Abstract: The present invention relates to a ratchet strap hook lock device for securing the hook of a ratchet strap to an anchor point. The body of the device can be attached to a ratchet strap by placing the strap within a notch in the body, placing at least one fastener through the body and fastening the fastener, and securing the lid to the body. Then, at least one hook of the lid can be placed on the base of a ratchet strap hook to further secure the device to the ratchet strap. When a user wishes to secure a hook of the ratchet strap to an anchor point, a lever of the device can be pushed through the body and locked into position such that an anchor point is positioned between the hook and the lever.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ratchet strap hook lock device for securing the hook of a ratchet strap to an anchor point. The body of the device can be attached to a ratchet strap by placing the strap within a notch in the body, placing at least one fastener through the body and fastening the fastener, and securing the lid to the body. Then, at least one hook of the lid can be placed on the base of a ratchet strap hook to further secure the device to the ratchet strap. When a user wishes to secure a hook of the ratchet strap to an anchor point, a lever of the device can be pushed through the body and locked into position such that an anchor point is positioned between the hook and the lever.

Abstract: A magnetic tracking tag for animals may detect the occurrence of a predation event. The tag may include a pH sensitive material that degrades in the environment of a predator's gut. The degradation of the pH sensitive material causes a change in a detectable magnetic field of the tag, which allows the tag to detect the predation event and adjust its operation accordingly.

Abstract: A magnetic tracking tag for animals may detect the occurrence of a predation event. The tag may include a pH sensitive material that degrades in the environment of a predator's gut. The degradation of the pH sensitive material causes a change in a detectable magnetic field of the tag, which allows the tag to detect the predation event and adjust its operation accordingly.

Abstract: A tracking tag for aquatic animals may detect the occurrence of a predation event. The tag may include a pH sensitive material that degrades in the environment of an animal's gut. The degradation of the pH sensitive material causes a change in a detectable characteristic of the tag, which allows the tag to detect the predation event and adjust its operation accordingly.

Abstract: A tracking tag for aquatic animals may detect the occurrence of a predation event. The tag may include a pH sensitive material that degrades in the environment of an animal's gut. The degradation of the pH sensitive material causes a change in a detectable characteristic of the tag, which allows the tag to detect the predation event and adjust its operation accordingly.

Abstract: A tracking tag for aquatic animals may detect the occurrence of a predation event. The tag may include a pH sensitive material that degrades in the environment of an animal's gut. The degradation of the pH sensitive material causes a change in a detectable characteristic of the tag, which allows the tag to detect the predation event and adjust its operation accordingly.

Abstract: Peptide analogs of oxyntomodulin (OXM, glucagon-37), which have been modified to be resistant to cleavage and inactivation by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) and to increase in vivo half-life of the peptide analog while enabling the peptide analog to act as a dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor (GCGR) agonistm are described. The peptide analogs are useful for treatment of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.

Abstract: Neuromedin U receptor agonists for use in the treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating control signals for a noise blanker switch comprises a noise replica generator, a neural network processor coupled to the noise replica generator and a pulse function generator coupled to the neural network processor. The noise replica generator is configured to generate a pulsed noise replica from a received RF signal. The neural network processor is configured to generate a new pulsed noise model by comparing the pulsed noise replica with a current pulsed noise model. The pulse function generator is configured to generate control pulses for the noise blanker switch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inhibiting or reducing voluntary alcohol consumption in a subject comprising administering a selective melanocortin 4 receptor agonist to said subject. The present invention further relates to methods of treating or preventing alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and alcohol related disorders in a subject comprising administering a selective melanocortin 4 receptor agonist to said subject. The present invention further provides for pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments useful in carrying out these methods.

Abstract: A method of providing visual data to a pilot in an aircraft cockpit includes receiving information in the form of a voice signal, converting the information to visual data, and displaying the visual data to the pilot in the aircraft cockpit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing, e.g., non-destructively processing, digital image data utilizing vertically-oriented Effect graphs are provided. In non-destructive processing where and when data is transformed is fairly important, both in terms of quality and performance. The further down the vertically-oriented Effect graph a transformation occurs, the better. As such, methods for pushing transformations down an Effect graph to the lowest point possible and applying them at that point rather than the location at which they may have been placed are provided. Systems for implementing the methods herein disclosed are also provided.

Abstract: Systems for rendering Effect graphs for non-destructively processing digital image data which integrate Central Processing Unit (CPU) processing and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) processing are provided. Additionally provided are systems for processing digital image data utilizing Effect graphs. The systems of the present invention integrate CPU processing and GPU processing to facilitate accelerated rendering of Effect graphs and, consequently, accelerated processing of digital images. Methods for processing digital image data utilizing the systems herein described are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing digital image data utilizing vertically-oriented Effect graphs are provided. When processing digital image data utilizing Effect graphs, it is often necessary for certain Effects on the graph to render their outputs multiple times during a single rendering pass. To alleviate the exponential processing that such a scenario can cause, methods and systems for caching at least a portion of the digital image data being processed in image buffers associated with the output of one or more Effects in the Effect graph during processing are provided. Additionally provided are methods and systems for caching digital image data in image buffers associated with the output of one or more Effects across multiple processing passes of an Effect graph.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing, e.g., non-destructively processing, digital image data utilizing one or more Effect Layers are provided. Effect Layers combine Effects in useful ways that simplify the process of creating Effect graphs. Each Effect Layer contains a logical Effect sub-graph that includes a plurality of logical Effects, e.g., a main Effect, a blend Effect, and a mask Effect. In one embodiment, a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes receiving input regarding processing of digital image data, determining the impact that input will have on each logical Effect upon processing of digital image data, and creating a physical Effect sub-graph in accordance with the determined impact. The physical Effect sub-graph may closely resemble or appear nothing like the logical Effect sub-graph. Images may subsequently be rendered utilizing the physical Effect sub-graph.

Abstract: Methods for processing, e.g., non-destructively processing, digital image data utilizing an Effect graph are provided. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving an Effect graph including a plurality of Effect objects each having an image buffer associated therewith for storing digital image data, receiving digital image data to be processed utilizing the Effect graph, and performing a pre-rendering pass of the Effect graph prior to processing the digital image data. The pre-rendering pass may be utilized, for instance, to determine at which Effects a cache should be held to alleviate exponential rendering, and the like. Systems for performing the methods herein described are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention features MCH-1R antagonist binding proteins. MCH-1R antagonist binding proteins described herein are based on an MCH-1R having one or more alterations to the second intracellular loop or carboxy terminus that render the receptor substantially inactive to MCH binding. An MCH-1R antagonist binding protein can bind MCH-1R antagonists, but does not exhibit high affinity MCH binding and is not activated by the MCH.