Abstract: A method and apparatus for segmenting and forwarding data packets received in a communication switch is presented. The method begins by receiving a packet that includes a destination that determines forwarding parameters. As the packet is being received, segmentation cells are created from portions of the packet received where each segmentation cell is provided to a switching fabric as soon as creation of the segmentation cell is completed. When an end portion of the packet is received, verification of proper receipt of the packet is performed. When it is determined that the packet has been received successfully, a verification data set is generated based on segmentation cells that have been utilized to forward the packet. If it is determined that the packet has not been successfully received, a purging data set is generated instead of the verification data set.

Abstract: An improved data structure is provided by modifying a public-domain data structure known as a “heap”. When these improvements are applied, the resultant data structure is known as a “pile.” This invention further described a pipelined hardware implementation of a pile. Piles offer many advantages over heaps: they allow for fast, pipelined hardware implementations with increased throughput, making piles practical for a wide variety of new applications; they remove the requirement to track and update the last position in the heap; they reduce the number of memory reads accesses required during a delete operation; they require only ordinary, inexpensive RAM for storage in a fast, pipelined implementation; and they allow a random mixture of back-to-back insert, remove, and swap operations to be performed without stalling the pipeline.

Abstract: A dialysate fluid circulation apparatus includes a dialyzer, a first housing and a second housing. The first housing contains material capable of releasing sodium into dialysate fluid flowing through the first housing. The second housing contains material capable of binding sodium ions from dialysate fluid flowing through the second housing. Hydraulic conduit sections are configured to extend between the dialyzer, the first housing, and the second housing to connect the dialyzer with the housings in a primary flow path for dialysate fluid to flow from the dialyzer to the first housing, from the first housing to the second housing, and from the second housing back to the dialyzer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for segmenting and forwarding data packets received in a communication switch is presented. The method begins by receiving a packet that includes a destination that determines forwarding parameters. As the packet is being received, segmentation cells are created from portions of the packet received where each segmentation cell is provided to a switching fabric as soon as creation of the segmentation cell is completed. When an end portion of the packet is received, verification of proper receipt of the packet is performed. When it is determined that the packet has been received successfully, a verification data set is generated based on segmentation cells that have been utilized to forward the packet. The verification data set is then included in a final segmentation cell that is provided to the switching fabric. Such a verification data set can then be used by an egress line card that receives the segmentation cells to verify proper receipt of the segmentation cells.

Abstract: A method for removing a chromide coating from the surface of a substrate is described. The coating is treated with a composition which includes an acid having the formula HxAF6, where “A” can be Si, Ge, Ti, Zr, Al, or Ga; and x is 1–6. An exemplary acid is hexafluorosilicic acid. The composition may also include a second acid, such as phosphoric acid or nitric acid. In some instances, a third acid is employed, such as hydrochloric acid. A related repair method for replacing a worn or damaged chromide coating is described. The coating is often applied to portions of turbine engine components made from superalloy materials.

Abstract: A method for removing a chromide coating from the surface of a substrate is described. The coating is treated with a composition which includes an acid having the formula HxAF6, where “A” can be Si, Ge, Ti, Zr, Al, or Ga; and x is 1-6. An exemplary acid is hexafluorosilicic acid. The composition may also include a second acid, such as phosphoric acid or nitric acid. In some instances, a third acid is employed, such as hydrochloric acid. A related repair method for replacing a worn or damaged chromide coating is described. The coating is often applied to portions of turbine engine components made from superalloy materials.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treatment of morbid obesity using minimally invasive techniques. The apparatus includes a system of components that may be used separately or in combination for effectively reducing stomach volume, bypassing a portion of the stomach and/or small intestines, reducing nutrient absorption in the stomach and/or small intestines and/or depositing minimally or undigested food farther than normal into the intestines, thereby stimulating intestinal responses. The components described include an artificial stoma device, a gastric sleeve device, an intestinal sleeve device, a combined gastrointestinal sleeve device and permanent and detachable attachment systems. Also described are devices for delivering and deploying the components of the system.

Abstract: An organic coating composition is described, which can be used to enrich the surface region of a metal-based substrate with aluminum. The composition comprises an aluminum-based powder and at least one organic resin, e.g., alkyds, epoxies, or silicone materials. At least some of the aluminum-based powder is in the form of substantially spherical powder particles. The coating composition is substantially free of hexavalent chromium. It can be applied to the substrate by a variety of techniques, such as spraying. It is then heat-treated, to cause diffusion of aluminum into the surface region of the substrate, e.g., a turbine engine component. The composition exhibits good thermal and chemical stability for extended periods of time. Related articles are also described.

