All The Claims

1. A system for searching databases, the system comprising:
at least one computing device;
one or more databases each having historical incident data classified into categories or fields; and
a program code executing on the at least one computing device to:
standardize at least one of the categories of the historical incident in the one or more databases by correlating incident data to a predetermined format;
initiate a query for at least one of the standardize categories in response to an input parameter received via a user interface at the at least one computing device, the input parameter comprising at least one of an age range parameter, a year range parameter, a keyword parameter, and a product code parameter;
determine whether a result of the query is sufficient, and if deemed sufficient, signify an occurrence level and severity level of incidents for records found during the query, otherwise, filtering the result of the query and initiating another query;
apply automated scoring to historical incident data for generating severity sores and at-risk scores historical incident data, wherein at least one of the severity scores and at risk score are associated with demographics and the at least one of the severity scores and at risk scores are associated by at least one of a product and product characteristics; and
generate, at the user interface, one or more outputs associated with the predetermined format analysis.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device is further configured to cross-reference the categories among the one or more databases to find equivalent historical incident data for correlating the incident data to the predetermined format.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the categories for each of the one or more databases is database format dependent.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein at least one format of the one or more databases is different.
5. The system of claim 3 wherein at least one format of the one or more databases is one of partially and wholly different.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device standardizes the at least one of the categories to recode at least one of numeric codes and text codes originally associated with the categories.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device standardizes the at least one of the categories to generate standardized coding at least partially different from any one of the one or more databases.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device generates the report using one of the standardized coding and a native coding associated with one of the one or more databases.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device standardizes the at least one of the categories by using a pre-existing coding of one of the one or more databases.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device is further configured to generate a report that synthesizes the one or more outputs.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device is further configured to perform data mining and statistical mining of the historical incident data.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device is further configured to:
prompt, at the user interface, for product information to be used as parameters for the query;
prompt at the user interface, for data sources to be used in the query; and
submit the query using the input parameter to access the standardized historical incident data to produce the query result.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device is configured to output unified historical data from the one or more databases, the unified historical data comprising at least one of a bar chart, a pie chart, a table, a graph, and a histogram.
14. A system for searching databases, the system comprising:
at least one computing device;
a plurality of databases each having historical incident data classified into categories or fields; and
a program code executing on the at least one computing device to:
standardize at least one of the categories of the historical incident in the one or more databases by correlating incident data to a predetermined format;
prompt, at user interface, for product information to be used as parameters for a query;
prompt at the user interface, for data sources to be used in the query;
initiate the query for at least one of the standardize categories in response to an input parameter received via the user interface at the at least one computing device, the input parameter corresponding to the product information and comprising at least one of an age range parameter, a year range parameter, a keyword parameter, and a product code parameter;
determine whether a result of the query is sufficient, and if deemed sufficient, signify an occurrence level and severity level of incidents for records found during the query, otherwise, filtering the result of the query and initiating another query;
apply automated scoring to historical incident data for generating severity sores and at-risk scores historical incident data, wherein at least one of the severity scores and at risk score are associated with demographics and the at least one of the severity scores and at risk scores are associated by at least one of a product and product characteristics; and
generate, at the user interface, one or more outputs associated with the predetermined format analysis.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device is further configured to cross-reference the categories among the plurality of databases to find equivalent historical incident data for correlating the incident data to the predetermined format.
16. The system of claim 14 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device standardizes the at least one of the categories to recode at least one of numeric codes and text codes originally associated with the categories.
17. The system of claim 14 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device is further configured to perform data mining and statistical mining of the historical incident data.
18. The system of claim 14 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device is configured to output unified historical data from the plurality of databases, the unified historical data comprising at least one of a bar chart, a pie chart, a table, a graph, and a histogram.
19. The system of claim 14 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device is further configured to generate a report that synthesizes the one or more outputs.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein the program code executing on the at least one computing device generates the report using one of a standardized coding and a native coding associated with one of the plurality of databases.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A spacer member sandwiched between contact surfaces of first and second contact materials subject to abrasion and suffering from wear and provided with sliding and vibrating surfaces comprising:
said sliding or vibrating surfaces of the spacer member have a higher hardness than at least one of the contact surfaces of said first contact material and said second contact material and
said sliding or vibrating surfaces of the spacer member have a lower coefficient of friction and a higher flatness than at least one of the contact surfaces of said first contact material and said second contact material, whereby
said sliding or vibrating surfaces of the spacer member do not easily wear down the contact surfaces of the first and second contact materials.
