Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating a patient suffering from the metabolic syndrome and/or related disorders including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, pro-inflammatory state, and pro-coagulative state, and having the steps of (a) providing to the patient a dietary regimen that decreases overactive CNS noradrenergic tone; followed by (b) providing to the patient a dietary regimen that increases dopaminergic tone while maintaining the above decreased overactive CNS noradrenergic tone. The present invention is also directed to prepackaged meals and recipes useful in implementing the dietary regimens.

Abstract: A waterproof electrical connector for airfield lighting applications has a connector body with a first end and an opposing second end. The first end terminates at a first end cap that has a strain/bend relief feature and a first bore for receiving a cable that extends into the first end. At least one O-Ring extends from the walls of the first bore. The opposing second end terminates at a second end cap and has a second bore extending through the second end cap and into the second end. A sleeve is affixed to an exterior surface of the second end cap. An electrically insulated cable is inserted into the first bore engaging the O-Rings to form a waterproof seal. An electrical contact engages the second end cap and the sleeve folds over the second end cap to engage a surface of this contact forming a waterproof seal.

Abstract: Systems for connecting RF coaxial cables are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems include the following: a plug including a D-sub housing having two rows of eight RF coaxial contacts and a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom; a receptacle including a D-sub housing having two rows of eight openings and a plurality of indentations that are sized and positioned so as to mate with the protrusions extending from the plug, the receptacle including a rear unibody joined with the D-sub housing and a transition body positioned between and joining the D-sub housing and the rear unibody. The plug and receptacle are configured to provide about a 50-Ohm impedance across the system and the plug and receptacle are configured to operate under a ground-first condition.

Abstract: A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, has at least one multiple supply unit in the form of an ink stick disposed therein. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, and the memory device has stored therein electronic data related to the ink stick and readable by the machine. The memory device may be attached to the ink stick and removed before the ink stick is used for printing in the machine. In another aspect, the memory device is attached to a container for the ink stick. The container may be a cartridge for use in the machine, or a container for packaging the ink stick. The machine may include a coupler configured to read electronic data from the memory device while the memory device is positioned external to the printing apparatus, thus allowing the machine to verify the suitability of the ink stick before it is installed in the machine.

Abstract: A polypeptide is provided, which has a binding affinity for HER2 and which is related to a domain of staphylococcal protein A (SPA) in that the sequence of the polypeptide corresponds to the sequence of the SPA domain having from 1 to about 20 substitution mutations. Nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide, as well as expression vector and host cell for expressing the nucleic acid, are also provided. Also provided is the use of such a polypeptide as a medicament, and as a targeting agent for directing substances conjugated thereto to cells overexpressing HER2. Methods, and kits for performing the methods, are also provided, which methods and kits rely on the binding of the polypeptide to HER2.

Abstract: A TNF-? binding polypeptide is provided, which is related to a domain of staphylococcal protein A (SPA) in that the sequence of the polypeptide corresponds to the sequence of the SPA domain having 1 to about 20 substitution mutations. Nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide, expression vector comprising the nucleic acid, and host cell comprising the expression vector are also provided. Also provided are methods comprising a step of affinity separation or detection, in which step a polypeptide according to the invention is used. Such methods may be used for reducing the content of TNF-? in a body fluid.

Abstract: A laminate includes a backing material coated with an adhesive composition. The adhesive composition includes a silylated polyurethane obtained from the silylation of a polyurethane prepolymer derived from the reaction of polybutadiene polyol and polyisocyanate; and an additional adhesive component.

Abstract: A package for at least two objects includes RFID bridge antennas, having RF antenna elements, for wirelessly communicating data between a tag associated with each object and a reader. An electromagnetic carrier signal transmitted by the reader antenna is received by one of the RF antenna elements and retransmitted to the tag antenna by the other RF antenna element, increasing the distance over which the tag can communicate with the reader. Where the tag is attached to a packaged object, the RFID bridge antenna may be included in the package to allow wireless data communication between the tag and a reader. The reader may also be located external to the package. For example, one of the RF antenna elements may be attached to a label on the package, allowing data stored in the tag to be extracted by the external reader.

Abstract: A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, includes at least one ink stick and a coupler external to the ink stick. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device attached thereto, with the memory device having stored therein electronic data associated with the ink stick. The coupler is configured to read the electronic data from the memory device. The data in the memory device may include identification data, anti-arbitrage variables, usage data, maximum use values, and performance data related to the ink stick, and the coupler and memory device may employ various means for communicating this data. Also, communication between the coupler and memory device facilitates a method for determining a quantity of marking material in the machine.

