Abstract: A method of preparing an active agent or a salt thereof from a pro-drug first compound (1) comprising a propargyl group connected to an oxygen that is directly or indirectly connected to the active agent is provided, wherein the bond between the propargyl group and the oxygen is cleaved by reacting the first compound with palladium or gold, thereby releasing the active agent. Prodrug compositions suitable for use in the method are also provided.

Abstract: The physical integrity of a large-scale hardware connection between two modules, such as in the context of high-speed digital printing, is tested by entering a diagnostic mode in which single-instruction handshake routines are repeatedly sent from one module to another through a parallel bus. Each handshake routine activates all of the communication lines in the bus. If a sending module does not receive the expected response to the single-instruction handshake routine within a predetermined time, the sending module causes an audible signal to be emitted. Service personnel can manually manipulate various cables, connectors, and sockets forming a hardware connection while the system is in diagnostic mode, to isolate the location of a hardware fault.

Abstract: A method of forming an economical image conditioning device suitable for conditioning low solids and high solids images in a liquid Immersion Development reproduction machine. The method includes the steps of arranging a quantity of metallic fibers into a flat pattern having a desired thickness; partially compressing and sintering the fibers forming the pattern to create a sintered metallic fiber sheet held together by metallic bonds between touching fibers; rolling the sintered metallic fiber sheet into a cylindrical shape having a seam; welding the seam to create a finished cylindrical core; and forming a foam layer and a skin layer over the core for contacting an image being conditioned.