Abstract: Described herein are pharmaceutical compositions and contact lens solutions comprising an Acanthamoeba encystation inhibitor such as a cationic quaternary ammonium compound and a physiologically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient, optionally in combination with an Acanthamoeba cytotoxic agent such as an alkylphosphocholine. Such compositions are suitable for use in the treatment of Acanthamoeba infection or the prevention or treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide systems and methods for providing cross-application adaptive services. A computing system may receive, from a first client device, an identification of an user access requirement. The computing system may retrieve, from a requirement-adaptive service database, a system configuration corresponding to the user access requirement. The computing system may configure a hosted application according to the retrieved system configuration. The computing system may provide, to the first client device for rendering by an application of the first client device, the configured hosted application.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a decorative cover. The apparatus includes a body having front and rear opposite sides, the front side of the body having a front surface having a perimeter, the rear side of the body having a rear surface, and the body having an outwardly facing lateral surface between the front and rear surfaces; and a first connector on the body, the first connector detachably connectable, continuously adjacent at least a portion of the perimeter of the front surface, to a second connector, complementary to the first connector, on the decorative cover. A furniture apparatus includes at least one substantially thermoplastic body and one or both of diatomaceous earth and a PA1b-related peptide incorporated in one or more of the at least one body.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide systems and methods for providing cross-application adaptive services. A computing system may receive, from a first client device, an identification of an user access requirement. The computing system may retrieve, from a requirement-adaptive service database, a system configuration corresponding to the user access requirement. The computing system may configure a hosted application according to the retrieved system configuration. The computing system may provide, to the first client device for rendering by an application of the first client device, the configured hosted application.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a decorative cover. The apparatus includes a body having front and rear opposite sides, the front side of the body having a front surface having a perimeter, the rear side of the body having a rear surface, and the body having an outwardly facing lateral surface between the front and rear surfaces; and a first connector on the body, the first connector detachably connectable, continuously adjacent at least a portion of the perimeter of the front surface, to a second connector, complementary to the first connector, on the decorative cover. A furniture apparatus includes at least one substantially thermoplastic body and one or both of diatomaceous earth and a PA1b-related peptide incorporated in one or more of the at least one body.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a decorative cover. The apparatus includes a body having front and rear opposite sides, the front side of the body having a front surface having a perimeter, the rear side of the body having a rear surface, and the body having an outwardly facing lateral surface between the front and rear surfaces; and a first connector on the body, the first connector detachably connectable, continuously adjacent at least a portion of the perimeter of the front surface, to a second connector, complementary to the first connector, on the decorative cover. A furniture apparatus includes at least one substantially thermoplastic body and one or both of diatomaceous earth and a PA1b-related peptide incorporated in one or more of the at least one body.

Abstract: There is disclosed a string apparatus including a cord combined with diatomaceous earth. There are also disclosed uses of the string apparatus, and methods of using the string apparatus, for pest control. There are also disclosed methods of producing the string apparatus.

Abstract: A lens group for an endoscope or microscope, comprising one or more lens elements, each of uniform refractive index, adapted to: i) focus, with high wavefront aberration correction, driving or excitation light received from an exit tip of an optical waveguide (such as an optical fiber) located substantially against a proximal surface of the lens group to a point observational field with narrow point spread function beyond a distal surface of the lens group (such as outside an optical window located distally relative to the distal surface); and ii) transmit, with high wavefront aberration correction, fluorescence or reflected return light received by the distal surface from the point observational field (and its neighborhood defined by the fluorescence wavelength point spread function) back to the exit tip of the optical waveguide at the fluorescence wavelength.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a decorative cover. The apparatus includes a body having front and rear opposite sides, the front side of the body having a front surface having a perimeter, the rear side of the body having a rear surface, and the body having an outwardly facing lateral surface between the front and rear surfaces; and a first connector on the body, the first connector detachably connectable, continuously adjacent at least a portion of the perimeter of the front surface, to a second connector, complementary to the first connector, on the decorative cover. A furniture apparatus includes at least one substantially thermoplastic body and one or both of diatomaceous earth and a PA1b-related peptide incorporated in one or more of the at least one body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyurethane polymer prepared from a mixture comprising: (a) at least one polyol of formula (I), wherein at least three of X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 are each independently an OH-terminated polyoxyalkylene group, and the remainder of X1, X2, X3. X4 and X5 are each independently H or absent, and Z is a central linking unit; (b) at least one di- or poly-isocyanate; and (c) optionally at least one OH-terminated chain extender. Further aspects of the invention relate to a process for preparing a polyurethane, and to a process for preparing a contact lens.

Abstract: There is disclosed a string apparatus including a cord combined with diatomaceous earth. There are also disclosed uses of the string apparatus, and methods of using the string apparatus, for pest control. There are also disclosed methods of producing the string apparatus.