Abstract: A method is provided for supplying marking material. A package containing the marking material and having an information-bearing tag is fed into a housing of a printing machine along a path including a package inlet. The tag is read to verify the marking material contained in the package. The package is then opened at least partially within the housing to expel the marking material from the package. Objects being marked move relative to the printing machine along a different path not including the package inlet. A method also is provided for verifying the contents of a collapsible marking material package. The package is fed into the housing of the printing machine, and an information-bearing tag on the package is read. If incorrect material has been inserted, the package then is rejected and ejected from the housing before it has been collapsed.

Abstract: A solvent resistant adhesive obtained by the crosslinking of a hydroxyl or urea or hydrocarbon terminated unsaturated polyurethane or polyurethane-urea polymer with a peroxide or a silicone hydride. The adhesive is useful as a component in pressure sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the synthesis of aniline derivatives, specifically certain aniline derivatives which have activity as thyroid receptor ligands.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods for preventing post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (ERCP). The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising secretin and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A suturing device includes a body member having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis and comprising a slide and trigger slide; a tip assembly attached to the distal end and comprising: a hollow sheath having a window at its distal end; a pushrod in the hollow sheath and in mechanical communication with the slide and moveable along the axis; and a heating element sheath containing a heating element and adjacent to the hollow sheath, the heating element in mechanical and electrical communication with the trigger slide and moveable within the heating element sheath along the axis and over the window; and circuitry in electrical communication between the trigger slide and the heating element. The trigger slide activates the circuitry to heat the heating element and moves the heating element along the axis and over the window to contact a suture and thereby create a bloom of suture material.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (CO2), particularly from the air. The CO2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes, mineral sequestration, and solid and liquid sorbents. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO2 via condensation on solid surfaces at low temperature.

Abstract: A package to encase a semiconductor package is manufactured by the following steps. First, an electrically conductive frame is provided. This frame has a plurality of leadframes arranged in a matrix with each leadframe having a plurality of spaced leads extending outwardly from a central aperture. The electrically conductive frame further includes a plurality of connecting bars joining outer end portions of adjacent ones of the leadframes. Second, a groove is formed in the connecting bars to form a reduced thickness portion between the outer end portions of adjacent ones of the leadframes. Third, a semiconductor device is electrically coupled to inner portions of said leads. Fourth, the frame and the semiconductor devices are encapsulated in a molding compound. Finally, the molding compound and the frame are cut along the grooves to form singulated semiconductor packages having outer lead portions with a height greater than the height of the reduced thickness portion.

Abstract: A biocidal composition is disclosed comprising composite particles, each of the composite particles containing a shell and a core, the core comprising a metal or a metal-containing compound wherein the metal is a moiety selected from the group consisting of zinc, copper, bismuth, silver, zirconium, and combinations thereof, the shell comprising a pyrithione adduct comprising the reaction product of pyrithione with a portion of the core metal or metal compound. In one aspect, an anti-fouling composition is disclosed comprising (a) an anti-soft-fouling effective amount of copper pyrithione; and (b) an anti-hard-fouling effective amount of a copper-containing salt, or oxide or hydroxide thereof. The present invention also relates to a method of making an antifouling composition comprising particles of copper pyrithione and a copper-containing salt that is effective against hard-fouling and soft-fouling organisms.

Abstract: The invention provides a radiation-curable alkoxy silanized hyperbranched polyester acrylate, characterized in that the radiation-curable alkoxy silanized hyperbranched polyester acrylate is produced by using a hyperbranched molecule with at least 16 functionalities as a core; acrylating or methacrylating a portion of the terminal groups of the hyperbranched molecule; and terminating a portion of the end groups of the hyperbranched molecule with an isocyanated silane coupling agent. The acrylate of the invention can be formed into a coating on polar substrates, such as glass or metal, or used as an adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a granular water treatment composition, comprising: 35-95 wt % calcium hypochlorite; 1 to 50 wt % magnesium sulfate or a hydrate thereof; 0.1 to 10 wt % lime; and 0.1 to 55 wt % of a water soluble zinc salt or a hydrate thereof; wherein the weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition. The present invention is also directed to a water treatment tablet, comprising 35-95 wt % calcium hypochlorite; 1 to 50 wt % magnesium sulfate or a hydrate thereof; 0.1 to 10 wt % lime; and 0.1 to 10 wt % of a water soluble zinc salt or a hydrate thereof; wherein the weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating management of health care in medical facilities such as hospitals, clinics, emergency rooms, etc., for example by monitoring and assessing the quality of patient care. Data is collected and operated on relating to medical conditions, treatment, cost, care, events, outcomes and results of treatments, and data representing the collective experience of similar patients is mined to discover opportunities to improve the quality of health care. Statistical and comparative data and reports including such and other information indicate a quality of care and provide epidemiologically cogent information. Quality of care may be considered as achieving desired or expected norms of performance, including success, in a timely fashion, and can be judged not just by what functionally happens during a patient instigated encounter, but also by long term outcomes evidenced by the patient's passage through the health care delivery system.