Abstract: The invention provides certain novel 5-substituted pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diones, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, a process for preparing the pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment involving their use.

Abstract: An optical assembly having a light circulating device is used for routing light and may be used with a receiver. The assembly includes a tunable filter for receiving light traveling from the light circulating device and for selecting which wavelengths of light that reach the receiver. A wavelength routing mechanism optically coupled to the tunable filter and located downstream from the circulator is used to prevent undesired dropping of signal wavelengths. The mechanism has a first operational mode preventing light from reaching the receiver and a second operational mode allowing light to reach the receiver. When the filter is tuning, the mechanism is preferably in the first operational mode. Preferably, the assembly has an arrangement of mirror reflections on the first path and the second path so that an even number of mirror reflection are experienced on one path and an odd number on the other path as light is recombined.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling transmissions over an optical signaling network include one or more traffic detectors that are connected to an optical switch to receive incidentally reflected light when the switch is in a transmissive state. The switch is in the transmissive state when a fluid fills a fluid-manipulable chamber, but is in a reflective state when the chamber is free of fluid. The apparatus includes two inputs and two outputs. Typically, the inputs and outputs are waveguides having an index of refraction which approximates the index of refraction of the fluid. The traffic detectors monitor light which is incidentally reflected at interfaces of the waveguides with the chamber. Under fault-free conditions in which signal transmissions are detected to be normal, a first input is connected to a first output and a second input is connected to a second output. However, when a fault condition is detected, the two inputs exchange outputs by reversing the state of the optical switch.

Abstract: A thermally-activated gas extraction device that comprises a bubble capture chamber, an exhaust manifold, a tapered extraction chamber and an extraction heater associated with the tapered extraction chamber. The tapered extraction chamber extends from the bubble capture chamber towards the exhaust manifold and has a cross-sectional area that increases towards the exhaust manifold. A gas removal method in which the gas extraction device is provided, a bubble of gas is accumulated in the bubble capture chamber, a portion of the liquid in the tapered extraction chamber heated to nucleate a bubble of vapor, and the bubble of vapor is heated to explosively expand the bubble of vapor into contact with the walls of the tapered extraction chamber and into contact with the bubble of gas to form a composite bubble. Contact with the walls of the tapered extraction moves the composite bubble towards the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: A thermally-activated gas extraction device that comprises a bubble capture chamber, an exhaust manifold, a tapered extraction chamber and an extraction heater associated with the tapered extraction chamber. The tapered extraction chamber extends from the bubble capture chamber towards the exhaust manifold and has a cross-sectional area that increases towards the exhaust manifold. A gas removal method in which the gas extraction device is provided, a bubble of gas is accumulated in the bubble capture chamber, a portion of the liquid in the tapered extraction chamber heated to nucleate a bubble of vapor, and the bubble of vapor is heated to explosively expand the bubble of vapor into contact with the walls of the tapered extraction chamber and into contact with the bubble of gas to form a composite bubble. Contact with the walls of the tapered extraction moves the composite bubble towards the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: A switching device for controlling fluid motion. The device includes a capillary filled with a first fluid into which a wall-confined bubble of a second fluid is introduced to achieve a first switching event. Capillary geometry and wetting properties provide a pressure-related asymmetric energy potential distribution for controlling the flow of the bubble, and the device is called an asymmetric bubble chamber, or ABC. The bubble is initially trapped in an energy potential well, and upon increase of its volume moves from the well into a region of low energy potential to achieve a second switching event. The first switching event may be blocking of a fluid channel or reflection of an optical beam in an optical crosspoint switch, while the second switching event may be unblocking of a fluid channel or restoration of transmission of an optical beam.

Abstract: The invention provides certain novel 5-substituted pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diones, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, a process for preparing the pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment involving their use.

Abstract: An optical switch that is constructed on a substrate having first and second waveguides that intersect at a gap having a predetermined width. The first and second waveguides are positioned such that light traversing the first waveguide enters the second waveguide when the gap is filled with a liquid having a first index of refraction. The gap is part of a trench in the substrate having a first region that includes the gap and a second region adjacent to the first region. The second region has a width greater than the width of the first region. A liquid having the first index of refraction is disposed in the first region. The liquid generates a gas when heated to a predetermined temperature. A first heater is disposed in the first region for heating the liquid to the predetermined temperature thereby generating a gas bubble in the liquid at the gap. Light traversing the first waveguide is reflected by the gap when the gap is filled with a gas.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula W, Q, R1, R2 and R10 are as defined in the specification. A process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment involving their use in the treatment of respiratory disease including, for example, asthma, are also provided.