2. A spacer member as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sliding and vibrating surfaces of the spacer member are partially or completely covered by a diamond-like carbon (DLC) film.
3. A spacer member as set forth in claim 2, wherein said diamond-like carbon (DLC) film is covered over said sliding and vibrating surfaces of the spacer member so that grooves are provided for regular or irregular segmentation.
4. A spacer member as set forth in claim 3, wherein said diamond-like carbon (DLC) film has at least one type of lubricating layer of a solid lubricating layer, liquid lubricant, powder lubricant, and a mixed lubricant of said solid lubricating layer and said liquid and powder lubricants on said groove and sliding and vibrating surfaces.
5. A spacer member as set forth in claim 2, wherein said diamond-like carbon (DLC) film is formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or physical, vapor deposition (PVD) and said film has a thickness of 300 nanometers to 40 micrometers.
6. A fastened structure comprising the spacer member as set forth in claim 1 for the sliding or vibrating surfaces of structures.
7. A fastened structure comprising the spacer member as set forth in claim 2 for the sliding or vibrating surfaces of structures.
8. A fastened structure comprising the spacer member as set forth in claim 3 for the sliding or vibrating surfaces of structures.
9. A fastened structure comprising the spacer member as set forth in claim 4 for the sliding or vibrating surfaces of structures.
10. A fastened structure comprising the spacer member as set forth in claim 5 for the sliding or vibrating surfaces of structures.

1. A method of selecting dendritic cells from a heterogeneous population of cells comprising contacting said cells with an antibody against dendritic cell-specific adhesion receptor (DC-SIGN), or a fragment thereof, and identifying dendritic cells based on binding of said antibody to said cells, thereby selecting dendritic cells from a heterogeneous population of cells.
2. A method of selecting dendritic cells from a heterogeneous population of cells comprising the steps of:
(a) obtaining a sample comprising a heterogeneous population of cells;
(b) contacting said sample with an antibody against dendritic cell-specific adhesion receptor (DC-SIGN), or a fragment thereof;
(c) sorting said heterogeneous population of cells; and
(d) identifying cells that bind to said antibody, thereby identifying said dendritic cells.
3. A method of modulating an immune response in a subject comprising the steps of:
(a) obtaining a sample consisting of a heterogeneous population of cells;
(b) contacting said sample with an antibody against dendritic cell-specific adhesion receptor (DC-SIGN), or a fragment thereof,
(c) sorting said heterogeneous population of cells;
(d) identifying dendritic cells that bind to said antibody;
(e) contacting said dendritic cells with an antigen to produce antigenic cells; and
(f) administering said antigenic cells to said subject, thereby modulating an immune response in a subject.
4. A method of treating or preventing an immune disease or disorder in a subject comprising the steps of:
(a) obtaining a sample consisting of a heterogeneous population of cells;
(b) contacting said sample with an antibody against dendritic cell-specific adhesion receptor (DC-SIGN), or a fragment thereof;
(c) sorting said heterogeneous population of cells;
(d) identifying dendritic cells that bind to said antibody;
(e) contacting said dendritic cells with an antigen to produce antigenic cells; and
(f) administering said antigenic cells to said subject, thereby treating an immune disease or disorder in a subject.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein said immune response is an immune response to a disease or disorder selected from the group consisting of viral infection, bacterial infection, parasitic infection, prion disease, neoplastic disease, allergy, and autoimmunity.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein said immune disorder is selected from the group consisting of bacterial diseases, viral diseases, parasitic diseases, autoimmune diseases, allergy, and neoplastic diseases.
7. The method of either claims 3 or 4, wherein said antigen is derived from the group consisting of tumor cells, autoimmune cells, prions, bacterium, viruses, yeast and parasites.
8. The method of either claims 3 or 4, wherein said antigen is derived by recombinant means.
9. The method of either claims 3 or 4, wherein said subject is a mammal.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said mammal is human.
11. A method of producing a vaccine comprising the steps of:
(a) obtaining a sample consisting of a heterogeneous population of cells;
(b) contacting said sample with an antibody against dendritic cell-specific adhesion receptor (DC-SIGN), or a fragment thereof;
(c) sorting said heterogeneous population of cells;
(d) identifying dendritic cells that bind to said antibody; and
(e) contacting said dendritic cells with an antigen, thereby producing a vaccine.
