Abstract: A process for the resolution of isomeric tramadol mixtures comprising: providing a purification stock comprising both cis and trans tramadol; contacting the purification stock with an acid under conditions effective to form an acid salt of the cis and trans tramadol in the purification stock; and separating the cis tramadol acid salt from the trans tramadol to obtain a purified cis tramadol acid salt; and optionally converting the cis tramadol acid salt to cis tramadol or to a pharmaceutically active salt thereof.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed that provide plans for autonomous machines such as humanoid robots to perform indoor task. Human subjects contribute plans to a knowledge database. Information in the knowledge database is pre-processed to identify task steps and characterize them as action-object pairs, from which a plan database is created. A discriminative technique uses hierarchical agglomerative clustering to select an existing plan from the plan database. A generative technique formulates new plans from the plan database using first-order Markov chains, and may take into account information about the operational environment. Experimentation and evaluation by human subjects confirm the efficacy of both techniques.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the synthesis and isolation of (2S, 3aS, 7aS)-1-[(2S)-2-[[(1S)-1-(ethoxycarbonyl)butyl]amino]-1-oxopropyl] octahydro-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid and its tert-butylamine salt, by condensing (2S, 3aS, 7aS)-octahydroindole-2-carboxylic acid benzyl ester and N[(S)1-carboxybutyl]-(S)-alanine ethyl ester in nonreactive solvents in turn avoiding the formation of impurity viz. N-acetyl (2S,3aS,7aS)-octahydroindole-2-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (Formula V). The de-protection of benzyl ester group is optimized and then isolation of the product from aqueous layer by extraction using an organic solvent, which eliminates the need of lyophilization. The process of the present invention yields perindopril erbumnine salt of Formula 1B free of contaminants derivable from dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and impurities originated by the use of ethyl acetate.

Abstract: An automated erasure system that is suitable for erasure of non-permanent markings from boards is disclosed. The boards being erased can be whiteboards (whether electronic or not) or other boards (e.g., chalkboards).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for facilitating a sales transaction between one or more sellers and potential buyers in relation to large numbers of similar units. A seller offers the units to buyers, starting at an initial price. The potential buyers make offers to buy a given number of units at that price. The price is incrementally reduced, with buyers being given the opportunity to bid with each reduction. In other embodiments, the buyer makes an offer to multiple sellers at a given price, specifying the number of units the buyer wants. Sellers offer to fulfil some or the entire offer, and the buyer subsequently reduces the price and makes additional offers until the buyer's requirements are met.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for facilitating a sales transaction between one or more sellers and potential buyers in relation to large numbers of similar units. A seller offers the units to buyers, starting at an initial price. The potential buyers make offers to buy a given number of units at that price. The price is incrementally reduced, with buyers being given the opportunity to bid with each reduction. In other embodiments, the buyer makes an offer to multiple sellers at a given price, specifying the number of units the buyer wants. Sellers offer to fulfil some or the entire offer, and the buyer subsequently reduces the price and makes additional offers until the buyer's requirements are met.