Abstract: The present invention features peptides, compositions, and related methods for treating gastrointestinal disorders and conditions, including but not limited to, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastrointestinal motility disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenogastric reflux, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, functional heartburn, dyspepsia, visceral pain, gastroparesis, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (or colonic pseudo-obstruction), disorders and conditions associated with constipation, and other conditions and disorders are described herein, using peptides and other agents that activate the guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) receptor.

Abstract: Methods of preparing polymer target conjugates which are substantially free of polymer attachment on the N-terminal of the targets are provided. Also provided are compositions comprising a plurality of polymer-polypeptide conjugates, said polymer-polypeptide conjugate comprising a polypeptide covalently attached to at least one polymer through an epsilon amino group of a Lysine or a Histidine found on the polypeptide and said conjugates containing less than 5% of the polymer-polypeptide conjugates having a polymer attached to the N-terminal of the polypeptide; and polymer target conjugates comprising a target moiety selected from the group consisting of polypeptides, proteins and the like having at least one polymer attached thereto at a site which is not the N-terminal of the target.

Abstract: A thermal bubble jetting device including a substrate. A superoleophobic, textured surface is positioned on the substrate. The textured surface comprises one or more gaps configured for holding a gas. A receptacle is positioned in fluid communication with the textured surface. Both an inlet and nozzle are in fluid communication with the receptacle. The device includes a heater mechanism configured to expand a gas in the one or more gaps so as to sufficiently increase pressure in the receptacle to force liquid through the nozzle.

Abstract: A device and method for preparing a device having a superoleophobic surface are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate; coating a lift-off resist layer on the substrate; baking the lift-off resist layer; layering a photoresist layer on the lift-off resist layer; performing photolithography to create a textured pattern in the photoresist layer and the lift-off resist layer, and chemically modifying the textured pattern to create a superoleophobic surface.

Abstract: A method for continuously preparing stable-type vitamin A microcapsules is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: adding vitamin A crystals and an antioxidant into a crystal melter continuously according to a certain ratio under the protection of nitrogen to prepare vitamin A melting oil containing the antioxidant; pumping the above melting oil into a high gravity rotary packed bed emulsifier with a liquid distributor by a pump, and pumping aqueous solution containing gellable modified starch into the above high gravity rotary packed bed emulsifier after deoxidation treatment to obtain vitamin A emulsion at the outlet of the high gravity rotary packed bed emulsifier; and atomizing and spraying the emulsion continuously in a cooled starch bed for granulating, and performing fluidization drying and gelation treatment in a fluidized bed by taking nitrogen as a drying medium to obtain the stable-type vitamin A microcapsules.

Abstract: Heterobifunctional polymeric prodrug platforms for delivering biologically active compounds, including proteins, monoclonal antibodies and the like are disclosed. One preferred compound is Methods of making and using the compounds and conjugates described herein are also provided.

Abstract: An approach is provided for contact leveling an image applied to a media substrate. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a contact leveling member comprising at least one textured surface configured to repel one or more inks to level an image applied to the media substrate. The at least one textured surface may comprise one or more micro/nano structures configured to cause, at least in part, the at least one textured surface to have an ink contact angle greater than 100° and a sliding angle less than 30° when the at least one textured surface contacts the one or more inks.

Abstract: A three phase rectifier rectifies received three phase a.c. power to generate a ripple d.e. voltage. A power distribution bus conveys distribution power comprising the ripple d.c. voltage or an a.c. voltage derived therefrom to a location of an LED based lamp that is distal from the three phase rectifier. Additional circuitry disposed with the LED based lamp drives the LED based lamp using the distribution power.

Abstract: Embodiments of adjustment of a task execution plan at runtime by a task execution engine configured to receive a plan compilation task, the plan compilation task comprising a task execution plan, are provided. An aspect includes receiving a first plan compilation task by the task execution engine through a plan compilation interface. Another aspect includes modifying a task execution plan of the first plan compilation task in response to receiving a second plan compilation task by the task execution engine, the second plan compilation task comprising a task execution plan for modifying the task execution plan of the first plan compilation task. Yet another aspect includes reading a next task in the task execution plan of the first plan compilation task and initiating the next task by the task execution engine.

Abstract: A coating for an ink jet printhead front face, wherein the coating comprises an oleophobic low adhesion coating having high thermal stability as indicated by less than about 15 percent weight loss when heated to up to 300° C., and wherein a drop of ultra-violet (UV) gel ink or a drop of solid ink exhibits a contact angle of greater than about 50° and sliding angle of less than about 30° with a surface of the coating, wherein the coating maintains the contact angle and sliding angle after the coating has been exposed to a temperature of at least 260° C. for at least 30 minutes.

