Abstract: A component system and method is described that is made of components for transmitting, routing and receiving “in-air” optical signals for placement on printed wiring boards (PWBs). The transmitters are components including a light source attached to a transparent substrate and aligned to a coupling lens. The transparent substrate can contain circuitry for controlling the light source, or the circuitry could be attached to the transparent substrate. The receivers include a light detector attached to a transparent substrate with circuitry for converting optical signals to electrical circuitry (integrated onto the transparent substrate or separately attached). The routing components include a lens for coupling light into an optical waveguide, an optical waveguide and, optionally, a second lens for coupling light from the optical waveguide.

Abstract: The invention further relates to multichromophores, which may be conjugated polymers, and methods, articles and compositions employing them as described herein. In some aspects, the invention relates to methods, articles and compositions for the detection and analysis of biomolecules in a sample. Provided assays include those determining the presence of a target biomolecule in a sample or its relative amount, or the assays may be quantitative or semi-quantitative. The methods can be performed on a substrate. The methods can be performed in an array format on a substrate, which can be a sensor. In some embodiments, detection assays are provided employing sensor biomolecules that do not comprise a fluorophore that can exchange energy with the cationic multichromophore.

Abstract: A component for coupling light bi-directionally between optical waveguides and optoelectronic devices is described. This component can be inexpensively manufactured and fits within the existing form-factor of fiber optic transceivers or transmitters, and has features for efficiently coupling laser light to a waveguide and light from the same waveguide to a detector. The described components can be formed as an array to operate within system that operation over parallel optical fibers. Applicability for these components is for optical time domain reflectometry, bi-directional optical communications, remote fiber sensing, and optical range finders.

Abstract: Compositions of peptides and surface-active agents are described, as are methods of making and using such compositions. The compositions are capable of affecting metabolic rates in biological systems, and to accelerate nutrient uptake without a concomitant increase in biofilm production.

Abstract: An exercise device is disclosed having at least a base, first and second knee supports which are bilaterally coupled to first and second pivots located off from the center of the base. Independently rotatable knee pads are coupled to the perimeter-side end of the first and second knee supports arranged around a perimeter of the base. An upper extremity support is coupled to the base, and a first base supporting member is positioned at a rear of the base and a second base supporting member is positioned at a front of the base, wherein at least one of an inclination and elevation of the base is determined by adjustment of the base supporting members, wherein the first and second knee supports move around different arcs to generate an elliptical motion for an individual.

Abstract: Improvements in a semiconductor wafer container including improvements in side protection to the wafers, improved cover design to minimize rotation, a simplified top cover orientation mechanism and an improved bottom holding mechanism for automation. The side protection to the wafers is with multiple staggered inner and outer walls. The improved cover design improves alignment of the top and bottom housings and minimizes rotation of the housings in transit or motion. The housings have a recessed tab ramp feature with bi-directional locking that also increases the rigidity of the containment device when the two housings are assembled. The improved bottom holding mechanism for automation is an integrated feature that is molded into the bottom housing and not assembled in a secondary operation. The molded integration reduces tolerance errors that are present in assembling multiple pieces and joining multiple pieces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of forming a pyrrole compound. The process comprises contacting an ?-carbonyl oxime compound 1 and an ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde 2 R1 and R2 in compound 1 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, a silyl-group, an aliphatic group, an alicyclic group, an aromatic group, an arylaliphatic group, and an arylalicyclic group. The aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, arylaliphatic, and arylalicyclic groups comprise 0 to about 3 heteroatoms selected from the group N, O, S, Se and Si. R3 in aldehyde 2 is selected from the group consisting of H, a silyl-group, an aliphatic group, an alicyclic group, an aromatic group, an arylaliphatic group, and an arylalicyclic group. The aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, arylaliphatic, and arylalicyclic groups comprise 0 to about 3 heteroatoms selected from the group N, O, S, Se and Si. The ?-carbonyl oxime compound 1 an the ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde 2 are contacted in a suitable solvent in the presence of a secondary amine.

Abstract: A suspended storage shelf includes a platform supported by a support frame having at least one platform support element and at least two suspension posts, optionally adjustable in length, attached a platform support element. A fastener secures the support frame to a structure. Optionally, the suspension posts are attachable over a continuous or discrete range of locations on the platform support element. In an embodiment with two or more panels, the panels form a continuous surface by, for example, being positioned adjacent one another along the platform support element, being secured to one another such as with a coupling, and/or being secured to the platform support element. Optionally, the panels are positioned along the platform support element and the length of the platform support element is such that the suspension posts clamp the panels in adjacency.

Abstract: An interactive exercise device includes a stationary base to which a first exercise implement is movably connected. A first resistance element is operably connected to the first exercise implement to provide resistance against at least some movements of the first exercise implement relative to the stationary base. An interactive motion guide that directs a user of the interactive exercise device to move the first exercise implement relative to the stationary base in an indicated manner is operably connected to the interactive exercise device. The interactive motion guide includes first and second electronic indicators to which a processor is operably connected. A non-transitory and tangible computer readable medium is operably connected to the processor and includes instructions to manipulate output of the first and second electronic indicators in response to movement of the first exercise implement relative to the stationary base.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for assaying a sample for a target polynucleotide are provided. A sample suspected of containing the target polynucleotide is contacted with a polycationic multichromophore and a sensor polynucleotide complementary to the target polynucleotide. The sensor polynucleotide comprises a signaling chromophore to receive energy from the excited multichromophore and increase emission in the presence of the target polynucleotide. The methods can be used in multiplex form. Kits comprising reagents for performing such methods are also provided.

