Abstract: An intravascular miniature stent pump comprising an intravascular stent for implantation at an implant site within a blood vessel and a miniature pump mounted on the stent, wherein the pump allows an adequate blood flow to prevent clotting within a lumen of the stent, and wherein the blood flow is equal to or greater than a blood flow at the implant site before implantation.

Abstract: Methods of oxidative dehydrogenation are described. Surprisingly, Pd and Au alloys of Pt have been discovered to be superior for oxidative dehydrogenation in microchannels. Methods of forming these catalysts via an electroless plating methodology are also described. An apparatus design that minimizes heat transfer to the apparatus' exterior is also described.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods and devices for designing dental components, such as physical models of a patient's anatomy, crowns and bridges. An operator of a prosthetic designing system can receive information, such as from a scanner, which provides information on the topology of the patient's dentition. The operator can use this information to design a custom prosthetic to fit the patient. Part of the designing process involves using a finish line defined for a preparation as a segmentation line for a physical die corresponding to the preparation, and using a path of draw line as an insertion axis line for a dental prosthetic.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for detection of an analyte in a sample, wherein the method is a semi-sequential assay procedure.

Abstract: Formulations of modified human growth hormone polypeptides are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and kits for screening potential inhibitors of MutS? by screening agents for the ability to selectively inhibit interaction between MutS? and MutL?. Also disclosed are kits for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Acrylamido derivatives useful as therapeutic agents, particularly for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases and conditions associated with the activity of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), such as the diseases characterized by ischemia/reperfusion, oxidative or degenerative tissue damage, are herein described. These compounds belong to the structural formula (I) wherein R, R?, R?, W and a are as defined in the specification. The invention also relates to the preparation of these compounds, as well as to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.

Abstract: A method and system for performing a search request for a name among a database including a plurality of names. In one implementation, the method includes receiving the search request on the name, determining a geographic location associated with the name, assigning a cultural classification to the name based on the geographic location associated with the name, and completing the search request by searching for the name among the plurality of names within the database based on the cultural classification assigned to the name.

Abstract: The photovoltaic structure comprises a thin film coating on a transparent substrate, the thin film comprising an effective amount of nanocrystalline silicon embedded in a matrix of amorphous and/or microcrystalline silicon. A transparent conducting oxide layer on a layer of non-conductive transparent oxide provides light-trapping capability as well as electrical conductivity where needed. A chemical vapor deposition (“CVD”) reactor provides improved gas distribution to the substrates being coated in the reactor. An improved sputtering process and an improved RF plasma-enhanced CVD manufacturing method both using high levels of hydrogen in the hydrogen-silane mixture and high electrical power levels for the plasma to increase the speed and to lower the cost of manufacturing.

Abstract: A circuit for driving LEDs includes: —a transformer with a secondary winding for driving the LEDs and a primary winding, —a half-bridge arrangement fed with an input voltage and coupled to the transformer, —a resonant circuit between the half-bridge arrangement and the primary winding of the transformer, the resonant circuit having a given resonance frequency, and—a controller configured for switching the half-bridge arrangement with a switching frequency variable between first and second values. The second value is closer than the first value to the resonance frequency of the resonant circuit created between the half-bridge arrangement and the primary winding of the transformer. This boosts the voltage fed towards the LEDs via the transformer. The LEDs are preferably included in the form of series of LEDs connected to the secondary winding of the transformer via a rectifier placed outside the housing of the power-supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a polymer (P) comprising amide and ester groups, whereby, in a first step, a homo- or co-polymer (P1) of (meth)acrylic acid is reacted with a monohydroxy compound (E) at a temperature of up to 200° C., such that, in addition to ester groups, anhydride groups are formed and, in a second step, the anhydride groups formed in the first step are reacted with a monoamine compound (A) at temperatures significantly below 100° C. The invention further relates to polymers produced by the above method, the use thereof in hydraulic-setting compositions and said hydraulic-setting compositions before and after hardening by addition of water.

