Abstract: A method of improving the seal compatibility and/or copper corrosion performance of lubricating oil compositions for the lubrication of the crankcases of an internal combustion engine, which method includes the step of adding to the lubricating oil compositions a minor amount of a non-hydrogenated (unsaturated) olefin polymer. Also described are lubricating oil compositions for engines and transmissions, which compositions contain sulphur and/or a salicylate soap and a minor amount of a non-hydrogenated (unsaturated) polymer, which compositions are compatible with nitrile rubber engine and transmission seals and copper-containing engine and transmission components.

Abstract: A system for pairing wireless nodes includes a plurality of device nodes, such as lamp nodes, a plurality of sensor nodes, such as light switch nodes, and a context manager node. Each of the device nodes, the sensor nodes and the context manager node includes a first communication channel having radio frequency signals and a diverse second communication channel including wireless non-radio frequency signals. Some of the device nodes and the sensor nodes are adapted to collect context information of a corresponding communication environment and to transfer the collected context information to the context manager node. The context manager node is adapted to employ the collected context information and enable automated distributed pairing of a first node of the device nodes and sensor nodes with another second node of the device nodes and sensor nodes.

Abstract: An integrated capacity control valve for a variable capacity refrigerant compressor includes an integral pressure sensor that is continuously coupled to a discharge port of the valve for measuring the refrigerant discharge pressure. A plunger of the control valve is disposed within a passage coupling the compressor crankcase to the discharge port, and is positioned by pneumatic and electric control elements to regulate the refrigerant suction pressure. The plunger has intersecting axial and lateral bores that define a continuous passage between the discharge port and a cavity in which the pressure sensor is retained so that the sensor is continuously exposed to the discharge pressure regardless of the plunger position, and refrigerant discharge pressure in the lateral bore produces a bias force on the plunger that compensates the pneumatic suction pressure setpoint for a pressure drop between the evaporator and the suction port of the valve.

Abstract: The present invention features a method for the formation of superporous hydrogels using an ion-equilibration technique. Anionic polysaccharides are included in the hydrogel reaction mixture and cations are introduced either during or after hydrogel formation. Properties of the resulting hydrogel can be subsequently adjusted by treating the cation-complexed gel with a different cation or cation mixture under equilibrating conditions. It has been found that by properly adjusting the cations and the sequence in which they are used in the equilibration process, superporous hydrogels can be formed that are highly absorbent while maintaining favorable structural properties, including strength, ruggedness, and resiliency. It has also been found that applying appropriate dehydration conditions to them after their formation can further stabilize the superporous hydrogels formed by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of network communication includes employing a communication network protocol stack having a plurality of independent communication layers providing a plurality of different corresponding services. A buffer manager is employed for a plurality of communication buffers. The buffer manager is independent of the independent communication layers. An application framework provides asynchronous communications among the buffer manager and the independent communication layers. For a plurality of pairs of the buffer manager and one of the independent communication layers and for a plurality of pairs of the independent communication layers, the method provides subscribing by the buffer manager and by the independent communication layers to a plurality of events through the application framework and publishing by the buffer manager and by the independent communication layers a plurality of corresponding events through the application framework.

Abstract: A thimerosal-free hyaluronidase preparation wherein the preferred hyaluronidase enzyme is devoid of molecular weight fractions below 40,000 MW, between 60-70,000 MW and above 100,000 MW. Also disclosed is a method for accelerating the clearance of hemorrhagic blood from the vitreous humor of the eye, said method comprising the step of contacting at least one hemorrhage-clearing enzyme (e.g., a ?-glucuronidase, matrix metalloproteinase, chondroitinase, chondroitin sulfatase or protein kinase) with the vitreous humor in an amount which is effective to cause accelerated clearance of blood therefrom.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration to mammalian subjects comprise a taxane or taxane derivative (e.g., paclitaxel or docetaxel) as active ingredient and a vehicle comprising at least 30% by weight of a carrier for the taxane, said carrier having an HLB value of at least about 10. The compositions may also comprise 0-70% of a viscosity-reducing co-solubilizer. The compositions may be incorporated into conventional oral pharmaceutical dosage forms, or can be in the form of a two-part medicament wherein the first part includes the taxane in a solubilizing vehicle and the second part comprises a carrier for the taxane to promote oral absorption. Methods of treatment of taxane-responsive disease conditions employing the novel compositions are also disclosed, whereby the compositions can be administered alone or in association with an oral bioavailability enhancing agent.

Abstract: An ad-hoc low rate-wireless personal area network (LR-WPAN) includes an ad-hoc network coordinator having a first processor, a first memory, and a first communication interface; and a plurality of ad-hoc network devices. Each of the devices includes a second processor, a second memory, and a second communication interface for communication with the first communication interface of the coordinator or with the second communication interface of another one of the devices. A simple, low-cost, incremental source routing is employed. The first memory stores complete communication routes for messages from the coordinator through at least one of the devices to other devices. The second memory of each of the devices stores an identification of another device to forward a message from the second communication interface of a corresponding one of the devices toward the coordinator's first communication interface and through the second communication interface of that other device.

