Abstract: A fan assembly for generating an air flow within a room includes an air inlet section having an air inlet, an impeller, and a motor for rotating the impeller about an impeller axis to draw an air flow through the air inlet, and an annular nozzle having an inner wall, an outer wall extending about the inner wall, an air inlet for receiving the air flow, an air outlet for emitting the air flow, and an interior passage located between the inner wall and the outer wall for conveying the air flow to the air outlet, the inner wall defining a bore through which air from outside the nozzle is drawn by the air flow emitted from the air outlet. A support assembly supports the air inlet section and the nozzle on a ceiling of the room.

Abstract: A videoconferencing unit includes first and second encoder that each encodes a video stream of frames and generates variables indicating changes between frames of the video streams. The unit also includes a controller operatively coupled to the first and second encoders. The controller compares the variables from the encoders and determines first and second bit rates for the first and second encoders based on the comparison. Then, the controller sets the first and second encoders to the first and second bit rates, respectively. Preferably, comparing the variables, determining the bit rates, and setting the bit rates are dynamically repeated as the unit operates. In addition, the dynamic repetition is preferably allowed or limited to one or more predetermined intervals of time.

Abstract: A porous polymer blend, and a method of producing a porous polymer blend from at least two immiscible polymers. The at least two immiscible polymer being blended together and exhibiting the absence of complete phase separation. The method of producing a porous polymer blend comprising: forming a liquid composition comprising at least two immiscible polymers dissolved in a common solvent; subjecting the liquid composition to a reduction in temperature to cause at least two immiscible polymers to phase separate into a common polymer rich phase and a common polymer poor phase; solidifying the at least two immiscible polymers in the common polymer rich phase so as to avoid complete phase separation of the at least two immiscible polymers; and removing the common polymer pore phase to provide a blend of the at least two immiscible polymers having a porous morphology.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for providing an agricultural waste product having amorphous silica, carbon, and impurities; extracting from the agricultural waste product an amount of the impurities; changing the ratio of carbon to silica; and reducing the silica to a high purity silicon (e.g., to photovoltaic silicon).

Abstract: The present invention provides antisapstain compositions comprising a haloalkynyl compound, an azole and an unsaturated carboxylic or sulphonic acid. The compositions of the invention are surprisingly effective at protecting wood and other cellulosic substrates, in particular at providing antisapstain activity. The invention also provides methods for treating wood and other cellulosic substrates with said compositions.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the 2S,4R ketoconazole enantiomer or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, and solvates, that are substantially free of the 2R,4S ketoconazole enantiomer are useful to reduce testosterone synthesis and for the treatment of prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, seborrhea, hirsutism, alopecia, polycystic ovary syndrome, and other diseases and conditions, including but not limited to systemic hyperandrogenism.

Abstract: A skate boot with a rear element that includes a tendon guard upwardly extending from an outsole of the boot is disclosed. The rear element covers at least a rear portion of an ankle received within the boot. The rear element has a base in connection with a heel portion of the outsole such that the rear element is displaceable relative a remainder of the boot in a forward and rearward direction about the connection. The rear element is an external element of the boot, and has a desired flexibility allowing the rear element to flex in the forward and rearward direction following a given forward and rearward flexion of the ankle.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a hose and wand assembly, onto which a floor tool may be attached. Power and signals are transmitted down electrical conductors in the hose. In order to permit free movement of the hose, the hose is divided into portions having a joint therebetween. Conductors of one hose portion terminate in contact anus in the joint. The contact arms are in sliding intimate contact with slip rings. The slip rings are connected to conductors of the other hose portion. Thus, the hose portions may rotate relative to one another without causing damage to the electrical connection along the hose.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a hose and wand assembly onto which a floor tool may be attached. The wand includes a plurality of telescoping tubes which can slide between retracted and extended positions. In order to be able to transmit power and signals from the vacuum cleaner to the end of the wand assembly, conductors are provided in a channel in the hose. The hose is connected to the interior of the wand, just beyond the last telescoping joint, with the conductors extending beyond the end of the hose to a connector at the far end of the wand. This arrangement automatically provides a reliable electrical connection down the wand. Previously, electrical conductors were not employed with this type of wand as it was not straightforward to provide electrical connections across the telescoping parts.

