Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a pyroelectric crystal, a deuterated or tritiated target, an ion source, and a common support coupled to the pyroelectric crystal, the deuterated or tritiated target, and the ion source. In another embodiment, a method includes producing a voltage of negative polarity on a surface of a deuterated or tritiated target in response to a temperature change of a pyroelectric crystal, pulsing a deuterium ion source to produce a deuterium ion beam, accelerating the deuterium ion beam to the deuterated or tritiated target to produce a neutron beam, and directing the ion beam onto the deuterated or tritiated target to make neutrons using a voltage of the pyroelectric crystal and/or an HGI surrounding the pyroelectric crystal. The directionality of the neutron beam is controlled by changing the accelerating voltage of the system. Other apparatuses and methods are presented as well.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a nuclear instrument using a gamma thermometer may include: measuring, in the instrument, local neutron flux; generating, from the instrument, a first signal proportional to the neutron flux; measuring, in the gamma thermometer, local gamma flux; generating, from the gamma thermometer, a second signal proportional to the gamma flux; compensating the second signal; and calibrating a gain of the instrument based on the compensated second signal. Compensating the second signal may include: calculating selected yield fractions for specific groups of delayed gamma sources; calculating time constants for the specific groups; calculating a third signal that corresponds to delayed local gamma flux based on the selected yield fractions and time constants; and calculating the compensated second signal by subtracting the third signal from the second signal. The specific groups may have decay time constants greater than 5×10?1 seconds and less than 5×105 seconds.

Abstract: An ultraminiature light source using a double-spiral shaped tungsten filament includes end contact portions which are separated to allow for radial and length-wise unwinding of the spiral. The double-spiral filament is spaced relatively far apart at the end portions thereof so that contact between portions of the filament upon expansion is avoided. The light source is made by fabricating a double-spiral ultraminiature tungsten filament from tungsten foil and housing the filament in a ceramic package having a reflective bottom and a well wherein the filament is suspended. A vacuum furnace brazing process attaches the filament to contacts of the ceramic package. Finally, a cover with a transparent window is attached onto the top of the ceramic package by solder reflow in a second vacuum furnace process to form a complete hermetically sealed package.

Abstract: A two-phase mixed media insulator having a dielectric fluid filling the interstices between macro-sized dielectric beads packed into a confined volume, so that the packed dielectric beads inhibit electro-hydrodynamically driven current flows of the dielectric liquid and thereby increase the resistivity and breakdown strength of the two-phase insulator over the dielectric liquid alone. In addition, an electrical apparatus incorporates the two-phase mixed media insulator to insulate between electrical components of different electrical potentials. And a method of electrically insulating between electrical components of different electrical potentials fills a confined volume between the electrical components with the two-phase dielectric composite, so that the macro dielectric beads are packed in the confined volume and interstices formed between the macro dielectric beads are filled with the dielectric liquid.

Abstract: An ultraminiature light source using a double-spiral shaped tungsten filament includes end contact portions which are separated to allow for radial and length-wise unwinding of the spiral. The double-spiral filament is spaced relatively far apart at the end portions thereof so that contact between portions of the filament upon expansion is avoided. The light source is made by fabricating a double-spiral ultraminiature tungsten filament from tungsten foil and housing the filament in a ceramic package having a reflective bottom and a well wherein the filament is suspended. A vacuum furnace brazing process attaches the filament to contacts of the ceramic package. Finally, a cover with a transparent window is attached onto the top of the ceramic package by solder reflow in a second vacuum furnace process to form a complete hermetically sealed package.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a multi-layered tablet for a triple combination release of active agents to an environment of use. More particularly, the invention pertains to a multi-layered tablet (1) comprising two external drug-containing layers (2 and 3) in stacked arrangement with respect to and on opposite sides of an oral dosage form (4) that provides a triple combination release of at least one active agent. In one embodiment of the invention the dosage form is an osmotic device. In another embodiment of the invention the dosage form is a gastro-resistant coated core. In yet another embodiment of the invention the dosage form is a matrix tablet. In a different embodiment the dosage form is a hard capsule.

Abstract: A controlled release dosage form containing lercanidipine, or a salt thereof, a performance-enhancing acid, and at least one other pharmaceutical excipient exhibits enhanced in vitro dissolution of lercanidipine, enhanced storage stability based upon the reduced degradation of lercanidipine, and/or enhanced in vivo bioavailability of lercanidipine as compared to an otherwise similar controlled release dosage form excluding the performance-enhancing acid but containing the same amount of lercanidipine.

Abstract: The invention provides a compressed tablet that provides a extended release tablet containing a extended release form of carbidopa and a extended release form of levodopa. The tablet optionally further comprises an immediate or rapid release composition of carbidopa and/or levodopa. The extended release composition in the tablet excludes a release rate-controlling polymer, and a release rate-controlling coating; however, the release of the carbidopa and/or levodopa is independently optionally delayed for a lag time. The invention also provides a tablet having a extended release form of levodopa and a rapid or immediate release form of carbidopa. A tablet can contain levodopa present in extended release form and rapid or immediate release form, and carbidopa present in extended release form and rapid or immediate release form. The tablet is used to treat Parkinson's disease and other movement related disorders, diseases or syndromes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an osmotic device containing controlled release venlafaxine in the core, wherein the osmotic device exhibits a reduced food effect as compared to a reference controlled release capsule formulation. Some embodiments include venlafaxine in controlled release form in combination with an anti-Alzheimer's or an anti-Parkinson's drug in a rapid release external coat. Memantine is used as an anti-Alzheimer's drug or an anti-Parkinson's drug. Particular embodiments of the invention provide osmotic devices having predetermined release profiles. One embodiment of the osmotic device includes an external coat that has been spray-coated rather than compression-coated onto the device. The device is useful for the treatment of depression in Alzheimer's and/or Parkinson's patients. The device and method can also be used to treat or ameliorate other symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or any other neurological disorder.