Abstract: There is disclosed a spray apparatus for holding contents comprising diatomaceous earth and a compressed propellant for propelling the diatomaceous earth. There is also disclosed use of diatomaceous earth to control a population of bedbugs, wherein the diatomaceous earth comprises remains of pennate diatoms. There is also disclosed a method of controlling a population of insects, the method comprising causing a compressed propellant to propel diatomaceous earth on a surface. Method of manufacturing a spray apparatus and methods of preparing diatomaceous earth for use in controlling a population of insects are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a spray apparatus for holding contents comprising diatomaceous earth and a compressed propellant for propelling the diatomaceous earth. There is also disclosed use of diatomaceous earth to control a population of bedbugs, wherein the diatomaceous earth comprises remains of pennate diatoms. There is also disclosed a method of controlling a population of insects, the method comprising causing a compressed propellant to propel diatomaceous earth on a surface. Method of manufacturing a spray apparatus and methods of preparing diatomaceous earth for use in controlling a population of insects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lens group for an endoscope or microscope, comprising one or more lens elements, each of uniform refractive index, adapted to: i) focus, with high wavefront aberration correction, driving or excitation light received from an exit tip of an optical waveguide (such as an optical fibre) located substantially against a proximal surface of the lens group to a point observational field with narrow point spread function beyond a distal surface of the lens group (such as outside an optical window located distally relative to the distal surface); and ii) transmit, with high wavefront aberration correction, fluorescence or reflected return light received by the distal surface from the point observational field (and its neighbourhood defined by the fluorescence wavelength point spread function) back to the exit tip of the optical waveguide at the fluorescence wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic polyurethane contact lens prepared from a mixture comprising: (a) at least one polyethylene glycol; (b) at least one di-isocyanate; and (c) at least one diol of formula (I): wherein n is an integer from 1 to 25; wherein the polyethylene glycol, di-isocyanate and diol are reacted under substantially anhydrous conditions. Further aspects of the invention relate to a process for preparing a contact lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyurethane polymer composition comprising polyethyleneglycol dialkyl ether. There is also provided a process for preparing a polyurethane. The invention also relates to a process for preparing a polyurethane xerogel in the form of a molded article, said process comprising the steps of: i. preparing a mixture of a. at least one polyethylene glycol or at least one polyol of formula I, wherein at least three of X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 are each independently an OH-terminated group, and the remainder of X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 are each independently H or absent, and Z is a central linking unit, a. at least one di- or poly-isocyanate, b. optionally at least one OH-terminated chain extender, and c. at least one polyethyleneglycol dialkyl ether; ii. dispensing the reaction mixture formed in step i) into a mold; iii. allowing the reaction mixture to react and cure; iv. removing the molded article from the mold; and v. hydrating the molded article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyurethane prepared from a mixture comprising: (a) at least one polyethylene glycol; (b) at least one di-isocyanate; (c) at least one polydialkyl siloxane diol; and (d) at least one diol of formula (I) wherein n is an integer from 1 to 25; wherein the polyethylene glycol, di-isocyanate, polydialkyl siloxane diol and diol are reacted under substantially anhydrous conditions. Further aspects of the invention relate to a process for preparing a polyurethane.

Abstract: There is disclosed a spray apparatus for holding contents comprising diatomaceous earth and a compressed propellant for propelling the diatomaceous earth. There is also disclosed use of diatomaceous earth to control a population of bedbugs, wherein the diatomaceous earth comprises remains of pennate diatoms. There is also disclosed a method of controlling a population of insects, the method comprising causing a compressed propellant to propel diatomaceous earth on a surface. Method of manufacturing a spray apparatus and methods of preparing diatomaceous earth for use in controlling a population of insects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A plasma micro-thruster, including: an elongate and substantially non-conductive tube having a first end to receive a supply of propellant gas, and an open second end to act as an exhaust; first, second, and third electrodes extending circumferentially around the tube and being mutually spaced along a longitudinal axis of the tube, the third electrode being longitudinally interposed between the first and second electrodes; wherein the tube and the first, second and third electrodes are configured to generate a plasma from propellant gas flowing though the tube from the first end of the tube when the third electrode receives radio frequency power and the first and second electrodes are electrically grounded relative to the third electrode, such that the expansion of the plasma from the open end of the tube generates a corresponding thrust.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a decorative cover. The apparatus includes: a body having front and rear opposite sides, the front side of the body having a front surface having a perimeter, the rear side of the body having a rear surface, and the body having an outwardly facing lateral surface between the front and rear surfaces; and a first connector on the body, the first connector detachably connectable, continuously adjacent at least a portion of the perimeter of the front surface, to a second connector, complementary to the first connector, on the decorative cover. A furniture apparatus includes at least one substantially thermoplastic body and one or both of diatomaceous earth and a PA1b-related peptide incorporated in one or more of the at least one body.