Abstract: Treatment of patients with the 2S,4R ketoconazole enantiomer or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and solvates is useful for reducing systemic inflammation and cholesterol levels and improving glycemic control.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the 2S,4R ketoconazole enantiomer or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, and solvates are useful to increase cardiolipin synthesis and for the treatment of Barth Syndrome, diabetic myopathy, cardiomyopathy associated with aging, mitochondrial disease, and other conditions and disorders where cardiolipin deficiency plays a causative or symptomatic role.

Abstract: A porous polymer blend, and a method of producing a porous polymer blend from at least two immiscible polymers. The at least two immiscible polymer being blended together and exhibiting the absence of complete phase separation. The method of producing a porous polymer blend comprising: forming a liquid composition comprising at least two immiscible polymers dissolved in a common solvent; subjecting the liquid composition to a reduction in temperature to cause at least two immiscible polymers to phase separate into a common polymer rich phase and a common polymer poor phase; solidifying the at least two immiscible polymers in the common polymer rich phase so as to avoid complete phase separation of the at least two immiscible polymers; and removing the common polymer pore phase to provide a blend of the at least two immiscible polymers having a porous morphology.

Abstract: A system and method for updating a computer program on a mobile computing device comprises uploading of packages to a repository, wherein each package comprises update data for a different portion of the computer program, a server identifying portions of the computer program to be updated on a device based on comparing information reported by the device and metadata about packages in the repository and a download server configured to wirelessly download the packages to the mobile computing device. The device may report back installation status to a server.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and use of single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes in the Niemann Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) gene. In particular, methods are provided for correlating NPC1L1 polymorphisms and haplo-types with the responsiveness of a pharmaceutically active compound administered to a human subject. The invention further relates to a method for estimating the responsiveness of a pharmaceutically active compound administered to a human subject which method comprises determining at least one polymorphism in the NPC1L1 gene. The methods are based on determining polymorphisms in the NPC1L1 gene and correlating the responsiveness of a pharmaceutically active compound in the human by reference to one or more polymorphism in NPC1L1.

Abstract: A computer related security mechanism requires that a human participate in an access verification sequence. Upon a request to access secure data, a puzzle is provided to the requester. Proper solution of the puzzle requires human participation. The puzzle is chosen such that its solution is within the capabilities of a human, but beyond the current state of the art for computer systems. The puzzled can be visually and/or audibly rendered to the user. In one configuration, the puzzle is obtained via a library of pluggable puzzle generators. Puzzle generators in the library can be replaced as the state of the art of computing technology improves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I) for the treatment of sexual dysfunction and to compositions containing compounds of formula (I) for the treatment of sexual dysfunction, wherein A, L, D and B1 are as described in the specification.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a given peptide or its derivative which contains a proline residue or a proline derivative, at proximity to, or at, the C-terminal end of said peptide is provided. The method comprises a) synthesizing on a first resin a C-terminal portion of said peptide, or its derivative, comprising at least three successive amino acid residues or their derivatives, by successive coupling of selected amino acids, small peptides or their derivatives; b) cleaving the C-terminal portion from said first resin; c) reattaching said C-terminal portion to a second resin which is generally suitable for the synthesis of peptides but is unsuitable for the formation of peptides having a proline residue positioned at the C-terminal end of said peptide; and d) coupling selected amino acids, small peptides or derivatives to the C-terminal portion.

Abstract: The present invention discloses compounds of general formula (I) wherein X1-X4 and R1-R3 are as defined in the description. The present invention also discloses methods of treatment for pain, neurodegeneration and convulsive states in a host mammal in need thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions including those compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I) for the treatment of sexual dysfunction and to compositions containing compounds of formula (I) for the treatment of sexual dysfunction, wherein A, L, D and B, are as described in the specification.