Abstract: The osmotic devices of the present invention contain a unitary core comprising a salt of amantadine and an osmotic salt, wherein the two salts have an ion in common. The release rate of the amantadine is modified from a first order release profile to a zero order, pseudo-zero order or sigmoidal release profile by increasing the amount of the osmotic salt in the core of the device. The osmotic device includes a semipermeable membrane having a controlled porosity that can be adapted as needed to cooperate with the osmotic salt in providing a predetermined drug release profile. The osmotic salt need not be coated and it is in admixture with the amantadine salt.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, and dosage form therefor, of treating impaired motor function associated with Parkinson's disease, anti-Parkinson's drug treatment, e.g. L-Dopa therapy, and/or dementia associated with Parkinson's disease. The invention includes the combined administration of an NMDA receptor antagonist and an antidepressant, e.g., the combination of amantadine and citalopram or venlafaxine, or an NMDA receptor antagonist and an anxiolytic agent, e.g., amantadine and buspirone or trazodone, for the amelioration of undesired tremors, akinesia, dyskinesia, or bradykinesia associated with one or more different disorders or diseases. The drugs can be included in a single dosage form. One embodiment includes a combination dosage form containing each drug in controlled release forms. Another embodiment includes a combination dosage form providing a controlled release of an NMDA receptor antagonist and a rapid release of a neuroactive agent after administration to a subject.

Abstract: An optical signal processor having a monolithic prism supporting one or more channels, and constructed from a first glass block joined to a second glass block at a beam splitter interface. The monolithic prism has thin film beam splitters and filters (such as I and Q filters) either deposited directly on the prism or attached to it. The beam splitter interface, and the thin film beam splitters and filters are arranged relative to each other so that a portion of the return-ranging collimated encoded beam from an external optical sensor is reflected to all the filters. And detectors are connected over the filters to detect particular components of the collimated encoded beam which are passed through the respective filters.

Abstract: The osmotic devices of the present invention include a single core comprising a salt of a drug and an osmotic salt, wherein the drug salt and the osmotic salt have a common ion. The release rate of the active drug is reduced, and the release profile of the active drug is modified, from a first order release profile to a zero order, pseudo-zero order, or sigmoidal release profile, by increasing the amount of the sodium chloride in the core of the device. In one embodiment the sodium chloride is used to modify a controlled release profile to a delayed and controlled release profile.

Abstract: An indexable media player for providing various forms of communications in synchronized form from a remote host. The media player includes a video window, a content window and interactive windows to allow a user to communicate with the remote host. The media player also includes an indexable menu to allow users to select a desired segment for communication. An interactive component also allows collaborative interaction between the users and host of the media communication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel, liquid and semi-solid pharmaceutical compositions which can be administered in liquid form or can be used for preparing capsules containing such pharmaceutical compositions. Also provided are methods of using and processes for preparing the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel, liquid and semi-solid pharmaceutical compositions which can be administered in liquid form or can be used for preparing capsules containing such pharmaceutical compositions. Also provided are methods of using and processes for preparing the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: Prolamine fractions of grain proteins, applied as a single coating in weight ratios of 5 to 100% relative to the active substance being coated, result in the production of a liquid suspension which effectively masks the taste of orally administered drugs which often are extremely bitter. The taste masking is stable over prolonged periods of storage time of the suspension. The prolamine coating does not restrict the immediate bioavailability of the active substance. Prolamine coating is effective in masking the taste of antibiotics, vitamins, dietary fiber, analgesics, enzymes and hormones. Zein, gliadin or a mixture thereof, particularly in combination with between 2.

Abstract: Prolamine fractions of grain proteins, applied as a single coating in weight ratios of 5 to 100% relative to the active substance being coated, result in the production of a liquid suspension which effectively masks the taste of orally administered drugs which often are extremely bitter. The taste masking is stable over prolonged periods of storage time of the suspension. The prolamine coating does not restrict the immediate bioavailability of the active substance. Prolamine coating is effective in masking the taste of antibiotics, vitamins, dietary fiber, analgesics, enzymes and hormones. Zein, gliadin or a mixture thereof, particularly in combination with between 2.

Abstract: A carbide and carbonitride surface treatment method for refractory metals is provided, in steps including, heating a part formed of boron, chromium, hafnium, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten or zirconium, or alloys thereof, in an evacuated chamber and then introducing reaction gases including nitrogen and hydrogen, either in elemental or water vapor form, which react with a source of elemental carbon to form carbon-containing gaseous reactants which then react with the metal part to form the desired surface layer. Apparatus for practicing the method is also provided, in the form of a carbide and carbonitride surface treatment system (10) including a reaction chamber (14), a source of elemental carbon (17), a heating subassembly (20) and a source of reaction gases (23).

Abstract: A novel anhydrous crystalline polymorph of 1-(4-amino-6,7-dimethoxy- 2-quinazolinyl)-4-(2-tetrahydrofuroyl)piperazine monohydrochloride is disclosed, together with pharmaceutical formulations containing the compound. The novel polymorph exhibits a diminished food effect when administered to human subjects.