Abstract: A cordless power tool battery pack including an onboard circuit configured to electronically communicate with an associated battery charging system. The onboard circuit communicates information relating to the batter pack to a microprocessor or the like within the battery charging system and charging of the battery pack is controlled based on such communication.

Abstract: A method for restoring aquatic marsh vegetation in situ on an open body of water, including the steps of (A) floating on the body of water at least one buoyant system which comprises at least one flotation apparatus connected to a matrix, sized and configured to support the vegetation, and water-contacting means for raising and lowering the matrix relative to the surface of the water, (B) suspending marsh vegetation within the matrix, and (C) periodically and repetitively raising and lowering the matrix relative to the surface of the water by action of the water-contacting means so that a varying level of water is provided to at least a portion of a root region of the vegetation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter placement apparatus 900 for assisting in the placement of a catheter for administering analgesia intraoperatively in conjunction with spinal and other surgeries. The catheter placement apparatus 900 comprises a guide conduit 903 having a proximal end 904 and a distal end 906. The guide conduit 903 comprises an elongated portion 905 and a delivery arm portion 907 with a bend 935 forming the transition from the elongated portion 905 to the delivery arm portion 907. The elongated portion comprises a first conduit component 910 that is slidingly attachable to a second conduit component 915.

Abstract: A treatment process is disclosed that comprises administering an effective amount of an aromatic sulfone hydroxamic acid that exhibits excellent inhibitory activity of one or more matrix metalloprotease (MMP) enzymes, such as MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13, while exhibiting substantially less inhibition at least of MMP-1 to a host having a condition associated with pathological matrix metalloprotease activity. The administered enzyme inhibitor corresponds in structure to formula (I), below, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are both hydrido or R1 and R2 together with the atoms to which they are bonded form a 5- to 8-membered ring containing one, two, or three heteroatoms in the ring that are oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen. R3 in formula (I) is an optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl radical.

Abstract: This invention is directed generally to hydroxamic acid and amide compounds (including salts of such compounds), and, more particularly, to aryl- and heteroaryl-arylsulfonylmethyl hydroxamic acids and amides that, inter alia, inhibit protease activity, particularly matrix metalloproteinase (also known as “matrix metalloprotease” or “MMP”) activity and/or aggrecanase activity. These compounds generally correspond in structure to Formula I: wherein A1, A2, A3, E1, E2, E3, and E4 are as defined in this patent. This invention also is directed to compositions of such compounds, intermediates for the syntheses of such compounds, methods for making such compounds, and methods for treating conditions associated with MMP activity and/or aggrecanase activity, particularly pathological conditions.

Abstract: A method in a signaling device for delivering codes to control multimedia devices. In response to receiving a signal from a remote control device, a macro corresponding to the signal is identified, the identified macro contains a set of codes used to control a set of multimedia devices. The set of codes is transmitted, wherein the set of codes causes a series of events to occur in the set of multimedia devices.

Abstract: This invention is directed to aromatic sulfone hydroxamic acids (including hydroxamates) and salts thereof that, inter alia, inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (also known as “matrix metalloprotease” or “MMP”) activity and/or aggrecanase activity. This invention also is directed to a prevention or treatment method that comprises administering such a compound or salt in an MMP-inhibiting and/or aggrecanase-inhibiting effective amount to an animal, particularly a mammal having (or disposed to having) a pathological condition associated with MMP and/or aggrecanase activity.

Abstract: A pop up container for containing baggage identification tags is provided. The baggage identification tags bear an indication of what airline a passenger is flying on, and also bear an advertisement for a third party.

Abstract: A sulfonyl aromatic or heteroaromatic ring hydroxamic acid compound that inter alia inhibits matrix metalloprotease activity is disclosed as are a treatment process that comprises administering a contemplated sulfonyl aromatic or heteroaromatic ring hydroxamic acid compound in a MMP enzyme-inhibiting effective amount to a host having a condition associated with pathological matrix metalloprotease activity.

Abstract: A method and system for fast setup of group Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications. The method and system provide a lower VoIP signaling overhead and a faster setup-time of group calls such as N-way audio and/or audio-video conference calls. Multi-party VoIP connections are quickly set-up over one or more virtual communications channels established between plural network devices using a session layer application, one or more group transport layer ports and a broadcast destination network address.

Abstract: A class of compounds for the treatment of viral infections. Compounds of particular interest are defined by Formula I wherein R-R4 are as defined herein, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed generally to proteinase (also known as “protease”) inhibitors, and, more particularly, to piperidinyl- and piperazinyl-sulfonylmethyl hydroxamic acids that, inter alia, inhibit matrix metalloproteinase (also known as “matrix metalloprotease” or “MMP”) activity and/or aggrecanase activity. Such hydroxamic acids generally correspond in structure to the following formula: (wherein A1, A2, Y, E1, E2, E3, and Rx are as defined in this specification), and further include salts of such compounds. This invention also is directed to compositions of such hydroxamic acids, intermediates for the syntheses of such hydroxamic acids, methods for making such hydroxamic acids, and methods for treating conditions (particularly pathological conditions) associated with MMP activity and/or aggrecanase activity.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for inhibiting aggrecanase activity. The process comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a sulfonyl aromatic or heteroaromatic hydroxamic acid, a derivative thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the hydroxamic acid or derivative to a host animal. The compound generally corresponds in structure to the following formula: wherein W and the R groups are described in more detail in Applicants' specification.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for inhibiting aggrecanase activity. The process comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a sulfonyl aromatic or heteroaromatic hydroxamic acid, a derivative thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the hydroxamic acid or derivative to a host animal.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for loading and transferring material in order to transport the material from a loading location through a sewing machine is provided. The invention reduces the cycle time between the loading of materials by allowing the operator to load one material while a previously loaded material is in the sewing process. The use of clamps during the loading, transporting, and sewing procedures ensures that the stitching will be accurately located and the material will be in the desired configuration.