Other

Houston Biotechnology Incorporated

Thomas L Wallace

Craig E Crosson

David E Potter

Michael E Hogan

Robert F Rando

William C Thompson

Raymond E Portyrata

George K Fisher

Joshua O Ojwaug

Paul A Cossum

Sheryl A Wallace

A filtration and backwash system for a water source such as a swimming pool is provided including a fluid source, a pump, a filter and a specially designed five-port valve which is easily adaptable for automatic use in the filtration mode and in the backwash mode. The valve uses a rotatable deflector plate which is positioned to divert the fluid in one direction in the valve for the filtration process and is positioned to divert the fluid in the other direction in the valve for the backwash process. An automatic timing device is also provided and is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with the valve whereby no manual intervention or electronic means is needed to change the valve from the filtering mode to the backwash mode or vice versa. The timing device automatically senses the pressure buildup in the filtration system due to accumulation of debris in the filter and automatically changes the valve from the filtration mode to backwash mode when a predetermined system pressure is exceeded. The timing device then gradually returns the valve to its initial filtering position to continue the filtering process.

Automatic valve assembly for water circulation systems

Guanosine-rich oligonucleotides having sequences that favor the formation under physiological conditions of a stable four-stranded structure containing two stacked guanosine quartets (G4s) are disclosed. These oligonucleotides demonstrate enhanced nuclease resistance, cellular uptake and biological efficacy. Methods and composition for treating viral infection using these guanosine-rich oligonucleotides are also disclosed. Certain embodiments of the new oligonucleotides are 16-17 nucleotides long and contain at least one C-5 propynyl dU substitution. A method for designing anti-viral oligonucleotides is also disclosed.

Anti-viral guanosine-rich tetrad forming oligonucleotides

Novel neurotrophic factor compositions are provided, obtained from lung tissue. The factors are found to be active on parasympathetic ganglion neurons enhancing acetylcholine activity. The compositions find use in the treatment of a number of eye disorders.

Neurotrophic factor

Novel neutrotrophic factor compositions are provided, obtained from lung tissue. The factors are found to be active on parasympathetic ganglion neutrons enhancing acetylcholine activity. The compositions find use in the treatment of a number of eye disorders.

A bolted rail fastening system comprising a rail mounted in a recessed area of a tie plate with the tie plate being secured to a cross-tie by means of coach screws extending downwardly therethrough. The rail is maintained in the recessed area by a pair of clips positioned at each side of the rail which will remain in position even if the nuts associated therewith become loose.

Bolted rail fastening system

Disclosed is a device for detecting temperatures which differ from a variable norm of particular use in detecting elevated temperatures in cattle. The device, one being attached to each animal, includes a square wave generator, an identification number encoder for outputting the identification number of the particular animal in the herd, a fever detector with an ambient temperature compensating circuit which provides output only when internal temperature of the animal is above a preset value for a given ambient temperature, and a transmitter which sends the identification code to a receiver. In certain embodiments, no separate fever detector is provided; rather the square wave generator outputs a frequency-modulated signal related to the internal body temperature. Of particular interest is the identification number encoder which intermittently outputs a preset hardwired identification code to the transmitter at periodic intervals for transmission to a receiver either at constant intervals or when temperatures sensed by a temperature detector exceed the variable norm by a preset given amount.

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The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

Thomas L Wallace