Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a disease or disorder characterised by increased stress hormone levels and/or decreased androgen hormone levels in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound represented by formula (I): wherein n is 1 or 3; R is hydrogen or —C(O)N(Ra)(Rb) wherein Ra and Rb are independently —(C1-C4) alkyl, or —(C1-C4) alkyl-(C5-C7) aryl, wherein each of Ra and Rb is optionally substituted by —(C1-C4) alkoxy; R1, R2, and R3, are independently hydrogen, halogen, cyano or —(C6-C10) aryl, wherein said —(C6-C10) aryl is optionally substituted by halogen, with the proviso that no more than one of R1, R2, and R3 is hydrogen; and R4 and R5 are hydrogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: An argon purification system is provided which includes a cryogenic heat exchanger, a cryogenic distillation column. The cryogenic heat exchanger is configured to remove heat from a pre-treated argon waste stream to create a cold feed stream. The cryogenic distillation column includes packing, a reboiler, and an overhead condenser, as well as an upper portion and a lower portion and is configured to receive a liquid feed stream and to produce a bottoms argon product stream and a gas waste stream. The reboiler is positioned in the lower portion of the cryogenic distillation column and is configured to condense the cold feed stream to produce the liquid feed stream. The condenser is positioned in the upper portion of the cryogenic distillation column and is configured to heat the bottoms argon product stream such that the bottoms argon product stream evaporates to a purified vapor phase argon stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising terpenes which are particularly suitable for treating plant infections, to methods of making such compositions, and to methods of using them. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising terpenes and hollow glucan particles or cell wall particles and methods for preparing such compositions; such compositions increase terpene stability and activity and provide a suitable carrier for the terpenes. The invention also relates to methods of using such compositions in the medical, veterinary and agricultural fields. In particular, the terpenes disclosed are thymol, eugenol, geraniol, citral and L-carvone.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to products and processes relating to compatible polymer blends comprising at least one sulfonated polymer and at least one non-sulfonated polymer. The sulfonated polymers may be produced using a number of sulfonating agents including a coordination complex of sulfur trioxide. The polymeric blended materials described herein are useful in a variety of applications, including as coatings for medical devices, protective clothing and fabric, laboratory equipment, vascular stents and shunts, absorbent materials and separation membranes, three-dimensional constructs, devices, and other uses.

Abstract: The invention features modified alphavirus or flavivirus virus-like particles (VLPs). The invention provides methods, compositions, and kits featuring the modified VLPs. The invention also features methods for enhancing production of modified VLPs for use in the prevention or treatment of alphavirus and flavivirus-mediated diseases. The invention also provides methods for delivering agents to a cell using the modified VLPs.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a soft tissue graft anchor. The anchor includes a plurality of prongs, each prong including a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the prongs are coupled at their distal ends to form an inner cavity having an opening, at least one of the prongs including a fin, the fin extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the prong and including a pointed end. A tissue graft anchor assembly, a method for tissue repair, and instrumentation for use therewith are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a filter rod for a cigarette or other smoking article having a pattern formed in relief on the outer surface thereof. The apparatus comprises a passage including a portion configured to receive and compress filter material to form a filter rod and a belt extending along the passage to convey filter material through the passage. The apparatus includes a patterned relief surface configured to impress a relief pattern on a surface of a filter rod as it is formed within the passage.

Abstract: The present invention covers the integration and utility of accelerometer features into a clinical analysis system. For example, measurement of dynamic acceleration and orientation of a blood-testing instrument with respect to Earth's gravitational field may be used to determine reliability of a test procedure and optionally to provide corrective elements thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for detecting motion of an object, capturing a video feed of the motion, analyzing the video feed according to a predefined characteristic of the motion, and playing back a modified video feed. Analyzing the video feed may include measuring an object motion measurement and generating an object motion metric.

Abstract: A verified cluster configuration is collected and stored by a central management entity. Servers within the cluster are connected to network cables, where each of the servers has at least one network port and memory storing a port identification code for each network port, and where each network cable has memory storing a cable identification code. For each verified connection between a network cable and a network port, the port identification code is stored in the memory of the network cable and the cable identification code is stored in the memory of the corresponding server. The data identifying each connection is stored by the central management entity and includes the port identification code for a particular network port in association with the network cable identification code for the corresponding network cable. Any miswiring of the configuration is identified by the central management entity and easily corrected by the administrator.

