Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making and using peripherally restricted inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). The present invention provides compounds and compositions that suppress FAAH activity and increases anandamide levels outside the central nervous system (CNS). The present invention also sets forth methods for inhibiting FAAH as well as methods for treating conditions such as, but not limited to, pain, inflammation, immune disorders, dermatitis, mucositis, the over reactivity of peripheral sensory neurons, neurodermatitis, and an overactive bladder. Accordingly, the invention also provides compounds, methods, and pharmaceutical compositions for treating conditions in which the selective inhibition of peripheral FAAH (as opposed to CNS FAAH) would be of benefit.

Abstract: The present invention refers to system for accessing POS terminals (10), with or without pin pad, using a client system (15) to connect such POS terminal (10) to a network comprised by at least one server (30), the system enabling any POS terminal (10) to execute applications (25) located in such servers, through a plurality of specific protocols (20) in a process similar to the Internet, as well to download and update applications from application servers (30) and to perform electronic operations in transaction serves (35).

Abstract: Methods for the production of a biodegradable plastics material obtained from plant waste materials are provided which include the steps of dissolving plant waste material in an anhydrous solvent which includes anhydrous trifluoroacetic acid in order to dissolve a cellulose fraction of the material, the waste material being at least partly dehydrated in such a way that its water content is not likely to cause hydrolysis of the cellulose fraction, and removing the solvent from the solution containing the non-hydrolysed cellulose fraction.

Abstract: The present invention concerns, in a first aspect, compounds of Formula I as defined herein, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. The present invention also relates to compounds of Formula I for use as acid ceramidase inhibitors, and in the treatment of cancer and other disorders in which modulation of the levels of ceramide is clinically relevant.

Abstract: Monomeric VHH domain derived from anti-VP6 camelid antibodies, dimeric domain, immunization method, and treatment method for rotavirus infections, wherein said domain may be any of the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3, and wherein said domains bind to protein VP6 of Group A rotavirus.

Abstract: A system for offloading a fluid from an offshore structure comprises an annular conduit support structure disposed about the offshore structure. The support structure is fixably coupled to the offshore structure. In addition, the system comprises an annular reel disposed about the offshore structure and rotatably coupled to the support structure. The reel includes a conduit fairlead configured to move relative to the support structure. Further, the system comprises a flexible conduit having a fluid inlet end and a fluid outlet end. The flexible conduit includes a first portion wrapped around the conduit support structure and a second portion extending from the conduit support structure through the fairlead.

Abstract: An actuated joint comprising a first element and a second element movable one with respect to the other, a first actuator and a second actuator connected to said first and second element for controlling the movement of said joint in an agonist-antagonist way, wherein said first actuator has a nominal or maximum power greater than that of said second actuator and said second actuator comprises at least a first elastic element extendable so as to store a maximum amount of elastic energy greater than that storable by said first actuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA). Inhibition of NAAA is contemplated as a method to sustain the levels of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleylethanolamide (OEA), two substrates of NAAA, in conditions characterized by reduced concentrations of PEA and OEA. The invention also provides methods for treating inflammatory diseases and pain, and other disorders in which decreased levels of PEA and OEA are associated with the disorder.

Abstract: A muonic electromagnetic generator for generating electrical energy is provided and includes a generator that is connectable to at least one source of electric energy with a lower power than the power generated by the generator. The generator includes at least one outer electric coil, at least one inner electric coil, situated substantially inside the outer electric coil, and an oscillator. The oscillator is connected between the source of electrical energy and the outer electric coil. When the outer electric coil is connected to a source of electric energy via an oscillator that was previously tuned to emit a frequency corresponding to a certain fraction specific to the Compton frequency of a muon, the muonic energy is absorbed by an inner electric coil, and this energy can be used to feed any external load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing the therapeutic efficacy of curcuminoids and analogs. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for increasing the therapeutic efficacy of systemically administered formulations that contain curcuminoids and the equivalent therapeutics thereof. The method is characterized in that together with the administration of the formulation the patient is irradiated with visible, and optionally ultraviolet, radiation during a treatment. The invention also relates to phototherapy devices that emit visible radiation over a surface area greater than 0.2 m2 with an irradiance of more than 2 mW/cm2, the devices being suitable for use in the treatment of proliferative diseases, particularly moderate-to-severe psoriasis or tumor processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thin films comprising non-stoichiometric monoxides of: copper (OCu2)x with embedded cubic metal copper (Cucy) [(OCu2)x+(Cu1-2)y, wherein 0.05?x<1 and 0.01?y?0.9]; of tin (OSn)?x with embedded metal tin (Sn?x) [(OSn)z+(Sn1-2)w wherein 0.05?z<1 and 0.01?w?0.9]; Cucx—Sn?x alloys with embedded metal Sn and Cu [(O—Cu—Sn)a+(Cu?—Sn?)b with 0<?<2 and 0<?<2, wherein 0.05?a<1 and 0.01?b?0.9]; and of nickel (ONi)x with embedded Ni and Sn species [(O—Ni)a+(Ni?—Sn?)b with 0<?<2 and 0<?<2, wherein 0.05?a<1 and 0.01?b?0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining simultaneously several compositions comprising fatty acid alkyl esters (biodiesel), glycerol formal and fatty acid glycerol formal esters.

