Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a phytoactive compound and methods comprising the use of such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for use as an antimicrobial medicament comprising a biocidally active compound. The invention also relates to a medicament comprising at least one biocidally active compound and a fungal cell or fungal cell fragment wherein molecules of the at least one biocidally active compound are encapsulated or partially encapsulated by the fungal cell or fungal cell fragment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of encapsulation and a composition comprising an encapsulate material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, methods and uses of such compositions, the compositions comprising a pharmaceutically active compound and a non-encapsulating adjuvant, wherein the adjuvant comprises a fungal cell or a fragment thereof.

Abstract: A machine for processing a flat workpiece or wafer has a head, which spins the wafer between upper and lower weirs in a base. The head is spaced apart from the base by an air gap. A vacuum source attached to an exhaust opening in the base draw air through the air gap, to reduce or eliminate movement of process chemicals into the head. Corrosion of head components by process chemicals is reduced. The disadvantages of having a mechanical seal between the base and the head are also eliminated.

Abstract: A formulation comprising at least one active or at least one ingredient, and a plurality of micro-capsules formed from a plurality of micro-organisms and having at least one flavouring encapsulated and passively retained within said micro-capsules, said flavouring not being a natural constituent of said micro-organisms, said micro-capsules having: (a) an at least substantially intact cell wall; and (b) an intact cell membrane; wherein said at least one active or said at least one ingredient is foul-tasting and said at least one flavouring masks, disguises or neutralises the foul-taste of said at least one active or said at least one ingredient, preventing a patient to whom said formulation is orally administered from tasting said foul-tasting active, or causing the flavour of said foul-tasting at least one active or ingredient to be reduced such that it is more palatable. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing said formulations.

Abstract: An encapsulated product comprises a plurality of micro-capsules formed from a plurality of micro-organisms and having a lipophilic active encapsulated and passively retained within said micro-capsules. The lipophilic active is not being a natural constituent of the micro-organisms, and the micro-capsules has: (a) an at least substantially intact cell wall, and (b) an intact cell membrane. The micro-capsules are formulated to target delivery of the micro-capsules and the lipophilic active to at least one desired mucous membrane.

Abstract: A method for modifying the electrostatic discharge (ESD) characteristics of a polymeric material by integrating metallocene moieties as constituents of the polymer structure. In a preferred embodiment, the metallocene is part of the polymer backbone structure. In another preferred embodiment, the metallocene moieties are in sufficiently close proximity to one another such that electrostatic charge propagation is promoted. In another preferred embodiment, the metallocene is ferrocene. In another embodiment, an article is formulated from, or coated with, a polymeric composition containing metallocene as a polymer constituent. The subject invention includes novel polymeric compositions. Polymeric compositions of the subject invention, and articles made therefrom, exhibit electrostatic dissipative properties which are useful in preventing destructive electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: A system for centrifugally cleaning containers used for holding wafers can easily be loaded and unloaded. A rotor in the system has a first plate above a second plate, and box holding positions between the plates. Spray nozzles are positioned to spray a cleaning liquid towards the rotor. A gate is moveable vertically between an up position, for loading and unloading a box into the box holding position, and a down position, for securing a box in place during centrifugal cleaning. Door holding positions are also provided between the plates, for holding container doors.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for high throughput analysis of analytes in complex mixtures for unresolved chromatographic peaks including specific embodiment for summing intensities for each mass transition of interest over a selected chromatographic peak (50) to generate a signal corresponding to total intensity for each transition (55, 60). The intensities are deconvoluted into intensities of individual analytes (65, 70), based on branching ratios acquired from authentic standards, and a comparison to calibration curve is performed to obtain a quantitative concentration measurement of a particular analyte in a sample.

Abstract: Organic/inorganic nanocomposites and methods for their preparation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of providing an organic/inorganic concentrate and processing the concentrate with a polymer resin. In a preferred embodiment the organic/inorganic concentrate and polymer resin are processed by extrusion using a single-screw extruder. In another embodiment, the method further comprises surface modifying an inorganic additive, mixing the modified additive with a polymer solution to produce an organic/inorganic solution, and removing solvent from the organic/inorganic solution to produce the organic/inorganic concentrate. Processing of the organic/inorganic concentrate with a polymer resin produces a homogeneous nanocomposite with superior mechanical and thermal properties.

Abstract: A machine for processing a flat workpiece or wafer has a head, which spins the wafer between upper and lower weirs in a base. The head is spaced apart from the base by an air gap. A vacuum source attached to an exhaust opening in the base draw air through the air gap, to reduce or eliminate movement of process chemicals into the head. Corrosion of head components by process chemicals is reduced. The disadvantages of having a mechanical seal between the base and the head are also eliminated.

Abstract: A processor has a door system for opening and closing a process chamber. The door system includes a closure plate on an actuator supported by a mounting plate. The actuator moves the closure plate into engagement with an open front end of the chamber, to seal the chamber. Lift actuators raise and lower the mounting plate carrying the closure plate between a loading position and a chamber engagement position. The mounting plate has a center section supporting the closure plate actuator, and narrower legs extending from the center section to the lift actuators. A separate door cover is attached to the mounting plate. Visual inspection of the alignment of the closure plate and chamber is improved, better facilitating manufacture and maintenance of the processor. The lift actuators preferably have a piston within a cylinder magnetically coupled to the mounting plate, to reduce or eliminate leakage from the cylinders.

Abstract: Catheter for use in biliary procedures, including a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A guide wire lumen is carried by the shaft extending from a location proximal the distal end of the shaft to a location proximate the distal end of the shaft. A channel extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end is included for accessing the guide wire lumen from a location exterior the catheter shaft located distal the proximal end of the shaft. The catheter may be used in rapid exchange catheter procedures. The channel may be U-shaped, containing the guide wire yet allowing radial removal of the guide wire from the channel. The catheter may also be part of a device including an endoscope exchange sheath for constraining guide wire movement to the catheter channel while inside a large endoscope working channel.