actuator configured to move the shift position between the gear positions, and a linkage coupled to the actuator and movable between a plurality of positions in response to movement of the actuator. The assembly further includes a controller to control the actuator, an ignition to receive a key, and at least one key sensor positioned within the ignition and configured to transmit a signal to the controller upon sensing removal of the key, the controller controlling the actuator to move the shift position member to a predetermined gear position upon receiving the signal from the key sensor that the key has been removed from the ignition.

A dog clutch control apparatus for an automated transmission includes a rotary shaft, plural dog clutch mechanisms, each of the dog clutch mechanisms including a clutch ring, a clutch hub arranged next to the clutch ring, a sleeve fitted with the clutch hub, a dog clutch portion which is provided at the clutch ring and selectively meshes with a spline formed at the sleeve, an axial driving device for moving the sleeve, the dog clutch control apparatus includes a disengagement detecting portion for detecting disengagement before the sleeve reaches a neutral position and a control apparatus for controlling operation of the axial driving device, wherein in a case where the disengagement is detected at a time of shifting operation, the control apparatus starts a shift-related control.

Disclosed are a method, a composition, a microarray, an antibody and a kit for diagnosis and prognosis of cancer, based on detection of deletion of the exon 3 region of G-CSF gene or levels of a mutated G-CSF protein having a deletion of an amino acid sequence corresponding to the exon 3 region, wherein the deletion of the exon 3 region of the G-CSF gene is used as a cancer biomarker.

The invention discloses a combined preparation containing IL-10 and rapamycin, able to induce immunosuppression and antigen-specific immune tolerance, and the use thereof in the treatment of diseases involving an excessive, dysfunctional or uncontrolled immune responses mediated by T cells.

The present invention relates to fusion proteins comprising an antibody, functional fragment or functional derivative thereof having specific binding affinity to either the extracellular domain of oncofetal fibronectin (ED-B) or at least one of the extracellular domains of oncofetal tenascin fused to a cytokine selected from the group consisting of IL-10, IL15, IL-24 and GM-CSF, functional fragments and functional derivatives thereof. The invention is also directed to the use of at least one of said fusion proteins for the manufacture of a medicament. In particular, the invention concerns the use of said medicament for the treatment of tumors or chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, arthritis and psoriasis.

Provided herein are novel compounds and novel protected compounds that can be derived from polymyxin, including, e.g., polymyxin A. The novel compounds have antibacterial properties against a diverse range of Gram negative bacteria and reduced toxicity compared to polymyxins such as polymyxin A. Also provided are antibacterial pharmaceutical compositions containing the novel compounds and novel protected compounds, as well as methods for preparing the antibacterial compounds and protected compounds.

The invention relates to indolesulfonyl halogenides which are useful for the protection of organic compounds comprising at least one guanidino moiety and/or at least one amino group. The invention further relates to a process for their preparation and their use as protecting reagents. The invention also relates to the process for the protecting reaction and to the protected compounds thereof.

This invention relates to compositions and methods comprising “lymphotoxin-β-receptor blocking agents”, which block lymphotoxin-β receptor signalling. Lymphotoxin-β receptor blocking agents are useful for treating lymphocyte-mediated immunological diseases, and more particularly, for inhibiting Th1 cell-mediated immune responses. This invention relates to soluble forms of the lymphotoxin-β receptor extracellular domain that act as lymphotoxin-β receptor blocking agents. This invention also relates to the use of antibodies directed against either the lymphotoxin-β receptor or its ligand, surface lymphotoxin, that act as lymphotoxin-β receptor blocking agents. A novel screening method for selecting soluble receptors, antibodies and other agents that block LT-β receptor signalling is provided.

The present invention provides a method for enhancing an immune response in a mammal to facilitate the elimination of a chronic pathology. The method involves the removal of immune system inhibitors such as soluble TNF receptor from the circulation of the mammal, thus, enabling a more vigorous immune response to the pathogenic agent. The removal of immune system inhibitors is accomplished by contacting biological fluids of a mammal with one or more binding partner(s) such as TNFα muteins capable of binding to and, thus, depleting the targeted immune system inhibitor(s) from the biological fluids. Particularly useful in the invention is an absorbent matrix composed of an inert, biocompatible substrate joined covalently to a binding partner, such as a TNFα mutein, capable of specifically binding to a targeted immune system inhibitor such as soluble TNF receptor.

