Abstract: An RF shielded enclosure that is configurable for a variety of testing requirements, yet still maintain proper RF isolation. User-installable modules that are specialized for the desired interface, ventilation or monitoring use can be installed on the enclosure to allow interfacing between a device under test installed inside the chamber and testing and controlling equipment outside the enclosure. The enclosure is easy to manufacture as a one or multi-chamber enclosure, allowing further flexibility for testing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for therapeutically treating mammals, including but not limited to humans, to increase the relative insulin producing performance of endogenous pancreatic ?-cells, to cause differentiation of pancreatic epithelial cells into insulin producing ?-cells, to improve muscle sensitivity to insulin and other weight control efforts by the chronic oral administration of a DP IV-inhibitor. The administration causes the active form of GLP-1 and other non-nutrient stimulated growth hormones to remain biologically active longer under physiological conditions. The extended presence of such hormones, in particular in the pancreatic tissue can also facilitate differentiation and regeneration of the ?-cells already present that are in need of repair.

Abstract: A data management and archive method and apparatus, such as for implementation in an automated system to monitor and manage status, performance and configuration data for a plurality of networked storage components. Analysis and cross-correlation of data related to the plurality of storage components can be done individually, collectively and/or comparatively. A collection manager component of a workload analyzer is implemented to start and stop data collection in the context of a system comprising at least one storage component (or at least two networked storage components). The collection manager includes a command and control module that coordinates requests of data from at least one collection agent configured on at least one host connected to the storage component(s).

Abstract: A hydrogel wound dressing which is highly absorptive, contours to a wound site, and maintains the wound in a moist state to promote healing thereof. The hydrogel wound dressing may also contain additives to prevent bacterial and fungal infections and to control wound odor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to specific inhibitors of the cysteine protease dipeptidyl peptidase I (DP I), which can be used in the treatment of malignant cell degeneration, immune deseases impaired wound healing and metabolic diseases of humans and are represented by the general formula in which R is a peptide or a branched or unbranched C1-C9 alkyl chain, a branched or unbranched C2-C9 alkenyl chain, a branched or unbranched C2-C9 alkynyl chain, a C3-C9 cycloalkyl, C4-C9 carbocyclic, C5-C14 aryl, C3-C9 heteroaryl, C3-C9 heterocyclic, all of the above residues optionally being substituted, the residue AS—AS is a dipeptide or a mimetic thereof, AS is an amino acid or a peptide mimetic thereof.

Abstract: A prediction type electronic thermometer having an actively controlled heater element thermally isolating the probe tip from the probe shaft. Rapid and accurate temperature measurements are made using predictive algorithms. Control circuitry reads input from the temperature sensing element to compute best heater control signals so that the temperature of the probe shaft rapidly follows changes in the temperature of the probe tip. Thermal isolation between probe shaft and tip impedes heat flow from the heater element to the tip providing more accurate measurements. Rapid and accurate management of shaft temperature allows heat from the patient being measured to be most efficiently transmitted to the temperature sensor element resulting in very fast temperature measurements.

Abstract: A card game combining chance and skill. Cards having a rank of two through ten represent corresponding point values. Face cards each represent a point value of ten. Aces represent one and/or eleven at the player's choice. Players must commit wagers for a specific number of HIGH/LOW bets of equal value before the deal. Players are dealt a hand, face up, and the dealer is dealt a hand face down. The dealer turns his cards one at a time. Players must discard cards which match the rank of a cards turned over by the dealer. Using their committed wagers, players make a first HIGH, LOW or split bet after the deal and another bet after the turn of each dealer card. A separate payoff for each bet is determined based on whether the players final point sum was within the predetermined high or low range as predicted by the particular bet.

Abstract: This invention is directed to processes designed to recover water used in certain aspects of the processing of poultry, treat the recovered water to remove solids, fats, oils and greases, animal proteins and pathogenic organisms and to reuse the treated water for poultry processing operations. Although the reuse points will vary from plant to plant depending upon specific water consumption volumes, type of processing operations conducted by the facility and regulatory requirements and approvals, there are a number of reuse points which are preferred based upon treated water quality requirements, material balances relating to the capacity to recover process streams and the consumption volumes at the identified reuse points, and source waters that have been shown to have the least total contaminant loading.