12. A kit to select dendritic cells from a heterogeneous population of cells comprising:
(a) an antibody against dendritic cell-specific adhesion receptor (DC-SIGN), or a fragment thereof; and
(b) instructions for use.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein said antibody is DCN46.
14. The method of claim 2 wherein said cells are sorted by flow cytometry cell sorting.
15. The method of claim 2 wherein said cells are sorted by magnetic beads.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein said antibody is fluorescently labeled.
17. The method of any one of claim 1 wherein said antibody is labeled by magnetic beads.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein said heterogeneous population of cells is derived from blood.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein said heterogeneous population of cells is derived from lymph.
20. The method of claim 1 wherein said heterogeneous population of cells is derived from lymph nodes.
21. The method of claim 1 wherein said heterogeneous population of cells is derived from spleen.
22. The method of claim 1 wherein said identified dendritic cells are 99% pure.
23. The method of claim 1 wherein said identified dendritic cells are 99.5% pure.
24. The method of any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein said antigenic cells are administered in a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation.
25. The kit of claim 12, wherein said antibody is DCN46.
26. The kit of claim 12, wherein said antibody is fluorescently labeled.
27. The kit of claim 12, wherein said antibody is labeled by magnetic beads.
28. The kit of claim 12, wherein said heterogeneous population of cells is derived from blood.
29. The method of claim 12, wherein said heterogeneous population of cells is derived from lymph.
30. The kit of claim 12, wherein said heterogeneous population of cells is derived from lymph nodes.
31. The kit of claim 12, wherein said heterogeneous population of cells is derived from spleen.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A mixing system comprising:
a housing;
a motor mount disposed on the housing and having a passage extending therethrough;
a drive motor coupled with the motor mount for selectively rotating the motor mount relative to the housing; and
a rotational assembly comprising a hub having a passageway extending therethrough and a casing at least partially encircling the hub, the hub being rotatable relative to the casing, the rotational assembly being removably coupled to the housing so that the passageway of the hub aligns with the passage of the motor mount.
2. The mixing system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
an access recessed on the housing, at least a portion of the access being bounded by a shoulder; and
the casing of the rotational assembly having a flange formed thereon, the rotational assembly being removably received within the access of the housing so that the flange of the casing rests on the shoulder of the access.
3. The mixing system as recited in claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a door that can be selectively closed so as to clamp the rotational assembly within the access of the housing.
4. The mixing system as recited in claim 3, farther comprising a section of resilient elastomeric material lining a portion of the access, the rotational assembly biasing against the elastomeric material when the door is closed.
5. The mixing system as recited in claim 1, farther comprising:
an elongated tubular connector having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the connector being connected to the hub; and
an impeller at the second end of the tubular connector
6. The mixing system as recited in claim 5, farther comprising a container having a compartment, the impeller being disposed within the compartment.
7. The mixing system as recited in claim 6, wherein the container comprises a flexible bag secured to the casing of the rotational assembly.
8. The mixing system as recited in claim 6, wherein the container comprises a flexible liner having an open mouth, the connector extending through the open mouth.
9. The mixing system as recited in claim 5, further comprising a drive shaft having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end of the drive shaft being passed through the motor mount, through the hub of the rotational assembly, and through the connector so that the second end of the drive shaft engages with the impeller.
10. The mixing system as recited in claim 9, wherein the first end of the drive shaft engages with the motor mount so that rotation of the motor mount by the drive motor facilitates rotation of the drive shaft.
11. The mixing system as recited in claim 9, further comprising:
the first end of the drive shaft having a first engaging portion with a substantially frustoconical configuration; and
the motor mount having an interior surface bounding the passage extending therethrough, a least a portion of the interior surface forming a second engaging portion having a substantially frustoconical configuration complementary to the first engaging portion, the first engaging portion being received within the second engaging portion.
12. The mixing system as recited in claim 11, wherein one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is comprised of a polymeric material and the other of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is comprised of a metal.
13. A mixing system comprising:
a motor mount having a passage extending therethrough;
a drive motor coupled with the motor mount for selectively rotating the motor mount;
a container having a compartment; and
a drive shaft having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the drive shaft having a first engaging portion with a substantially frustoconical configuration, the drive shafted being passed through the passage of the motor mount so that the first engaging portion of the drive shaft is at least partially disposed within the passage of the motor mount and the second end of the drive shaft is disposed within the compartment of the container.
