Abstract: A composition includes at least one hydrophilic polymer containing primary (—NH2) and/or secondary (—NHR) amine groups and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function. A method of increasing the strength of paper includes the step of contacting the paper with a composition comprising (i) at least one hydrophilic polymer containing at least two groups which are independently the same or different a primary amine group or a secondary amine group and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function. A hydrogel composition is formed from a mixture of at least one hydrophilic polymer containing at least two groups which are independently the same or different a primary amine group or a secondary amine group and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function.

Abstract: A pump includes a flexible conduit, at least one valve attached to the flexible conduit about the perimeter of the valve; and a drive mechanism to move the valve to pump blood within the conduit. The drive mechanism can, for example, be adapted to complete a single stroke during each heart ventricle contraction and/or to complete multiple strokes (that is, oscillate) during a single contraction. The moveable valve includes a plurality of openings. Each of the plurality of openings has a closure mechanism in operative connection therewith which is operable to at least partially close the opening to which it is operatively connected when the moveable valve is moved forward and to open the opening to which it is operatively connected when the valve is moved rearward. In one embodiment, each closure mechanism includes a flap of resilient material.

Abstract: A compound having the formula in racemic form, enantiomerically enriched form or enantiomerically pure form; wherein X is a radical precursor; R5 is a C1-10 alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, or a benzyl group; R6 is an alkyl group, —Si(R8R9R10) or —(R7)Si(R8R9R10), wherein R7 is an alkylene group, an alkenylene group, or an alkynylene group; and R8, R9 and R10 are independently a C1-10 alkyl group, a C2-10 alkenyl group, a C2-10 alkynyl group, an aryl group or a —(CH2)NR11 group, wherein N is an integer within the range of 1 through 10 and R11 is a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, an amino group, an alkylamino group, a dialkylamino group, a halogen atom, a cyano group, —SRc or a nitro group; and R13 is H, F or —CH3.

Abstract: A system for separating a heavy fraction from a liquid, including a housing and a mechanism in operative connection with the housing to induce rotational flow within an upper section of the housing. The system further includes a flow restrictor positioned below (that is, at the bottom of or below) the upper section of the housing in which rotational flow is induced by the rotational flow mechanism. The flow restrictor has a diameter less than the inner diameter of the housing so that a gap is formed between the flow restrictor and the housing. The housing further includes an inlet positioned above the flow restrictor and a first outlet positioned below the flow restrictor. The first outlet is positioned radially inward from an interior wall of the housing. The housing can be generally cylindrical from the top of the gap to a baffle positioned below the flow restrictor. The baffle defines a settling section for the heavier fraction.

Abstract: The present invention provides generally a compound having the following general formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are independently the same or different and are hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a benzyl group, an alkynyl group, an alkoxyl group, an aryloxy group, an acyloxy group, a carbonyloxy group, a carbamoyloxy group, a halogen, a hydroxyl group, a nitro group, a cyano group, an azido group, a formyl group, a hydrazino group, an acyl group, an amino group, —SRc, wherein, Rc is hydrogen, an acyl group, an alkyl group, or an aryl group, or R1 and R2 together form a group of the formula —O(CH2)nO— wherein n represents the integer 1 or 2; R3 is H, F, a halogen atom, a nitro group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, or a cyano group; or R2 and R3 together form a group of the formula —O(CH2)nO— wherein n represents the integer 1 or 2; R4 is H, F, a C1-3 alkyl group, a C2-3 alkenyl group, a C2-3 alkynyl group, or a C1-3 alkoxyl group; R5 is a C1-10 alkyl group, or a propargyl group; and R6, R7 and

Abstract: A device for instructing mathematics includes a work surface and a plurality of movable elements. Each of the movable elements includes, on a front surface thereof, at least a portion of a visible mathematical symbol (including numeric and nonnumeric symbols) thereon readable via eyesight. Each of the movable elements further includes an attachment member on a rearward surface to attach the element to the work surface. The attachment member preferably allows the element to be removed from the work surface and to be slidably positionable to any position on the work surface once attached thereto. The device can further include a frame around the work surface. Preferably, the frame defines a boundary for positioning of the movable elements. In one embodiment, magnetic attraction is used to maintain the attachment member in movable connection with the board.