Abstract: Polyols stabilize polymorphous form of rifaximin, in particular the ? form. When polyols having at least two hydroxy groups are added to rifaximin powder, polymorph ? is stable and remains stable in time independently from the environment humidity. In this invention a method to prepare formulations constituted by pure and stable polymorphous forms able to give a pharmaceutical product is described.

Abstract: Inflammatory bowel diseases are represented by two idiopathic disorders, which include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis is restricted to the colon and involves uncertain and inflammation of the lining (mucosa) of the large intestine. Crohn's disease, on the other hand, can involve the mucosa of the small and/or large intestine and may involve deeper layers of the bowel wall. The present invention is a combination of 5-aminosalicylic acid and one or more antioxidants (e.g., N-acetylcysteine) for treating such inflammatory bowel diseases.

Abstract: Disclose herein is a composition comprising a hydrocarbon solvent; an aromatic solvent; a methylated siloxane; and a surfactant. Also disclosed is a method of preparing an emulsion for cleaning purposes comprising mixing a solution at a rate of greater than 500 rpm for at least two hours, wherein the solution comprises a hydrocarbon solvent, an aromatic solvent, a methylated siloxane, and a surfactant. In addition, disclosed herein is a method of cleaning rollers, plates, or blankets of a printing machine with a cleaning mixture, the method comprising contacting the rollers or blankets with the cleaning mixture, wherein the cleaning mixture comprises a hydrocarbon solvent, an aromatic solvent, a methylated siloxane, and a surfactant.

Abstract: Crystalline polymorphous forms of the rifaximin (INN) antibiotic named rifaximin ? and rifaximin ? useful in the production of medicinal preparations containing rifaximin for oral and topical use and obtained by means of a crystallization process carried out by hot-dissolving the raw rifaximin in ethyl alcohol and by causing the crystallization of the product by addition of water at a determinate temperature and for a determinate period of time, followed by a drying carried out under controlled conditions until reaching a settled water content in the end product, are the object of the invention.

Abstract: Surfactant-containing compositions are described which include a protein component that has the effect of improving the surface-active properties of the surfactants contained in the compositions. The surfactant-containing compositions having the protein component demonstrate significantly lower critical micelle concentrations (CMC), reduced surface tensions, and reduced interfacial tensions than do comparable compositions having no protein component. In addition, the surfactant-containing compositions having the protein component has the effect of converting greasy waste contaminants to surface active materials.

Abstract: Crystalline polymorphous forms of rifaximin (INN) antibiotic named rifaximin ? and rifaximin ?, and a poorly crystalline form named rifaximin ?, useful in the production of medicinal preparations containing rifaximin for oral and topical use and obtained by means of a crystallization carried out by hot-dissolving the raw rifaximin in ethyl alcohol and by causing the crystallization of the product by addition of water at a determinate temperature and for a determinate period of time, followed by a drying carried out under controlled conditions until reaching a settled water content in the end product, are the object of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are agents having pharmacological activity against cellular receptors and intracellular signaling, particularly receptors and signaling pathways of central nervous system (CNS) neurotransmitters. Also disclosed are related methods and compositions for the treatment or prevention of diseases or disorders using the agents.

Abstract: Crystalline polymorphous forms of rifaximin (INN), referred to as rifaximin ? and rifaximin ?, and a poorly crystalline form referred to as rifaximin ?, useful in the production of medicaments containing rifaximin for oral and topical use and obtained by means of a crystallization process carried out by hot-dissolving the raw rifaximin in ethyl alcohol and by causing the crystallization of the product by addition of water at a fixed temperature and for a fixed period of time, followed by a drying under controlled conditions until reaching a precise water content in the end product, are the object of the invention.

Abstract: Crystalline polymorphous forms of rifaximin (INN) antibiotic named rifaximin ? and rifaximin ?, and a poorly crystalline form named rifaximin ?, useful in the production of medicinal preparations containing rifaximin for oral and topical use and obtained by means of a crystallization carried out by hot-dissolving the raw rifaximin in ethyl alcohol and by causing the crystallization of the product by addition of water at a determinate temperature and for a determinate period of time, followed by a drying carried out under controlled conditions until reaching a settled water content in the end product, are the object of the invention.

Abstract: An animal toy features the ability to connect two or more separate toys of varying shape, size, color, and/or texture, together to create larger and more complex toy systems. The animal toy allows an almost endless variety of toy systems to capture the interest as well as challenge and develop the animal's problem solving skills. The animal toys are either solid or include internal chambers for holding and ultimately dispensing food. When two or more toys with the internal chambers are combined the food may flow from the chamber of one toy into another toy several times before exiting the toy system. The increased problem of extracting the food challenges and develops the animal's skills. Morever, by combining solid and food dispensing toys in random combinations further increases the problem solving skills required to completely extract the food from the toy system.