Abstract: A system and method for analyzing and imaging a sample containing molecules of interest combines modified MALDI mass spectrometer and SNOM devices and techniques and includes: (A) an atmospheric pressure or near-atmospheric pressure ionization region; (B) a sample holder for holding the sample; (C) a laser for illuminating said sample; (D) a mass spectrometer having at least one evacuated chamber; (E) an atmospheric pressure interface for connecting said ionization region and said mass spectrometer; (F) a scanning near-field optical microscopy instrument; (G) a recording device for recording topography and mass spectrum measurements made during scanning of the sample with the near-field probe; (H) a plotting device for plotting said topography and mass spectrum measurements as separate x-y mappings; and (I) an imaging device for providing images of the x-y mappings.

Abstract: A brush wherein the bristles are retractable to facilitate the cleaning thereof in an efficient and effective manner. The apparatus generally comprises bristles disposed on a bristle-holding tree, wherein the bristles extend through apertures of a housing in an extended position. There is also provided a stem base engaged with the bristle-holding tree such that the stem base imparts longitudinal force upon the bristle-holding tree, causing the bristle-holding tree to move longitudinally relative to the housing, causing the bristles to move from an extended position to a retracted position to permit easy cleaning of hair from the brush. The brush provides locking capabilities which allow a user to hold the brush in one hand and remove hair with the free hand.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes: a dialysis machine for performing a first dialysis session on a patient at a first time of a day; a remote exchange device for performing a second dialysis session on the patient at a second time of the day, the remote exchange device configured to record an amount of ultrafiltration (“UF”) that is removed from the patient over the second dialysis session; and a communication link between the dialysis machine and the remote exchange device, wherein the dialysis machine is configured to receive the recorded amount UF removed from the remote exchange device via the communication link and determine a total amount of UF removed from the patient over the first and second sessions.

Abstract: Drug delivery systems have been developed based on the formation of diketopiperazine carboxylate salts and microparticles containing the same. The systems may further comprise a bioactive agent. Related methods for making and using the biologically active agent delivery compositions are also provided. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts described can be formed by removal of solvent by methods including distillation, evaporation, spray drying or lyophilization.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte composition containing an electrolyte salt, a nonaqueous solvent and a compound having a phosphorus-hydrogen bond or a phosphorus-carbon bond is provided. Also provided is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including: a cathode and an anode having a material capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions as a cathode active material and an anode active material, respectively; a nonaqueous electrolyte composition; a separator; and an outer package member for housing the anode, the cathode, the nonaqueous electrolyte composition and the separator. The nonaqueous electrolyte composition includes an electrolyte salt, a nonaqueous solvent and a compound having a phosphorus-hydrogen bond or a phosphorus-carbon bond.

Abstract: A retractable safety syringe may have a needle, needle holder, syringe body, and a plunger assembly. A proximal portion of the body and a piston of the plunger may define a vacuum chamber. The plunger assembly may comprise a distal piston and a proximal piston, with an intermediate chamber disposed between the two plungers. A vent through the syringe body pneumatically connects ambient air and the intermediate chamber allowing air to escape out of the intermediate chamber when a plunger assembly traversed toward the engaged position and allow air to be introduced into the intermediate chamber. A retraction force may be created by the vacuum chamber by traversing the plunger assembly to the engaged position. At the engaged position, the distal piston may engage the needle holder and the retraction force may retract the needle holder and needle into the syringe body to prevent accidental needle pricking and needle reuse.

Abstract: A communication device including a receiving unit, a command processing unit, an updating unit, a transmitting unit, and a selector is provided. The receiving unit receives a transmitted command. The command processing unit performs command processing in response to the received command and generates a response containing a result of the command processing. The updating unit updates information held in one area of a memory currently disabled using the result of the command processing, wherein a first area and a second area form the memory for holding information indicating a current status. The transmitting unit transmits the generated response. The selector switches the one area currently disabled and holds the information that was updated using the result of the command processing into the enabled state and the other area currently enabled into the disabled state immediately after transmission of the response is completed.

