Abstract: A system and method of magnetically insulating the cathode of a cold-cathode electron gun is achieved. A strong magnetic field is applied in the vicinity of the cold cathode to deflect and constrain the flow of electrons emitted from structures within the electron gun. The magnetic field largely prevents re-reflected primary and secondary electrons from reaching the cathode, thereby improving the operation and increasing the life of the cold-cathode electron gun. In addition, the insulating magnetic field improves electron beam focusing and enables a reduction in the magnitude of static electric focusing fields employed in the vicinity of the cold cathode, further reducing the electron gun's susceptibility to destructive arcing.

Abstract: A system and method of magnetically insulating the cathode of a cold-cathode electron gun is achieved. A strong magnetic field is applied in the vicinity of the cold cathode to deflect and constrain the flow of electrons emitted from structures within the electron gun. The magnetic field largely prevents re-reflected primary and secondary electrons from reaching the cathode, thereby improving the operation and increasing the life of the cold-cathode electron gun. In addition, the insulating magnetic field improves electron beam focusing and enables a reduction in the magnitude of static electric focusing fields employed in the vicinity of the cold cathode, further reducing the electron gun's susceptibility to destructive arcing.

Abstract: A massage unit wherein at least some of the massage heads are pivotally moveable in an arc about an axis in a plane generally parallel to the front face of the massage unit and the massage heads are independently moveable in a direction generally perpendicular to the front face.

Abstract: A massage unit wherein at least some of the massage heads move in an alternating direction so as to define alternating cooperating pairs of massage heads is provided.

Abstract: A refrigeration/rethermalization food service system includes a food service cart having hot and cold chambers for receiving pre-plated foods. A hot air plenum is provided along a sidewall of the cart in the hot chamber, and a cold air plenum is provided along a sidewall of the cold chamber. To rethermalize foods in the hot chamber, heated air is forced into the hot air plenum from a docking station, and the heated air is evenly distributed from the plenum into the hot chamber. To refrigerate foods in the cold chamber, chilled air is forced into the cold air plenum from the docking station, and the chilled air is evenly distributed from the plenum into the cold chamber. The substantially uniformly distributed convective air currents provide substantially even heating and cooling of foods located in all portions of the hot and cold chambers.

Abstract: Methods and novel intermediates for the preparation of acyclic nucleoside derivatives of the formula: where one of R1 and R2 is an amino acid acyl group and the other of R1 and R2 is a —C(O)C3-C21 saturated or monounsaturated, optionally substituted alkyl and R3 is OH or H; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for instantly printing PC postage before establishing a postage meter account. The method includes the steps of a meter vendor obtaining a first meter license from the Post for a first meter; loaning the use of a first meter licensed in the customer's zip code to a customer; requesting a second meter license for the customer; initializing the first meter for use by the customer; and transferring the first meter to the Customer's meter license when the second meter license is received. Alternatively, when the second meter license is received a second meter is assigned to the customer and the first meter is reassigned to the meter vendor.

Abstract: Methods and novel intermediates for the preparation of acyclic nucleoside derivatives of the formula: 1

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of focusing a high-current-density electron beam emitted from a cold cathode electron emitter. A series of shaped electrostatic lense are provided in front an emission surface of the cold cathode electron emitter. An ion shield is further inserted in front of the emission surface. By applying different focusing voltages to the shaped electrostatic lenses, the electron beam is focused and well confined.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprises a poly-&agr;-olefin, a poly-iso-butylene and a compatibilising high surface area stabiliser. The composition exhibits good cold flow and adhesive properties with a high resilience to &ggr;-radiation. A method of preparing the pressure sensitive adhesive composition is also described.

Abstract: A method for treating pulmonary hypertension and other diseases involving a defect in collagen metabolism, by administration of an effective amount of a liposome encapsulated copolymer conjugate antifibrotic composition, is disclosed. The antifibrotic agent is preferably proline analogs, such as cis-4-hydroxy-L-proline (CHOP), 3,4-dehydro-DL-proline (DHP), (R)-(−)-2-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (THP), and (S)-(−)-2-azetidinecarboxylic acid (ACA). Consistent, high loadings (>90%) of the antifibrotic agent are achieved by first forming a dipeptide with L-lysine, after which the dipeptide is copolymerized with the polymer component to form the copolymer conjugate. The polymer is preferably poly(ethylene glycol) having a weight average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 15,000. Efficient delivery and consistent release of the antifibrotic agent inhibits collagen accumulation and treats the diseases involved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel 6-O-methylerythromycin A crystal form, a process for preparing the crystal form, and methods for using the crystal form to prepare a 6-O-methylerythromycin A crystal form II.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of focusing a high-current-density electron beam emitted from a cold cathode electron emitter. A series of shaped electrostatic lense are provided in front an emission surface of the cold cathode electron emitter. An ion shield is further inserted in front of the emission surface. By applying different focusing voltages to the shaped electrostatic lenses, the electron beam is focused and well confined.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a process for preparing 6-O-substituted erythromycin derivatives comprising reacting 2′-substituted and optionally 4″-substituted 9-oxime erythromycin derivatives with an alkylating agent in the presence of a palladium catalyst and phosphine. In another aspect, the invention relates to processes for preparing 6-O-substituted erythromycin ketolides using the palladium-catalyzed alkylation reaction.

Abstract: Methods and novel intermediates of the formula: wherein R6 and R7 are lower alkyl or benzyl or R6 and R7 taken together are —CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2CH2— or —CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2—, R8 is C1-C21 alkyl or a C2-C21 monounsaturated alkenyl, which may optionally be substituted with substitution substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkoxy C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkanoyl, amino, halo, cyano, azido, oxo, mercapto and nitro, and R9 is an alcohol protecting group. The intermediates are useful for the preparation of acyclic nucleoside derivatives of the formula: where one of R1 and R2 is an amino acid acyl group and the other of R1 and R2 is a —C(O)C3-C21 saturated or monounsaturated, optionally substituted alkyl and R3 is OH or H; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of profiling a total vector potential field of a periodic permanent magnetic field structure, wherein desired elements of the total vector potential field are known. The magnetic field structure comprises a plurality of magnets having individual vector potential fields which collectively form the total vector potential field. The method provides for using an electromagnetic solver to generate data files representative of each individual magnet's contribution to the total vector potential field.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the novel antiobiotic 6-O-methylerythromycin A form O solvate, a process for its preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising this compound and a method of use as a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of D-chiro-inositol from kasugamycin, comprising the steps of: (a) reacting kasugamycin with an acetylating agent to form a crude hexa-acetate intermediate; (b) purifying the crude intermediate to form purified hexa-acetate intermediate; (c) deacetylating the purified intermediate to form D-chiro-inositol; and (d) isolating the D-chiro-inositol. The method permits efficient, large-scale preparation of D-chiro-inositol without the need for extensive chromatographic purification of the final D-chiro-inositol product.

Abstract: Novel 6-O-alkyl derivatives of erythronolide B are provided. A process for the preparation of 6-O-alkyl derivatives of erythronolide B using erythromycin B is also provided. A process for preparing 6-O-alkyl derivatives of erythromycin C using novel 6-O-alkyl derivatives of erythronolide B is further provided.