Plant viral vectors have great potential in rapid production of proteins, but no simple. Here a geminivirus-based system for high-yield and rapid production of oligomeric protein complexes, including virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is described. In particular, a single vector that contains two non-competing replicons for transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves is described. The correct assembly of these subunit proteins into functional oligomeric structures (VLPs or full-size mAb) is also described. This system advances plant transient expression technology by eliminating the need for non-competing viruses, and thus, enhances the realistic commercial application of this technology for producing multiple-subunit protein complexes.

A method for reducing or substantially preventing formation of a trisulfide derivative of a polypeptide in a liquid medium containing the polypeptide ijn question comprises stripping the liquid medium with a gas, suitably a chemically unreactive gas such as nitrogen or argon.

The present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical formulations for treating diabetic foot ulcers.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting the activity of an enzyme, for example, Protein Kinase B, p70S6K and/or Abl using the catalytic subunit of Protein Kinase A (PKAc), or at least one PKAc fragment or variant PKAc fragment thereof. In this regard, methods for preventing or treating cancer or a neurodegenerative disease or disorder are also provided.

Compositions and methods for the treatment of asthma and inflammatory ocular disorders are disclosed.

The present invention relates to methods for producing a polypeptide having biological activity, comprising: (a) cultivating a fungal host cell in a medium conducive for the production of the polypeptide, wherein the fungal host cell comprises a first polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide operably linked to a second polynucleotide encoding a variant signal peptide or a variant prepropeptide; and (b) isolating the secreted polypeptide having biological activity from the cultivation medium.

The present invention relates to novel compounds having a function of a peptide in the amylin family, related nucleic acids, expression constructs, host cells, and processes production of the compounds. The compounds of the invention include one or more amino acid sequence modifications. In addition, methods and compositions are disclosed to treat and prevent metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and increased cardiovascular risk.

A formulation of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for promoting weight loss comprising reconstituted HCG in an amount sufficient to promote weight loss; at least one vitamin selected from the group consisting of: vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, vitamin B9, and vitamin B12; and at least one dietary supplement selected from the group consisting of: an amino acid, inositol, choline chloride, and L-carnitine.

Methods and systems for detecting azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (Aze) in food consumable by humans and animals are provided. Also provided are methods and systems for inactivating Aze in food and byproducts, as well as other methods for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disorders associated with Aze.

The present invention relates to treating a tissue in a mammal from the effects of reperfusion using flagellin.

The invention relates to human medicine and to the use of epidermal growth factor (EGF) for preparing a pharmaceutical composition which is administered by infiltration into the periphery of nerve ganglia and/or trunks for the morphofunctional restoration of peripheral nerves in painful sensory-motor neuropathy as well as manifestations of ischemic neuritis. The invention also includes a composition containing EGF which can be formulated together with anesthetics or analgesics or encapsulated in microspheres and to the use thereof for the morphofunctional restoration of peripheral nerves in painful sensitive-motor-type diabetic neuropathy and the manifestations of ischemic neuritis.

The present invention is related to the use of secretagogue peptides repeatedly administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition that prevent and eradicate the deposition of pathological fibrotic material in parenchymal tissues of internal organs like the liver, lungs, esophagus, small intestine, kidneys, blood vessels, joints, and other systemic forms of cutaneous fibrosis of any etiopathogenesis. Additionally, these peptides prevent and eradicate deposition of amiloid and hyaline materials in any of their correspondent chemical forms and tissue manifestations in the brain, cerebellum, blood vessels, liver, intestines, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, joints and the skin, among others. By this way, cellular, tissular and organ dysfunctions generated by these depositions are corrected. The peptides of the present invention are infiltrated or topically applied, contributing to prevent and eradicate keloids and hypertrophic scars in the skin, derived as sequelae of burns and other cutaneous trauma.

The invention relates to compositions comprising vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or fragments thereof, and the use of such compositions in the treatment of aortic fibrosis and other associated conditions.

Disclosed is a drug effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Basically, the disclosed therapeutic agent was created on the basis of experiments showing improvement in symptoms when etanercept was administered to patients suffering from fibromyalgia. Etanercept is known as a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis, and the JFIQ score of patients not suffering from fibromyalgia improved considerably in the preferred embodiment. In other words, a therapeutic agent for fibromyalgia is disclosed that contains etanercept as an active ingredient in an effective amount.