Abstract: An authentication apparatus and authentication method which can improve the authentication accuracy are provided. The authentication apparatus consecutively picks up a biological authentication object of a predetermined biological part from different directions in series, and maps a plurality of images which are obtained as the consecutive image pickup result in series to a body of a figuration corresponding to the biological part with a point on the biological authentication object in the images being the criteria, and registers the respective images mapped to the body in a storage medium as information for collation with an image to be collated which is obtained by picking up an image from an arbitrary direction.

Abstract: A data placement configuration which ensures seamless playback of contents having segment portions including multiple different variations of encrypted data is provided. With regard to contents having segment portions configured of multiple different variations of encrypted data to which individual segment keys have been applied, and non-segment portions serving as encrypted data to which a unit key has been applied, the placement of segment data and non-segment portion configuration data is determined such that the maximum jump distance executed at the time of playback processing is equal to or less than a maximum jump distance set beforehand. Data placement has been determined based on seek time, ECC block processing time, sequence key usage time which is key switchover time, and so forth.

Abstract: A device for producing a beverage from a capsule, comprising a motor-driven extraction module which comprises a first jaw member and a cooperating second jaw member, wherein in an opened state of the extraction module the jaw members are distanced from each other while in the closed state the jaw members tightly enclose a capsule space, a motor for controlling the transfer of the extraction module between the closed and opened state, and a knee lever arrangement, being functionally connected to the motor and to at least one of the jaw members and being designed to convert the motor drive action into a closure force, i.e. a force with which the first and second jaw member are approaching each other, which is increasing during the course of the closure movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treatment or prophylaxis of physiological and/or pathological conditions with at least one LHRH antagonist, in particular at least one peptidomimetic LHRH antagonist such that the at least one LHRH antagonist is administered in a dose, which does not cause chemical (hormonal) castration.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microemulsion polymerization comprising adding a polymerization catalyst precursor, such as a transition metal complex in the higher of two accessible oxidation states, an ATRP initiator, and an organic solvent to an aqueous solution to form an emulsion. Radically polymerizable monomers and a reducing agent may then be added to the emulsion. The reducing agent converts the catalyst precursor to a catalyst for polymerization of the first monomer from the initiator. In certain embodiments the organic solvent may comprise radically polymerizable monomers. The aqueous solution may comprise a surfactant.

Abstract: Dialysis solutions comprising pyrophosphates and methods of making and using the dialysis solutions are provided. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dialysis solution comprising a stable and therapeutically effective amount of pyrophosphate. The dialysis solution can be sterilized, for example, using a technique such as autoclave, steam, high pressure, ultra-violet, filtration or combination thereof. The dialysis solution can be in the form of a concentrate.

Abstract: Composite articles, including composite rotary cutting tools and composite rotary cutting tool blanks, and methods of making the articles are disclosed. The composite article includes an elongate portion. The elongate portion includes a first region composed of a first cemented carbide, and a second region autogenously bonded to the first region and composed of a second cemented carbide. At least one of the first cemented carbide and the second cemented carbide is a hybrid cemented carbide that includes a cemented carbide dispersed phase and a cemented carbide continuous phase. At least one of the cemented carbide dispersed phase and the cemented carbide continuous phase includes at least 0.5 percent by weight of cubic carbide based on the weight of the phase including the cubic carbide.

Abstract: A retractable safety syringe is provided herein wherein an external vacuum compartment produces a retraction force which urges a piston of a plunger toward a retracted position. The retractable safety syringe may have a needle holder which is removably engageable to a distal portion of a syringe body. When the piston is traversed toward the engaged position, the external variable vacuum compartment produces a retraction force. When the piston is traversed to an engaged position, the piston engages the needle holder and disengages the needle holder from the syringe body. The medical professional may release a thumb pressure on a thumb platform of a plunger. At this point, the retraction force of the external variable vacuum compartment may traverse the piston along with the needle holder and needle toward the retracted position and into the syringe body. An internal variable vacuum compartment may also create a retraction force to assist retraction of the needle holder and needle into the syringe body.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an electronic circuit including forming a first depression on a first surface of a first wafer and forming a second depression on the first surface of the first wafer. The second depression is adjacent the first depression and separated from the first depression by a wall. The method further includes locating an actuator on the wall and attaching a first surface of a second wafer to the first surface of the first wafer to cover the first and second depressions. A first portion of the second wafer and the first depression define a first reservoir to contain a first chemical, and a second portion of the second wafer and the second depression define a second reservoir to contain a second chemical.