Abstract: A slurry coating composition is described, which is very useful for enriching the surface region of a metal-based substrate with aluminum. The composition includes colloidal silica and particles of an aluminum-based powder, and is substantially free of hexavalent chromium. The slurry may include colloidal silica and an alloy of aluminum and silicon. Alternatively, the slurry includes colloidal silica, aluminum or aluminum-silicon, and an organic stabilizer such as glycerol. The slurry exhibits good thermal and chemical stability for extended periods of time, making it very useful for industrial applications. Related methods and articles are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracorporeal processing of blood or other body fluid for the treatment of conditions, such as sepsis, autoimmune disease, or toxemia related to kidney failure, liver failure, or drug overdose are provided. In an extracorporeal treatment system, a fraction of a body fluid is passed into a treatment fluid, at least a portion of which is then passed through a sorbent suspension reactor for treatment by a sorbent suspension. The treatment fluid circuit can be maintained at a fixed volume, which enables accurate fluid balance between the patient and the extracorporeal circuit. Some or all of the treatment fluid, optionally also containing nutrients and/or therapeutic agents, is returned to the patient. In a peritoneal dialysis system, dialysate is passed into a patient's peritoneal cavity, recovered from the cavity, passed through a sorbent suspension reactor in accordance with the invention, and returned to the cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treatment of morbid obesity using minimally invasive techniques. The apparatus includes a system of components that may be used separately or in combination for effectively reducing stomach volume, bypassing a portion of the stomach and/or small intestines, reducing nutrient absorption in the stomach and/or small intestines and/or depositing minimally or undigested food farther than normal into the intestines, thereby stimulating intestinal responses. The components described include an artificial stoma device, a gastric sleeve device, an intestinal sleeve device, a combined gastrointestinal sleeve device and permanent and detachable attachment systems. Also described are devices for delivering and deploying the components of the system.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and composition for treatment of diabetes, hypertension, chronic heart failure and fluid retentive states comprising administering inhibitors of the enzymes NEP and DPP-IV to individuals suffering from one or more of those conditions. Inhibition of the activity of the two enzymes will potentiate the insulin releasing activity of endogenous GLP-1 and other DPP-IV substrates like GIP.

Abstract: An optical module is disclosed that includes a fiber array having two or more optical fibers formed in a linear array or a two dimensional array and a lens array having two or more lens elements monolithically formed on a first surface of a lens array substrate, wherein each of the two or more lens elements is optically coupled to a corresponding unique fiber in the fiber array. A second surface of the lens array substrate, opposite the first lens array substrate surface is coupled to the fiber array and the first and second lens array substrate surfaces are within less than about thirty arc seconds of parallel to reduce misalignment between the lens elements and their corresponding fibers.

Abstract: Methods and uses for the treatment and prevention of cardiac and cardiovascular diseases comprising administration of a GLP-1 agonist.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for modulating, inhibiting or decreasing or preventing beta cell degeneration, loss of beta cell function, beta cell dysfunction, and/or death of beta cells, such as necrosis or apoptosis of beta cells in a subject comprising administering a GLP-1 agonist to said subject.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for modulating, inhibiting or decreasing or preventing beta cell degeneration, loss of beta cell function, beta cell dysfunction, and/or death of beta cells, such as necrosis or apoptosis of beta cells in a subject comprising administering a GLP-1 agonist to said subject.

Abstract: Methods for preventing beta cell degeneration, such as necrosis or apoptosis of beta cells in a subject, comprising administering a DPP-IV inhibitor to a subject in need thereof. The invention furthermore relates to a method for increasing the number and/or the size of beta cells. The invention also relates to a method for delaying the progression of Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) to type 2 diabetes, as well as a method for delaying the progression of non-insulin demanding type 2 diabetes to insulin-demanding type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: A process which includes the step of heating a compound of Formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydroxyphenyl group or a group of Formula (II): ##STR2## and R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are independently in each occurrence H or a C.sub.1-10 alkyl group; to a temperature in the range of from 100.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. under reaction conditions sufficient to form one or more 4,4'-dihydroxy-alpha-substituted stilbenes.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 4,4'-dihydroxy-alpha-alkylstilbene or 4,4'-dihydroxy-alpha,alpha'-dialkylstilbene which includes the steps of (A) reacting at a temperature of from -20.degree. C. to 20.degree. C. a mixture of: (1) at least one alpha-haloketone; (2) at least one compound containing one phenolic hydroxyl group or aromatic alkoxy group per molecule such that the mole ratio of phenolic hydroxyl group-containing or aromatic alkoxy group-containing compound(s):alpha-haloketone(s) is at least 0.