Abstract: Liquid softgel fill formulations include (i) 26-32% by weight acetaminophen, (ii) 47-51% by weight polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 200-800, (iii) 3-7% by weight propylene glycol, (iv) 9-13% by weight Povidone K17, and (v) 6-10% by weight purified water. The fill formulations are free of alkali metal ions. Also disclosed are a method of preparing the above-described fill formulations and softgel capsules containing the same fill formulations.

Abstract: Processes for preparation of fatty acid alkyl esters are described herein. The processes include contacting fatty acid glycerides with alcohols in the presence of a catalyst separating the reaction products from the catalyst, and separating the fatty acid alkyl esters from the reaction products. The catalyst includes a metal from Group VIB of the Periodic Table and an element from Group VA of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: A septic field dosing system is described which utilizes a self starting true siphon to deliver a dose of septic tank effluent into a conventional septic field. The precision siphon unit not only eliminates the need for electrical services to the septic tank, thereby eliminating the need for pumps and solenoid operated valves and switches at the septic tank, but also contains the effluent handling equipment in a small unit. For example, the drawdown of the septic tank is used to entirely control the operation of the dosing siphon. Further, the dimensional configuration of the precision siphon operates within the boundaries of the draw down to deliver a proper size dose to the septic field. While a typical septic tank can hold of the order of a thousand or more gallons, the precision siphon can easily fit into a five gallon bucket.

Abstract: A method for controlling pulsed power that includes measuring a first pulse of power from a power amplifier to obtain data. The method also includes generating a first signal to adjust a second pulse of delivered power, the first signal correlated to the data to minimize a power difference between a power set point and a substantially stable portion of the second pulse. The method also includes generating a second signal to adjust the second pulse of delivered power, the second signal correlated to the data to minimize an amplitude difference between a peak of the second pulse and the substantially stable portion of the second pulse.

Abstract: Metabolic auxotroph of Vibrio cholerae 0139 synonym Bengal which has a mutation in its hem A gene and which is not capable of synthesizing aminolevulinic acid (ALA) de novo and which is obtained from a parent strain originally isolated from a patient's coproculture having all the identifying characteristics of Vibrio cholerae 0139 synonym Bengal is described. In this strain the hem A gene is mutated by inserting a kanamycin resistant gene cassette. Another metabolic auxotroph of Vibrio cholerae 01 E1 Tor where the hem A gene is mutated by a frame shift mutation is disclosed. Methods of producing the strains are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a suspension for the encapsulation of heat and moisture sensitive substances in capsules, sachets, droplets and food compositions. It also relates to methods for encapsulating, to the encapsulated products and to methods for storing the encapsulated products. The invention is extremely suitable for the encapsulation of microbial cultures. Cultures encapsulated in capsules prepared according to the method of the invention, will stay stable for a long time. At 25 degrees C. they show a stability reduction of less than 1 log per month.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using non-macrogelled polymer-solvent combinations to form devices, in particular medical devices and/or cosmetic devices, more specifically contact lenses. The method of using polymer solvent combinations is suitable for forming useful 3D dimensionally stable structures which may include curved surfaces, which may be significantly different to those curved surfaces achieved by using simple meniscus effects.

Abstract: Processes for preparation of fatty acid alkyl esters are described herein. The processes include contacting fatty acid glycerides with alcohols in the presence of a catalyst separating the reaction products from the catalyst, and separating the fatty acid alkyl esters from the reaction products. The catalyst includes a metal from Group VIB of the Periodic Table, a metal from Group IIIA of the Periodic Table, and an element from Group VA of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of hydratable polymer materials and hydrogels. In particular, the present invention describes polyurethane polymer networks for releasably retaining water, and methods for preparing the same.

Abstract: A septic field dosing system is described which utilizes a self starting true siphon to deliver a dose of septic tank effluent into a conventional septic field. The precision siphon unit described by present invention not only eliminates the need for electrical services to the septic tank, thereby eliminating the need for pumps and solenoid operated valves and switches at the septic tank, but also contains the effluent handling equipment in a small unit which uses the available features of the septic tank to assist in the performance of its operations. For example, the drawdown of the septic tank which is now determined by the configuration of the siphon unit is used to entirely control the operation of the dosing siphon. Further, the dimensional configuration of the precision siphon taught by the invention operates within the boundaries of the draw down to deliver a proper size dose to the septic field.

Abstract: Metabolic auxotroph of Vibrio cholerae 0139 synonym Bengal which has a mutation in its hem A gene and which is not capable of synthesizing aminolevulinic acid (ALA) de novo and which is obtained from a parent strain originally isolated from a patient's coproculture having all the identifying characteristics of Vibrio cholerae 0139 synonym Bengal is described. In this strain the hem A gene is mutated by inserting a kanamycin resistant gene cassette. Another metabolic auxotroph of Vibrio cholerae 01 El Tor where the hem A gene is mutated by a frame shift mutation is disclosed. Methods of producing the strains are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the non-oxidative conversion of methane simultaneously with the conversion of an organic oxygenate, represented by a general formula: CnH2n+1OCmH2m+1, wherein C, H and O are carbon, hydrogen and oxygen elements, respectively; n is an integer having a value between 1 and 4; and m is an integer having a value between zero and 4, to C2+ hydrocarbons, particularly to gasoline range C6–C10 hydrocarbons and hydrogen, using a bifunctional pentasil zeolite catalyst, having strong acid and dehydrogenation functions, at a temperature below 700° C. is disclosed. In this process the moles of methane converted per mole of oxygenate converted is above 1.0, depending upon the process conditions.

