Abstract: The present invention provides a method of increasing or maintaining blood concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in a patient by administering an amount of 1?-hydroxyvitamin D2. The invention also provides a method of concurrently lowering or maintaining plasma intact parathyroid hormone levels, increasing or maintaining serum calcium levels, maintaining serum phosphorous levels, or increasing or maintaining serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels in a human patient by administering to the patient an amount of 1?-hydroxyvitamin D2. The invention also provides a method of reducing the risk of over suppression of plasma intact parathyroid hormone levels in a patient undergoing treatment for elevated levels of plasma intact parathyroid hormone, by administering 1?-hydroxyvitamin D2 in an amount sufficient to decrease elevated intact parathyroid hormone levels while avoiding an abnormally low bone turnover rate.

Abstract: A connector is provided for selectively connecting or disconnecting a stripper rubber to or from drilling head equipment such as a bearing assembly. A generally cylindrical adapter connected to the equipment defines a primary bore to accommodate a down hole tubular. One or more cam pin bores, adapted to house one ore more cam pins, are positioned radially around the adapter substantially parallel to the primary bore. One or more cam lock bores adapted to house one or more at least partially rotatable cam locks, are offset from the pin cam bores such that each cam pin bore partially intersects a corresponding cam lock bore to form an aperture through which the cam lock engages the cam pin. One or more cam pins are connected to the stripper rubber; and one or more at least partially rotatable cam locks housed in the cam lock bores of the adapter optionally engage or disengage the pin cams to respectively connect or disconnect the stripper rubber to or from the equipment.

Abstract: The invention provides a stabilized 1?-hydroxyvitamin D (“SHVD”) which is particularly well suited for pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: A rotating tool combinable with other downhole tools into a tool string, where the rotating tool is capable of imparting a rotational force onto the tool string. The tool string is suspendable from a threaded lead screw. Optionally, a gyroscope can be included to generate azimuthal readings and confirm the azimuthal orientation of the tool string. The rotating tool includes a compression assembly, a hydraulic assembly, and a stationary assembly. Actuation of a valve on the hydraulic assembly provides for the release of fluid therein that allows for movement of a rotating piston. Rotation of the piston is produced as it travels axially along the threaded lead screw, the rotation of the piston is subsequently transferred to the rotating tool.

Abstract: An electric machine having a stator, a rotor, a first intermediate portion, an end cap, a second intermediate portion, and a second end cap. The first and second intermediate portions partially cover the stator. The electric machine further includes a fastener that couples the first and second end caps.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a small dimension product using a dissolvable crystal. The crystal is coated with at least one layer of vacuum deposited material to form a coated crystal. The coated crystal is mixed with a liquid to dissolve the crystal and permit the layer of material to break into flakes. The flakes are separated from the liquid.

Abstract: A hierarchical database reporting and updating system is disclosed. The invention makes unique use of bit vectors to represent the relationship between various data items to enable the system to provide powerful data analysis functions. The data structure allows users to change values which represent intermediate or grand summary levels. Such changes are prorated across all lower level data items which make up the intermediate or grand summary level. The invention also allows for the graphical representation of data. Users may modify these graphical representations and the system will update the underlying data.

Abstract: The invention provides pyrotechnic sheet material comprising a substrate of oxidizing polymeric film, for example a film of halogenopolymer, having a layer of oxidizable material, for example magnesium on at least part of its surface. The substrate and the oxidizable material are capable of reacting together exothermically on ignition. The oxidizable material is covered with an overlying protective barrier layer of passivating material comprising a passive metal or an oxide of a passive metal. The barrier layer is effective to extend the storage life of the pyrotechnic sheet material by providing a dense non-porous oxide layer which prevents oxidization of the oxidizable material until ignition of the pyrotechnic sheet material occurs.