Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula I: wherein R1, R2, V, W, X, Y and Z can be as defined herein. The compounds can be used in the treatment of disorders mediated by the cannabinoid receptors.

Abstract: A method of verifying the identify of an affiliate enrolled in an affiliate program of a merchant and then transmitting information between the affiliate and the merchant is provided. The method relies on embedding a unique identification code in a sub-domain portion of a domain name. Once an identification process has been completed, a server-to-server exchange of information is able to freely continue throughout a shopping session and even beyond checkout to easily handle post transaction changes, returns, cancellations, modifications, shipment notifications, status notifications, and the like.

Abstract: A pump including a pressure plate having two inlets and outlets, wherein each inlet has an auxiliary intake port in fluid communication with the inlet, and each outlet has an auxiliary discharge port in fluid communication with the outlet, and a cam/rotor assembly attached to the pressure plate. The cam/rotor assembly includes a rotatable cam having an opening, a rotor within the cam opening, the rotor having multiple radial slots, and multiple vanes that move within the slots, wherein a pumping chamber is defined by a space between rotor and cam. Rotor rotation within the cam causes the vanes to extend and retract within the pumping chamber. The movement of the vanes discharges into the outlets and auxiliary discharge ports a fluid drawn into the pumping chamber via inlets and auxiliary intake ports. The auxiliary inlet and auxiliary discharge ports reduce pressure pulsations in a variable displacement dual-lobe vane pump.

Abstract: A common regulator valve is provided for a variable displacement pump fuel metering scheme in which the common regulator valve both controls working output to a pump actuator to control displacement of the variable displacement pump and also to control bypass of excess fuel flow. The regulator valve also includes a differential piston which generates a compensation force off of the bypass flow in order to compensate for changes in spring force and flow reaction force at different system pressures and operational states. As a result, errors in the metered fuel flow can be either eliminated or substantially reduced.

Abstract: Unconventional twisted ?-electron system electro-optic (EO) chromophores/compounds, compositions and related device structures. Crystallographic analysis of several non-limiting chromophores reveals, for instance, large ring-ring dihedral twist angles and a highly charge-separated zwitterionic structure in the ground state, in both solution phase and solid-state.

Abstract: A wiring tool and method are provided for protecting a length of wiring being pulled along a wiring path through a connection box, through use of an attachment plate arrangement of the wiring tool having first and second plate elements cooperatively configured for movement from first to second relationships with respect to one another such that the wiring tool can be removed from or placed about the length of wiring without having to feed the entire length of wiring through a closed periphery of an aperture in the attachment plate. One or more rollers mounted to the attachment plate along the aperture preclude the wiring from contacting edges of the aperture while being pulled through the wiring tool.

Abstract: A method for charging electric vehicles through connecting an electric vehicle to a charging station for receiving electric energy. Different power supply offers can be selected particularly simple in that at least a state of charge of a battery and a desired duration of charge is determined in the vehicle, the energy required for fully charging the battery is determined in the vehicle, at least information concerning the required energy and the duration of charge is transmitted to the charging station by the vehicle and at least one power supply offer adapted to the information is received by the vehicle from the charging station which power supply offer has been determined from among a plurality of different power supply offers by means of the charging station using the information received.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust gas treatment unit for an exhaust system of a combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, includes a housing, a plurality of exhaust gas treatment elements, which are arranged in the housing and through which a parallel flow is possible. The unit further includes an outlet nozzle, which penetrates a side face of the housing, and an outlet space disposed in the housing, whereby the outlet of at least one of the exhaust gas treatment elements opens into the outlet space. The rigidity and/or effectiveness of the exhaust gas treatment unit can be improved by means of a funnel body disposed in the outlet space, and comprising a funnel surface which is permeable to exhaust gas. The funnel body connects an outlet end of one of the exhaust gas treatment elements with the outlet nozzle.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a stack of folded sheets by inserting a first, second, third and fourth count fingers into four successive openings in the stack, and separating the stack between the second and third count fingers. Where separation is carried out after a desired number of folded sheets have passed the third count finger, a completed pack having the desired number of sheets may be formed downstream from the third count finger. The count fingers may be operatively mounted in count finger cassettes.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel ligands of the estrogen receptors ? and ? of general formula II, which are useful as an active substance of pharmaceuticals, for example pharmaceutical compositions useful for hormone replacement therapy, as well as for the treatment of tumors and inflammatory diseases. The invention also relates to a novel preparation method of these ligands comprising cyclotrimerization of ethynylestradiol with the appropriate diyne in an organic solvent. Further, the invention relates to pharmaceuticals comprising the novel compounds according to the invention.

