Abstract: Anti-microbial wound dressings, methods of making anti-microbial wound dressings and methods of treating wounds with an anti-microbial wound dressing are provided. The anti-microbial wound dressings can include a water-soluble film-forming polymeric carrier material and a water-soluble glass-encapsulated anti-microbial agent, which is embedded within the carrier and/or coated on a surface thereof. Additional active agents useful in wound care can also be embedded in and/or coated on a surface of the carrier and/or water-soluble glass.

Abstract: A method for providing access to operation information relating to a digital signal, including providing a digital signal encoded, in accordance with a layered encoding scheme, in a plurality of layers, and extracting operation information from a first layer of encoding within the digital signal, and placing the extracted information in a data section in a second layer of encoding within the digital signal. Related methods and apparatus are also described.

Abstract: The compounds are of the class thienoisoxazolyl- and thienylpyrrazolyl-phenoxy substituted propyl derivatives, useful as D4 antagonists. Said compounds are useful for the treatment of medical conditions mediated by inhibition of D4 receptor. These conditions comprise, for example, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Psychoses, Substance Abuse, Substance Dependence, Parkinson's Disease, Parkinsonism, Tardive Diskinesia, Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome, Conduct Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. A further aspect of the invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition, intermediates, and a method of making said class of compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides an expression cassette comprising a DNA sequence encoding amino acids 1-99 of human preproenkephalin, a DNA sequence encoding a precursor of a carboxy-amidated peptide flanked by dibasic cleavage sites and optionally a DNA sequence encoding a marker protein (such as Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)) all in operable linkage and under control of a promoter. Where the encoded precursor of a carboxy-amidated peptide is an agonist for an opioid receptor, the invention further provides a method of treating neuropathic pain by administering the gene transfer vector comprising such an expression cassette to a patient.

Abstract: A test system and method are disclosed for using tissue analogs The method includes the following steps: (1) isolating the cells to be implanted from donor tissue; (2) seeding the cells onto a particulate microcarrier bead; (3) culturing the cells on the microcarriers to achieve an expansion in the number of cells; and (4) further culturing the cell-particle aggregates to form a tissue analog. The resulting tissue analog and test system may be used for use in screening drugs for diseases and pathological conditions, for testing for toxicity of chemical agents, or for genomic or proteomic screening. The tissue analogs may also be subjected to conditions that will induce disease-like conditions such that the resulting diseased tissue analogs may be used to screen for therapeutic drugs that modify the diseased tissue analog physiology or block progression of the diseased conditions. Kits may be developed for the purpose of conducting multiple tests in conventional multi-well plate systems.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims compounds of formula (I) as inhibitors of human casein kinase IF, and methods of using said compounds of formula (I) for treating central nervous system diseases and disorders including mood disorders and sleep disorders. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of formula (I) and methods for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to heterocyclic substituted carbonyl derivatives that display selective binding to dopamine D3 receptors. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for treating central nervous system disorders associated with the dopamine D3 receptor activity in a patient in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of said compounds for alleviation of such disorder. The central nervous system disorders that may be treated with these compounds include Psychotic Disorders, Substance Dependence, Substance Abuse, Dyskinetic Disorders (e.g. Parkinson's Disease, Parkinsonism, Neuroleptic-Induced Tardive Dyskinesia, Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome and Huntington's Disease), Dementia, Anxiety Disorders, Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm Disorders and Mood Disorders.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing, implementing and using interactive applications and content that are digitally recorded and viewed in real-time and/or a time-shifted mode are provided. The interactive applications may be associated with television programs or may be unrelated thereto, and may be transmitted together with television programs or separately therefrom. Interactive applications that are employed in a time-shifted mode can be matched to current conditions and interactive content may be updated to include current data. Users may view and manipulate highlights of television programs and receive alerts of occurrence of real-time events during viewing of recorded material. Additional manipulations of interactive applications and content are also enabled. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an indicator for visually indicating a pressure level of a fluid in a pressure source. The indicator comprises an inflatable body having a notched section with opposing edge portions that are separated by a gap when the inflatable body is in an uninflated condition. The inflatable body further includes a port for connecting the inflatable body to the pressure source whereby upon inflation of the inflatable body, there is relative movement of the opposing edge portions in a direction so as to decrease the size of the gap and thereby indicate that a predetermined pressure has been reached in the pressure source. The indicator is particularly for indicating whether a predetermined pressure has been reached in an inflation cuff of an endotracheal tube.

