Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an artificial skin including: a radar absorbing layer; a conductive layer comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a semiconductive oxide deposited onto a substrate and an electrically conductive polymer, wherein the substrate is in contact with the radar absorbing layer, and wherein the artificial skin has a reflection coefficient substantially equal to a human skin reflection coefficient, the human skin reflection coefficient being determined at an electromagnetic radiation frequency ranging from 1-500 GHz. A human phantom composed of the artificial skin and methods of using the human phantom are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an artificial skin including: a radar absorbing layer; a conductive layer comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a semiconductive oxide deposited onto a substrate and an electrically conductive polymer, wherein the substrate is in contact with the radar absorbing layer, and wherein the artificial skin has a reflection coefficient substantially equal to a human skin reflection coefficient, the human skin reflection coefficient being determined at an electromagnetic radiation frequency ranging from 1-500 GHz. A human phantom composed of the artificial skin and methods of using the human phantom are also disclosed.

Abstract: A circular stapling instrument is provided. The circular stapling instrument includes a handle forming a cavity, a reciprocating drive shaft, a carrier cover, and a shaft assembly. The reciprocating drive shaft is detachably secured within the cavity of the handle. The carrier cover covers a portion of the reciprocating drive shaft within the cavity of the handle. The shaft assembly is detachably coupled with the handle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a fungal condition caused by T. rubrum, by administering a composition comprising a fatty acid monoester of glycerol. According to an embodiment, the fatty acid monoester of glycerol is 1-monocaprin.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a measurement system for measuring a reflection coefficient of a test sample, including: a transceiver antenna configured to be coupled to a source of electromagnetic radiation; and a RAM positioned between the transceiver antenna and a measurement region of the transceiver antenna, wherein the RAM comprises an aperture substantially orthogonal to and substantially aligned with a transceiving axis of the transceiver antenna. A method for obtaining error correction of a measurement system and a method of measuring a reflection coefficient in a test sample are also provided.

Abstract: A circular stapling instrument is provided. The circular stapling instrument includes a handle forming a cavity, a reciprocating drive shaft, a carrier cover, and a shaft assembly. The reciprocating drive shaft is detachably secured within the cavity of the handle. The carrier cover covers a portion of the reciprocating drive shaft within the cavity of the handle. The shaft assembly is detachably coupled with the handle.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a process for forming a reinforced rocker panel assembly, and which includes positioning a reinforcement patch having first and second patch sections in surface-to-surface contact with a blank panel sheet, and welding the first patch section to the blank panel sheet. The process further includes bending both the blank panel sheet and the reinforcement patch along a bend line interposed between the first and second patch sections to form the blank panel sheet into a rocker panel portion having an elongated base section and a longitudinal flange, where the first and second patch sections are in at least partial abutting contact with the base section and the flange. The process also includes welding the second patch section to the flange.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a process for forming a reinforced rocker panel assembly, and which includes positioning a reinforcement patch having first and second patch sections in surface-to-surface contact with a blank panel sheet, and welding the first patch section to the blank panel sheet. The process further includes bending both the blank panel sheet and the reinforcement patch along a bend line interposed between the first and second patch sections to form the blank panel sheet into a rocker panel portion having an elongated base section and a longitudinal flange, where the first and second patch sections are in at least partial abutting contact with the base section and the flange. The process also includes welding the second patch section to the flange.

Abstract: A transition device for fitting to an extension ladder includes a single elongate rung portion and two hook-shaped arm portions at respective opposite ends of the rung portion. The hook-shaped arm portions have respective wing formations that project longitudinally from each end of the transition device 110. The hook-shaped arm portions are engaged over the uppermost exposed rung of the lower section of the extension ladder, so that the wing formations abut the uprights of the ladder and prevent movement or rotation of the device. The transition device 110 acts to increase the forward extension of the rung to enables a user to step safely over the transition between the lower and upper sections.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis for occluding a dissection of an aorta has a tube with a first portion and a second portion. The second portion of the tube comprises a bioaborbable material. The prosthesis also comprises a stent coupled to the tube. The prosthesis is configured for endoluminal placement in the aorta via an artery.

Abstract: Described herein is a method by which active millimeter wave radiation may be used to detect and identify the composition of concealed metallic, concealed non-metallic, concealed opaque or concealed semi-transparent materials based on their optical properties. By actively radiating a semi-transparent target anomaly with multiple millimeter wave radiation frequencies, the dielectric properties of the target anomaly can be identified. The dielectric properties of the target anomaly may then be compared to a library of dielectric properties attributed to semi-transparent materials of interest. This method will allow active millimeter wave radiation technology to identify the likely composition of targeted semi-transparent materials through absorption and illumination measurements attributed to the dielectric properties of the targeted composition.

