Abstract: Novel boron nitride agglomerated powders are provided having controlled density and fracture strength features. In addition methods for producing same are provided. One method calls for providing a feedstock powder including boron nitride agglomerates, and heat treating the feedstock powder to form a heat treated boron nitride agglomerated powder. In one embodiment the feedstock powder has a controlled crystal size. In another, the feedstock powder is derived from a bulk source. Devices, such as microelectronic devices and printed circuit boards, which include boron nitride agglomerates with controlled fracture strength features are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retractable syringe (11) and plunger (20) therefore are provided, whereby the plunger comprises a controlling means (62) which facilitates control of the rate of retraction of the retractable needle. By controlling the rate of needle retraction, the likelihood of blood spattering is reduced, thereby improving the user-friendliness and appeal of the retractable syringe. Typically, the syringe is a prefilled syringe. Following plunger depression, a symmetrical ejector member (92) releases the retractable needle (40) from a retaining member (30) to thereby allow retraction of the retractable needle. Needle retraction is facilitated by a biasing means (70), such as a spring or other compressible and/or de-compressible device. The plunger comprises a plunger housing (21), in which is located the controlling means. The controlling means may be a pneumatic air space (324) inside the plunger housing which automatically acts against the retracting needle to thereby control or regulate the rate of retraction.

Abstract: The invention provides novel immunogenic proteins LigA and LigB from Leptospira for use in the development of effective vaccines and antibodies, as well as improved diagnostic methods and kits.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for network management, including masking a true service set identifier (SSID) in beacon frame; and broadcasting the beacon frame with the masked true SSID, whereby an authorized device retrieve the true SSID from the broadcast beacon frame.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, test kits and methods for removing target agents from a sample. The device contains one or more porous matrices having pore sizes larger than 10 ?m, and a plurality of particles impregnated therein. The target agents attach the device and are removed from the sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward compounds of Formula (I) as follows: wherein, R is H, R5C(O); R1 is where the crossing dashed line illustrates the bond formed joining R1 to the molecule of Formula (I); R2 and R3 are independently OH or H, provided that R2 and R3 are not simultaneously OH; R4 is H or R5C(O), provided that R and R4 are not simultaneously H; and R5 is a C3-C26 alkenyl, or a pharmaceutical salt thereof. Methods of making and using these compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving cognitive function or for improving coordination of function across a patient's cortical regions. The method includes applying electrical stimulation to at least a portion of the patient's subcortical structures involved in the generation and control of generalized efference copy signals. Internally generated movement of the patient is then detected and, in response to such internally generated movement, application of electrical stimulation is controlled. The method of the present invention has a number of benefits, including increasing flexibility in identifying targets for stimulation, improving the probability of successfully treating brain injury, and permitting patient biofeedback and self-regulation.

Abstract: System and method for creating and processing documents with variable data is disclosed. The system provides a base set of document image data residing at a first location. The base set of document image data, such as rasterized image data or image data organized in a mixed raster content (“MRC”) layer format, represents a first portion of information for a document that may not change. Further, the system obtains another set of document image data residing at a second location. The other set of document image data, which may again be rasterized image data or image data organized in an MRC layer format, represents a second portion of information for the document that may change. The system combines the base set of document image data with the other set of document image data to form a combined set of document image data for the document.

Abstract: A multi-lamellar tissue-adhesive sheet comprises a structural layer or laminate conjoined to a tissue-contacting layer. The structural layer or laminate comprises one or more synthetic polymers having film-forming properties, and the tissue-contacting layer of material contains tissue-reactive groups. The synthetic polymers having film-forming properties are preferably biodegradable polyesters, and the tissue-reactive groups are most preferably NHS-ester groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved shoulder strap for use in combination with any type of bag that is designed for carrying over a shoulder of a user. The shoulder strap includes: first and second half-straps each having a first end and a second end, the second end having a connector adapted for coupling to a bag; a pad; and at least one elastic member held on one side of the pad and being extendable independently of the pad, the at least one elastic member coupling the first end of the first half strap to the pad and the first end of the second half strap to the pad.