Abstract: A composition includes water; at least one hydrophilic polymer containing at least two groups which are independently the same or different a primary amine group or a secondary amine group and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function as described above. The hydrophilic polymer and the saccharide are mixed to form a reaction mixture and reacted to increase the viscosity of the reaction mixture. The reaction is then substantially terminated by reducing the pH of the composition.

Abstract: A method of determining a state of ventricular fibrillation, includes: measuring the rhythm of the heart during ventricular fibrillation for a period of time; creating a lagged phase space reconstruction of the measured rhythm; determining a first value related to the rate of change of the leading edge of the phase space reconstruction over the period of time; and determining the state of ventricular fibrillation by relating the first value to the state of ventricular fibrillation. A defibrillation system includes at least one processor in communication with a sensor to measure heart rhythm and an applicator to apply a defibrillation pulse. The processor is adapted to create a lagged phase space reconstruction of ventricular fibrillation heart rhythm and to determine a first value related to the rate of change of the leading edge of the phase space reconstruction over a period of time.

Abstract: A method of separating at least a first non-fluorous compound from a mixture of compounds including at least the first non-fluorous compound and a second fluorous compound includes: charging the of compounds to a non-fluorous solid (stationary) phase and eluting with a fluorous eluting fluid (mobile phase). In one embodiment, the non-fluorous solid phase is polar in nature. The method can further include a second phase elution with a suitable organic solvent. A method conducting a chemical reaction, includes: mixing at least a first fluorous compound and a second compound, the first fluorous compound differing in fluorous nature from the second compound; exposing the first mixture to conditions to convert at least one of the first fluorous compound and the second compound to give a second mixture containing at least a third compound, charging the second mixture to a non-fluorous solid phase; and eluting with a fluorous fluid.

Abstract: A composition includes water having a salinity of at least 1 ppt, at least one hydrophilic polymer containing primary (—NH2) and/or secondary (—NHR) amine groups and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function. A method of changing the permeability of a subterranean formation includes the step of injecting into a subterranean formation a composition comprising water, at least one hydrophilic polymer containing at least two groups which are independently the same or different a primary amine group or a secondary amine group and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function.

Abstract: Dictyostatin and its analogs show great promise as new anticancer agents. The present invention provides dictyostatin analogs, synthetic intermediates for the synthesis of dictyostatin analogs, and synthetic methods for the synthesis of such analogs and intermediates.

Abstract: a device for measuring dimensions in a hollow organ of the body, includes: a length of conduit; a measuring mechanism on one end of the conduit; and an indicator in connection with a second end of the conduit. The indicator is in operative connection with the measuring mechanism to provide an indication of a dimension measured by the measuring mechanism. In one embodiment, the measuring mechanism includes extending members that open and close in the manner of forceps to contact the walls of the organ.

Abstract: A device for instructing mathematics includes a work surface and a plurality of movable elements. Each of the movable elements includes, on a front surface thereof, at least a portion of a visible mathematical symbol (including numeric and nonnumeric symbols) thereon readable via eyesight. Each of the movable elements further includes an attachment member on a rearward surface to attach the element to the work surface. The attachment member preferably allows the element to be removed from the work surface and to be slidably positionable to any position on the work surface once attached thereto. The device can further include a frame around the work surface. Preferably, the frame defines a boundary for positioning of the movable elements. In one embodiment, magnetic attraction is used to maintain the attachment member in movable connection with the board.

Abstract: The present invention provides generally a compound having the following general formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are independently the same or different and are hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a benzyl group, an alkynyl group, an alkoxyl group, an aryloxy group, an acyloxy group, a carbonyloxy group, a carbamoyloxy group, a halogen, a hydroxyl group, a nitro group, a cyano group, an azido group, a formyl group, a hydrazino group, an acyl group, an amino group, —SRc, wherein, Rc is hydrogen, an acyl group, an alkyl group, or an aryl group, or R1 and R2 together form a group of the formula —O(CH2)nO— wherein n represents the integer 1 or 2; R3 is H, F, a halogen atom, a nitro group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, or a cyano group; or R2 and R3 together form a group of the formula —O(CH2)nO— wherein n represents the integer 1 or 2; R4 is H, F, a C1-3 alkyl group, a C2-3 alkenyl group, a C2-3 alkynyl group, or a C1-3 alkoxyl group; R5 is a C1-10 alkyl group, or a propargyl group; and R6, R7 and