Abstract: A polymeric actuator includes a first and a second electrode layer (2, 3), both containing electrically conductive material and able to change size in at least one direction of deformation under the action of charge injection or ion intercalation. A solid polymer electrolyte layer (4) is interposed between the first and the second electrode layer, in which the solid polymer electrolyte layer is electrically insulating and ionically conductive. The actuator is able to deform by the action of the dimensional changes of the first and second electrode layer. The actuator further includes a passive electrode (5) immersed in the solid electrolyte layer to be electrically insulated relative to the first and second electrode layer, in which the passive electrode is electrically conductive and elastically deformable material, so as to support mechanically the deformations of the actuator induced by the dimensional changes of the first and second electrode layer.

Abstract: An electronic measurement unit for a polymorphous device, comprising a number of lateral structures, each lateral structure including: a support structure; at least one sensor constrained to the support structure and generating an electrical signal indicative of a deformation of the support structure; and a coupling structure that constrains a corresponding external covering element to the support structure in a releasable manner, so that when the external covering element is constrained to the support structure and an external force acts on the external covering element, the electrical signal is indicative of the external force.

Abstract: A windfence supporting tower with tension-integrity, includes a tubular metal tower having a central tubular post and four inclined tubular structural tensile elements attached to the post via the coupling ring and the lower ends attached to the free ends of a yoke of compression tubes, which is in turn attached to the post by the reaction flange of the yoke, further receiving at the free ends of the yoke four vertical tensile structural elements which are tensioned and anchored to the ground through four independent foundations located around the foundation of the central tube. These vertical ties pull on the connection point of the yoke and in turn the inclined structural elements connected to the coupling ring, thereby providing stability with tension-integrity, which is the main feature of the present supporting tower for absorbing forces caused by the wind.

Abstract: A device for tracking objects in a video is described. The device has a processing unit. The processing unit has a selection module configured for selecting video portions, a tracking module for tracking positions of predetermined objects in the video portions, a stream generation module for creating a predetermined object's video streams, and a composition module configured for composing partial video streams of individual predetermined objects into an output video stream. The device also has a transmission system for tracking predetermined objects.

Abstract: An open-structure magnetic assembly is adapted to generate a homogeneous magnetic field in an accessible space region, including a first and second independent source of magnetic field (10, 12), each generating a contribution to the resulting magnetic field. The first source includes a conducting or superconducting plate (20), carrying an unidirectional current flow (I) from an input side (22) to an output side (24) and at least one external current recirculating path (30) between the output side (24) and the input side (22) of the plate. The second source includes a volume of magnetized material or an arrangement of coils, arranged for generating a magnetic field component oriented according to the magnetic field generated by the first source (10), and whose intensity exhibits a gradient in a direction perpendicular to the conducting plate (20) adapted to compensate, in a region of interest, an opposite gradient in the magnetic field intensity generated by the first source (10).

Abstract: A method for constructing an FPSO comprises (a) assembling and integrating a plurality of modules to form a module assembly for installation on the FPSO. In addition, the method comprises (b) supporting the module assembly with one or more ballast adjustable pontoons. Further, the method comprises (c) positioning the module assembly over a deck of a vessel after (a) and (b). Still further the method comprises (d) de-ballasting the vessel and/or ballasting the one or more pontoons to load the module assembly onto the deck of the vessel after (c).