Abstract: An optical NAND gate is formed from two pair of optical waveguide devices on a substrate, with each pair of the optical waveguide devices consisting of an electroabsorption modulator and a photodetector. One pair of the optical waveguide devices is electrically connected in parallel to operate as an optical AND gate; and the other pair of the optical waveguide devices is connected in series to operate as an optical NOT gate (i.e. an optical inverter). The optical NAND gate utilizes two digital optical inputs and a continuous light input to provide a NAND function output. The optical NAND gate can be formed from III-V compound semiconductor layers which are epitaxially deposited on a III-V compound semiconductor substrate, and operates at a wavelength in the range of 0.8-2.0 ?m.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating or preventing a condition or disorder associated with dyslipidemia with compositions comprising apolipoprotein-sphingomyelin complexes. The methods of the invention permit reduction, by 4- to 20-fold, of the amount of apolipoprotein required for therapeutic administration to bring about an ameliorative effect.

Abstract: An iron-based powder metallurgical composition is provided comprising an iron or iron-based powder and a particulate composite lubricant, the composite lubricant comprising particles having a core comprising a solid organic lubricant having fine carbon particles adhered thereon. A particulate composite lubricant and a method for producing the same also are provided.

Abstract: A decorative double-sided jewelry clasp for joining two ends of a jewelry chain together. The clasp comprises a rocker plate pivotally mounted to a base plate at a hinge. The hinge is formed by cooperating yokes extending from the center of each of the rocker plate and base plate. With plates facing, the yokes align and a pin is inserted there through to pivotally secure them together. A torsion spring is carried on the pin to bias the rocker plate versus the base plate. Further, the base plate has a short post at one end and a longer hook at the other, the hook looping around to the backside of the rocker plate, and thereby stopping counter-pivoting of the rocker plate. Both hook and post catch and secure the ends of the jewelry chain, with the spring locking the chain at both ends until a user depresses the rocker plate, thereby counter-biasing it open at both ends to release the chain.

Abstract: The method of the invention enables a user to select one or more items from a collection of items, said collection of items being organized in a hierarchy. The method comprises the steps of allowing the user to select a point in the hierarchy in a first view and allowing the user to select criteria from a list of criteria in a second view (21), the criteria being used to filter items (23) from the collection of items. The method further comprises the steps of determining which specific ones of said criteria match none of the items corresponding to said selected point in the hierarchy and unselecting said specific criteria in said second view (21). The device of the invention comprises electronic circuitry which is operative to perform the method of the invention. The computer program product of the invention enables a programmable device to perform the method of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of Formula (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), (Ik), or (Il) as defined herein, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pro-drugs, biologically active metabolites, stereoisomers and isomers thereof wherein the variable are defined herein. The compounds of the invention are useful for treating immunological and oncological conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to active fragments of the IL-18 binding protein, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such active fragments, and to medical uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thrombectomy catheter (10) comprising a distal end (D) for at least partially removing thrombus from a blood vessel (4), said distal end being conceived to undergo displacement along the blood vessel, wherein said distal end comprises a lumen (3) being arranged for collecting thrombus (T) and having a cross-section which is alterable from a collapsed state (S1) to an expanded state (S2), wherein during said displacement the cross-section of the lumen in the expanded state is self-adjustable for substantially matching local cross-sectional dimensions (D1, D2, D3) of the blood vessel (4). The invention further related to a device comprising a thrombectomy catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to viral variants exhibiting reduced sensitivity to particular agents and/or reduced interactivity with immunological reagents. More particularly, the present invention is directed to hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants exhibiting complete or partial resistance to nucleoside analogs and/or reduced interactivity with antibodies to viral surface components including reduced sensitivity to these antibodies. The present invention further contemplates assays for detecting such viral variants, which assays are useful in monitoring anti-viral therapeutic regimens and in developing new or modified vaccines directed against viral agents and in particular HBV variants. The present invention also contemplates the use of the viral variants to screen for agents capable of inhibiting infection, replication and/or release of the virus.