Abstract: This invention related to a tissue-adhesive sheet comprising a homogeneous, preformed and cross-linked matrix formed from one or more polymers, and having at least one surface that, in use, is exposed, at least one of said one or more polymers being a synthetic polymer and having appendant functional groups of a first form, cross-linking of said matrix being via a proportion of said functional groups of the first form, and the remainder of said functional groups of the first form being free. The sheet is particularly useful as a tissue adhesive and sealant, and is intended for topical application to internal and external surfaces of the body for therapeutic reasons. The invention further relates to sheets comprising a scaffold material, three-dimensional articles formed from similar material to that of the sheet and to implantable medical devices coated with such material.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures.

Abstract: Novel 5-HT3 receptor modulators are disclosed. These compounds are used in the treatment of various disorders, including chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, post-operative nausea and vomiting, and irritable bowel syndrome. Methods of making these compounds are also described in the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for co-culturing two or more populations of cells using ultrathin, porous membranes positioned between cell culture chambers. Multiple chamber devices and uses thereof are described, including the formation of in vitro tissue models for studying drug delivery, cell-cell interactions, and the activity of low abundance molecular species.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for dynamic creation and customization of a user interface in a web service environment, including dynamically generating and customizing a portlet; providing policy based access to the portlet depending on a consumer of the portlet; providing caching or cache refreshing of a feed to the portlet; and providing authentication of a consumer of the portlet.

Abstract: Layer-7 application layer message (“message”) classification is disclosed. A network traffic management device (“NTMD”) receives incoming messages over a first TCP/IP connection from a first network for transmission to a second network. Before transmitting the incoming messages onto the second network, however, the NTMD classifies the incoming messages according to some criteria, such as by assigning one or more priorities to the messages. The NTMD transmits the classified messages in the order of their message classification. Where the classification is priority based, first priority messages are transmitted over second priority messages, and so forth, for example.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating a back channel between two network nodes using a packet trailer. The sending node establishes a communication channel between itself and the destination node. A packet is prepared having a header and a payload. Data associated with the tasks of the back channel from a lower data link layer is written into a trailer on the header. The packet is received at the second node and the data in the trailer is read. The trailer is stripped out prior to sending the packet to a higher layer of the destination node.

Abstract: A non-distruptive migration of a native volume from a source server to a destination server performed by a file switch involves converting the source native volume to a native with metadata volume. The native with metadata volume is converted to a mirrored native with metadata volume including the source server and the destination server. The destination server includes a mirror copy of the native with metadata volume. The source server is removed from the mirrored native with metadata volume. The mirror copy of the native with metadata volume on the destination server is converted to a destination native volume on the destination server.

Abstract: A method and system for treating emissions includes charging particles in an exhaust stream, producing one or more radicals, and oxidizing at least a portion of the charged particles with at least a portion of the produced radicals. At least a portion of the charged particles in the exhaust stream are then attracted on at least one attraction surface which is one of oppositely charged from the charged particles and grounded. The attracted particles are oxidized with another portion of the one or more produced radicals to self regenerate the at least one attraction surface. Downstream from where the attracted particles are oxidized, at least a portion of one or more first compounds in the exhaust stream are converted to one or more second compounds downstream from the attracting. Additionally, at least a portion of any remaining charged particles are oxidized into one or more gases.

Abstract: Client computers are decoupled from file servers in a computer network, by placing a network node, also termed a file switch or file switch computer, between the client computers and the file servers. To the client computers, the file switch appears to be a file server having enormous storage capabilities and high throughput. To the file servers, the file switch appears to be a client as it delegates a single transaction received from a client computer to multiple file servers. The file switch aggregates the file servers' responses to the client computer's request and presents a single response back to the client computer. The file switch performs this transaction aggregation function in a manner that is transparent to both the client computers and the file servers.