Abstract: A circular stapling instrument is provided. The circular stapling instrument includes a handle forming a cavity, a reciprocating drive shaft, a carrier cover, and a shaft assembly. The reciprocating drive shaft is detachably secured within the cavity of the handle. The carrier cover covers a portion of the reciprocating drive shaft within the cavity of the handle. The shaft assembly is detachably coupled with the handle.

Abstract: A circular stapling instrument is provided. The circular stapling instrument includes a handle forming a cavity, a reciprocating drive shaft, a carrier cover, and a shaft assembly. The reciprocating drive shaft is detachably secured within the cavity of the handle. The carrier cover covers a portion of the reciprocating drive shaft within the cavity of the handle. The shaft assembly is detachably coupled with the handle.

Abstract: A method for check destruction tracking and reconstruction relates to tracking the destruction of financial institution items, such as paper checks. The method includes transferring the financial institution items to a bin for transporting the items to be destroyed. The bin is associated with a bin identifier. The items which are in the bin are identified and the bin is transported for destruction. If the items are safely transported and safely destroyed, a notification of destruction of the items in the bin is sent. If the items are either not safely transported or not safely destroyed, a notification of an incident is sent. Appropriate action may be taken in response to receiving such notification.

Abstract: A circular stapling instrument includes a casing, an anvil assembly, a staple driver, and a locking mechanism. The anvil assembly is configured to move back and forth between an open position away from the casing and a closed position adjacent the casing. The staple driver is configured to move within the casing from a pre-fired position to a fired position. The locking mechanism is configured to, whenever the anvil assembly is in the open position, automatically lock the staple driver in the pre-fired position preventing the staple driver from being moved to the fired position. The locking mechanism is also configured to, whenever the anvil assembly is in the closed position, automatically unlock the staple driver from the pre-fired position to allow the staple driver to be moved to the fired position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of insulinotropic peptides that are synthesized using a solid and solution phase (“hybrid”) approach. Generally, the approach includes synthesizing three different peptide intermediate fragments using solid phase chemistry. Solution phase chemistry is then used to add additional amino acid material to one of the fragments. The fragments are then coupled together in the solution phase. The use of a pseudoproline in one of the fragments eases solid phase synthesis of that fragment and also eases subsequent solution phase coupling of this fragment to other fragments. The present invention is very useful for forming insulinotropic peptides such as Exenatide(1-39) and its natural and non-natural counterparts.

Abstract: A circular stapling instrument is provided. The circular stapling instrument includes a handle forming a cavity, a reciprocating drive shaft, a carrier cover, and a shaft assembly. The reciprocating drive shaft is detachably secured within the cavity of the handle. The carrier cover covers a portion of the reciprocating drive shaft within the cavity of the handle. The shaft assembly is detachably coupled with the handle.

Abstract: A circular stapling instrument includes a casing, an anvil assembly, a staple driver, and a locking mechanism. The anvil assembly is configured to move back and forth between an open position away from the casing and a closed position adjacent the casing. The staple driver is configured to move within the casing from a pre-fired position to a fired position. The locking mechanism is configured to, whenever the anvil assembly is in the open position, automatically lock the staple driver in the pre-fired position preventing the staple driver from being moved to the fired position. The locking mechanism is also configured to, whenever the anvil assembly is in the closed position, automatically unlock the staple driver from the pre-fired position to allow the staple driver to be moved to the fired position.

Abstract: Described herein is a method by which active millimeter wave radiation may be used to detect and identify the composition of concealed metallic, concealed non-metallic, concealed opaque or concealed semi-transparent materials based on their optical properties. By actively radiating a semi-transparent target anomaly with multiple millimeter wave radiation frequencies, the dielectric properties of the target anomaly can be identified. The dielectric properties of the target anomaly may then be compared to a library of dielectric properties attributed to semi-transparent materials of interest. This method will allow active millimeter wave radiation technology to identify the likely composition of targeted semi-transparent materials through absorption and illumination measurements attributed to the dielectric properties of the targeted composition.

Abstract: A flexible endoscopic clip applier includes a flexible coil with a manual actuator coupled to one end and a jaw assembly coupled to the other end. A store of clips is arranged adjacent to the jaw assembly and a clip pusher is arranged adjacent to the store of clips. The actuator includes a lever for opening and closing the jaws, a knob for rotating the jaw assembly, and a crank for dispensing clips. The knob and the lever are coupled to a single control member which extends through the coil to a joiner where it is joined to a pair of pull wires coupled to the jaws. The crank is coupled to a second control member which is threaded along a distal portion. The threaded portion engages a threaded member near the pusher and is coupled to the pusher such that rotation of the threaded control member by the crank causes the pusher to be moved distally.