Abstract: A process suitable for processing scaled-up amounts of source material in the range of tens of kilograms for the purification of alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (API) from a mixture of unpurified proteins is provided. More particularly, a process for the purification of API from blood plasma or from plasma fractions to obtain pharmaceutical grade API on a commercial scale is provided. The API produced by the process is highly pure (at least 90% API out of the total protein) and highly active (at least 90% active API). Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the purified API and methods of using same are also described.

Abstract: A fibrous microencapsulated washer is provided for sealing and retaining a fastener. The fibrous microencapsulated washer includes a substrate and a coating of a microencapsulated material on the substrate. The fibrous microencapsulated washer includes an aperture extending therethrough to receive a fastener, whereby a radial installation of the fastener causes the microencapsulated material to react on the substrate to form a seal and to adhesively secure the fastener to a workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of Formula I and salts, hydrates, solvates, complexes, and prodrugs thereof. The present invention further provides methods for synthesizing compounds of Formula I. The invention additionally provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of Formula I and methods of using the pharmaceutical compositions of Formula I to treat and prevent disorders and diseases associated with the RyR receptors that regulate calcium channel functioning in cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus that includes a first heat exchanger for heating a first heat transfer medium in a first form from a first temperature to a second higher temperature to provide an increased pressure gas, a first mechanical device configured to use the increased pressure gas to provide mechanical energy to one or more primary components, and one or more additional mechanical devices configured to use the increased pressure gas to provide mechanical energy to one or more secondary components. The mechanical device produces spent gas, and a conversion device is operably associated with at least one of the mechanical devices to convert the spent gas to the first form for re-use.

Abstract: A method for forming a structure is provided and includes implanting an atomic species into a donor substrate having an upper surface at a given depth relative to the upper surface to form an embrittlement zone in the donor substrate, the embrittlement zone defining a removable layer within the donor substrate. The method further includes assembling the upper surface of the donor substrate to a receiver substrate. Additionally, the method includes detaching the removable layer from the donor substrate at the embrittlement zone, thereby forming a detachment surface on the removable layer, by high temperature annealing. The high temperature annealing includes a temperature upgrade phase to a predetermined maximum temperature, maintaining the maximum temperature for a predetermined exposure duration, and a temperature downgrade phase. The maximum temperature and the exposure duration are selected so as to prevent the appearance of significant defects at the detachment surface.

Abstract: A system for process-technological machines such as mills and classifiers having an enclosed design with no rotary unions between the ambient air and system interior. This system is particularly useful for CIP and SIP operation modes or glove-box operations. The mills or classifiers include an encapsulation that seals the components of the magnetic bearing spindle drive against the working zone of the shaft in the magnetic bearing spindle housing. The magnetic bearing spindle drive is designed such that the shaft can be removed to facilitate simpler and easier component exchange as well as thorough cleaning.

Abstract: An air cleaner including ozone removal is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes an air channel in the air cleaner, an air moving unit located in the air channel and configured to create an airflow, and an ozone decomposing element located in and extending substantially fully across the air channel. The ozone decomposing element causes decomposition of ozone in the airflow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a food product dispenser that includes a food delivery mechanism and a cleansing mechanism. The food delivery mechanism includes a food source, a food conduit associated with the food source for receiving a food component therefrom, and a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense servings of the food component from the conduit. The cleansing mechanism includes a cleansing conduit associated with the food delivery mechanism to direct a cleansing fluid along a fluid path in cleansing association with the food delivery mechanism under conditions for performing a cleansing operation on the food delivery mechanism. A controller can be provided for automatically conducting cleansing operations based on predetermined conditions. The controller, delivery mechanism and cleansing mechanism can be configured to switch between the dispensing of the servings and the cleansing operation at a plurality of intervals during a day without substantial intervention from an operator.

Abstract: An air cleaner is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The air cleaner includes a high voltage power supply configured to provide a high voltage to a collector cell and a shut-down circuit coupled to the high voltage power supply. The shut-down circuit is configured to monitor an electrical current supplied to the collector cell, remove electrical power to the collector cell if the electrical current exceeds a predetermined cell current threshold for a predetermined time period, and generate an indication if the electrical power is removed from the collector cell.

Abstract: An air cleaner including an improved airflow path is provided according to the invention. The air cleaner includes a duct extending between an air inlet of the air cleaner and an air outlet, with the duct being configured to conduct an airflow. The duct includes a shaped input region located downstream of one or more air cleaning components and upstream of an impeller, a curved transition region downstream of the shaped input region, with the curved transition region transitioning the airflow from an air inlet orientation to an air outlet orientation, and an expansion output region downstream of the curved transition region, with the expansion output region allowing the airflow to expand. The air cleaner further includes the impeller located in the curved transition region of the air duct. The airflow is smoothly conducted from the air inlet to the air outlet by the duct.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for preparing a reconditioned donor substrate by providing a remainder substrate from a donor substrate wherein the remainder substrate has a detachment surface where a transfer layer was detached and an opposite surface; and depositing an additional layer onto the opposite surface of the remainder substrate to increase its thickness and to form a reconditioned substrate. The reconditioned substrate is recycled as a donor substrate for fabricating compound material wafers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for choreographing and synchronizing movement of individuals for an event are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes providing each individual of a group with a wireless audio playback unit, and transmitting body movement instruction signals to the audio playback units of each individual of the group. The audio playback units are configured to receive the signals and to play audio directions for each individual that correspond to choreographed and coordinated body movements to carry out the event.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a computer-implemented data-collection method that can comprise displaying a returnable-form, and the form can comprise a plurality of field associations. The form can comprise a form identification value and/or a form return address, and each field association can comprise a field name and a field value. The method can comprise collecting at least one value entered into at least one respective field value of the field associations, saving the at least one value and the returnable form into a transmit unit, and transferring the transmit unit to the form return address. The method can comprise extracting and processing the field associations saved in the transmit unit. A system to carry out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A clamp in form of a mainly U-shaped or V-shaped device serves for non-invasively affecting a cartilage fold on for example the exterior ear by a stretching and compressive force. The clamp is shaped as a V, in which the angle ? between the legs of the V prior to use is equal to or smaller than 90°, and the angle ? between the legs of the V, in use mounted on a cartilage fold, is smaller than the angle ?. The clamp is made of a material that can be given a permanent deformation and which therefore is able to maintain a constant pressure on local, opposite areas of the cartilage fold.