Abstract: A method for downloading a document via a communications medium operatively associated with a communications interface, the method including receiving the document from the communications medium, placing an information storage smart card in removable operative association with the communications interface, and conditionally transmitting the document from the communications interface to the information storage smart card and storing the document in the information storage smart card. Other related methods and apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A method for downloading a document via a communications medium operatively associated with a communications interface, the method including receiving the document from the communications medium, placing an information storage smart card in removable operative association with the communications interface, and conditionally transmitting the document from the communications interface to the information storage smart card and storing the document in the information storage smart card. Other related methods and apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A system (80) for controlling deformations of optical components adapted for use with laser system aperture sharing elements (16) and deformable mirrors. The inventive system (80) includes a control loop (12, 40, 24, 20, 46, 28, 74, 78, 60, 34) for determining a desired temperature pattern. The control loop (12, 40, 24, 46, 28, 74, 78, 60, 34) provides a control signal (45) corresponding to the desired temperature pattern to a heat map applicator (18, 46, 47, 59, 60). The heat map applicator (18, 46, 47, 59, 60) applies the desired temperature pattern to the optical component (16) in response to the control signal and the optical component (16) is selectively deformed in response thereto. In a specific embodiment, the control loop (12, 40, 24, 20, 46, 28, 74, 78, 60, 34) is a closed loop control system that includes an interferometer (74).

Abstract: A secure access system for controlling access to a plurality of items. The system includes a first IC card reader adapted to receive a first IC card which includes first control information, a second IC card reader adapted to receive a second IC card which includes second control information, and a control integrator receiving the first control information and the second control information and allowing access to a first one of the plurality of items based, at least in part, on both the first control information and said second control information, and to a second one of the plurality of items based, at least in part, on the first control information, without regard to the second control information.

Abstract: A data access system is provided including a processor, an IC card reader and writer coupled to the processor and including an IC card receptacle, and an IC card which is insertable into the IC card receptacle and which has a memory which includes video data to be accessed by the processor. The processor includes security level data determining the level of encryption of said video data.In another embodiment of the invention, one IC card with two separate integrated circuits embodied within is provided, each of the separate integrated circuits being separately accessible by an IC card reader and writer.

Abstract: A laser rangefinding system (12) that utilizes multiple pulse, multiple return, modal range processing for clutter rejection. A laser source (16) emits a series of laser beam pulses (42), and each reflected return from objects (46) in a scene for each of the pulses is recorded. Each return signal above a predetermined threshold is added as a count to a count table within a selected bin representing the range of the return signal. After all of the analog return signals are recorded, the range bin with the most counts is selected as the range of a target.

Abstract: A handle for a machinists vise configured to preset the maximum clamping force that can be applied to the vise jaws constructed such that, in tightening the vise, when a clamping force is applied by the operator to the handle equal to a preset value, a clutching mechanism in the handle will allow the handle to slip without further tightening of the vise. The mechanism includes a ratchet for positive engagement in loosening the vise and for providing a clicking sound that the clutch is slipping and thereby alert the operator that maximum clamping force is being applied.

Abstract: A CATV system including a CATV network and apparatus for transmitting over the CATV network information to a multiplicity of subscriber units, each including a CATV decoder and an IC card reader and writer coupled to the CATV decoder, the IC card reader and writer includes two separate IC card receptacles, such that IC cards inserted into the two separate IC card receptacles are separately accessed by the IC card reader and writer.