A method of treating a disease or condition in which up-regulating GAGs is therapeutically beneficial is disclosed, in particular osteoarthritis and skin diseases. The method comprises locally administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of down-regulating activity or expression of a component of the renin-angiotensin system.

The present invention relates to muscle repair promoters for local application that contain a colony-stimulating factor (CSF) as an active ingredient. The muscle repair promoters of the present invention exhibit their effect at low doses, particularly when they are administered intramuscularly.

Provided herein are novel compounds and novel protected compounds that can be derived from polymyxin, including, e.g., polymyxin A. The novel compounds have antibacterial properties against a diverse range of Gram negative bacteria and reduced toxicity compared to polymyxins such as polymyxin A. Also provided are antibacterial pharmaceutical compositions containing the novel compounds and novel protected compounds, as well as methods for preparing the antibacterial compounds and protected compounds.

The present inventors investigated the effects of anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies on improving the condition of infarcted areas in myocardial infarction, and on suppressing left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. As a result, the administration of anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies significantly suppressed the increase of MPO activity in the infarcted area and suppressed myocardial MCP-1 expression in both the infarcted area and the non-infarcted area. Furthermore, echocardiography and histological examinations revealed that cardiac hypertrophy is also suppressed.

The present invention provides variable mass labeling reagents, a set of the variable mass labeling reagents, and a multiplexed set of variable mass labeling reagents.

The present invention provides for a bio-mimetic polymer capable of catalyzing CO2 into a carbonate.

The present invention provides processes for the manufacturing of polypeptide conjugates. In particular, the invention provides methods for the purification of polypeptide conjugates, which include at least one polymeric modifying groups, such as a poly(alkylene oxide) moiety. Exemplary poly(alkylene oxide) moieties include poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(propylene glycol). In an exemplary process, hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) is used to resolve different glycoforms of glycoPEGylated polypeptides.

The present invention relates to treating a tissue in a mammal from the effects of reperfusion using flagellin.

The present invention is relevant to human medicine, and, in particular, to the use of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) in a pharmaceutical composition, said composition is administered through infiltration at the periphery of nerve trunks and/or ganglia, for the morphofunctional restoration of peripheral nerves in painful, sensory-motor neuropathy, as well as ischemic neuritis. It is also relevant to an EGF containing composition, where this molecule can be formulated together with anesthetic or analgesic drugs, or encapsulated in microspheres, and their use for the morphofunctional restoration of peripheral nerves in painful, sensory-motor neuropathy, as well as in ischemic neuritis.

A data storage and retrieval system includes a head carriage unit adapted for rotational motion and having multiple heads disposed at a working surface. The system also includes a tape drive unit configured to move a tape media past the working surface of the head carriage unit, the tape media having a width approximately equal to a width of the working surface. As the head carriage unit rotates and the tape moves past the working surface, a first head is configured to write a data track to the tape and a second head is configured to thereafter read the data track, where data read by the second head is for use in verifying data integrity and performing error correction.

An optical disc device according to the present invention performs, in parallel, a first control to convey a first tray in the first optical disc drive group from the disc replacing position to the recording and reproducing position, and a second control to convey a second tray in the second optical disc drive group 40R from the recording and reproducing position to the disc replacing position. The second tray is opposed to the first tray.

A cartridge drive apparatus includes a holder, a lock plate, and a drive unit. The holder is configured to hold a cartridge inserted therein. The lock plate is attached with respect to the holder to be movable in one of an insertion direction and a discharge direction of the cartridge and includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the cartridge. The drive unit is configured to drive the holder and the lock plate in one of the insertion direction and the discharge direction of the cartridge.

A compact disc (CD) player and method for ejection control thereof is provided. The CD player has: a CD tray, an eject button, a front-end module, a back-end module, and a fast response eject module, wherein the front-end module and the back-end module are coupled to each other and integrated in an integrated circuit (IC). The fast response eject module has a second tray control module for detecting a status of the eject button, and a second ejection detection module for controlling the ejecting/inserting of the CD tray according to the detected status of the eject button after the CD player is powered up and before initialization of the first ejection detection module is completed. Accordingly, the CD player of the invention may quickly respond to the status of the eject button and control ejecting/inserting of the CD tray immediately after the CD player is powered up.

