Abstract: Novel human megakaryocyte stimulating factors (MSFS) capable of stimulating the growth and development of colonies of megakaryocytes, pharmaceutical compositions containing same, and methods for their preparation and use are provided.

Abstract: A denture adhesive composition is disclosed and comprises a polymeric activator in an amount of up to about 3 percent by weight based on the total weight of the denture adhesive composition; wherein the activator is selected from the group consisting of: poly(meth)acrylic acid, poly acrylic acid, polyitaconic acid, polycitraconic acid, and a monovalent alkali metal cation salt thereof. This composition exhibits enhanced adhesive performance and reduces oozing and incidence of food occlusion.

Abstract: A molding assembly having a hanger member fixedly securable to an inner or outer wall of a building and a decorative molding insert member releasably engageable with the hanger member. The molding insert member is supported at a lower edge portion by a lower J-channel of the hanger member. An upper L-shaped portion of the insert member is supported by a depending lip portion of the hanger member which forms a second channel such that no external fastening elements are required to secure the molding insert member to the hanger member. The insert member can be quickly and easily releasably engaged within the J-channel and the second channel without the need for special tools. In an alternative preferred embodiment the insert member includes a lip portion which is adapted to slidably engage an under surface of an adjacently positioned insert member to provide an even more continuous appearance for adjacently positioned insert members.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of detecting wide spread fatigue damage (WFD) on aircraft using the absolute conductivity of the metal. A meandering winding magnetometer (MWM) having a plurality of parallel spaced linear conductor elements are placed in proximity to the aircraft. An electromagnetic field is imposed on the aircraft and the resulting response is sensed. The response is transformed to determine the conductivity of the aircraft structure. The mapping of the conductivity of the aircraft structure produces an indication where microcracks are located in the structure. These early indications of the density, spatial distribution and spatial orientation, as well as the size, of the microcracks give the user an indication of WFD.

Abstract: This invention relates to a 24 hour extended release dosage formulation and unit dosage form thereof of venlafaxine hydrochloride, an antidepressant, which provides better control of blood plasma levels than conventional tablet formulations which must be administered two or more times a day and further provides a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting than the conventional tablets. More particularly, the invention comprises an extended release formulation of venlafaxine hydrochloride comprising a therapeutically effective amount of venlafaxine hydrochloride in spheroids comprised of venlafaxine hydrochloride, microcrystalline cellulose and, optionally, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose coated with a mixture of ethyl cellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

Abstract: A thermal ink jet printhead having an upper substrate and a lower substrate in which one surface thereof has an array of heating elements and addressing electrodes formed thereon. The lower substrate has an insulative layer deposited on the surface thereof and over the heating elements and addressing electrodes and patterned to form recesses therethrough to expose the heating elements and terminal ends of the addressing electrodes. The upper and lower substrates are bonded together to form a thermal ink jet printhead having droplet emitting nozzles defined by the upper substrate, the insulative layer on the lower substrate, and the heating elements in the lower substrate. At least one of the upper substrate and the insulative layer comprises a crosslinked polymer formed by crosslinking a precursor polymer which is a phenolic novolac resin having glycidyl ether functional groups on the monomer repeat units thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a 24 hour extended release dosage formulation and unit dosage form thereof of venlafaxine hydrochloride, an antidepressant, which provides better control of blood plasma levels than conventional tablet formulations which must be administered two or more times a day and fiber provides a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting than the conventional tablets. More particularly, the invention comprises an extended release formulation of venlafaxine hydrochloride comprising a therapeutically effective amount of venlafaxine hydrochloride in spheroids comprised of venlafaxine hydrochloride, microcrystalline cellulose and, optionally, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose coated with a mixture of ethyl cellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

Abstract: The sensitivity of enzyme-based polarographic electrodes to oxygen concentration can be significantly reduced or eliminated by providing an oxygen-reservoir in intimate contact with the oxidative enzyme. This is achieved by making a stabilized emulsion between the enzyme and a compound in which oxygen is extremely soluble. An aqueous glucose oxidase solution is emulsified with a perfluorocarbon liquid, and the resulting emulsion is stabilized by chemically crosslinking the mixture to form a gel. Thin layers of the emulsion are fabricated by spreading a layer of the liquid emulsion before gelation occurs. Additional carrier proteins such as albumin may be added to the enzyme prior to crosslinking to protect enzymatic activity and enhance gel strength. Additional electron transport compounds may be added to further reduce sensitivity to oxygen concentration.

Abstract: A vent apparatus for cooperating with duct work associated with an exhaust fan to enable air to be exhausted from an interior room of a dwelling to the exterior environment. The vent apparatus includes a base member and a cover member releasably securable to the base member. The base member includes an attaching portion having a plurality of locking portions, while the cover member includes a plurality of flexible latching arm members which releasably engage the locking portions when the cover member is placed over the attaching portion. The attaching portion includes en enlarged opening which enables air exhausted from an interior room to be directed out between the base and cover members to the exterior atmosphere. The apparatus is particularly well-adapted to be used with vinyl or aluminum siding and is relatively inexpensive to construct, light-weight and easy to install. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus includes a screen adapted to be secured to the base member.

Abstract: A surround molding assembly for a doorway or window of a structure such as a residential home or a commercial building. In one embodiment, a decorative molding strip includes a base strip and a decorative strip interconnected by a living hinge. The decorative strip may be pivoted about the living hinge to a closed position over the base strip to hide internally located fasteners. In an embodiment, an extension cap is interconnected between a corner member and a decorative molding strip without external fasteners. In another preferred embodiment, a door surround molding assembly is provided which includes a pair of vertical molding members releasably secured via independent hanger strips along vertical sides of a doorway.