Abstract: The present invention covers the integration and utility of accelerometer features into a clinical analysis system. For example, measurement of dynamic acceleration and orientation of a blood-testing instrument with respect to Earth's gravitational field may be used to determine reliability of a test procedure and optionally to provide corrective elements thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a spacer having an engineered wall with multiple corrugation fields including first and second corrugation fields having differently configured corrugations. Also provided are multi-pane glazing units that incorporate such a spacer.

Abstract: A marine evacuation system includes an escape vessel, a conduit adapted to connect the escape vessel to a facility, such as a ship or an offshore platform, and a platform engaged with the escape vessel and the conduit, the platform being removable from the escape vessel to enable movement of the escape vessel away from the platform. The conduit can enable direct passage of personnel from the facility to the escape vessel, while the platform and conduit can be configured to engage a stabilization system while permitting vertical movement of the platform and escape vessel caused by wave motion. The platform can optionally include movable portions that allow rotation or other horizontal movement of the escape vessel relative to the platform, such as movement caused by severe weather.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating disc herniation include surgical and endoscopic access and removal of disc tissue. The tissue removal devices that may be used include flexible elongate members, such as a cable, that may be inserted into a vertebral disc and rotated to pulverize the disc material and facilitate its removal.

Abstract: An optical fiber is combined with a photonic crystal structure (PCS) that is optically coupled to the optical fiber. The fiber has an exposed fiber surface, and the PCS is affixed to the optical fiber and disposed on or in proximity to the exposed fiber surface. The PCS includes an elongate probe member configured for biological probing. The elongate probe member includes an optical resonant cavity. In an experiment, this was accomplished using an optical fiber tip with a semiconductor template attached to its side face. The semiconductor structure had a thin, needle-like tip (including a nanobeam cavity) which can be suitably inserted inside (or broken off inside) a biological cell without causing cytotoxicity.

Abstract: Derivatives of celecoxib that lack cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity but have improved PDE5 inhibitory activity are provided along with pharmaceutical compositions containing them for the treatment or prevention of cancer. Such compounds are expected to have reduced toxicity compared with celecoxib and other cyclooxygenase inhibitors, and greater efficacy compared with conventional PDE5 inhibitors. Derivatives of celecoxib are also suitable for treating chronic inflammatory conditions, erectile dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, and enhancement of cognitive function.

Abstract: A fixture comprising a light sensor and an actuator for assigning the fixture to at least one zone. A fixture comprising a light source, a motion sensor and a light sensor. A fixture comprising a motion sensor, a light sensor and a wireless transmitter (optionally also a wireless receiver). A fixture configured to detect light brightness values over a time-span, and identify a period of time with smallest average brightness. A fixture configured to dim at a first rate when a motion sensor senses no motion for a designated period of time, and optionally also configured to brighten at a second rate when the motion sensor detects motion. A fixture configured to dim to not less than a designated percentage unless motion is detected during the dimming. A lighting control system, comprising fixtures and an actuator configured to assign fixtures to zones. Also, other lighting control systems and methods.

Abstract: One or more files may be transmitted from a first electronic device to a second electronic device via an EHF communication link. The first and second electronic devices may each include a processor coupled to a memory and to an EHF communication unit. The processors may be configured to establish the EHF communication link between the EHF communication unit of the first electronic device and the EHF communication unit of the second electronic device, and to transmit a copy of the one or more files via the EHF communication link.

Abstract: A resistive temperature sensor (thermistor) for a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device provides local temperatures of MEMS sensors and other MEMS devices for temperature compensation. Local accurate temperatures of the sensors and other devices provide for temperature compensation of such sensors or devices. By incorporating the thermistor structure into a MEMS device, an accurate temperature is sensed and measured adjacent to or within the structural layers of the device. In one embodiment, the thermistor is located within a few micrometers of the primary device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-channel detection of an instability in a furnace comprising a plurality of detectors are disclosed. Each of a plurality of detectors provides a first measurement related to the plurality of burners when the furnace is operating in a stable condition. A stable signal component representation is determined based on the first measurement from each of the plurality of detectors. Each of a plurality of detectors provides a second measurement related to the plurality of burners when the furnace is operating in an unknown state. An unstable signal component representation is determined based on the stable signal component representation and a second measurement from each of the plurality of detectors. An instability is detected based on the unstable signal component representation and an instability threshold.