The disk-shaped information recording medium having an outer diameter and an inner diameter comprises a substrate having a predetermined thickness, a first side that is one side of the substrate, a second side that is the other side of the substrate, a cylindrical portion forming a through hole formed at a center of the substrate, and a thin portion formed so as to surround an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion. The thin portion is thinner than the predetermined thickness and includes a non-inclined surface and an inclined surface formed on an outer diameter side of the non-inclined surface. The inclined surface is inclined at a predetermined angle to the non-inclined surface and is larger than the non-inclined surface in the thin portion.

An apparatus for rotating disc is provided, the apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment is characterized in that an anti-slip torque that is applied to the upper face of the disc by using the clamp unit and the elastic member is stronger than a rotation torque that is generated by the turn table to inhibit slipping of the optical disc from the turn table.

A lightweight radio/CD player for vehicular application is virtually “fastenerless” and includes a case and frontal interface formed of polymer based material that is molded to provide details to accept audio devices such as playback mechanisms (if desired) and radio receivers, as well as the circuit boards required for electrical control and display. The case and frontal interface are of composite structure, including an insert molded electrically conductive wire mesh screen that has been pre-formed to contour with the molding operation. The wire mesh provides EMC, RFI, BCI and ESD shielding and grounding of the circuit boards via exposed wire mesh pads and adjacent ground clips. The PCB architecture is bifurcated into a first board carrying common circuit components in a surface mount configuration suitable for high volume production, and a second board carrying application specific circuit components in a wave soldered stick mount configuration. The major components and subassemblies are self-fixturing during the final assembly process, eliminating the need for dedicated tools, fixtures and assembly equipment. The major components and subassemblies self-interconnect by integral guide and connection features effecting “slide lock” and “snap lock” self-interconnection. The radio architecture includes improved push buttons employing 4-bar living hinge linkage and front loaded decorative trim buttons.

There is provided a cartridge including a running portion which causes both end portions of a disc-shaped recording medium to run, and a pressing portion which presses one end portion of the disc-shaped recording medium to press the other end portion against the running portion. Static friction coefficients of a portion of the pressing portion coming in contact with the one end portion and a portion of the running portion coming in contact with the other end portion are different.

A data storage media may have at least a multi-layer recording lamination with a predetermined coercivity. The multi-layer recording lamination can be configured to record at least one servo format mark for a plurality of data tracks with a solid immersion mirror and program a data bit on the multi-layer recording lamination with a near field transducer.

Provided is an optical pickup device that compensates for an aberration caused by a beam splitter. When a beam of light is reflected from a disc and proceeds towards a beam splitter, the beam splitter is designed to allow the reflected beam to pass therethrough. However, the beam splitter can cause an astigmatism in the reflected beam due to diffraction. According to various aspects herein, an optical pickup device may include a compensation device that generates an inverse astigmatism to compensate for the astigmatism generated by the beam splitter.

A CD player, which comprises a conveying roller, a first sensing rod, a second sensing rod, a linkage member, a first switch and a second switch; wherein the linkage member is used for transmitting the rotation of the first sensing rod to the second sensing rod and provided with a first retaining part, a first clamping part, a second retaining part, a second clamping part; the two retaining parts are respectively arranged on both sides of a centerline of a CD conveying path; when the first sensing rod is prevented from rotating by the first retaining part, the second sensing rod is used for releasing the behavior; and when the second sensing rod is prevented from rotating by the second retaining part, the first sensing rod is used for releasing the behavior. The player can avoid the malfunction of a major-diameter CD detection switch and has a very simple structure.

An optical disc drive (ODD) including a tray having a spindle motor, an optical pickup unit, and a transfer motor, may have first and second flat cables. The first flat cable may be connected to the transfer motor, and the second flat cable may have a first terminal part connected to the first flat cable and a second terminal part connected to a circuit board. The circuit board may be arranged at the front of the tray. The second flat cable may include a plurality of signal lines covered by an insulator. One or more exposure parts may be formed in the second flat cable to expose at least one of the plurality of signal lines. An electric actuator of a locking unit may be connected to the one or more of the plurality of signal lines through the one or more exposure parts.

There is provided a disk cartridge including a case body in which a plurality of disk-shaped recording media are configured to be able to be received in an axial direction of a central shaft in parallel, and a first shell having a base surface section parallel to a recording surface of the disk-shaped recording medium and a second shell having a basal surface section parallel to the recording surface of the disk-shaped recording medium are coupled and separated through separation and connection in the axial direction, and a presser spring having a section to be attached, which is attached to the case body, and a pressing section configured to come in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the disk-shaped recording medium and to press the disk-shaped recording medium. The presser spring is formed of a resin material.