Abstract: A vent apparatus for cooperating with duct work associated with an exhaust fan to enable air to be exhausted from an interior room of a dwelling to the exterior environment. The vent apparatus includes a base member and a cover member releasably securable to the base member. The base member includes an attaching portion having a plurality of locking portions, while the cover member includes a plurality of flexible latching arm members which releasably engage the locking portions when the cover member is placed over the attaching portion. The attaching portion includes an enlarged opening which enables air exhausted from an interior room to be directed out between the base and cover members to the exterior atmosphere. The apparatus is particularly well-adapted to be used with vinyl or aluminum siding and is relatively inexpensive to construct, light-weight and easy to install. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus includes a screen adapted to be secured to the base member.

Abstract: A power generation system is described for supplying electrical power to a load from at least one of a generator and a battery. The power generation system includes a power bus coupled to the generator and a bi-directional conversion unit coupled between the power bus and the battery. The bi-directional conversion unit is capable of transitioning between a first direction wherein electrical power flows from the power bus to the battery and a second direction wherein electrical power flows from the battery to the power bus.

Abstract: The reciprocating valve actuation and control system includes a poppet valve moveable between a first and second position; a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic actuator including an actuator piston coupled to the poppet valve and reciprocating between a first and second position responsive to flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator; an electrically operated valve controlling flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the actuator; and an engine computer that generates electrical pulses to control the electrically operated valve. The electrically operated valve includes a linear latching motor. The hydraulic actuator comprises a self-contained cartridge assembly including an actuator piston with dampers for damping motion of the actuator piston, limiting the actuator stroke to assure soft seating of the actuator, and to avoid overshoot during the engine valve opening stroke and the engine valve return stroke.

Abstract: A system for characterizing coatings and substrates of a material under test. A sensor is positioned against a coated sample which is to be measured to obtain phase and magnitude measurements. Penetration depth of the magnetic waves of the sensor is a function of frequency. Measurements are made at each of a plurality of signal frequencies. The measured phase and magnitude data is applied with respect to a frequency independent parameter, such as conductivity, using a grid method. The conductivities of the coating and the substrate are determined by the limits of conductivity with respect to frequency. With the assumed conductivities of the coating and substrate, the sensor is once again placed over the material, and coating thickness and lift-off are determined. By examining the coating thickness versus frequency the accuracy of the measurement can be determined, since actual coating thickness does not vary with frequency in the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using an aqueous composition or dispersion containing a water-soluble or water-dispersible synthetic polymer, and compositions formed thereof. The aqueous composition or dispersion is added to agricultural spray compositions, ink compositions, deicing or anti-icing compositions, latex paint and coating compositions, cleaner compositions, adhesives, fire-extinguishing chemical compositions, hydro-metallurgy/electro-winning compositions, compositions having organosilanes, personal care compositions, water-based hydraulic compositions, dust control compositions, and textile finish compositions, to impart properties including aerosol control, spatter control, shear stability, rheology control, transfer efficiency, oil/water reduction, sling control, emollient performance, film forming capability, surface activity, encapsulent ability, lubricity, thickening, and anti-wear capability, to the resultant composition formed thereof.

Abstract: A system is described for controlling the flow of electrical power between two sources. The system includes a circuit coupled between a first source and a second source and a controller subsystem coupled to the circuit. The circuit is capable of transitioning, in a continuous manner, between a first direction wherein electrical power flows from the first source to the second source and a second direction wherein electrical power flows from the second source to the first source. The control subsystem generates control signals to selectively activate switching elements of the circuit to control the direction and the amount of electrical power flowing through the circuit between the first and second sources.

Abstract: Sample processing methods that utilize a graphitised carbon matrix are useful for determining the relative amounts polyhalogenated biphenyis (PHBs), polyhalogenated dibenzofurans (PHDFs), and polyhalogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PHDDs) in a mixture of polyhalogenated diaromatic hydrocarbons (PHDHs). The methods are particularly useful when used in conjunction with cell-based assays for determining the toxicity of PHDH compounds.

Abstract: An electrical block trim assembly that has a mount, a decorative ring, and a separate electrical box is provided. The mount has a base adapted to be secured to an exterior surface of a structure. The mount also has a housing extending from the base with a top portion that has an opening. Exterior covering, or siding, is attached to the exterior surface to surround a portion of the mount. A decorative ring is secured to the mount over the siding to conceal the edges of the siding that are adjacent to the mount. The decorative ring has an inner perimeter that is adjacent to the housing. An electrical box having walls with an upper portion is securely received and retained within the opening. The electrical box is interposed between the exterior surface and the top portion. The electrical box may be constructed of a different material than the mount and decorative ring.

Abstract: This invention relates to a 24 hour extended release dosage formulation and unit dosage form thereof of venlafaxine hydrochloride, an antidepressant, which provides better control of blood plasma levels than conventional tablet formulations which must be administered two or more times a day and fiber provides a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting than the conventional tablets. More particularly, the invention comprises an extended release formulation of venlafaxine hydrochloride comprising a therapeutically effective amount of venlafaxine hydrochloride in spheroids comprised of venlafaxine hydrochloride, microcrystalline cellulose and, optionally, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose coated with a mixture of ethyl cellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

Abstract: IL-6 is produced via recombinant DNA techniques. The peptide is useful in the treatment of disorders characterized by deficiencies in hematopoietic cells and in combination with other hematopoietins in cancer therapies.