Abstract: The oral cavity is a source of sensitive biomarkers that allow the development of novel tobacco filters to reverse and eliminate acute adverse effects of tobacco smoke. Useful biomarkers are ubiquitous functional leukocytes and associated essential biochemical mechanisms, including metabolic pathways and specific enzymes, such as myeloperoxidase contained in fluid-cell lavages obtained from the human mouth. These biomarkers derived from the human mouth and sputum from the human respiratory system can be used to evaluate long-term chronic effects of tobacco smoke. A tobacco filter comprising strongly basic anion exchange resins and strongly acidic cation exchange resins with or without activated carbon, is used to detect, reduce and eliminate toxic substances from tobacco smoke while retaining taste and aroma. The novel filter in conjunction with biomarkers allow the establishment of performance standards that permit the direct visualization and measurement of acute adverse reactions caused by tobacco smoke.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically basting a roasting item in an oven. A pump apparatus disposed outside of the oven provides pressure to a system of tubes which collect pan drippings and gravy (juices) from the bottom of a pan and dispense the drippings over a food item being roasted. A reservoir is provided in outside of the oven for addition of fluids to the roasting pan via the system of tubes. The reservoir is transparent for visually checking the fluid level without opening the oven. The pump apparatus is controllable manually or by an automatic timer for controlling the rate and timing of basting.

Abstract: A retractable and extendable medical needle protective shield which provides opportunity for accessing and reaccessing a medical needle and associated sharpened needle tip and recovering the needle and tip for safety between accesses. The shield includes a needle guide which assures the needle tip is untouched by any part of the shield as the shield is displaced to cover and uncover the needle. A releasible latch is provided to guard against inadvertent removal of the protective shield between accesses. An unreleasible latch is also provided to secure the shield relative to the latch preparatory to final disposal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface plasmon resonance system method. The system has at least one light source operable to generate a source beam, a prism having a rear surface at least partially coated with a metallic coating and optionally a dielectric layer. At least one layer under test is positioned on the rear surface of the prism. The source beam is directed at the layer under test thereby defining an angle between the source beam and the rear surface of the prism. A detector is operable to detect light that is reflected or scattered by the layer under test. The source beam is directed towards the layer under test at a selected angle. The source beam is also shifted in at least one plane to illuminate a specific portion of the layer under test based on the selected relative angle and the position of the layer under test on the rear surface of the prism. The rear surface of the prism can be illuminated in one-dimensional or two-dimensional array like fashion.

Abstract: The inventive coating may be employed to deliver a pharmaceutical agent to a selected body area that is involved within the insertion or application of a medical device. Such medical devices may include silicone based urinary catheters and other medical implants as well as other silicone based devices having deformable portions which could benefit from the release of a pharmaceutical agent from its surface. The coating allows the introduction of the pharmacological additive having a release rate that is within acceptable pharmacokinetic criteria. The release rate is adjusted by utilizing different salt forms of the additive and adjusting the concentration of urethane and RTV silicone. The coating incorporates additive compounds such as anti-microbial, anti-fungals and other organic compounds. Methods are also provided for the manufacture of the subject coating and for the application of the same to surfaces of medical devices.

Abstract: A capillary column comprising monodispersed particles. The capillary is formed using a suitable substrate, wherein two plates are bonded together. At least one of the plates comprises a channel where particle beads are housed. Particle bead positions are of defined and equivalent diameter are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the housing structure. These positions are used to position packing material used to occupy the column. The particle beads themselves are of equivalent diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically inserting a cable into a protective jacket. A longitudinal cut is made in the protective jacket and the cable is inserted into the longitudinal cut. The cable and jacket are transported through the apparatus along an arcuate guide path formed by a friction wheel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for robustly enhanced Class of Service (COS) at the application layer permits highly flexible privilege based access and enables implementation of complex policies and rules for classification and differentiation of services. Differentiation facilitates categorization of traffic to permit flexible design and implementation of multiple Class of Service levels.

Abstract: A method and system for simulating a wireless environment is provided including a central RF combining component; a plurality of connection nodes, each connection node in RF connection with the central RF combining component through a programmable attenuation component; wherein the programmable attenuation components are controlled by a controller console, the controller console maintaining information regarding simulated spatial positioning of the plurality of connection nodes in the simulated wireless environment, and adjusting the programmable attenuation components to appropriately simulate the simulated spatial positioning of the connection nodes in the simulated wireless environment. Additionally, an RF module for creating and receiving RF signals in a test environment is provided.