Abstract: A method and apparatus for strengthening structural connections can comprise connection member having a distal portion and a proximate end with the distal portion having at least one proximally facing and the proximate end being connected to a structural member. The method and apparatus can further comprise forming a supporting material around at least a portion of the proximate end of the connection member and around at least a portion of the proximally facing distal portion of the connection member, wherein the composite material is also connected to at least a portion of the structural member. The method further comprises curing the supporting material in situ.

Abstract: A refractory bottom lining for lining the bottom of a metallurgical vessel. The refractory bottom includes a stepped portion and an impact portion. The impact portion is formed of a first refractory material. The stepped portion is formed of a second refractory material and is disposed around the impact portion. The stepped portion includes an upper surface that has a plurality of discrete surface sections. The plurality of discrete surface sections includes an uppermost surface section, at least two intermediate surface sections and a lowermost surface section. Each surface section has a different elevation such that the uppermost surface section has a highest elevation and the lowermost surface section has a lowest elevation. The uppermost surface section, the at least two intermediate surface sections and the lowermost surface section define a continuously downward stepped path from the uppermost surface section to the lowermost surface section.

Abstract: A refractory bottom lining for lining the bottom of a metallurgical vessel. The refractory bottom includes a stepped portion and an impact portion. The impact portion is formed of a first refractory material. The stepped portion is formed of a second refractory material and is disposed around the impact portion. The stepped portion includes an upper surface that has a plurality of discrete surface sections. The plurality of discrete surface sections includes an uppermost surface section, at least two intermediate surface sections and a lowermost surface section. Each surface section has a different elevation such that the uppermost surface section has a highest elevation and the lowermost surface section has a lowest elevation. The uppermost surface section, the at least two intermediate surface sections and the lowermost surface section define a continuously downward stepped path from the uppermost surface section to the lowermost surface section.

Abstract: A refractory bottom for a metallurgical vessel comprised of a bottom lining having a bottom surface that is dimensioned to overlay a bottom of a metallurgical vessel and an upper surface. The upper surface is comprised of a plurality of discrete sections that include an uppermost section, an intermediate section and a lowermost section. Each section has an upper surface at a discrete elevation such that the upper surface of the uppermost section has a highest elevation and the upper surface of the lowermost section has a lowest elevation. The upper surface of the uppermost section, the intermediate section and the lowermost section comprise a series of successive stepped sections that define a stepped path from the uppermost section downward to the lowermost section. Each successive section of the upper surface is lower than a preceding section.

Abstract: A refractory bottom for a metallurgical vessel comprised of a bottom lining having a bottom surface that is dimensioned to overlay a bottom of a metallurgical vessel and an upper surface. The upper surface is comprised of a plurality of discrete sections that include an uppermost section, an intermediate section and a lowermost section. Each section has an upper surface at a discrete elevation such that the upper surface of the uppermost section has a highest elevation and the upper surface of the lowermost section has a lowest elevation. The upper surface of the uppermost section, the intermediate section and the lowermost section comprise a series of successive stepped sections that define a stepped path from the uppermost section downward to the lowermost section. Each successive section of the upper surface is lower than a preceding section.

Abstract: An impact pad for receiving a stream of liquid metal. The impact pad has a bottom wall with an upper surface against which the liquid metal is intended to impact. A side wall having an inner surface extends in an upward direction from the periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall and side wall define a metal receiving chamber having an open upper end. A plurality of spaced-apart cavities is formed in the inner surface of the side wall, the upper surface of the bottom wall or both.

Abstract: An impact pad for a bottom lining of a metallurgical vessel, such as a ladle. The impact pad reduces wear to side walls of the metallurgical vessel by controlling the flow of an incoming stream of molten metal to minimize splashing and turbulence. The impact pad includes a frame portion and a bottom wall portion. The frame portion and bottom wall portion define an interior cavity for receiving the stream of molten metal.

Abstract: Described are peptides and peptide mimetics that bind to and activate the thrombopoietin receptor. Such peptides and peptide mimetics are useful in methods for treating hematological disorders and particularly, thrombocytopenia resulting from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow transfusions as well as in diagnostic methods employing labeled peptides and peptide mimetics.

Abstract: An impact pad for a bottom lining of a metallurgical vessel, such as a ladle. The impact pad reduces wear to side walls of the metallurgical vessel by controlling the flow of an incoming stream of molten metal to minimize splashing and turbulence. The impact pad includes a frame portion and a bottom wall portion. The frame portion and bottom wall portion define an interior cavity for receiving the stream of molten metal.

Abstract: This invention is directed to compounds that provide for sustained systemic concentrations of GABA analogs following administration to animals. This invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions including and methods using such compounds.

Abstract: Icosahedral phage and collections thereof that display various compounds are provided. In some instances, the icosahedral phage include nucleic acid tags that serve to record a characteristic of the compound or compounds that are attached to the phage. A number of different methods for using the icosahedral phage to screen a library of compounds for a desired biological activity are also provided, especially assays for compounds that are substrates for receptor-mediated transport processes such as endocytosis and transcytosis.

Abstract: Described are peptides and peptide mimetics that bind to and activate the thrombopoietin receptor. Such peptides and peptide mimetics are useful in methods for treating hematological disorders and particularly, thrombocytopenia resulting from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow transfusions as well as in diagnostic methods employing labeled peptides and peptide mimetics.

Abstract: Replicable genetic packages and collections thereof that display various compounds are provided. In some instances, the replicable genetic packages include nucleic acid tags that serve to record a characteristic of the compound or compounds that are attached to the replicable genetic package. The invention further provides a number of different methods for using the replicable genetic packages to screen a library of compounds for a desired biological activity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of using prodrugs of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogs and pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat or prevent restless legs syndrome in humans, and pharmaceutical compositions of prodrugs of GABA analogs useful in treating or preventing restless legs syndrome.

Abstract: An injection lance to stir, trim and rinse a molten metal, such as liquid steel. A gas, or a gas and one or more powdered/granular metallurgical agents, may be introduced into the molten metal through the injection lance. The injection lance includes a plurality of interconnecting components. The components include at least one body section and one end section. Each section includes a center pipe and a refractory shell surrounding the center pipe. The body section(s) and end section provide a conduit for the gas or gas plus powdered/granular metallurgical agents. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of one of the refractory shells is made of a refractory composition that is isopressed around the center pipe.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of using prodrugs of GABA analogs and pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat and/or prevent urinary incontinence in humans, and pharmaceutical compositions of prodrugs of GABA analogs useful in treating and/or preventing urinary incontinence.

Abstract: A lining for a bottom of a metallurgical vessel, comprising an impact pad having a plurality of close-packed, pre-formed, high-temperature, high-density refractory bricks, the pad having an upper impact surface, and a monolithic slab of a high-temperature refractory material encasing the pad, the slab encasing the pad wherein the upper surface of the impact pad is exposed.

Abstract: A lining for a bottom of a metallurgical vessel, comprising an impact pad having a plurality of close-packed, pre-formed, high-temperature, high-density refractory bricks, the pad having an upper impact surface, and a monolithic slab of a high-temperature refractory material encasing the pad, the slab encasing the pad wherein the upper surface of the impact pad is exposed.