Abstract: A wireless communication network includes a plurality of network coordinators communicating over a first wireless area network, such as an IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network. A plurality of network devices communicate over a second wireless personal area network, such as an IEEE 802.15.4 wireless network. One or more of the network coordinators may be hybrid access points for the corresponding network devices to access the first wireless area network. The hybrid access points include a first wireless transceiver communicating over the first wireless area network, a second wireless transceiver communicating over the corresponding second wireless network, and a processor coordinating communications between the first wireless area network and the corresponding second wireless network.

Abstract: The present invention features a method for the formation of superporous hydrogels using an ion-equilibration technique. Anionic polysaccharides are included in the hydrogel reaction mixture and cations are introduced either during or after hydrogel formation. Properties of the resulting hydrogel can be subsequently adjusted by treating the cation-complexed gel with a different cation or cation mixture under equilibrating conditions. It has been found that by properly adjusting the cations and the sequence in which they are used in the equilibration process, superporous hydrogels can be formed that are highly absorbent while maintaining favorable structural properties, including strength, ruggedness, and resiliency. It has also been found that applying appropriate dehydration conditions to them after their formation can further stabilize the superporous hydrogels formed by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A capacity control system for a variable capacity refrigerant compressor includes an internal bleed passage coupling a crankcase chamber of the compressor to a suction port, an electrically-operated two-port control valve that selectively opens and closes a passage between the crankcase chamber and a discharge chamber, and pressure sensors for measuring the compressor discharge pressure and suction pressure. A plunger of the control valve is disposed within the passage coupling the crankcase chamber and the discharge chamber, and a solenoid armature linearly positions the plunger within the passage to open and close the passage. The plunger has an axial bore that forms a continuous passage between the discharge chamber and a cavity in which the discharge pressure sensor is retained so that the sensor is continuously exposed to the discharge pressure regardless of the plunger position.

Abstract: A non-linear control method for an air conditioning system utilizes fuzzy logic to regulate the activation of a displacement control valve for a variable displacement compressor for maintaining a system parameter, such as the evaporator outlet pressure or temperature, at a desired value. The control inputs include the system parameter to be controlled and a refrigerant pressure that reflects changes in the compressor displacement.

Abstract: A non-linear control method for an air conditioning system utilizes fuzzy logic to regulate the activation a displacement control valve for a variable displacement compressor for maintaining a system parameter, such as the evaporator outlet pressure or temperature, at a desired value. The control inputs include the system parameter to be controlled and a refrigerant pressure that reflects changes in the compressor displacement.

Abstract: A sustained/prolonged release pharmaceutical dosage form is disclosed. The form comprises a hard shell capsule and a formulation comprising (a) a water insoluble medicament, (b) a high melting fatty ester, (c) a low viscosity oil, (d) a cellulosic polymer, and (e) a non-ionic surfactant.

Abstract: A sustained/prolonged release pharmaceutical dosage form is disclosed. The form comprises a hard shell capsule and a formulation comprising (a) a water insoluble medicant, (b) a high melting fatty ester, (c) a low viscosity oil, (d) a cellulosic polymer, and (e) a non-ionic surfactant.

Abstract: A sustained/prolonged release pharmaceutical dosage form is disclosed. The form comprises a hard shell capsule and a formulation comprising (a) a water insoluble medicament, (b) a high melting fatty ester, (c) a low viscosity oil, (d) a cellulosic polymer, and (e) a non-ionic surfactant.

Abstract: A sustained/prolonged release pharmaceutical dosage form is disclosed. The form comprises a hard shell capsule and a formulation comprising (a) a water insoluble medicament, (b) a high melting fatty ester, (c) a low viscosity oil, (d) a cellulosic polymer, and (e) a non-ionic surfactant.

Abstract: A capacity control system for a variable capacity refrigerant compressor includes an internal bleed passage coupling a crankcase chamber of the compressor to a suction port, an electrically-operated two-port control valve that selectively opens and closes a passage between the crankcase chamber and a discharge chamber, and at least one pressure sensor within the control valve that is continuously coupled to the discharge chamber for measuring the compressor discharge pressure. A plunger of the control valve is disposed within the passage coupling the crankcase chamber and the discharge chamber, and a solenoid armature linearly positions the plunger within the passage to open and close the passage. The plunger has an axial bore that forms a continuous passage between the discharge chamber and a cavity in which the pressure sensor is retained so that the sensor is continuously exposed to the discharge pressure regardless of the plunger position.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical construct is disclosed. The construct comprises at least a first region comprising a first superporous hydrogel having a selected medicament associated therewith to form an associated region. A second region of the construct comprising a second superporous hydrogel is attached to at least a portion of the associated region to seal the medicament therebetween.

Abstract: A controlled release pharmaceutical formulation is disclosed. The formulation comprises a construct having a matrix of a material selected from the group comprising (a) a high melting point fatty acid ester, (b) an oil, (c) a polymeric cellulose derivative and (d) a mixture of any of the foregoing. Associated with the matrix is a selected medicament. Preferably, the matrix comprises at least two of the aforementioned materials or components.