14. The mixing system as recited in claim 13, the motor mount having an interior surface bounding the passage extending therethrough, at least a portion of the interior surface forming a second engaging portion having a substantially frustoconical configuration complementary to the first engaging portion, the first engaging portion being received within the second engaging portion.
15. The mixing system as recited in claim 14, wherein one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is comprised of a polymeric material and the other of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion is comprised of a metal.
16. The mixing system as recited in claim 13, wherein the drive shaft comprises:
a head section that includes the first engaging portion, the head section being comprised of a polymeric material; and
a shaft section that includes the second end of the drive shaft, the shaft section being comprised of a metal, the head section and the shaft section being connected together.
17. The mixing system as recited in claim 13, further comprising:
a housing; and
a rotational assembly comprising a hub having a passageway extending therethrough and a casing at least partially encircling the hub, the hub being rotatable relative to the casing, the rotational assembly being removably coupled to the housing so that the passageway of the hub aligns with the passage of the motor mount.
18. The mixing system as recited in claim 17, further comprising:
an access recessed in the housing, at least a portion of the access being bounded by a shoulder; and
the casing of the rotational assembly having a flange formed thereon, the rotational assembly being removably received within the access of the housing so that the flange of the casing rests on the shoulder of the access.
19. The mixing system as recited in claim 18, wherein the housing comprises a door that can be selectively closed so as to clamp the rotational assembly within the access of the housing.
20. The mixing system as recited in claim 17, wherein the motor mount is rotatably coupled with the housing.
21. The mixing system as recited in claim 17, further comprising:
an elongated tubular connector having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the connector being connected to the hub; and
an impeller at the second end of the tubular connector.
22. The mixing system as recited in claim 21, further comprising a container having a compartment, the impeller being disposed within the compartment.
23. The mixing system as recited in claim 22, wherein the container comprises a flexible bag secured to the casing of the rotational assembly.
24. The mixing system as recited in claim 22, wherein the container comprises a flexible liner having an open mouth, the connector extending through the open mouth.
25. The mixing system as recited in claim 21, wherein the second end of the drive shaft is passed through the motor mount, through the hub of the rotational assembly, and through the connector so that the second end of the drive shaft engages with the impeller.
26. The mixing system as recited in claim 25, wherein the first end of the drive shaft engages with the motor mount so that rotation of the motor mount by the drive motor facilitates rotation of the drive shaft.
27. The mixing system as recited in claim 25, wherein the drive shaft engages the hub so that rotation of the drive shaft facilitates rotation of the hub relative to the casing.
28. A mixing system comprising:
an elongated tubular connector having an interior surface bounding a passage extending between a first end and an opposing second end;
an impeller disposed at the second end of the tubular connector;
an elongated drive shaft having a first end and an opposing second end, the second end of the drive shaft being passed through the passage of the tubular connector to engage with the impeller so that rotation of the drive shaft facilitates concurrent rotation of the impeller and tubular connector, the first end of the drive shaft being disposed outside of the passage of the tubular connector;
means for securing the first end of the tubular connector to the drive shaft;
means for selectively rotating the drive shaft.
29. The mixing system as recited in claim 28, wherein the means for securing is mounted on the tubular connector and radially inwardly biases the tubular connector against the drive shaft.
30. The mixing system as recited in claim 28, wherein the means for securing comprises a clamp mounted on the tubular connector.
31. The mixing system as recited in claim 28, further comprising a container having a compartment, the impeller being disposed within the compartment.
32. The mixing system as recited in claim 31, wherein the container comprises a flexible liner having an open mouth, the connector freely extending through the open mouth.
33. The mixing system as recited in claim 32, further comprising a rigid support housing, the liner being at least partially disposed within the rigid support housing.
34. The mixing system as recited in claim 28, wherein the means for selectively rotating the drive shaft.
35. The mixing system as recited in claim 28, wherein the means for selectively rotating the drive shaft comprises:
a housing;
a motor mount disposed on the housing and having a passage extending therethrough; and
a drive motor coupled with the motor mount for selectively rotating the motor mount relative to the housing, at least a portion of the drive shaft engaging the motor mount such that rotation of the motor mount facilitates rotation of the drive shaft.