Abstract: An adhesive including a mixture of isocyanate capped molecules formed by reacting multi-isocyanate functional molecules with multi-functional precursor molecules including terminal functional groups selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, a primary amino group and a secondary amino group. Preferably, the functional groups are hydroxyl groups. The multi-functional precursor compounds are biocompatible. Multi-amine functional precursors of the multi-isocyanate functional molecules are also biocompatible. As discussed, above, the mixture of molecules preferably has an average isocyanate functionality of at least 2.1 and, more preferably, has an average isocyanate functionality of at least 2.5. As also described above, the mixture of molecules preferably has a viscosity in the range of approximately 1 to approximately 100 centipoise. The mixture of molecules forms a crosslinked polymer network upon contact with the organic tissue in the presence of water.

Abstract: A compound has the formula in racemic form, enantiomerically enriched form or enantiomerically pure form. R6 is preferably —Si(R8R9R10) or —(R7)Si(R8R9R10), wherein R7 is an alkylene group, an alkenylene group, or an alkynylene group; and R8, R9 and R10 are independently a C1-10 alkyl group, a C2-10 alkenyl group, a C2-10 alkynyl group, an aryl group or a —(CH2)NR11 group, wherein N is an integer within the range of 1 through 10 and R11 is a hydroxy group, alkoxy group, an amino group, an alkylamino group, a dialkylamino group, a halogen atom, a cyano group, —SRc or a nitro group. R1–R4 can be broadly substituted. R5 is preferably a C1-10 alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, or a benzyl group. R13 is preferably H, F or —CH3. R16 is R16 is —C(O)Rf or H. The E-ring (the lactone ring) may be opened. A method of synthesis of compound (1) and intermediates in the synthesis thereof are provided.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a compound having the formula: comprising the step of: reacting a N-vinylformamide salt having the formula ?with a compound having the formula XR1R2; wherein X is Br, Cl or I, M is an alkali metal or an alkali earth metal, R1 is a C0–C25 alkylene group, a C0–C25 fluroalkylene group or a C0–C25 perfluoro alkylene group, R2 is H, provided R1 is not absent, an alkyl group, a fluroalkyl group, a perfluoroalkyl group, an aryl group, a hydroxy group, a polyether group, a heterocyclic group of 5 or 6 atoms wherein at least one of the atoms is not a carbon and is N, O, or S, —OR3, wherein, R3 is an alkyl group, a fluoroalkyl group, a perfluoroalkyl group, or an aryl group, —C(O)R4, —C(O)OR4, —OC(O)R4, —OC(O)R4, wherein R4 is an H, an alkyl group, a fluoroalkyl group, a perfluoroalkyl group, or an aryl group, a phthalimide group or NR5 R5 wherein R5 and R5 are independently H, —C(O)R4, an alkyl, a fluoroalkyl group, a perfluoroalkyl group or an aryl group.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for managing documents includes the steps of: creating a document profile that includes fields of attributes of a document and generating a unique identifier for the document. The unique identifier includes at least a first portion including information descriptive of an attribute of the document and at least a second portion including an automatically generated number. The method preferably further includes the step of storing the document profile for the document.

Abstract: An anchoring system includes an anchor member to anchor the lifeline and at least one extending unit to extend the anchor member out to a working position beyond (horizontally) and above (vertically) an edge to provide for an overhead anchoring point. The anchoring system preferably further includes a support to which the extending unit is attached. The support immobilizes the overhead anchoring system so that the anchor member remains at the working position (even in the case of a fall by the worker). A method of anchoring a fall protection lifeline for use by a worker working at or beyond an edge includes the steps: elevating an anchor member to position the lifeline above the head of a worker and supporting the anchor member at the working position. The method can also include the step of extending the anchor member to a working position horizontally beyond and above the edge.

Abstract: A process to produce N-vinylformamide includes the steps of: reacting hydroxyethyl formamide with a reactant comprising at least one cyclic anhydride group to form an ester, and dissociating the ester via heat in a thin film evaporation to synthesize N-vinylformamide and a compound comprising at least one diacid group, the N-vinylformamide separating from the diacid during the thin film evaporation. The reactant including at least one cyclic anhydride group can, for example, be succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, (2-docecen-1-yl)succinic anhydride, exo-3,6-epoxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride or a polymer including at least one cyclic anhydride group.