Abstract: A thermally-activated gas extraction device that comprises a bubble capture chamber, an exhaust manifold, a tapered extraction chamber and an extraction heater associated with the tapered extraction chamber. The tapered extraction chamber extends from the bubble capture chamber towards the exhaust manifold and has a cross-sectional area that increases towards the exhaust manifold. A gas removal method in which the gas extraction device is provided, a bubble of gas is accumulated in the bubble capture chamber, a portion of the liquid in the tapered extraction chamber heated to nucleate a bubble of vapor, and the bubble of vapor is heated to explosively expand the bubble of vapor into contact with the walls of the tapered extraction chamber and into contact with the bubble of gas to form a composite bubble. Contact with the walls of the tapered extraction moves the composite bubble towards the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: The invention provides certain novel 5-substituted pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diones, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, a process for preparing the pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment involving their use.

Abstract: A gas or liquid detector that includes a capacitative sensor and a capacitance detector. The capacitative sensor includes a first electrode and a second electrode separated from one another, and additionally includes Debye elements extant in the liquid adjacent such portions of the electrodes that are in contact with the liquid. The Debye elements each include a Debye capacitor with an associated shunt conductor. The shunt conductor has an exponentially-increasing conductance versus voltage characteristic. The Debye element adjacent the first electrode and the Debye element adjacent the second electrode are connected in series by conduction through the liquid. The Debye element adjacent at least the first electrode has a substantially greater capacitance than the capacitance between the electrodes absent the Debye elements. The capacitance detector is connected to the capacitative sensor and measures the capacitance of the capacitative sensor by applying an alternating voltage between the electrodes.

Abstract: Process for preparing 5-substituted pyrrolo [3,4-d] pyrimidine-2-4-diones of formula (I) wherein W, Q, R1, R2 and R10 are as defined in the specification and Y is COOH, wherein a corresponding C1-5 alkyl ester compound is hydrolyzed. The compounds are useful for treating or reducing the risk of reversible obstructive airways disease.

Abstract: A thermal optical switching cell has a channel of either gas or boilable liquid that crosses an optical waveguide at a forty-five degree angle. Two or more appropriately placed heaters use the water/steam/dry states of thermal ink jet technology to quickly insert, or extract, boilable liquid respectively into, or from, the channel. The boilable liquid has an index of refraction close to that of the guide. In the wet state, the channel contains the liquid and nearly all the light of the incoming guide traverses the liquid along the axis of the guide. In the dry state, the channel contains gas. Total internal reflection (TIR) occurs and light is directed at right angles away from the axis of the incoming channel. Adding a second waveguide, perpendicular to, and intersecting the first waveguide at the channel, forms a cross-bar switch. These liquid switching cells toggle between the wet and dry states. No power is required to hold the switch in the most recent state.

Abstract: The crosstalk-inhibiting arrangement is used on a switching cell in which an optical signal from an input waveguide is alternatingly directed to first and second output waveguides, depending upon whether there is fluid in a region between the input waveguide and the first output waveguide. The fluid has a refractive index selected to promote propagation of light energy through the fluid. However, in the absence of fluid, the light is reflected toward a second switching mechanism via an intermediate waveguide. The intermediate waveguide is at an angle greater than 90° relative to the input waveguide. The second switching mechanism is also fluid-manipulable and is used to inhibit leakage reflection from passing to the second output waveguide. Preferably, the angle between the intermediate waveguide and the input waveguide is in the range of 95° to 150°.

Abstract: An improved optical switch allows for the testing, calibration and monitoring of optical switch points in an optical switching matrix. A test column and a test row of additional switch elements and optical paths enable the improved optical switch to provide testing, calibration and monitoring of each optical switch point in the optical switch matrix using a test input source and a test output receiver. The improved optical switch may also be used to test for the presence of light at any input and to inject a test signal into the matrix in order to test for the presence and quality of light at any output.

Abstract: The invention provides certain novel 5-substituted pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diones, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, a process for preparing the pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment involving their use.

Abstract: The invention provides certain novel 5-substituted pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diones, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, a process for preparing the pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment involving their use.

Abstract: A bubble valve that comprises a liquid delivery channel and a localized heating arrangement. The liquid delivery channel includes an upstream portion and a constriction downstream of the upstream portion. The constriction has a smaller cross-sectional area than the upstream portion. The localized heating arrangement is located in the liquid delivery channel and generates heat to nucleate and enlarge a bubble in the liquid. The constriction is shaped to form a seal with the bubble. The localized heating arrangement additionally generates heat to move the bubble relative to the constriction to control the flow of the liquid. A pressure regulator that comprises a liquid delivery channel connected to a liquid outlet, a sensor located adjacent the liquid outlet, a controller that operates in response to the sensor and a localized heating arrangement. The liquid delivery channel includes an upstream portion, and a constriction located between the upstream portion and the liquid outlet.

Abstract: The invention provides certain novel 5-substituted pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diones, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, a process for preparing the pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment involving their use.