Abstract: An ink jet print head front face or nozzle plate having a textured superoleophobic surface that prevents undesirable drooling, wetting and/or adhesion of the ink on the print head. The textured surface includes a rim formed around the nozzle. Also described are methods for forming the textured superoleophobic ink jet print head front face or nozzle plate from silicon having the textured, oleophobic surface.

Abstract: Solid, stable formulations of linaclotide suitable for oral administration are described herein as are methods for preparing such formulations. The formulations described herein contain a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence Cys Cys Glu Tyr Cys Cys Asn Pro Ala Cys Thr Gly Cys Tyr (“linaclotide”; SEQ ID NO:1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The linaclotide formulations described herein are stable and have a sufficient shelf life for manufacturing, storing and distributing the drug.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for model quality estimation and model adaptation in multivariable process control are disclosed. A method for updating a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) dynamical model of a process includes perturbing the process, auditing the controller model, identifying poor performing submodels and re-testing the relevant process variables, re-identifying submodels and adapting the model online while the process continues to operate within normal operating parameters. An apparatus comprises an online multivariable controller, a tester, a database to store data corresponding to manipulated variables and controlled variables, and a performance diagnosis module configured to identify problematic submodels and adapt a model used by the controller.

Abstract: A coating for an ink jet printhead front face, wherein the coating comprises a oleophobic low adhesion coating. When the oleophobic low adhesion coating is disposed on an ink jet printhead front face surface, jetted drops of ultra-violet gel ink or jetted drops of solid ink exhibit a contact angle greater than 45° and a low sliding angle of less than about 30°. In embodiments, the oleophobic low adhesion coating is thermally stable wherein the surface contact angle and sliding angle show little degradation after the coating is subjected to high temperatures in a range between 180° and 320° or thereabout and high pressures in a range between 100 psi and 400 psi or thereabout during printhead fabrication and manufacturing.

Abstract: A method of preparing nano-dispersed high-all-trans-carotenoid microcapsules is provided, comprising: preparing 10-20% carotenoid suspension by milling the high-all trans-carotenoid crystals with dichloromethane until the particle size thereof is in the range of 2-5 ?m, then supplying the suspension together with preheated dichloromethane of another pass into a dissolving tank to obtain a solution of 0.5-2%; delivering the solution together with ethanol or isopropanol into a crystallization device having high gravity rotating packed bed simultaneously and continuously, and then into a wiped-film evaporator for desolvation until the solid content is 10-20%, then a transparent alcohol dispersion of carotenoid is obtained; mashing the alcohol dispersion together with an aqueous solution containing an antioxidant and protective colloid and spray drying to obtain nano-dispersed high-all-trans-carotenoid microcapsules.

Abstract: An aperture plate for a print head of a printer can include a first layer having a first emissivity which is covered by a second layer having a second emissivity which is less than the first emissivity. In an embodiment, the second layer can be etched at nozzle locations to form openings in the second layer which have widths/areas greater than widths/areas of nozzles formed in the first layer. In another embodiment, the second layer can have a smaller thickness at the nozzle locations and a larger thickness away from the nozzle locations. Forming the openings in the second layer which are larger than the nozzles, or forming the second layer thinner at the nozzle locations prior to forming the nozzles, can provide a well-formed nozzle and an aperture plate having a low emissivity.

Abstract: A computer-based apparatus and method for automated data screening and selection in model identification and model adaptation in multivariable process control is disclosed. Data sample status information, PID control loop associations and internally built MISO (Multi-input, Single-output) predictive models are employed to automatically screen individual time-series of data, and based on various criteria bad data is automatically identified and marked for removal. The resulting plant step test/operational data is also repaired by interpolated replacement values substituted for certain removed bad data that satisfy some conditions. Computer implemented data point interconnection and adjustment techniques are provided to guarantee smooth/continuous replacement values.

Abstract: A process for preparing a flexible device having a textured superoleophobic surface comprising providing a flexible substrate; disposing a silicon layer on the flexible substrate; using photolithography to create a textured pattern in the silicon layer on the substrate wherein the textured pattern comprises an array of pillars; and chemically modifying the textured surface by disposing a conformal oleophobic coating thereon; to provide a flexible device having a superoleophobic surface and, in embodiments, to provide a flexible device having a surface that is both superoleophobic and superhydrophobic.

Abstract: A novel synthesis of the anti-androgen, A52, which has been found to be useful in the treatment of prostate cancer, is provided. A52 as well as structurally related analogs may be prepared via the inventive route. This new synthetic scheme may be used to prepare kilogram scale quantities of pure A52.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ink jet print head front face or nozzle plate having a textured superoleophobic surface comprising providing a silicon substrate; using photolithography to create a textured pattern in the silicon substrate; optionally, modifying the textured silicon surface by disposing a conformal oleophobic coating thereon; and forming an ink jet print head front face or nozzle plate from the textured oleophobic silicon material to provide an ink jet print head front face or nozzle plate having a textured superoleophobic surface.