Abstract: The invention relates to a novel highly selective and potent NPP1 inhibitors, compositions comprising such, and their use as pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A method for preparing a comb-like polyurethane, including: 1) adding a diol to a reaction vessel, stirring, heating, vacuum dehydrating, and cooling the diol; adding a diisocyanate to the diol, and pre-polymerizing the diisocyanate and the diol under vacuum to yield a polyurethane prepolymer; 2) dissolving lysine in a mixture of water and an organic solvent to yield a first solution, adding the first solution to the polyurethane prepolymer to yield a first reaction mixture; stopping stirring and allowing the first reaction mixture to stand for between 10 and 12 hrs, pouring the first reaction mixture into water, and drying a precipitate to yield a polyurethane elastomer containing carboxyl groups; 3) dissolving the polyurethane elastomer in an organic solvent to yield a second solution; adding an epoxy-terminated polyethylene glycol to the second solution, and stirring a resulting mixture at between 110 and 130° C.

Abstract: A durable container for storing and transferring crops, such as fruits and vegetables, from the field to market is described. The container is adapted to provide efficient air or water circulation for the preservation of crops. Particularly, the container contains openings in the floor and the sides of the container, which are of a defined size and proportion of the total area, to allow for effective air or water circulation.