Abstract: The present invention relates to prodrugs of 3-({3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-4-[(2S)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropyl ]-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl}methyl)-1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-pyridin-2-yl ]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-carboxamide, 3-({3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-4-[(2S)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropyl ]-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl}methyl)-1-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-carboxamide and 3-({3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-4-[(2S)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropyl ]-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl}methyl)-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-carboxamide, to processes for the preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and to the use of such compounds or compositions for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases, in particular for the treatment and/or prevention of renal and cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to prodrugs of 3-({3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-4-[(2S)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropyl]-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl}methyl)-1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-pyridin-2-yl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-carboxamide, 3-({3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-4-[(2S)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropyl]-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl}methyl)-1-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-carboxamide and 3-({3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-4-[(2S)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropyl]-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl}methyl)-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-carboxamide, to processes for the preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and to the use of such compounds or compositions for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases, in particular for the treatment and/or prevention of renal and cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: A torque sensing device includes a rotating component configured to rotate about an axis of rotation and a first sensor positioned adjacent to the rotating component to sense instantaneous angular position of the rotating component at a first location. A second sensor is positioned adjacent to the rotating component radially inboard of the first sensor to sense instantaneous angular position of the rotating component at a second location. A controller is operably coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor. The controller determines a relative phase shift between a first signal generated by the first sensor and a second signal generated by the second sensor to calculate an output proportional to a torque applied to the rotating component.

Abstract: A torque sensing device includes a rotating component configured to rotate about an axis of rotation and a first sensor positioned adjacent to the rotating component to sense instantaneous angular position of the rotating component at a first location. A second sensor is positioned adjacent to the rotating component radially inboard of the first sensor to sense instantaneous angular position of the rotating component at a second location. A controller is operably coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor. The controller determines a relative phase shift between a first signal generated by the first sensor and a second signal generated by the second sensor to calculate an output proportional to a torque applied to the rotating component.

Abstract: A system includes an optical sensor and a signal processing module. The optical sensor is configured to be positioned on an area of skin of a patient. The optical sensor includes a light source for illuminating a capillary bed in the area of skin and a photodetector. The photodetector is configured to receive an optical signal from the capillary bed resulting from the illumination and to convert the optical signal into an electrical signal, the optical signal characterizing a fluctuation in a level of blood in the capillary bed. The signal processing module is configured to process the electric signal using a nonstationary frequency estimation method to obtain a processed signal related to at least one of a heart rate and a respiration rate of the patient. Another aspect relates to obtaining a quantity related to the blood pressure of the patient in addition to or instead of obtaining a processed signal related to at least one of the heart rate and the respiration rate of the patient.

Abstract: Method of and system for aggregating into a relational database model the state of an ad hoc network comprised of uniquely addressable distributed sensor nodes in communication using networking protocols with one another through links and to a database server through access points. A relational database logical design resident on the database server is dynamically updated with respect to the sensor network's current and historical topological information through the use of a traversal and interrogating network modeling agent. The distributed sensors nodes may be mobile, and may communicate by wired or wireless means through networking protocols such as the Internet.

Abstract: Method of and system for aggregating into a relational database model the state of an ad hoc network comprised of uniquely addressable distributed sensor nodes in communication using networking protocols with one another through links and to a database server through access points. A relational database logical design resident on the database server is dynamically updated with respect to the sensor network's current and historical topological information through the use of a traversal and interrogating network modeling agent. The distributed sensors nodes may be mobile, and may communicate by wired or wireless means through networking protocols such as the Internet.

Abstract: A composition for reducing vibrations, including both damping structureborne vibrations and reducing radiated airborne noise. The composition is either a mixture of at least two different granular materials, or is a granular material having a bulk sound speed of less than 90 m/s. The damping properties of a mixture can be calculated from the bulk densities and stiffnesses of its individual components.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of low-density granular fill with a specific gravity less than 1.5, placed in hollow cavities built into turbomachinery blades, vanes, and shafts. The granular fill provides effective damping at lower frequencies than conventional passive damping treatment due to its low bulk compressional sound speed. Selected materials used for the granular fill treatment are chosen for specific turbomachinery needs, including temperature of operation. Rotation speed is also a factor because it induces on the granular material an apparent hydrostatic pressure associated with the centripetal acceleration, and sound speed in granular materials is a function of pressure raised to the power 1/n. Preferred designs for placement of low-density granular material in appendages and shafts are found using an iterative design tool based on the Direct Global Stiffness Matrix method.

Abstract: The damped structural member includes a structural member and granular material in intimate contact with the member. In one embodiment the granular material is lightweight and has a bulk specific gravity of less than 1.5. When low weight is important, the granular material has a bulk specific gravity of less than or equal to one. The particles of the granular material are also in intimate contact with one another. The granular material may be substantially non-viscoelastic. Preferred granular material is low density polyethylene and glass microspheres. The granular material fills hollow structural members or is placed into intimate contact with open structural members. The lightweight fill effectively damps vibrational modes without excessively increasing the weight of the structural member.

Abstract: The following relates to the use of low-density granular fill with a specific gravity less than 1.5, placed in hollow cavities built into turbomachinery blades, vanes, and shafts. The granular fill provides effective damping at lower frequencies than conventional passive damping treatment due to its low bulk compressional sound speed. Selected materials used for the granular fill treatment are chosen for specific turbomachinery needs, including temperature of operation. Rotation speed is also a factor because it induces on the granular material an apparent hydrostatic pressure associated with the centripetal acceleration, and sound speed in granular materials is a function of pressure raised to the power 1/n. Preferred designs for placement of low-density granular material in appendages and shafts are found using an iterative design tool based on the Direct Global Stiffness Matrix method.

Abstract: The damped structural member includes a structural member and granular material in intimate contact with the member. In one embodiment the granular material is lightweight and has a bulk specific gravity of less than 1.5. When low weight is important, the granular material has a bulk specific gravity of less than or equal to one. The particles of the granular material are also in intimate contact with one another. The granular material may be substantially non-viscoelastic. Preferred granular material is low density polyethylene and glass microspheres. The granular material fills hollow structural members or is placed into intimate contact with open structural members. The lightweight fill effectively damps vibrational modes without excessively increasing the weight of the structural member.

Abstract: Oxygen and propane are supplied to the combustion chamber of a marine seismic gas exploder from a pair of pressure regulated gas charging cylinders. Ignition of the resultant explosive gas mixture drives a piston connected with means for creating an acoustic disturbance in the water. The outputs from the charging cylinders are fed simultaneously to a mixing manifold connected to a large orifice communicating with the combustion chamber.The ratio of gases in the resultant mixture is automatically determined by the relative volumes and pressures of the charging cylinders, which may be precisely regulated by adjustment of pistons movable within such cylinders and by gas pressure regulation. To safeguard against too rapid voiding of a small volume charging cylinder, voiding of the larger volume cylinder may be initiated first with the aid of a choke downstream of the manifold. This will create an artificial back pressure in the distribution system.