Abstract: A self contained retail pusher is provided. The self contained retail pusher is situated on a retail structure in a typical retail environment. The self contained retail pusher may be quickly incorporated into permanent or temporary retail structures such as retail shelves having existing adjacent dividers and a front fence without having to completely disassemble the shelf, dividers, and front fence. The self contained retail pusher also optimizes retail structure space usage by allowing the user to selectively incorporate a single self contained retail pusher or a plurality thereof in a retail structure. Due to its modularity and ability to mount separately and independently from an existing shelving divider system, the self contained retail pusher may be supplied as a stand alone unit, and without a new divider system.

Abstract: A check valve is provided which may be integrated into a scroll compressor that prevents static cohesion sticking forces between a valve disc member and a retainer member of the check valve housing. Such static cohesion sticking forces may be particularly generated due to oil mist generation in such scroll compressors which create a thin lubricant film between the valve disc and the stop plate of the check valve housing, creating suction type static cohesion when dislodgment of the valve disc away from the stop plate is attempted. A relief region is created between the retainer and the valve disc creating a minimal contact surface area that greatly reduces and/or eliminates such static cohesion sticking forces. For example, the valve disc may be dished to have a concave surface that faces the retainer element provided by the stop plate.

Abstract: An extendable mobile fluid carrying apparatus including a first frame configured to couple to a tractor. A fluid container is coupled to the first frame and configured to rotate about a pivot device of the first frame. The container defines a closable orifice configured to decant a fluid from the container. A high-CFM blower is coupled to the container and configured to draw a vacuum. A lift mechanism is coupled to the first frame and the fluid container and configured to lift the fluid container to an angle greater than 45° relative to the first frame. A second frame is slidingly coupled to the first frame, with the second frame configured to extend away from the first frame a predetermined distance. The second frame includes a wheel set. The tractor may include a power takeoff mechanism coupled to a prime mover and to the blower.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are provided, for pumping fluids, such as water and/or hydrocarbons, from a subterranean formation or reservoir, through use of a cranked rod pumping (CRP) apparatus for imparting reciprocating substantially vertical motion to a rod of a sucker-rod pump having a pump stroke. The CRP apparatus includes a motor driven cranked mechanical actuator arrangement. The cranked mechanical actuator arrangement includes a substantially vertically moveable member attached to the rod of the sucker-rod pump for imparting and controlling vertical motion of the rod of the sucker-rod pump. The actuator arrangement may include pneumatic counterbalancing.

Abstract: An extended life filter element is provided that may at least double the service interval of a given filtration application utilizing the same or similar filter housing envelope provided. The filter element may include a more open pleated substrate with an efficiency layer and a prefilter on the upstream surface. The filter may be a foam sleeve. One exemplary application is for air filtration of air flow to electrical cabinets on locomotives.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula I: wherein R1, R2, V, W, X, Y and Z are as defined herein. The compounds can be used in the treatment of disorders mediated by the cannabinoid receptors, such as, for example, inflammation.

Abstract: Various methods related to the preparation of transparent electrical conductors based on carbon nanotubes having enhanced optical and electrical properties are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods involve employing carbon nanotubes that have been presorted according to electronic type and/or optical absorbance for use in transparent electrical conductors. Other embodiments involve use of carbon nanotube bundles that have been pre-sorted according to bundle density.