Abstract: A process for the non-oxidative conversion of methane simultaneously with the conversion of an organic oxygenate, represented by a general formula: CnH2n+1OCmH2m+1, wherein C, H and O are carbon, hydrogen and oxygen elements, respectively; n is an integer having a value between 1 and 4; and m is an integer having a value between zero and 4, to C2+ hydrocarbons, particularly to gasoline range C6-C10 hydrocarbons and hydrogen, using a bifunctional pentasil zeolite catalyst, having strong acid and dehydrogenation functions, at a temperature below 700° C. is disclosed. In this process the moles of methane converted per mole of oxygenate converted is above 1.0, depending upon the process conditions.

Abstract: Novel devices for the controlled release of active materials especially pharmaceuticals comprise a capsule formed from two separable pieces at least part of the capsule walls is water permeable. The capsule contains a water sensitive material which on contact with water causes the two pieces to separate. In the preferred embodiment the devices comprise a generally cylindrical tube closed at one or both ends by a water swellable plug. The devices find particular application as oral dosage forms for use in man.

Abstract: An improved supported catalyst containing mixed strontium and other alkaline earth oxides deposited on a sintered low surface area porous catalyst carrier (or support) precoated with mixed lanthanum and other rare earth oxides, represented by the formula:A.sub.a SrO.sub.b (x) /R.sub.c LaO.sub.d (y) /S,wherein, A is alkaline earth element selected from Be, Mg, Ca, Ba or a mixture thereof; Sr is strontium, O is oxygen; R is rare earth element selected from Ce, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu or a mixture thereof; La is lanthanum; S is catalyst support selected from sintered low surface area porous refractory inert solids comprising of alumina, silica, silica-alumina, silicon carbide, zirconia, hafnia or a mixture thereof; a is A/Sr mole ratio in the range of about 0.01 to about 10; b is number of oxygen atoms needed to fulfill the valence requirement of alkaline earth elements (A.sub.a Sr); c is R/La mole ratio in the range of about 0.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering an active substance to a patient at a predetermined time after administration comprises a male hydrogel plug engaged in the neck of a female body. An expandable excipient such as a hydrogel powder or a pharmaceutical disintegrant in powder, slug or tablet form is provided beneath the active substance. In contact with an aqueous medium, the excipient absorbs water and swells such as to rapidly expel the active substance and effectively deliver it from the device.

Abstract: A controlled release capsule comprises a male plug (2) formed of a water swellable hydrogel which is engaged within a neck portion (4) of a female body (6). The capsule contains a pharmaceutically active material. In contact with an aqueous medium, such as in the gastrointestinal tract, the hydrogel plug swells and becomes disengaged from the body, thereby releasing the active material. In order to facilitate insertion of the male plug into the neck of the body, the body has a flared mouth portion (14) which is wider than the neck. The neck itself may be wider or narrower than the remainder of the body. A water-soluble cap (8) has detentes (18) which clip over the flared mouth portion so as to lock the cap thereto.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of ethylene by non-catalytic oxidative cracking of ethane or ethane rich C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 paraffins with high conversion, selectivity and productivity, operating in a most energy efficient and safe manner requiring little or no external energy, in an empty tubular reactor, wherein the exothermic oxidative conversion of ethane or ethane rich C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 paraffins is coupled with the endothermic hydrocarbon cracking reactions by carrying out both the exothermic and endothermic reactions simultaneously in the reactor so that the heat produced in the exothermic reactions is used instantly in the endothermic reactions and thereby making the overall process mildly exothermic, near thermo-neutral or mildly endothermic, which comprises passing a preheated gaseous feed comprising of ethane or ethane rich C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 paraffins, oxygen and steam through an empty tubular reactor operated at the effective temperature, pressure, space velocity and hydrocarbon/O.sub.

Abstract: A controlled release capsule comprises a male plug (2) formed of a water-swellable hydrogel which is engaged with a neck portion (4) of a female body (6). The capsule is intended to deliver two dosages of pharmaceutically active material at different times. A water soluble cap (8) is fitted over mouth (14) of the body, and defines a first volume (9) containing a first unit dosage (10). A second unit dosage (12) is contained within a second volume (11) defined by the plug and the female body. When the capsule is swallowed by a patient, the cap dissolves quickly in the aqueous medium within the gastro-intestinal tract and releases the first dosage. The aqueous medium then comes into contact with the hydrogel plug which swells and becomes disengaged from the body, usually in the intestine, thereby releasing the second dosage a predetermined time after the first dosage.

Abstract: An improved supported catalyst containing mixed strontium and other alkaline earth oxides deposited on a sintered low surface area porous catalyst carrier (or support) precoated with mixed lanthanum and other rare earth oxides, represented by the formula:A.sub.a SrO.sub.b (x)/R.sub.c LaO.sub.d (y)/S,wherein, A is alkaline earth element selected from Be, Mg, Ca, Ba or a mixture thereof; Sr is strontium; O is oxygen; R is rare earth element selected from Ce, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu or a mixture thereof; La is lanthanum; S is catalyst support selected from sintered low surface area porous refractory inert solids comprising of alumina, silica, silica-alumina, silicon carbide, zirconia, hafnia or a mixture thereof; a is A/Sr mole ratio in the range of about 0.01 to about 10; b is number of oxygen atoms needed to fulfill the valence requirement of alkaline earth elements (A.sub.a Sr); c is R/La mole ratio in the range of about 0.